12/28/11

Hot Stove: - Manny Corpas, Cody Ross, Jorge Posada, Houston

The Chicago Cubs announced the signings of relief pitchers Manny Corpas and Andy Sonnanstine on Monday. Both players were signed to split contracts, the terms of which were not available.

Sonnanstine, 26, has pitched parts of five seasons with the Rays. The left-hander began his career as a starter but was used primarily as a reliever the past two seasons. Sonnanstine is 28-31 with a 5.26 career ERA. He split the 2011 season between Tampa and Triple-A Durham, starting nine games in the minors and four with the Rays. He was drafted in the13th round of the 2004 draft out of Kent State.

The Colorado Rockies are in the advanced stages of negotiations with free agent outfielder Cody Ross, Buster Olney of ESPN reports. If the Rockies do sign Ross, it would help provide depth if they still plan on moving Seth Smith, like it has been rumored most of the offseason. Smith is projected to make about $2.6 million in 2012 as an arbitration-eligible player and with the Rockies looking to add young-but-experienced pitchers, Smith may be sacrificed by the team. Ross made $6.3mm last season in his last season of arbitration with the Giants. Ross hit .240 last sesason and played in only 121 games. http://www.prorumors.com/2011/12/rumors/rockies-in-advanced-talks-with-cody-ross?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times speculates that talk of the Rays acquiring free agent veteran Jorge Posada "sounds like much more of a backup plan." The Rays already have three catchers on their depth chart in Jose Molina, Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos, and are likely to use Matt Joyce as their primary designated hitter. Posada is also drawing interest from the Orioles and Phillies, so he's not quite out of options yet. The 40-year-old hit .235/.315/.398 in 387 plate appearances this past season for the Yankees. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/347282/baseball-headlines?r=1




Jeff Reese: It has taken some dismantling at the major league level, but Houston now has a system that is on the upswing. Given how low the valley was, the effort still leaves it in the middle of the pack; still, it is significant progress, and there are upside plays that we have not seen in some time. George Springer has one of the highest ceilings of the 2011 draft class – think 30/30 type of production with a healthy walk rate and good defense. The UConn center fielder has loud tools with tremendous bat speed and a work ethic that bodes well for their continued progression into skills. Contact has been an issue during his collegiate career – to his credit, Springer drastically improved his strikeout rate during his junior year – stemming from his propensity to over-swing. Being a prospect at first base puts significant pressure on the bat; Jonathan Singleton may have the best chance in the minors to provide the necessary offense for the position. He already owns a big league body and should be able to hit for average and power; don’t look too harshly upon his depressed power output in the difficult Florida State League as a 19 year old. Cosart has an elite arm that produces three pitches that at least flash plus, but his delivery and present command makes his future role murky.  http://www.bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=497:houston-astros-2012-top-15-prospects&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11 

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