Molony’s Latest: Sabathia, Teixeira, Lewis
MLB.com’s Jim Molony has a slew of hot stove info today.
- Molony talked to some "industry types" about C.C. Sabathia, and those guys suggested the Cubs and Angels could be the frontrunners.
- The Braves could opt for draft picks rather than a Mark Teixeira trade, even if they fall out of the race. They’re only 4.5 games out though.
- A David Price promotion could lead the Rays to trade Jason Hammel, Edwin Jackson, or Andy Sonnanstine. It’ll only work if Price is promoted before the trade deadline.
- The Cubs have scouted Giants outfielder Fred Lewis but aren’t too serious about it.
- The Marlins are still looking for a veteran catcher. Here’s my take on the trade market at the position.
Angels To Stand Pat Again
According to Bill Plunkett of the L.A. Daily News, Angels GM Tony Reagins has no intention of breaking from Bill Stoneman’s model. Reagins does not intend to trade young players in a midseason blockbuster. Plunkett makes a good point in that the Halos would be worse off if they’d pulled the trigger on the rumored Miguel Cabrera deal.
The Angels expect to fix their offensive woes with in-house options. The team ranks 12th of 14 in the league in OBP and 9th in SLG. Garret Anderson, Gary Matthews Jr., Erick Aybar, and Jeff Mathis has been easy outs this year. It might make sense to start working in Juan Rivera and Reggie Willits regularly.
Thome’s ’09 Option
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times discusses Jim Thome‘s ’09 option. Cowley says Thome needs 392 more plate appearances this year for the $13MM salary to vest. The White Sox can choose a $3MM buyout if it does not vest.
However, both Cot’s Baseball Contracts and the Chicago Tribune indicate that Thome’s ’09 option vests if he tallies 564 PAs this year. He already has 274, so he needs 292 more. He should be able to pull it off if he starts 75 more games. The White Sox have 85 games left. Today’s game is the last in an NL park, so Thome can go back to DHing regularly. This option will go right down to the wire.
Thome may be back regardless, according to the Tribune in February. The White Sox have been getting a half price deal on his contract; the Phillies paid them $22MM.
A’s Talk Extension With Mark Ellis
According to MLB.com’s Mychael Urban, A’s second baseman Mark Ellis instructed his agent Jamie Murphy to talk to the team about an extension. Murphy is talking to A’s assistant GM David Forst. They haven’t discussed money or years yet but both sides would like to reach a resolution before season’s end.
Ellis, 31, is hitting .261/.349/.432 in 296 plate appearances. In a Free Agent Stock Watch piece, I wrote that Ellis might be this offseason’s affordable alternative to Orlando Hudson. Now it looks like he might not make it to the open market.
Bonds Won’t Join Independent Leagues
According to his agent Jeff Borris, free agent outfielder Barry Bonds will not sign with an independent league team. Borris believes Bonds’ ’07 season is proof enough that he can contribute at the big league level.
All 30 teams passed on Bonds, even at the league minimum. The fear of distraction is that strong.
Mets Add Andy Phillips
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets have signed 31 year-old infielder Andy Phillips. Phillips spent most of his career in the Yankee organization before the Reds signed him this year. After the Reds DFA’d him, the Mets scooped him up. Rosenthal hints that new Mets exec Wayne Krivsky may have played a role.
Rosenthal says Phillips might platoon with Carlos Delgado at first base and could even see time at second. Phillips hit .315/.394/.493 in 40 Triple A games this year.
Pirates Acquire Denny Bautista
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates acquired 27 year-old reliever Denny Bautista from the Tigers today for 23 year-old minor league reliever Kyle Pearson.
Bautista seems like a reasonable project for the Bucs to toss into the back of their bullpen. Bautista averages 94-95 mph with his fastball, but five organizations have already given up on him.
Heyman’s Latest: Mariners, Brewers
Let’s take a gander at Jon Heyman’s latest column at SI.com.
- Heyman says three GMs who would have interest in Ichiro Suzuki have been told he’s not available. Nonetheless, Heyman suggests trading the face of the franchise would be the best way to shake things up in Seattle.
- The Mariners have other valuable trade commodities: Erik Bedard, Raul Ibanez, and Adrian Beltre. Most of the team’s other vets aren’t valued highly, though Jarrod Washburn has strung together three decent starts. Felix Hernandez would draw a ton of interest, but the Mariners aren’t expected to make him available.
- The Brewers’ have a host of quality prospects to use as trade bait. However, MLB.com’s Jim Molony did say yesterday that he didn’t expect a major acquisition.
Draft Roundup: Skipworth, Crow, Hosmer
Got a few draft items today, so let’s put them into one post.
- According to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo, the Marlins have signed top draft pick Kyle Skipworth to a $2.3MM bonus. There was never any doubt. Skipworth, a high school catcher, was chosen sixth overall. This video gives a brief look at the kid.
- Negotiations are dragging between the Nationals and Aaron Crow, disappointing GM Jim Bowden.
- No deal is imminent for the Royals and top pick Eric Hosmer.
Latest On C.C. Sabathia
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has some notes on coveted ace C.C. Sabathia.
- The Indians still haven’t decided whether to put Sabathia on the market. They can afford to wait a few more weeks.
- Hoynes says a 72 hour negotiation window is "unlikely" but "an exception could be made." On June 19th, Jayson Stark wrote that "the Indians have been telling teams they’re not interested in complicating their lives by opening any negotiation windows."
- The Dolans will be involved on any Sabathia trade, as you’d expect.