Baseball Salary Caps and Revenue Sharing
by RC

Baseball & Politics
by RC

Baseball & Steroids
by RC

Revenue Sharing Update
by RC

The Road To The Major Leagues
by  RC

Rox Head Baseball
Power Rankings (2/1/06)
                        Opening
                              Day
                  (Last Month) Ranking
1. Chicago White Sox (1)       -
2. Los Angeles Angels (2)      -
3. St. Louis Cardinals (3)     -
4. New York Yankees (4)        -
5. Cleveland Indians (9)       -
6. Atlanta Braves (6)          -
7. Boston Red Sox (5)          -
8. Toronto Blue Jays (7)       -
9. Houston Astros (8)          -
10. Minnesota Twins (10)       -
11. Oakland Athletics (11)     -
12. New York Mets (13)         -
13. San Francisco Giants (15)  -
14. Philadelphia Phillies(14)  -
15. Los Angeles Dodgers (16)   -
16. San Diego Padres (12)      -
17. Texas Rangers (17)         -
18. Chicago Cubs (18)          -
19. Seattle Mariners (19)      -
20. Baltimore Orioles (21)     -
21. Milwaukee Brewers (22)     -
22. Washington Nationals (24)  -
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (26)    -
24. Colorado Rockies (25)      -
25. Florida Marlins (20)       -
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (23)  -
27. Kansas City Royals (27)    -
28. Detroit Tigers (28)        -
29. Cincinnati Reds (29)       -
30. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (30)  -

Free Agent List, Compensation Rules & Draft Picks
(From Baseball America.com)

The Elias Sports Bureau compiles rankings of all major leaguers by position, based on their performance over the previous two seasons. If teams offer arbitration to a free agent and lose him to another club, they'll receive compensation if he's classified as a Type A (top 30 percent at his position), Type B (31-50 percent) or Type C (51-60 percent) player.

For a Type A player, the compensation is the signing team's first-round pick plus a supplemental first-rounder. For a Type B, it's the signing team's first-round choice. For a Type C, it's a supplemental second-rounder.

However, if the signing team picks in the upper half of the first round, that choice is protected and it loses its second-round selection instead. If a club signs multiple free agents within the same category, its earlier pick goes to the team which lost the higher-rated player. Also, Type C players who have been free agents in the past don't yield any compensation.

There are just four remaining free agents who will bring compensation if they sign with new clubs(12/22/05):

Type A Jeff Weaver (LAD).
Type B Rich Aurilia (Cin), Al Leiter (NYY)
---------------------
The compensation draft picks for free agents are nearly complete. The lone remaining free agent requiring compensation is Jeff Weaver (Type A), formerly of the Dodgers. Here's the up-to-date list (1/12/06):

First Round 18. Phillies (from Mets for Type A Billy Wagner) 21. Yankees (from Phillies for Type A Tom Gordon) 22. Nationals (from Athletics for Type B Esteban Loaiza) 25. Angels (from Indians for Type B Paul Byrd) 26. Nationals (from Angels for Type B Hector Carrasco) 28. Red Sox (from Yankees for Type A Johnny Damon)
Supplemental First Round 31. Orioles (for Type A B.J. Ryan) 32. Giants (for Type A Scott Eyre) 33. Diamondbacks (for Type A Tim Worrell) 34. Padres (for Type A Ramon Hernandez) 35. Marlins (for Type A A.J. Burnett) 36. Phillies (for Wagner) 37. Braves (for Type A Kyle Farnsworth) 38. Indians (for Type A Bob Howry) 39. Red Sox (for Damon) 40. Yankees (for Gordon) 41. Cardinals (for Type A Matt Morris) 42. Braves (for Type A Rafael Furcal) 43. Red Sox (for Type A Bill Mueller)
Second Round 48. Indians (from Mariners for Type B Kevin Millwood) 50. Braves (from Dodgers for Furcal) 52. Padres (from Orioles for Hernandez) 53. Cardinals (from Giants for Morris) 56. Indians (from Cubs for Howry) 57. Orioles (from Blue Jays for Ryan) 71. Braves (from Yankees for Farnsworth)
Supplemental Second Round 74. Indians (for Type C Scott Elarton) 75. Cardinals (for Type C Abraham Nunez)
Third Round 82. Red Sox (from Dodgers for Mueller) 85. Diamondbacks (from Giants for Worrell) 88. Giants (from Cubs for Eyre) 89. Marlins (from Blue Jays for Burnett)
Fourth Round 118. Twins (from Cubs for Type B Jacque Jones)

2/10/06
Pitcher Shawn Chacon and the New York Yankees agreed Friday to a $3.6 million, one-year contract and avoided a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for next week. AP
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Reliever Dan Miceli agreed to a two-year, $1.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Thursday. Miceli was 1-2 with a 5.89 ERA in 19 appearances with Colorado last season. The 35-year-old right-hander has appeared in 598 major league games with nine clubs, posting a 42-50 record with 35 saves and a 4.51 ERA. Baseballweekly.com

2/09/06
Baltimore Sun: "The Washington Nationals have offered a non-guaranteed, incentive-laden major league contract to Sammy Sosa, assistant general manager Tony Siegle said yesterday."

2/08/06
It appears pitcher Shawn Chacon and the Yankees won't be able to agree on a deal, and the matter will go to arbitration. The Yanks have offered $3.1 million while Chacon is seeking $4.15 million. The arbitration hearing is scheduled for Monday. New York Daily News

2/04/06
The Braves could trade right-hander John Thomson for a late-inning reliever, but it might not be prudent given the injury concerns in their rotation. Thomson, 32, is cost-effective at $4.75 million, and possibly could fill a bullpen role if lefty Horacio Ramirez and righty Kyle Davies proved worthy of spots in the rotation. Then again, Thomson has made only one career relief appearance. FOXSports.com

2/3/06
Washington Times: "Yesterday, the Nationals signed veteran shortstop Royce Clayton to a non-guaranteed minor league contract and invited him to spring training
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Juan Pierre will bank $5.75 million after he initially filed for a salary of $6.5 million and the Cubs started out at $5 million. Suntimes.com
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Philadelphia Daily News: "Hot Internet trade rumor du jour has Gillick sending Bobby Abreu and Gavin Floyd to the defending World Series champion White Sox for veteran outfielder Jermaine Dye and righthanded workhorse Jose Contreras."
2/2/06
Newark Star-Ledger: "Right-hander Shawn Chacon has filed for $4.15 million, while the Yankees countered with $3.1 million. General manager Brian Cashman and agent Dan Horwits have been negotiating on a one-year deal, but so far have not come to terms."

1/29/06
Miami Herald: "In December, manager Joe Girardi said he expected a veteran left fielder to be signed. But general manager Larry Beinfest now says the team likely will assess the young outfielders in spring training before deciding if a veteran is needed."
----Poor Joe... His first job as a manager and he is already being over-ruled.
----------------------
The list of players who could be moved between now and July 31 includes A's left-hander Barry Zito, White Sox right-hander Jose Contreras and Pirates right-hander Kip Wells. Others who are expendable: Cubs second baseman Todd Walker, Reds outfielder Austin Kearns and Devil Rays shortstop Julio Lugo and D.H. Aubrey Huff. Foxsports.com

Info...
Commissioner Bud Selig must authorize any cash transaction of at least $1 million.

1/27/06
Outfielder Dustan Mohr, who hit 17 home runs for the Rockies last year, has agreed to a one-year minor-league deal with the Red Sox. Post

1/26/06
The Red Sox and Indians continued to talk to each other -- as well as to a potential third club, the Reds -- on Thursday. But there were indications that the Indians were beginning to have second thoughts about dealing Coco Crisp. ESPN

1/24/06
Dallas Morning News: "Rangers owner Tom Hicks is the club's chief sales representative when it comes to Roger Clemens. And he's taking the sales pitch to the next level in his attempt to get the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer to buy into leading the Rangers' revamped starting rotation this year. "
------------------
New York Daily News: "Mike Piazza remains one of the marquee free agents still on the market, and yesterday, according to baseball sources, his agents contacted the Yankees about moving across town as a designated hitter and backup catcher... According to sources, Piazza, who hit .251 with 19 homers and 62 RBI with the Mets last year, has minimal offers from the Padres, Phillies and Indians to play a reserve role, but none of them are anywhere near his believed asking price of $7 million-$8 million a year."
-------------------
Cincinnati Post: "The Indians offered right-handed starter Jake Westbrook for Austin Kearns, but the Reds decided to pass for the time being."
----That trade rumor is a bunch of hogwash. There's noway the Indians give up a top of the rotation caliber pitcher for an injury plagued, fourth outfielder.

1/23/06
The Red Sox, according to a source with knowledge of the deal, have reached agreement in principle with the Indians on a complex six-player deal centered upon 26-year-old Coco Crisp that also will bring to town a quality setup man in 28-year-old David Riske and young catcher Josh Bard. Boston will ship top prospect Andy Marte, reliever Guillermo Mota, and catcher Kelly Shoppach to Cleveland. Boston.com
----ODowd tried hard to get either Bard or Shoppach but was denied.

1/22/06
New York Times: "By shedding Kris Benson's $7.5 million salary from the payroll for 2006 and 2007, Minaya may also be positioning himself for another, bolder move. The free-agent starter Jeff Weaver, a former Yankee, is still available and will probably command a high price."

1/21/06
Newsday: "The Mets, in a revitalized push to trade Kris Benson, are in serious discussions with the Orioles about shipping the righthander to Baltimore, most likely for reliever Jorge Julio, a person familiar with the situation said Friday."
------------------
Boston Globe: "The Red Sox, in their ongoing quest to replace center fielder Johnny Damon, continue to work diligently with the Indians on a six-player deal, at the center of which is Coco Crisp, a 26-year-old with speed, range, and a bat that appears capable of hitting .300 each season."
----Crisp would look nice roaming center in Coors.
------------------
Dayton Daily News: "If Lou Piniella had said, 'Yes,' he would be in the employ of the Cincinnati Reds right now, as a special advisor. And he could be in the Reds' future, like 2007."
1/19/06
Angels owner Arte Moreno won't promise that the team will stay in Anaheim if it loses its court battle with the city over his decision to change its to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Baseball Weekly

1/18/06
Shawn Chacon, who came to the Yanks in a desperation mid-year trade and bloomed, asked for $4.15 million while the Yankees countered with $3.1 million. Chacon, 28, was 7-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) last season after being acquired from Colorado, earning $2.35million. NYDaily News.
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Daily Southtown: "Five players have exchanged proposed salary figures with the North Siders. Starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano is seeking $7.2 million for 2006, while the Cubs are offering $6 million; center fielder Juan Pierre is asking for $6.5 million, while the Cubs are offering $5 million; and pitcher Mark Prior is seeking $4 million, while the Cubs are offering $3.3 million."
-------------------
San Francisco Chronicle: "Beane said the A's are continuing to 'closely monitor' free-agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, who is coming off two different breaks in the same bone in his left foot. If Thomas is cleared to play, something that could happen as soon as this week, there is a strong possibility Oakland will sign him to a one-year, incentive-laden deal."

Info.. 1/17/06
Today is the day for players and teams to submit salary arbitration figures. If a case goes to a hearing next month, then a three-member arbitration panel would decide on either the Team's or the player's figure.

1/15/05
Boston Herald: "There appears no truth in the speculation that Manny Ramirez could be traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for former Red Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera and Darin Erstad."
-----------------
Boston Globe: "At least one major league executive wonders whether David Wells will become a major distraction for the Sox and refuse to report at the start of spring training. The Dodgers no longer are involved in a possible three-way for Wells, in which the Sox would have sent him to Oakland for outfielder Jay Payton and Billy Beane would have flipped Wells to LA for prospects." (See more on the Dodgers here)
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New York Times: "Contrary to widespread rumor and speculation, Jorge Posada will not be traded by the Yankees, General Manager Brian Cashman said, but will remain for his ninth season... Some speculators thought the Yankees might trade Posada and sign Ben Molina, but Cashman scoffed at the idea."

1/13/06
Philadelphia Daily News: "Outfielder Jason Michaels is the Phillies' only arbitration-eligible player left unsigned. His name has again surfaced in trade rumors, most recently packaged with rightfielder Bobby Abreu and righthander Gavin Floyd for Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez and righthanded starter Matt Clement."

1/12/06
New York Post: " As recently as last month's winter meetings, there were at least four clubs believed to be interested in Mike Piazza - the A's, Blue Jays, Twins and Orioles... Piazza may need to examine other destinations. Perhaps one could be Anaheim, which one American League team official believes would be 'the ideal spot for him.'"
-------------------
There may be some backlash about Mark Prior's name surfacing in the Miguel Tejada trade talks. USA Today Sports Weekly reported Prior is 'peeved that (the Cubs) were willing to trade him to Baltimore.
----Awwww.. poor Mark Prior got his feelings hurt.
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The Cubs believe starting pitcher Kerry Wood won't be ready to rejoin the rotation until May. And... The Cubs refused to include starter Carlos Zambrano in their trade talks with the Orioles for shortstop Miguel Tejada, who has since rescinded his trade request. Baseball Weekly
--------------------
Los Angeles Times: "In an effort to bring some cost certainty to their payroll, the Angels have begun negotiations with relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Scot Shields, starter John Lackey and utility player Chone Figgins on multi-year contracts."
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The Devil Rays were expected to sign free-agent shortstop Royce Clayton if they trade Lugo to Boston. Baseball Weekly

1/10/06
St. Petersburg Times: "The Rays were in active negotiations Monday to complete a two-year deal with Japanese reliever Shinji Mori by a midnight Wednesday deadline. And they are working to expand their worldwide presence, hiring former Giants coach Carlos Alfonso as their first director of international operations."

1/09/06
Chicago Tribune: "Now that Prior figures to be a Cub this season, the next players on the hot seat are Corey Patterson and Todd Walker, both of whom could exit very soon. Patterson is expected to be dealt within days, with Baltimore, Washington and at least two other teams reportedly interested."
---------------------
Free-agent outfielder Todd Hollandsworth agreed Monday to a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians.

1/08/06
Toronto Star: "While Ricciardi insists the lineup is more or less set, there are some names out there that still interest the Jays. One is outfielder-first baseman Craig Wilson of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had 29 homers, 35 doubles and 82 runs batted in two seasons ago before suffering through an injury-plagued 2005 campaign."
----The Rockies were rumored to have some interest in Wilson.
And

Toronto Sun: "'We still may be able to do something with (Bengie) Molina,' Ricciardi said yesterday regarding the veteran free agent catcher."----The Rockies should have some interest in Molina, but they don't.

1/07/06
Philadelphia Inquirer: "Two major-league sources yesterday confirmed a report that the Phillies have offered rightfielder Bobby Abreu to the Baltimore Orioles for Miguel Tejada, the all-star shortstop who is seeking a trade to a potential contending team."
-------------------
One day after Manny Ramirez told ESPNDeportes.com that he was 'staying in Boston' and ostensibly did not want to be traded from the Red Sox, his agent reiterated yesterday that Ramirez had not withdrawn his trade request.
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Boston Globe: "Theo Epstein, making the rounds with several Boston radio stations yesterday to promote his 'Hot Stove, Cool Music' charity events this weekend, revealed he has offered informal advice to co-GMs Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer, but refused to confirm or deny rampant speculation he will be returning to the Red Sox front office in the near future."
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "With opening day three months away, baseball observers wouldn't be surprised if Schuerholz pulled off a trade for Baez or someone else."

1/05/06
Cubs pitcher Mark Prior voided the final year of his contract, making him eligible for salary arbitration.

Info....
The next crucial date is Jan. 8.  Teams need to sign their own free agents or they can not negotiate again with them until May 1st, so expect another flurry of activity in the coming few days.

1/2/06
Beaver County Times: "The holidays might be over but the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't finished shopping as they have targeted free agent Preston Wilson in their search for a right fielder, baseball sources said Sunday. Wilson, 31, split last season between Colorado and Washington, hitting .260 with 25 homers and 90 RBIs in 139 games."

or..

Houston Chronicle: "Astros general manager Tim Purpura's hopes for landing a run-producing outfielder may come to fruition today. And if those plans work out, it's most likely free agent center fielder Preston Wilson will land with the National League champions."

        American League                              National League
1b Mark Teixeira (2)         1b Derrek Lee (1)
2b Alfonso Soriano (3)       2b Jeff Kent (4)
3b Alex Rodriguez (8)        3b Morgan Ensberg (1)
ss Miquel Tejada (2)         ss Felipe Lopez (1)
OF Manny Rameriz (8)         OF Andrew Jones (1)
OF Gary Sheffield (4)        OF Miguel Cabrera (1)
OF Vladimir Guerrero (5)     OF Carlos Lee (1)
c  Jason Varitek (1)         c  Michael Barrett (1)
dh David Ortiz (2)           p  Jason Marquis (1)

        American League                              National League
1b Mark Teixeira           1b Derrek Lee
2b Orlando Hudson          2b Luis Castilla
3b Eric Chavez             3b Mike Lowell
ss Miquel Tejada           ss Omar Vizquel
OF Vernon Wells            OF Andrew Jones
OF Ichiro Suzuki           OF Jim Edmonds
OF Torii Hunter            OF Bobby Abreu
c  Jason Varitek           c  Mike Matheny
p  Kenny Rogers            p  Greg Maddux

 
 
The complete vote (520 ballots, 390 to gain election, 26 to remain on ballot):

Player           Votes   %
-----------------------------
Bruce Sutter     400  76.9%
-----------------------------
Jim Rice         337  64.8%
Rich Gossage     336  64.6%
Andre Dawson     317  61.0%
Bert Blyleven    277  53.3%
Lee Smith        234  45.0%
Jack Morris      214  41.2%
Tommy John       154  29.6%
Steve Garvey     135  26.0%
Alan Trammell     92  17.7%
Dave Parker       75  14.4%
Dave Concepcion   65  12.5%
Don Mattingly     64  12.3%
Orel Hershiser    58  11.2%
Dale Murphy       56  10.8%
Albert Belle      40   7.7%
Will Clark        23   4.4%
Dwight Gooden     17   3.3%
Willie McGee      12   2.3%
Ozzie Guillen      5   1.0%
Hal Morris         5   1.0%
Gary Gaetti        4   0.8%
John Wetteland     4   0.8%
Rick Aguilera      3   0.6%
Gregg Jefferies    2   0.4%
Doug Jones         2   0.4%
Walt Weiss         1   0.2%
Gary DiSarcina     0   0.0%
Alex Fernandez     0   0.0%

All Baseball Writers' Assocation of America (BBWAA) members get a ballot in which they can vote up to ten players. Candidates may remain on the ballot for a maximum of 15 years, and must obtain votes on at least 5% of ballots cast to remain on the ballot.

If this writer had a ballot, then I'd vote for these eight, leaving two slots blank.

1. LEE SMITH
Reasons why:
Holds ML career record for most saves (478)
All-time major league leader in games finished (802) and ranks 8th in games pitched (1022)
Ranks 3rd in NL for most career saves (347)
Seven All-Star teams (1983, '87, '91-'95)
Holds NL career record for most consecutive errorless games by a pitcher (546)
Was considered one of the games best closers for at least a ten year period.

2. RICH GOSSAGE
Reasons why:
Led the AL in saves three times (1975, '78, '80)
Named to nine All-Star teams (1975-'78, '80-'82, '84-'85)
Three World Series (1978, '81, '84); owns 2.63 ERA and two saves in 13 2/3 WS innings
Considered one of the top closers in the game for at least a ten year period.

3. ANDRE DAWSON
Reasons why:
Named NL Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA and The Sporting News in 1977.
Won the NL MVP Award in 1987 and was second twice ('81 and '83).
Won eight Gold Glove awards (1980-'85, '87-'88)
Twice named NL Player of the Year by The Sporting News (1981, '87)
Eight All-Star teams (1981-'83, '87-'91)
Ranks 31st in all-time in games played, 24th in at-bats, 44th in hits, 24th in total bases, 41st in doubles, 32nd in HR, 24th in RBI, 21st in extra-base hits, and 9th in sacrifice flies.
Was considered the best right-fielder in the game for at least a ten year period.

4. JACK MORRIS
Reasons why:
Made 14 Opening Day starts, tied with Steve Carlton and Walter Johnson for second-most ever, two behind Tom Seaver (16)
Named to five All-Star teams (1981, '84, '85, '87, '91)
Ranks 29th all-time in strikeouts, tied for 32nd in starts, tied for 39th in wins, and 32nd in innings.
Held AL record for most consecutive starting assignments (515) before broken by Roger Clemens in 2001.
Three World Series (1984, '91, '92); owns a record of 4-2 with a 2.96 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 51 2/3 WS innings.
Was considered one of the top starters in baseball for at least a ten year period.

5. DALE MURPHY
Reasons why:
Won NL MVP Award twice in 1982-'83
Seven All-Star teams (1980, '82-'87)
Won five Gold Gloves, consecutively (1982-'86)
Was considered one of the games best center-fielders for at least a ten year period.

6. BRUCE SUTTER
Reasons why:
Revolutionized the split-fingered fastball
Led NL in saves five times in 1979 (37), '80 (28), '81 (25), '82 (36), and '84 (45) and games finished once in 1984 (63)
Won NL Cy Young Award in 1979
Six All-Star teams (1977-'81, '84)
Was considered the one of the games best closers for at least a ten year period.

7. DAVE CONCEPCION
Reasons why:
Won five Gold Gloves (1974-'77, '79)
Named to nine All-Star teams (1973, '75-'82)
First to develop the bounce throw from short on Astro Turf.
Infield glue on the Big Red Machine.
Was considered one of the top shortstops in the game for a ten year period.

8. BERT BLYLEVEN
Reasons why:
Ranks 5th all-time in strikeouts, 8th in starts, 9th in shutouts, 24th in wins, and 7th in innings pitched
Two World Series (1979, '87); owns a 2-1 record with a 2.35 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 23 WS innings.

9. Blank

10. Blank