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Archives for July 2009

Angels Sign First Round Pick

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According to Eric Schwartz of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Angels have agreed to terms with first round pick Michael Trout.  He was handed a $1.215MM signing bonus and will head to rookie ball in Arizona on Friday.

Trout, selected 25th overall in the June First-Year Player Draft, hit .531 with 49 runs scored, 18 dingers and 45 RBI as a senior outfielder at Millville High School in New Jersey.  He also went 5-1 with a 1.71 ERA as a starting pitcher. 

O’s Grant Livingston His Release

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According to Dean Jones Jr. of the Baltimore Sun, minor leaguer Bobby Livingston exercised a clause in his contract this afternoon to gain his release from the Orioles.

Livingston, 26, was 6-2 with a 3.62 earned-run average this season in 13 appearances (12 starts) for the Double-A Bowie Baysox.  The clause in his contract allowed him to ask for his release if he wasn't on the major league roster by July 1.  Livingston last appeared in "the bigs" with the Reds in 2007, and holds a 6.31 career ERA in just over 56 major league innings.

Phillies Discussed Paul Byrd

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As David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News reports, the Phillies have discussed adding free agent right-hander Paul Byrd, but aren't sure he'll present an upgrade.

"The question is whether Paul Byrd is going to be any better than any of the guys that we have — Rodrigo Lopez, or [Carlos] Carrasco, or [Andrew] Carpenter or [Kyle] Kendrick," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Thursday.  "Why would he be any better than those guys?  We've brought up the name, we've talked about it.  We've talked about almost every guy that might be available, whether it is free agency or what."

It's safe to say the Phillies probably aren't too serious about adding the 38-year-old.  He was 11-12 with a 4.60 ERA last year between the Indians and Red Sox.

Marlins To Sign Luis Ayala

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According to John C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Marlins have agreed to terms with Luis Ayala.

That didn't take long.  Ayala was designated for assignment on June 23 and released this afternoon by the Twins.  The 31-year-old right-hander allowed eight walks and 38 hits (including four home runs) in just over 32 innings with Minnesota.  He'll spend a few outings at Triple-A New Orleans before joining the Fish.

Miguel Angel Sano Rumors: Thursday

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5:16pm: According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have offered a deal around $3MM, contingent on verification of Sano's age and identification.  It seems most of these clubs are willing to hold off until both have been verified.

3:34pm: Arangure Jr. says he's been assured the Pirates haven't offered Sano a deal. As he says, the difference between an offer and the parameters of a deal may just be "semantics," especially since Sano's age is still under investigation.

2:55pm: Kovacevic hears from multiple sources that the Pirates offered Sano a deal yesterday morning. However, nothing will likely materialize before MLB completes the investigation into Sano's age.

2:27pm: Roch Kubatko of MASN.com reports that the Orioles won't be signing Sano in the immediate future.

1:25pm: Arangure Jr. hears that the MLB investigation into Sano's age won't be completed today. Safe to say he won't sign today then.

12:24pm: MLB.com's Jen Langosch reports that the Pirates have not yet made Sano an offer.

9:47am: ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. hears that the Pirates haven't made Sano an offer yet.

8:56am: Today marks the beginning of the international signing period, when teams can start signing the latest crop of young international stars and the Pirates are starting the day off aggressively. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports they are believed to have offered Miguel Angel Sano a contract, the terms of which are still unknown. 

The Pirates will have to overcome a number of obstacles to sign Sano, however:
  • The Twins and Orioles are still in the mix and Baltimore could out-spend both teams.
  • The Pirates have a Latin American budget of $2MM, but Sano will likely command a bonus north of $3MM and could approach Michael Ynoa's record of $4.25MM. GM Neal Huntington says the Pirates could expand the budget under special circumstances, something they'd almost certainly have to do to sign Sano.  
  • There are lingering questions about the shortstop's age which must be resolved.  

In spite of this, Huntington says he expects to do "very well" internationally this year.

Trade Candidates: Middle Infielders

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The Mets, Reds, Cardinals, Twins, Cubs, Brewers and Giants could all potentially look for middle infield help. Here are some trade candidates, listed from largest 2009 salary to smallest:

  • Miguel Tejada – His $13MM salary would be too much for some teams if the Astros made him available, but his 32 extra base hits and low strikeout numbers sure look good.
  • Julio Lugo – He makes $9MM this year and the same amount next year, so the Red Sox would presumably take on salary in any deal. The 33-year-old is hitting .370 since the beginning of June.
  • Cristian Guzman – At $8MM this year and next he's not cheap, but he's consistently hit for a high average in recent years.
  • Jack Wilson – He makes $7.25MM this year and his team will have to buy him out for $600k to avoid paying him even more in 2010. However, he's a good defender who puts the ball in play and has doubles power.
  • Freddy Sanchez – He'll make over $6MM this year and his 2010 option for $8MM will likely vest. It's a lot of money, but the former batting titlist is a better hitter than most middle infield trade candidates.
  • Dan Uggla -  The most powerful option available may not be available, after all. The Marlins are in it, so they may keep Uggla and his $3.5MM salary.
  • Orlando Cabrera – He's posted a .610 OPS this year and he'll make $4MM- not an enticing combination, but the A's are falling far out of the race.
  • Felipe Lopez – At just $3.5MM, his .771 OPS looks good, in spite of the big strikeout total.  
  • Jamey Carroll - As a free agent-to-be on the Indians, he's a candidate to be moved. The 35-year-old has a .735 OPS to go along with his $2.5MM salary.  
  • Cesar Izturis – He'll earn $2.4MM this year and $2.6MM in 2010. He's on the DL, recovering from an apendectomy, and his slow recovery is making it less likely that he'll be traded.
  • Yuniesky Betancourt – His $2MM salary is deceptive, as he's still guaranteed about $10MM before his deal expires. That figure, plus his .609 OPS mean he'll likely be staying put, but he could be had. 
  • John McDonald – He's barely played at all for the Jays, but McDonald, who makes $1.9MM,  could work for a team looking for a defensive specialist. 
  • Yunel Escobar – He makes just $425k this year and Buster Olney says the Braves would consider dealing him for a bat.
  • Blake DeWitt – The Dodgers have Orlando Hudson playing second base, so DeWitt could be expendable. He's making just $405k, but his Triple A numbers are uninspired.
  • Adam Kennedy – The A's are just paying Kennedy the major league minimum and he's produced an OPS approaching .800 for them. 

Rangers Borrowed Millions From MLB

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4:54pm: Yahoo's Gordon Edes reports that the Rangers borrowed millions from MLB and will continue to receive financial assistance from the league until owner Tom Hicks finalizes the club's sale. Edes' source says the Rangers borrowed less than $15MM.

Hicks isn't expected to sell the club before the end of the season, so the Rangers will have trouble adding salary at the deadline and could struggle to sign their top draft picks.

3:06pm: Rangers owner Tom Hicks and president Nolan Ryan were among those who dodged questions about the possibility that the Rangers had to borrow $15MM from MLB, according to Evan Grant of D Magazine. One of Grant's sources said the Rangers have had no trouble paying employees and should be able to sign draft picks and international free agents, as expected.

However, another source said the Rangers had a system in place that would allow them to borrow from MLB. If the Rangers have to borrow from the league, it would be harder for them to sign picks Tanner Scheppers and Matt Purke to the over-slot deals they're likely to demand, as the commissioner doesn't want inflated bonuses.

It's unclear whether the Rangers can add payroll at the deadline, but GM Jon Daniels has been proceeding as if it's not an option.

Braves Could Add Bat; Won’t Mortgage Future

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Braves GM Frank Wren told David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he's open to adding a bat later in the month, but won't compromise the club's future to do so (check out the comments section to read O'Brien's note). 

The Braves will wait until the end of July and assess themselves and their place in the standings. If they're in the race, they'll attempt to add a bat without dealing away a bevy of prospects like they did a couple years ago when they acquired Mark Teixeira. If not, the Braves will look to improve the team next year and beyond.

Odds And Ends: Renteria, Lugo, Phillies

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It's a busy day for international signings, but lots is going on at the major league level, so let's take a look:

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