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Archives for July 2009

Deadline Strategies: Astros, Pirates

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With the deadline rapidly approaching, we'll try to keep you updated on teams' strategies as much as possible. Here's a look at a bit of news from today:

  • Don't look for the Astros to make any significant moves. General manager Ed Wade says that the team isn't in position to trade prospects or add salary. Wade states that last year the team had a desperate need for pitching, which resulted in acquisitions of Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins. This season, he's thrilled with both Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez, while relievers Doug Brocail and Chris Sampson will be coming off the disabled list soon, lessening the need for a move.
  • The Pirates aren't sellers, per se, according to Neal Huntington. He says the Pirates are looking to improve the organization and are heading in the right direction, but also notes that many teams get into trouble by inaccurately evaluating themselves.

Odds & Ends: Johnson, Redding, Lopez, Giants, Hillman

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Hope everyone's Sunday is going well! Here's some links for the afternoon…

  • Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald feels that the face of the Marlins' future is ace Josh Johnson. Gutierrez feels that the most critical move the Marlins need to make it locking up Johnson to a long-term deal. To quote Gutierrez: "If Hanley Ramirez was worth paying for, then Johnson is at least as important, if not more."
  • David Lennon of Newsday has Tim Redding's take on the possibility of being released: "I'm not an idiot. I've been around the game long enough to know what's going on, with the way I've been used." Redding, however, remains with the Mets despite a 7.22 ERA.
  • Felipe Lopez isn't thinking about the trade rumors surrounding him, according to Nick Piecoro. He's focused on helping Arizona. Piecoro says that the Brewers have expressed interest in the Arizona second basemen.
  • It's been a hard weekend for the Giants, as the team's largest shareholder, Sue Burns, died at the age of 58 just a week after learning that she had cancer. Rich Aurilia had some kind words about Burns: "Being here for a while, I've known her family for a long time. They're great people to be around and always treated everyone on the team like a part of their own family, which is nice. You don't get that a lot from a lot of teams and owners. This is a huge loss not only for the Giants but everybody who knew her." Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Burns family, Giants organization, and Giants fans everywhere.
  • Royals general manager Dayton Moore has given Trey Hillman his vote of confidence, stating that despite the club's struggles, Hillman will remain with the Royals for both this season and next. Says Moore: "We're all in this thing together… You just can't keep reshuffling." The Royals have lost 42 of their last 61 games.

Twins To Sign Mark Grudzielanek

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The Twins agreed to terms with Mark Grudzielanek on a minor league deal, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Grudzielanek, who just turned 39, will provide the Twins with middle infield depth. The 14-year veteran hit .299 last year in 86 games with the Royals, while playing above-average defense at second. He'll report to the Twins' Gulf Coast League affiliate.

The signing was first reported by SethSpeaks.net.

Angels Interested In Sherrill

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The Angels are interested in George Sherrill, but may not be willing to part with the talent the Orioles seek, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. The Orioles are looking for two top prospects in exchange for their closer and were scouting last night's Angels game to evaluate the talent on LA's major league roster.

Sherrill, 32, has less than $1MM remaining on this year's contract and he's under team control through 2011. As much as the Angels would like to have Sherrill available in the late innings, they're hesitant to surrender the top talent the O's want. Along with Sherrill, the Orioles have told teams that Danys Baez, Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora are available. Sherrill is by far the cheapest of the four.

Padres DFA Josh Banks

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Via a team press release, the Padres have designated righthander Josh Banks for assigment. The move frees up room on the roster for top prospect Mat Latos, who was called up to start tomorrow's game. Banks got into six games with the Friars this year (three starts), allowing 34 baserunners and pitching to 7.15 ERA in 22.2 IP.

Not much of a birthday present for Banks, who turns 27 today.

Odds & Ends: Lilly, White Sox, Reds, Sheets

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Back to back Odds & Ends posts? Madness!

  • Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes about what the Yankees missed out on when they passed on Ted Lilly as a free agent in 2007.
  • Rick Morrissey of The Chicago Tribune says that the White Sox need Roy Halladay, no matter the cost. He suggests a package built around Alexei Ramirez and John Danks.
  • Hal McCoy of The Dayton Daily News says that he could see Aaron Harang and/or Bronson Arroyo moved for prospects if "the Reds nose dive before the July 31 trade deadline."
  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Ben Sheets continues to make progress as he returns from elbow surgery, but it's unclear if he'll be able to pitch at all in 2009. Earlier this month we heard that Sheets may not pitch at all this year.

Odds & Ends: Glaus, Pirates, Schmidt, Cubs, Reds

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A few links for your Saturday evening reading…

  • MLB.com's B.J. Rains says that Troy Glaus is going to work out in the outfield as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. The Cardinals haven't committed to using him in the outfield when he returns, they're just giving it a try to see what happens. Glaus played five innings in left field tonight before moving to first base. The Cards have been looking to add a bat seemingly all year.
  • John Perrotto of Pirates Report.com says that it's unlikely Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez sign extensions. This morning we learned that the Bucs lowballed both players with their offers.
  • Jason Schmidt will return to the Dodgers' rotation on Monday, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. It'll be just his seventh start for the Dodgers since signing his three year, $47MM deal in Decemeber 2006, and his first since June 16th of 2007.
  • The Cubs have signed second round pick D.J. LeMahieu, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. LeMahieu was the 79th overall pick in last month's draft, which has an expected slot recommendation of around $460k.
  • Bronson Arroyo wants to see the Reds kept together at the trade deadline rather than having the veterans sold off, says MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.

Mets Ready To Release Redding?

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6:42pm: Bart Hubbuch of The NY Post spoke to Mets vice president of player development Tony Bernazard, who said they "haven't spoken internally" about releasing Redding. Manager Jerry Manuel added that from his perspective, Redding was still in the team's plans.

1:14pm: As Rubin notes, Redding was in the Mets' clubhouse Saturday.  A release could still be on the horizon, but might not go down until early next week.

10:08am: Adam Rubin of The NY Daily News spoke to a source who indicated that the Mets were ready to release righthander Tim Redding and eat what's left on the one year, $2.25MM deal he signed this winter. Redding has been dreadful for the Amazin's, allowing 86 baserunners and pitching to a 7.22 ERA in 52.1 IP this year.

Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Halladay, Padres, Orioles, Holliday, Dodgers

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FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count Video up. Let's dive in…

  • The Brewers are flying under the radar for Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays love shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar, but the Brew Crew might not have the young pitching needed to complete a deal.
  • Rosenthal isn't sure Halladay would approve a deal to Milwaukee either.
  • Don't expect the Padres to move either Adrian Gonzalez or Heath Bell before the trade deadline. GM Kevin Towers says it makes "no sense" to move those players now, but it could be a different story in the offseason since teams may be more willing to discuss Major League players then.
  • The Orioles aren't "terribly enthused" about trading either Aubrey Huff or Luke Scott. The O's could try to retain the free agent to be Huff in the offseason by offering him arbitration, and taking the compensation draft picks if he declines. Scott is still under team control for another few seasons.
  • Don't be surprised if the A's are "relatively quiet" at the deadline. Matt Holliday is drawing only minimal interest, but that could change if he heats up before the deadline.
  • Oakland has gotten calls about reliever Michael Wuertz and "to a lesser degree Brad Ziegler," but they aren't in a rush to move either guy since they're cheap and under team control for the next few seasons.  

In a separate video, Rosenthal says that Dodgers manager Joe Torre has "made it clear he wants Roy Halladay." The problem is that Toronto has asked for Clayton Kershaw as the centerpiece of any deal, and the money might be prohibitive for LA. The Dodgers are also looking for a setup reliever. Rosenthal also reiterates the lack of interest in Holliday.

Odds & Ends: Trade Deadline, Reds, Maddux

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Some more links on a busy Saturday evening…

  • Yankees GM Brian Cashman believes the trade deadline is "no longer even in existence" because teams can always use waivers to swap players in August:  "Guys are going to get through because people are going to be afraid to claim and get stuck with money that they can’t afford," said the GM. "And so the July 31 trade deadline is more of a fictitious one now, anyway."
  • According to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, Reds manager Dusty Baker had a meeting with his players this week to discuss the looming trade deadline.  "Dusty said… that if you continue to win, they can't remove pieces," noted trade candidate Bronson Arroyo.
  • As Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune points out, using Rich Harden and Jason Marquis as prime examples, midseason trades don't always look as sweet a year later.
  • According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, the Braves are interested in adding Greg Maddux as a spring training pitching instructor.  Maddux worked in a similar capacity for the Padres last spring.
  • For quick updates and a bit more discussion, follow MLBTR on Twitter.  Hey, and while you're at it, go ahead and add your good buddy Drew Silva.  I'll try not to let you down.

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