February means only one thing to baseball fans: the first month of the Major League season. With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training in a little more than two weeks, here are some of the signings and musings from the Hot Stove on Monday -- Day 1 of February.
What's up, O-Dog?
MLB.com's Bill Ladson knows. Ladson reported via Twitter that free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson is expected to make a decision on his new home "this week" and the Nationals "are the leading candidates to sign him." One source told Ladson the 32-year-old switch-hitter -- a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner -- wants to sign with the Nats "real bad," but Hudson appears unwilling to play for a discounted rate. Hudson was reportedly seeking $9 million for 2010 and Ladson heard that the Rockies, Indians and another American League team -- not the Twins -- are also in the mix for him. As for the Nats, count franchise player Ryan Zimmerman, along with newcomers Jason Marquis and Ivan Rodriguez, as players who want to see Hudson in Washington.
Mauer's new deal is a matter of when, not if
The biggest name in next offseason's free-agent class could soon be off the market, as MLB.com's Kelly Thesier reported that it's only a matter of time before the Twins sign catcher Joe Mauer to a contract extension.
The 2009 AL Most Valuable Player and his agent, Ron Shapiro, have been engaged in talks with the Twins recently, and Thesier reports "there is a growing sense of optimism from those around the organization that a deal will get done soon."
But two sources told Thesier that there was no truth to a report coming from WCCO-TV in Minneapolis that Mauer and the Twins had reached a preliminary agreement on a 10-year contract.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, however, said he expects the two sides to reach an agreement before Spring Training.
"I don't sit and fret about it," Gardenhire said on Friday during the kickoff of TwinsFest. "I think the right thing is going to happen. I think we all know the ramifications if something weren't to happen and it were to go the other way. That wouldn't be a good thing for anybody, except for maybe some clubs out East.
"I think everybody knows what needs to get done here. From our owners to our general manager to our fan base, we all know what everybody wants. It is right out there for us ... and I think they'll make it happen."
Damon would like to play in Detroit
The representative for free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon, Scott Boras, confirmed to MLB.com's Jason Beck this weekend that there's definitely an interest on Damon's part to play for the Tigers. As Beck noted in his most recent Inbox, "There's a logical fit for [Damon] in the Tigers' picture." Detroit has an opening at the leadoff spot, could use a left-handed hitter and would benefit from having Damon mentor young center fielder Austin Jackson.
Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said last week he had nothing to add to his previous statement that the club has not expressed interest in Damon. "Indications point to contact between Boras and the Tigers" but "nothing ... is close to a deal," Beck added. In his shrinking list of potential suitors for his services, the Rays and Blue Jays are other teams that have been linked to the 36-year-old lefty hitter. All clubs, however, are apparently waiting for Damon's price to come down. Based on how his offseason has gone thus far, that may have already happened.
Garko, Mariners reach agreement
The efficient Mariners found the right-handed hitter they've been looking for -- or at least that's what they hope. The Associated Press reported that Seattle signed first baseman/designated hitter Ryan Garko to a one-year, $550,000 contract that could garner him up to an extra $525,000 based on plate appearances. Garko, 29, batted .268 with 13 homers and 51 RBIs in 118 games for the Indians and Giants in 2009. In '07 and '08, he hit .281 while averaging 18 homers and 76 RBIs per year.
A's, Reds strike a deal
In a four-player deal between the Reds and Athletics, Cincinnati acquired infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named later from Oakland in exchange for center fielder Willy Taveras and young infielder Adam Rosales. The move was essentially a swap of two players coming off disappointing seasons. Taveras, who is owed $4 million in 2010 and is coming off a 2009 season that saw him bat just .240 with a .275 on-base percentage in 102 games, was promptly designated for assignment by the A's. Miles, acquired by the A's on Dec. 3, hit just .185 in 74 games for the Cubs in '09 and is due to make $2.7 million this season.
On a busy day for the A's, the club also announced the signing of free-agent outfielder Gabe Gross to a one-year deal and claimed infielder Steve Tolleson off waivers from the Twins. The Reds made another move, too.
Cabrera, Cincinnati officially come to terms
The Reds' signing of veteran shortstop Orlando Cabrera is now official. On Saturday, the two sides agreed to terms on a one-year, $3 million contract with a $3 million mutual option and a $1 million buyout for 2011. The 35-year-old Cabrera, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, batted .284 with nine homers and 77 RBIs in 160 games for the A's and Twins this past season. He'll take over shortstop duties in Cincinnati and will likely be the No. 2 hitter in the lineup. The Nationals and Rockies were also interested in Cabrera, but he would've had to move to second base had he gone to either of those clubs.
Rockies sign Mora
The Rockies agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.275 million deal with infielder Melvin Mora that is now official, Major League sources told MLB.com's Thomas Harding on Sunday. Mora, a two-time All-Star who turns 38 on Tuesday, will serve as Colorado's right-handed utility player. Mora has been primarily a third baseman his past six years in the big leagues but also has experience at shortstop, second base and all three outfield positions. The Venezuela native has been an everyday player throughout his 11-year career -- when he's hit for a lifetime .278 batting average with 164 home runs -- but struggled with the Orioles this past season, batting .260 with eight homers despite getting 496 plate appearances.
Dodgers finalize deal with Johnson
MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reported that the Dodgers officially signed Reed Johnson to a one-year contract on Monday after the outfielder passed his physical. Johnson is expected to bring depth as the club's fourth outfielder behind the talented trio of Matt Kemp, Manny Ramirez and Andre Ethier. Johnson, who can play all three outfield positions, hit .255 in 65 games last year but is a .282 career hitter with a .411 slugging percentage.
Not-so-minor Minor League deals
A couple of notables inked Minor League deals with Spring Training invites. Right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim ended a two-year hiatus and signed with the Giants, and first baseman Kevin Millar signed with the Cubs, according to ESPN.com. The 31-year-old Kim, a former All-Star closer who went 10-8 with a 6.08 ERA in 28 games (22 starts) during his last season in '07, was said by his agent to have been "recharging" in South Korea the last two years. Millar, 38, is a career .274 hitter who batted .223 in 78 games for the Blue Jays last season.
Lowry's throwing session moved back
Free-agent left-hander Noah Lowry pushed back a throwing session originally scheduled for Tuesday in Arizona to give himself more time before being evaluated by representatives from big league clubs, according to The Associated Press. His agent, Damon Lapa, told the AP that Lowry -- who hasn't pitched in two years because of various forearm and shoulder issues -- has not sustained a setback, but rather just wanted to get more bullpens in first. The 29-year-old went 14-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 26 starts for the Giants in '07. He is 40-31 with a 4.03 ERA in his five-year career.
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