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Archives for May 2009

Padres Claim Josh Wilson, DFA Duaner Sanchez

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MLB.com's Corey Brock took to his Twitter account this evening for a few announcements: The Padres have claimed infielder Josh Wilson and designated reliever Duaner Sanchez for assignment.

Wilson, 28, was DFA'd by the Diamondbacks this week after starting the season with a .231/.333/.269 line in 11 games.  He'll provide infield depth for the Padres, especially at shortstop.  We actually discussed the club's infield situation with Brock just one day ago.  The D'Backs, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert, signed Abraham Nunez out of the independent league partially to compensate for the loss of infield depth.

Sanchez, a 29-year-old right-hander, went 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA, 2.36 WHIP and 2/8 K/BB ratio in 11 innings after being signed by the San Diego on March 15.  Those numbers were simply unacceptable, even for the 13-22 Padres.

Odds & Ends: Sheets, Blanco, Coghlan

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Links for Friday…

Discussion: Possible Braves Trades

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MLB.com's Mark Bowman does a little trade speculatin' in his latest blog post:

The Braves are going to be looking to find some power before the trade deadline and with a surplus of arms, there may be a number of teams interested in Charlie Morton, who has allowed just four earned runs in his past 27 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett.   

And don't forget what Ken Rosenthal wrote on Tuesday:

If the Braves need more offense, they will have the pitching depth to get it. Right-hander Tommy Hanson is untouchable, but he's not the team's only hot pitcher at Class AAA.  Two other right-handers — Kris Medlen and Morton — figure to be coveted by other clubs, and the Braves have additional prospects at Class AA.  

About that Braves' offense…my 4.93 runs per game projection hasn't been matched so far.  Kelly Johnson, Garret Anderson, and Jeff Francoeur are off to slow starts, leaving the team 11th in the NL with 4.47 runs scored per game.  The Braves might be OK at second with Omar Infante and Martin Prado as options, but an outfield addition would make sense.  Who could add the power the Braves crave?  Just to throw out a few names: Carlos Lee, Josh Willingham, Rick Ankiel, Brad Hawpe, Jermaine Dye, Austin Kearns, Aubrey Huff, and Magglio Ordonez.  The majority of these would not justify giving up top young arms, though.  Who would you like to see the Braves pursue?

MLBTR Looking For Writers

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Would you like to join the MLB Trade Rumors team?  We are looking to add a couple of writers.  The position pays on an hourly basis.  The criteria:

  • Strong evening availability – typically 5-10pm CST shifts. 
  • Knowledge of all 30 baseball teams, no discernible bias toward your favorite.  Knowledge of basic hot stove concepts, arbitration for example.
  • Ability to analyze articles and craft intelligent, well-written posts summing up the news in a few paragraphs.  I want the best of both worlds, as you have to be able to do this very quickly after the source article is published.  It's preferred that you add value to the article with your own insight, numbers, or links to other relevant articles.
  • Attention to detail – absolutely no spelling errors, especially for player and journalist names.  Ability to follow the MLBTR style and tone.  Also it is important to avoid duplicating content previously covered on the site and avoid posting about topics MLBTR does not cover.
  • Ability to use an RSS feed reader such as Google Reader.  This is crucial.
  • Blogging experience is preferred.  We use TypePad, which is easy to use if you have blogged before.
  • You have to be able to put up with me, responding to constructive criticism and digesting the MLBTR instruction document quickly.
  • If you're interested, email mlbtrhelp@gmail.com and explain your qualifications.  Also, within the body of your email (not as an attachment) write one sample, fictional MLBTR post using real players.  For this sample post, come up with something that could actually happen.
  • Please don't send anything to my other email address.  Usually we receive a few hundred inquiries, so unfortunately I cannot reply to all or even most.  Thanks.

Heyman On Lee, Martinez, Green

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A look at the latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman…

  • Heyman addresses the issue of whether the Indians will trade staff ace Cliff Lee.  GM Mark Shapiro isn't thinking about it (not under consideration, according to Ken Rosenthal), and rival execs are divided.  Heyman says neither side made a contract extension proposal during the offseason.  The Indians will have Lee through 2010 once they exercise his option.
  • The Mets mulled calling up Fernando Martinez, but they'll stick to their plan of keeping him in Triple A until at least June.
  • The Orioles are "seriously considering" drafting USC shortstop Grant Green with their #5 pick.  However, the Padres are said to be eyeing Green at #3.

Brad Nelson Chooses Free Agency

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According to Dan Walsh of SportsBubbler.com, Brewers first baseman/outfielder Brad Nelson has opted for free agency.  At least four teams are in pursuit.  Nelson had no hits and two walks in 23 plate appearances this year.  He was outrighted to make room for Mat Gamel, and the Brewers also signed Frank Catalanotto recently.

Nelson, 26, hit .286/.380/.480 in Triple A last year.

Discussion: White Sox Offseason

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Up for discussion next, the offseason of the Chicago White Sox.  Sun-Times writers Joe Cowley and Chris De Luca have differing viewpoints on GM Ken Williams' work.

The points to argue:

  • White Sox second basemen (mainly Chris Getz and Brent Lillibridge) are hitting .233/.313/.302 this year.  Should Williams have acquired a veteran?  Cowley mentions Orlando Hudson, who would've cost the team's #23 pick.
  • Did Williams make a mistake in not acquiring a leadoff hitter and/or center fielder?  The Sox have tried Getz, Lillibridge, Jayson Nix, and others leading off, resulting in a .289 OBP.  In hindsight the better #1/2 hitters available were probably Felipe Lopez (a Scott Boras client), Willy Taveras, Coco Crisp, Hudson, and Freddy Sanchez.  It's been Brian Anderson, Scott Podsednik, DeWayne Wise, and Lillibridge in center field; the free agent market was weak.
  • Should the White Sox have made an effort to mend the relationship and re-sign shortstop Orlando Cabrera?  They did offer him arbitration, but with the expectation he'd decline.
  • Should the Sox have gotten more than Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez, and Jhonny Nunez for Nick Swisher and Kanekoa Texeira?  Or should they have kept Swisher?
  • How about Javier Vazquez, who was dealt with Boone Logan for Tyler Flowers, Jon Gilmore, Santos Rodriguez, and Lillibridge?  The Sox replaced Vazquez with Bartolo Colon.
  • Should the Sox have tried to hammer out a deal with Boras to retain Joe Crede?  The third baseman jumped to the Twins for a $2.5MM base salary and is hitting .237/.302/.454 in 106 plate appearances with stellar defense.

Possibilities For Pirates At No. 4

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The Pirates have the fourth pick in the June draft.  Who are they considering?

According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, GM Neal Huntington scouted pitcher Alex White, first baseman/outfielder Dustin Ackley, and catcher Tony Sanchez yesterday.  White and Ackley are considerations for the Bucs at #4, though Ackley has a good chance of being picked by the Mariners at #2.  Scott Boras will be advising Ackley and White.

In yesterday's mock draft, Baseball America projected righty Kyle Gibson as Pittsburgh's pick.  ESPN's Jason Churchill linked the Pirates to Ackley as well as pitchers Shelby Miller, Jacob Turner, Aaron Crow, and Tanner Scheppers.

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