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Archives for June 2009

Leyland’s Contract Extended Through 2011

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ESPN.com's Amy Nelson reports that Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski announced Jim Leyland has agreed to manage the team through 2011. Leyland says he's "absolutely flattered" by the deal, which he describes as a "total shock."

The Tigers lead the AL Central with a 35-31 record even though they've had next to no production from Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen (injured) or Gary Sheffield (now on the Mets), three hitters who were expected to contribute.

Leyland has led the Tigers to a 292-260 record over the course of his three and a half years in Detroit. The Tigers won the AL pennant in Leyland's first year, 2006.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sano, Pedro, Sabathia, Lopez

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On this date 14 years ago, Darryl Strawberry signed a one-year deal with the Yankees for $675K, four months after being released by the Giants and five years after leaving New York to sign with the Dodgers as a free agent. Interestingly, this would be the most lucrative season of his career as it marked the final year of his Dodgers contract that would pay him $5.3MM in '95. Straw was never traded, but we are a little over one month from this year's trade deadline. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • Around the Majors spoke with Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus about Miguel Sano and the international signing period.
  • River Ave. Blues doesn't feel the Yankees will be able to find a spot for Pedro Martinez and doubts he could still be effective in the AL East.
  • Bleacher Nation finds the Cubs' interest in Pedro Martinez "strange," noting that they have no money to spend and that the Cubs need bats, not arms.
  • Jorge Says No! puts together a list of the teams that could be sellers over the next six weeks.
  • MLB Notebook looks at when it may be best for teams to deal specific players, including Erik Bedard, Juan Pierre and Matt Holliday.
  • Capitol Avenue Club goes back and reevaluates the C.C. Sabathia trade now that the Brewers have used the draft picks acquired for losing Sabathia as a free agent.
  • Goat Riders of the Apocalypse feels that Felipe Lopez would be a "cheap and quick upgrade" for the Cubs offense.

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

Odds And Ends: Cuban, Harper, Sano

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More links for the afternoon…

  • ESPN.com reports that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has no plans to bid on the Chicago Cubs.
  • Yankees and Red Sox scouts are assembling teams of high schoolers to face off in an exhibition game at Fenway Park this August. And Bryce Harper will be suiting up in pinstripes, according to Peter Abraham of the Journal News.
  • Roch Kubatko of MASN.com hears that the Orioles are hesitant to offer Miguel Angel Sano big money. Kubatko would be surprised to see the Orioles become frontrunners for the Dominican prospect.
  • Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says Shawn Chacon isn't expected to be an option in Oakland. Instead, he's there to provide the A's with depth.
  • The Baltimore Sun relays an AP report informing us that David Walters, a college senior, signed a free agent contract with the Orioes. The righty was drafted by the Braves in 2008 before returning to school for his senior year.
  • MLB.com's Jason Beck reports that the Tigers have agreed to terms with 16 of their draftees.
  • Speaking on ESPN Radio, Peter Gammons suggests the Cubs, Rays, Rangers, Angels and Yankees should make moves before July 31st. Joe Haggerty has the transcript up at Hacks with Haggs.
  • Diamond Leung reports that the Dodgers released Val Pascucci, who had an OPS of .715 at Triple A.

Heyman On Pedro, Nats, Mets, Rangers

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Jon Heyman of SI.com says those closest to the Pedro Martinez situation expect him to sign soon. Heyman has many more rumors; here they are:

  • One GM thinks the Nationals are demanding too much in return for their players. He says they want "a dollar and a quarter for a dollar."
  • As Heyman points out, interim GM Mike Rizzo has an especially tough role, since his job isn't secure.
  • Heyman says the Nats will make an announcement on a full-time GM this season. Rizzo has a good shot at the position.  
  • Rival GMs say Omar Minaya is now looking to boost the Mets' offense.  
  • Adding a player who can handle first base and the outfield would allow the Mets to make room for Carlos Delgado when he returns later in the season. Mark DeRosa fits the bill, but the Indians are apparently asking for a lot in a potential deal.
  • The Rangers aren't likely to trade for Brad Penny, though they have considered him.  
  • Huston Street's one of the relievers who appeals to the Rangers. 
  • Texas can't add payroll, but can trade prospects. 
  • Chad Qualls and Heath Bell would both command big returns in a trade.  
  • Most contenders believe they need to add relievers, but the Red Sox are willing to trade one away.  
  • Heyman says releasing Dontrelle Willis would be a drastic move.
  • The Reds, Braves and possibly the Cardinals are looking for right-handed hitting corner outfielders. 

Olney On Pedro, Mets, Holliday, DeRosa

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney has the latest on some of baseball's biggest names:

  • Pedro Martinez's stuff hasn't been good enough to tempt GMs to meet his salary demands, especially since few teams can spend. However, Olney says Pedro could attract more serious interest if he lowered his price.
  • The Mets have $5MM or so in payroll flexibility.  
  • The A's may have to contribute towards Matt Holliday's salary if he's dealt.
  • Some executives believe the Indians are about to begin marketing Mark DeRosa more seriously.  
  • He could fit on the Cubs, Cardinals and Mets. Olney guesses DeRosa ends up in St. Louis. 

Odds And Ends: Webb, Doumit, Blanks

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Links for Friday morning…

International Prospect Update

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ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. updates us on three international prospects:

  • The Mariners and Rangers are interested in signing Guillermo Pimentel. Arangure hears that the Mariners could sign the left-handed slugger with a $2MM bonus.
  • The Brewers, Indians and Padres are the leading candidates to sign outfielder Jose Alberto Pena.  
  • Jose Julio Ruiz, who defected from Cuba, is working towards becoming a free agent. Some say Ruiz, 25, resembles an older, less powerful version of Dayan Viciedo.

Epstein On The Trade Market

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Brian MacPherson of the New Hampshire Union Leader reports that Theo Epstein is monitoring the trade market, waiting for the many teams in "wait-and-see mode" to become buyers or sellers. A number of teams are unsure about which direction to take, so Epstein says he keeps tabs on all clubs to develop "a feel for what everyone is trying to do."

Epstein doesn't mention specifics, but MacPherson points out that the Red Sox don't have to trade a starter simply because they have a pitching surplus. Instead of trading Brad Penny or another pitcher away for the sake of making a move, they can keep six starters. This approach allows Boston to make sure John Smoltz is effective, while they wait for the market to develop.

MLB Investigating Miguel Angel Sano’s Age

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ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. reports that MLB investigators are looking into Miguel Angel Sano's age after the Twins requested more detail on the top Dominican prospect's background. Sano says he's 16, but some believe he's older because of his physique. The investigation will include a DNA test and could prevent a quick signing when the international signing period begins on July 2nd. Any player caught lying about his age receives a one-year suspension from MLB. 

Arangure reports that Sano's expected to sign with the Twins or Pirates as long as he's not suspended.

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