Free Agent Signings

VERO BEACH - The SeaWolves have signed four free agents so far for the 2010 season. The most familar one of the bunch is long-time SeaWolf Travis Hafner. Hafner was released to free agency after the 2009 season, but was re-signed to a one-year $2.86 million deal. Pat Burrell will add a bit of power off the bench and will backup Hafner at the DH spot.

Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe add some veteran leadership in the rotation, which also includes Andy Pettitte, J.A. Happ, Erik Bedard, John Smoltz and Todd Wellemeyer.

Free Agents Signed For 2010
Tim Hudson - 3 years, 5.3 million
Derek Lowe - 2 years, 7.56 million
Travis Hafner - 1 year, 2.86 million
Pat Burrell - 1 year, 1 million

We're Back!

After taking a one year hiatus, we are back to blogging about the Vero Beach SeaWolves! The 2009 season is one the team would like to forget, going 80-82 with a 3rd place finish in the Ruth Division. It's the first year the SeaWolves finished under .500 in it's five year existence... not many teams in the CBL can say they've had winning seasons 4 of 5 years.

The 2010 team looks much better than last year's squad. Better offense, better starting pitching, and a great bullpen! While the team looks better on paper, question is... can they perform on the field??

Can Andruw Make a Comeback?

VERO BEACH -- Andruw Jones is now a SeaWolf! Three years ago that would have big BIG news... and a BIG contract. The SeaWolves signed him for him for 2 years at $781,000 a year... a far cry from huge contract he could have demanded even one year ago.

Keysport released him... eating over $6 million per year for the next 3 years. Jones will be almost 32 when he suits up for the SeaWolves... not that old really... but has Jones still got what it takes to be a winner? "We decided to take a calculated risk on Andruw", GM David Gandy said from his Vero Beach home. "We think he's still got something to offer... we needed a center fielder... and Jones has 10 Gold Gloves, so we think he may help us. We'd love to see him get his swing back... maybe he gets healthy and plays a full season, you never know. We'd be happy if he could hit a few long balls too."

Good, bad or ugly... Andruw is now a SeaWolf!

SeaWolves Records Over the Years

SeaWolves Won-Loss Records
2009 80-82
2008 92-70
2007 87-75
2006 90-72
2005 82-80

SeaWolves active again in Free Agent Market

VERO BEACH -- Tis the season... not just the holiday season, but the season of Free Agency. The 'Wolves chose to release John Smoltz, with a $7.5 million buyout, with one year left on his $15.1 million contract. GM David Gandy then turned around and offered Smoltz a 1-year $780,000 contract, keeping Smoltz with the team at least 1 more year.

So far this year the SeaWolves have inked Smoltz, and relievers Peter Moylan and Eddie Kunz. Moylan is coming off Tommy John surgery and is expected to be out for most of the season. Kunz, a 22 year-old right-hander, is expected to help the SeaWolves in 2010 from the bullpen.

The SeaWolves have offered CF Andruw Jones a shot at making the club, but negotiations are continuing late into the evening.

New Faces for the 2008 SeaWolves... So Far!

The SeaWolves front office have been busy, trying to improve on last year's 87-75 finish. So far,things seem to be shaping up for a team who has never had a losing season, but has never reached the playoffs in three seasons in the CBL.

John Smoltz, Eric Bedard and Kenny Rogers will join Andy Pettitte in the rotation. The fifth starter is still up for grabs... with Mike Bacsik and Jeff Weaver the top contenders for the spot, so far.

Emil Brown, Geoff Blum, Cody Ross and Willie Harris are newcomers in the field. Brown and Harris will platoon in left, along with Brad Wilkerson... who will help out in the outfield and first base. Geoff Blum, a very versatile player, will play just about everywhere but pitcher and catcher. Ross adds a powerful bat off the bench.

Will Ohman adds an additional southpaw to the bullpen, joining veteran Ron Mahay.

It appears the SeaWolves will make at least one more roster change during Free Agency, as they still have one spot open on their 40-man roster. It seems like the SeaWolves are looking decent, so far.

"The Gambler" Once Again, a SeaWolf

Kenny Rogers is once again with the SeaWolves after signing a 2-year, $2.82 million contract last night. Rogers was on the inaugural SeaWolves team, coming over in a trade for Orlando Hernandez and Matt Wise before the team's first season. He was then dealt to Jax last year for outfielder Preston Wilson.

"I'm happy to be back with the SeaWolves", Rogers said from the 19th Hole of Westlake CC. "I hope to finish my career in Vero Beach." Rogers, 43, will most-likely be the SeaWolves fourth starter next season behind Bedard, Smoltz and Pettitte.

HOT STOVE: Breaking News!!!!

The SeaWolves sent Jeremy Bonderman to South Beach for Eric Bedard. This move was made possible as South Beach announced a "fire sale" in order to stay under the $75 million salary cap. While the move adds around $6 million in salary to the SeaWolves' payroll, Bedard adds a solid left-hander to the rotation.

SeaWolves Potential Starters for 2008

(Edited on December 23 including new players through trades and/or Free Agent Market)

Potential Starting Lineup:
Dioner Navarro, C
James Loney, 1B
Kelly Johnson, 2B
Casey Blake, 3B
Juan Uribe, SS
Willie Harris, LF
Cory Sullivan, CF
Brad Hawpe, RF
Travis Hafner, DH

Other Lineup/Bench Possibilities:
Geoff Blum, UTL
Emil Brown, OF
Cesar Izturis, 3B/SS
Jason Larue, C
Chris Roberson, OF
Cody Ross, OF
Dave Ross, C/DH
Brad Wilkerson, 1B/OF/DH
Free Agent(s)?

Starting Rotation Possibilities:
Eric Bedard, LHP
John Smoltz, RHP
Andy Pettitte, LHP
Kenny Rogers, LHP
Mike Bacsik, LHP
Jeff Weaver, RHP

Bullpen Possibilities:
Huston Street, CL
Ron Mahay, LHP
Scott Dohmann, RHP
Todd Wellemeyer, RHP
Clay Condrey, RHP
Will Ohman, LHP
Guillermao Mota, RHP
Greg Aquino, RHP
Julio Mateo, RHP
Clay Hensley, RHP
Kurt Birkins, LHP
Yoel Hernandez, RHP

SeaWolves acquire John Smoltz!

SeaWolves' front office announced that John Smoltz has joined the team via a trade. Vero Beach gave up Felix Pie, Josh Bell and Yosanddy Garcia in the deal. "We had to give up some good prospects, but Smoltz should anchor our rotation for the next two years", GM David Gandy said from his winter home in Florida. So far, the SeaWolves' 2008 rotation looks like this: Smoltz, Andy Pettitte, Jeremy Bonderman, Mike Bacsik and Jeff Weaver.

Newly Acquired Free Agents

The SeaWolves have acquired the services of seven free agents so far during the off-season. They are: (left to right) Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Jeff Weaver, Jason Larue, Kurt Birkins, Joe Randa, and Guillermo Mota.

Andy Pettitte was particularly excited as his close friend Roger Clemens reached a contract agreement.

SeaWolves Make Major Off-Season Moves

The SeaWolves' management team have busy been so far this off-season. The most notable trade involved moving fan-favorite and offensive powerhouse, Vladimir Guerrero. Moving him was tough... but moving him allowed Vero Beach to position itself to be able to improve it's pitching staff for several years ahead.

Below are the latest transactions:

Trades

• Acquired OF Preston Wilson from Jax for SP Kenny Rogers.
• Acquired C Dioner Navarro, CF Cory Sullivan, P Huston Street and IF Willy Aybar from Clear Lake for Vladimir Guerrero and Carlos Ruiz.
• Acquired Felix Pie and James Loney from Mickies for P.J. Phillips and Sergio Pedroza.
• Acquired John Michael Howell from Jax for SP Dave Williams.
  

Free Agent Signings

• Jason Larue - C - $1.55 million - 4 years
• Andy Pettitte - SP - $10.5 million - 5 years... had one too many beers before submitting bid :)
• Jeff Weaver - SP - $3.4 million - 4 years
• Kurt Birkins - RP - $605,000 - 2 years
• Joe Randa - 3B - $300,000 - 1 year
• Guillermo Mota - RP - $755,000 - 2 years
• Roger Clemens - SP - $12.52 million - 1 year
  

The SeaWolves are most-likely finished with the free agent market for this year. If there are any trades we'll keep you posted...