Draft Updates: Strasburg, Braves, Sierra Jr.
Some more updates and thoughts on the draft as day two continues…
- MLB.com's Mark Bowman notes that the Braves have taken a different approach this year, selecting seven college players with their first eight picks.
- Via Byron Kerr of MASN.com we hear that Jim Callis of Baseball America expects Stephen Strasburg to sign for about $17.5MM.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney says GMs want the draft to give the worst teams the chance to sign the best players, or the chance to trade the rights to them away. Teams don't always spend early picks on the best players, so Olney says the issue will surface when it's time for the next collective bargaining agreement.
- Baseball America reports that the Rangers took a familiar name in Ruben Sierra Jr., a high school outfielder. His father showed flashes of brilliance for the Rangers, before falling off in the mid-1990s.
- The Pirates have impressed MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo today. They chose Tony Sanchez earlier than expected with the fourth pick, but have since been aggressive.
Lugo Available; Mets Not Interested
Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports that the Mets are not interested in acquiring Julio Lugo. The Jose Reyes injury leaves them "in dire straits" according to Speier's source, but they are not "desperate" enough to go after Lugo. He's available on the trade market, but has $15MM remaining on his contract between this year and 2010.
Byrd Awaits Calls, Says He’s Ready To Pitch
According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, Paul Byrd wants to pitch and believes he can succeed, but says teams haven't been interested in him so far. Since the draft has passed, the Red Sox will not receive a supplemental pick for Byrd, a Type B free agent. Byrd sounds confident in his ability:
Boras And Strasburg On Negotiations
Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says Scott Boras was armed with stats proving Stephen Strasburg is a safe investment during this morning's conference call between the Nats' number one pick, his agent and the media. ESPN.com reports that Boras called Strasburg "a different breed of cat," who's worth more than other players.
Odds And Ends: Hawpe, Royals, Draft
Some links for Wednesday morning…
- Brad Hawpe would void his 2011 option and become a free agent after next season if he's traded, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star explains why yesterday was a good day to be a Royals fan even though the team lost its 22nd game in its last 28 tries. They drafted Aaron Crow and Wil Myers, the best players available to them.
- Mellinger points out that "any immediate reaction to baseball's draft is an overreaction" and these players won't necessarily be stars, but he likes the Royals' approach.
- Bryan Smith of Baseball Prospectus has some names to watch in today's portion of the draft.
- Baseball America's John Manuel reports that the's A's selected catcher Max Stassi, who BA ranked higher than any other player remaining.
- We have a Stephen Strasburg discussion underway on the MLBTR Facebook page. Follow MLBTR on Twitter and on your mobile phone.
Players To Watch Between Now And The Deadline
Once the draft ends tomorrow, we'll turn our attention to the trade market and many GMs will be doing the same. We'll monitor dozens of names throughout the next couple months, but here are seven to watch especially closely as the July 31st trading deadline inches closer. First, three players whose teams have to falter before they become trade bait:
- Matt Holliday has been on a tear since May 5th, walking more than he's striking out with an OPS of .989. The A's have heated up, too. Their seven game win streak ended last night, but they're only 6.5 games out, so they'll have to fall off if Holliday's going to hit the market.
- Mark DeRosa's Indians are seven games out of first place, and they aren't selling now, but the versatile 34-year-old could be appealing to teams like the Cardinals and Mets if the Indians struggle.
- Erik Bedard is pitching well, but the Mariners, now five games back, aren't out of it yet.
These three players aren't on contenders, so they could be moved earlier:
- Holliday's former teammate, Brad Hawpe, is hitting .335 with power. His OPS is just shy of 1.000 and he's striking out less than ever. The Rockies aren't going anywhere, but they're on a six game win streak of their own, and Dan O'Dowd is not in a hurry to deal.
- Aubrey Huff will be a free agent after the season and though he's not matching last year's numbers, he's a solid bat.
- Another lefthanded hitter, Nick Johnson, could be a nice addition, though teams might be wary of his past injuries.
And finally, a player who's seemingly been on the trading block forever:
- Jake Peavy's already vetoed one trade and would likely use his no-trade clause to keep himself in the National League. Not many teams can afford to take on his salary, but the Padres would like to move him and he's the best pitcher available.
Twins Interested In LaTroy Hawkins
According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Twins are "seriously interested" in acquiring LaTroy Hawkins. In the absence of Jose Valverde, Hawkins has collected eight saves and struck out nearly a batter per inning as the Astros closer. He makes $3.5MM this year and will become a free agent after the season.
MLB Draft Reactions
Let's round up some reactions to day one of the draft before day two gets underway…
- There's not much buzz surrounding the players remaining, but, as MLB.com's Matthew Leach points out, Albert Pujols was drafted in the 13th round a decade ago.
- So which impact players have yet to be picked? Baseball America says Max Stassi, Sam Dyson and Zack Von Rosenbuerg are the best available.
- Baseball America's Conor Glassey reports that Stassi could go to UCLA if teams don't like his asking price.
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says Orioles first rounder Matt Hobgood looks like a young Sidney Ponson.
- Red Sox first rounder Reymond Fuentes told David Laurila of Baseball Prospectus that his cousin, Carlos Beltran, phoned to congratulate him last night in the midst of the Mets-Phillies game.
- Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune reports that the Mariners see Dustin Ackley as an outfielder.
- In this MLB.com press release, GM Neal Huntington says signability was not the "primary factor" when the Pirates selected Tony Sanchez fourth overall.
- ESPN.com's Keith Law was among those who thought the Pirates could have done better with that pick.
- Law praises the Rockies, Cardinals and Twins for picking Tyler Matzek, Shelby Miller and Kyle Gibson, respectively. Law says all three pitchers have high-impact arms.
Jesse Litsch To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
The Blue Jays have lost another starter. The AP reports that Jesse Litsch will undergo Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow. Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum is coming back from the same surgery while Dustin McGowan is recovering from shoulder surgery. Litsch hit the DL with forearm tightness after two April starts, but was expected back this month.
Last year the 24-year-old pitched to an ERA of 3.58 in 176 innings. So far in 2009 the Jays have pitched well behind Roy Halladay, as Brian Tallet, Scott Richmond, Ricky Romero, Casey Janssen and others have impressed.
Draft Updates: Wheeler, Hobgood, Borchering
A final round of updates for the draft, which is now just half an hour away…
- Baseball America's John Manuel confirms Jon Heyman's report that the deadline for signing draft picks has been bumped back two days to August 17th.
- Steve Melewski of MASN.com reports that the O's are interested in Zack Wheeler and Matt Hobgood with the 5th pick.
- ESPN.com's Keith Law says the Orioles would take Hobgood if the Padres choose Wheeler.
- Mark Bowman of MLB.com says it's a shame that Wheeler will likely be off the board by the time the Braves select 7th.
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies, picking 11th, have interest in Hobgood and Bobby Borchering, a favorite of the D'Backs.
- Paul DePodesta will blog about each Padres selection from an insider's perspective.