Tendering Some Love to the Players…….Tendered Players 2008
The Greatest thing a player can learn on a day like today is how much his club loves what he does on the field for them. But sometimes even that get a bit blurred and the images seems to fade a bit before the reality comes that you either have a new start somewhere else, or you contact your old team and see if they just wanted you at a cheaper price.
Every December 12th, the MLB goes through this sadistic tactic of non-tendering and tendering contracts to the arbitration eligible players on their rosters. Some people are shoe-ins to get picked up because of talent or maybe even a low cost towards the next year budget. Others are looked at under a microscope and the decisions might come down to dollar signs and not talent or ability.
That is the sad reality of this date. You could be an up and coming talent, or a veteran that just had an off year and you could be looking for a job in a heartbeat after midnight tonight. Also, just because they decided to offer you a contract doesn’t mean that the wheels stop turning and you might still be dealt to another team and they will make the decision on your fate again, and maybe at a financial disadvantages.
So on and on tonight I will be adding to this blog until I have a final idea of who, what where, when and why might pop up and bite some unsuspecting player on the buttock. Seriously here, there will be some surprises tonight. Some players might be getting held ransom for a financial sacrifice, while other might be rewarded for unforeseen changes in their game or ability. Which ever come about, it is not the end of the world or a career with any of the players tonight.
Everyone will find a place to play in 2009, it might not be the town you are currently playing in, but it also might turn into the best decision of your life. Just because you came up with a certain club does not mean that there are not other staffs or coaches’ salivating that your name is on the list tonight. People always have choices in life. The path we take is not predestined as many believe, but they are earmarked with signs and signals we either adhere to or avoid.
The players on this list still have had the honor to play at a level that few people ever achieve in life, on or off the ball field. And with that in mind, you have to remember the sacrifices and the sweat and tears that got you to this level will be rewarded again.
So as we embark on this night when some believe a dream has ended, you have to remember that through every closed door there is another opportunity maybe even down the hall. Here is the list of the guys who got the love and admiration of their clubs tonight. This list will be in no certain order, but will be update throughout the night.
Tampa Bay Rays:
Gabe Gross ( OF )
Dioner Navarro ( C )
Jason Barlett ( SS )
Willy Aybar ( INF )
Grant Balfour ( RP )
Kansas City Royals:
Esteban German ( INF ) 1-year contract
John Buck ( C )
Mike Jacobs ( INF )
Mark Teahen ( OF )
Brian Bannister ( SP )
Kyle Davies ( RP )
Jimmy Gobble ( SP )
Zack Greinke ( SP )
Joel Peralta ( RP )
Florida Marlins:
Jorge Cantu ( 3 B )
Dan Uggla ( 2 B )
Cody Ross ( OF )
Jeremy Hermida ( OF )
Rick Nolasco ( SP )
Josh Johnson ( RP )
Alfredo Amezaga ( RP )
Logan Kensing ( RP )
Dallas McPherson ( INF )
Philadelphia Phillies:
Shane Victorino ( OF )
Ryan Howard ( 1 B )
Ryan Madson ( RP )
Jayson Werth ( OF )
Eric Bruntlett ( INF ) 1-year contract
Clay Condrey ( RP ) 1-year contract
Joe Blanton ( SP )
Cole Hamels ( SP )
Greg Dobbs ( INF )
Chad Durbin ( RP )
Seattle Mariners:
Eric Bedard ( SP )
Aaron Heilman (SP, RP )
Felix Hernandez ( SP )
San Diego Padres:
Scott Hairston ( OF )
Luis Rodriguez ( INF )
Jody Gerut ( OF )
Heath Bell ( RP )
Atlanta Braves:
Kelly Johnson ( INF )
Matt Diaz ( OF )
Jeff Francoeur ( OF )
Mike Gonzalez ( RP )
Omar Infante ( INF )
Casey Kotchman ( 1 B )
Boston Red Sox:
Kevin Youkilis ( 1B )
Jonathan Papelbon ( RP )
Javier Lopez ( RP )
Minnesota Twins:
Jason Kubel ( D H )
Matt Guerrier ( RP )
Los Angeles Dodgers:
Russell Martin ( C )
Andre Ethier ( OF )
Johnathan Broxton ( RP )
Oakland Athletics:
Rob Bowen ( C ) $ 535,000 1-year contract
Justin Duchscherer ( SP )
Jack Cust ( OF )
Chicago White Sox:
Dewayne Wise ( OF ) 1-year, $ 550,000 contract
Wilson Betemit ( INF ) 1-year $ 1.3 Million contract
Detroit Tigers:
Ramon Santiago ( INF ) 1-year $ 825,000 contract
Marcus Thames ( OF )
Fernando Rodney ( RP )
Bobby Seay ( RP )
Joel Zumaya ( RP )
Justin Verlander ( SP )
Edwin Jackson ( SP,RP )
Cleveland Indians:
Kelly Shoppach ( C )
Chicago Cubs:
Chad Gaudin ( RP ) 1-year $ 2 million contract
Ronny Cedeno ( INF )
Reed Johnson ( OF )
Neal Cotts ( RP ) 1-year $ 1.1 million contract
Mike Wuertz ( RP )
Kevin Gregg ( RP )
San Francisco Giants:
Jack Taschner ( RP )
Toronto Blue Jays:
Jason Frasor ( RP )
Brian Tallet ( RP )
Brandon League ( RP )
Jose Batista ( INF )
Pittsburgh Pirates:
Nate McLouth ( OF )
Adam LaRoche ( 1 B )
Ryan Doumit ( C )
Zack Duke ( SP )
John Grabow ( RP )
Tyler Yates ( RP )
Paul Maholm ( SP )
St Louis Cardinals:
Rick Ankiel ( OF )
Chris Duncan ( OF )
Todd Wellemeyer ( RP )
Colorado Rockies:
Garrett Atkins ( 3 B )
Clint Barmes ( 2 B )
Jorge De La Rosa ( SP )
Taylor Buchholz ( RP )
Jason Grilli ( RP )
Huston Street ( RP )
Cincinnati Reds:
Edwin Encarnacion ( INF )
Milwaukee Brewers:
Seth McClung ( SP, RP )
Prince Fielder ( 1 B )
Rickie Weeks ( 2 B )
J J Hardy ( S S )
Corey Hart ( OF )
Dave Bush ( SP )
Washington Nationals:
Ryan Zimmerman ( 3B )
Josh Willingham ( OF )
Scott Olsen ( SP )
Shawn Hill ( RP )
Willy Harris ( SS ) 2-year $ 3 million
Houston Astros:
Brandon Backe ( SP )
Geoff Geary ( RP )
Wandy Rodriguez ( SP )
Tim Byrdak ( RP )
Jose Valverde ( RP )
Humberto Quintero ( C )
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:
Chone Figgins ( 3 B )
Robb Quinlan ( INF )
Maicer Ituris ( INF )
Ervin Santana ( SP )
Mike Napoli ( C )
As tonight comes to a close at midnight, the name will still be pouring in and this liost might not be totally complete by tomorrow afternoon. But I will do my best to be sure that you all have the latest listing of all players tendered contracts on December 12th.
I will also so a listing of the players who are deemed free agents now that their respective teams have put them on the open market. That listing might be a bit different as I want to block everyone into their respective positions, instead of teams for the non-tender list.
I will have that listing working by tomorrow afternoon and I have not decided yet if I might make prediction on what might happen to those players. As the night grows and the list gets longer, I will determine if that would be entertaining and informative to all of you.
Rays Renegade
Hey Renegade,
Thanks for the friendly comments. It will be interesting to see the Rays against Burnett next year. Burnett has trouble holding runners, I can see a team like Tampa giving him fits. What am I talking about, the Rays giving everybody fits (e.g. the majority of Roy Halladay’s curse word filled season that saw him complete 3 games where he lost, and therefore, barely lose the Cy Young to Cliff Lee). Anyway, I’ve vented. Thanks again. I hope I get a hat like you did for winning that contest. I believe it was a hat?
http://homerfoodandhistory.mlblogs.com/
To answer your question first,
I got a mentioned at the top of a blog, not a hat or anything physical. But that is perfectly okay with me. I got mentioned, so any press is good press.
And about your teams’ rotation, even after AJ left, you atill have apretty good rotation stacking up for 2009.
Halladay, McGowan, Litsch,Marcum and either Purcey or a rejuvenated Matt Clement might make for a solid rotation with alot of promise.
Litsch owns Boston, so that is a plus, plus by itself.
It will be a fun time in the East in 2009
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
Sadly, Shaun Marcum’s 2009 season is over even before it began. Tommy John caught up to him.
Clement could be an interesting signing? I think the Jays have to expect the worst with him, and hope he surprises. The Jays have some other young arms, and Casey Jansen could possible fill a rotation spot as well. Both McGowan and Jansen are coming off pretty bad injuries, so it is hard to tell what we will be able to get from them.
Do you remember when Litsch bat boyed for the Rays? Everytime he pitches against Tampa, Toronto TV stations always show highlights of him picking up bats for Aubrey Huff.
http://homerfoodandhistory.mlblogs.com/
Yeah,
I have known Jessie for years. Everytime he hit the Trop he would come over and say hello when he went to see the Bullpen guys. He also went to Dixie Hollins High School in St. Petersburg, where I used to assistant coach football and baseball for a bit.
He is a good kid who just bought his first house near a golf course community near Pinellas Park. I think he is going to be alot better in 2009, but expectations can be murder on you.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
Thanks for posting the list of players to be tendered, it’s easier to flew the information than digging out of the articles. I enjoy reading your posts, they’re well thought out and I enjoy reading your storys.
On your chart for the Tigers you forgot Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, and Aquilino Lopez (non-tendered).
EDIT: Just Aquilino Lopez was non-tendered.
You know a wierd thing about last night, a few of the teams did not post their non tender, or tender list until this morning.
The Tigers were one of those teams. I should have known EJ was on the list, that is why he got traded.
I am going back in there right now and get it done for everyone. Thank you for that, last night was not an exact science by any measure of the word
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
I was reading a Detroit Free Press article that said they might non tender Lopez, but it never got to the issue of what was decided.
That was 3 am and I was about tired of writing. I will make sure he gets zipped off right away too.
Thanks again
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
No problem I get checked the site today, only reason I caught those names w/ the Tigs.
Good luck finding all the information w/ tendered/nontendered contracts and entering it!!!!!!
I’m not surprised Lopez was non-tendered, he was used only in mop-up most of the year.
Did you expect Jonny Gomes to be non-tendered?
The way the team used him during the playoffs and in September, I saw them going another direction. You have to remember, the minute Rocco Baldelli came back into the fold, Jonny’s at bats seemed to decrease and he was a bench monkey.
I know from a conversation with him that it was a decision not taken lightly by either side. I think he will find a position in the A L, maybe on the Wext Coast………….cue Oakland or Seattle music.
I will miss the guy. I loved his spirit and his energy. I used to drop off cases of energy drinks for him from my old job. He was the Rays to me for a lot of years……….
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com