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Padres Work Out Top Latin Prospects

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The San Diego Padres held an invite-only camp for some of the top players eligible for the July 2 international signing date.

San Diego’s director of professional and international scouting, Randy Smith, and several front-office staffers were in the Dominican Republic last week for the two-day camp, which had about 21 players at the facility in Najayo.

Corey Brock of MLB.com notes the facility is considered the Taj Mahal of training facilities in Latin America.

Smith told Brock that this year’s class isn’t quite on par with the 2008 group, but there’s still plenty of talent.

The Padres’ camp for Latin American prospects helps the club identify players to pursue.

“Much like your draft, you get your guys in order, figure out who you want to pursue. It’s much like recruiting,” Smith said. “You sell them on your organization; sell him on your facility. The facility sells itself. It’s head and shoulders above everything else.”

Most players are between 14 and 16 years old. Only players who will turn 16 by the end of August are eligible to sign on July 2.

The Padres signed right-handed pitcher Adys Portillo (Venezuela), shortstop Alvaro Aristy (Dominican Republic), outfielder Luis Domoromo (Venezuela) and right-handed pitcher Elvin Tavarez (Dominican Republic), as well as an Australian outfielder, Corey Adamson on international signing day in 2008.

Offseason In Review: Seattle Mariners

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Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Mariners.  Take a look at what I had to say about them on September 2nd.  By the way for subtractions I’ll put anyone who had decent playing time for the team in ’08.

Additions:  Ken Griffey Jr., Russell Branyan,  Tyler Johnson,  Ronny Cedeno, Franklin Gutierrez, Endy Chavez, Garrett Olson, David Aardsma, Tyler Walker, Randy Messenger, Mike Sweeney, Jamie Burke, Reegie Corona,  Jason Vargas, Chris Shelton, Jason Phillips, Luis Pena

Subtractions: Raul Ibanez, Jose Vidro, Jeremy Reed, Richie Sexson, Miguel Cairo, Willie Bloomquist, R.A. Dickey, Sean Green, J.J. Putz, Ryan Feierabend (out for season), Cha Seung Baek

I like the direction Jack Zduriencik has taken with the Mariners.  He added a couple of cheap potential 20 HR bats in Griffey and Branyan.  He declined to spend big money on the bullpen.  He quietly added Olson to the starting mix.  He brought in Cedeno to push Yuniesky Betancourt.  And he improved the outfield defense with Gutierrez and Chavez.

2009 is a weird year for the Mariners – Adrian Beltre, Jarrod Washburn, Miguel Batista, and Erik Bedard are in their contract years.  So we’ll see a lot of turnover in the 2009-10 offseason as well.  The ’09 club doesn’t look like a winning team on the surface.  It’s light on offense and certain players will be tested as full-timers.  But you have to wonder if a pitching and defense-oriented team could sneak into contention if Erik Bedard and Brandon Morrow have big years.

Bottom line: Jack Z. is well on his way toward remaking the Mariners, with a slew of savvy low-cost moves in his first winter as GM.

A’s Sign Orlando Cabrera

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According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, the A’s signed shortstop Orlando Cabrera to a one-year, $4MM deal.  Since Cabrera was a Type A free agent offered arbitration, the White Sox will receive Oakland’s second-round pick this June as well as a supplemental pick.  The move leaves Bobby Crosby ($5.5MM) as a pricey backup infielder.  ESPN’s Buster Olney adds that the A’s "have had substantial talks with Nomar Garciaparra in the last 48 hours."  They also remain in talks for Dennys Reyes.

The A’s have been flirting with Cabrera for a while now, and I didn’t think they’d go as high as $4MM (which is still a bargain in general).  Perhaps recent reported interest by the Blue Jays forced them to make a move.

Now seems like a good time to bust out some quotes from John Dewan’s awesome new Fielding Bible Volume II.  Here’s his opinion on Cabrera’s defense:

"Cabrera is a fundamentally sound shortstop who plays with a lot of energy and does everything well.  He has above-average range and makes a lot of sliding plays, but he also led all shortstops in 2008 in defensive misplays (56)."

Manny Ramirez Rumors: Monday

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up, primarily focusing on Manny Ramirez.  To review – though the Dodgers and Manny/Scott Boras were just $1.5MM or so apart, owner Frank McCourt ignored Boras’ most recent proposals and talked about starting from scratch.  Heyman’s source believes McCourt may choose to "stop negotiating for now, or more drastically, begin negotiating backward."  Another source of Heyman’s, one close to Manny, believes lowering their offer would be a dangerous move for the Dodgers.

Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times talked to McCourt, who "said the latest phase of negotiations ended the moment agent Boras made him a counterproposal instead of simply accepting or declining an offer the Dodgers made Wednesday of a two-year, $45MM contract with much of the money deferred without any added interest."

Stan Kasten Performing GM Duties For Now

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11:43am: Harlan says Nationals president Stan Kasten is performing the GM duties for the moment, at least as far as trades.  Kasten didn’t offer much else regarding the search for Bowden’s replacement.

8:55am: The Washington Post has all kinds of reading material in the wake of Jim Bowden’s resignation.

Odds & Ends: Contraction, Pudge, German, Jays

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Links for Monday…

Cubs Rumors: Schilling, Peavy

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Let’s talk about the Cubs’ connection to starters Curt Schilling and Jake Peavy.

Brett Myers Hopes To Stay With Phillies

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MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki spoke to Phillies pitcher Brett Myers yesterday.  The 28 year-old righty is entering the last year of his contract.  After John Lackey, Myers is in the running to be the second-best available free agent starter after the season.

Myers managed to drop 35 pounds in the offseason, and he’s also trying to improve his changeup.  He has no desire to pitch the ninth inning anymore, and said he "absolutely" wants to stay with the Phillies beyond this year.  With a huge season he could have a shot at an A.J. Burnett contract (five years, $82.5MM), but he may wind up in the Oliver Perez range (three years, $36MM).

Jim Bowden Resigns

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7:52pm: According to Ladson, the Nationals were shocked by Bowden’s resignation.  Manager Manny Acta and several players made complimentary remarks Sunday evening.

"The news caught me by surprise," Acta said. "It takes a lot of courage for him to do that. As a manager, I appreciate what he did if he felt that he was being a distraction here. I will always be grateful and have a soft spot for Jim."

9:48am: The Washington Post has provided a link to Bowden’s official statement.

9:04am: According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, Nationals GM Jim Bowden has resigned.

ESPN.com has more, including quotes from Bowden. Most notably, Bowden says, "I’ve become a distraction," and, "my ability to properly represent the Washington Nationals has been compromised."

Finally, Bill Ladson of MLB.com captures a classic quote from the GM: "I have become a distraction. Unless you are Manny Ramirez, there is no place for distraction in baseball."

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