fkreutz wrote:no worries joseph, you're right as often as rusty is wrong....

First statement from Frank that I have ever agreed with.

At the same time I would be hard pressed to remember a thing that Frank has ever been right about including everyone of his predictions.

Bronson Arroyo - S - Reds

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Dodgers are "very interested" in Bronson Arroyo but don't want to give him a third year.

Arroyo has been looking for a three-year deal or, at the very least, a vesting option for a third season. It's a reasonable request given his elite durability, but it's also likely what has kept him from catching on with someone to this point. If Arroyo would be willing to drop his demands to two years, he'd surely sign on quickly. The Diamondbacks, Angels, Orioles and Twins are also known to be interested in the veteran right-hander.


This would be the risk I would take if I were the Tribe. I say "risk", but Arroyo has been a sure thing for 200 innings of doing what he does. Nothing spectacular, but very nice #2 or #3 starter.

Come on Pestano???
Vinnie Pestano - R - Indians

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports that Vinnie Pestano and the Indians are "currently at (a) standstill" in arbitration talks.

The reliever requested $1.45 million and was offered $975,000 from the Indians when arbitration figures were exchanged last month.

Pestano's arbitration hearing is scheduled for Friday, and it sounds like there's a decent chance a hearing will be needed. He is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter.

Lots of players rate raises after terrible seasons based on the comparisons that are used to set salaries in arbitration. It's pretty bizarre but if the standard third year reliever earns $1.2 million, then your third year reliever is worth just about the same thing regardless of how awful he was last season.

21 non roster invitees coming to camp and nearly all of them have absolutely no chance to make the team.

Lots of catchers needed to work with all the pitchers who are around. Invited are minor leaguers Roberto Perez, Jake Lowery and Tony Wolters; vets Luke Carlin and Matt Treanor.

A couple kids rewarded for their good 2013 season or their high draft position with a look-see: OF Tyler Naquin, SS Francisco Lindor, 2B Joe Wendle.

Some vets who are needed to fill out the Columbus roster get trips to big league camp as part of their signing deals, and to show off their limited talents in case injuries demand some AAAA callups: IF Elliot Johnson, OF Matt Carson, OF Jeff Francoeur, OF Nyjer Morgan. Not too sure why Ryan Rohlinger, a career minor league Utility IF is here, but perhaps he has coaching potential.

Disabled list escapee hoping to crack the starting rotation: Shawn Marcum;

And lots of relief pitchers who just might be good enough to earn a job despite their career mediocrity and/or recent injury history: LH Mike Zagurski, RH David Aardsma, RH Scott Atchison, RH JC Ramirez, RH Tyler Cloyd, RH Matt Capps, RH Travis Banwart.

Some pretty cool names in there: I think I like Travis Banwart best of all. Highlights of 2013 season are a 4.60 ERA and 20 homers allowed in 131 innings. Guess he gives us very deep depth in starting pitching.

Nick Hagadone has won his grievance against the Indians.
Hagadone fractured his forearm in 2012 after punching something in frustration and was soon placed on the disqualified list by the Indians. The MLBPA filed a grievance on his behalf in order to restore his service time and their case has apparently been successful.


Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter
Feb 4 - 10:45 AM

Always like when dumbbells are rewarded.

Vinnie Pestano lost his arbitration hearing against the Indians and was awarded a $975,000 million salary for 2014.
The 28-year-old reliever had requested a figure of $1.45 million from the Tribe. He'll continue to function in a setup capacity in front of the team's new closer, John Axford. His fantasy value will be minimal though unless he can work his way into save chances.

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter
Feb 8 - 3:25 PM

Pestano is another mensa. Why this guy thought he deseved over a million dollars after the cruddy season he had is beyond me.

Didn't hurt to ask.

Sure it did. It does pay to have good relations with your employer if possible. His requested figure was obviously inflated. He could have at least come down some in his request.

I'm with kenm on this one.

But if Vinnie looks good in Spring Training he'll be on the roster and if he doesn't he will be gone.

Could this be our new logo?

Seen one of those at Mac's Speed Shop.

But if Vinnie looks good in Spring Training he'll be on the roster and if he doesn't he will be gone.

Talk about a key to the bullpen! Their setup situation is totally solved with him back to normal, Shaw and Allen.