The race for the services of heralded Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman appears to be coming down to the wire, with the Blue Jays apparently putting themselves into the thick of things with a reported $23 million offer to the 21-year-old left-hander.
Miami-based Spanish newspaper El Nuevo Herald has reported that the numbers are similar to those offered by the Angels, the other team considered to be a front-runner for Chapman's services. Chapman is close friends with Angels first baseman Kendry Morales, who also defected from Cuba, and the two train together in Florida.
Other teams that had been in the running for Chapman, such as Baltimore, Houston and Florida and both New York-based teams, are believed to have dropped out of the bidding, while Boston, in the mix as late as Thursday, may now be lagging behind. Chapman's agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks, could not be reached for comment, and Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos is on his honeymoon.
Chapman could sign within the next few days. After defecting in July, he took up residency in Andorra to gain free-agent status rather than be subject to the Draft. He reportedly throws a fastball in the triple digits and would certainly project as an ace in the not-so-distant future for any team that signs him.
Astros, Myers agree to deal: The Astros made a surprise move by agreeing to a deal with Brett Myers on a one-year contract reportedly worth $5 million with an option for 2011. Myers could be a gamble after starting just 18 games last year with a 4.84 ERA. Before that he was one of the more durable starters in the game as he started at least 30 games in all but one season for the Phillies from 2003-08.
Mariners lock up Gutierrez: The Mariners continued to stay busy on Friday, announcing that they had signed center fielder Franklin Gutierrez to a four-year contract extension worth $20.5 million. The deal includes a fifth-year option. Gutierrez was picked up by Seattle in December 2008 in the three-team, 12-player trade with the Indians (from whom Gutierrez was acquired) and the Mets. He hit .283 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs while flashing his Gold Glove defense.
Podsednik to KC: On the free-agent front, the Kansas City Royals have signed Scott Podsednik to a one-year deal, with an option for 2011. The speedy left-handed hitter, who will be the starting center fielder, batted .304 with the White Sox in 2009, adding 30 steals.Podsednik, 33, has a .277 career average over nine big league seasons.
Delgado stating his case: For those keeping an eye on available power prospects, Carlos Delgado hit his first home run of the winter on Thursday for the Carolina Giants in Puerto Rican Winter League action, lifting his team to a 4-1 win and a spot in the playoffs.
Delgado joined the team over the weekend to prove to Major League clubs that he is healthy as he continues rehabbing from season-ending surgery in May to repair a torn labrum and remove a bone spur in his right hip.
Newsday reported earlier in the week that the Mets are "very interested" in re-signing Delgado, 37, to an incentive-laden deal. In his last healthy full season, 2008, he hit .271 with 38 homers and 115 RBIs and is just 27 homers shy of the 500 plateau for his career.
A's part ways with Everidge: The Oakland A's designated first baseman Tommy Everidge for assignment on Friday to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for newly signed DH Jack Cust.
Everidge, 26, made his big league debut with the A's in 2009, hitting .224 with two homers and seven RBIs in 24 games. After starting the season at Double-A Midland, he moved up to Triple-A Sacramento in early June and was called up to the Majors on July 28.
At the time of his promotion, his 136 hits led the Minors, and his 85 RBIs ranked third. On the season, between Midland and Sacramento, he combined to hit .335 with 20 homers and 94 RBIs in 107 games.
Marshall to Mets: Southpaw Jay Marshall, who was designated by Oakland when pitcher Justin Duchscherer re-signed, was inked by the Mets on Friday. Marshall, 26, was 0-2 with a 14.72 ERA in 10 outings out of the Oakland bullpen following his Aug. 9 promotion to the Majors, but he had been one of Sacramento's more effective relievers prior to that, going 5-3 with seven saves and a 3.20 ERA in 50 games with the River Cats. In 61 big league games, he has a 7.66 ERA, with a 2.85 ERA in 219 Minor League games.
From West to East: Two more 2009 Major Leaguers will be heading to Japan to play in 2010, as Toronto reliever Brian Wolfe signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters on Friday, one day after former San Diego second baseman Edgar Gonzalez finalized his deal with the defending champion Yomiuri Giants. Wolfe, 29, becomes the third U.S. Major League pitcher to sign in Japan for the coming season.
Lowell's future: So how does the signing of free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre affect popular veteran Mike Lowell in Boston? At this point, GM Theo Epstein says that things remain status quo, especially as Lowell's priority is rehabbing his surgically repaired right thumb.
MLB.com's Ian Browne reports that Epstein is confident the situation will resolve itself.
"If Mike gets out on the field and shows that he's 100 percent healthy, as we expect him to be a couple of weeks into Spring Training, and starts playing well, there will be an opportunity for him -- [whether] it's here, if other players don't show up in good health, or elsewhere -- he's going to be a sought-after player," Epstein said.
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