FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the Orioles are pursuing a trade for Jason Kubel of the Diamondbacks.
Talks aren’t at an advanced stage, but the Orioles are looking for another bat to throw into their left field/DH mix along with Nate McLouth, Nolan Reimold and Wilson Betemit. Rosenthal hears that the Orioles also continue to show interest in a trade for Tigers’ right-hander Rick Porcello.
Source: twitter.com
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Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with SS Cliff Pennington by agreeing to a two-year, $5 million contract.
The deal buys out Pennington’s first two arbitration years. Pennington offers solid defense at shortstop, he’s just a .249/.313/.356 career hitter and sported an ugly .589 OPS last season. The 28-year-old will compete with Didi Gregorius for the starting job at short this spring.
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ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Diamondbacks are discussing a two-year deal with Cliff Pennington’s agent.
The two sides were $1 million apart when arbitration figures were exchanged last week, but it sounds like Arizona would prefer to buy out the shortstop’s first two arbitration years. Pennington will compete with Didi Gregorius for the starting job at short this spring.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Cliff Pennington, Diamondbacks, news
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that free agent right-hander Matt Lindstrom has agreed to terms with the White Sox on a one-year contract.
The deal also includes an option for 2014, and is dependent on Lindstrom passing a physical. The 32-year-old reliever posted a solid 2.68 ERA and 40/14 K/BB ratio over 47 innings for the Orioles in 2012, and will work in a setup role in front of Addison Reed.
Source: twitter.com
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ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that several teams are still interested in trading for Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton but have been struggling to get a response from Arizona so that they can make offers.
The Cubs and Mets had been mentioned as possible suitors in recent days, but have since cut off talks due to Arizona’s demands being too high. It’s possible that D’Backs GM Kevin Towers has been so overwhelmed with interest in Upton that he can’t keep up with all of the phone calls, hence the delay in response time. Still, we’d expect Upton to find a new home before the offseason comes to a close.
Source: twitter.com
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According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago, the Cubs have cut off talks with the Diamondbacks about acquiring superstar outfielder Justin Upton.
The two teams have had discussions in recent days about the feasibility of a match. According to sources the D’Backs had asked for Starlin Castro in return, but the Cubs were unwilling to part with the young shortstop. Look for the D’Backs to continue looking for suitors, as Upton is all but certain to be dealt before spring training begins.
Source: go.com
Tagged as: Diamondbacks, Justin Upton, news
Cliff Pennington requested $2.8 million and was offered $1.8 million from the Diamondbacks when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.
Pennington seems slated to earn somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.3 million in his debut season with the D’Backs. With the recent acquisition of Didi Gregorius, the light-hitting Pennington will have to earn the starting shortstop position this spring.
Source: cbssports.com
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Gerardo Parra requested $2.7 million and was offered $2.1 million from the Diamondbacks when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.
Parra is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter after batting .273/.335/.392 with seven home runs, 36 RBI, 15 stolen bases and a .727 OPS in 133 games last season. The two sides will attempt to find a middle ground before a hearing in February.
Source: twitter.com
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Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with RHP Brad Ziegler by agreeing to a one-year contract.
Financials of the deal aren’t known. Ziegler, who was in his second year of arbitration, posted a 2.49 ERA out of the pen in 2012 in his first full year with the D’Backs. He’ll be used as a right-handed specialist again in 2013.
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Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with RHP Ian Kennedy by agreeing to a one-year, $4.265 million contract.
It’s a big raise, as Kennedy was arbitration-eligible for the first time. After finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young voting in 2011, Kennedy fell back with a 4.02 ERA last season. He’ll be the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day starter in 2013.
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