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Archives for August 2008

Padres To Slash Payroll In ’09?

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Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes of a rumor that the Padres might slash payroll from this year’s $73.6MM way down to $40MM.  The Padres reportedly explained this scenario to Brian Giles in an attempt to get him to accept a trade to Boston last week.  Krasovic heard about the pitch via Giles’ teammates, but wasn’t able to draw any comments from GM Kevin Towers.  Scott Miller believes owner John Moores’ divorce is a factor.

The Padres don’t have any large contracts on the books for ’09; Giles would be their most expensive player at $9MM unless they choose his $3MM buyout.  After that it’s Jake Peavy at $8MM, Khalil Greene at $6.5MM, Chris Young at $4.5MM, and Adrian Gonzalez at $3MM.  By my count they have six arbitration-eligible players, including Josh Bard, Heath Bell, Scott Hairston, and Jody Gerut.  The Padres could retain Giles and still be under $45MM, though that’d leave no money for free agents.

Freddy Garcia Rumors: Monday

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Word was that Freddy Garcia hoped to sign by last weekend, so we have to assume it’ll happen soon.  Let’s get caught up on the rumors.

Dave Ross Designated

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In an effort to try out more young players, the Reds designated catcher Dave Ross for assignment yesterday.  Ross had already cleared waivers.

The 31 year-old backstop hit .231/.381/.366 in 173 plate appearances this year.  He flashed prodigious power in ’06, but not much since then.  Ross threw out 29% of attempted basestealers this year and 41% in ’07.

David Price Promoted To Triple A

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David Price’s remarkable rise through the Tampa Bay Rays organization continued today. According to MLB.com’s Bill Chastain, Price was promoted to Triple A Durham last night, and if all goes well, he could be wearing a Rays uniform in September.

Price, 22, was the number-one overall selection out of Vanderbilt University in the 2007 draft. The left-hander has posted outrageous lines at both Class-A Vero Beach (4-0, 1.82 ERA, 37:7 K:BB ratio in 37.2 IP), as well as Double-A Montgomery (7-0, 1.89 ERA, 55:16 K:BB ratio in 57 IP).

The Yankees did something similar in 2007, getting a boost from Joba Chamberlain late in the season. Rays manager Joe Maddon said that a similar situation isn’t out of the question for the Rays when asked:

"That’s not impossible," Maddon said. "That’s a possibility. We’ve discussed a variety of different ideas about him. We haven’t talked specifically about it, but we’ve talked among ourselves, among Minor League staff members, front-office people, everybody’s been included in the conversation."

If Price’s dominance can continue, he would be an invaluable boost to the Rays, whether in a set-up or starting role.

Week In Review: 8/3 – 8/9

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Here’s a quick look back at some of the bigger stories on MLBTR over the past week:

  • D’Backs ace Dan Haren signed a very affordable extension with the team, which would keep him in Arizona through 2012 with an option for 2013. Great deal for the D’Backs and their fans.
  • Brian Giles was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox, which is now believed to have been an effort to block the Rays from acquiring him. Giles blocked the trade to Boston with his no-trade clause.
  • The Rockies acquired Livan Hernandez from the Twins. Minnesota won’t receive a player in return, but unloads Hernandez’s remaining $1.5MM on his contract, as well as his 5.48 ERA. Seems fine to me.
  • Fifteen teams watched a throwing session from Freddy Garcia. Here are a few reactions.
  • Relievers on the move: The Cubs DFA’ed Scott Eyre, and traded him to the Phillies the next day. The Rays acquired Chad Bradford from the Orioles, and DFA’ed Al Reyes in order to make room for him. In a rare inter-division trade, the Royals traded Horacio Ramirez to the White Sox. Huston Street was claimed, but is staying put.
  • Position players on the move: Felipe Lopez signed with the Cardinals, the Mariners released Jose Vidro, and the Marlins signed Paul Lo Duca in addition to claiming Brad Ausmus off waivers. No word on whether or not a deal will be worked out for Ausmus yet.
  • A few glimpses into 2009? Rafael Furcal hopes to re-sign with the Dodgers. Bobby Abreu hopes to be wearing Yankee pinstripes again, and the Nationals hope Willie Harris is a part of the organization again as well.
  • Tim made a list of waiver trade candidates for both the American League and National League and compiled a list of players who were known to have cleared waivers in 2007. Remember, these are just players who would likely clear waivers, whether because of their talent level or contractual status. Teams often place big-name players on waivers that they have no intention of trading.

Wade Says Bonds Not An Option

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Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle writes that Astros general manager Ed Wade is not interested in signing Barry Bonds as a replacement for the injured Carlos Lee. Manager Cecil Cooper echoed the statement. Lance Berkman, however, would like to have Bonds as a teammate:

"That would certainly sell tickets.  I’d love to have him on the team. I think he would be great if he could perform at a level we’re accustomed to seeing. If he’ll play for the minimum (league salary), I would certainly take a flier on that."

Wade has not ruled out acquiring another outfielder, though he doesn’t feel that it is an absolutely necessary move.  For his part, Bonds insists he’s not retired.

Making a move for an outfielder doesn’t seem entirely logical, with Houston being eight games out of the wild card race in the National League, but we’ve seen them be surprisingly aggressive in July, making acquisitions of both Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins.

Perrotto’s Latest: Waivers, Extensions, Garcia, Braves

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John Perrotto over at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up:

  • Perrotto lists off several people which he believes are the most likely to be made available if and when they clear waivers. While the list is comprised of a lot of the usual suspects this August (Greg Maddux, Jarrod Washburn, Paul Byrd, Randy Winn), Perrotto lists some other names that we haven’t seen as much: Francisco Cordero, Tyler Walker, Todd Jones, Jose Bautista, and Doug Mientkiewicz. Perrotto also says that he feels Aubrey Huff has the best chance to be traded of any impact bat available.
  • Perrotto states that the Rockies would like to sign both Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday long-term. If unsuccessful, they will both be on the trading block this offseason.
  • The Pirates would like to sign Nate McLouth and Ryan Doumit long-term as well, buying out their arbitration years.
  • Perrotto lists the Yankees as the front-runners to sign Freddy Garcia. The Mets and Rays are also suitors for Garcia, though I personally don’t think Garcia makes sense for the Rays.
  • The Yankees have "little interest" in pursuing Manny Ramirez this offseason, despite possible reports that Manny would like to play for them.
  • The Twins would still like to add a late-inning reliever this season to boost their bullpen as the AL Central race winds down.
  • The Braves’ top priority this offseason is pursuing a front-line starter, Perrotto says. He lists possible candidates as: C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Ryan Dempster, Derek Lowe, and Jon Garland. Seems a bit odd to consider the last three "front-line," though Dempster has certainly been impressive this season.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Giles, Dodgers, Indians, Fielder

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Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up over at FOX Sports. Here’s the highlights:

  • The Red Sox wanted to use Brian Giles in right field against certain right-handers, and shift J.D. Drew over to center field for those games. Giles blocked the trade for family reasons, according to Rosenthal, despite the chance at an increased pay day and an opportunity to play in the postseason.
  • Rosenthal says that while the Dodgers are under pressure to re-sign Manny Ramirez, there may be more pressure to sign Casey Blake after this season. Rosenthal points out that Blake is batting .333 in his first 16 games in Dodger blue, and the Dodgers traded away their best young third baseman in Andy LaRoche in order to get Manny. The Dodgers aren’t sold on Blake DeWitt as a long-term option.
  • Rosenthal feels that the Brewers are now less likely to shop Prince Fielder in the offseason, though he points out they could fetch quite a nice haul of Major-League-ready talent if they shopped Fielder as an alternative to Mark Teixeira. Rosenthal feels that J.J. Hardy is a much better bet to be shopped though, as Alcides Escobar could be used to replace him in 2009.
  • Rosenthal wonders if, given Kelly Shoppach’s emergence, the Indians could try to trade him for a top-end starter. Rosenthal offers two scenarios for Cleveland: Trade Shoppach and sign Jason Giambi, or keep Shoppach, sign Orlando Hudson, move Victor Martinez to first base. Both scenarios have the same goal of adding offense and allowing Matt LaPorta to remain in the outfield.

Odds And Ends: Guerrero, Sheffield, Wells, Lincecum

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Here are a few tidbits from around the ’Net this morning.

  • Vlad Guerrero wants to spend the rest of his days with the Angels. The question is, will the Halos pony up for a deal for the slugger’s latter years? They hold a $15 million club option ($3 million buyout) for next year, Vlad’s age-33 season. Will they work out an extension this off-season, or will they let Future Vlad and Future Reagins figure it out after ’09?
  • Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe mentions a player who wouldn’t mind being traded: Gary Sheffield. The 39-year-old hasn’t enjoyed his time at DH, saying that he needs to play the field to be a vocal leader. A few obstacles stand in the way, including his limited no-trade clause, his chronically ailing shoulder, and the $19 million owed to him over the next two years. He’d easily clear waivers, though, and might have already. Tampa Bay, anyone?
  • The Rockies have DFA’d Kip Wells to make room for Livan Hernandez. Wells had a 5.27 ERA over 27.1 innings for the Rockies.
  • Looks like Tim Lincecum is content going with year to year contracts, according to his agent. The Giants have a monopoly on his services through the 2013 season.
  • With Carlos Lee likely out for the season, Richard Justice urges the Astros to sign Barry Bonds.
  • With the August 15th draftee signing deadling approaching, the Pirates have a major league deal on the table for first round pick Pedro Alvarez. 

Horacio Ramirez Traded to White Sox

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On the same night, the White Sox lost and added a pitcher. On the negative side, 36-year-old Jose Contreras ruptured his Achilles’ tendon, which could sideline him for the season. On the positive side, they traded for Royals pitcher Horacio Ramirez. In exchange, the White Sox sent minor league outfielder Paul Orlando to Kansas City. David Just of MLB.com suggests that the Sox could use Ramirez as a replacement for Contreras, but since they plan to demote reliever Boone Logan today, they could make another move to recall a starter, leaving Ramirez in the bullpen.

This will be Ramirez’s third team this year. He was released in March by the Mariners, who had previously traded Rafael Soriano for him. Despite his agent’s claims that seven teams were interested, Ramirez sat on the shelf until mid-May, when the Royals picked him up on a minor league deal. He was promoted a month later, and has posted a 2.57 ERA in 24.1 innings out of the bullpen.

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