11/16 Hot Stove Notes

Mariners

• According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Mariners are among at least five teams that have shown interest in LHP Jeff Francis. Throughout his career, Francis has been a consistently average starting pitcher. At 29 years old, injuries have been a significant problem for Francis, as he missed all of 2009 and part of 2010 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left arm. He was, however, solid over limited innings last year. He doesn’t strike out or walk a whole lot of hitters, and his fly ball tendencies would benefit him as a left handed pitcher at Safeco.

Moves around baseball

• In an impressive move, the Braves acquired Dan Uggla from the Marlins for the small sum of utility man (and 2010 All-Star!) Omar Infante, and young lefty reliever Mike Dunn. Michael Jong at Marlin Maniac has his thoughts up, and he isn’t thrilled. I can’t blame him. Despite the terrible defense, Dan Uggla has been a consistently above average player, who, even with a raise coming in arbitration, is likely to earn a reasonable amount in 2011. Omar Infante, even coming off a luck-fueled 2.7 win season in 2010, is still nothing more than a solid utility player, and while Mike Dunn is talented and fairly young, relievers can only hold so much value. The Braves are the clear winners in this one.
• The Marlins are also on the verge of signing catcher John Buck, today, to a three year, $18 million deal. Buck is coming off by far his best season in 2010, in which he posted a .345 wOBA and 2.9 WAR. There’s no denying that it was an excellent offensive season for a catcher, but his .335 BABIP indicates that some regression is due, and $18 million is a lot of money to throw at someone based off of one good year.
• The Cardinals re-signed Jake Westbrook to a two year, $16.5 million deal, with an $8.5 million option for 2013. At 33 years old, it’s unlikely he’ll ever return to 2006-Westbrook form, but he was alright in 2010, and has a decent shot of at least earning his money throughout this deal.
• The Rockies released Manny Corpas after a mediocre 2010 season that ended in Tommy John surgery. In doing so, they forfeit the $3.5 million owed to him for next season, as well as club options for the two following years. So yeah, that contract worked out pretty well.