Late Winter Signings: Astros, Phillies, Rays - Gary Armida's Blog

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Late Winter Signings: Astros, Phillies, Rays Stuck

Posted on January 23, 2013 at 09:30 AM.

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With the Spring Training mere weeks away, teams are starting to fill out their rosters, gather some organizational depth, and set up some spring position battles. The next few weeks are also a time when many teams are searching for value and signing players to low risk deals and inviting them to Major League camp. While Michael Bourn and Kyle Lohse continue to play the waiting game, teams were quite busy signing other players to deals.

Astros Sign Erik Bedard to a Minor League Deal

Erik Bedard is exactly the type of pitcher the Houston Astros should sign and invite to camp. Entering his age 34 season, Bedard is coming off of a bizarre 2012 that saw him pitch really well, go through a poor period, and then get released by the Pittsburgh Pirates. For his first 10 starts, Bedard was one of the Pirates� best starters, compiling a 5-5 record with a 3.12 ERA in 52 innings. He allowed 48 hits, 22 walks, and struck out 51 batters. But, he pitched to a 6.35 ERA during his last 14 starts and was released in August. In total, Bedard made 24 starts and pitched 125.2 innings while allowing 129 hits, 56 walks, and 118 strikeouts. His 5.01 ERA and 1.472 WHIP were his worst rates since his rookie season.

Health is always going to be a concern with Bedard, but ability has never been a question. Even his poor 2012 season gives reason to believe it was an aberration. That 6.35 second half was really a result of three awful starts, but his 4.07 season FIP indicate a pitcher who was hurt by a poor defense. His velocity dipped a bit, but he still elicited swings and misses at pitches thrown in the strike zone 13.1 percent of the time, compared his career rate of 13.9 percent. Every other rate from Bedard�s season was in line with his career norms. His 21.6% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate are still within his career rates of 22.6% and 9.3 % respectively. While his line drive rate was up three percent, his groundball rate stayed consistent.

While there is a worry about his final 14 starts, those final starts aren�t enough to completely write off the southpaw. The Astros are taking a no risk chance on a pitcher who has succeeded in the American League and who could actually bring value to the organization if he can stay healthy. If he is healthy, Bedard will have a rotation spot. And, if he is healthy, his track record is quite good. This will allow the Astros to continue to stock their farm system as Bedard will net them a prospect at the trade deadline.

It is the perfect chance taken by Astros� General Manager Jeff Luhnow and his team in the front office. If it works out, the Astros will have a veteran left handed starter capable of beating any team and who they can trade midseason. At worst, it costs nothing.

Phillies Sign Delmon Young to a one year, $750,000 deal

At some point, a team was going to sign Delmon Young. While Young wasn�t going to get a big contract, there would be a point that his salary would justify the contract. $750,000 was the number for the Philadelphia Phillies. Young was once a much ballyhooed prospect, but he has failed to live up to those once lofty expectations. In seven seasons, he has managed to post an OPS over .800 one time. That 2010 season was his age 24 season when he hit .298/.333/.493 with 46 doubles, 21 home runs, and 112 RBI for the Minnesota Twins. It was seen as somewhat of a breakout year, but he hasn�t come close to that type of production since, reverting back to his earlier career. Over the last two years, he has hit just .267/.299/.403 and has continued to be a poor defensive outfielder.

On the positive end, Young does hit left handed pitchers at a .307/.341/.483 clip, which does make him an ideal platoon partner. At the $750,000 salary, it would seem that role would fit, allowing the Phillies to platoon Young with Domonic Brown. But, Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro was quoted as saying Young will be the everyday right fielder.

If the Phillies follow through with that plan, the value of the low salary is limited by the poor defense they would receive and the expected offensive production from a player who has never had a season where he was anything more than a 1.7 WAR player. Even more damaging, this decision also likely prevents Domonic Brown from getting a real chance. If the Phillies use Young in the proper role, the signing has value. But, it doesn�t look like they are going to do that.

Dodgers Refuse To Pick Up Mattingly�s Option

The Dodgers have been spending money all winter. Their willingness to take on salary, spend money on players, stadium upgrades, and the fan experience are commendable. These are trademarks that every franchise should have. But, they most recently decided to let Manager Don Mattingly begin the season in the last year of his contract. The problem with this decision is that it left a large window of controversy open for a team that is going to face an unparalleled level of scrutiny and expectations. With high payroll comes high expectations. The Dodgers have never had this level of expectations ever. A Manager�s job is to be able to diffuse the problem and to keep controversy away from his players.

But, the Dodgers have made the Manager the problem. If the Dodgers start poorly or go through a poor stretch, the questions will be about Mattingly�s job. It is a problem that this team should not have to face considering that it is expected to win a championship and has spent the money commensurate with those expectations. This situation won�t allow Mattingly to be the calming influence he has been since he took over for Joe Torre when the Dodgers were going through their darkest period in franchise history. If ownership isn�t convinced that Mattingly is the right man for this team, they should�ve parted ways this winter and found a long term solution. Now, they�ve let a man who has grown in his job, who has exuded nothing but class, and who has won under bad circumstances be the potential scapegoat.

Rays Sign Oviedo, Duncan, Wright, Sandoval

It is always interesting when the Rays make moves, especially bullpen moves, because they always seem to work out. This year, they sign the 17 year veteran Jamey Wright to a Minor League deal with an invitation to camp. Over the past two seasons, the veteran right hander has made 126 appearances and has posted a 3.44 ERA, 8.8 H/9, 0.5 HR/9, 4.0 BB/9, and 6.8 K/9. The 32 year old Juan Sandoval is a right handed reliever who has 10 seasons in the Minor Leagues and, most recently, the Mexican League. Last season, he posted a 2.97 ERA and a 7.4 K/9 in the Mexican League. Juan Carlos Oviedo will likely miss most of the season recovering from Tommy John Surgery, but the former Marlins closer has an option for the 2014 season. The Rays will hope that Oviedo�s recovery will allow him to return to the level of the past four seasons when he saved 92 games and posted a 3.69 ERA along with a 7.7 K/9 rate.

The Rays also add outfielder Shelley Duncan on a Minor League deal. One would think that Duncan could be a platoon player, but he doesn�t hit left handed pitching well at all. Therefore his value comes from adding some power off the bench and being one of the game�s good guys. He�ll fight for a spot on the Rays� bench, but he is a career .229/.306/.427 hitter with better splits against right handers and just one part-time season (2011) that saw him post an OPS over .800. In a limited role, Duncan can be productive. With Joe Maddon seemingly able to get the most from his role players, Duncan could be a fit.

The Rays always seem to make the right choices when it comes to the bullpen which makes Wright and Sandoval interesting signings heading into camp. Their success rate with relievers over the past four years has been unmatched.

Blue Jays Sign Mark DeRosa

The Blue Jays signed the soon to be 38 year old utility man Mark DeRosa to a one year $750,000 deal with an option for 2014. It is an odd signing considering that DeRosa has been limited to just 121 games over the past three seasons because of a variety of injuries, most notably a wrist injury. And, he�s hit just .220/.309/.269 when has been able to play. From 2006 through 2009, DeRosa was a valuable player because of his versatility and his offensive production. During that time he put together an average season of .281/.356/.448 with 30 doubles and 17 home runs.

While he is the 25th man on the Blue Jays roster and gives them quite a bit of options, it is odd that they gave him a Major League contract considering his recent injury history, his lack of production, and the fact that his last above average season was in 2008. That all makes this the oddest Blue Jays� signing of the winter. But, that is lessened by the fact that DeRosa will be a bench player and not someone who should get more than 200 at bats.

Cardinals Sign Motte to two year $12 million deal

The Cardinals and closer Jason Motte both made a smart decision by agreeing to a two year deal. The Cardinals buy out the last two arbitration years of their closer which gives them some cost certainty. For Motte, it gives him the guaranteed money, but it doesn�t buy out his free agency seasons, which will allow him to maximize his value in two years. The hard throwing Motte has been one of baseball�s best relievers since 2010 and has flourished since taking over the closer role late in the 2011 season. Last season, he saved a league leading 42 games while posting a 2.75 ERA, 6.1 H/9, 2.1 BB/9, and 10.8 K/9. With a postseason resume of 8 saves and a 2.08 ERA in 19 appearances, Motte�s arbitration case would�ve been compelling. While he is entering his age 31 season, the right hander will be a sought after commodity if he continues to perform over the next two seasons. Although he�ll be 33 when he hits free agency, he is still in line for a good contract.

Sound off OS: Which team gets more value from their signings, the Astros, Phillies, or Rays?

Gary Armida is a staff writer for Operation Sports. He also writes at fullcountpitch.com. Join the conversation on twitter @garyarmida.