BBTF.org/m/free_agents : Yankees Are Said to Pursue Derrek Lee as Replacement for Mark Teixeira

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

MLBTR: Phillies to sign Carlos Zambrano to minor league deal

(www.mlbtraderumors.com)

posted 6 days ago by RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) to carlos zambrano, free agents, minor league deal, phillies | 17 comment(s)

Get ready for WORLD WAR Z.

The Phillies have officially announced the signing of Carlos Zambrano to a minor league deal. He will report to extended Spring Training in Clearwater, Fla. Zambrano is represented by Praver/Shapiro, as shown in MLBTR’s Agency Database.

The 31-year-old Zambrano had previously agreed to a contract with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League but never signed the contract as he continued to look for employment with a Major League team.

After spending parts of ...

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. frannyzoo posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:42 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Full Disclosure: I want the Yankees to lose as close to 162 games this year as possible.

My hazy memory recalls Lee kinda falling off the performance cliff (and not just from injuries). Is there not a reasonable better option than Lee?

2. Der_K posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Derrek or Carlos, franny? Derrek got real hot after BAL sent him to the Pirates, that last season...

Anyway, if they want to impress me - sign Derek Lee.

3. The Yankee Clapper posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:52 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

"Pursue" may be a little strong. Apparently there were feelers to a number of players, including Larry Jones. Nothing came of it, and it looks live everyone has moved on.

4. Fernigal McGunnigle has become a merry hat posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:53 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lee was included in Pittsburgh's ZiPS projections for 2012, and the computer had him at 260/328/433 (a 105 OPS+). That line isn't a disaster for a couple of months, but a year of age and retirement isn't likely to have improved on it.

5. frannyzoo posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:09 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Der K: I had the right Lee in mind, but I think my impression comes from my being quite impressed with Derrek during those near-MVP years with the Cubs. As a Ms fan, I still like the Richie Sexson idea stated above.

6. Ray (RDP)

posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:17 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This was the semi-serious list I offered up a few days ago, i.e., replacements for Teixeira who I thought could be acquired rather easily:

Jack Cust
Russell Branyan
Jason Giambi
Adam Lind
Travis Snider
The Toddfather
Lars Anderson
Justin Smoak
Kyle Blanks
Barry Bonds
Hank Conger
JD Drew
Jason Bay
Nick Johnson
Jim Thome

I did not have either Lee on it.

7. Davo Mastroianni posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:21 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is Carlos Lee finished? I'm a little surprised. A couple of teams have holes at first base, and he seems like a not-terrible candidate. But no one is interested.

8. Anonymous Observer posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:31 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Derrek or Carlos, franny?

How about Travis?

9. JJ1986 posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:35 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I've never heard of half of these guys and the ones I do know are way past their prime.

Jason Giambi
The Toddfather
Barry Bonds
JD Drew
Jason Bay
Jim Thome

Most of these guys never had a prime.

Russell Branyan
Lars Anderson
Justin Smoak
Kyle Blanks
Hank Conger

This guy here is dead!

Nick Johnson

10. Davo Mastroianni posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:38 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Do people really think the 37 year-old Derrek Lee--who hasn't played baseball in 18 months--is a better bet than Dan Johnson?

11. Der_K posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:45 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lee lee lee lee
Lee lee lee lee lee lee
Lee lee lee
We're talkin' ######' Lee.

****

I was thinking of Carlos, initially.
A Dan Johnson / Steve Pearce (o's minor league deal, iirc) platoon would be, as the kids say, perfectly cromulent.

12. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:47 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

How about Travis?

How about Leron?

13. akrasian posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:49 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I hear Spike Lee is available.

14. Nasty Nate posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:49 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This guy here is dead!

Nick Johnson

Cross him off, then!

15. Swoboda is freedom posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:52 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Anyone know if Soriano is available?

16. cardsfanboy

posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:52 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Isn't Vlad still trying to get back into baseball?

17. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:53 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lee Stevens, because of this game.

18. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:53 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Not to change the subject, but this reminds me: is anyone else surprised that Kyle Lohse is STILL unsigned? Is he really going to hold out until after the draft?

19. smileyy posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:54 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Russell Branyan

Oh, I dunno...his 2008-10 was entirely cromulent from an OPS+ perspective.

20. Shredder posted on March 11, 2013 at 01:57 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'll bet Vernon Wells would love to learn how to play first base.

21. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? posted on March 11, 2013 at 02:00 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

The Yankees already pursued Robert E. Lee, and we know how that worked out.

22. Arnett Mead (Arjun) posted on March 11, 2013 at 02:04 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

My hazy memory recalls Lee kinda falling off the performance cliff (and not just from injuries). Is there not a reasonable better option than Lee?

Your memory is failing you. Lee's last five years (not really sure why I chose five, honestly, just sort of randomly chosen bracket to show I wasn't cherry-picking his three best years or something) in the majors were 2007-2011, where he had OPS+es of 130, 109, 146, 106, and 109 respectively (wRC+es of 132, 111, 150, 109, and 109), with typically solid defense (I personally remember him being a tremendous defender with the Cubs. Over those five years his UZR was -0.6, 6.8, 3.6, 2.1, and 1.4 respectively, which does suggest that he had something left in the tank there). If he's not lost all of his skills over the past year of inactivity, he seems like a pretty reasonable gamble (I seem to recall that he quit because he wanted a full-time job/spend time with his family and his kid).

EDIT: well, of course he wouldn't be *great* as a first baseman, but as a quick replacement? decent hitting, solid defense, veteran who's been on some really good teams...you could do much worse. You'd probably expect similar hitting out of the aforementioned Dan Johnson, even.

23. SoSH U at work posted on March 11, 2013 at 02:15 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Not to change the subject, but this reminds me: is anyone else surprised that Kyle Lohse is STILL unsigned? Is he really going to hold out until after the draft?

I was surprised he was still unsigned a couple of weeks ago. I know Edwin Jackson was used as a comparable, but he signed the first week of February. I find this pretty bizarre.

24. tfbg9 posted on March 11, 2013 at 02:31 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I hear Spike Lee is available.

Ineligible to be on a MLB roster under the August 21, 1951 Gaedel Ruling.

25. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) posted on March 11, 2013 at 02:32 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is Carlos Lee finished? I'm a little surprised. A couple of teams have holes at first base, and he seems like a not-terrible candidate.

He's 36 years old, he's not in good shape, and he put up a 90 OPS+ last year. 79 OPS+ after the trade to Miami for the second half. That won't get you far at first base.

26. willcarrolldoesnotsuk posted on March 11, 2013 at 02:37 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is Felix Fermin available? Trade Mo for him.

27. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) posted on March 11, 2013 at 02:46 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Not to change the subject, but this reminds me: is anyone else surprised that Kyle Lohse is STILL unsigned? Is he really going to hold out until after the draft?

Does he have any contract offers? Is there any end date for draft pick compensation? I am guessing by your post it is that year's draft?

28. Nasty Nate posted on March 11, 2013 at 02:51 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is there any end date for draft pick compensation? I am guessing by your post it is that year's draft?

Yes, it's the draft.

29. Swedish Chef posted on March 11, 2013 at 03:08 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

"Don't you think Chipper would be a perfect fit? Larry?" Cashman said. "I'd take Larry in a heartbeat. I think everybody would."

30. TomH posted on March 11, 2013 at 03:12 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Bill Lee! Bill Lee, don't be a hero!

(and as he started to throw, I said Bill Lee, keep that ball looo-ooowww...)

31. villageidiom posted on March 11, 2013 at 03:14 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

An Option J tag? Are they signing Brett Favre?

32. jack the seal clubber (on the sidelines of life) posted on March 11, 2013 at 03:26 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Bill Lee! Bill Lee, don't be a hero!

(and as he started to throw, I said Bill Lee, keep that ball looo-ooowww...)

He was a fool with his life.

Since Showtime spent two hours doing a documentary on the Cowsills you would think that Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods would rate at least a ten minute clip.

33. Hack Wilson posted on March 11, 2013 at 03:33 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I am watching today's Yankee game on ESPN and Doug Glanville just compared the Yankees to Brokeback Mountain. Maybe Billy Bean is available.

34. jyjjy posted on March 11, 2013 at 03:41 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lee Majors. The just need to rebuild him and 6 mill is pocket change for the Yankees.

35. Don Geovany Soto (chris h.) posted on March 11, 2013 at 04:05 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lee Majors. The just need to rebuild him and 6 mill is pocket change for the Yankees.

How long before the Yankees -- or some other big spender -- take this seriously and starts pouring money into bionic R&D?

36. Canker Soriano posted on March 11, 2013 at 04:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I had no idea Derrek Lee was retired. I figured he played last year someplace under the radar.

That Lee for Choi swap back in 2004 turned out to be quite a coup for the Cubs.

37. Der_K posted on March 11, 2013 at 04:15 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

signed ben francisco

38. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) posted on March 11, 2013 at 04:39 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

He's 36 years old, he's not in good shape

Round is a perfectly good shape.

39. Walt Davis posted on March 11, 2013 at 04:41 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'm a little surprised Lee hasn't been picked up as a coach by somebody, he always struck me as a guy who would be good at that.

40. Greg (U)K posted on March 11, 2013 at 05:06 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

That Lee for Choi swap back in 2004 turned out to be quite a coup for the Cubs.

Choi's still playing pro ball somewhere too, I believe!

Josh Phelps may be retired. He played for a team in Italy in 2011, but I can find any mention of him in 2012 on their website.

41. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) posted on March 11, 2013 at 05:14 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I had no idea Derrek Lee was retired. I figured he played last year someplace under the radar.

He had offers, but nobody wanted to give him enough money to make it worth his while (except for the Pirates, and he made it clear he didn't want to come back to Pittsburgh).

42. Athletic Supporter gangnam style posted on March 11, 2013 at 05:18 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Full Disclosure: I want the Yankees to lose as close to 162 games this year as possible.

Not me. I don't want them to get the #1 pick...

43. Hack Wilson posted on March 11, 2013 at 05:33 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Not me. I don't want them to get the #1 pick...

Don't worry Cashman won't pay enough to sign him.

44. Canker Soriano posted on March 11, 2013 at 05:43 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Josh Phelps may be retired. He played for a team in Italy in 2011, but I can find any mention of him in 2012 on their website.

I know the Yankees' baseball people love Josh Phelps' bat. They keep saying "Josh Phelps, Josh Phelps!"

45. Brian White posted on March 11, 2013 at 07:35 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I thought the Braves had exercised their option on Chipper Jones, such that if he came back the Braves still own his rights. I know it's a joke and everything, but it'd be hilarious if the Braves started complaining about the Yankees tampering.

46. jyjjy posted on March 11, 2013 at 08:21 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Not me. I don't want them to get the #1 pick...

#2 pick you mean. Can't forget about the Astros.

47. ColonelTom posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:26 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I wonder if the Yanks could get Bryan LaHair out of his Japanese contract.

48. Shock posted on March 12, 2013 at 12:13 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Bahaha, this is amazing. What is Richie Sexson up to these days? Would Raul Mondesi listen if the Yankees called?

Seriously though, if the panicking Yankees want to take Adam Lind's contract, as RDP suggests, that is almost Mondesi part two.

49. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines posted on March 12, 2013 at 12:51 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Free Erubiel Durazo!

50. Dock Ellis on Acid

posted on March 12, 2013 at 12:59 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Regarding Carlos Lee: I think he's less interested in playing for the Yankees than the Yankees are interested in him. By many accounts, after earning 130MM in his career and coming off an 18.5MM salary, he'd rather hang out on his ranch and than play for whatever meager salary the Yankees would offer him. Especially since he'd hate the taxes after playing in Texas and Florida. It seems like his priorities these days are in the following order: 1) Cattle 2) Money 3) Baseball.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

/m/free_agents

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

MLBTR: Phillies to sign Carlos Zambrano to minor league deal

Reader Comments and Retorts

Free Agents Think Factory