With Spring Training on the horizon, here are some of the Hot Stove happenings from Thursday.
Lincecum, Giants to settle before a hearing?
Tim Lincecum's agent told The San Jose Mercury News on Tuesday that it was pretty much a sure thing that the two-time Cy Young Award winner was headed to an arbitration hearing. But on Wednesday night, MLB.com's Chris Haft wrote: "Knowledgeable observers doubt that a salary showdown with the Giants will unfold." Lincecum filed a $13 million request when potential arbitration figures were exchanged, and the Giants countered with $8 million. Though a daunting $5 million difference stands in the way, Brian Sabean has made a habit of avoiding hearings in his 13 years as the club's general manager, and various agents speaking on condition of anonymity told Haft they believe the Giants and Lincecum will somehow come to an agreement. Talks of a two-year deal between the Giants and Lincecum have reportedly gone nowhere. But one agent told Haft the Giants don't want to face the possibility of paying their ace $5 million more than they offered, and another agent predicted the 25-year-old right-hander would settle for $11 million, which would be the highest salary for a third-year Major Leaguer.
Twins land O-Dog?
The Twins "appear to be getting close to making a deal" with free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, a Major League source told MLB.com. Hudson would fill the club's hole at second base and hit in the No. 2 spot. The Nationals have been linked to Hudson for a big portion of the offseason, but on Tuesday, MLB.com's Bill Ladson wrote that money is holding up a Hudson deal for the Nats. And that seems to have been what prevented the two sides from coming together in the end. At that time, Ladson said the 32-year-old switch-hitter was asking for $9 million for 2010, and an unnamed source told FOXSports.com Hudson is asking for "at least $6 million on a one-year deal." The Indians had also popped up in rumors for Hudson, but MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince wrote recently that Hudson "probably doesn't" fit in with the Tribe.
Tigers lock up Verlander
The Tigers reached agreement on a long-term extension with the ace and face of their franchise, when they announced the signing of Justin Verlander to a five-year, $80 million contract. The Associated Press first reported the deal, which keeps Verlander locked up through the '14 season -- taking care of his final two arbitration years and his first three years of free agency -- and is worth slightly more than the five-year, $78 million contract Felix Hernandez recently signed with the Mariners. Verlander, who will turn 27 on Feb. 20, is a former American League Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star with a 65-43 record and a 3.92 ERA in his five-year career. In '09, the right-hander led the AL in starts (35) and innings pitched (240), was tied for first in wins (19) and sported a 3.45 ERA while finishing third in AL Cy Young Award voting.
Bedard headed back to Seattle?
According to MLB.com's Jim Street, free-agent left-hander Erik Bedard has re-signed with the Mariners on a one-year, $1.5 million contract that's loaded with incentives. Bedard, who made $7.75 million in '09, is expected to miss the first three or four months of the regular season. But the 30-year-old is reportedly progressing very well from labrum surgery on his left (throwing) shoulder in August and could conceivably return to a big league mound as early as May. Bedard has been limited to 30 combined starts the past two years, but he went 5-3 with a slim 2.82 ERA in 15 outings with Seattle in '09. Over the past four years, he's a combined 39-23 with a 3.40 ERA.
Twins, Thome official
The Twins made it official with veteran lefty slugger Jim Thome, who passed his physical and is now set to earn $1.5 million in '09 -- plus a possible $750,000 in incentives. The 39-year-old, who has a .277 batting average and 564 home runs in his 19-year career, will come in strictly as a bench player. The Twins already have a lefty-hitting designated hitter in Jason Kubel and are committed to Delmon Young as their everyday left fielder, rather than moving Kubel to the outfield. But Thome, who made $13 million while batting .249 with 23 homers and 77 RBIs in 124 games for the White Sox and Dodgers last season, could get some spot starts at DH and also spell Justin Morneau at first base.
Cubs, Marmol avoid arbitration
The Cubs signed Carlos Marmol to a one-year, $2.125 million contract that avoided arbitration with the 27-year-old closer. Marmol, who made $575,000 last year, was asking for $2.5 million and the Cubs countered with $1.75 million when potential arbitration figures were released recently. The Cubs, who haven't gone to arbitration since 1993 -- with Mark Grace -- have just Ryan Theriot as a remaining unsigned arbitration-eligible player. Marmol battled for the closer's spot in back-to-back springs in '08 and '09 and took over for Kevin Gregg in mid-August, finishing the season 11-for-11 in save opportunities.
Chicago also announced the signing of Kevin Millar to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Four clubs in on Takahashi
Japanese left-hander Hisanori Takahashi has Minor League offers from the Red Sox, Giants, Padres and Dodgers, according to a report by Sports Hochi, which was passed along via Twitter by NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman. Takahashi, whose best pitch is a screwball, went 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA for the Yomiuri Giants this past season, and his best year came in '07, when he went 14-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 186 2/3 innings. He sports a career 3.70 ERA in 10 seasons with the Giants. ESPN.com previously reported that the 34-year-old is looking for a Major League deal and is willing to pitch out of the bullpen. The Orioles and Mets were also reported to have interest by ESPN.com recently.
Phils give Villarreal a shot
The Phillies continued to round up emergency arms when they agreed on a one-year contract with veteran right-hander Oscar Villarreal. The 28-year-old, who missed the entire '09 season after undergoing Tommy John elbow-ligament replacement surgery in April, doesn't have an invitation to Spring Training because the club wants to ease him back into a normal workload to see if he can perhaps contribute at some point during the season. Villarreal reportedly hit 89-90 mph on the radar gun during a throwing session on Friday. The Mexico native last pitched in the Majors for the Astros in '08, going 1-3 with a 5.02 ERA in 35 relief appearances, striking out 21 and walking 17 in 37 2/3 innings. His best season came with the Braves in '06, when he finished 9-1 with a 3.61 ERA in 58 games (four starts).
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