Archives for July 2009

Twins Interested In Pirates Players

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 11:52am CDT

11:52am: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates and Twins are not discussing Sanchez.

9:11am: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Twins are interested in a trio of Pirates: Freddy Sanchez, Matt Capps and John Grabow. Twins GM Bill Smith did not discuss specifics, but he confirmed that he's open to making deals.

"We still need to make this club better, whether that comes from the minor leagues or outside the organization," Smith said. "We're still looking to do that."

As Morosi says, the Pirates have already been aggressive sellers, dealing Nate McLouth and Eric Hinske. And the sale isn't about to end according to one of Morosi's sources who says the Pirates "are talking to everyone."

The Twins, who have been reluctant to take on salary, would have to get creative or change their stance to add Sanchez, who makes $6.1MM this year and will likely make $8MM in 2010. Grabow, a free agent after the season, would likely be easier to acquire than Capps, who's under team control through 2012.

International Free Agent Update: Friday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 11:48am CDT

Some updates on teams' moves and strategies as the international signings continue:

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the A's are focusing on Venezuela, rather than the Dominican Republic this year, since they believe prices are too high in the Dominican.
In Derrick Goold's St. Louis Post Dispatch article, Cards GM John Mozeliak admits there's risk in signing a 16-year-old like Wagner Mateo to a bonus of $3.1MM, but says he's serious about being "more aggressive" in Latin America because the payoff can be huge.
Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus says Yankees signee Gary Sanchez will start his pro career this year, unlike most international prospects.
ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. reports that the Astros signed lefty Kirby Pena for $350k.
Arangure Jr. reports that the Red Sox signed a second player named Alcantara, this time it's righty Mario Alcantara. He receives a $350k bonus.

Odds And Ends: Blue Jays, Cotts, Indians

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 11:38am CDT

Manny's back to help celebrate the Fourth of July weekend! Here are some links to start the day off…

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Blue Jays execs will decide what course of action to take this month once they see how the team performs on its ten-game road trip against divisional rivals.
Jamey Newberg ranks this week's top 20 Rangers prospects for MLB.com. Texas just keeps churning out quality players; this week it's Julio Borbon.
Cubs reliever Neal Cotts underwent Tommy John surgery, according to the Sports Network, via the Miami Herald.
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says the Mariners and Angels have a serious advantage over the Rangers when it comes to making deadline deals now that the Rangers are borrowing money from MLB.
Steve Kornacki of MLive provides five reasons why the Tigers may not make the playoffs and five reasons why they're in first.
As Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes, Seth McClung's preformance has made the Brewers' need for a starter more glaring.
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says the Indians would need a "staggering" return for either Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez.

Mariners Sign Guillermo Pimentel

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 11:13am CDT

The Mariners signed Guillermo Pimentel to a bonus of $2MM, according to ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr.. Pimentel signed the contract as the clock struck midnight on July 2nd, the earliest moment he was eligible.

Just a few minutes ago, Baseball America's Ben Badler passed on reports from Dominican papers suggesting Pimentel signed. The Rangers and Mariners were considered front-runners to sign the Dominican outfielder.

D’Backs Trade Candidates

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 10:50am CDT

The D'Backs are out of the playoff hunt and they have a number of players who could appeal to contenders, as Bob Young of the Arizona Republic notes. GM Josh Byrnes says he's not looking to reinvent the team's core, but he does want to build "talent for the long term." He recognizes that the D'Backs are out of the race and is now open to making deals. Here are some D'Backs trade candidates:

There's no market for Eric Byrnes and his salary, so Young wonders whether it could be time for the D'Backs to eat the remainder of what they owe the left fielder.
Felipe Lopez has value; Young mentions Atlanta as a possible fit.
Young says it's time to move Chad Tracy if the D'Backs find a taker.
In a thin pitching market, Jon Garland and Doug Davis will appeal to contenders.
Nick Piecoro reports that Garland doesn't want to be traded and, not surprisingly, wants to wait and see before deciding whether he wants his 2010 option exercised.
The D'Backs will be looking for affordable young talent in any deals they make, but they already have some in the minors. Piecoro takes a look at the D'Backs' system.

Miguel Angel Sano Rumors: Friday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 10:16am CDT

The Orioles will likely make Miguel Angel Sano an offer in the coming days, though they haven't yet done so, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Orioles president Andy MacPhail said the team wants to see how MLB's investigation into Sano's age turns out. The O's have decided Sano's worth a certain amount, but, obviously did not disclose the number.

Another Orioles note: they have scouted Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, but aren't likely to engage in a bidding war to acquire the lefty prospect.

Meanwhile, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette repeats that the Pirates have offered Sano a deal, which they followed up with a visit to his family home. However, nothing will likely be finalized until next week, when MLB could finish its investigation.

Angels Aren’t Close To Making A Deal

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 9:57am CDT

Angels GM Tony Reagins told Kevin Baxter of the LA Times that he's talking to other clubs, but those discussions haven't brought him any closer to making a trade than he was a month ago. The Angels could use help in the rotation and in the bullpen and could deal from depth in the middle infield and behind the plate. However, Reagins says there's no point in trading for the sake of trading.

The Angels, who initially had interest in catcher Gary Sanchez, were quiet as the international signing period opened yesterday. They fired international scouting director Clay Daniel last month after hearing he was under investigation for "improprieties in the signing of Venezuelan prospects."

Blue Jays DFA Russ Adams

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 9:37am CDT

The Blue Jays have designated Russ Adams for assignment to make room for David Dellucci, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Adams, 28, has been a major disappointment in Toronto since the Blue Jays took him in the first round of the 2002 draft. The converted infielder picked up four hits in 20 at bats, hitting almost exclusively against righties.

The Jays signed Dellucci last month after the Indians released him. It's a minor move, but a clear improvement for the Jays.

Morosi On Yankees, Qualls, Tigers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 3, 2009 at 9:19am CDT

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports has a few more rumors worth passing along:

The Yankees' bullpen has been performing well, but that's not stopping the team from keeping a close eye on D'Backs closer Chad Qualls.
If Brian Bruney doesn't start pitching more consistently, the Yankees may feel more pressure to acquire Qualls, who won't be a free agent until after next season and makes an affordable $2.5MM this year.
The Tigers are still looking for an outfield bat as Magglio Ordonez's hitting woes continue. The haircut may not have been the answer, as he has just two hits in his last 20 at bats.

Recapping A Busy July 2

By | July 2, 2009 at 9:12pm CDT

Ben Badler, who's done an excellent job covering the first day of the international free agent signing period, now has a recap of the day's transactions up on Baseball America's website.

For MLBTR's list of today's signings, check here. We'll keep tabs as they continue to pour in over the next few weeks. Keep in mind that Miguel Angel Sano has yet to sign.

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