2008 Amateur Draft Rumors

Odds and Ends: Jeter, Al Reyes, Schilling, Dunn

Let's kick things off with a link roundup. River Ave. Blues wonders about Derek Jeter's future with the Yankees. The Yanks don't have to deal with it until after the 2010 season. Reliever Al Reyes is now a free agent. The 38 year-old still has a bit left in the tank. Baseball America's Jim Callis lists the draft's best coups. Curt Schilling is leaning toward retirement. If he does come back, here is a reminder of the 12 teams he was willing to play for last year aside from the Red Sox: Indians, Tigers, Angels, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, Padres,...   Continue Reading

---

Week In Review: 8/10 - 8/16

Taking a look back at this week's happenings here on MLBTR... The biggest move of the month was the Diamondbacks' acquisition of slugger Adam Dunn for Dallas Buck, Micah Owings, and Wilkin Castillo. I can't remember any August trades of this magnitude. Bronson Arroyo told the media Dunn would be seeking over $100MM this offseason; Dunn denied the report wholeheartedly. I'd be surprised to see him get $100MM, but I also certainly don't think it would be the worst signing we've seen in the past few offseasons. The Red Sox acquired Paul Byrd from the Indians. Boston will pay the...   Continue Reading

---

Law: Major-League Deals For Recent Draftees

ESPN's Keith Law has an article up in which he takes a look at the difference between signing a draft pick to a major-league deal rather than a minor-league deal. With all of the talk of draft picks and contract signings following Friday's deadline, Law's article is a good way of clearing up any questions readers may have on contract statuses. Law uses the Orioles and their first-round pick, Brian Matusz, as an example as he explains the difference between signing players to a major-league contract and a minor-league contract. Law also points out that even players who sign major-league...   Continue Reading

---

The '08 Draft: Knee-Jerk Reactions

We live-blogged the '08 amateur draft last Thursday, and it was a lot of fun. Over 4,000 people came along for the ride. You can read the transcript here. Immediately after each of the first 30 picks, I polled readers on whether the team "made the right choice." We can keep the results for posterity and determine whether it's fair to rag on a team for picking the wrong guy. If most people liked the pick at the time it was made, it wouldn't be right to criticize it in hindsight. Here are the poll responses to the question, "Did...   Continue Reading

---

Odds And Ends: Draft Recap

Let's take a look and see what is being said about the first round selections from day one of the Rule 4 Draft... Keith Law calls this year's first round "unusual in a number of ways," noting that more than half of the picks were college relief pitchers, corner infielders and catchers, three areas that usually get little attention in the first round. Law also gives us his choice for the team that made the best pick (Rockies), the worst picks (Seattle, Minnesota) and the teams that picked players that could reach the big leagues quickly (Seattle, Detroit, Arizona, Chicago,...   Continue Reading

---

MLB Draft Live Blog

You can view today's draft picks and live blog here. Also you can see the top 30 with Keith Law's analysis here.   Continue Reading

---

Draft Day Roundup

The draft is just four hours away. We'll be live-blogging it here at MLBTR. Here are today's draft links. Baseball America's brand new top 30 projections. According to Keith Law, Mariners doctors gave the thumbs up on Tanner Scheppers and the team could take him at #20. Law says the Nationals seem to be debating between Kyle Skipworth and Aaron Crow at #9. Law adds that first baseman Yonder Alonso has an $8MM rumored asking price, which could cause him to drop. Alonso is roughly the 11th-best player in the draft, combining various expert rankings. Speaking of huge demands, Buster...   Continue Reading

---

Draft Roundup

Tomorrow is draft day! ESPN's coverage begins at 1pm CST. We'll live-blog it here at MLBTR, just for the fun of it. Here are today's draft-related links. Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein projects the top 30. Plenty of inside info here. Jonathan Mayo has another set of top 30 projections. He's also got a host of rumors; I'll let you click over to read them. Roto Professor chatted with Baseball America's Jim Callis. Dejan Kovacevic dismisses the idea of the Pirates picking Pedro Alvarez as a P.R./fan-pleasing move. If they pick him, it'll be for baseball reasons. The Reds have their...   Continue Reading

---

Draft Roundup

Today's draft links. Rany Jazayerli looks at possibilities for the Royals at #3. He hopes they don't take Eric Hosmer. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has new projections for the top 30. He's switched the Orioles from Brian Matusz to Aaron Crow at #4, among other changes. Keith Law has tons of good stuff...the Giants are eyeing Gordon Beckham, the Reds are considering Brett Lawrie, Jason Castro could go to the White Sox, the Dodgers like Zach Collier, and much more. Ken Davidoff is hearing that the Padres are in on Brett Wallace and the Twins like Christian Friedrich. Pedro Alvarez would...   Continue Reading

---

Draft Roundup

More draft action for you today. ESPN's Keith Law has an excellent draft overview, and it's not behind the subscriber wall. I wonder what kind of traffic ESPN would get if they freed up all their content. Law also has his top 30 projections, if you're a subscriber. Is Rick Porcello a problem? Matthew Futterman implies that teams like the Brewers couldn't possibly afford him. But the Crew spent $42MM on Jeff Suppan.   Continue Reading

---

Mayo's Latest: Alvarez, Orioles, Cashner

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has some draft tidbits tonight. The idea has been floated that the Rays could draft Pedro Alvarez with an eye on moving Evan Longoria to second base down the road. Alvarez's position really shouldn't be a concern - Carlos Pena might be gone by the time he's ready. Mayo's heard buzz that the Rays have narrowed it down to Alvarez or Buster Posey, despite what Tim Beckham's dad said. Standard speculation is that the O's are looking at Brian Matusz and Justin Smoak, but Mayo's heard there might be a non-Beckham dark horse. The White Sox have...   Continue Reading

---

Beckham A Top Two Lock?

Dejan Kovacevic talked to Tim Beckham's father, Jimmy. Jimmy Beckham says the family has met only with the Rays and Pirates, and he expects his son to be drafted by one of those two clubs. I'm surprised they are so certain. Isn't it possible that the Rays draft Buster Posey and the Bucs opt for Pedro Alvarez?   Continue Reading

---

Draft Roundup

All kinds of good draft info surfacing today. Let's take a look. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo projects the top 30 picks. College closer Andrew Cashner moves up the rankings to the Rangers at #11, among other changes. Mayo has even heard a rumor that the Marlins could consider Cashner at #6 instead of Kyle Skipworth. Back on May 16th, Baseball America chose the Tigers for Cashner at #21. Mayo sees the Rangers at #11 and the Yankees at #28 as possibilities for Boras advisee Gerrit Cole. MiLB.com has compared Cole to Kyle Farnsworth. Baseball America suggested Cole could slip to the...   Continue Reading

---

Draft Roundup

All kinds of draft links today. Baseball America explains the basics in their How The Draft Works column. Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein gives his take on each of the first twelve picks. Keith Law: the Nationals invited Zach Collier to work out, the White Sox are eyeing Brett Wallace, the Marlins may like Eric Hosmer, and Tanner Scheppers is getting a second opinion. Jim Callis names high schoolers/Boras clients Hosmer and Gerrit Cole as possible wild cards who could head to college. Callis also talks about Casey Kelly as a possibility for Cincy. Derrick Goold on the Cardinals' "signability board."   Continue Reading

---

Kovacevic Chats Draft With Pirates Execs

There's been quite a bit of conjecture that the Pirates will draft Pedro Alvarez with their #2 pick. Alvarez, a Scott Boras advisee, may require a Major League contract. The Bucs' new management team will be making a statement to fans if they pony up for Alvarez. Devan Kovacevic did a Q&A on the draft with Pirates GM Neal Huntington and team president Frank Coonelly. He didn't shy away from tough questions, touching on the Matt Wieters subject. Kovacevic also referenced Alvarez, asking how a player demanding a big league deal would impact the team's draft choice. Said Coonelly: The...   Continue Reading

---

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: 2008 Amateur Draft

With last year's top pick, David Price, making his pro debut yesterday, we are now two weeks from the 2008 "Rule 4 Draft" and the top of the draft is not as clear this time around. There are five candidates that could go in the top slot: Buster Posey, the FSU catcher; Vanderbilt's third baseman Pedro Alvarez; San Diego lefty Brian Matusz; Southern California high school catcher Kyle Skipworth, and Georgia high school shortstop Tim Beckham. Earlier this week we heard that the Rays were leaning towards Posey or Alvarez, while the Pirates were said to be torn between Alvarez...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Griffey, Baek, German, Wells

Here's today's link collection. Hal McCoy seems fairly certain that Ken Griffey Jr. will play out the season with the Reds. Dejan Kovacevic has heard that the Pirates are torn between Pedro Alvarez and Tim Beckham at #2. Cha Seung Baek has been DFA'd, and this time he might be claimed. He could have a career as a fifth starter somewhere. John Brattain explains why he feels teams are colluding against Barry Bonds. The Rangers DFA'd reliever Franklyn German; Evan Grant explains why. The Indians claimed reliever Oneli Perez from the White Sox. Baseball America says the six-fingered pitcher has...   Continue Reading

---

Rays Leaning Toward Posey Or Alvarez?

Today from Buster Olney's blog: I talked to a couple of folks with rival teams who say that their understanding is that Tampa Bay is leaning toward picking either Florida State catcher Buster Posey or Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez. Olney apparently hasn't heard much about the Rays considering shortstop Tim Beckham, though other insiders such as Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo have him in the mix. Mayo says "it's still very much in the air" among five candidates for the Rays.   Continue Reading

---

Mayo Draft Mania

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo is making a splash today, posting a brand new top 20 mock draft. He's also conducting a chat that begins right about now (I'm sure the transcript will be up after). Some interesting nuggets from Mayo's latest mock draft: Mayo isn't so sure the Rays have narrowed it down to Tim Beckham and Buster Posey. There's apparently some buzz that the Nats might consider Zach Collier way up at the ninth pick. Mayo replaces his Tanner Scheppers pick with Yonder Alonso for Houston.   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Royals, Cashman, Tavarez

4:45pm: Updating the Tavarez item - the Boston Herald reports that he's accepted a minor league assignment in order to buy the Red Sox more time in trading him. 10:38am: Here's today's link collection. MLB.com's Dick Kaegel hears the Royals are leaning toward an impact bat in the June draft. Baseball America predicted catcher Buster Posey, while Jonathan Mayo went with first baseman Eric Hosmer. First baseman Justin Smoak is another possibility. Paul DePodesta tells a story about the gamesmanship of the draft. Hank Steinbrenner says there's a chance Brian Cashman will be the Yankees' GM next year, if he...   Continue Reading

---

Cardinals Eyeing College Pitcher With 13th Pick

The Cardinals have the 13th pick in the June draft. The team's VP of scouting and player development, Jeff Luhnow, says "there's a real possibility that we go college pitcher." MLB.com's Matthew Leach admits that Aaron Crow will probably be gone. Ditto Brian Matusz. Christian Friedrich or Shooter Hunt remain possibilities. Leach also suggests the Cardinals could take one of the many first baseman and move him to the outfield (Yonder Alonso, for example). Baseball America's May 16th mock draft projects the Cards will take Zach Collier, a high school outfielder.   Continue Reading

---

Pirates Likely To Draft Pedro Alvarez

John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times chronicles the Pirates' recent draft blunders. So many wasted picks. Under different management, the Pirates could have David Wright, B.J. Upton, Carlos Quentin, Tim Lincecum, and Matt Wieters in the organization. Sounds like a fantasy team. Such hindsight cherry-picking is unfair, but the Pirates should have Upton and Wieters right now. Anyway, the depressing trend of bad picks for the Pirates is likely to change this year. For the first time, the Bucs might give out a Major League contract to a draft pick. That pick would be Pedro Alvarez, who Perrotto believes...   Continue Reading

---

Rangers Leaning Toward College Pitcher In Draft

According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Rangers "would love to take a high upside college pitcher who could shoot through the system" with their 11th overall pick this June. Sullivan suggests Shooter Hunt, Tanner Scheppers, and Christian Friedrich as possibilities. Scheppers may be out of the picture given the stress fracture of his shoulder. ESPN's Keith Law ranked his top 60 for the draft on May 10th, and he considered the top college pitchers to be Aaron Crow, Brian Matusz, Scheppers, Friedrich, Josh Fields, and Hunt. In their May 16th mock draft, Baseball America picked high school first baseman...   Continue Reading

---

Giants Aiming For Position Player In Draft

The Giants have the fifth overall pick in this June's draft, and Peter Magowan said yesterday that the team hopes to take a position player. Baseball America recently predicted the Giants would take first baseman Justin Smoak, while Jonathan Mayo went with shortstop Tim Beckham. Beckham might be the superior choice, but he could be snagged by the Rays, Pirates, Royals, or Orioles. It's been rumored that the Orioles are leaning toward a college player, so perhaps they'll pass on Beckham if he's there at #4.   Continue Reading

---

Odds And Ends: Bellhorn, Astros, Scheppers

Like most Saturdays at this time of year, it's a bit slow. So here are a few links to pass the time. The Dodgers have signed veteran IF Mark Bellhorn to a minor league deal. Tony Jackson from Inside the Dodgers says this happened a few weeks ago, but was well under the radar. After some extended spring training, Bellhorn has reported to AA, where he will simply fill a roster spot. He is not expected to help the major league team this year. Richard Justice says he wouldn't change a thing about the surprisingly-good Houston Astros. Fresno State ace...   Continue Reading

---

Baseball America Projects The First Round

Baseball America attempted to project the entire first round of the June amateur draft. Their top ten: 1. Rays - Tim Beckham, SS. 2. Pirates - Pedro Alvarez, 3B. 3. Royals - Buster Posey, C. 4. Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP. 5. Giants - Justin Smoak, 1B. 6. Marlins - Kyle Skipworth, C. 7. Reds - Aaron Crow, RHP. 8. White Sox - Gordon Beckham, SS. 9. Nationals - Yonder Alonso, 1B. 10. Astros - Shooter Hunt, RHP. BA is in agreement with Jonathan Mayo on picks #2, 4, 6, 7, and 8. Plus we can assume that Mayo wouldn't...   Continue Reading

---

Scheppers Injury Will Affect Draft Position

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports that Fresno State righthander Tanner Scheppers will be sidelined with a stress fracture in his shoulder. Mayo suggests that the serious injury is likely to drop Scheppers out of the top ten picks. The risk is increased, but now Scheppers will drop and could become a steal. By the way, bookmark Mayo's new blog, Geeking On The Draft. I am pretty sure we have some draft geeks in this crowd.   Continue Reading

---

Jonathan Mayo Projects The Top Ten Picks

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo admits it's too early, but still takes a stab at projecting the first ten picks of the June draft. Here's what he's come up with: 1. Rays - Buster Posey, C. 2. Pirates - Pedro Alvarez, 3B. 3. Royals - Eric Hosmer, 1B. 4. Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP. 5. Giants - Tim Beckham, SS. 6. Marlins - Kyle Skipworth, C. 7. Reds - Aaron Crow, RHP. 8. White Sox - Gordon Beckham, SS. 9. Nationals - Justin Smoak, 1B. 10. Astros - Tanner Scheppers, RHP. Interesting note from Mayo: he's hearing that the Orioles are leaning...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Jacque, Vizquel, Greinke

Today's linkage... An MLBTR chat will take place in this space at 2pm CST - get your questions ready! I will also be hopping on ESPN-1580 (Columbia, MO) today at 4:20pm CST. Jacque Jones prefers to play for the Marlins...I imagine he will end up there. GM bloodlines courtesy of Batter's Box. Omar Vizquel wants to play in '09, if he has a good offensive year in '08. The White Sox do not intend to overpay their 8th overall pick this June. The Royals haven't had any extension talks yet with Zack Greinke, who would become a free agent after...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Millwood, Posey, Igawa

Here's the latest link collection. Former Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta is now blogging for the public. He currently works for the Padres as Special Assistant for Baseball Operations. In his words, Kevin Millwood felt a stabbing pain even though he hadn't been stabbed. He's on the shelf with a groin injury, taking him off the trade market temporarily. Rays Index had some quality draft links yesterday about the Rays and their #1 pick. Jim Callis of Baseball America says catcher Buster Posey is "the current favorite." Joel Sherman wonders what might've been if the Yankees had signed Ted Lilly instead...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Bay, Roberts, Cliff Lee

And here we have some random links I've collected over the past day or so. The Bucs will try to fill their open 40-man spots through low profile moves, not unlike the Jason Michaels one. They won't move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady until they're truly out of it. 4.5 games out of the wild card, they still have a prayer here on May 9th. Keith Law's top 60 prospects list for the June draft has been published. Shortstop Tim Beckham heads the list. Gordon Wittenmyer looks back on the Cubs players rumored to be traded for Brian Roberts. Juan...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Botts, Red Sox, McLouth

Roundup of links! According to Jamey Newberg, Jason Botts has cleared waivers. He probably won't get another chance with the Rangers though. Gordon Edes notes that the Red Sox have five picks in the first three rounds of the June draft. Even though they don't start until the 30th pick, the Sox have had much success in recent years. No extension talks have begun with Nate McLouth, but Dejan Kovacevic does expect it to happen. I updated the fantasy baseball closers depth chart over at RotoAuthority. SI.com's Jon Heyman says Freddy Garcia is "progressing nicely" in rehab and will throw...   Continue Reading

---

Royals Mulling Options For No. 3 Pick

In MLB.com articles here and here, Dick Kaegel attempts to decipher the Royals' plans for their #3 pick in the June draft. Comments from Royals' scouting director Deric Ladnier have been understandably cryptic. Kaegel's interpretation is that the Royals will lean toward a college power hitter such as Pedro Alvarez (if available) or Justin Smoak. Top pitchers as well as catchers Kyle Skipworth and Buster Posey can't be ruled out though. First baseman Eric Hosmer has been suggested as another possibility; it's still wide open.   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Doue, Furcal, Kuroda

Here are today's links. Dave Cameron notes Nelson Cruz's video game numbers in Triple A and suggests he deserves another shot. Japanese catcher Hayato Doue was expected to join the Red Sox organization, but visa problems have gotten in the way. Buster Olney notes that Rafael Furcal will test free agency if he can't hammer out an extension with the Dodgers by midseason. Shigetoshi Hasegawa denies the notion that he pushed Hiroki Kuroda toward the Dodgers. Athletics Nation sees Billy Beane targeting pitcher Tanner Scheppers if he's available with the 12th pick. Also, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has an overall...   Continue Reading

---

Law On Hosmer, Alvarez Bonus Demands

ESPN's Keith Law has a new blog post discussing possible bonus demands for a couple of projected first-round picks. Law says high school first baseman Eric Hosmer has a "reported demand" of $7MM. Hosmer is advised by Scott Boras. Law says Hosmer would go in the #5-8 range if not for his price tag. Could he fall to the Nationals, Rangers, or A's if one of those teams is willing to pony up? Corner infielder Pedro Alvarez might be looking for something in $8.6MM range. Some folks think the Rays will pass but the Pirates will make a splash and...   Continue Reading

---

Rays Could Take Catcher No. 1 Overall

In a recent blog post, ESPN's Peter Gammons told us not to be surprised if the Rays take Florida State catcher Buster Posey first overall in the June draft. Posey, a former shortstop, has the skills and frame to behind the plate in his career. Baseball America's Jim Callis recently analyzed the Rays' most likely options (print issue 0809). He doesn't see the Rays choosing Boras-represented corner infielder Pedro Alvarez. Pitchers Brian Matusz and Aaron Crow and shortstop Tim Beckham are the top talents after Alvarez. Callis, like Gammons, notes that the Rays could go for Posey if they choose...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Klesko, Street, Davis

I've got a slew of links for you. Saberscouting has a mock June draft up. Ryan Klesko officially retired. Chipper Jones let the cat out of the bag in February. Voros McCracken sees the Evan Longoria contract as a low-risk proposition for the Rays. The A's are still discussing an extension with Huston Street, though nothing appears imminent. The Giants DFA'd Rajai Davis. Anyone need an outfield burner? Sam Mellinger explains how the Hideo Nomo signing was the type of move the Royals need to make. Our Brian Bannister Q&A continues to get mileage, this time snagging a mention in...   Continue Reading

---

2008 Draft: Philadelphia Phillies

We'll be looking at the 2008 draft over the next few months here at MLBTR. Mike Arbuckle, the Phillies assistant GM, took some questions from fans regarding the draft and the team's farm system. Here are the highlights: When asked what positions the Phils are seeking, Arbuckle gave the right answer. "You have to be very careful about trying to draft toward a particular position, simply because of the time it takes to develop players to get to the big leagues...So you try to draft the best available player in each round, the guy that we would view as having...   Continue Reading

---

Stark's Latest: Stanton, Hamels

ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings column up. The Rays may have a pitching surplus when Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza return in May. Teams will probably be eyeing Edwin Jackson, Jason Hammel, and Andy Sonnanstine - not that the Rays are anxious to give them up. Jackson seems least likely to go. If I had to pick a team deficiency perhaps it would be their middle infielders. The Phillies have "mild interest" in Mike Stanton, who would like to play for them. The Phils already inked Steve Kline to a minor league deal though. The Braves...   Continue Reading

---

Giants May Draft A Pitcher With Fifth Pick

The Giants have the fifth overall pick in the June draft. It's a shame teams can't trade picks, because the San Francisco's needs don't really match up with the likely best available talent. Jim Callis provided interesting speculation in issue 0808 of Baseball America's print magazine. Callis suggested that the Giants may lean toward pitching in June even though the best available talent will be at first base. This is because top prospect Angel Villalona is moving from third to first and the Giants may not want to create a future logjam. Callis tossed out three possible pitchers for the...   Continue Reading

---

June Draft Order

Baseball America's Jim Callis has the June '08 draft order, with supplemental and compensation picks accounted for. The Rays have another #1 pick - who's it going to be? Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein expects the Rays to pick corner infielder Pedro Alvarez, shortstop Tim Beckham, or starter Aaron Crow. Here's a scouting perspective on Crow, by the way.   Continue Reading

---

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST