Odds & Ends: Orioles, White Sox, Nady, Indians
Some links to check out while watching game one of the College World Series …
- MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko spoke to Orioles mastermind Andy MacPhail about plenty of topics, including the scuffling Felix Pie and fifth overall pick Matt Hobgood.
- South Side Sox breaks down the White Sox players who won't (or can't) be traded.
- Xavier Nady is set to begin a rehab assignment, however Buster Olney recently said the Yankees will not look to trade one of their spare outfielders once he returns.
- Indians president Paul Dolan says he is concerned about the team's direction, but will not make any "rash decisions" according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It certainly sounds like Eric Wedge's days are numbered, and his number is coming up.
- The Dallas Morning News' Kevin Sherrington writes that even though they're in first place, the Rangers aren't in a position to go all out and need to keep focusing on the future.
Mets DFA Connor Robertson
How about another Mets transaction? This time they designated reliever Connor Robertson for assignment, according to a team press release. He had a 5.10 ERA in 30 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A this year after being acquired in exchange for Scott Schoeneweis this offseason.
You can keep track of all the moves the Mets made today here.
Diamondbacks Ready To Start Selling?
MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes sounds "like someone who had come face to face with reality" regarding his team's current state.
"It's the middle of June and we're 10 games under .500, so I think there's a reality as far as the types of discussions we have had and will have with other clubs," Byrnes said.
This was before the D-backs went on to lose three straight to a Mariners team that had some key players out with injuries.
Gilbert says that Byrnes hasn't indicated that a major overhaul is in the works, and to instead expect smaller moves involving veterans in the final year of their contracts. He mentions pitchers Doug Davis and Jon Garland, as well as second baseman Felipe Lopez and the injured Chad Tracy as candidates to find a new address.
Mets Release Bobby Kielty
Lots of roster moves for the Amazin's today. Bart Hubbuch tweets that in addition to Wily Mo Pena and Javier Valentin, the Mets have also released outfielder Bobby Kielty. The former Oakland cult hero was hitting .231-.394-.346 in just 33 plate appearances for Triple-A Buffalo.
Fehr Stepping Down As MLBPA Director
5:53pm: Maury Brown has the Players Association's statement.
1:55pm: ESPN.com reports that Donald Fehr is stepping down as executive director of the MLB Players' Association. ESPN's source says Michael Weiner will replace Fehr, who has led the MLBPA since 1983. Fehr said today he will retire by the end of March 2010.
As MLB.com's Bobbie Dittmeier points out, Fehr began working for the MLBPA in 1977 after working on behalf of the association as a lawyer. Over the course of his leadership, the average major league salary rose from $289k to $2.9MM, according to the AP. However, Fehr has been criticized for waiting until 2002 to allow drug testing in baseball.
Pirates Sign Supplemental First Round Pick
John Perrotto tweets that the Pirates have signed righthander Victor Black, their supplemental first round pick. Coming out of Dallas Baptist, Black was taken with the pick the Pirates received for failing to sign Tanner Scheppers last year. Terms of the deal aren't known, but MLB's recommended slot bonus for the 49th overall pick is expected to be around $720,000.
Mets DFA Wilson Valdez
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that the Mets designated Wilson Valdez for assignment to make room for pitchers Elmer Dessens and Pat Misch. The roster shuffle comes partially because Carlos Beltran is headed for the DL.
In 26 plate appearances for the Mets, Valdez hit .208/.269/.333. The 31-year-old played both middle infield positions.
Discussion: What Should The Mets Do?
Carlos Beltran will join teammates Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, John Maine, Oliver Perez and J.J. Putz on the disabled list, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. The Mets needed a first base-outfield type before they heard the bad news about their center fielder, and now their need is even more pronounced.
The Mets will combine Gary Sheffield, Fernando Martinez, Ryan Church, Daniel Murphy, Fernando Tatis and Jeremy Reed in the outfield and at first for now. As exasperating as these injuries have become for the Mets, they're only two games out of first place, thanks to the Phillies' recent slide.
The Mets are hoping Beltran will miss just two weeks, but they could use help and every team now knows it. Omar Minaya says he'll "continue to have conversations" with other clubs. Should he wait it out until they know more about the injuries? Try and deal for Aubrey Huff, Mark DeRosa or Nick Johnson now? How much should Minaya be prepared to surrender in a trade?
Indians Rumors: Wedge, White, Draft
MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince says the chatter about Eric Wedge's job security is premature. The Indians aren't on the verge of firing him and are more likely to consider a change after the season. Here are some more Indians notes:
- The Indians are expected to begin negotiations soon with first rounder Alex White.
- As Castrovince pointed out on draft day, White is a 20-year-old righty reliever out of UNC who could make an impact in the majors sooner than most players in the draft.
- The team has now signed 18 of the players drafted earlier in the month, including 13 of their top 16 picks.
Odds And Ends: Red Sox, Mateo, Sano
More links for the afternoon…
- The Pirates signed Victor Black, their supplemental round pick, according to Mike Vukovcan of KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox are set to sign their second round pick, righty Alex Wilson, for about $475k. He turned down $600k from the Cubs last year.
- ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure says the Nats will work Wagner Mateo out, but aren't likely to sign him.
- Arangure says the Mariners, Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants, Yankees and Cubs could sign Mateo.
- Arangure still expects Miguel Angel Sano to sign with the Pirates.
- Peter Abraham of the Journal News suggests the Yankees should release Brett Tomko and Angel Berroa. He also suggests five other ways the Yankees could improve without making a trade.
- Peter Gammons says C.C. Sabathia could use some extra rest in this ESPN Radio discussion. Gammons also believes Daisuke Matsuzaka's injury is "pretty serious."
- MLB.com's Rustin Dodd looks back at the deal that sent Carlos Beltran to the Astros. Five years ago Wednesday, the Royals acquired Mike Wood, Mark Teahen and John Buck for their center fielder.
- Click here to take another look at the MLBTR glossary post on the international signing period. It now explains how some players born in early September, 1993 can sign this year.