Thirty-six year old Joaquin Benoit has agreed to a two-year, $15.5 million deal with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, according to reports. The talks between the Padres and the right-hander were said to be "heating up" on Wednesday morning. The deal will become official once Benoit passes his physical.
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The Chicago Cubs and reliever Jose Veras have agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract on Tuesday, according to reports. The contract includes an option for the 2015 season. It's very likely that Veras becomes the Cubs closer during the contract. The 33-year-old went 0-5 with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP (137 ERA+) in 67 games while splitting time between the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers. He recorded 21 saves in 25 opportunities. Over Veras' career, the righty has posted a 3.84 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP (109 ERA+) in 394 games (377 innings) over his eight year career. It seems like the Cubs plan on utilizing Veras as closer in 2014. After a strong 2013 campaign, it's very possible that Veras has turned a corner and could be dominant in the late innings. With a low-risk, high-reward type of deal, the Cubs have very little to lose if Veras doesn't turn out. The Baltimore Orioles and Grant Balfour have agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal, according to reports. Balfour has been a reliable closer for the Oakland Athletics over the past few years. Balfour should fill the hole that was created when former closer Jim Johnson was dealt to Oakland.
The 36-year-old to be went 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 2013, while converting 38 of his 41 save opportunities. Over the past two years, Balfour has converted 62 of 67 opportunities, while pitching to an excellent 2.56 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. In that time, Balfour has had a 150 ERA+ (154 in 2012, 145 in 2013). Since his first season over 50 IP (2008 with Rays), Balfour has gone 22-14 with a 2.74 ERA in 380.1 innings pitched (383 games). He has been an excellent reliever since becoming a workhorse out of the 'pen. The Orioles picked a very nice reliever to fill the void that Johnson left after being traded. Although Balfour is 36 (in 2014), a two-year deal is definitely what you would like to sign him too. Good job filling their hole by the Orioles. The New York Yankees and middle infielder Brian Roberts have agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract, according to reports. He should either be the starting second baseman for the Yankees or be a nice depth move there. Since losing Robinson Cano to the Mariners, the Yankees have been looking for a second baseman to acquire. Roberts may have been the guy they have been looking for.
Roberts, 36, hit .249/.312/.392 with 8 home runs and 39 RBI (89 OPS+) in 77 games with the Baltimore Orioles in 2013. Over his career, Roberts has hit .278/.349/.412 (102 OPS+) in 13 seasons with the Orioles. He was originally drafted by them in 1999. Roberts has not played a full season in the Major Leagues (120 games or more) since 2009. This could be a risk for the Yankees if they decide to make Roberts the starter. This is an interesting move. It is hard to see Roberts coming through for the Yankees for the entire season. They have a good utility infielder in Brendan Ryan, but do they really want him playing second base if Roberts cannot come through? This is definitely a tad bit of a risk for the Yankees, but it could come through for them. Roberts has a good track record. Relief pitcher J.P. Howell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a 2-year, $11.25 million contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The contract includes an option for the 2016 season. Howell went 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 67 games with the Dodgers in 2013. He posted a 7.8 SO/9 rate and a 3.3 BB/9 rate as well. The reliable reliever should continue to be a nice assest to the Dodgers bullpen. Howell receives a contract that is a little bit less than Javier Lopez's and Boone Logan's, but still will be able to stay with Los Angeles on a nice contract for both sides. The Dodgers get a nice reliever for only $5.75 million, and Howell gets to stay where he has been on a relitively good contract. |
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