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Archives for June 2009

Heyman On Bedard, Valentine, Glavine

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Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the market for starting pitching continues to shrink as top pitchers encounter health issues. Here are the details, along with the rest of his rumors:

  • Unless Erik Bedard proves his shoulder is healthy, Brad Penny and Jarrod Washburn could be the most appealing starters on the market.
  • Theo Epstein, who traded Bronson Arroyo when the Red Sox seemed to have excess pitching, would rather have a pitching surplus than give Penny away.
  • The Phillies, who are still looking for a front-line starter, are a little "leery" of adding Bedard, according to one of Heyman's sources.
  • The Indians remain reluctant to deal Cliff Lee, who would be the best starter availabe if he hit the market.
  • One GM says the Nationals should add Bobby Valentine, but says they're "too cheap" to make the move.  
  • Tom Glavine's agent acknowledged that his client is becoming more likely to retire.
  • The asking price for Nick Johnson remains high.   

Discussion: This Year’s Late-Season Surge

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It doesn't happen every year, but some slow-starting teams are able to turn an extended hot streak into a playoff appearance. The 2005 Astros, 2007 Yankees and 2007 Rockies had three of the most memorable late-season surges in recent memory. This year, many teams are unsure whether they'll make a playoff run or deal some parts away in hopes of better teams to come. Here's a rundown of those teams:

  • White Sox – Just 4.0 games out of the Central
  • Royals - Thanks to a strong rotation, they're just 4.5 games back of the division lead 
  • Indians - For all of their struggles, they're still within 6.5 games of the Tigers
  • Mariners – Two games under .500 and 5.5 behind the Rangers
  • A's - Now 9.0 games behind Texas
  • Marlins - Ony 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race
  • Astros - 4.5 games back of the Wild Card leading Cardinals
  • Pirates - Tied with the Astros in a surprisingly tight NL Central
  • Rockies – Their streak's over, but they're just 3.5 games behind the Cardinals
The question is: which one of these teams, if any, can turn themselves from potential sellers into buyers with a memorable late-season surge?

Marlins Rumors: Ross, Hermida, Uggla

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MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that the Marlins aren't about to pull the trigger and deal away arbitration-eligible players in an effort to trim payroll. Instead, they feel ready to make a run at a postseason berth. Here are the specifics from Frisaro's blog post:

  • The Marlins aren't actively shopping Dan Uggla, Cody Ross or Jeremy Hermida.
  • Frisaro suggests the Braves offered Charlie Morton and Jeff Francoeur for Hermida before the Nate McLouth trade.
  • The Marlins always look to obtain pitching in return for their players.
  • The Braves are still looking to add a bat. 

The Marlins are 32-34 now, third in the NL East and just 3.5 games behind the Cardinals in the Wild Card race. Don't look for them to deal anyone away unless they fall out of contention. 

Cardinals GM Will Watch Sano Work Out

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Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Cardinals GM John Mozeliak will watch prospect Miguel Angel Sano work out in the Dominican Republic. Sano, a 16-year-old shortstop, will have a number of suitors to choose from once he becomes a free agent on July 2nd when the international signing period begins.

Strauss says the Cardinals are at the "forefront" of the Sano sweepstakes. The Pirates, Twins, Yankees and Orioles are among the teams that have recently been linked to Sano. Check out our complete archive of Sano rumors for all the details.

Odds And Ends: Wagner, Peavy, Melhuse

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Some links for Wednesday morning…

  • Billy Wagner says he could be pitching in the majors within 30 days, according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. If he returns in mid-July, the Mets would have time to evaluate Wagner before deciding whether to acquire more arms via trade.
  • The Royals signed ten of their draft picks, according to MLB.com's Rustin Dodd.
  • Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post reports that Evan Longoria never wonders what it would be like to play for the Rockies. Colorado, who selected Greg Reynolds instead of Longoria back in 2006, has probably wondered what it would be like to have Longoria.
  • Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Padres have an insurance policy in place that would potentially recoup money for the team should Jake Peavy miss much time. The details aren't clear, as GM Kevin Towers hasn't looked at the policy yet.
  • Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that catcher Adam Melhuse retired. He had been playing for the Pirates' Triple A affiliate.
  • Carlos Quentin has had second thoughts about his decision to turn down an extension from the White Sox, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Rangers Inquired On Snell

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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Rangers inquired about Pirates starter Ian Snell. The Pirates haven't had serious talks about dealing Snell to the Rangers or anyone else, since other teams value him as a reliever and the Pirates value him as a starter.

We heard yesterday that the Rockies don't have interest in Snell.

Morosi On Penny, Hermida, Padres

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Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports shows that Derek Jeter's much-criticized defense has been above average this year. He also provides some rumors, so let's take a look:

  • One official said he doubts the Red Sox move Brad Penny. They can do so without his permission, now that we're two and a half months into the season.
  • Morosi says Chris Young and Heath Bell are sure to attract interest, but says Kevin Towers doesn't have to trade either player.  
  • It's possible that the Padres will "flip relievers for prospects."
  • The Braves like Jeremy Hermida, but it makes sense for them to pass the Marlins in the standings before inquiring on him.

Odds & Ends: Buchholz, Nats, O’s, Rays

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A few bits and pieces from around the web:

  • According to Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox are "shrugging off" comments made by Clay Buchholz that may have been blown out of proportion. "Whenever they come to a problem, they seem like they find a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is — it's frustrating at times," said Buchholz. Terry Francona called the comment one throwaway line in "a really mature interview."
  • The AP reports Nats' manager Manny Acta has no worries about being fired despite reports that that he'll be replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman.
  • Eight draft picks were signed by the Orioles, all players selected between rounds 12 and 45, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Cheng Sio of MLB.com reports the Rays signed 14 of their draft picks, all collegiate level players taken in the 12th round or later.

Jonathan Sanchez’s Trade Value Dropping

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Brian Sabean once said he couldn't imagine trading Jonathan Sanchez. Now he may not be able to. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says the lefty flamethrower's stock has declined sharply. Baggarly writes:

"Sanchez pitches today against the Angels having won just once over his past nine starts. The Giants are 2-7 over that span. In the process, Sanchez's trade value has declined sharply, according to scouts who have been following the team. Sanchez has struck out 57 in 57 2/3 innings, but scouts have mentioned an all-around drop in the quality of his stuff while noting that his control issues have gotten worse."

Baggarly says the Indians reported interest "has cooled" and that teams view Sanchez as more of a bullpen arm. Baggarly adds,

"While the Giants have not acknowledged that they are shopping Sanchez, league sources said the 26-year-old left-hander has been an active name as the club seeks a power bat for the middle of the lineup. A Giants source said the team was not close to making any deals. The club has talked to the Texas Rangers about third baseman Hank Blalock, but he isn't considered an ideal fit."

Possible Type A Free Agents

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Eddie Bajek has reverse-engineered the Elias rankings, and we'll now be providing that information exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  Today let's take a look at the 2010 free agents who would be Type A, if the season ended today.  Click here for an explanation on free agent compensation.

Catchers

  • Victor Martinez*
  • Jason Varitek*
  • Bengie Molina

First Base/Outfield/DH

  • Matt Holliday
  • Aubrey Huff
  • Jason Bay
  • Magglio Ordonez*
  • Johnny Damon
  • Bobby Abreu
  • Jim Thome
  • Jermaine Dye*
  • Xavier Nady
  • Randy Winn

Second Base/Third Base/Shortstop

  • Marco Scutaro
  • Orlando Cabrera
  • Melvin Mora*
  • Chone Figgins
  • Miguel Tejada
  • Orlando Hudson
  • Troy Glaus

Starting Pitchers

  • Cliff Lee*
  • Vicente Padilla*
  • Josh Beckett*
  • Rich Harden

Relievers

  • Octavio Dotel
  • Jose Valverde
  • Trevor Hoffman
  • Billy Wagner*
  • John Grabow
  • Mike Gonzalez
  • Kevin Gregg
  • Ryan Franklin*
  • Doug Brocail*
  • Rafael Soriano

* denotes an option for 2010

Near the borderline of Type A/B status: Rod Barajas, Vladimir Guerrero, Placido Polanco, Adrian Beltre, John Lackey, Darren Oliver, Carlos Delgado, Randy Johnson, LaTroy Hawkins.

Of course, a lot can change between now and the end of the season.  But it's interesting to see that players such as Guerrero, Beltre, and Lackey are no locks for Type A.  Wondering about Erik Bedard?  He has 69.259 of 100 points, while the lowest Type A American League starter has a 74.815 score.  He's in the middle of the AL Type B starting pitchers at the moment.  But if Bedard is traded to an NL club, he'll be ranked with that league's starters.

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