Rockies May Find Podsednik, Taveras Expendable
On Tuesday, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle hinted that Ryan Spilborghs would begin to receive more playing time in center field. As a result, Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the futures of Scott Podsednik and Willy Taveras are in question.
It might make sense to keep Podsednik around as the resident speedy extra outfielder. However Pods is hitting just .222/.311/.311 in 103 plate appearances despite a solid April. Renck says the Cubs might have renewed interest if Jim Edmonds doesn’t work out. He says the Cubs have a "working list of potential available left-handed bats" as a contingency plan. One other Cubs-Rockies note – Ken Rosenthal says that despite his initial report, the Cubs do not have interest in Brian Fuentes.
Taveras, 26, is at .233/.288/.272 in 224 PAs. That’s quite a downturn from last year. He earns nearly $2MM this year and has two more seasons of arbitration-eligibility. He’s a trade candidate, though it’d be hard to sell much lower.
Tomko Designated
The Royals’ Brett Tomko experiment has ended after 60.6 lousy innings. He was designated for assignment to make room for Carlos Rosa.
The Royals spent $3MM on Tomko, and he posted a 6.97 ERA in ten starts and six relief appearances. It was worth a shot.
Cubs Sign Broussard
A reader writes in with news of a minor transaction heard on ESPN 1000 radio. Reportedly, the Cubs have signed first baseman Ben Broussard to a minor league deal.
Broussard did play ten games in left last year, so it’s conceivable the Cubs could try him out there down the road before Alfonso Soriano returns.
Odds and Ends: Viciedo, Broussard, Rincon, Threets
Time to round ’em up.
- The A’s are leading the charge for international free agent pitcher Michael Inoa; they could offer him $4MM. All teams have scouted him.
- MLB.com’s Jim Molony names the Astros, Yankees, Cardinals, Angels, Mets, and Pirates as teams considering Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo (assuming he becomes a free agent).
- The Orioles would like to sign Ben Broussard, if he’ll accept a minor league assignment. Broussard if mulling his options and should sign within 24 hours. He could step in if the Orioles trade Kevin Millar.
- Jeff Weaver has been released by the Brewers. Weaver’s lost it; he has a 6.22 ERA in nine Triple A starts.
- The Twins have asked Juan Rincon to accept a minor league assignment. If he refuses, the Twins will be on the hook for his salary and he’ll become a free agent. Rincon’s last decent year was 2006.
- No team was willing to keep lefty reliever Erick Threets in the Majors. He cleared waivers and will head to Triple A as a member of the Giants organization.
- Andy Pettitte wouldn’t commit, but admitted it’d be a "joy and an honor" to pitch at the new Yankee Stadium next year.
- Tigers backup catcher Vance Wilson may retire after a setback in his elbow recovery.
Mets Sign First Round Pick Reese Havens
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Mets signed one of their first round picks. College shortstop Reese Havens, the 22nd pick, received about $1.4MM.
Heyman says negotiations have yet to begin with the Mets’ other first round pick, first baseman Ike Davis. So far three first round picks have signed: Havens, Allan Dykstra of the Padres, and David Cooper of the Blue Jays.
Ray Durham Could Retire After Season
Giants second baseman Ray Durham is unsure whether he wants to play in 2009, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. The resurgent Durham is hitting .302/.385/.420 in 192 plate appearances this year. Maybe he’ll choose to go out on a high note.
Durham makes $7.5MM plus incentives this year, plus incentives and a no-trade clause. He should have decent trade value; only Mark DeRosa and Chase Utley have a higher OBP among second basemen. Maybe the Cardinals would be interested.
Jacque Jones Designated
Jacque Jones‘ Marlins career lasted just 44 plate appearances, about half the amount he received in Detroit. He’s been designated for assignment to make room for Robert Andino. According to MLB.com, Jones expects to clear waivers but isn’t sure about accepting the Marlins’ minor league assignment.
Things are looking up for the Marlins’ outfield – Josh Willingham is close to returning, Cameron Maybin is mashing at Double A, and Cody Ross has shown impressive power. They just need Jeremy Hermida to pick it up.
Padres Sign First Round Pick Dykstra
The Padres have signed their first and second round draft picks, Allan Dykstra and Jaff Decker. Dykstra will get around $1.4MM and Decker about $890K.
Dykstra (no relation to Lenny) is a college first baseman with great raw power, according to Baseball America. He was the 23rd overall pick; Paul DePodesta compared him to Jim Thome. Decker is a high school outfielder, chosen 42nd overall.
Brandon Jones Trade Showcase?
We don’t know for sure, but David O’Brien suggests the Braves may have called up left fielder Brandon Jones to showcase him for a trade. Bobby Cox’s explanation for demoting Josh Anderson in favor of Jones didn’t seem to make sense.
Jones, 24, was hitting .263/.335/.379 in 190 ABs at Triple A Richmond. Jones was not able to win the Braves’ fourth outfielder job out of Spring Training. Baseball America rated him as the Braves’ fourth best prospect, suggesting he’s the team’s future left fielder.
Odds and Ends: Gibbons, Skipworth, Viciendo
Let’s catch up with some more links.
- Jay Gibbons took my advice! He’ll join the independent Atlantic League.
- Mark Shapiro is still holding out hope that the Indians can contend.
- The Marlins are close to signing Kyle Skipworth, the sixth overall pick.
- The Phillies released Steve Kline. Might be time to hang it up.
- MLB told teams not to contact Dayan Viciendo until his situation is resolved. The Reds may look into it after that.
- Peter Abraham ponders scenarios for the Yankees to acquire C.C. Sabathia.