Orioles Release Jamie Walker
2:44pm: Roch Kubatko of MASN.com reports that it's official; the O's announced they've released Walker.
1:55pm: Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles will release lefty reliever Jamie Walker. Baltimore still owes Walker about $3MM, but they were no longer satisfied with his production. To replace Walker, they called up Alberto Castillo, another lefty who pitched for the O's last year and has performed well at Triple A Norfolk so far in 2009.
Zrebiec writes that the move is "not all that surprising" because lefties are hitting .458 against Walker this year. The pitcher signed a three year deal worth $12MM before the 2007 season.
Heyman On Braves, Tejada, Helton
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Braves gave off the impression that Tom Glavine was merely a "famous, low-priced insurance policy" when they released him two days ago. He has more on the Braves and the rest of the majors; let's take a look:
- John Smoltz told Heyman that he once turned down $53MM from the Yankees to sign with the Braves for $30MM.
- The Braves are now unable to add payroll.
- That could make it tough for them to reacquire Mark DeRosa, who's on the block and would be a nice piece for Atlanta.
- One executive said Justin Upton has "a lot of Ken Griffey Jr. in him." Check out Tim's Q&A with Upton to see how the former number one pick handles the hype.
- Miguel Tejada's name has surfaced in trade talks, but most contenders see him as a third baseman and some don't like his bat anymore.
- The Rockies are willing to discuss dealing "nearly every player" they have. Heyman says "they'd probably love to find someone" to take on Todd Helton's contract. He's owed about $50MM still, so I'd think the chances are slim.
Braves Interested In Penny?
2:09pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman heard from a major league source who said the Braves have no interest in Penny. Bowman writes that "the Braves won't be among the teams showing interest in the big right-hander."
1:42pm: According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney the Braves are "in conversation with the Red Sox" about Brad Penny, who is pitching better as the season progresses. The Red Sox have been scouting Jeff Francoeur, who the Braves may be interested in moving, in part because he makes over $3MM this year and the Braves are watching their payroll carefully.
Jason Bay’s Next Contract
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that Jason Bay's focusing on baseball for now and sorting out his next contract after the season, when he becomes a free agent. Any number of teams could go after Bay. After all, his OPS is over 1.000 and he's second in the league in both homers and RBI. He'll be 31 when the season ends, so he should have several productive years left. He may be able to command as much as $70MM for five years, as J.D. Drew did. Morosi considers three possible suitors for Bay:
- The Red Sox don't have an obvious player within their system who's ready to replace Bay, so Morosi says he'd be surprised if they don't resign him. Bay says Boston "is high on the list" of teams he'd want to sign with.
- The Yankees could be looking for corner outfield help this offseason, so it's not safe to rule them out.
- The Mariners probably wouldn't outbid either the Yankees or the Red Sox, but Bay lives near Safeco Field in Seattle and he says it's one of his "possible destinations."
Odds And Ends: Nats, Astros, Putz, Brewers
More links for Friday afternoon…
- Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post believes the Lerner family and Stan Kasten have to take responsibility for a weak Nationals team and turn it around in Washington.
- Former Nats GM Jim Bowden told WUSA9 that in retrospect he wishes he'd kept a closer eye on the Nationals' actions in the Dominican.
- More from Richard Justice on his chat with Astros owner Drayton McLane. It's "likely" that Ivan Rodriguez, Jose Valverde and Miguel Tejada will be shopped.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says he wouldn't be surprised if Braves GM Frank Wren calls the Rockies about Ryan Spilborghs, now Colorado's fifth outfielder.
- Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Vicente Padilla wants to stay with the Rangers.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports J.J. Putz will undergo elbow surgery Tuesday and miss at least two months.
- An interesting tweet from Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: There's talk of the Red Sox having interest in J.J. Hardy.
- MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports that the Brewers are eyeing pitching in this year's draft. They'll have to wait until late in first round to acquire any, however, as they select 26th.
Glavine: “A Couple” Teams Have Called
The AP (via CBS Sports) reports that Tom Glavine says he's received calls from "a couple" clubs that are interested in bringing him on as a pitcher, while others have called him to discuss different jobs. Glavine didn't name the clubs that called and said it would take "a lot" for him to come back and pitch.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Peavy, Glavine, Yankees, Phillies
On this date nine years ago, the Marlins selected Adrian Gonzalez with the first pick of the amateur draft. The 16-year-old would sign a deal later that day that included a $3MM signing bonus. Two trades later, Gonzalez leads the National League with 22 home runs. The 2009 draft is in four days, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Goat Riders of the Apocalypse propose a three-way deal in which the Cubs would send Carlos Zambrano to the White Sox and the Padres would send Jake Peavy to the Cubs.
- River Ave. Blues takes a look at what the Yankees may need before the trade deadline and who they may be able to deal with.
- Phlavio's Corner has a list of 20 players that could be moved and where each might end up.
- The Ghost of Moonlight Graham analyzes the early returns on some of the trades from this past offseason.
- Jorge Says No! argues that the Mariners might be better off moving Russell Branyan sooner rather than later.
- MLB Notebook comes up with a list of five clubs that could land Tom Glavine.
- Dodgers Rumors feels that Glavine is a perfect fit for the Dodgers.
- We Should Be GM's says the Phillies need to add a starting pitcher now and generates a list of players to target.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Gammons On Glavine, Pirates, Mets
Speaking on ESPN Radio, Peter Gammons said Tom Glavine wants to pitch again. Here are the details, as well as a transcription on Joe Haggerty's blog, Hacks with Haggs:
- Texas could be a fit for Glavine and though the Dodgers don't appear to be interested, Gammons suggests they could reconsider.
- Gammons says the Pirates are trying to build long term and believes it's the only way for them to end their streak of losing seasons.
- The Mets don't appear likely to trade for an expensive shortstop, but they may have to deal for some offensive help if they want to keep up with the Phillies.
Draft Update: O’s, Strasburg, Tate
An update on the draft, which is now just four days away…
- Steve Melewski of MASN.com spoke with Orioles president Andy MacPhail and heard that the O's don't expect to shy away from players who figure to demand large bonuses. MacPhail repeats a line we've heard him say before: "You can buy the bats, but you have to grow the arms."
- There's been lots of commentary on Stephen Strasburg's blazing fastball. But as ESPN.com's Keith Law reports, Strasburg complements his heater with an out-pitch curve and a major league average fastball. Law says Strasburg's repertoire would allow him to compete in the majors now. For $15MM, $20MM or even more, the Nationals can have him in their rotation next spring.
- Players who have a legitimate shot at playing more than one sport have increased power in negotiations because they have more options. Law says Donovan Tate, a top high school player whose father Lars played in the NFL, had dropped football before realizing it would give him more leverage in the draft.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo points to some draft-eligible pitchers whose arms have been overused. Mike Minor, who could be a top-three pick, threw 134 pitches in a game a week ago. That's more than any major leaguer's thrown in a game this year.
Odds And Ends: Atkins, Ortiz, Bedard
Some links for your Friday morning…
- Garrett Atkins hit a pair of homers yesterday, emerging from an extended slump and taking the first step towards restoring his trade value.
- Could Big Papi's struggles be related to a vision problem? Ron Borges of the Boston Herald reports that David Ortiz will get his eyes tested.
- On the Newberg Report Jamey Newberg sees Elvis Andrus as the leader of great Rangers teams to come. Newberg passes along a comment from Baseball America's Jim Callis: Andrus would be "in the mix" for the second overall pick in this year's draft if he were eligible.
- Erik Bedard said on ESPN radio that he loves Seattle and doesn't concern himself with trade rumors. He added that the Mariners haven't approached him about a contract extension, but sounded open to the idea (Hat Tip: Bleeding Blue and Teal).
- Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram points out that if no one wants Vicente Padilla now, he's not likely to be hotly pursued this offseason if the Rangers buy out his $12MM option for 2010.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Pirates president Frank Coonelly maintains the team hasn't given up on 2009. He even says he expects the Pirates to contend.
- Laura Keeley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that fans are not happy about the McLouth trade in Pittsburgh.