Jan
6
2011

NL East Report – Lunatic Fringe

An article by Hojo's Mojo

Braves

Second baseman Dan Uggla agreed to a five-year contract that will keep him with the Atlanta Braves through the 2015 season. Atlanta said a long-term deal with the two-time All-Star had been their goal since they acquired him in a trade with Florida in November. A report on MLB’s website said the deal was worth $62 million. Uggla hit .287 with 33 home runs and 105 RBI for the Marlins in 2010, ranking him fifth in the National League for homers and RBI.

Braves prospect Craig Kimbrel is confident that he can be the closer for the Braves next season. “There was never really a point last year where I didn’t think I could do it,” said Kimbrel. Last season he posted a 0.44 ERA and struck out 40 batters in 20 2/3 innings with the Braves.

The Braves now have four remaining arbitration-eligible players on their 40-man roster who are unsigned for the upcoming season: infielder Martin Prado, right-handed pitchers Jair Jurrjens and Peter Moylan and left-handed pitcher Eric O’Flaherty.

Marlins

Not much going on with the Marlins since they signed RHP Ricky Nolasco to a three-year, $26.5 million contract extension two weeks ago. Early this week Nolasco said he feels great and is looking forward to spring training and the 2011 season. The right-hander finished with a 4.51 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 26 starts this past year, striking out 147 batters in 157 2/3 innings.

The Marlins have four players — all pitchers – eligible for arbitration: Anibal Sanchez, Leo Nunez, Clay Hensley and Edward Mujica.

Nationals

The Nationals are no longer pursuing free agent pitcher Carl Pavano. They have shifted their interest to Jeff Francis who the Mets also like.

Free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche has agreed to a two-year contract with the Nationals worth a guaranteed $16 million. According to the reports, LaRoche will make $7 million in 2011 and $8 million in 2012, and the club has a $10 million option for 2013 with a $1 million buyout. LaRoche, 31, hit .261/.320/.468 with 25 home runs and 100 RBIs for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010. In his eight-year career, mostly with the Braves and Pirates, he has hit .271/.339./488 with an average of 26 home runs and 93 RBIs per season.

Chien-Ming Wang said his New Year’s resolution is to return to the majors by May. The Nats decided to gamble on him making it back and so far so good. A Nats official said Wang’s stuff looked “filthy” in the instructional league.

Yunesky Maya posted a 1.32 ERA over eight starts in the Dominican Winter League this offseason. Maya also had a .193 opponents’ batting average and a spectacular 42/9 K/BB ratio in 41 innings. He may finds his way onto the Opening Day rotation if all goes well during the spring.

The Nationals have three players eligible for arbitration: Starter John Lannan, outfielder Michael Morse and reliever Doug Slaten.

Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies made it official on Thursday and agreed to terms on a one-year deal with relief pitcher J.C. Romero. The contract is worth $1.35 million plus performance incentives. Romero went 1-0 with a 3.68 earned run average in 60 appearances last season.

Phillies signed INF-OF Delwyn Young to a minor league contract. He’ll receive an invite to major league spring training as part of the deal. Young, 28, batted .236/.286/.414 with seven home runs and 28 RB for the Pirates last season.

The Phillies have two players eligible for arbitration: Starter Kyle Kendrick and outfielder Ben Francisco.

Shea Stadium Anthems

Here is a video from one of those anthems I heard regularly blaring through the Shea Stadium sound system while sitting in the upper deck. This one is from Red Rider.

About the Author: Rob Johnson

9 Comments + Add Comment

mike January 6, 2011 at 9:39 pm

Love the Mets.
Harry C January 7, 2011 at 5:25 am

From time to time there has been comments about giving Pelfrey an extension. The Nolasco deal would seem to be pretty close to what Pelfrey would want. Won’t happen with Alderson. Uggla, 62 mil includes an arb year. 13 mil a year FA years. Reyes sees that and Crawford’s deal and will sign for no less than 13 per for 5. He’s gone. Alderson line for ’11 was wait till ’12. In ’12 the line will be nobody worth signing.
- DougSisk January 7, 2011 at 7:39 am
  
  You are so smart – can you predict the lottery numbers for me too.
  - Harry C January 7, 2011 at 9:08 am
    
    So Doug, what you think, Pelfrey will sign a 6 year deal for 25 million? You sucked as a pitcher and you suck as a poster.
    - Metstheory22 January 7, 2011 at 3:07 pm
      
      Pelfrey is a Free agent, especially if he does well. Boras is his agent
      - t agee January 7, 2011 at 3:19 pm
        
        Pelfrey is here for 2011, 2012 and 2013. The earliest we would discuss extension would be this time next year but even at that would put us on the hook for big money two years before it even started.
        
        Would Borass discuss an extension at the end of 2012? Probably not, so realistically Pelfrey’s here for 3 years and could even be dealt in 2 1/2 for some good prospects. Sucks but putting all your payroll into 7 guys and then pissing away all your draft choices every year has to be made up somehow.
        
        alwaysnextyear January 7, 2011 at 3:22 pm
        
        the roster will be purged of bad deals, and the rebuilding of the fam bearing fruit, by the time Pelf hits FA.
        
        QUite possible they do a deal with him now, but it may just be for his arbitration years (but hopefully at least 1 FA year too, to make it worth the teams while to do it). That is common these days (giving cost certainty instead of dealing with arbitration every year).
    - DougSisk January 15, 2011 at 11:37 pm
      
      You’re a friggen mental moron with what you think the new GM will do NEXT year. You are giving this GM hell already before a pitch has even been thrown in ST and you know what is going to be done next year.
      
      Suck this
Chance Ramlall January 15, 2011 at 11:25 pm

Nice post and with a great blog design, good job. I found this post contained exactly the knowledge I was in need of and I will definately be returning! Thanks for an interesting coffee break.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	42	30	.583	-
Phillies	35	37	.486	7.0
Nationals	34	36	.486	7.0
Mets	27	40	.403	12.5
Marlins	22	48	.314	19.0

Last updated: 06/19/2013

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