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Archives for July 2009

Red Sox DFA Mark Kotsay

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3:55pm: Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com says Kotsay was designated for assignment, not waived. This gives the Red Sox ten days to make their next move.

2:17pm: The Red Sox put Mark Kotsay on waivers to make room for the recently-acquired Adam LaRoche, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. If no team claims Kotsay within 48 hours, the Red Sox can release him or assign him to the minor leagues. The 33-year-old has an OPS of .615 in 27 games at first base and as an outfielder.

Padres Aren’t Discussing Gonzalez

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The Red Sox have asked about Adrian Gonzalez, but the Padres steadfastly refuse to discuss him, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Boston has enough top prospects to entice most teams, but the Padres "just won't budge."

However, the Red Sox still have interest in Indians catcher Victor Martinez.

Comparing The Two Matt Holliday Trades

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The A's traded Matt Holliday to the Cardinals less than a year after acquiring him from the Rockies. Let's take a look at what the A's gave up to get Holliday, what he provided in Oakland and what the A's obtained from the Cards. Here's what Billy Beane traded away to get Holliday:

  • Huston Street – A quality reliever who attracted trade interest himself before the Rockies started winning. The Rockies pay Street $4.5MM this season and control him through next year.
  • Carlos Gonzalez -  Just 23, he hasn't hit much in the majors yet, but "has the tools" to break out, according to Kevin Goldstein.
  • Greg Smith – The 25-year-old lefty has just pitched in the minors this year, without much success.

Here's what Holliday offered in three and a half months as an Athletic:

  • He hit .286/.378/.454 with 11 homers and 12 steals in 15 attempts. Holliday has also played strong defense in left.
  • The A's have paid about $8MM of his $13.5MM salary so far.
  • Perhaps most importantly, the A's had a chance at contending because they acquired Holliday. It didn't work out, but the chance for a playoff run is worth something.

And what the A's obtained from the Cardinals for him

  • Brett Wallace – Ranks 21st on Baseball America's mid-season list of the game's top prospects. The 22-year-old is a patient hitter with some power and limited defensive potential at third base.
  • Shane Peterson – Goldstein says the 21-year-old can play first and both corner outfield positions. He's a line drive hitter with good speed now playing in AA. John Sickels says he can be a fourth outfielder in the majors.
  • Clayton Mortensen - Goldstein says there are no guarantees with the righty, but he could become a back-of-the-rotation starter. 
  • About $4MM in salary relief – the A's will chip in for $1.5MM, leaving the Cardinals with a $4MM tab. 
  • The A's lose the chance at the compensation picks they would have received if they had offered Holliday arbitration after the season only to see him sign elsewhere.

Some are calling the trade a big win for the A's, but the Cardinals improve their 2009 chances and please their manager and best player all at the same time.

MLB Completes Sano Investigation

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MLB has completed its investigation into the age and identity of top Dominican prospect Miguel Angel Sano, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sano's identity has been confirmed, but investigators haven't yet confirmed his age. He says he's 16 and might not be allowed into the States if he's lying. Sano would certainly be in line for a smaller bonus if he's older than he claims.

Cardinals Acquire Matt Holliday

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2:10: The Cards officially announced the trade, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach.

11:39am: Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch says there's been no talk of an extension for Holliday. As Tim asks on MLBTR's Twitter, "when has a Boras client foregone free agency two months out to take a discount?"

11:16am: ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that the deal is complete. The A's will contribute $1.5MM to the remainder of Holliday's salary, which leaves the Cards with about $4.5MM.

11:11am: Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post Dispatch says the teams are reviewing the players' medical records. The deal will go through unless they encounter an unexpected medical issue.

11:07am: Ed Price of AOL FanHouse hears the deal will go down. A source tells Price the sides are "finalizing as we speak."

10:58am: Jon Heyman of SI.com says the deal is "very close" to completion. 

10:21am: The Cardinals are close to acquiring Matt Holliday from the A's for Brett Wallace and two other players, according to ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian. Outfielder Shane Peterson and righty Clayton Mortensen are also headed to Oakland if the deal goes through.

It's unclear who would pay Holliday the remaining $6MM on his contract should the teams complete a trade.

Odds And Ends: Wang, Maine, Scutaro

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Some links to read through as the trading heats up…

Angels Rumors: Betancourt, Abreu, ‘Pen

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A few Angels rumors, from Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:

  • The Angels tried to acquire Rafael Betancourt before the Indians dealt him to Colorado yesterday.
  • Manager Mike Scioscia says he wants Bobby Abreu to return next year. The 35-year-old outfielder will become a free agent after the season.
  • The Angels could add an ace pitcher, but adding a reliever seems more likely. 

Heyman On Halladay, Holliday, Indians, Nats

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9:34am: Heyman says the Yankees inquired about Cliff Lee and were told they'd have to give up Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes, plus other players.

8:34am: Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on the biggest stars available:

  • The Phillies are the frontrunners to acquire Roy Halladay. Heyman says the Jays are expected to ask for one of J.A. Happ and Kyle Drabek, one of Dominic Brown and Michael Taylor, plus others.
  • The Brewers may be the Phillies' biggest threat, but they'd probably have to part with Alcides Escobar, and maybe Mat Gamel, too. 
  • The Mets bowed out of the Halladay talks once Fernando Martinez's name came up. 
  • There's a "good chance" the Cardinals trade for Matt Holliday, according to one of Heyman's sources.  
  • Indians GM Mark Shapiro wonders if teams are holding onto their prospects too tightly: "It's almost to the point where there's an over-evaluation of these guys. There's almost an over-correction."
  • Heyman says the Nats should trade Nick Johnson, Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham. 

A’s Rumors: Kennedy, Wuertz, Cabrera

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Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle passes along the latest on three Athletics not named Matt Holliday:

  • Mid-season acquisition Adam Kennedy says he loves it in Oakland and wants to remain with the A's.
  • The Twins are looking at Michael Wuertz and Orlando Cabrera as they attempt to improve their bullpen and middle infield.
  • Wuertz makes $1.1MM and Cabrera makes $4MM, so both are relatively affordable options for the Twins, who are 2.5 games back of the AL Central lead.

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