Archives for August 2009

Royals Offer Crow $3MM To Sign?

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 13, 2009 at 11:34am CDT

ESPN.com's Keith Law hears that the Royals offered top pick Aaron Crow $3MM only to hear that it will take a better offer. The two sides have more time than most to work out a deal, since Crow played independent ball this year and isn't subject to Monday's deadline for signing picks.

Law doesn't see any reason for the Royals to boost their offer, which he calls "more than generous." Last year the Nats drafted Crow and failed to sign him; it`s hard to imagine anyone putting off his pro debut for two years, especially if there`s a $3MM offer available.

Odds And Ends: Hall, Tate, Trades

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 13, 2009 at 11:15am CDT

Pierzynski Hopes To Stay With White Sox

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 13, 2009 at 10:40am CDT

A.J. Pierzynski wants to stay with the White Sox when his deal expires after next season, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Minor leaguer Tyler Flowers has been hitting well in the upper levels of Chicago's system, so Pierzynski understands that he may have to play elsewhere, as much as he enjoys playing for the White Sox.

"Things are out of my control," Pierzynski said. "I've been traded before. I've been released. I've been through it."

Six years ago the Twins traded him to the Giants to make room for Joe Mauer, who will also hit free agency after next season.

Odds & Ends: Draft, Moyer, Cubs

By Tim Dierkes | August 13, 2009 at 9:46am CDT

Links for Thursday…

RotoAuthority looks at the worst closers in baseball.
Indians first-round draft pick Alex White is "seeking top five money," according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hoynes says the Indians are optimistic about signing him before Monday's deadline.
As you might expect, Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says the Stephen Strasburg talks between the Nationals and Scott Boras will go down to the wire. MLBTR will be covering the signing deadline intensely, as we did last year.
Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer has a source saying the Phillies' bullpen demotion of Jamie Moyer was "not in any way influenced by money." The team's timing of the move was impeccable, regardless.
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who isn't anticipating any waiver moves for his team.
ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider link) speculates on a handful of teams that could use recently-designated third baseman Bill Hall.
Reliever Justin Speier was gracious about his release from the Angels, according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times.

Justin Duchscherer May Return Tuesday

By Tim Dierkes | August 13, 2009 at 9:27am CDT

Oakland pitcher Justin Duchscherer may make his big league season debut Tuesday against the Yankees, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Duchscherer, 31, had arthroscopic elbow surgery on March 31st.

Slusser says other teams have been scouting Duchscherer's rehab appearances, and the Tigers and Red Sox are among the clubs expected to be represented tonight. Whether these scouting missions fall outside of the teams' normal coverage and imply trade interest, I don't know.

Back on July 31st, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports suggested salary relief (about $1.06MM remains) and a "modest prospect" might be an acceptable return for the A's. As of right now, Duchscherer projects as a Type B free agent in the American League. Could the Rangers be a match? Here's what ESPN's Buster Olney wrote in today's blog:

I'd guess that the Rangers will claim him on waivers, whenever he passes through.

The Brewers and Dodgers are a couple teams seemingly on the lookout for pitching, though their interest level in Duchscherer is unknown.

Marlins Interested In John Smoltz

By Tim Dierkes | August 13, 2009 at 8:21am CDT

The Marlins are interested in recently-designated veteran pitcher John Smoltz, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Smoltz refused a minor league assignment; the Red Sox will trade or release him soon. Boston will be on the hook for the vast majority of the money remaining on Smoltz's contract.

The Marlins are currently tied with Smoltz's former team, the Braves, for second place in the NL East. They're three games out of the wild card. The Marlins' rotation is 11th in the NL with a 4.67 ERA. Perhaps Smoltz would be more at home back in his old league and division. At least a few analysts feel he still has something left to contribute despite an 8.33 ERA in 40 innings this year.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said last week he was not interested in Smoltz, "but things can change." ESPN's Buster Olney named the Rangers as an interested party but admitted Boston might be unwilling to deal with a competitor.

Odds & Ends: Reds, Mariners, Yankees

By Eddie Schmid | August 12, 2009 at 9:55pm CDT

A few more links to peruse this evening:

Hal McCoy at the Dayton Daily News says that the Reds won't deal Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang, but it's likely that the Reds unload Francisco Cordero to anyone who will take him. It's not clear if Cordero has been placed on waivers just yet.
Larry LaRue at the Tacoma News-Tribune reports that Mariners' top signee last year, Scott Boras client Josh Fields, has had his development stunted because of a contract holdout.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman doesn't have interest in bringing in FA Mark Mulder, says Peter Abraham at the Journal News.
The Rangers have signed their fifth-round pick Nicholas McBride, a HS righty, reports T.R. Sullivan at MLB.com.
According to Dan Barbarisi at the Providence Journal, John Smoltz refused a bullpen assignment to the Sox. This could mean he's only interested in joining another team as a starter, if at all.

Orioles Won’t Sign Second-Rounder

By Eddie Schmid | August 12, 2009 at 7:50pm CDT

According to Steve Melewski at MASN Sports, the Orioles have decided not to offer a contract to no. 54 overall pick Mychal Givens. Givens, a high school SS, had apparently increased his asking price on draft day and the Orioles selected him anyway. But now scouting director Joe Jordan decided didn't "feel good" about the figures demanded.

Jordan indicates that the money will be allocated toward players he considers second-round talent, though he does not identify whom. The O's will now have two second-round picks in next year's draft.

Odds & Ends: D’Backs, Hall, Moyer

By Eddie Schmid | August 12, 2009 at 7:27pm CDT

I can't even begin to describe the hyper-ness of these links:

Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic got word that the Diamondbacks don't plan to decrease payroll from the $73 million they have on the books this year. He gives a nice rundown of what'll be due next season.
Despite Jamie Moyer being sent to the bullpen before multiple incentives kicked in, Andy Martino at the Philadelphia Inquirer isn't convinced the move was financially motivated.
Mark Sheldon at MLB.com thinks the Reds should pursue Bill Hall as it's a "no-risk move."
Doug Davis is aware of the rumors swirling around him being dealt this deadline, but seems to be warm to the idea of pitching for a contender as some postseason experience can help his pending contract, says Steve Gilbert at MLB.com.
It's appearing more and more that Luis Gonzalez will officially retire and potentially take a spot in the Diamondbacks front office, says Steve Gilbert.
According to Dejan Kovacevic at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have made their claim of John Meloan official and also have signed Australian free agent Jarryd Sullivan to a deal.
Mike Scioscia isn't expecting Kelvim Escobar to return from injury this year, says Rhett Bollinger at MLB.com. Perhaps this accelerates the Angels' search for a starter.

La Russa Wants Speier, Smoltz?

By Eddie Schmid | August 12, 2009 at 6:00pm CDT

According to Bernie Miklasz at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter), Cardinals manager Tony La Russa indicated that he would be interested in adding the recently dismissed veterans John Smoltz and Justin Speier. Both would be candidates to strengthen the depleted right side of the Cards' bullpen.

Against righties this season, Smoltz put up a 21/2 K/BB ratio while limiting them to a .232 batting clip. Speier has a 20/5 K/BB against them and has kept them to only a .239 average. So despite each having early difficulties, it looks like they each still could be of use to a team like the Cardinals. It's also notable that Tony La Russa had been clamoring to acquire Matt Holliday last year until the Cards finally pulled the trigger to grab him — La Russa has a history of getting his man.

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