Padres Designate Eulogio De La Cruz
According to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez, the Padres designated pitcher Eulogio De La Cruz for assignment today to make room on the roster for Chad Gaudin. The Padres had acquired De La Cruz from the Marlins a month ago for a player to be named later or cash. Paul DePodesta had a glowing review at that time.
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2010 Options: Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays do not have to decide on any club options after the 2009 season. They do, however, have many veterans with contracts ending after the 2010 season. Let's take a look at those signed through next season:
- J.P. Ricciardi. Contracts don't typically stop teams from firing GMs when they feel it's necessary, so it won't matter that Ricciardi is signed through 2010. Manager Cito Gaston is also signed through next year.
- Scott Rolen – $11MM. Rolen receives an additional $4MM bonus in 2010, but the Cardinals are paying it. Rolen is off to a nice .319/.377/.435 start in 77 plate appearances this year.
- Roy Halladay – $15.75MM. Ricciardi told ESPN's Jayson Stark he wants to discuss an extension with Halladay at the end of the year.
- B.J. Ryan – $10MM. Ryan hit the DL last week after a rough start to the year. He'll need to turn it around if the Jays are to move his contract.
- Lyle Overbay – $7MM. Overbay has been incredible so far in 2009 – .289/.458/.578 in 59 plate appearances. Perhaps the last year of his deal will be seen as a bargain.
- Scott Downs – $4MM. I wasn't thrilled with the Downs extension in January of 2008, but he's proven his '07 breakout was no fluke. Downs may represent a cheap, excellent closer for Toronto this year and in 2010.
Odds & Ends: Perez, D’Backs, Baez
Links for Monday…
- RotoAuthority looks more closely at the Pirates' MLB-best rotation.
- Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says the Marlins won't be pursuing Luis Vizcaino.
- On Saturday, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan wrote that the Rangers don't expect to be in on Pedro Martinez, but could have interest in Vizcaino for a Triple A job.
- Eddie Bajek of Detroit Tigers Thoughts has a quick American League Elias rankings preview.
- Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post thinks Oliver Perez may be headed to the bullpen or even Triple A if he'll consent. Perez has pitched poorly in three of his four starts. He's had streaks like this before, though.
- With Brandon Webb out for at least six weeks, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic wonders if the Diamondbacks will be sellers this summer.
- Could Danys Baez have midseason trade value? Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun thinks it's possible, despite the pitcher's $5.5MM salary.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post looks back at last summer's Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte deal with the Pirates.
- Murray Chass thinks Ned Colletti deserves a contract extension. Do you agree?
- ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. wonders who will be the first American-born player to exploit a draft loophole by dropping out of high school and living in another country for a year to become a free agent.
Hideki Irabu Signs With Long Beach Armada
According to Kyodo News, former Yankees, Expos, and Rangers pitcher Hideki Irabu has unretired to pitch for the Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League. He last pitched in 2004, for the Hanshin Tigers. He'll be 40 years old when he makes his debut for the Armada. One of Irabu's rotation-mates will be Jose Lima.
Hiroshima Carp Sign Scott McClain
According to Kyodo News, third baseman Scott McClain agreed to a one-year, 20 million yen (about $207K) deal with the Hiroshima Carp. He's played in Japan before, spending four years with the Seibu Lions.
McClain, 37 in May, had his longest Major League stint last year with the Giants (38 plate appearances, 14 games). Aside from the Lions stint he's bounced around with the Orioles, Yankees, Rays, Rockies, Cubs, A's, and Giants.
Tigers Release Scott Williamson
According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers' Scott Williamson experiment is over. They released the righty to clear a spot for Eddie Bonine on the Triple A club. Williamson's comeback attempt resulted in runs allowed in three of five appearances for the Toledo Mud Hens. He hasn't pitched in the Majors since '07, but spent time last year with the Atlanta and Seattle Triple A clubs.
Mets DFA Casey Fossum
According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets designated Casey Fossum for assignment after Sunday's 8-1 loss to the Nationals. Fossum gave up 4 hits and 1 run and notched 4 strikeouts in 3.3 innings of relief this year for the Mets.
The Mets have called up lefthander Ken Takahashi to take Fossum's place. The 40-year-old Takahashi has a 0.77 ERA in six appearances for Triple-A Buffalo.
Padres Will Solve Pitching Problem From Within
Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres will promote right-hander Chad Gaudin before Monday's game for a start on Tuesday against the Rockies.
According to Brock, Padres GM Kevin Towers said Sunday that he will not seek to acquire pitching help in a trade.
The Padres have been hit hard by injuries to their rotation, placing three starters on the disabled list in the last month. Cha Seung Baek and Walter Silva have strained forearms, and Shawn Hill was moved to the DL after leaving a game with inflammation in his elbow.
Angels May Look to Independent Leagues for Pitching Help
According to Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times, Angels manager Mike Scioscia says he might look to independent leagues for pitching help.
"There are some good pitchers that don't have jobs that have major league experience," Scioscia said of independent league pitchers.
According to Baxter, "the team appears unlikely to make a trade and management doesn't believe the big-name free agents still on the market – namely Pedro Martinez and Paul Byrd – can get up to game speed fast enough to help them."
Baxter notes that Jose Lima and Brendan Donnelly are among the players who have resurrected their careers after pitching in the independent Atlantic League. He mentions Ryan Drese as a player who "might be worth a look" by the Angels.