Baltimore’s Mark Reynolds was among the list of non-tendered players today
Editor’s Note: Across the Diamond: Hot Stove League Edition is a new weekly column that will appear on Baseball News Source every Friday and detail free agent and trade talk at every position. This week we are adding the list of non-tendered players.
Today was the day teams had to make decisions on whether to tender contracts on arbitration eligible players. All decisions must be in by 11:59 PM pm EDT,
This list will be updated frequently and of course we will make commentary along the way on the players that appear on the list.
National League Non-Tenders
Washington Nationals – John Lannan, Tom Gorzelanny and Jesus Flores
Milwaukee Brewers – Manny Parra
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jeff Karstens
Philadelphia Phillies – Nate Schierholtz
Atlanta Braves – Jair Jurrjens and Peter Moylan
New York Mets – Mike Pelfrey, Andres Torres, Manny Acosta
San Diego Padres – Juan Oramas
Chicago Cubs – Ian Stewart, Jaye Chapman, and Zach Putnam
San Francisco Giants – Brian Wilson – Wilson is coming off Tommy John surgery and made $8.5 million last year.
Tampa Bay Rays – Ben Francisco
American League Non-Tenders
Baltimore Orioles Mark Reynolds , Omar Quintanilla and Stuart Pomeranz, – Reynolds should draw much interest on the open market, but didn’t close the door on returning to Baltimore.
Boston Red Sox – Rich Hill, Ryan Sweeney, and Scott Atchison –
Chicago White Sox – Anthony Carter , Dan Johnson
Dertoit Tigers – Daniel Schlereth
Oakland Athletics – Jermaine Mitchell
Cleveland Indians – Jack Hannahan, Rafael Perez and Chris Seddon
Kansas City Royals – Derrick Robinson
Texas Rangers – Geovany Soto, Brandon Snyder, and Jacob Brigham
Seattle Mariners – Josh Kinney
Toronto Blue Jays – Bobby Wilson
More Hot Stove News
Pitchers
Zack Greinke met with Dodgers officials this week and the Angels remain interested along with the Rangers. Greinke is reportedly seeking a deal of at least six years for as much as $25 million per season. assuming that is true, for those of you following closely that narrows the list pretty quickly, to a team on the West Coast in LA.
Ryan Dempster could prove to be a more cost-effective option for the Angels, and has drawn interest from the Brewers and Red Sox as well.
R.A. Dickey has made it clear he is willing to accept a two-year deal and continues to negotiate with New York Mets. The Diamondbacks have interest in free agent right-hander Brandon McCarthy
Catchers
With Russell Martin signing with Pittsburgh the market for A.J. Pierzynski is intensifying. The Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has tried to secure Pierzynski in the past losing out on the free agent catcher two years ago to the White Sox.
The White Sox remain interested in bringing him back but maybe committed to young catcher Tyler Flowers for 2013. Michael Morse has suddenly become available with the acquisition of Denard Span and the outfielder first baseman will surely have some interest. BNS Yankees columnist wrote Vince Mercandetti Morse would be a good fit in New York. Expect Boston to weigh in on Morse as well
First Base
The Red Sox are talking with free-agent Adam LaRoche and maintain an interest in Mike Napoli as well. Naopli has talked with the Mariners and Rangers who have shown an interest in free and him back. With Baltimore non-tendering Mark Reynolds another name is added to the list of potential first baseman. Expect Tampa Bay to make contact with Reynolds.
Aubrey Huff is drawing interest from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Huff hit .192/.326/.282 with one home run and a .608 OPS in 95 plate appearances with the Giants this past season. The Diamondbacks presumably see it Huff as a backup corner infielder.
Second Base
The Diamondbacks, Rays, and Cubs are among teams interested in signing versatile free-agent infielder Jeff Keppinger. Keppinger hit .325/.367/.439 in 418 plate appearances with the Rays in 2012 and can play multiple positions. Keppinger recently broke his right fibula falling doen the stairs but is expected to be ready for spring training.
Shortstop
The Giants remained the front runners to re-sign SS/2B Marco Scutaro and Buster Olney of ESPN thinks the team will find a way to re-sign him. Asdrubal Cabrera is the subject of trade discussion as the Indians seek to upgrade their starting pitching, which is what it’s going to take to get Cabrera in a trade. Stephen Drew has drawn some interest from the Red Sox as has Alex Gonzalez, but the team is expected to give prospect Jose Iglesias a shot at the job this spring.
Third Base
As expected David Wright signed a new deal with the Mets. Kevin Youkilis hit .235/.336/.409 in 509 plate appearances last year and reportedly has six teams interested in the 33-year-old. The Marlins, Phillies, Dodgers, Indians, are all said to be interested, however the White Sox may want him back.
Outfield
With B.J. Upton off the market having signed with the Atlanta Braves this week, the market for Angel Pagan, Michael Bourn and Josh Hamilton is expected to get hot and heavy. Bourn, 29, is the best remaining center fielder on the market and you can add the Cubs to the list of teams interested in acquiring his services.
The Reds and Giants are reportedly interested in Pagan. You can add the Phillies to the list. The Braves may have interest in free agent outfielders Ryan Ludwick, Shane Victorino, and Cody Ross and that’s after signing Upton. Boston has in the out field. Nick Swisher and Ross would fit the bill.
Hamilton remains on the Rangers radar, and the two sides may be in a reconciliation period. GM Jon Daniels has remained in contact with Hamilton’s agent. Philadelphia, Boston, Milwaukee, Seattle, have all been mentioned as being involved in the Hamilton sweepstakes.
