Tagged: Anaheim Angels

Madson Declines Arbitration; Top Prospect James Survives Rule 5; Pujols to LA

Ryan Madson’s Phillies career is no more. The reliever declined the Phillies’ offer of arbitration last night.

Had Ryan Madson accepted, the Phillies would have had arguably one of the best bullpens in the game, with a 7-8-9 inning combo of Antonio Bastardo, Madson, and Jonathan Papelbon. Madson would have likely made at least $7.5 million in arbitration, making him the richest set up man in the game. Of course, that is now $7-9 million that will be spent on other needs, including a contract to Jimmy Rollins and possibly extensions to Cole Hamels and Hunter Pence.

The Red Sox seem like the only team interested in the Scott Boras client. It seems like it’s Boston or bust for Madson. If Boston’s smart, they’ll use their position as his only viable suitor to their advantage. He could be looking at far less dollars than he and Scott Boras would have liked.

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Four Phillies prospects were taken in the 2011 Rule 5 Draft. Shockingly, Outfielder Jiwan James, the Phillies 9th best prospect according to Baseball America, was not one of them.

Only one of the Phillies’ prospects was taken in the Major League portion of the draft. That would be Reliever Lendy Castillo, who will be in the bullpen of the Chicago Cubs in 2012. Originally an infielder, Castillo’s first season as a pitcher was in 2010. In 2011, for the Single A Lakewood BlueClaws, Castillo struck out 46 batters in 46 innings in 21 Games. His ERA was 2.54. He also sports a 95 MPH Fastball.  The Phillies have incredible bullpen depth in the minors, so if Castillo toughs out 2012 in the Chicago Bullpen, it shouldn’t be too much of a loss. If he doesn’t make it, then he’ll be returned right back to the Phillies.

In the Minor League portion of the draft, the Phillies lost three players. The Reds took Third Baseman Travis “Moose” Mattair (.231/.290/.372, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 90 G between A & A+, 22 years old), the Pirates selected Catcher Francisco Diaz (.211/.315/.257, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 36 G at A- Williamsport, 21 years old), and the Orioles took Left-Hander Andy Loomis (1-2, 1.14 ERA, 28 G, 31.2 IP, 39 K at A+ Clearwater, 26 years old).

The Phillies did not select a player this year, marking the first time since 2005 they have done so.

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In just about 2 hours the Anaheim Angels almost doubled what the free-spending Marlins have spent this entire offseason. The Anaheim Angels shocked the baseball world by signing First Baseman Albert Pujols to a 10-year, $254 million deal. The contract includes a full-no-trade clause. Shortly afterwards they signed Starting Pitcher CJ Wilson to a 5 year, $75 million deal.

Interestingly enough, the Marlins had larger offers in place for both Wilson AND Pujols. The Marlins had a 6 year, $80 million deal with an option for a seventh on the table for Wilson. They also had a 10 year, $275 million deal in place for Pujols. Adding in incentives, and the value is raised to almost $300 million, making it what would have been the largest contract in MLB History. It did not, however, include a no-trade clause, which is the reason Pujols did not take the deal.

Chew on this. Jayson Stark reported last night, before Pujols had signed with Aneheim, that there was a third mystery team in the fray. The mystery team offered Pujols a 10-year deal worth at least $200 million, and needed to trade an established first baseman to make room.

Which MLB teams could have spent $200 million on Pujols, but had to trade a first baseman first?

The Detroit Tigers? I think they’re happy with their duo of Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. The Red Sox? I think the same could be said for A-Gon and Big Papi, though the recent turmoil in the clubhouse may have changed the Red Sox minds. The Nationals? Adam LaRoche shouldn’t be a huge problem to move around, and they’ve been free spenders before.

How about the Phillies? Trading Ryan Howard wouldn’t be easy, but Stark never said moving the first baseman would be an easy move. If they moved Howard’s $25 million per, traded Polanco’s $6 million and didn’t resign J-Roll for $13 per, they could’ve fit him.

Only the Nationals and Phillies really make sense. I don’t know if we’ll ever find out who the third wheel was, but it’s obviously pretty fun to think about.

“Good Chance” Ryan Madson accepts Arbitration

UPDATE, 10:21 PM EST: The New York Mets have signed Jon Rauch to a one-year deal. They have also signed Frank Francisco to a two-year deal. Though it takes a destination for Madson and K-Rod off the board, it also takes two closers out of play instead of one. Less competition, but less destinations as well.

UPDATE, 9:20 PM EST: Jayson Stark reports that the Red Sox acquiring Athletics closer Andrew Bailey is a “real possibility” and that it should scare Madson and K-Rod. If Boston is taken off the board, that would leave only San Diego and Cincinnati as viable options, with the Mets getting close to a deal for Jon Rauch. The Rangers are lurking, though would only sign another closer under the “right circumstances”. Also, do not forget that Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati’s closer in 2011, is still in play. It’s essentially three closers and two viable jobs, so perhaps one of Madson or K-Rod will take the safe route and accept arbitration…The plot thickens.

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UPDATE, 7:47 PM EST: As is per the course, there will be conflicting reports. Peter Gammons tweets that there is no interest from Madson and K-Rod in accepting arbitration from their respective clubs. We’ll see which report is correct soon.

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I can’t say I expected it, but I can definitely say I hoped.

Jayson Stark reports that there are serious rumblings at the Winter Meetings that Ryan Madson will accept the Phillies offer of arbitration due to the lack of closing opportunities. Stark thinks that K-Rod could do the same with the Brewers. The move would deny the Phillies some prospects in this year’s draft, but this could set up one of the best bullpens the Phillies have had in a long time. Imagine a Phillies bullpen that includes Antonio Bastardo, Ryan Madson and Jonathan Papelbon. Top that with a rotation with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels and the rumblings before next year won’t be the best rotation ever assembled: It may be the best Pitching Staff ever assembled.

Of course we’re ahead of ourselves. Ryan Madson still has to actually accept, which Scott Boras, the money-grubbing jerk that he is, is advising him against doing. However, the closer market is shrinking. The Marlins have nailed down Heath Bell. The Phillies have Papelbon. The Red Sox have Bard. The Angels are attempting to acquire Brandon League from the Mariners. The Brewers have Axford. The Blue Jays have Sergio Santos.

Does Madson really want to pitch in San Diego or New York (Mets) just so he has the opportunity to close? Would Madson take a closer position on a non-contender? If not, Cincinnati and Boston (if they are not confident in Bard) are your only options.

How much would Madson make in arbitration? $7 million? $8 million? Certainly not the $11 million he was going to make before his initial deal with the Phillies fell through. If Madson does make $8 million, then the Phillies would just about be limited to signing Jimmy Rollins this offseason. Aramis Ramirez may no longer factor into their financial plans. Madson accepting would also close the door on Brad Lidge returning to Philadelphia. The Phillies going through arbitration with Madson and signing Jimmy Rollins would leave them with some wiggle room during the season, which Amaro always likes so that he could make a mid-season move if need be.

There are so many questions, and so few answers. Would the potential of one of the best pitching staffs in the Majors be enough to entice Madson, like the rotation did with Lee? Would he accept less money to come back? Or would the opportunity to close be far more important, enough to make him pitch on a non-contender?

We’ll find out within the next 24 hours.

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