Maicer Izturis SS Los Angeles Angels
Angels agreed to terms with infielder Maicer Izturis on a one-year, $1.6 million contract.
Fantasy Source spin: Izturis asked for $1.885 million and was offered $1.4 million in his second year of arbitration. The 28-year-old is a utility player for the Angels, but only injuries have prevented him from reaching 400 at-bats the last couple of years. With Erick Aybar still not having established himself and Howie Kendrick not yet proving he can stay healthy, Izturis is looking at plenty of playing time again in 2009.
Jason Kubel DH Minnesota Twins
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Jason Kubel's two-year contract with the Twins is worth "about $7 million" with a $5 million team option for 2011.
Fantasy Source spin: If those are indeed the terms the Twins did very well, giving themselves the option of buying out Kubel's first season of free agency for a mere $5 million while avoiding any real risk. He's expected to make around $2.75 million in 2009.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Mike Lowell 3B Boston Red Sox
Mike Lowell swung a bat Tuesday for the first time since October hip surgery, taking 50 hacks off a tee.
Fantasy Source spin: Meanwhile, Lowell has been removed from Puerto Rico's provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic because of his uncertain health status. He remains on track to be ready for opening day, but it's unclear how much action he'll get during spring training.
Source: WEEI.com
Eric Hinske OF Tampa Bay Devil Rays
The Pirates are close to signing free agent Eric Hinske to a deal worth $1 million-$2 million.
Fantasy Source spin: It's not the right-handed bat the Pirates would prefer, but it's clearly better than settling for Luis Gonzalez. Hinske is no longer more than an emergency third baseman, but he holds his own defensively at the outfield corners and he was able to hit 20 homers in just 381 at-bats last season. He'll be the Pirates' best option to start in left, though he'll probably be penciled into a reserve role initially.
Source: FOXSports.com
AL Pitchers
Joaquin Benoit RP Texas Rangers
Joaquin Benoit underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn rotator cuff and will miss at least the first half of the season.
Fantasy Source spin: It was obvious that Benoit was nowhere near 100 percent while he was on the mound last season, so this doesn't come as much of a surprise. "Joaquin was affected most of last season, and it didn't allow him to perform to his abilities," said Rangers GM Jon Daniels. "He attempted to rehab the injury this offseason. He worked hard but the results weren't there. From all accounts, the surgery went well and he can begin the process of strengthening his shoulder now." Benoit is entering the final season of a two-year, $6 million deal and will be a free agent at season's end.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Garrett Olson SP Baltimore Orioles
Mariners acquired LHP Garrett Olson and infielder Ronny Cedeno from the Cubs for RHP Aaron Heilman.
Fantasy Source spin: That the Mariners are getting Olson here suggests that they had the chance to trade Heilman for Felix Pie and turned it down. Olson, who was traded from the Orioles to the Cubs for Pie last week, brings a 10-13 record and a 6.87 ERA with him to Seattle. He's still a decent bet to make it as a fourth or fifth starter, but he belongs in Triple-A right now. The Mariners have enough rotation candidates to send him down for the start of the year.
Jon Garland SP Los Angeles Angels
The Arizona Republic reports that Jon Garland and the Diamondbacks have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with an option for 2010.
Fantasy Source spin: According to the newspaper, "Garland's guaranteed money is believed to be in the $6 million to $8 million range" and it sounds like the option is a mutual one. Garland reportedly turned down a two-year, $14 million offer from Arizona last week.
Source: Arizona Republic
Javier Vazquez SP Chicago White Sox
Vazquez seems like an ace based on his strikeout-to-walk ratio, but he allows so many extra-base hits that his great strikeout rates don't matter. He can make a claim as one of the durable pitchers in the game, making at least 32 starts in each of the last nine seasons. Still, we have to forget about him as a potential ace since he had a better than league average ERA only once since getting out of Montreal in 2003.
Fantasy Source spin: Good for strikeouts and wins to carry in mixed leagues, but his ERA will hurt.
Source: Fanball.com
Andrew Brown RP Oakland Athletics
Andrew Brown said Tuesday that he's scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews this week and expects to undergo shoulder surgery.
Fantasy Source spin: Brown had a 2.05 ERA and .169 opponent's batting average through 30 appearances last season, but gave up four runs on July 25 and didn't pitch again because of shoulder problems that apparently haven't improved. "Hopefully, it's nothing major and I'm only out until the All-Star break," Brown said. "I know there is a small labrum tear, and the rotator cuff has some damage, but it might just be irritation. The MRI is not conclusive."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Jon Garland SP Los Angeles Angels
MLB.com reports that the Diamondbacks and Jon Garland "are closing in on a deal."
Fantasy Source spin: Garland previously turned down a two-year offer that the Arizona Republic pegged at around $14 million and the Diamondbacks are said to be up against their projected payroll numbers, so it'll be interesting to see which side blinks.
Source: MLB.com
NL hitters
Mike Lowell 3B Boston Red Sox
Mike Lowell swung a bat Tuesday for the first time since October hip surgery, taking 50 hacks off a tee.
Fantasy Source spin: Meanwhile, Lowell has been removed from Puerto Rico's provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic because of his uncertain health status. He remains on track to be ready for opening day, but it's unclear how much action he'll get during spring training.
Source: WEEI.com
NL Pitchers
Joaquin Benoit RP Texas Rangers
Joaquin Benoit underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn rotator cuff and will miss at least the first half of the season.
Fantasy Source spin: It was obvious that Benoit was nowhere near 100 percent while he was on the mound last season, so this doesn't come as much of a surprise. "Joaquin was affected most of last season, and it didn't allow him to perform to his abilities," said Rangers GM Jon Daniels. "He attempted to rehab the injury this offseason. He worked hard but the results weren't there. From all accounts, the surgery went well and he can begin the process of strengthening his shoulder now." Benoit is entering the final season of a two-year, $6 million deal and will be a free agent at season's end.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Andrew Brown RP Oakland Athletics
Andrew Brown said Tuesday that he's scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews this week and expects to undergo shoulder surgery.
Fantasy Source spin: Brown had a 2.05 ERA and .169 opponent's batting average through 30 appearances last season, but gave up four runs on July 25 and didn't pitch again because of shoulder problems that apparently haven't improved. "Hopefully, it's nothing major and I'm only out until the All-Star break," Brown said. "I know there is a small labrum tear, and the rotator cuff has some damage, but it might just be irritation. The MRI is not conclusive."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
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