Minor league signings
The Orioles announced today that they signed pitcher Brad Hennessey and infielder Donnie Murphy to minor league contracts that include invites to spring training.
Hennessey, 28, has appeared in 148 games with the San Francisco Giants over the past five seasons, going 17-23 with a 4.69 ERA in 360 2/3 innings. He pitched in 17 games this season, going 1-2 with a 7.83 ERA. At Triple-A Fresno, he was 7-10 with a 4.83 ERA in 21 starts.
In 44 major league starts, Hennessey is 11-15 with a 4.72 ERA.
Sounds like insurance in case some of the young arms aren't healthy or ready.
Murphy, 25, has appeared in 221 major league games with Oakland and Kansas City. He batted .184 with three homers in 46 games with the Athletics this season.
At least he's versatile. Murphy, a utility candidate, has started 39 games at shortstop, 37 at second base and 18 at third base in the majors.
The Orioles often start small and work their way up this time of the year. Don't worry, they're not finished yet.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko |
Which would be a better pick up, Dale Murphy, or Donnie Murphy?
Question for you Roch - do you feel the Yankess have an advantage in the FA market this season with the shiny new ballpark? I think the O's got a few more looks in the early 90's because of OP@CY! Your thoughts?
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Actually, the new ballpark might be a disadvantage. Some players were drawn to the aura of the historic Stadium. However, money ultimately does most of the talking, and the Yankees have plenty of it to spend. - Roch
"At least he's versatile."
That says it all.
It usually means, he plays a lot of positions not very well.
In your opinion is Cesar Izturis (sp?) any more of a threat with the bat than Juan Castro?
I keep hearing rumors that we are interested in him or Adam Everett yet both are not known for their hitting.
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I was thinking the same thing. But Izturis is probably a little better at the plate. Everett, I'm told, is one of those players you have to watch every day to really appreciate, as far as his work in the field. But that doesn't make him the offensive-minded shortstop we've been told the club is seeking. - Roch
Roch, I think you are misunderstanding what the Orioles' mean when they say they are looking for more offensive production out of the shortstop position. They don't want an "offensive-minded shportstop". Defense and pitching are still what they are trying to win with. They just want a shortstop who can play defense hit more than .250.
murphy is just keeping the utility spot warm for Blake Davis.
I like the move
why tie up 15M in a guy like izturis? the Os arent going to compete this year. Save the dollars and see if the younger guys can fill out a roster making the minimum.
In a few years when Matusz, Arietta, Tillman are up, and Jones and Markakis are established stars - then open the vault for the missing pieces.
Do you know what teams are looking at Ramon Hernandez? What might the O's get in return for Ramon. Also, if Ramon is traded, does that make Matt Weiters the starting catcher?
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Detroit and Cincinnati are two of the rumored teams. If Ramon is traded, chances are pretty good that Wieters is the starting catcher on Opening Day. But if he doesn't look ready in spring training, the Orioles won't rush him. - Roch
The Yankees and the Bosox get the 'big names' the O's get the 'no names' , Peter the Great must be proud !
No need to sign AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira now. The O's have their free agent signings for the winter, Good job Andy.
Sounds like they'll fit right in here.
Welcome Brad. This guy can field his position, threw a complete game and can hit a bit. He's not Carlos Zambrano, but he ranks right up there. Joking about the Yankees Zambrano. I actually liked the guy. I see Murphy and Hennessey as a step.
Hennessey could be a serviceable 4th or 5th starter. In his starts in SF he has shown pretty good stuff on occasion. He was a 1st round draft pick, and was stuck behind Lincecum, Cain and Zito's ridiculous contract. The Giants have been trying him mostly as a middle reliever and spot starter. I wouldn't be surprised to see him do nearly as well as Guthrie has done if he gets a chance. He's been better than Cabrera at least.
Is David Newhan next?
Funny thing about Hennessey is he got a little bit better in each of his first four seasons with the Giants. Check out his 2007 stats... they're not half bad. But then for some reason, the wheels came off last year. That could mean a nagging little injury or a season-long slump. It could also mean his arm is toast and he'll eventually need a major surgery. There's really nothing to lose here. He could bounce back and become a decent depth guy in the big leagues.
As for all the critics of these two signings, cut the front office a little slack, would ya! All 30 Major League tems stockpile 10-20 of these guys every winter. It's just part of an annual process. There are well over 600 minor-league free agents looking for work right now. They have to sign somewhere and every organization needs to fill holes at nearly every level.
I just hope for Ann Marie's sake that Tim Spooneybarger hooks up somewhere.
Sound like another Peter Angelos offseason.
It looks as if we are filling positions at Norfolk. I still say Furcal is the starting SS for the Birds next year. Reports have it that someone has offered 3 years at 39 million. My guess is that it is the Cubs but we will see.
I always thought Adam Everett reminded me of Mark Belanger.
Roch- mlbrumors.com is reporting that the Padres and Cubs are trying to complete the Peavy deal but are looking for a 3rd party. Any whispers that the O's are in this? Both teams have SS that the O's were mentioned to be interested in. The article also stated that the Cubs were willing to include Vitters but that the Padres already have a young 3B.
Flanagan had to have pulled this off. Can't wait till these 2 are introduced in the warehouse. Wish I could borrow your media pass. People are starting to camp out for tickets. I've been told that the one kid is actually Audie Murphy's grand son.
Hey Roch,
Speaking of the Yanks having plenty of money, how do you feel about them wanting to short change Pettite for 2009?
That guy has been as clutch of a pitcher for the Yanks over the years as Jeter has been in October.
They have a ton of money to spend but don't want to show any respect to one of the guy's that carried their rotation while they were winning all those championships in the late 90's.
As much I as I don't like Pettite because he always dominates the O's, he's getting the raw end of a deal with NYY.
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I understand the Yankees need to get younger, and sometimes you have to make hard decisions about players who have meant so much in the past, but I expected Pettitte to get whatever he wanted there. - Roch
I know we've gone through this "organizational depth" building in previous years but in our situation it sure would be nice to see names with a bit of a higher upside bandied about.
Somewhere in between the CC Sabathia and Donnie Murphy contracts lie servicable major league proven players such as Nick Punto, Cesar Izturis and Kevin Mench. They are not answers to the Orioles (or any one else's) problems but wouldn't they be better than Cintron/Castro/Bynum/Fahey and cheaper than Payton?
I look at Mench's career stats and see a platoon with Luke in the making for the price of a minor league contract (since that's what he signed with the Rangers last year). Unless he's the right handed Jay Gibbons. Admittedly his numbers have fallen over the past few years.... anyone have some info?
Signing both Izturis and Punto would allow some insurance for any Brian Roberts deal. Punto is more of a 2B than SS but has a good enough arm to have played SS, 3B & OF. Izturis also has logged significant time at 3B. Both are switch hitters.
Seemingly all three of these players could be signed for less than the $$ amount of the first year of Brian's renegotiated extension. IF he agrees to an extension. I think they would be good additions and great insurance whatever Brian decides.
Roch- Is it that the Yanktheees have more money to spend or that they are more willing to spend it?
Billy Beane wrote in his Book that a team should/could/can spend roughly 15% of its gross earnings on the team itself. That includes any TV Deals and profit sharing. It excludes coaches and front office members.
There are 23 teams that do that.
The Orioles in Forbes were valued roughly around 900 million. 15% of 900 million is 135 million. We were at 89 million in 1997. Last year I believe we were around 50(5.2% of value). What does a team do with the surplus?
Also, I always hear about deals that are incentive heavy. Why dont the O's make offers to someone like Pedro with incentives for 150 innings pitched or whatever.
Also, What about Tex, 10 years 185 with 1 million for 40+ HRS, 500+ ab. So that it could get to 200 million if he performs.
What do you think about that?
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I'm a big fan of incentive-driven deals. Make the players earn it, keep them motivated. Unfortunately, players and agents want to avoid them for obvious reasons. They'll take the guarantees every time, if they can get 'em. As for Pedro, he doesn't have much left, judging by the scouting reports. Still has a power-pitcher's mentality, but not the arm to match. And Tex will get his money without the incentives. - Roch
Roch....I just read that the braves might be interested in bring Furcal back, but first they would have to trade Yunel Escobar. Is there any chance in this world that the braves would be interested in a Dcab trade for Escobar? If nothing else maybe we could throw in another floundering AAA or AAAA player that we have. I'm not sure why they want to get rid of a young SS and bring back an older SS who is coming off a back injury.
If Hennessy can put up numbers like that this season, then he'd be one of the top pitchers on the staff. Now excuse me while I cry about that...