MLB Rumors: Latest Buzz from Around the American League
It’s just an ordinary Wednesday in major league baseball, but there seems to be lots of commotion around the league. There are a couple of new free agent signings, possible free agent signings in the works, new additions and a new contract in today’s American League buzz.
Plus, I have a list of the major free-agent pitchers from around both leagues who will be eligible starting this season through the 2016 year. Check it out because there are some interesting names on the list, which will make the coming years even more exciting.
Let’s get right into it.
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Johnny Damon finally has a new place to call his home for the next six months or so… Hopefully. Cleveland signed Damon today to a minor-league contract. He’ll be manning left field in the absence of Grady Sizemore, who will be out for eight to ten weeks.
Damon is just 277 hits away from 3,000 in his career, and he’s only 38 years old. Now with his seventh major league squad, he knows the ins and outs of the big leagues. He just wants to show up, get the job done and help his team win a pennant.
In 17 years in the majors, he’s a career .286 hitter with 231 home runs and 1,120 RBI. Yes, he’s past his prime, but he definitely can still help a team both defensively and offensively. In the later years of his career, Damon has become more of a power threat. He can add anywhere from 15 to 25 home runs and a pesky bat from the left side of the dish.
The Mariners have signed a Dominican-born outfield prospect that is said to possess a great deal of power. Seattle is definitely in the department for power-hitters, and Martinez could be right up their alley.
The 17-year-old has a very strong swing and definitely can hit with the best of them. One of his longest and most notable home runs on record was 507 feet.
If the Mariners are able to find a way for him to harness that power, they’ll probably find a great major league player for the future.
The Baltimore Orioles claimed catcher Luis Exposito after the Red Sox released him earlier this month. In order for the Orioles to make room on the roster, they dropped third baseman Josh Bell, who once had a great outlook in the Orioles organization, back to Triple-A Norfolk.
Last season at the AAA level, he hit .242 with eight home runs and 36 RBI over his 89 innings of work. More impressively, he threw out 33 percent of the possible stealers from behind the plate last year.
The Orioles aren’t really in the market for a catcher, but they can always use a backup catcher, and Bell wasn’t fulfilling his duties at the major league level.
Free Agent Deals in the Works
According to MLB trade rumors, shortstop Erick Aybar and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are close to multi-year extension deal that would keep him with the only team he’s ever played for in the major leagues; he will be a free agent this offseason.
In his seven-year career with L.A., he’s a .274 batter with 24 home runs and 210 RBI. Over the last three years, he’s compiled at least 135 hits in each season. He won the Gold Glove at shortstop last year, which is always tough because Derek Jeter is in that category.
He might not put up the best numbers, but he contributes exactly what you want from your shortstop: he has the ability to get base hits, occasional power, and he’s a great defender. Of course, defense is the most important part of a shortstop’s job description.
Speaking of the Angels, do you remember former RHP Kelvin Escobar? Well, he’ll be making his way back to the United States and would like to rejoin the MLB.
Mike Puma of The New York Post reports (on Sulia) that "Kelvim Escobar will travel to the U.S. and audition for teams next month. The 36-year-old right-hander has thrown just five big league innings since 2007 due to major shoulder issues."
For those of you who don’t know/remember him, he once pitched for Angels from ’04 to ‘07, and before that he pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, where he broke into the majors back in 1997.
Escobar put together some strong seasons before his shoulder was badly injured in 2008, and re-injured in ’09. He holds with a 101-91 record and a 4.15 ERA in 12 seasons, although he hasn’t pitched at the major league level since 2009.
In his last full season in 2007, he won 18 games for the Angels, and sported a strong 3.40 ERA. Over his time with Los Angeles, his ERA never veered above four (3.60 average ERA).
However, before coming to Los Angeles, he was a little wild and unpredictable in Toronto. He has a 58-55 record and a 5.13 career ERA with the Jays. So, you don’t know exactly what you’ll get with him.
The report doesn’t say whether teams are interested or not in him; there might be a couple of reasons for that. Teams haven’t seen him pitch in almost five seasons, so who’s to say if he’s healthy and continued to stay in shape.
Plus, he wasn’t always the most consistent pitcher, and given his time away from the game, it doesn’t seem like it would be the best idea.
However, teams who need pitching help might consider Escobar’s return.
Possibly on the Move
With the recent injuries to two of their main three outfields in Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury, the Red Sox are looking elsewhere for backup outfielders and are in definite need of outfield relief.
The name that has been popping up the most in this discussion has been former White Sox Scott Podsednik. He’s a career .279 hitter, but is more known for his ability to steal bases. Over his 11 year career, he’s accumulated 301 stolen bases.
Everyone probably remembers him from the 2005 World Series and the White Sox. Now, he still can swipe bases and has the ability to be a good outfielder. Yes, his hitting isn’t the best and he won’t wow you with his offensive numbers, but in a small ballpark like Fenway, he might be able to post better numbers than we’re accustomed to from him.
I think it’s worth a shot to go out and get him. He’s a veteran who knows the fundamentals and what’s going on.
Even though former Red Sox outfield J.D. Drew said he most likely will retire at the end of the 2011 season, he’s still not formally said it. However, the Sox have not inquired if he would like to return.
Lonnie Chisenhall remains a hot topic of conversation in Cleveland as he is set to be their future third baseman. Last season in limited action with the club, he smashed seven home runs and drove in 22 RBI in 66 games. Keep an eye out for his name in the future.
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