Archives for August 2009

Astros Don’t Expect To Trade More Players

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 19, 2009 at 10:32am CDT

The Astros traded Ivan Rodriguez to the Rangers yesterday, but don't expect more deals soon. GM Ed Wade told Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle that he expects to hold onto the rest of his players this month.

"This is absolutely a stand-alone, isolated move," Wade said.

If Roy Oswalt were in charge, this would just be the beginning. He wants the team to focus on winning next year so he sees the Pudge trade as "a good way to start" preparing for 2010. LaTroy Hawkins, Miguel Tejada and Jose Valverde all become free agents after the season, but, based on Wade's statement, it doesn't sound like they'll be traded.

Sheffield Doesn’t Expect To End Year With Mets

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 19, 2009 at 10:02am CDT

Gary Sheffield has already been claimed on waivers and pulled back by the Mets. If they put him on waivers again, they wouldn't be able to prevent teams from claiming him for nothing and clubs would presumably pick up the 40-year-old outfielder and his .856 OPS. Still, Sheffield told Larry Brooks of the New York Post that he doesn't expect to finish the season in New York.

"I do not think I will be here," Sheffield said. "But if I am sent to a team that I don't want to play for, I would go home."

Sheffield said he would prefer to join a lineup full of productive hitters and doesn't want to have to carry a team's offense. Brooks says the Marlins and Rangers have interest in adding a right-handed bat, but the Mets would have to put him on waivers first.

Odds And Ends: Gordon, Crow, Ordonez, Tate

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 19, 2009 at 9:32am CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says the Royals' decision to demote Alex Gordon has more to do with performance than service time.
Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press says the Tigers had better win, especially since they'll be stuck paying Magglio Ordonez $18MM next year, "barring an influx of common sense."
Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune says Donavan Tate was eager and respectful throughout his first visit to Petco Park.
Doug Tucker of the Associated Press reports that the Royals hope to start talking contract with top pick Aaron Crow now that they've seen what other first rounders signed for. Monday's deadline did not apply to Crow because he played independent ball this year.

Mariners Open To Extending Felix

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 19, 2009 at 9:20am CDT

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he's open to extending Felix Hernandez and the pitcher's agent made similar comments. The Mariners apparently listened to offers for Felix last month and though Zduriencik says he'd have to listen again if a team called, he sounds understandably reluctant to trade his ace before the beginning of next year.

"He'll be on the mound unless we get Koufax or Marichal," Zduriencik said. "That's a long way to predict. But I have all the confidence in the world that he's going to be there."

Hernandez, 23, should hit free agency after the 2011 season.

Smoltz To Sign With Cardinals

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2009 at 10:59pm CDT

10:59pm: From Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Smoltz will accept the Cardinals' offer to join the club as its fifth starter after clearing waivers at noon CST [Wednesday], barring an unforeseen waiver claim." The Cards will be on the hook for only about $100K. Smoltz will work as the team's fifth starter, at least initially.

8:18pm: Jayson Stark of ESPN is reporting that Smoltz is "strongly leaning" toward signing with the Cardinals. He has told friends that he is planning to make a decision on Wednesday.

Stark writes that the Dodgers, Marlins, and Rangers were also in pursuit of Smoltz. He adds that the Cards will use Smoltz as a set-up man for Ryan Franklin.

5:10pm: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki confirmed the Cardinals' interest in Smoltz on Twitter and added that the Phillies "aren't interested."

9:04am: Cardinals GM John Mozeliak confirmed to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he has "legitimate interest" in John Smoltz. Another official described the team's interest as "very serious." The Red Sox released the righty yesterday, and he's set to become a free agent tomorrow, at which point any team can sign him for the pro-rated major league minimum.

Smoltz has a history of success out of the 'pen, but Strauss suggests via his Twitter that the future Hall of Famer could become the Cardinals' fifth starter. We could hear about Smoltz's decision as soon as today.

Rangers Acquire Pudge From Astros

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2009 at 9:59pm CDT

9:55pm: According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Astros will receive a third player in the deal if the Rangers make the playoffs. Sullivan confirms that Vallejo is believed to be the second player and must clear trade waivers.

8:15pm: Jason Grodsky of MLB.com is reporting that the Astros are receiving two players to be named along with Nevarez.

4:07pm: MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros will acquire infielder Jose Vallejo along with Matt Nevarez. Both players are 22.

2:10pm: Pat Lackey of AOL FanHouse hears that minor league reliever Matt Nevarez will head to the Astros along with another player.

1:22pm: Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Rangers are responsible for a pro-rated portion of Pudge's $1.5MM contract, which includes $1.5MM in incentives.

1:16pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Rangers are giving up two mid-level prospects to acquire Rodriguez.

12:47pm: MLB.com's Noah Coslov reports that the Rangers acquired Pudge for a player to be named later.

12:18pm: The Rangers are close to re-acquiring Ivan Rodriguez, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Sullivan says the Astros would obtain two mid-tier prospects for Rodriguez, who starred with the Rangers from 1991-2002. The Rangers have told Rodriguez that he will back Taylor Teagarden up and Pudge understands the arrangement,

Odds and Ends: Pudge, Reds, Boras, Gordon

By Brian Shephard | August 18, 2009 at 7:01pm CDT

Links from around the league on Tuesday evening…

Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle writes that the Astros got good value in return for Pudge Rodriguez.
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer talks to Reds GM Walt Jocketty about the plan for his team's future.
Kevin Kaduk at Yahoo.com argues that Scott Boras neither won nor lost the Strasburg contract negotiations.
Matthew Pouliot at NBCSports.com writes that the Royals "hit a new low" by demoting Alex Gordon.
And Baseball America breaks down each team's total spending on the first ten rounds of the draft.

Discussion: Is The Draft Broken?

By Brian Shephard | August 18, 2009 at 5:55pm CDT

Jayson Stark at ESPN argues that the draft "will never be the same" in the wake of the Stephen Strasburg signing. He quotes club officials who tell him that the draft is "broken" and that the system "needs to be blown up."

Among potential changes that should be discussed, Stark lists a formal slotting system, the ability to trade draft picks, a worldwide draft, and a hockey-style system wherein draft picks would be controlled through their college years.

What do you think? Are bonuses for top picks out of control? Should teams be able to trade picks? Should the way international players are signed change? Is everything just fine the way it is? Let's figure it all out in the comments section.

Dodgers Interested In Padilla?

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2009 at 4:53pm CDT

4:53pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears from an unnamed source that the Dodgers have some interest in Padilla. However, a Dodgers official downplayed the club's interest.

9:38am: A person within the Dodgers front office tells Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times that the team isn't likely to pursue Vicente Padilla, who was just released by the Rangers. Padilla's agent, Paul Kinzer, contacted the Dodgers to let them know his client would "absolutely" like to pitch in Dodger Blue.

If Padilla signs, his new team will only be responsible for the pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum salary. John Smoltz was released yesterday as well, so he's just as cheap as Padilla, but the Dodgers have "serious concerns" about the health of his throwing shoulder.

Major League Contracts

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2009 at 4:45pm CDT

Here's an explanation of Major League contracts:

Teams can spread a player's signing bonus over a number of years if they sign him to a Major League deal.

Players like Jacob Turner, Dustin Ackley and Stephen Strasburg, who sign Major League deals, must be placed on their teams' 40-man rosters immediately, even if they start their careers in the minors. This reduces flexibility for the player's team.

Teams have to use options to assign players on Major League deals to the minors. While most of these players can get a fourth option, clubs risk running out of options. If a player runs out of options, he must clear waivers before his team can send him to the minors.

Most draft picks will sign minor league contracts that cover a bonus and the first year of their minor league career.

All of the information on Major League deals comes from Keith Law's 2008 ESPN article.

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