Rays re-sign Joel Peralta

The Rays have re-signed pitcher Joel Peralta to a two year deal worth $6 million that will keep the right hander in Tampa Bay through the 2014 season. The contract includes an option worth $2.5 million for the 2015 season.

Peralta appeared in 76 games for the Rays in 2012, posting a 3.63 ERA with 11.3 K/9 in 67 innings. 

Analysis: Peralta had a very nice 2012 season so keeping him around makes sense. I honestly thought that team's like the Mets and Brewers were going to go hard after him, but Tampa Bay really didn't let him hit the open market. $6 million isn't that bad, assuming that Peralta continues his fine performance. 

Athletics re-sign Bartolo Colon

The Athletics have re-signed pitcher Bartolo Colon to a one year deal worth $3 million with an extra $2+ million in incentives.

Colon posted a 3.43 ERA in 24 starts with Oakland in 2012 before being suspended for 50 games following a positive PED drug test. He still must serve five games of the suspension in 2013.

Analysis: I don't mind this move. It is a small overpay for a guy coming off a drug suspension and on the older side. However Oakland is looking for rotation depth and Colon is the right guy I suppose. Let's just hope he doesn't use any PED's again.

Mariners re-sign Oliver Perez

The Mariners have re-signed pitcher Oliver Perez to a one year deal worth $1.5 million. The deal includes another $600k that can be obtained through performance bonuses.

Perez straightened out his career in 2012, serving as Seattle's left handed specialist, posting a 2.12 ERAn in 29 2/3 innings while actually gaining some velocity on his fastball (average fastball speed=93.7 mph)

Analysis: This is a good move by the Mariners. Perez did a nice job working out of the bullpen for Seattle in 2012, and I'm happy for the guy. As a former Mets fan, I just wanted him out of New York because he was one of the biggest busts in the franchise's history, but it is good to see him finally being useful to a team. $1.5 million isn't too much, so it won't kill the payroll.

Bogusevic, De Leon, Shuck elect free agency

The Astros have announced that outfielders Brian Bogusevic, J.B. Shuck and pitcher Jorge De Leon have all elected free agency after refusing their outright assignments.

Bogusevic spent most of the 2012 season as Houston's primary right fielder, hitting .203 in 404 plate appearances. Shuck hit .298 in 358 Triple-A plate appearances. Jorge De Leon spent the whole season in High-A, posting a 7.70 ERA in 40 appearances, 14 of which were starts.

Analysis: The Astros really won't be impacted by any of these moves. Bogusevic wasn't anything special, and only got playing time I'm assuming because the Astros were giving him an audition at the everyday job. I see him more as an everyday player. Shuck has some upside so a team should take a flier on him. De Leon had a solid rookie season in the minor leagues, but his terrible 2012 season will scare off plenty of teams.

Brewers sign Michael Olmstead

The Brewers have signed pitcher Michael Olmstead and placed him on the 40 man roster.

Olmstead posted a 1.52 ERA with 14.0 K/9 in 59 1/3 relief innings in the minor leagues in 2012. He spent most of the 2012 season between Boston's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.

Analysis: Why was this guy a free agent? His numbers are great, and I am very excited to see what he can do with the Brewers. Milwaukee is looking to rebuild their rotation and this could be the key move they are looking for. It is a low risk, potentially high reward signing. I like it.

Marlins sign Kouzmanoff, Smith

The Marlins have signed third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and pitcher Jordan Smith to minor league deals with invites to Spring Training.

Kouzmanoff hit .276 in 355 Triple-A plate appearances in 2012, and hasn't made a big league appearances since 2011. Smith posted a 4.76 ERA in 56 2/3 Triple-A innings in the Reds' organization in 2012.

Analysis: Both signings are just depth moves. Kouzmanoff looked very promising when he first came up, but I suppose injury problems have pretty much thrown his career off track. Smith had a good 2010 season, and could be a weapon if Miami fixes him up.

Ishikawa elects free agency

The Brewers have announced that first-baseman Travis Ishikawa has refused his outright assignment and will elect free agency. Ishikawa was outrighted off of Milwaukee's 40 man roster yesterday.


Ishikawa hit .257 in 94 games for Milwaukee last season. He served mostly as the backup first-baseman, but saw more playing time after Mat Gamel went down with a knee injury.

Analysis: Ishikawa hasn't really taken that step that we've all expected him to take. We thought that he was going to be the starting first baseman for the Giants, but his offensive game held him back. Also the development of Brandon Belt and Brett Pill pushed him out of San Francisco. It isn't surprising that he cleared waivers, because like I said his offensive abilities are really limited right now.

Astros outright Fick to Triple-A

The Astros have announced that pitcher Chuckie Fick has cleared waivers and will be outrighted to Triple-A.

Houston claimed Fick off of waivers from the Cardinals back in July, and posted a 4.30 ERA in 23 relief innings with Houston in 2012.

Analysis: Fick's minor league numbers look good but anytime you get removed from the Astros' roster, that is sort of saying that you should consider a different profession. However, he has some upside so Houston will hold onto him.

Pirates outright Solis to Triple-A

The Pirates have outrighted catcher Ali Solis to Triple-A.

Solis was claimed off of waivers by Pittsburgh from San Diego last month, and hit .283 in Double-A, where he spent most of the season.

Analysis: Solis' production can pretty much be found anywhere, so this isn't a big deal.

Cardinals outright Hill, Anderson, Reifer to Triple-A

The Cardinals have outrighted catchers Steven Hill (pictured) and Bryan Anderson and pitcher Adam Reifer to Triple-A.

Hill hit .266 with 17 home runs with St. Louis' Triple-A affiliate in 2012. Anderson hit .225 in 393 in Triple-A plate appearances. Reifer posted a 4.90 ERA in 58 Triple-A appearances.

Analysis: I am sort of surprised to see Hill clearing waivers, because his minor league numbers show some promise. Anderson is still young but hasn't been able to put up good numbers. I know one thing, neither of these guys will get the opportunity to play everyday with Yadier Molina blocking them on the depth chart. Reifer put up decent numbers before the 2012 season, but his bad 2012 campaign dropped his value, and ultimately, his chance to be claimed off of waivers.

Indians acquire Aviles, Gomes for Rogers

The Indians have acquired shortstop Mike Aviles and corner infielder Yan Gomes from the Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher Esmil Rogers.

Rogers posted a 3.06 ERA in 53 relief innings for Cleveland in 2012. He was acquired by the Indians in June after being designated for assignment by Colorado in the Spring. He will remain under team control through the 2016 season.

Aviles was recently acquired by the Blue Jays as the compensation for the John Farrell signing. He hit .250 with 13 home runs for the Red Sox last year, and will remain under team control through the 2014 season.

Gomes hit .204 with 4 home runs in 111 plate appearances for Toronto in 2012. He spent most of the season in Triple-A, hitting .328 in 335 plate appearances. He has experience at both corner infield spots and as a backstop. He will remain under team control through the 2018 season.

Analysis: I don't mind this trade for both clubs. It's definitely a creative trade to say the least. Rogers is expendable because the Indians' bullpen is one of the best in the game, and he will certainly make an impact with Toronto. The guy throws so hard and could be a great setup man or even closer for them in the future. As for Aviles, he will probably just back up Asdrubal Cabrera now or play third base. I'm sure he has experience at the hot corner, and will definitely find playing time. Gomes is a good prospect to have, but I can't quite project how he fits with that Indians club. Perhaps they could flip him in another trade-possibly for pitching.

Mariners, Iwakuma agree to extension

The Mariners and pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma have agreed to a contract extension that will keep the Japanese import in Seattle through the 2014 season with an option for 2015. The deal is worth $14 million over two years- $6.5 million in 2013, $6.5 million in 2014, and a $7 million option for 2015 with a $1 million buyout.

The Mariners signed Iwakuma last off-season to a one year, $1.5 million deal and he did not disappoint, posting a 3.16 ERA in 16 starts and 14 relief appearances.

Analysis: This isn't a bad signing by the Mariners. Iwakuma had a good season in 2012, and I'm glad that the retained him. I don't know if he is worth $6+ million per year, especially with the top pitching prospects (Paxton, Hultzen, Walker, etc.) coming up to the big leagues soon. We'll have to see how this deal shapes up, because we all know that these Japanese imports tend to fail to live up to expectations.

Angels decline Haren's 2013 option

The Angels have declined pitcher Dan Haren's 2013 club option worth $15.5 million. The right hander will now earn a $3.5 million buyout instead and become a free agent.

The Angels and Cubs were reportedly working on a trade that would send Haren to the Cubs in exchange for Carlos Marmol. However, the deal fell through and the Angels had to decline his option before last night's deadline. Haren posted a 4.33 ERA in 176 2/3 innings with the Angels in 2012.

Analysis: I thought that Haren was going to get traded, and if he ended up with the Cubs, then he probably would have turned around his career because of the weak National League hitting. I have a feeling that the Red Sox will ultimately sign Haren, because they have cap space and he is a good reclamation project. It isn't surprising that the Angels declined his option, because a) he isn't worth $15.5 million and b) they free up payroll space to re-sign Zack Greinke.

Royals outright Pina to Triple-A

The Royals have outrighted catcher Manny Pina to Triple-A.

Pina hit .260 in 162 Double-A plate appearances during the 2012 season.

Analysis: Pina is still young so a team might take a flier on him, but hasn't really hit in the minors so I wouldn't be surprised if a team is scared off by his bad offensive numbers.

Deduno gets outrighted to Triple-A

The Twins have announced that pitcher Sam Deduno has cleared waivers and will be outrighted to Triple-A.

Deduno posted a 4.44 ERA in 15 starts with Minnesota in 2012.

Analysis: Deduno probably wouldn't even be able to make the rotation on any team except the Twins. He is really not that great of a pitcher, but got the opportunity to start because of the Twins' rotation depth, or lack thereof.