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Archives for May 2009

Pirates Have Inside Track On Miguel Angel Sano

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We wrote about 16 year-old Dominican shortstop Miguel Angel Sano earlier this month.  He's in line for a huge bonus when the international signing period begins July 2nd.

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates "have an inside track" on signing Sano.  Kovacevic believes Sano could challenge Michael Ynoa's record bonus of $4.25MM.  Before they commit, though, the Pirates are conducting a rigorous investigation as to whether Sano is really 16.  Sano's agent Rob Plummer on the Pirates' chances:

"The Pirates are one of many teams interested, and they've got as good a shot as any team as long as the money is there.  There's no question they're interested, just as there's no question this is a special talent."

So as long as the Pirates pay the most they've got a chance.  Got it.

Mets Sign Javier Valentin, Tom Martin

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According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets signed Javier Valentin and Tom Martin to minor league deals.

Valentin, 33, signed with the Nationals in February but chose free agency in March when he didn't make the team.  He can catch and play first base, and hit .256/.326/.411 in 144 plate appearances last year.

Martin, 38, was released by the Mets in March.  Earlier that month he'd strained his calf and broken his wrist falling down the stairs.  I guess the team had a change of heart.  The lefty reliever pitched in the Atlantic League last year.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Trades Possibilities

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On this date 11 years ago, the Marlins traded Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson and two others to the Dodgers for Mike Piazza and Todd Zeile. Piazza's tenure with the Marlins would last five games in which he was 5-18 with a triple and 5 RBI. Seven days later he was traded to the Mets for Preston Wilson and two minor league pitchers that would combine for 5 career appearances. To this day, Mike Francessa of WFAN in New York City will tell anybody that listens that he was responsible for convincing the Mets to make the deal. So far this season we have seen a couple of minor deals. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • Feeling Dodger Blue feels now is a good time to trade James Loney and wonders if Jorge Cantu can be had.
  • Fire Brand of the American League addresses the possibility of the Red Sox trading Brad Penny and looks at some players the Red Sox might pursue.
  • 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba takes an early look at the teams that might be buyers and sellers at the deadline.
  • Around the Majors takes a look at the 2010 free agents that are represented by Scott Boras.
  • Jorge Says No! discusses whether Koji Uehara was the best free agent signing this year.
  • The Bottom Line wonders if the Red Sox missed an opportunity to sign Jason Bay to an extension.
  • El Lefty Malo takes a look at several players the Giants let go and whether the moves were smart in hindsight.
  • Goat Riders of the Apocalypse proposes some names that can be brought in to fix the Cubs bullpen.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Possibilities For Padres At No. 3

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The Padres have the third overall pick in the June draft, and ESPN's Keith Law has info on their preferences:

Keith Law has learned that the Padres, owners of the No. 3 overall pick, are high on Cartersville High School (Ga.) CF Donavan Tate, USC SS Grant Green, Missouri RHP Kyle Gibson and Fort Worth Cats RHP Aaron Crow.

In a mock draft released today, Baseball America projected Green as San Diego's pick.

Both articles linked in this post require subscriptions to read fully.  As someone who devours tons of baseball information every day, I highly recommend subscribing to both Baseball America and ESPN Insider.  You can get three months at BA for $26, and a year of ESPN Insider for $40.

The San Diego Infield

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The Padres lost shortstop Luis Rodriguez to a severely sprained ankle last night and now have a fairly serious depth issue at the position.  MLB.com's David Brown spoke after the game with manager Bud Black, who noted "noted the presence of (Chris) Burke, along with David Eckstein and Edgar Gonzalez as options 'in a pinch' but indicated general manager Kevin Towers would be working on bringing in someone else."  

"We're working our way through that right now," Black added.  "K.T., I'm sure, as we speak, is doing evertyhing he can to try to fill that void."

Suspecting the San Diego manager may have been alluding to a possible trade or free agent signing, I probed Corey Brock, the Padres' MLB.com beat writer, for a bit more information.  He was kind enough to respond.

"I think that with Rodriguez heading to the DL and rookie Everth Cabrera already there, the team might be covered for a while in-house," Brock wrote in an e-mail.  "I believe Eckstein would fill-in at shortstop for a while if needed, leaving Burke and Gonzalez to play a spot (second base) where they might be better off."

As for a free agent signing or trade, Brock noted that "Going outside the organization likely won't happen.  They're not looking to add salary."  Sounds about right.

Stark’s Latest: Willis, Peavy, Astros, O’s

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A summary of Jayson Stark's latest "Rumblings and Grumblings" column…

  • Why did the Tigers bother giving Dontrelle Willis another shot?  Frustration, perhaps. "It was pretty obvious, wasn't it?" said one longtime front-office man.  "They invested $29 million in the guy.  They had $22 million left… They'd already eaten Gary Sheffield's money."
  • As for a possible Jake Peavy-to-the-Cubs deal, Stark writes "The Cubs' ownership limbo now looks as if it might stretch until Christmas Eve.  So who knows whether Cubs GM Jim Hendry will even be released from captivity in time to pursue another Peavy deal come July."
  • The chances of Roy Oswalt, along with a few other of Houston's high profile stars being placed on the trade market this summer?  "Based on the history?" an executive of one club said, laughing.  "I'd say zero." 
  • The Orioles should have relievers available come July.  Scouts are drooling over Danys Baez, who seems to have regained his form this year with a 2.37 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. Closer George Sherrill could also draw plenty of interest.  

Terrell Young Returned To Reds

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According to Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times, the Nationals have returned Rule 5 pick Terrell Young to the Reds' organization.

The 23-year-old right-hander was the first overall pick in December's Rule 5 draft.  He injured his shoulder during spring training, however, and did not throw a pitch for the Nats. Washington will be returned $25K of the $50K they originally paid to draft him.

Diamondbacks DFA Josh Wilson

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According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks have designated infielder Josh Wilson for assignment.  

With regular shortstop Stephen Drew back to full health, Wilson was simply no longer needed.  The 28-year-old hit .231/.333/.269 with two RBI and one run scored in 11 games for Arizona this season.  He seems likely to end up back at the club's Triple-A affiliate in Reno, Nevada.

Indians Sign Luis Vizcaino

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THURSDAY: 10:45am: Waiting For Next Year writes that the Indians will have to make another move before next Saturday, when Sowers was scheduled to start. Pitchers David Huff and Zach Jackson are the leading candidates for a call-up. "When this decision is made," writes WFNY, "expect the Masa Kobayashi experience to come to an end."

9:38am: According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians announced the signing of Vizcaino to a Major League deal today.  Instead of releasing Masahide Kobayashi, the club demoted Jeremy Sowers.

WEDNESDAY: Waiting with bated breath to see what happens with free agent reliever Luis Vizcaino?  You'll have to wait a little longer.  Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Vizcaino threw for the Indians a third time yesterday, but the team says they have not signed him.  Vizcaino, however, insists he'll be on the club when they leave for Tampa Bay today (MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince agrees).

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