Some items from around the majors on Thursday…
- Minnesota has signed two draft picks, the highest of which is ninth-rounder Kyle Knudson, reports MLB.com's Kelly Thesier.
- Washington GM Mike Rizzo says that there are no written or handshake agreements with Scott Boras about how many innings Stephen Strasburg will pitch this season, reports MASN's Ben Goessling.
- Matt LaPorta, who hit three homers for Triple-A Columbus last night, won't be called back to the majors until the Indians can guarantee him regular playing time, reports Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. This may not happen until Russell Branyan or Austin Kearns is traded.
- If Derrek Lee is on the market, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News suggests that the Giants should try to acquire the slugging first baseman. Baggarly mentions the rumors connecting Lee to the Angels, but thinks Lee might prefer to stay in the NL and play in his native Northern California.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock says (via Twitter) that in regards to any Padres trades for batting help, "there's nothing imminent in the works" at the moment.
- Texas has a "serious interest" in A.J. Pierzynski, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com, but are hamstrung by their financial issues.
- The Royals have signed seven of their draft picks, according to a team press release. The highest of these picks is right-hander Eric Cantrell, taken in the seventh round.
- Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune reports that the White Sox have signed third-round compensation pick Thomas Royse, a right-handed starter from of the University of Louisville.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com tweets a scout's take on Seattle's possible trading stance: "Jack Z [Zduriencik] likes draft picks, so if the (trade) offers aren't great, they may not move."
- Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com looks at how Houston's unwillingness to pay their draft picks has been a factor in the organization's barren minor league system.
- Tommy Rancel of DRaysBay.com thinks it's too early for Rays fans to panic about Wade Davis.
No need to panic on Wade Davis, but if I’m Jeremy Hellickson, I think I’m wondering why I’m not packing my bags.
Andrew Baggarly must not know that we have 3 firstbasemen on our already, 1 of which we had to move to left field to make room for Posey. While I like Derrick Lee, I just dont know where he would fit.
Posey would take over for Molina full time.
Buster is not ready or he’d be catching now. Molina has played terribly of recent, and if they didnt put Posey in then they prolly wont for a while. Furthermore Whiteside has been doing well behind the dish and at bat (4 hr in 27 games and .545 slugging 2nd only to Posey) so we dont need to clog yet another position set. Not only would we avoid trading prospects for someone on their walk year, but even if we did, we wont have the money for Lee either, unless we plan on increasing payroll next year. I don’t doubt that Posey is the catcher of the future, but this is the present.
Keep Molina behind the plate. Move Huff back to 1B, keep Panda Bear over at 3rd, & instead bring a guy like Kearns or DeJesus. Cheap, affordable, average defensively (Kearns already has 4 E’s & its not even the end of June), the only difference is Kearns batting righty (good), while DeJesus hits lefty (not good). Both goods options (in addition to Lee). As far as raising payroll, why not. What’ve you got to lose. Just get a Power Hitter for G-Sake.
Keep Molina behind the plate. Move Huff back to 1B, keep Panda Bear over at 3rd, & instead bring a guy like Kearns or DeJesus. Cheap, affordable, average defensively (Kearns already has 4 E’s & its not even the end of June), the only difference is Kearns batting righty (good), while DeJesus hits lefty (not good). Both goods options (in addition to Lee). As far as raising payroll, why not. What’ve you got to lose. Just get a Power Hitter for G-Sake.
The Padres should call the Indians and see what they want for Kearns, he’d be an upgrade in their OF and I imagine the cost wouldn’t be too high.
The fact that there was even suspicion that Boras and Rizzo had made an agreement regarding how many innings Strasburg should pitch is simply a disgrace. If the guy’s an ace, let him pitch. An ace pitches complete games and doesn’t count strikeout totals.
Meat, you could not be more wrong about Posey not being ready. Molina is in the lineup for the same reason Rowand is in the lineup – Bochy is a moron. I sincerely hope that if they acquired Lee that Posey would be the everyday catcher, but I don’t trust Bochy enough for that move.
I would tell the marlins that we would give them Sandoval for Hanley Rameriz.Now is the time to ask the Marlins because he is vulnerable to be traded because of his recent failure to hustle last week.Dont forget, Panda is a catcher besides beeing able to play first or third base and that would be the key because cathers are hard to come by and alot of teams would love to have him!!I think it is a no brainer,it would help both teams. Give the Marlins a call ASAP
Lincecum, Ishiwawa and Schierholtz for Oswalt, Bergman and Hunter Pence.Do it now!!