Jerry Crasnick: Just a week ago, the Atlanta Braves didn’t have any surefire late-inning relief options. Now they might have three.

It’s been widely speculated that right-hander Rafael Soriano, who was offered salary arbitration by the Braves this week, will decline the offer and hit the open market as a free agent. But Soriano’s agent said Saturday that the pitcher is giving serious consideration to accepting arbitration and returning to Atlanta for a one-year deal.

“It’s going to go down to the wire,” said agent Peter Greenberg. “It’s definitely going to be a last-minute decision for us.”

(click link for the full article)

This is probably a ploy to get more money for Soriano but if he does accept the Braves offer of arbitration, that would make for a very expensive and nasty bullpen.  The most likely thing that the Braves would do in this situation would be to use him as trade bait.  Teams might be more willing to pick him up on a one year deal instead of a multi-year deal because of his injury risks.

Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito join the Braves bullpen in 2010.  Wagner signed for 7 million with a vesting option (50 innings – 6.5 million) for 2011.  Saito signed for one year, 3.2 million.

For a little over 10 million the Braves replaced Gonzalez and Soriano, much less than what the braves would have paid if they decided to resign the two.  Although old, they can still be effective.  Wagner performed great after returning from Tommy John at the end of 2009.  He had a 1.72 ERA and a impressive 14.5  K/9  in 15.2 ip for the Mets and Red Sox.  The Red Sox offered him arbitration so they will receive the Braves 20th pick in the draft plus a supplemental 1st rounder, if the Braves sign Holliday, Lackey or Valverde then the Red Sox will recieve a lower pick, but that is highly unlikely.  The Braves expect Gonzalez and Soriano to leave and decline their arbitration offers though, which will give them 4 draft picks to make up for the loss of the two picks for signing Wagner.

Saito has been very good since coming over from Japan 4 years ago.  In his career he has posted a 2.05 ERA and 10.9 K/9.  The only problem with these two is that they are old, Wagner is 38 and Saito is 40.  With the way Bobby uses the Bullpen, how effective can they be?  It’s a risk by the Braves front office but it is much better than offering Soriano and Gonzalez 2 or 3 year contracts considering they are just as big of injury risks as the old men.  For the money and the short commitment, Wren did a great job of filling a huge need for the Braves.  Now he can focus all of his attention on getting more offense.

• Wagner Press Conference
• Saito Press Conference
• Wagner talks to MLB Network
• Harold Reynolds on the signing of Billy Wagner
• Mark Bowman on the signing of Billy Wagner
• MLB Extra on the signing of Takashi Saito

Billy Wagner lhp
1 year/$7M (2010), plus 2011 option

• 1 year/$7M (2010), plus 2011 option
  • signed by Atlanta as a free agent 12/2/09
  • 10:$6.75M, 11: $6.5M club option ($0.25M buyout)
  • 2011 option guaranteed with 50 games finished in 2010
• 4 years/$43M (2006-09), plus 2010 club option
  • signed by Mets as a free agent 11/05
  • complete no-trade clause
  • 06:$10.5M, 07:$10.5M, 08:$10.5M, 09:$10.5M,
    10:$8M club option ($1M buyout)
  • $4M paid in advance (after 1/1/06) to be used toward purchase of home
  • Wagner to contribute $100,000 annually to Mets charitable foundation
  • award bonuses: $25,000 for All-Star team; $50,000 each for NLCS MVP, World Series MVP; $0.1M for Rolaids Relief Man of the Year award
  • acquired by Boston in trade from NY Mets 8/25/09
• 3 years/$27M (2002-04), plus 2005 club option
  • 02:$8M, 03:$8M, 04:$8M, 05:$9M 2005 club option ($3M buyout)
  • award bonus: $25,000 for All Star selection
  • club exercised 2005 option 10/04
• agent: Bean Stringfellow
• ML service: 12.139

Takashi Saito rhp
1 year/$3.2M (2010)

• 1 year/$3.2M (2010)
  • signed by Atlanta as a free agent 12/3/09
  • performance bonuses:
    • $0.5M based on appearances
    • $1.8M based on games finished
• 1 year/$1.5M (2009), plus 2010 club option
  • signed by Boston as a free agent 1/10/09
  • 09:$1.5M, 10: club option for price of 2009 earnings
  • 2009 salary increases to $2.5M if Saito is on active 25-man roster on Opening Day 2009
  • if club does not exercise 2010 option, player will be released
  • 2009 performance bonuses: $0.5M each for 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 games
  • 2009 roster bonuses based on days on active 25-man roster (not DL): $0.5M each for 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 days
  • 2010 performance and roster bonuses: any unearned 2009 bonuses
  • sent outright to AAA by Boston 10/17/09
• 1 year/$2M (2008)
  • re-signed by LA Dodgers 12/13/08
  • $0.2M in performance bonuses
  • non-tendered by LA Dodgers 12/12/08
• 1 year/$1M (2007)
  • re-signed 12/06
  • performance bonuses: $25,000 each for 30, 35, 40 & 45 games; $50,000 each for 50 & 55 games; $0.1M for 60 games
• 1 year/$0.5M (2006)
  • contract purchased 4/06
  • signed as free agent from Japan 2/06 (minor-league contract)
• agent: Joe Urbon
• ML service: 3.000

Takashi Saito during his Dodger days

Frank Wren sure moves quick.

Just one day after signing Billy Wagner to be the team’s closer, the Braves announced they’ve come to terms with free agent reliever Takashi Saito to further strength their bullpen.

Saito agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million contract to serve as Atlanta’s primary set-up man and back-up closer.

Last season with the Boston Red Sox, the 39-year-old veteran posted a 2.43 ERA in 56 games.

Prior to his stint with Boston, Saito had a 1.95 ERA with 81 saves and 245 strikeouts in three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Saito, who will turn 40 in February, did have a career-low 52 strikeouts last season but should still prove to be a valuable addition to the back end of the Braves’ new-look bullpen.

Wren confirmed that Saito will mainly pitch the 8th inning for Atlanta next season but with his experience as a closer will provide insurance and relief for Billy Wagner.

The combination of Saito and Wagner brings the same depth to the new Braves bullpen that Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano afforded the team last year.

The rebuilt bullpen stands to be equally as good as last season’s if not stronger with Saito and Wagner’s proven ability to shorten the game while also providing veteran experience and leadership to the staff’s younger members.

It is believed Saito chose Atlanta over seven other potential suitors.

He joins starter Kenshin Kawakami as the team’s second Japanese acquisition in consecutive offseasons.

One year and $3 mil, reports CBS’ Danny Knobler.

The upside, assuming a deal is consummated: Atlanta’s bullpen will have two proven closers for a combined price of $10 mil — much more than it would cost to retain Gonzo and BMF. In 2007, Saito and Wagner combined for 73 saves.

The downside: The youngest of the two is 38 (Saito is 40) and both are coming off major surgeries.

Still, I like the signings, which aren’t onerous in length or price. As I wrote last week, Saito has been a stud during his short MLB career. In 245 career innings he has 297 strikeouts, 83 saves and a 2.05 ERA.

–CB

UPDATE: It’s official.

Mark Bowman mentions free agents Octavio Dotel, Takashi Saito and Fernando Rodney as pitchers FW is targeting. Rodney is the youngest and has the best stuff though his track record is spotty. Saito is the oldest but has the best numbers. Dotel falls somewhere in between. All three have closing experience.

–CB

Billy Wagner is coming to Atlanta for a reported one-year, $7 million deal with a $6.5 million option in 2011 that vests if he finishes at least 50 games next season.

It’s a low-risk signing, considering the money involved. Yes, Wagner is 38 and fresh off elbow surgery, but he appeared as effective as ever in 17 appearances with the Mets and Red Sox, striking out 26 in 15-2/3 innings. He has a career 2.39 ERA and has averaged well more than a strikeout per inning. Among active pitchers only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman have more saves.

Frank Wren still has enough money left to fix the offense AND add depth to the ‘pen. Wagner, O’Flaherty, Moylan and Medlen form a solid late-inning nucleus, though the Bravos could use at least one more proven reliever. Free agents Octavio Dotel and LaTroy Hawkins would be ideal supplements.

–CB

In 245 career innings, Takashi Saito has 297 strikeouts, 83 saves and a 2.05 ERA.

The Braves are interested in the Red Sox free agent, and they should be, even though Saito will be 40 when the season starts. (He was born one day before me, so I’m pulling for him.)

I’m not suggesting he be the Braves closer, but Saito could be a big help in the middle innings. Last season was his worst, but it was still very good: 2.43 ERA and 52 K’s in 55 IP.

I’d rather the Braves build depth in the ‘pen than spend a lot on one guy. If you have plenty of quality choices, odds are one of them will emerge as a closer.

–CB

Third Base

According to Jim Salisbury, “people who have spoken about the subject” with Ruben Amaro believe he is zeroed in on either Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, or Placido Polanco for the vacant third base spot. Figgins and Tejada appear to be on the periphery at the moment; for Figgins, at least, the issue appears to be cost – he may want as much as $10 million a year for a longer term than the Phillies would like. I have to reiterate that Beltre seems like the best option of these. His offense is likely to rebound from an injury-hampered season to something that is an unquestionable improvement over Feliz, and his glove is one of the best in the MLB. Polanco is a former Phillie second baseman, traded to the Tigers in 2005 when Chase Utley began his ascension. He should have no problems moving to third base – in his 322 career games played at the position he’s managed a UZR of 9.9. He hit .285/.331/.396 in 2009 with 10 home runs (compare to Feliz’s 2009: .266/.308/.386 with 12 home runs). Bill James projects Polanco to hit .296/.343/.403 next year, although his projections tend towards the optimistic. Mark DeRosa, with the Indians and Cubs in 2009, hit .250/.319/.433 with 23 home runs, but has struggled at third base in his career, posting a -6.5 UZR in 311 games.

Bullpen

The only bullpen name the Phillies have been linked to specifically so far has been Fernando Rodney, and I have to wonder why. Rodney simply isn’t the caliber of help that the bullpen needs right now. He posted a 4.56 FIP last season in 75.2 relief innings, and walked almost 5 hitters per nine innings. That’s questionable for any relief pitcher, never mind one coming to a Phillies bullpen that walked 4.08 hitters per nine innings in 2009, good for 9th in the MLB. No thank you. Buster Olney did write on ESPN Insider that “The expectation among some rival executives is that the Phillies will be aggressive in signing a set-up man/closer safety net” with Brad Lidge’s health and effectiveness in question, but then again, Rodney’s name is mentioned right after that, and I don’t consider that aggressive, so who knows (thanks to The Sound of Philly for catching that quote).

The Milwaukee Brewers traded 27-year-old shortshop J.J. Hardy to the Twins this week for outfielder Carlos Gomez, but not before the Pirates apparently offered closer Matt Capps to the Brewers for Hardy and were turned down.

Hardy hit 50 home runs in 2007 and 2008 combined, and despite a down 2009 (hit .229 / .302 / .357, 11 HR in 115 GP) would almost certainly represent an offensive and defensive upgrade over Ronny Cedeno. Hardy made just $4.6 million last season, too, so he’s an intriguing buy-low candidate coming off one mediocre season following two healthy, productive seasons.

It’s still no surprise the Brewers turned down the Capps offer, as:

1) Milwaukee ended up re-signing closer Trevor Hoffman, who was terrific for Milwaukee at age 41 (1.83 ERA, 48 SO, 14 BB, 35 H in 54 IP) and…

2) Matt Capps was…something less than terrific for the Pirates this past season.

While I wouldn’t have minded Hardy in a Bucs uniform — GM Doug Melvin’s non-incompetence be damned — I’m also in no rush to see Matt Capps dealt…

Honestly, Capps already has three excellent seasons under his belt and he just turned 26, and given relievers’ propensity to fluctuate year to year based on their relatively small number of innings pitched, it’s extremely possible that Capps’ disastrous ‘09 (5.80 ERA, 46 SO, 17 BB, 73 H in 54.1 IP for a WHIP of roughly 45,000) was just one bad year. I’d actually bet that a return to competence / effectiveness for Capps in 2010 is pretty likely based on his career numbers, so I’m not really in favor of the Pirates shopping him now while his value is at its theoretical lowest (barring another collapse next year), unless they’re totally blown away by an offer, which seems unlikely given the circumstances.

Plus, as much as I’d like to argue that the Pirates’ short-term positional needs should never take precedent over just acquiring talent whenever possible, a 2010 Pirates bullpen without Jesse Chavez or Matt Capps (unless they get seriously lucky on some reclamation projects) would have the potential to be disastrous. Actually, last season was disastrous. Let’s say “doubleplusdisastrous”.

So I guess my point is, the Pirates should hang on to Matt Capps this offseason. If I lived in the Big Brother house, you could now show a filmed montage of me yelling “Oh dear lord, do NOT bring in Capps… no… nooo… NOOOOOOO” about fifty times last season and prove this entire post wrong, but because you can’t, I’m sticking to this argument.

Today the New York Mets officially declined the option of reliever J.J. Putz, who came to the Mets last year to shore up the team’s beleaguered bullpen. Although he was to be the set-up guy for prized free agent signing Francisco Rodriguez, things didn’t exactly stick to the script. Putz made just 29 appearances until he went down with an elbow injury that eventually required surgery. Formerly a dominant closer with the Seattle Mariners, his velocity was down and walk rate was up in ‘09.

Could Putz be a valuable addition to the Phillies bullpen? This was a strong point for us in ‘08, but we have our troubles this past year, namely with Brad Lidge. There are a number of ways of looking at this, so I asked my Twitter followers for their thoughts on this. Here’s what some of them had to say:

@scrapplesports: It’s a good question, and you’re right that their should be incentives. The market will set the prices for closers, and I am not sure if incentives will fly for a closer.

@chinny: He might be a decent option, and relatively cheaper considering he is coming off an injury year.  He has a career 3.24 ERA.  Maybe $4-5 million with performance-based incentives.

@outtaherrrrreee: If we can get Putz with an incentive-laden deal, I don’t see why we wouldn’t take that chance, granted he’s healthy.

@BleedGreenKyle: Putz is a good option because the Phils are desperate for a bullpen arm, and Putz did have great success in Seattle.

@amandax23: If he’s healthy, than yes. But he hasn’t been for the past two seasons.

@MoveDaChains: Absolutely no to Putz. We discussed last night and agreed that we’re better off without him.

My thoughts: It’s a tough call.  Putz has had previous success as one of the game’s dominant closers while in Seattle, but that was two years ago before a rash of injuries.  This is a problem that has hit a lot of closers recently, like B.J. Ryan.  The Phillies need to survey the market first – this is not a guy that you take home on the first date.  Despite his resume, he’s spent more time on the disabled list as of late.  He should only be signed if the team has exhausted other options, and if it’s a low risk, incentive-laden contract, perhaps even a minor league deal.

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Also in a similar vein, Chan Ho Park’s agent has been contacted about coming back, according to Todd Zolecki’s Twitter feed.

The Yankees have done it again. The most decorated team in all of professional sports just won their unprecedented 27th (I repeat, TWENTY-SEVENTH) MLB World Series title, taking down the defending world champs (and my other favourite team from the other league), the Phillies. Just like how Babe Ruth and his Yankees won it all in the old Yankee Stadium, Derek Jeter and co. have emulated what Ruth and co. did, but this time at the new Yankee Stadium!

Solid effort from Andy Pettitte, from the bullpen and Mariano Rivera who recorded the final five outs. But perhaps the man who deserves the most glory is no doubt Hideki Matsui. “Godzilla” singlehandedly mauled the Phillies with six RBIs including a two-run home run off Pedro Martinez. Well deserved World Series MVP, Godzilla!!

Let’s hope this is just the first of many for the Bombers!! Congratulations!!

Back to reality. Two more exams for me… Come on, Nathan! Study! Also found out I passed the Super OSCE yesterday night too, which I’m still quite ecstatic about!! XD

Tonight Andy Pettite will face off against former Met, Pedro Martinez.  The Yankees will try to clinch the World Series at home and avoid going to a Game Seven.  And honestly, I think if there is a Game Seven, every Yankees fan, Mets fan, and Philly hater will wet themselves from nerves.  Yankees, close it out tonight.

Here are some of the possible factors in tonight’s game.  Ryan Howard has had a terrible World Series, tying a WS record by striking out 12 times, if he stays cold, the Phillies are doomed.  Chase Utley is one homerun away from setting a new World Series record for homeruns, previously held by Mr. October, Reggie Jackson.  Both bullpens haven’t been very good, and so far it’s been New York’s that has been slightly better.  A-Rod needs to keep it going, he’s been getting hot again after a couple cold games.  And Johnny Damon is factoring as a big player by getting key hits and setting up the team for a possible rally.

There will be an in-game post tonight because this may be the final baseball game of the season.  Until then, lets hope the nightmare ends tonight.

Bowman doesn’t expect the Braves to re-sign Sori or Gonzo. He lists Billy Wagner and Douglasville native Matt Capps as possible replacements. I don’t like Capps as a closer, but would be fine with him working the middle innings along with Moylan, Medlen and O’Flaherty.

–CB

I don’t think anyone expected this.

And by this I’m talking about two things: Cliff Lee’s pitching gem, and the Yankee bats whimpering throughout the night.

Cliff Lee, facing his former teammate, CC Sabathia, was brilliant last night, pitching a complete game one-run victory over the vaunted Yankees lineup. He struck out Jeter on a high fastball to start off the game and ended with 10 strikeouts on the night.

CC on the other hand labored at times, loaded the bases, and allowed two runs, both solo homers to Chase Utley. In between laboring, CC was brilliant and matched Lee at times. It just happened Lee was better.

The only brilliant spot in the Yankees’ offense was Derek Jeter’s offense. He went 3 for 4, with a double, and two singles. He also averted the possibility of the Yankees’ only shutout in Game 1 history by scoring in the bottom of the 9th off an error by Rollins that Mark Teixeira hit towards.

Tex and A-Rod struck out five times. This is something we cannot afford. This cannot happen in the next four games we need to win to get number twenty-seven.

Once CC exited in the seventh inning, the bullpen imploded. Phil Hughes walked the only two batters he faced and wasn’t man enough to stay in the clubhouse for the reporters. Damaso Marte followed Hughes and pitched slightly better. Then came Dave Robertson who allowed a hit and walked one. He finished the eighth to let Brian Bruney in. Bruney, in his first postseason appearance, was pathetic. Bruney allowed three hits and two runs in 1/3 of an inning, then Phil Coke came in finish the frame.

Simply put, the Yankees cannot keep doing this. If they do, this will be a quick series.

It’s AJ Burnett on the mound, with “Who’s Your Daddy?” Pedro Martinez on the opposite end. We all know who we’re rooting for.

The Yankees and Phillies are set to play game 1 of the 2009 World Series tonight (weather permitting). The Yankees throw out Cy Young Award Candidate C.C. Sabathia while the Phillies counter with an ace of their own in Cliff Lee. Game 1 should be pitchers duel, but you never know. Here are my predictions in terms of who has the edge in starting pitching, bullpen, lineup, and manager, and ultimately who I think will win the World Series.

Starting Pitching

I’m going to look past the first two starters on both team’s depth chart because I believe that Hamels and Lee are evenly matched against C.C. and A.J. Instead I’m going to look at each team’s third starter. I know Pedro is pitching game 2, but Hamels is #2 in the Phillies rotation not Pedro. So it comes down to familiar names, Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez. Both are big game playoff pitchers, but I have to give the edge to the Yankees. Pettitte holds the record for most postseason wins with 16 and he has pitched extremely well, not only in the playoffs thus far, but for the entire season. Pedro’s limited starts looked like they have been beneficial so far, but Pettitte has a more complete body of work this season. Slight edge to the Yankees.

Bullpen

Yankees get the edge in terms of which team has the better bullpen. The combination of Chamberlain, Hughes, and Rivera is one of if not the best in the majors. Sprinkle in Phil Coke and David Robertson and you have a strong, deep, reliable bullpen. This is not to say that the Phillies do not have a good bullpen, but Madson and Lidge are not consistent enough to be relied upon late in games. Plus Brad Lidge did blow two saves against the Yankees already this season.

Lineup

I’m going to have to give a slight edge to the Yankees when it comes to who has a better lineup. Both teams are equal towards the top of their lineups as Victorino, Rollins, Utley, Howard, and Werth compare equally to Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, A-Rod, and Matsui. The Yankees edge comes with their depth towards the bottom half of their lineup. The combination of Posada, Cano, Swisher, and Cabrera are favorable over the Phillies’ Ibanez, Feliz, Ruiz, and whoever they put at DH, whether it be Stairs or Dobbs or Mayberry or Francisco. The Yankees have the best lineup in baseball, but by no means are the Phillies a distant second.

Manager

The edge when it comes to managers is definitely on the side of the Phillies’ Charlie Manuel. Manuel has a 20-11 career record in the postseason, a wealth of experience, and has a World Series ring which came last year. On the other hand Joe Giradi does not have a lot of playoff experience as this is his first postseason. Girardi also has a habit of micromanaging his pitching staff, especially the bullpen.

Prediction

Yankees in 7.