Aaron Crow Rumors


Draft Updates: Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Phillies

Here's what five of last year's playoff teams plan to do with their draft choices...

  • MLB.com's Ian Browne says the Red Sox are happy to be selecting 28th because it means they were successful in the majors last year.
  • Like the Red Sox, the Rays pick late, but they're not used to it, having had the first overall pick the last two years. As MLB.com's Bill Chastain reports the Rays are considering 15 or 20 players with their 30th pick and there's some speculation they could go for a catcher.
  • The Cubs are focusing on doing well deep into the draft according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. Their first pick will be the 31st overall.
  • The Phillies' first pick will come after 74 players have already been selected. MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports that they'd like to add more bats and left-handed pitching.
  • The Angels, on the other hand, have five of the first 48 picks. MLB.com's Lyle Spencer says they'd like to add some power at the corner infield and outfield positions. They're one of many teams interested in high school outfielder Everett Williams.
  And some buzz surrounding the nation's top amateur players...
  • ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill hears that the Mariners may be intimidated by the demands Scott Boras will likely make for his client, Dustin Ackley. He's considered the best college hitter in the draft, but the Mariners are apparently not willing to offer more than $6MM to sign him. Aaron Crow could be an alternative for the Mariners.
  • ESPN.com's Keith Law believes it would be a mistake for the Padres to take Mike Minor with the third pick. Check the article out for more updates on some top talent.
  • In a separate piece Law tracks the improvements some players- Stephen Strasburg, for one- make between high school and college.



Draft Updates: Reds, Astros, Rangers

Some preferences, tendencies and opinions from around the majors as Tuesday's draft draws closer:

  • John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds like Aaron Crow, but don't expect him to be available when they select eighth. Fay says "there's a good chance they'll take him" if he's available.
  • Keith Law and Jason A. Churchill of ESPN.com break down the drafting tendencies of each MLB team. For example, the Braves like local high school players and the Mariners lean towards college talent.
  • MLB.com's Brian McTaggart says the Astros could go after pitching with the 21st pick, or maybe high schooler Everett Williams. One thing's for sure: the Astros aren't looking for a catcher after selecting Jason Castro last year.
  • The Rangers have one of the strongest systems in the game in part because they've drafted well. Jamey Newberg looks at 20 top Rangers prospects in a report for MLB.com.
  • ESPN.com's Jayson Stark argues "the most dysfunctional draft in professional sports" needs to put a cap on player bonuses.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Clay Daniel, the scout who oversaw the signing of players such as Ervin Santana, was fired. He was apparently dismissed because of the "improper activities" of some of the scouts he hired.



Nationals Draft Update: Strasburg, Crow, Jenkins


The Nationals aren't concealing that they plan to select Stephen Strasburg first overall if he stays healthy. The Nats also have the 10th overall pick and MLB.com's Bill Ladson has a source who says they'll use it to select a second pitcher. The Nats don't expect Aaron Crow, who they drafted but did not sign last year, to last until the 10th pick, but they could select college righty Chad Jenkins.

As Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes the Nationals will receive the second overall pick in next year's draft if they fail to sign Strasburg. Since they could very well end up with the league's worst record this year, they could theoretically hold the first two picks of the 2010 draft. 



Odds And Ends: Padres, Takatsu, Sano

Links for Friday afternoon...

  • SI.com's Tom Verducci heard one GM argue that the Padres should trade Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez to re-stock the farm system.
  • MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo breaks down what will happen after Stephen Strasburg's drafted by the Nationals. He predicts that eight or nine college arms could go in the first 20 picks, if you count redrafts like Aaron Crow and Tanner Scheppers
  • According to Mike Rutsey of the Toronto Sun, Travis Snider was sent to Triple A by the Blue Jays. Snider was hitting .242/.292/.394, with 25 strikeouts in 99 at bats.
  • According to Patrick Newman of NPB TrackerShingo Takatsu auditioned in front of the D'Backs and Giants. He threw as hard as 86 mph and impressed scouts with his breaking balls. If the name sounds familiar it's because the 40-year-old sidearmer used to close for the White Sox.
  • Steve Melewski of MASN wonders if Nolan Reimold has seen the last of the minor leagues. After a slow start, the left fielder is seven for his last 18, including a homer off Mariano Rviera.
  • Via Twitter, Keith Law suggests pitcher Sonny Gray would go in the top three picks of this year's draft if he were eligible.
  • Live to Play suggests the list of suitors for Miguel Angel Sano will soon "thin out to the very serious contenders" for the 16-year-old shortstop prospect.
  • Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star writes that the ideal trade for the Royals might be Mike Jacobs or Jose Guillen for a "capable shortstop."



Odds & Ends: Bray, Fox, Manny, Crow

Links for Wednesday...



Odds & Ends: Qualls, Scheppers, Strasburg

Links for Wednesday...



Odds & Ends: Crow, Matsuzaka, Harrington

Links for Monday...



Odds & Ends: Bowden, Owens, Flores

Links for Thursday...



Heyman On Strasburg, Lackey, Pedro

SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column up.

  • In talking to club execs who have spoken with Scott Boras about Stephen Strasburg, Heyman believes Boras does have $50MM in mind.  Boras allegedly likened Strasburg to fictional pitcher Sidd Finch, with the plan being to shatter previous draft pick bonuses by using Daisuke Matsuzaka's contract as a model.  One Nationals person told Heyman, "We'll pay the $10 million, and we'll get him signed."  This much is clear: we'll have something off the field to talk about in August.   For more Strasburg Mania, check out this article by Steve Henson at Yahoo.
  • Heyman learned from Nationals sources that Stan Kasten and team ownership, not Jim Bowden, cut off the Aaron Crow negotiations at $3.3MM.  Kasten's had many applicants for Bowden's GM job, but Heyman's sources expect Mike Rizzo to retain the gig.
  • A Heyman source estimated that the Angels offered John Lackey four years and around $50MM.  Talks are on hold given Lackey's elbow injury.  He didn't want to negotiate during the season anyway.  The latest report on Lackey's injury is pretty good.
  • Pedro Martinez still wants $5MM, and is "willing to wait well into the season."  Heyman believes the Dodgers, Indians, Pirates, Astros, and Mets are possibilities now.



Odds and Ends: Bonds, Crow, Odalis Perez

Links for Tuesday...

  • Barry Bonds is enjoying his freedom.
  • MLB.com has a list of all the potential free agents. The Dodgers lead with 14, while the Royals and Giants have only two.
  • Brewers GM Doug Melvin may get an extension soon.
  • Rich Harden will have a shoulder exam soon, which will inform the Cubs' decision on his $7MM option.
  • MLB.com's Matthew Leach sees the Cardinals letting starter Braden Looper leave, but attempting to re-sign infielder Felipe Lopez.
  • The Kansas City Star's Bill Reiter catches up with Aaron Crow, who is basically just chillin' right now.  MLB.com's Dick Kaegel says the Royals like Crow, but he may not be around when they draft 12th in 2009.
  • Ken Rosenthal agrees that the Rays owe their success to much more than just top draft picks.
  • Pete McElroy notes that Odalis Perez would love to re-sign with the Nationals.  Perez pitched 159.2 respectable innings but earned less than a million bucks.
  • Eddie Bajek has his final Elias rankings for NL relievers.  Type As: Ryan Dempster, Russ Springer, Juan Cruz, Doug Brocail, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, and Jason Isringhausen.  Type Bs: Joe Beimel, Jeremy Affeldt, Brian Shouse, Bob Howry, David Weathers, Trevor Hoffman, Eric Gagne, and Brandon Lyon.  If one of these players is offered arbitration, turns it down, and signs elsewhere, his old team gets one or two draft picks.
  • MLB.com's Spencer Fordin doesn't see the need for the Orioles to sign Jeremy Guthrie to a long-term deal this winter.









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