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...

Pirates Acquire Jason Michaels, Brewers Mull Turnbow

After being designated for assignment back on May 5, Jason Michaels has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for, what else, a player to be named later. As Tim noted on Monday, Michaels has been pretty terrible so far this year. Not that he was so hot during his tenure in Cleveland. He wasn't able to get his OBP above .330 or his SLG above .400. Not so hot for a corner outfielder. The Pirates options OF Nyjer Morgan to Triple A to make room for Michaels. The Bucs now have two open spots on the 40-man roster. Feel free...

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...

Pirates Hope To Retain Meek

Dejan Kovacevic fills us in on the Pirates' attempts to retain 25 year-old reliever Evan Meek. Meek was a Rule 5 pick who the Bucs just couldn't hide in their big league pen all year. Meek was designated for assignment yesterday but the Pirates are trying to make a deal with the Rays rather than return him. Baseball America says that Meek "uses a low-90s fastball that has good sink and run to pick up strikeouts and groundballs." As you might guess, control has been an issue.

Odds and Ends: Morris, Moeller, de la Rosa

Let's kick things off with an odds and ends post today. By the way did anyone watch Max Scherzer's debut last night? Damn. Dejan Kovacevic notes that even if Matt Morris considered retiring and abandoning his '08 salary, the Players Association would've strongly objected. Rays Senior VP of Baseball Ops Gerry Hunsicker indicates that the team will spend money to improve the team if they're still contending a few months from now. According to Jon Heyman, catcher Chad Moeller will remain with the Yankees. Another fine piece from Bob Nightengale of USA Today (hat tip to ShysterBall). The article discusses...

Matt Morris Retires

According to Justin Rodriguez of the Times-Herald Record, pitcher Matt Morris has retired. He confirmed it with Rodriguez; Morris has no desire to battle his way back or work out of the bullpen. Morris finishes with a 3.98 career ERA in 1806 innings, including a respectable 121 wins. Kind of nice that the career ERA didn't get pushed over 4.00. Retired at 33 with $60MM earned...can't say I don't envy him!

Pirates Gaining Trade Value

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette discusses five Pirates players who were discussed in winter trade rumors. Neal Huntington wasn't satisfied with the offers, and decided to keep Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, John Grabow, and Damaso Marte. Huntington says Nate McLouth's name was only floated as a "trial balloon." Bay, Nady, and Grabow have all increased their value through strong Aprils (in part via their stats, in part via good health). Marte seems to have recovered from a rough start. Let's discuss some possible suitors. Bay is off to a .264/.396/.448 start. The 29 year-old earns earns $5.75MM this year...

Pirates Release Matt Morris

Unfortunately, there's no surprise here. ESPN reports the Pirates have released Matt Morris. As Tim noted last night, the Pirates had little choice and eating $10MM seems their best option. According to ESPN, "The decision to cut Morris will cost the Pirates more than $10 million, in addition to what they already have paid him this season. Morris is making $10,037,283 this season, or about one-fifth of their payroll, and has a $1 million buyout for 2009." There shouldn't be much interest for Morris. A minor league contract somewhere could be a possibility. But retirement seems inevitable, and Morris may...

Will Mets Release Delgado?

Is Carlos Delgado the next Frank Thomas? Or worse yet, is he the next Mike Piazza? Sammy Sosa? Barry Bonds? (steroid implications aside). So asks Joel Sherman of the NY Post who's headline - always in that in-your-face extra-bold verdana - reads "DELGADO ON HIS WAY OUT AT FIRST". With aging veterans out of work, and a rash of young talent being locked up, 2008 really feels like the end of one era and the marked beginning of the next. An arbitrary fun-fact from Sherman, "In the past 25 years, just one champion has had a regular first baseman older...

Decision Time On Matt Morris

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates management met with Matt Morris after today's performance brought his ERA to 9.67. I mentioned in my recent video mailbag that I couldn't see Morris lasting past June 1st, but it looks like May 1st is in question. Kovacevic explains the three possible scenarios: Morris goes to the bullpen. The Pirates release Morris, eating more than $10MM. Morris retires, saving the Pirates millions. But as classy as Morris may be, no one should expect him to leave that kind of money on the table. It's not his fault Brian Sabean signed...

Bucs Not Ready To Release Morris

The Pirates aren't ready to release beleaguered starter Matt Morris. However, the team's president wouldn't rule it out for the future. Pirates fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Morris, but the team continues to wait it out. Given the upside of a 5.00 ERA, what's the point? He wasn't Neal Huntington's acquisition; he should be able to deal with it rationally. I would be surprised if Morris is still with the Pirates on June 1st.

Odds And Ends: Crede, Morris, Thomas

Just a couple of lingering posts in my browser this morning. It looks like Joe Crede is sticking by Scott Boras's side as he enters free agency after this season. I can't blame him. It's one thing for a superstar like A-Rod or an established veteran like Kenny Rogers to do what they want. But Crede certainly benefits from being repped by Boras. If Pirates GM Neal Huntington has plans to ditch Matt Morris, he's not tipping his hand. The 33-year-old righty has been downright horrible since coming over to Pittsburgh, a gaffe made by who else by Dave Littlefield....

Odds and Ends: Hatteberg, Colon, Longoria

And now for more Odds and Ends around the league: In his latest "Full Count" audio piece at Fox Sports, Ken Rosenthal expects the Reds to do some roster shuffling that could come down to trades. Scott Hatteberg has become "expendable" with the recent emergence of Joey Votto and by the fact that the Reds have too many lefty hitters. Cork Gaines latest Baseball Blogs Weigh In delved into the Evan Longoria signing. To add to that, Ken Rosenthal, also in his Full Count piece, notes favorably that Longoria has set himself for life without having to establish himself and...

Matt Morris Tough To Move

It's no secret that the Pirates would love to trade starter Matt Morris. The Dave Littlefield acquisition remains perplexing. The "veteran leadership" angle doesn't play well when his Pirates' ERA is over 6.00 in 14 starts. This year, he's not even getting groundballs. Neal Huntington would love to see Morris show a hint of value, so that he can trade the 34 year-old and somehow avoid paying all of the $10.5MM still owed to him. How long until Huntington gives up on that idea and cuts Morris? Bryan Bullington and John Van Benschoten seem more deserving of starts.

A Lot Riding On Gorzelanny's 2008 Performance

Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette concerns himself with one significant name missing from the Pirates' recent contract extensions: Tom Gorzelanny. Kovacevic reveals that Gorzelanny's name came up when team officials discussed players who should get extensions, but because he won't be eligible for arbitration until after the 2009 season, and because they wanted to see more of him, they decided to exclude him. The feeling amongst management is that the lefty could become a premier pitcher, so they are looking for big growth this season. Things with Gorzelanny have been less than stellar thus far, so he's not helping...

Odds and Ends: Harden, Bonds, Ramon Hernandez

Time to round up today's linkage. Susan Slusser believes Rich Harden and Joe Blanton will both be traded this season. She sees the Yankees and Mets as suitors for Harden, though he's already having a start pushed back. Jim Caple recently made his case for the Mariners to sign Barry Bonds; his logic is sound. Our Brian Bannister Q&A got a mention in the KC Star. Nice! RotoAuthority has the fantasy take on K-Rod's ailing ankles. Pure speculation, but Ken Rosenthal thinks Ramon Hernandez would be a good fit for the Reds. Not sure if the Reds were looking at...

Odds and Ends: Rauch, Fielder, Braun, Garcia

Some links for you to peruse... We suggested on Wednesday that Jon Rauch makes sense for Detroit. That same day, the Washington Post's Barry Svrluga wrote that the Tigers "will watch Rauch very closely." You have to appreciate Matt Morris' candor regarding his salary. We learned on Saturday that the Brewers made offers to sluggers Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. Today the team's owner said talks with both are ongoing. Other multiyear offers have been made, though the players are not known. Tom Haudricourt speculates on Corey Hart, Yovani Gallardo, J.J. Hardy, and Rickie Weeks. Ken Rosenthal sees Freddy Garcia...

Bucs Sign Capps Through '09

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates signed closer Matt Capps through the 2009 season. They added $65K to his '08 salary and gave him $2.35MM for '09 (his first arb year). They also tossed in a $500K signing bonus. Previously, Kovacevic had said talks with Capps fizzled because of Manny Corpas' deal. Corpas receives $2.75MM for his first arb year, so Capps gets about 85% of that. By that logic, perhaps the Pirates could buy out Capps' last two arb years (2010-11) for a total of $8.3MM or so. Regardless, this is a nice little move...

Odds and Ends: Alfonzo, Hill, Kline, Reitsma

Time for a link roundup. SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Mets have talked with Edgardo Alfonzo. Alfonzo, 34, came up a Met and snagged MVP votes in 2000 with a .967 OPS. Seems like Aaron Hill's contract extension may wait until after the season, when his offensive value is more clearly established. No interest in Steve Kline yet...teams will probably wait the Giants out so they don't have to pay his $1.75MM salary. If Chris Reitsma doesn't make a decision soon about heading to Triple A, the Ms could place him on the restricted list. Dejan Kovacevic hasn't heard anything...

Pirates Rumors: LaRoche, Duffy

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest Pirates hot stove buzz. The Pirates and Adam LaRoche have reached an impasse in extension talks. LaRoche is set to reach free agency after the '09 season; his free agency years have to be worth $10MM each. Kovacevic notes that the Pirates might be permanently done trying to sign LaRoche. Kovacevic reports "no recent movement" on a Matt Capps extension. Last time we checked, talks with Capps inexplicably fizzled after Manny Corpas signed a team-friendly deal with Colorado. Capps probably isn't going anywhere, but LaRoche certainly could be traded. The presence...

To Be Dealt: Bay, Nady, Marte, Morris, Wilson

A short but sweet article came out in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette this morning detailing the Pirates' five main trade candidates. No new or surprising names appear on the list but it's a handy roundup for those not up to date on their Bucco news. As we head into the '08 season (tonight!) the Pirates may not be contenders, but they could be difference makers. Jason Bay - $5.75MM in '08, $7.5MM in '09 - I was surprised they didn't deal him in the offseason, but the Pirates are wisely taking a wait and see approach with Bay. Surely he...

Pirates Acquire Tyler Yates From Braves

10:23am: Byung-Hyun Kim's gone, in the accompanying move. So is Jaret Wright, according to RotoWorld. 8:40am: Dave O'Brien was right - the Braves chose Tyler Yates as the out of options reliever to deal. They sent him to the Pirates today for a minor league hurler named Todd Redmond. On Monday, O'Brien said he expected the Braves to trade one of Scott Thorman or Brayan Pena as well. Yates, a 30 year-old Hawaiin, has a solid 8.3 per nine innings strikeout rate in his 162 inning career. He needs to work on his control though. Yates was drafted by the...

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rule 5 Draftees

Last year the Reds selected Josh Hamilton in the Rule 5 draft despite only 23 games above Single-A and only 15 games anywhere since 2002 (actually the Cubs picked Hamilton and traded him to the Reds the same day). Hamilton went on to hit .292-19-47 in 90 games. This year, 18 players were chosen in the Rule 5 draft (14 pitchers). These players must remain on the 25-man roster all season or be offered back to their original club for $25K. By my count, three players (Sergio Valenzuela, Lincoln Holdzkom, Jose Capellan) have already been offered back to their original...

Pirates Rumors: Nady, Capps

I always enjoy Dejan Kovacevic's Q&As for Pirates insight. Let's take a look at today's edition. Kovacevic suggests that the Pirates' decision to option Steve Pearce already indicates nothing is cooking on the Xavier Nady trade front. Pearce is a classic blocked prospect, as described in an MLBTR piece by Aaron Shinsano. One blogger isn't buying Neal Huntington's comments on the topic of Nady. A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I found it odd that the Pirates' talks with Matt Capps would fizzle because Manny Corpas' affordable deal raised the bar. Today Kovacevic adds that he doesn't expect...

Snell And Pirates Agree To Three-Year Deal

SUNDAY, 7:13pm: Paul Meyer of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette clears things up. It is a guaranteed contract of $8MM for three years, with a $600K signing bonus. The two option years are worth at least $16MM, not including "standard incentive clauses." That's a great deal for the Bucs, wouldn't you say? SUNDAY, 6:23pm: The three-year deal is worth at least $8MM, according to a CBSSports.com wire report. SUNDAY, 4:22pm: It has just been announced on MLB.com that the Pirates have signed starting pitcher Ian Snell to a three-year guaranteed contract, with club options for 2011 and 2012. Salary amounts have not...

Blocked Prospects: Steve Pearce

During 2007 Pirates prospect Steve Pearce hit a combined .333 with 31 home runs, 40 doubles, 113 RBI, and a .622 slugging percentage. The soon-to-be 25 year-old was named both Offensive Player of the Year by MiLB.com and the Topps Minor League Player of the Year. He ranks #43 on Kevin Goldstein's Top 100 Prospects list for 2008 and received a callup last September. Yet, as of Monday he was reportedly sweating it when the team announced several cuts. Pearce had played first base since he was drafted, but with the Pirates looking to locking up Adam LaRoche long term...

Cafardo's Latest: Inge, Marte, Fuentes, Lohse

TUESDAY: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has an update to Cafardo's Yankees/Fuentes item. Renck says that while the Yanks have scouted Fuentes, Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd says there's "zero chance" of a trade at this time. I imagine he wants to see a healthy Luis Vizcaino before considering it. MONDAY: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe checks in with plenty of rumors in his Sunday column. The Red Sox checked in on Brandon Inge during the Winter Meetings, but found his contract prohibitive. Most teams seem to feel the same way. The Yankees are eyeing southpaw relievers Damaso...

Pirates Make Offer To Snell

Dejan Kovacevic noted on Saturday that the Pirates have made a formal long-term offer to righty Ian Snell. As I wrote last Wednesday, the going rate for three arb years of a good young starter is $13-14MM. Kovacevic believes it was a four-year offer, probably tacking on the '08 season for less than a million bucks before covering Snell's arb years. Though the going rate is pretty well established, there is definitely still room for negotiation. Look at the differences between the three comparable deals: Jamie Shields (signed January '08) - extra money for pre-arb years, third arb year a...

Mets Dangle Relievers For OF Help

Scott Schoeneweis is miffed that the Mets may be considering using him as bait to snag an outfield replacement for Moises Alou. The Mets have hinted they'd like to remove Schoeneweis and Jorge Sosa from their payroll, but the Alou injury situation makes the departure of the two relievers even more likely. Schoeneweis will make $7.2MM in 2008 and '09 to complete his current three-year deal. Sosa makes an even $2MM in a one-year pact. Schoeneweis disappointed Omar Minaya last year with a 5.03 ERA in 70 games. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Mets called the Pirates to chat...

Odds and Ends: Johnson, Ponson, Nady

Ever lose a contact in the bathroom and scour for it for hours? That was my morning. Good times. On to the links. Friend of MLBTR Susan Slusser notes that the Giants had two scouts watching the A's on Wednesday. One guy they might have been eyeing is first baseman Dan Johnson. It seems that Johnson, who is out of options, may be able to linger around on the A's roster until at least mid-April given the expanded rosters for the Japan series. And since Slusser's article we've learned that Daric Barton's hand injury is more serious than initially thought....

Pirates Talking Long-Term With Snell, LaRoche

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have reached out to Ian Snell's agent about a long-term deal. Snell's salary will increase drastically in 2009 as he reaches arbitration. For that reason, I've wondered whether he might be next offseason's available young ace. Jamie Shields' deal could serve as a guide if the Bucs just want to buy out Snell's three arb years from 2009-11. Shields gave up his arb years for $13.75MM, though the last of those involves a club option. $13-14MM (not necessarily guaranteed) seems to be the going rate for a young pitcher's arb...

Odds and Ends: Ponson, Inge, Papelbon

Let's round up some Monday morning links. The Cardinals are taking another look at Sidney Ponson. Insert your own punchline in the comments. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun could see the O's making a minor trade for a veteran second baseman if they acquire Ronny Cedeno but not Eric Patterson in a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs. Brandon Inge is trying his best to talk his way out of town. The Dodgers' recently reported nibble hasn't been publicly shot down, so that's a plus. South Side Sox thinks speedy infielder Eugenio Velez is the type of player the...

Rosenthal's Latest: Gross, Weaver, Encarnacion

Ken Rosenthal is on the scene with some new rumors. Astros president Tal Smith arguing other teams' arbitration cases. Rosenthal finds it a bit awkward, while Keith Law finds it to be a hilarious conflict of interest. Possible trades of Matt Murton to the Padres or Rangers seem to have fizzled. The Padres may turn to the Brewers' Gabe Gross, a player who previously caught the eye of the A's, Indians, and Braves. Our good friend PECOTA sees a .267/.366/.467 line from Gross this year. With Gross and various veteran starters, the Brewers have some surpluses to work with. Rosenthal...

Byung-Hyun Kim Signs With Pirates

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have signed Byung-Hyun Kim. It's a Major League contract worth $850K, with another $1MM in incentives. He'll be used only in relief. The Giants had been interested, but Kim didn't want a minor league deal with them. The 29 year-old Kim whiffed 107 in 118.1 innings in '07, winning ten games. But he also posted a 6.07 ERA. He earned $2.5MM for his efforts.

Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Bonds

Your collection of links and rumors... Interestingly, Pirates GM Neal Huntington put out a statement for Pirates' fans. He explains why the Pirates have been inactive this winter, and I agree with the logic. This team doesn't need to be wasting money on mediocre free agents. Justin Huber is out of options, so he'll either make the Royals or end up elsewhere. Athletics Nation paints a picture in which the A's are buyers at this year's trade deadline. A parallel universe with a healthy Rich Harden, if you will. The Red Sox are exploring a multiyear deal for Jonathan Papelbon,...

Teams Still Competing For Yabuta?

On Friday, the word from Ken Rosenthal was that the Royals were close to signing Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with an option. However, the Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales names five teams currently in the running for his services. We already knew about the Royals and White Sox. Gonzales adds the Indians, Rays, and Pirates to the mix as well. Looks like Japanese relievers are no longer free agency's best kept secret. Odd that teams didn't start figuring this out until Hideki Okajima came along. There were plenty of successes before him. It almost seems like you...

Odds and Ends

Here are some various trade rumors that didn't quite have enough behind them for individual posts. There's a gossip section in the Boston Herald called Inside Track, written by Gayle Fee, Laura Raposa, and Erin Hayes. They heard that Coco Crisp told fans at the recent Division Champs celebration that he expects to be dealt this winter to make room for Jacoby Ellsbury. By most accounts Crisp has developed into a fine defensive center fielder, and he's under contract for $4.75MM in '08, $5.75MM in '09, and an $8MM club option in '10. Perhaps Crisp could be used to acquire...