Major League Baseball

Plenty of players awaiting extensions

Published Mar. 30, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Ken Rosenthal

Attention, potential free agents! You won’t all sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The end of spring training is normally a time when teams scramble to sign players to contract extensions rather than continue negotiating with them during the season.

But this year, certain players seem more willing to wait — and the anticipation that the new Dodgers’ owners will spend heavily next offseason is one factor.

Here’s an update on where a number of players stand in their efforts to negotiate extensions, according to major-league sources.

The usual caveats apply: Talks are fluid and things can change quickly.

Starting pitchers

Cole Hamels, Phillies: There have been no substantive talks between the sides in the last three weeks. Hamels is unlikely to sign for less than market value — and market value for a left-hander of his caliber is five or six years at $20 million plus per season. The Phillies remain in a box. Hamels, 28, is the youngest of their aces. Lefty Cliff Lee turns 34 on Aug. 30, and righty Roy Halladay turns 35 on May 14..

Matt Cain, Giants: The two sides are still far apart. Cain also wants market value; his numbers over the past three seasons are almost identical to those of his more celebrated teammate, right-hander Tim Lincecum. The problem for the Giants is that Lincecum is a free agent after 2013, and he and Cain might command $45 million combined annually.

Zack Greinke, Brewers: Appeared the most likely of the top three starting pitchers to sign an extension, but the discussions have not accelerated. Greinke, who currently is representing himself, plans to hire an agent if he reaches free agency. The belief persists that he would be more comfortable in a smaller market such as Milwaukee.

Catchers

Russell Martin, Yankees: His agent, Matt Colleran, told ESPN.com in late February that the Yankees had proposed ripping up Martin’s one-year deal and awarding him a three-year contract. The two sides, however, were far apart after exchanging proposals and agreed to postpone further discussions until the end of the season. The team greatly values Martin, but also is deep in catching prospects.

Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks: Momentum for a deal slowed after catcher Yadier Molina signed his five-year, $75 million extension with the Cardinals last month. Montero has yet to put two big seasons together, but shares the same agents as Victor Martinez and could seek a comparable deal (four years, $52 million). The D-Backs have little depth behind him.

Mike Napoli, Rangers: Also unlikely to sign before Opening Day. Napoli is more of a hybrid than Martin or Montero; he has never made more than 84 starts at catcher in a season. The difference is, Napoli is a greater offensive force than either of those two — he hit 30 homers in 369 at-bats and had a monster postseason last year.

Second basemen

Brandon Phillips, Reds: The Reds know what it will take to sign him, but might not be willing to make the necessary commitment as they prepare to negotiate with first baseman Joey Votto, who is a free agent after ’13. Phillips, 30, is earning $12 million this season. His likely asking price: A higher salary on a four- or five-year deal.

Ian Kinsler, Rangers: Different than others on this list — Kinsler, who turns 30 on June 22, is not a free agent until after ’13. The issue in his talks is length of contract. Kinsler is a far better defender than Dan Uggla, closer to him offensively than you might think and a proven postseason performer. Uggla commanded a five-year, $62 million deal from the Braves without becoming a free agent.

Shortstops

Erick Aybar, Angels: The team, after signing second baseman Howie Kendrick to a four-year, $33.5 million contract, has failed to reach agreement with Aybar, who won his first Gold Glove and produced a career-high OPS-plus last season. Advanced defensive metrics aren’t as kind to Aybar, but a number of high-revenue teams will be looking for shortstops when he hits the open market next offseason.

Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: Talks between Cabrera and the Indians continue, but the player is not a free agent until after ’13. Cabrera didn’t help himself by coming into camp heavy, raising questions about his long-term ability to remain at shortstop. Still, not many at short can match what Cabrera did last season offensively — a .792 OPS, 25 home runs, 92 RBI.

Outfielders

Andre Ethier, Dodgers: Both Ethier and first baseman James Loney are potential free agents, but neither is a top candidate for the Dodgers’ new ownership to extend; that distinction likely belongs to left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who is under club control through 2014. Ethier and Loney will become greater priorities only if they bounce back from disappointing 2011 seasons.

Josh Hamilton, Rangers: Even less likely than his teammates Kinsler and Napoli to sign an extension by Opening Day. Both Hamilton and the Rangers agreed to put discussions on hold after Hamilton, a recovering addict, had his second relapse with alcohol in three years in early February. At this point, free agency seems likely.