Yankees Eye Balling Nats' Morse

For some time I've wondered if the Washington Nationals outfielder/first baseman Mike Morse would be available via a trade.  Apparently the answer to that question is now yes.

The Yankees are among a number of teams that have reportedly contacted Nats' GM Mike Rizzo about acquiring the eight year veteran. The Nats couldn't make any move concerning Morse until free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche re-signed with the team or went elsewhere.  That question was answered early Tuesday when the two sides agreed to a two-year, $24MM deal.

With Morse set to make $6.75MM this season, free agency on the horizon in 2014, and prospects (e.g. Tyler Moore) near Major League ready, it makes good business sense to try to move Morse, who will turn 30 before the regular season starts. It also makes good business sense for the Yankees who could determine after the 2013 season if they would like to keep Morse. If not, it will help them to reach their salary goal ($189MM) for the 2014 season.

The former 2000, third round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox (he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners in 2004 as part of deal that brought Freddy Garcia to the Windy City's South Side.), came into his own after he was dealt to Washington for Ryan Langerhans in 2009. A deal that was thought of as the time as one underwhelming player for another.

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Yankees Should Look Into Napoli

It looked like the Boston Red Sox were a cinch to sign free agent Mike Napoli to a three-year, $39MM contract. The only thing that stood in the way was the prerequisite physical. Apparently, the results of which have led to a renegotiation between the Red Sox and Napoli's representation.

The hold up is rumored to be an issue with one of Napoli's hips. Burned or semi-burned by big contracts to Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez in 2010-2011, the Red Sox will be very cautious in what they will pay a player that might be damaged goods.

The situation could still fall apart completely, and is the impetus behind the rumor that the Red Sox have reached out to free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche. The 33-year old is coming off a career year for the Washington Nationals in which he hit a career high 33 home runs, tied his best season with 100 RBI, made his first All-Star appearance, and also snared his first Gold Glove Award. He would almost certainly come at a higher cost than Napoli, despite being two years older than the former member of the  Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers.

You can bet Red Sox GM Ben Cherington has pictured Napoli peppering the Green Monster of Fenway Park, but LaRoche would actually make more sense. The Sox have prided themselves on defense for a number of years now and LaRoche would fit the bill as a superior first baseman to the more inexperienced Napoli (133 career games at first base). On the down side, LaRoche tends to be a pull hitter, which doesn't necessarily work well for a left-handed hitter in Fenway Park.

But enough about the Red Sox; after all, this is supposed to be about the Yankees checking in on Napoli. Obviously, they too would have to check in on the condition of Napoli's hip. (One highly paid player in NY with bad hips is enough.) But they should try to offer Napoli a two year deal worth $30MM or even have only one year guaranteed with an optional second year that can kick in automatically if Napoli meets certain criteria (games played, hits, etc.).

Though Napoli is not as stupendous player as some people think - his 2011 post-season has warped the view of him - he's a much better hitter than the recently signed Matt Diaz. Granted, the two would not be competing for the same spot, but the Yankees are going to need a better right-handed bat than Diaz to make up for the loss of Alex Rodriguez. (Or more precisely, what the A-Rod achieved at one time.)

It's already been made crystal clear that these are not the George Steinbrenner Yankees and staying under the $189MM limit by 2014 is a hard and fast rule in Yankeeland. That being said, some money will be freed up when Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera will likely be coming off the books after the 2013 season (a combined $22MM) and Curtis Granderson's $15MM will as well.

Whether the Yankees are setting things up to sell the team or managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner is being more fiscally prudent than his Dad, the Yankees still need to be competitive if they expect the fans to fork over their hard earned dollars to buy single game and season tickets.

Adding Mike Napoli to the lineup could help in that regard.

Swisher, Soriano Among the Bigger Names Left in FA Market

When Nick Swisher and Rafael Soriano turned down one year, $13.3MM qualifying offers from the Yankees, it was obvious there time in New York was officially over. The two are among the handful of valuable players that are still available via the free agent market.

It's no surprise that Swisher had not signed up until now given the market had to be set first by Josh Hamilton, the biggest prize among every day players. In the case of Soriano, I suspect  agent Scott Boras have overvalued the market. (Boras blames players of a lesser value - he specifically mentioned Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino - for getting too much money and throwing things off. Wait, what? Boras said someone is overpaid?!)

It came as no surprise when Soriano opted out of the three year, $35MM deal he had with the Yankees with one year remaining. Soriano took advantage of closer Mariano Rivera's misfortune in 2012 to save 42 games in 46 attempts. With Jose Valverde being the only other closer on the market who has had recent success (2011, he stunk this past season), one would think there would be plenty of teams willing to sign Soriano to a three or four year big money deal. Boras pushed the Tigers hard to replace Valverde with Soriano but has been rebuffed in his attempts thus far.

Swisher put together a steady regular season resume with the Yankees from 2009 - 2012.  Swisher's .850 OPS was accompanied by an average of 26 HR and 83 RBI. He also walked more than 90 times in a season in half of his career in the Bronx.

As steady as he was during the regular season, Swisher was just as unreliable during the post-season. His 5-30 (.167) showing in two playoff series this past Fall left him with a career split of .169/.283/.305 in 181 post-season plate appearances.

The Cleveland Indians have been the team most mentioned when Swisher's names comes up. The switch-hitting outfielder is said to be looking for a four year deal in his first entree into the free agent extravaganza. He earned $10.25MM last season and recently turned 32-years old.

Other outfielders still available include Michael Bourn, Scott Hairston, and Cody Ross. The Yankees have reportedly shown some interest in the soon-to-be 30-year old Bourn. The Yankees are hopeful they'll get a new two-year deal done soon with Ichiro Suzuki, who with Curtis Granderson, and Brett Gardner, would split outfield time with a right-handed bat.

The left-handed hitting Bourn would not fit that bill and is a similar type of player to Gardner, who made about a third of Bourn's salary last year. If the Yankees were to deal Curtis Granderson, it would relieve them of $15MM in salary, but leave a substantial power hole in the lineup. Considering he becomes a free agent after the 2013 season, it makes no sense to deal Granderson, especially if he can recapture his 2011 swing.

Hairston would be a decent fit for the Yankees if he can approach the .803 OPS he compiled with the Mets last season. Hairston has battled injuries often in his career, but played in 134 games last season and hit 20 home runs for the first time.

This is the second consecutive season as a free agent for Ross, who signed a one year deal with Boston for just $3MM prior to the 2012 season. It was less than half the amount he had earned with the San Francisco Giants the year before. The righty hitting outfielder hit 22 HR and drove in 81 runs for the Red Sox and added an .807 OPS. But there was a wide chasm between his Fenway Park numbers and those he put together on the road. (.921 OPS at home; .684 on the road) The Phillies are said to be interested in bringing Ross back to the National League, where he had played the previous seven years.

First baseman Adam LaRoche appears set to cash in on his 2012 season in which he hit a career high 33 home runs for the Washington Nationals and matched his career high of 100 RBI. The Nats would like to retain LaRoche's services, but so far the two sides have not been able to agree on the length and amount of a contract.

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski will be 36-years old before the calendar changes to 2013, but one of the game's lightning rods is still in demand. It's largely due Pierzynski's 27 HR, 77 RBI campaign last season and his ability to handle a pitching staff. Yankees fans would love to see Pierzysnki brought in with a two-year deal to bolster the current group of catchers as well as to mentor guys like Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez.

BD Hot Stove: Beltre Finalizes Deal With Texas | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Beltre Finalizes Deal With Texas | Baseball Digest

While the family and friends of Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven are celebrating their new found fame as baseball hall of fame members, Adrian Beltre’s going to party like it’s 1999 after inking his six year, $96M deal with the Texas Rangers.

Beltre last signed a large free agent contract with the Seattle Mariners in December, 2004. That deal was five years and put $64M in Beltre’s bank account. It also backfired for the Mariners, who never received the production Beltre created as a member of the LA Dodgers. Texas is hoping for better things after Beltre’s big season with the Boston Red Sox in 2010.

The slick fielding 3rd baseman hit .321 last season with 28 home runs and 102 RBI. He also led the American League in doubles and was a first time All-Star. Beltre’s deal includes a provision which allows Texas to void the final year of the contract if Beltre does not reach a certain amount of plate appearances in the fourth and/or final year of the deal. The sixth year would pay him $16M.

Rumors, News, and Transactions

Carlos Gonzalez has finalized a seven year contract agreement that will have the Colorado Rockies paying him $80M.

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Braves and recently acquired 2nd baseman Dan Uggla have avoided arbitration with a new five year, $64M contract. Prior to being traded, Uggla reportedly turned down a four year, $48M offer from the Florida Marlins.

Adam LaRoche is the Washington Nationals new 1st baseman after signing a two year, $15M deal. The contract includes an option for 2013 worth $13M/$1M buyout.

Tony Pena Jr., son of the catching standout and a former shortstop, has signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox. The younger Pena converted to pitcher after not being able to hit major league pitching.

Despite a previous report, Mariners infielder Brendan Ryan has NOT signed a two year deal with the club and is still headed to arbitration at this time.

Things are getting desperate in the Bronx. Jon Morosi reports that the Yankees are showing interest in the worn right arm of Jeremy Bonderman.

BD Hot Stove: Starting The Year Off On The Right Foot | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Starting The Year Off On The Right Foot | Baseball Digest

It’s a new year in the hot stove, but some things haven’t changed since last we met. Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte (who lands on his right foot; hence my poor pun) still hasn’t made up his mind about whether or not to play this year. However, the Bergen Record’s Bob Klapisch expects the Yankees to hear from Pettitte this week and unfortunately for Yankees fans, he expects the Yankees to hear the word retirement.

The Orioles wrapped up their 1st base needs over the holiday weekend, agreeing with Derrek Lee on a one year, $10M contract. The O’s had also negotiated with Adam LaRoche, but the veteran wanted a multi-year deal. LaRoche is now in serious negotiations with the Nationals.

The O’s may be in need of more bullpen help as well. Reliever Alfredo Simon turned himself in to the police in the Dominican Republic after being accused of shooting and killing one man and an injuring another.

ESPN Deportes reports that Adrian Beltre and the Rangers are close to an agreement on a free agent deal. Beltre has reportedly been seeking a guaranteed six year deal.

The Pirates signed pitcher Brian Burres to a minor league deal after non-tendering him earlier this off-season.

Also brought back with a minor league deal after being non-tendered is Red Sox left-hander Hideki Okajima. The set up man was a key part of the 2007 World Series championship.

SI’s Jon Heyman hears the White Sox have some interest in closer Rafael Soriano, though the feeling here is that the price may be too high for Chicago.

Yankees Outlast Dbacks in 10

Mariano Rivera must have been experiencing some deja vu, or at the very least, some near deja vu last night. But thankfully for the greatest closer of all time this is June, 2010 not November, 2001. Rivera worked out of a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the 10th inning and the Yankees defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 last night. In doing so, the Yankees took two of three and picked up a game on the Rays and Red Sox, both of whom lost.

The Yankees did everything they could to not win the game, particular on the basepaths, but the Diamondbacks bullpen was much more giving. After Alex Rodriguez's sac fly tied the game against Aaron Heilman in the 9th, Curtis Granderson smacked a solo home run off Carlos Rosa in the 10th inning to give the Bombers a 6-5 lead. Granderson is the only major leaguer with more than one home run in extra innings this season.

The Diamondbacks immediately rallied against Rivera in their half of the 10, loading the bases on a Stephen Drew single, a double off the bat of Justin Upton, and intentional walk to Miguel Montero. Rivera got Chris Young to foul out to Francisco Cervelli and Adam LaRoche, who had driven in all five Dbacks runs, to pop out to third. That left things up to Mark Reynolds, king of home runs and strikeouts. Rivera made it the latter, pushing Reynolds strikeout total to 103 with a swing and a miss at strike three.

This was a game that was ugly for the start. Dontrelle Willis couldn't throw strikes, but the Yankees made a pair of base running blunders to ruin a potential big 1st inning. Nick Swisher was picked off 1st base (though it was recorded as a caught stealing) and Mark Teixeira was thrown out on ill time double steal time as Robinson Cano struck out.

Javier Vazquez lasted just five innings before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 6th. LaRoche victimized for a pair of 2-run singles, but he got off the hook when the Yankees tied the game at 4-4 in the 6th with a pair of runs. That included a pinch-hit RBI single for Colin Curtis.

Damaso Marte gave the run right back in the bottom of the sixth with the help of a balk and a wild pitch. LaRoche's ground out gave AZ a 5-4 lead and set up the late game drama.

The Rest of the Deals

In addition to the deals we've mentioned to date, here's what else went down today:

J.P. Ricciardi did make one deal- sending Scott Rolen to Cincinnati for fellow 3rd baseman Edwin Encarnacion, and pitchers Zach Stewart and Josh Roenicke. Rolen reportedly asked for a trade due to personal reasons. Roenicke is the son of former Orioles outfielder Gary Roenicke.

The Red Sox flipped recently acquired 1st baseman Adam LaRoche to the Atlanta Braves (the second time he has been a Brave) for 1st baseman Casey Kotchman.

The Rockies picked up reliever Joe Beimel from the Nats for pitchers Ryan Mattheus and Robinson Fabian.

The Dodgers sent pitcher Claudio Vargas to the Brewers for catcher Vinny Rottino.

Red Sox Begin to Re-tool

They aren't major moves, but the Boston Red Sox have begun to fill some holes and change the look of their current team. In the midst of a season high 4-game losing streak, GM Theo Epstein has acquired 1st baseman Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh and outfielder Chris Duncan from St. Louis in two separate transactions.

With Mike Lowell still bothered by a bad hip, Epstein got himself an every day 1st baseman, enabling the Red Sox to slide Kevin Youkilis back to his old position at the opposite corner. The Sox sent minor leaguers Argenis Diaz and Hunter Strickland. LaRoche is a career .269 hitter with solid power and a good glove. He was batting .247 this season.

Duncan was swapped for shortstop Julio Lugo, whom the Red Sox had designated for assignment. He had just been sent down to the minors after hitting just .227 with 5 home runs and 32 RBI in 87 games. Manager Tony LaRussa had just defended his outfielder, saying he wanted "to vomit" from all the negativity Cardinals fans had directed at Duncan.

In Lugo, the Cardinals get an infielder who swings a decent bat, but is a below average shortstop. He'll add speed to the Cardinals game, though it's unknown whether or not he'll move right into the starting lineup.