Archives for May 2009

Rangers Release Derrick Turnbow

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 1, 2009 at 3:17pm CDT

According to Jamey Newberg of TheNewbergReport.com, the Rangers have released Derrick Turnbow after the pitcher triggered a clause in his contract that allowed him to demand a release. Turnbow and the Rangers agreed that he would be able to ask for his release if he wasn't on the team by May 1st. Turnbow walked nine and allowed 11 hits in 6.1 innings in AAA, striking out one batter.

The information comes from Newberg's online newsletter.

Looking Back At May 2008

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 1, 2009 at 3:07pm CDT

When I looked back at April 2008 I was surprised by how much action there was. So why not take a look through the MLBTR archives now that we've begun another month? If last year is any indication, May could be filled with old players trying to find teams and young players getting extensions. Here's a look at what happened a year ago:

Julio Franco finally retired, at the age of 49; Mike Piazza called it a career, too.
There were rumors that Kenny Lofton and David Wells might return.
Some of baseball's young stars signed long-term extensions: Hanley Ramirez topped the rest with his six year $70MM deal, and Ryan Braun, Scott Kazmir and Joakim Soria all inked multi-year deals as well.
The Rich Harden rumors started up a year ago this time.
Coco Crisp was a hot topic, but he wasn't dealt until after the season.
The Cubs picked up Jim Edmonds after he was released by the Padres.
The Marlins added Jacque Jones after the Tigers released him.
And some things never change: Freddy Garcia was available as a free agent and Pedro Martinez was insisting that he wasn't about to retire.

Heyman On Nationals, Lee, A-Rod

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 1, 2009 at 2:23pm CDT

SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column up; here are some highlights:

Heyman spoke with a Nats person who described college pitcher Stephen Strasburg's curve as a "legit hammer." The Nats will have the chance to draft him with their first overall pick this June.
The Nats could have a solid young rotation soon if they add Strasburg to go along with Shairon Martis and Jordan Zimmermann, both 22. John Lannan and Scott Olsen are only 24 and 25, respectively.
There has been contact between the Nats and Pedro Martinez, though Heyman writes that Pedro makes more sense for a team trying to win now.
Speculation that Cliff Lee could be dealt is "not crazy at all," especially considering that last year's C.C. Sabathia deal worked well for both the Indians and Brewers.
Heyman also weighs in on the latest Alex Rodriguez controversy.

Rosenthal On Mets & Phillies

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 1, 2009 at 1:42pm CDT

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports spoke with two NL East GMs about the state of their teams a month into the season. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. addressed his team's pitching:

Amaro expects pitchers Brett Myers, Joe Blanton and Chan Ho Park to improve. If not, Amaro says "we'll be open to other options."
Rosenthal expects the Phillies to look internally for rotation help before making any deal. J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco, Rodrigo Lopez or Kyle Kendrick could could be asked to start.
Rosenthal adds that the Phillies' greatest need will be a reliever if Brad Lidge remains sidelined.

Mets GM Omar Minaya took stock of his team, which is now 9-12.

Asked if the Mets are pursuing Pedro Martinez, Minaya said "not right now."
Minaya suggested the Mets will dabble in any big name that surfaces on the trade market.
Payroll could become an issue for the Mets, who have already committed $149MM to the team.
Rosenthal writes that the Mets "look like they blew it" when they decided to sign Oliver Perez instead of offering Derek Lowe a fourth year.
Minaya said Gary Sheffield and Alex Cora bring an "edge" to the team that Jose Reyes and David Wright lack.

The Dodgers’ Rotation

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 1, 2009 at 1:11pm CDT

They're 15-8, in first place in the NL West, but the Dodgers face questions about a rotation that includes three ERAs of 5.50 or more. Behind Chad Billingsley and Randy Wolf, they have Clayton Kershaw, who hasn't pitched out the the fifth inning his last two starts, James McDonald, who has walked a batter an inning this year, and Eric Stults, who's allowing two baserunners an inning. Yahoo's Tim Brown takes stock of the rotation and how Ned Colletti will progress with it.

Brown says it's unlikely the Dodgers will add Pedro Martinez, Paul Byrd, Odalis Perez or Freddy Garcia.
One scout's analysis: "There's plenty of pitching available. None you'd want."
Brown suggests the Dodgers need a club like the Indians, Reds or Mariners to fall from contention so some quality arms become available.
If David Price pitches his way into the Rays' rotation, Jeff Niemann could become trade bait.

The Dodgers could rely on pitchers already in the organization. Hiroki Kuroda is rehabbing, though MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports the righty is likely weeks away from a return. Jason Schmidt is rehabbing too, according to Gurnick. Jeff Weaver pitched well against the Padres last night and Eric Milton and Shawn Estes are stashed away in the minors.

Odds & Ends: Nationals, Teixeira, Ligtenberg

By Tim Dierkes | May 1, 2009 at 11:32am CDT

Links for Friday…

RotoAuthority looks at the April offensive stat leaders.
Jim Callis of Baseball America discussed Jim Bowden's Stephen Strasburg comments. Bowden says the Nationals' decision to draft Strasburg has been made, and predicts they'll sign him for around $15MM minutes before the deadline.
ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. talked to Nats interim GM Mike Rizzo about their revamped Latin American plan.
Mark Teixeira talked to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times about his decision to sign with the Yankees.
Brian Stensaas of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes about Kerry Ligtenberg, who is attempting a comeback with the St. Paul Saints.
SI.com's Tom Verducci spoke with one GM who points to struggling older teams and says "it's better to be young these days."
Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press writes that the Tigers are being patient with pitchers Ryan Perry and Rick Porcello.
MLB.com's Corey Brock doesn't expect GM Kevin Towers to sit back and watch if the Padres continues to struggle.
Here's Baseball America's list of the hottest prospects in the minors right now.
ESPN.com's Keith Law scouts a pair of college players who could turn up on BA's list next year: Tim Wheeler and Drew Storen.
Twins reliever Juan Morillo cleared waivers, so he'll head to Triple A according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

2010 Options: Detroit Tigers

By Tim Dierkes | May 1, 2009 at 11:04am CDT

Let's take a look at the 2010 options facing the Tigers.

Magglio Ordonez – $18MM club option with a $3MM buyout; becomes guaranteed with 457 plate appearances this year. Maggs already has 90 PAs, so he needs just 367 to lock in his '10 salary.

That's it for the options, and it's not really an option. After the 2010 season, the Tigers have good money coming off the books: Jeremy Bonderman ($12.5MM), Dontrelle Willis ($12MM), Nate Robertson ($10MM), and Brandon Inge ($6.6MM).

Doug Davis A Midseason Trade Candidate?

By Tim Dierkes | May 1, 2009 at 8:57am CDT

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic writes about Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis, who is eligible for free agency after the season. Davis admitted that his contract situation "pretty much goes through my head every day." He's motivated by his contract year, and doesn't understand the team's anti-incentive policy. Davis would like to remain in Arizona, but he knows he's a trade candidate if the team is out of contention this summer. Other impending free agents like Jon Garland and Felipe Lopez could fit the bill as well.

Davis, 33, is earning $8.75MM this year. He has a 2.91 ERA through five starts, and his 2.6 walks per nine innings would be a career-best if it holds up.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro, Byrd, Ibanez, Figgins

By Cork Gaines | May 1, 2009 at 8:41am CDT

On this date three years ago, the Red Sox traded for Doug Mirabelli to be Tim Wakefield's personal catcher. Mirabelli had to put his uniform on in the car from the airport and arrived 13 minutes prior to first pitch against the Yankees. While trades in April and May are rare, they are not unprecedented. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Fire Ned Colletti Now argues that Ned Colletti does not deserve an extension. My head just exploded.
Sox and Pinstripes makes a case for the Yankees signing Pedro Martinez.
Jorge Says No! takes a look at the market for Paul Byrd.
More Hardball puts together a roster of the highest paid players ever.
Fangraphs reviews the Yankees drafts from the past three years.
The Fightins honor Raul Ibanez's first month with the Phillies. The signing was highly criticized.
6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba contemplates the Yankees acquiring Chone Figgins.

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

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