Quick Hits: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs Draft, Mets
The Nationals rewrote Major League history on Sunday in yet another sign that the beleagured franchise has turned the proverbial corner. Bryce Harper and Steve Lombardozzi became the first rookies to hit back-to-back home runs to lead off a game in the modern era. Here's the latest odds and ends from around the league as we look forward to Monday's amateur draft...
- Alfonso Soriano is open to being traded to a contender as he concedes his career is winding down at 36, reports Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Soriano has made himself an attractive trade candidate with a 2012 slash line of .267/.311/.460, but remains unlikely to be moved thanks to his hefty contract. The Cubs owe Soriano the remainder of his $18MM salary for this year and $36MM over the next two seasons.
- Cubs manager Dale Sveum hasn't seen team president Theo Epstein or scouting chief Jason McLeod in days and that's because they are in lockdown mode for Monday's amateur draft, says Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "Theo and Jason and Jed (Hoyer), they've had a whole different system in the draft, and obviously it's worked pretty well," Sveum said. "The high picks they had in Boston panned out pretty good." Equipped with the sixth pick in the draft, the Cubs are expected to take high school center fielder Albert Almora or Puerto Rican shortstop Carlos Correa based upon projections from Baseball America.
- Look for the Mets to consider making minor moves at the trade deadline rather than taking on salary to acquire an expensive veteran, writes Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com. Cerrone points to Buster Olney's comments on Sunday night in which he stated that the team is focused on the big picture when Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler arrive in Queens in as soon as 14 months.
Padres To Designate Matt Palmer For Assignment
We'll keep track of the day's minor moves here...
- The Padres will designate right-hander Matt Palmer for assignment prior to Tuesday's game against the Giants, tweets Dan Hayes of the North County Times. The move will allow the club to activate Huston Street off the disabled list on Tuesday. Palmer, 33, had struggled in three relief appearances with San Diego after having his contract selected from Triple-A Tucson on May 20.
Draft Notes: Astros, Orioles, Red Sox
The Astros hope Stanford's Mark Appel follows in the path of Stephen Strasburg and David Price as successful big league pitchers who were first overall picks coming out of college. Houston is expected to take Appel with the top pick on Monday in the amateur draft as we reported earlier in the day. Let's catch up on the latest draft news and rumors as teams make their final preparations in the hunt for quality Major League talent...
- The Astros need to ensure Monday's draft bolsters the team's rebuilding effort and that starts with drafting Mark Appel over Byron Buxton, opines Steve Henson of Yahoo! Sports. Selecting Appel, a starting pitcher for the Stanford Cardinal, would take the team in a different direction than the addition of Buxton, a high school outfielder with five-tool potential. While Buxton may ultimately have a brighter future than Appel, the Astros are in need of a quality player who can contribute at the big league level as soon as possible.
- Armed with the fourth pick in the draft, the Orioles have narrowed down their list of potential selections to four players, writes Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com. Baltimore will choose between Puerto Rican high school shortstop Carlos Correa, high school left-hander Max Fried, LSU right-hander Kevin Gausman and University of San Francisco right-hander Kyle Zimmer. The Orioles have encountered mixed success with their recent first-round picks as Matt Wieters (2007) has emerged as a top catcher in baseball while Brian Matusz (2008) has struggled in Baltimore.
- Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington and scouting director Amiel Sawdaye talked with Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal about their approach to 2011's deep draft class. Sawdaye explains that the Sox felt fortunate to net Matt Barnes and Jackie Bradley Jr., both of whom they thought would be off the board prior to their selections at No. 19 and No. 40, respectively. Sawdaye cautions that it's dangerous for a team to set its sights on one specific player, as more often than not, that approach results in the disappointment of seeing the player go elsewhere.
Mets Notes: David Wright, Bill Maher, John Franco
The Mets will look to make it three shutouts in a row against the Cardinals as they take on St. Louis this evening at Citi Field. If successful, it would mark the first time the Cardinals have been held scoreless in three consecutive games since October 1976. Here's the latest news and headlines out of Queens...
- David Wright says he won't talk with the Mets about an extension until the fall because in-season negotiations in 2006 had him thinking about his contract status while on the field, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
- Political commentator Bill Maher can add part owner of a professional baseball team to his resume as he recently purchased a minority share of the Mets, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
- The Mets will welcome former team captain John Franco into the team's Hall of Fame this evening by wearing black in honor of his 14 seasons with New York, according to the team via Twitter.
Week In Review: 5/27/12 - 6/2/12
As we say goodbye to one former All-Star and welcome back another, let's catch up on the week that was here on MLBTR...
- The Rangers signed Roy Oswalt for a guaranteed $5MM salary plus $1MM in incentives. Oswalt, 34, posted a 3.69 ERA with 6.0 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 in 139 innings with the Phillies in 2011. The former Astros ace is expected to make four starts at Triple-A Round Rock before joining Texas near midseason.
- Jorge Soler has been declared a free agent and is now eligible to sign with any club. The 20-year-old Cuban outfielder is expected to garner attention from many franchises including the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies and Astros. Soler has been compared to fellow countryman Yoenis Cespedes but will likely command less money as he's not yet ready for the big leagues.
- After 15 MLB seasons, Magglio Ordonez announced his retirement on Sunday at Comerica Park. The former Tigers and White Sox star boasts a career slash line of .309/.369/.502 and nearly took home the American League MVP in 2007.
- Bill Hall's second stint with the Orioles this season lasted two at-bats as Baltimore designated the utility man for assignment to make room for Steve Pearce. The Orioles acquired the first baseman from the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations.
- The Padres designated Jeff Suppan for assignment after the right-hander posted a 5.28 ERA with 2.1 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in six starts. Suppan, 37, returned to the big leagues in 2012 after pitching in the minors for the Royals in 2011.
- Jamie Moyer's 25-year career is in jeopardy after the Rockies designated the 49-year-old left-hander for assignment. Moyer became the oldest pitcher to win as a starter when he beat the Padres 5-3 on April 17.
- The Mets designated Chris Schwinden for assignment, and the Blue Jays claimed the right-hander off of waivers.
- Ross Ohlendorf opted out of his minor league contract with the Red Sox. The right-hander obtained the right to opt out of his deal when Boston declined to call him up by June 1.
- The Cubs claimed right-hander Jairo Asencio off of waivers from the Indians and designated right-hander Michael Bowden for assignment in a corresponding move. The Indians had designated Asencio for assignment earlier in the week.
- Right-hander Juan Rincon opted out of his contract with the Angels and elected free agency. Rincon, 33, posted a 3.12 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 6.2 BB/9 at Triple-A Salt Lake.
- The Blue Jays outrighted first baseman Adam Lind to Triple-A Las Vegas.
- Jason Marquis is headed back to the National League as the Padres signed the former Cardinals starter to a minor league contract. The team is looking for rotation depth with four starters on the disabled list.
- The Pirates placed outfielder Nate McLouth on release waivers. If McLouth clears waivers he'll be granted his unconditional release and hit free agency.
- Manny Acosta's lack of control (6.1 BB/9) has him on his way to Triple-A as the Mets outrighted the reliever to Buffalo.
- The Twins returned Rule 5 selection Erik Komatsu to the Nationals after designating the outfielder for assignment.
- The Yankees claimed Ryota Igarashi from the Blue Jays after Toronto designated the right-hander for assignment.
- Right-hander Collin Balester is headed to Triple-A as the Tigers outrighted his contract to Toledo after he yielded nearly as many walks (11) as strikeouts (12) in 18 innings.
MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- Ben Nicholson-Smith completed the 2013 Contract Issues series by profiling the Yankees, Orioles, and Red Sox.
- Ben wrote Matt Capps figures to draw interest as a trade candidate this summer.
- Ben also wrote that Carlos Quentin will have considerable value for teams looking for a power bat.
- Mike Axisa listed the longest current contracts for each of the 30 clubs.
- Ben compiled a team by team breakdown of the 2013 payroll commitments.
- Mark Polishuk examined the best contract extensions from two offseasons ago.
- Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
- MLBTR was the first to report Ross Ohlendorf became a free agent after opting out of his minor league deal with the Red Sox.
- Mike asked MLBTR readers if Jamie Moyer will continue playing. Nearly 54% of you think he will.
- This week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In featured posts on Roy Oswalt, Adam Jones, and Kevin Youkilis.
- The Baseball Trade Rumors app is now iPad-friendly. The newly released version 2.2 also features integration with our commenting system. Check it out today!
Astros To Select Appel
The Houston Astros will select Stanford's Mark Appel with the first overall pick in tomorrow's amateur draft, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden (via Twitter).
Appel, a Houston native, pitched Stanford to a 9-1 victory over Fresno State this past Friday in the opener of regional play. Appel tossed a complete game four-hitter and struck out 11 in avenging his only loss of the season. Appel has compiled a 2.27 ERA, 9.6 K/9, and 2.0 BB/9 in 119 innings (15 starts) for the Cardinal.
Quick Hits: Bard, Halladay, De La Rosa
Carlos Zambrano hit and pitched the Marlins into a first place tie with the Nationals in the NL East. Zambrano hit a 431-foot home run, the longest by a pitcher in four years according to the ESPN Home Run Tracker, and struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings. Here are today's other pitcher-related links.
- The Red Sox may need to take a breather from the Daniel Bard experiment as a starter after his performance today, explains John Tomase of the Boston Herald. According to Baseball Reference, Bard became the first starting pitcher since 1918 to walk six and hit two batters in two or less innings of work.
- Roy Halladay's time on the disabled list could affect his $20MM vesting option for 2014 and make him a free agent one year earlier than expected, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
- Jorge De La Rosa was pulled from his latest rehab assignment because of a small fluid build-up in his surgically repaired left elbow, says Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. The Rockies also placed right-hander Juan Nicasio on the DL with a strained left knee.
- The Orioles have added Steve Johnson to their 40-man roster after the right-hander sought to opt out of his contract, writes Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com.
Uncertainty For Red Sox Amid Youkilis Rumors
Now that the trade chatter has started, it’ll likely gather momentum in anticipation of the July 31st non-waiver deadline. It could be a long eight weeks for Kevin Youkilis.
The rumors have teams such as the Dodgers, Phillies, Diamondbacks and White Sox interested in acquiring the infielder from his longtime team, the Red Sox. It’s a topic Youkilis prefers to avoid.
“I’m here to play against the Jays,” he said on his way to the indoor batting cages before Sunday’s game in Toronto.
While Youkilis would rather focus on his next at bat than his next team, some players attempt to deflect the rumors and speculation that surround them with a little humor.
“Any Cody Ross rumors?” Jarrod Saltalamacchia inquired with the outfielder himself sitting nearby (in case you’re wondering, there are no new Ross rumors).
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia has had more down time than usual since last Monday, when he injured his right thumb. But Pedroia hasn’t spent the time seeking and digesting the latest updates on his team.
“What’s the rumor mill?” he asked without apparent irony.
Pedroia maintains that he’s not an internet person and that even a mobile phone can be excessive, so his indifference to the trade talk comes as no surprise. His teammates showed a little more curiosity, half-jokingly wondering aloud about possible trade targets for the Red Sox.
It’s nothing more than idle chatter now, but there’s no denying Youkilis’ future in Boston seems less defined than ever before. Will Middlebrooks is emerging as an option at third base, so opposing teams are starting to call general manager Ben Cherington about possible deals.
The Red Sox maintain that they’re not looking to move Youkilis, whose contract includes a $13MM club option for 2013 ($1MM buyout). But until the trade deadline passes two months from now, Youkilis figures to deflect countless questions as onlookers, his teammates included, are left to speculate.
Draft Notes: Phillies, White Sox, Brewers, Nationals
The first round of the MLB draft takes place tomorrow night. Here are the latest notes on the draft:
- The Phillies intend to spend their entire draft pool of $4.9MM on their first ten picks and will draft a position player early, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
- White Sox scouting director Doug Laumann told the Chicago Tribune's Dave Van Dyck he doesn't expect to find an immediate impact player in the draft. “It’s probably as thin as I've seen in a decade,” Laumann said. “We see that it's pretty thin right now in the college ranks."
- Brewers amateur scouting director Bruce Seid doesn't think there much of a talent dropoff after the first ten picks, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Brewers have the 27th, 28th, and 38th selections.
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo isn't letting the new CBA impact his draft strategy, says MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- The Padres will keep an eye out for shortstops in the draft, says Corey Brock of MLB.com.
- The Astros have the first overall pick in the draft for the first time in 20 years. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart recalls how that missed pick (Phil Nevin) affected the franchise.
Red Sox Notes: Youkilis, Phillies, Diamondbacks
A few items on the Red Sox as they get set to take on the Blue Jays in Toronto..
- The Phillies and Diamondbacks have been in Toronto scouting third baseman Kevin Youkilis, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Earlier today, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com identified the Phillies and D'Backs as two of ten clubs that could be in the chase for the veteran.
- Youkilis is too good to just simply give away, opines John Tomase of the Boston Herald. Instead of selling Youkilis now because plays the same position as rising star Will Middlebrooks, Tomase would like to see the Red Sox find a way to keep him in the lineup.
- The new draft regulations will handcuff what the Red Sox are able to do, Tomase writes. One of the best examples of Boston taking advantage of their ability to spend in the draft came in 2007 when they gave fifth-round pick Will Middlebrooks $925K rather than the recommendation of $130K.
Cafardo On Red Sox, Morneau, Broxton, Lee
The Red Sox could be in the enviable position of being both buyers and sellers at the deadline, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Once their outfield is healthy, Cody Ross, Daniel Nava, Ryan Sweeney, Scott Podsednik, and Marlon Byrd could be trade bait. Kevin Youkilis is obviously a major chip and guys like Aaron Cook, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Mark Melancon, and Kelly Shoppach may also find themselves on the block. The Nationals are in a similar position as they could sell off pitchers John Lannan and Chien-Ming Wang while still contending. Meanwhile, the two teams most willing to move players will be the Astros and Cubs. Here's more from Cafardo..
- The Twins will likely entertain offers at the trading deadline for Justin Morneau but won’t necessarily deal him. The Blue Jays are a team to watch as they are trying to do something significant to help their offense. Morneau earns $14MM this year and next and the Jays have money saved. Toronto also has the kind of prospects Minnesota desires.
- A decision the Royals made last week will likely enhance Jonathan Broxton’s trade value. They have been cautious with him because of past elbow issues but are no longer barring him from pitching consecutive days. Broxton has a 1.74 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 20.2 innings this year.
- Despite the Astros’ surprising start, they will still listen to offers for their top trade candidates. That includes closer Brett Myers, lefty starter Wandy Rodriguez, first baseman Carlos Lee, right-hander Brandon Lyon, and shortstop Jed Lowrie.
- Lee could be a fit for the Dodgers as they look to replace Matt Kemp's power bat, but Lee has always had West Coast teams on his no-trade list.
- Eventually, Twins GM Terry Ryan try to make the best possible deals for assets such as outfielder Josh Willingham, starters Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano, closer Matt Capps, and infielder Jamey Carroll.
- A's starters Bartolo Colon and Brandon McCarthy, relievers Grant Balfour and Brian Fuentes, outfielder Coco Crisp, catcher Kurt Suzuki, and others are in play. They also wouldn’t be against moving Josh Reddick.
No International Draft For 2013
SUNDAY: Clubs will actually be allowed to spend up to $3.2MM, not the announced $2.9MM, writes Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. According to the CBA, six bonuses up to $50K will not count against the international pool. If teams push the rule to the limit, they'll get $2.9MM, plus $300K.
SATURDAY, 12:26pm: There will be no international draft for 2013, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports (on Twitter). Certain conditions were not met by yesterday's deadline, so the goal is to have a draft in place for 2014.
The new collective bargaining agreement implemented a spending pool for both the draft and international free agent markets. Clubs will be allotted $2.9MM for international players starting July 2nd of this year before shifting to a sliding scale based on winning percentage in the future, though a draft has always seemed to be the long-term goal.
Back in December, union head Michael Weiner said the owners are in favor of international draft "right now."
Latest On Kevin Youkilis
The Dodgers, Phillies and Diamondbacks are among the teams showing early interest in Kevin Youkilis, people familiar with the situation tell Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. One Red Sox person termed talks as "very preliminary'' but others familiar with the club's thinking say that they feel the need to trade him, barring more injuries.
Red Sox people are telling others that they're looking for value in exchange for Youkilis, but it is said that they would ask for less if a team will pay the $9MM plus remaining on his contract ($12MM salary). That deal also has a $13MM option with a $1MM buyout for 2013.
Aside from the aforementioned clubs, Heyman writes that the White Sox, Angels, Brewers, Giants, Rangers, Indians, and Reds are also possible destinations for the 33-year-old. While Texas had a scout at a recent Red Sox game, Heyman notes that they are pretty set in the infield and the right-handed bat they seek is much more likely to be an outfielder.
Quick Hits: Wright, Contreras, Draft
A few odds and ends as Saturday becomes Sunday ...
- Mets third baseman David Wright announced yesterday that he doesn't want to enter into extension talks during the season, and he added tonight that was his plan since before the season began, writes Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com. "It’s just not necessary. As I said, I think with the good vibes that are going on right now and the good surrounding this club, I just feel somewhat selfish to be talking about myself, talking about me when we should be talking about we.”
- Phillies reliever Jose Contreras will need major surgery and is out for the year, writes Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Contreras, 40, would like to rehab and return next season, although he conceded that the odds are against him. The Phils hold a $2.5MM option on the right-hander for 2013, which seems likely to be declined. The buyout is $500K.
- In addition to Jorge Soler, several other Cuban prospects have been granted free agency, writes Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. Those players are right-hander Armando Rivero, outfielders Henry Urrutia and Gerald Sanchez, and teenage lefty Omar Luis.
- For a breakdown of how draft spending breaks down under the new CBA, check out this New York Times piece by Benjamin Hoffman.
- MLB could soon render a decision on the Rangers' signing of Dominican outfield prospect Jairo Beras, tweets Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. There is some discrepancy among teams who were scouting Beras as to his age, which triggered MLB's investigation. Beras signed for $4.5MM.
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