Thread: 2009-10 Hot Stove Baseball

The Cleveland Indians have added two players to their minor league system. The club announced today that they have signed 1B/OF Shelley Duncan and OF Austin Kearns to minor league contracts with non-roster invitations to spring training camp.

The 30-year old Duncan was International League MVP in 2009 thanks to a record 30 home runs and 99 RBI. He hit .277 on the season and added 85 runs, 30 doubles and a triple. The former second-rounder has spent the bulk of his career with the Yankees and has a career major league average of .219 through 68 games.

Kearns, 29, has a career major league average of .256 and has spent his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals. He was the seventh overall selection in the 1998 draft.


Transactions: Jamario Moon Hurt, Tribe Signs Two | WaitingForNextYear

This has to be strictly a luxury-tax avoidance move:


Sources: Seattle Mariners to acquire Casey Kotchman from Boston Red Sox for Bill Hall - ESPN

Originally Posted by cosmo_kramer

I like the signing. Two years, "cheap". At Fenway his numbers should be comparable to Lowell's and he really solidifies the infield defense.

I do too, but mainly because of the two years!

I couldn't handle another Renteria/Lugo type contract!

I just heard this on SportsCenter a minute ago: Matt Holliday is staying with the Cardinals.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...l?eref=BrkNews

The Texas Rangers have agreed to terms with Vladimir Guerrero on a one-year deal with a mutual option for a second year, according to sources.

Guerrero is guaranteed $6 million in the deal, which is pending a physical. It includes $5 million plus performance incentives for 2010 and a $1 million buyout if the Rangers don't pick up the option, a source said.

Sources: Vladimir Guerrero agrees to one-year deal with Texas Rangers - ESPN Dallas

AL Central Moves
By Tim Dierkes [January 10 at 6:03pm CST]

A look at the moves made so far this offseason by AL Central clubs...

White Sox

* Acquired/re-signed: Mark Teahen, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, J.J. Putz, Freddy Garcia, Juan Pierre, Freddy Dolsi, Jacob Marceaux, Wander Perez, Ryan Braun, Miguel Negron, Dylan Axelrod, Freddie Bynum, T.J. Bohn, Greg Aquino, Erick Threets, Mark Kotsay, Alejandro De Aza
* Lost: DeWayne Wise, Scott Podsednik, Josh Fields, Chris Getz, Jon Link, John Ely, Wilson Betemit, Jerry Owens

Indians

* Acquired/re-signed: Brian Buscher, Jason Grilli, Mike Gosling, Anthony Reyes, Mitch Talbot, Luis Rodriguez, Hector Ambriz, Saul Rivera, Shelley Duncan, Austin Kearns, Jose Constanza
* Lost: Jamey Carroll, Kelly Shoppach, Greg Aquino, Vinnie Chulk, Masahide Kobayashi, Zach Jackson

Tigers

* Acquired/re-signed: Adam Everett, Daniel Schlereth, Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Enrique Gonzalez, Macay McBride, Robinzon Diaz, Brad Thomas
* Lost: Placido Polanco, Brandon Lyon, Clay Rapada, Edwin Jackson, Curtis Granderson, Freddy Dolsi, Dusty Ryan, Matt Treanor

Royals

* Acquired/re-signed: Jason Kendall, Brian Anderson, Scott Podsednik, John Parrish, Noel Arguelles, Wilson Betemit, Edgar Osuna, Scott Thorman, Reggie Taylor, Cody Clark, Irving Falu, John Bannister, Jorge Campillo, Brad Thompson, Edwin Bellorin, Bryan Bullington, Juan Mora, Josh Rupe, Steve Lerud, Jorge Bonifacio, Buck Coats, Philip Humber, Devon Lowery, Julio Pimentel, Francisco Rosario, Adam Bostick, Bruce Chen, Nelson Payano, Vance Wilson, Ernesto Mejia, Shane Costa, Damon Hollins
* Lost: Mark Teahen, Lenny DiNardo, Miguel Olivo, Coco Crisp, Tug Hulett, John Buck, Josh Anderson, Tony Pena Jr.

Twins

* Acquired/re-signed: J.J. Hardy, Carl Pavano, Clay Condrey, Yancarlos Ortiz, Henry Arias, Jose Lugo, Chris Province, Mike Maroth, Brock Peterson
* Lost: Brian Buscher, Boof Bonser, Carlos Gomez, Armando Gabino, Bobby Keppel, R.A. Dickey, Philip Humber

Reports: Aroldis Chapman agrees to deal with Cincinnati Reds - ESPN

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman has an agreement to play with the
Moved Permanently

, multiple outlets reported on Sunday.
One source told ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure that the Reds expect to sign Chapman, a coveted left-handed pitcher, to a deal believed to be worth $30 million over five years.

Keith Law on Chapman

ESPN.com's Keith Law wrote the following about Chapman, who was No. 5 on his list of the top free agents of the offseason:
Chapman is the wild card of the free-agent market, as his track record is largely unknown, he has barely thrown for clubs since defecting and he is represented by agents who haven't handled a free agent of this magnitude before. When Chapman is on, he'll show No. 1 starter stuff, with a fastball in the mid-90s (and yes, as high as 101 mph) with good tail and a mid-80s slider that will show plus with legitimate tilt, although the latter pitch isn't consistent. He does have a soft changeup, but he lacks feel for it and pushes it out of his hand rather than selling it with good arm speed. His command isn't good, and he's more thrower than pitcher, with a very loose arm that makes the velocity come out easily. Since defecting, he has worked on his body, and scouts who've seen him recently say he's stronger and in better overall shape. He might be a No. 1 starter; he might be an ace closer; he might be a mountain of frustration. Is that worth $60 million? Or the fourth- or fifth-biggest contract of the offseason? Not to me, but he's worth some eight-figure amount because of the almost limitless upside.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/hotst...ith&id=4647444

Yahoo! Sports reported that Chapman agreed to a deal on Sunday morning. Other outlets reported the deal as well.

The Tiger's signed a closer yesterday - Valverde. Nice acquisition, if last season's arm troubles are gone. Now there a .500 club. Need to find some hitting now.