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Archives for June 2009

Rangers Place Padilla On Waivers

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Evan Grant of D Magazine reports that the Rangers have placed Vicente Padilla on outright waivers. The righty makes $12MM this year and the Rangers have the option of paying him the same amount in 2010 or buying him out for $1.75MM.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports also hears that Padilla has been put on outright waivers. Padilla's "history of moodiness and inconsistency" works against the Rangers, writes Rosenthal. Hitting Mark Teixeira twice last night can't have helped Padilla's reputation.

Cardinals Release Former First Round Pick

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According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tyler Herron is no longer a part of the Cardinals' plans. They released the former first round pick today. Herron, 22, was the 46th selection in the 2005 draft, the same draft that produced Colby Rasmus for St. Louis. Herron pitched well as recently as 2007. 

In 45.2 innings at Double A this year, Herron collected 37 strikeouts and allowed 70 baserunners for an ERA of 4.37. Not inspired numbers, but not bad for a 22-year-old. I'd expect someone to pick Herron up, especially given his history as a top prospect.

Odds And Ends: Redding, Aurilia, Mariners

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More links for Wednesday…

Heyman On Contenders’ Needs

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Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Dodgers would have to overpay for Jake Peavy, the Red Sox are going after bats and the Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez. Here are the details:

  • It's unlikely the White Sox could pry Cliff Lee away from the Indians.
  • The Brewers aren't sure whether they'll go after a hitter or a pitcher.  
  • Heyman cites a source who says the Dodgers believe they'd have to pay "insanely" more than anyone else if they want to acquire Peavy. That's not much of a problem for the Dodgers, who are looking strong as-is.
  • The Red Sox are "aggressively seeking help," according to their competitors.
  • The best player they have a realistic shot at is Victor Martinez. If the Red Sox are going to deal for V-Mart, they'll likely have to part with young pitching.
  • Along with Nick Johnson and Aubrey Huff, Heyman says Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham are "possibilities" for the Red Sox.
  • Not surprisingly, the Mets would not deal Fernando Martinez for Matt Holliday.  
  • The Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez. 
  • The Cubs remain the favorites for Peavy, though they haven't called the Padres about him recently.
  • The Yankees, Angels and Rangers are looking for relief help. 
  • One AL exec believes Erik Bedard would not adjust well to the attention if he's dealt to the Phillies.  
  • And could George W. Bush team up with Nolan Ryan to re-purchase the Rangers?  

Draft Update: Matzek, Ackley, Marlins

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What happens after the Nationals select Stephen Strasburg? It's becoming a little clearer. Dustin Ackley is considered the best college hitter available, and scouts like the abundance of arms in the first part of round one. Here are some more details:

  • MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that Bobby Borchering "could be the choice" for the Marlins, who have the 18th pick in the draft.
  • The Rangers are willing to take a high-ceiling arm with their 14th pick, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Shelby Miller and Matthew Purke are a pair of Texas high schoolers who "are possibilities" for the Rangers.
  • MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo places Dustin Ackley on a list of five players who could make an impact in the majors soon after being drafted.
  • High school lefty Tyler Matzek will almost certainly be among the first ten selections, according to Baseball America's Dave Perkin. Matzek, who can throw 97 mph, is a "distinct possibility" for the Mariners with the second pick and will be scooped up soon afterwards if the Mariners pass.
  • Here's a name to keep an eye on: Perkin calls Henry Owens a "future first-round" pick.  
  • The Dodgers, picking 36th, believe they can obtain the same sort of player that would be available with a 20th overall pick, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. 

Discussion: Who Would You Start A Franchise With?

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The results are in from Sports Illustrated's annual poll. Scouts and executives were asked which five active players they would start a franchise with. Albert Pujols won easily, besting runners-up Evan Longoria, Zack Greinke, Joe Mauer and Hanley Ramirez. The five players topping SI's list are phenomenal, but what about pitchers Roy Halladay and Johan Santana? Or youngsters like Fernando Martinez and Matt Wieters? How about Stephen Strasburg? 

Which five active players would you choose if you were starting a franchise from scratch?

Glavine Doesn’t Expect To Pitch In 2010

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Jim O'Hara of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Tom Glavine expects this season to be his last. When he looks at this year's rotation Glavine says the only "logical spot" is as the fifth starter. With Javier Vazquez, Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens and Kenshin Kawakami in the rotation, Glavine's probably right. 

"That's why I don't see pitching beyond this year," he says.

Next year Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen and Jo-Jo Reyes could all play bigger roles for the Braves. For now, Glavine's ready to return after pitching six scoreless innings in a rehab start. The Braves, like the Red Sox, have pitching to spare, which will gives them leverage if they decide to make a deal.

O’s Won’t Risk Losing Pie Through Waivers

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Steve Melewski of MASN.com heard that the O's do not plan on sending Felix Pie to the minor leagues because they would have to expose him to waivers to do so. Team president Andy MacPhail says "he'd never get through" so the Orioles will keep him in the majors for now.

With Nolan Reimold's emergence, Baltimore has five outfielders, including Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Luke Scott. Pie has struggled so far, but MacPhail has a "pretty talented" group of outfielders so he says "there's nothing about the outfield that makes [him] unhappy."

Odds And Ends: Eyre, Michael Taylor, Borkowski

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Tonight all eyes will be on Randy Johnson as he goes for his 300th win. Here are some links to keep you going until then…

  • Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the Phillies are in no hurry to deal prospect Michael Taylor, who's slugging over .600 at Double A. Taylor understands that, as a corner outfielder, there's not much room for him in Philly. Could Taylor be a trade chip as the Phillies look to add pitching?
  • Andy Martino of the Inquirer reports that Scott Eyre says he's "more than 90 percent" sure he'll retire after this year. Eyre, 37, has pitched for five teams in 13 seasons.
  • Roy Halladay threw 133 pitches last night and ESPN.com's Rob Neyer hopes for Halladay's sake that it isn't the beginning of a trend though he doesn't criticize Cito Gaston's decision to let Doc pitch.
  • Baseball America has more minor league transactions. Dave Borkowski was released by the Astros after he was designated for assignment.
  • John Fay of the Cincinnati Inquirer revisits the Josh Hamilton for Edinson Volquez deal and asks Reds fans whether they like the deal for their team.

Draft Update: Strasburg, Orioles, D’Backs

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Here's the latest news on next week's draft:
  • Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Ben McDonald may meet Stephen Strasburg at the draft. It was 20 years ago, but McDonald was once the best pitching prospect anyone had ever seen and he had Scott Boras advising him, just like Strasburg. 
  • Check out the comparison chart at the bottom of Nightengale's article to see why McDonald was just as highly touted as Strasburg is today.  Also, check out our Boras Blast From The Past feature on McDonald from April.
  • According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun the Orioles have scouted college shortstop Grant Green extensively, but it "appears likely" they'll pass and choose between the many high school and college arms that figure to be available when the O's select fifth.
  • To be as prepared as possible for the draft the D'Backs had their pro scouts look at amateur players and vice versa, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Mike Leake and Bobby Borchering are two names to watch for the D'Backs.
  • MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports that the Cardinals could go for a younger player this year, as their upper-minors are well-stocked.
  • As Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Pitt infield prospect Chris Sedon will be in the dentist's chair getting a cavity filled during the draft because it was the only available appointment.
  • On ESPN radio Keith Law says "slot is dead" because ultimately the recommended bonuses from the commissioner's office are "just recommendations."
  • Even though Strasburg has leverage with the Nationals, Law says it's in his best interest to sign this year and predicts an eleventh hour agreement between the two sides. 

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