Odds And Ends: Isringhausen, El Duque, Felix
Who says there are no good sports nicknames anymore? Within this post alone, we find Izzy, El Duque and King Felix…
- The O.C. Register assembles a slideshow of 16 relievers who could be moved in the next five weeks.
- Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times reports that Jason Isringhausen will consider pitching next year if he recovers well from his recent Tommy John surgery.
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels said Orlando Hernandez will be used as a reliever, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- ESPN.com's Jim Caple discusses Felix Hernandez's recent dominance. As Caple says, "the king's crown fits much better this season."
- A thought from Padres exec Paul DePodesta: "Regardless of the preparation they receive in the minors, young players will almost always struggle early on in the majors."
- We're hearing from PGCrossChecker.com that the Cubs signed first rounder Brett Jackson for $972k.
Matt Holliday Update
Scouts tell Joe Stiglich of the San Jose Mercury News that teams' unwillingness to part with prospects and inability to take on salary could make it hard for the A's to deal Matt Holliday. That's fine with GM Billy Beane, who says he doesn't feel pressure to deal his star outfielder this July. After all, if Holliday departs as a free agent after the year, the A's will receive compensation picks in next year's draft (assuming they offer him arbitration).
Odds And Ends: Draft, Nady, Kinsler, Snell
A few links to start the morning off…
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says the draft picks who ask for big bonuses aren't always the bad guys.
- The biggest bonus so far belongs to Tony Sanchez of the Pirates ($2.5MM). Check out our updated list of first rounders to sign.
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that Xavier Nady suffered a setback during his rehab assignment.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic shows how the D'Backs missed out on Ian Kinsler even though they drafted him twice.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests we shouldn't expect Ian Snell to be dealt soon.
- SI.com's Tim Marchman calls Willy Taveras and Edgar Renteria this year's biggest free agent busts.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the Red Sox are hesitant to deal a starter, since Tim Wakefield and John Smoltz are the only two starters over 40 in the AL.
- Definitely not a trade rumor, but WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports that Smoltz received 71 text messages after his start last night.
Red Sox Can Add Salary
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports heard from one Red Sox official who said the team could upgrade its roster, since they're still "way under budget." Last offseason they added John Smoltz and Brad Penny to affordable deals that will cost them a total of just $10.5MM plus incentives.
Andy Phillips Signs With Hiroshima Carp
Former Yankee Andy Phillips signed a one-year deal worth $400k to play for the Hiroshima Carp, according to an AP report on ESPN.com. We heard rumblings about the move earlier in the week, but it's now official.
Dodgers Ink Aaron Miller
FRIDAY, 9:00am: Adam Winkler of KWTX.com says Miller gets a bonus of about $900k.
Royals Open To Trade Possibilities
A source told FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi Wednesday that Royals GM Dayton Moore will be open-minded to trade possibilities this summer "if they bring talent and/or salary relief that would benefit the team in 2010 and beyond."
Odds & Ends: Contreras, Wedge, Izzy
This day in MLBTR history: On June 25, 2007, there was speculation that the Yankees might have interest in either Mark Buehrle or Jermaine Dye, and the sports world first got word that Ken Griffey Jr. wanted to retire as a Mariner. Oh, and we were still rocking the white-on-black layout. On to some links…
- Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that right-hander Jose Contreras is drawing interest among some scouts. The White Sox are not in selling mode just yet, but things could change between now and the July 31 trade deadline.
- According to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince, Indians manager Eric Wedge is well aware that his job is on the line. "[General manager] Mark [Shapiro] and I continue to talk daily, as we always have," Wedge told reporters Wednesday. "We've had conversations about everything. I don't think there are ever any guarantees in this game."
- Jason Isringhausen hasn't ruled out a return to baseball, according to MLB.com's Zach Schonbrun. After undergoing Tommy John surgery last week, however, he probably won't be ready to contribute until July of 2010.
Nationals Team President On Acta
According to Chico Harlan and Mike Viera of the Washington Post, Nationals team president Stan Kasten "gave his firmest-yet support" of Manny Acta during a speaking engagement Wednesday afternoon, expressing hope that he can "serve as long-term manager" for the club.
Discussion: The Breakout Performance Of 2009
Zorilla isn't the only one having a surprise season. From Tampa to Toronto to Seattle, players have surprised us all with breakout starts to the year. Here are just a few of the players to play unexpectedly well so far:
- Ben Zobrist – he's slugging .629 with 15 homers and eight steals
- Marco Scutaro – leads the AL in walks and runs to go along with above-average defense and an .835 OPS
- Edwin Jackson – has kept his ERA under 2.50 after chopping his walk rate by one per nine and striking out as many batters as he has allowed base hits
- Russell Branyan – He has 18 homers already- as many as he's hit in any year since 2002- along with an OPS over 1.000
- Adam Kennedy – hitting .298 with more homers already (6) than he's hit in any year since 2004
Which performance has surprised you most?
Just a note: I'm not talking about established players or prospects who were expected to break out.