11/29/11

Hot Stove: - Clint Barmes, Carlos Maldonado, Albert Pujois, Jose Molina, C.J. Wilson


Clint Barmes had 12 Defensive Runs Saved last season, four more than Ronny Cedeno had in nearly the same number of innings. The major difference in their performance was in Barmes’ success rate at turning double plays. Barmes converted double plays at a 66 percent rate. Cedeno converted 59 percent. Offensively, Barmes had a .141 isolated power last year, seventh-best among shortstops (min. 400 PA). All 12 of his homers went over the left-field fence last season and 40 of 43 have since 2009. He'll be challenged to retain that home-run power as a Pirate. Minute Maid Park in Houston boosted homer production by seven percent for right-handed batters in 2011. PNC Park deflated right-handed batters' home runs by 16 percent over the last three seasons, according to ballpark factors from Baseball Info Solutions. http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/32863/a-closer-look-at-nathan-barmes-leblanc

•The Nationals have re-signed catcher Carlos Maldonado, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com (via Twitter).  The move was first reported by El Universal (Spanish link).  Maldonado, 32, hit .234/.361/.342 in 38 games with Triple-A Syracuse this season and spent four games on the Nats' varsity squad in 2011. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/nationals-re-sign-carlos-maldonado.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

A major league executive told Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports that he's "100 percent certain" Albert Pujols will re-sign with the Cardinals this winter. The reason for that executive's optimism lies in the fact that no big-budget team has stepped forward yet to express public interest. The Marlins made a bid, but it was well below what the Cardinals offered Pujols in the spring. Passan identifies the Nationals and Rangers as potential sleepers, but those two clubs are likely to have more interest in Prince Fielder, who is four years younger than Albert. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/345823/baseball-headlines?r=1

The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a deal with veteran catcher Jose Molina according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Last week, we learned that the team was close to an agreement with Molina. The veteran backup catcher made only $1.2 million last seas (read more)

According to ESPN's Andrew Marchand, there is "almost no way" the Yankees sign C.J. Wilson this offseason. That could change as Wilson's asking price fluctuates, but for now the Bombers aren't all that interested. Wilson, 30, posted a stellar 2.94 ERA and 206/74 K/BB ratio over 223 1/3 innings this past year for Texas, but he's said to be seeking a six-year free agent deal worth more than $100 million. And the Yankees already have five rotation options on their current roster. Wilson is set to meet with the Marlins on Monday. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/345824/baseball-headlines?r=1

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