Odds And Ends: Cubs, Matsui, Mets
More links for the afternoon…
- Don't forget about today's chat, coming up in less than two hours at 2pm CST…
- This Chicago Sun-Times article blames Jim Hendry for assembling an expensive group of under-performing hitters, but credits him for putting together some solid pitching.
- Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker passes on some comments made by a member of the Hanshin Tigers front office about the possibility of acquiring Hideki Matsui after the season, when he's a free agent. It sounds like the Tigers will keep an eye on him.
- Willie Randolph was fired a year ago today. Since then, the Mets have won 87 of 154 games under Jerry Manuel, who's a better communicator than his predecessor and a popular leader, according to Ben Shpigel of the New York Times.
- Darren Heitner points out that the first rounders to sign so far haven't obtained the recommended limit for their slots. (Hat Tip: THT)
Rockies First Rounder Wheeler Agrees To Sign
According to Tracy Ringolsby of Inside the Rockies, first rounder Tim Wheeler agreed to terms with the Rockies and is set to begin his pro career. Wheeler, a tall, left-handed hitter, was selected 32nd overall in last week's draft. The Rockies received the pick from the Angels as compensation for losing Brian Fuentes.
The Rockies have signed 13 players other than Wheeler. Tyler Matzek, the high school pitcher the Rockies chose 11th overall, is not one of them. He figures to demand multi-million dollar bonus and isn't expected to sign soon.
Olney On Mets, Holliday, Snell
ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the Mets have begun discussing which hitters they want to target. Here's what Olney has heard about the Mets, along with the rest of his rumors:
- It's fair to assume the Mets would like to acquire a "big-time bat."
- Omar Minaya could pursue Nick Johnson. He already traded for him once as the GM of the Expos.
- Other players that could play first and hit: Aubrey Huff, Jorge Cantu, Mark DeRosa and Dan Uggla.
- Uggla's an outside-the-box solution, but the Mets could use his power.
- Don't assume the A's will be able to collect compensation picks for offering arbitration to Matt Holliday if they don't trade him at the deadline. Holliday's numbers have fallen off, making him more likely to accept arbitration if the A's offer it. He could make upwards of $16MM, meaning the surest way for the A's to get something back would be to deal him now.
- Olney says the Rockies don't have interest in Ian Snell. Yesterday John Perrotto suggested they could trade for him.
- Colorado will likely wait another month before deciding whether to deal Huston Street.
- The Mariners don't have to rush their deal-making either, especially since their division looks winnable.
Tigers Ready To Deal, Can Add Payroll
The Tigers averaged 11,000 more fans per game last year, but their owner is prepared to add payroll to keep his team in first place, according to Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press. Tigers owner Mike Ilitch told GM Dave Dombrowski to do whatever it takes to improve the team, even if it means adding salary.
Odds And Ends: Harper, Pirates, Hanley
Some links for Tuesday morning…
- Be here at 2pm CST for this week's chat.
- Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says one Nationals official broke into a broad grin after describing Bryce Harper's ability.
- In a piece that's worth reading completely, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tries to determine when the Pirates expect to contend. Some within the organization can imagine results by 2011 and Neal Huntington says Pirates fans won't have to wait until 2015.
- Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says top pick Matt Purke expects to complete a deal with the Rangers.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says the Rangers have a better, younger, cheaper team than the Astros, but that doesn't mean Houston couldn't make things interesting this year.
- Eric Chavez told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he's "dreading" his upcoming back surgery.
- Carlos Guillen may not play again this season, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwuakee Journal Sentinel says it's clear the Brewers need a starter.
- Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that Torii Hunter talked with the Giants when he was a free agent after the 2007 season.
- Hanley Ramirez doesn't think Theo Epstein wanted to trade him to the Marlins, according to John Tomase of the Boston Herald.
Phillies Looking For Pitching, Can Add Payroll
Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Phillies are working towards adding to a pitching staff that's been weakened by the absence of Brad Lidge and Brett Myers. The team has enough financial flexibility to add payroll, but there's no guarantee Ruben Amaro Jr. will be able to acquire the pitching he covets.
Rosenthal On Saito, Rangers, Hardy
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Red Sox discussed a trade that would have sent Takashi Saito to Texas for Hank Blalock. The idea lost traction once Josh Hamilton underwent surgery and David Ortiz began hitting better and it's not likely to be revived. However, "several" teams have interest in Saito, who the Red Sox might prefer to deal for a prospect. Here are more details from Rosenthal's column:
- The Rangers remain the leading contenders to sign Ben Sheets.
- They also considered going after Nick Johnson, but are more likely to replace Chris Davis internally if they decide he's not contributing enough at the plate.
- One scout has noticed the Brewers following Erik Bedard and believes they'll make a "strong play" for him.
- J.J. Hardy remains appealing to teams around the league and the Brewers are "constantly" asked about shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar.
- The Red Sox "sniffed around" on a Hardy-Brad Penny swap, but that deal wouldn't work for Milwaukee.
- The Orioles are increasingly willing to deal George Sherrill and Danys Baez.
Discussion: Which Player Coming Back From Injury Helps The Most?
Last night we had a discussion about which injuries would ultimately hurt their team the most this season, with probably close to a hundred names drawing votes in the comments section. Tonight, let's discuss which currently injured players will help their team the most when they come back.
Manny Ramirez doesn't count because he was suspended, but some examples include Aramis Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Grady Sizemore, John Smoltz, Josh Hamilton, Scott Kazmir, Joey Votto, Jake Peavy, and Jake Westbrook. Who ya got?
Odds & Ends: Izzy, Baez, Nationals
Some links to peruse as you realize how lame it is when your favorite team has a scheduled off day…
- Joe Smith of The St. Petersburg Times spoke to agent Dan Horwits, who says his client Jason Isringhausen plans to come back and pitch in the big leagues again. Izzy will miss the rest of the year due to Tommy John surgery.
- The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec writes that the Orioles have a valuable trade chip in reliever Danys Baez.
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson reiterated that the Nationals are not going to bring Pedro Martinez or Tom Glavine aboard as players. The team would be interested in Glavine as a coach, though.
- Pete McElroy of of MASNsports.com lists the 16 draft picks the Nationals have signed.
- The Yankees signed catcher Buck Afenir as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas according to KUsports.com.
Giants Sign Shingo Takatsu
According to Patrick at NPB Tracker, the Giants have signed reliever Shingo Takatsu to a minor league contract. He tried out for the team in May, and will report to Triple-A Fresno once his visa paperwork clears.
Takatsu last pitched in the majors for the Mets in 2005. He finished second in the 2004 AL Rookie of the Year voting with the White Sox thanks to a 2.31 ERA and 19 saves.