Rockies To Sign Russ Ortiz
Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports the Rockies will announce the signing of veteran Russ Ortiz. Along with the signing of Jason Giambi, the Rockies have significantly increased their veteran presence for the stretch run.
Ortiz was released by the Astros after posting a 5.57 ERA in 23 games, 13 starts. After signing with the Yankees and going 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA in Triple A, he opted out when he wasn't promoted. Ortiz wanted to pitch for a contender and signing with the Rox gives him that chance.
Minaya & Manuel To Stay
In this morning's New York Post, Mets owner Fred Wilpon indicates that despite the Mets underperformance G.M. Omar Minaya will return for 2010. Post columnist Mike Puma quotes Wilpon saying Minaya will "absolutely" be back, adding, "That's a fact." Puma says Minaya will bring manager Jerry Manuel back as well.
Minaya is signed to make $1MM annually through 2012, while Manuel is signed through 2010 with a club option for 2011, making $1.5MM annually.
Rockies Sign Jason Giambi
9:30am: The AP is confirming the Rockies have signed Giambi.
Saturday 8:01pm: Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies says that "Giambi is ready to join Triple-A Colorado Springs where he will be given regular at-bats with the idea of being activated by the Rockies when the active rosters expand to 40 players on Sept. 1." He also mentions that the Rockies made a run at Tony Clark earlier in the year, but he balked at the idea of spending time in Triple-A.
6:10pm: Susan Slusser of The SF Chronicle hears that Jason Giambi is "getting close to signing with a contender to be add some bench power, and the team I'm hearing is Colorado." She mentions that the Rockies' interest is unconfirmed. Giambi was released by the Athletics earlier this month while he was on the disabled list, hitting just .193-.332-.364 in 83 games. I would think it's safe to assume he's healthy if teams are interested in signing him.
Not that the sample size is substantial, but Giambi is a career .283-.356-.509 hitter in 59 career plate appearances off the bench. Any team that signs him will only be responsible for the pro-rated minimum.
Padres Extend David Eckstein Through 2010
9:23pm: Brock adds the deal does not include any performance bonuses.
7:03pm: Brock says the deal will pay Eckstein $1MM next year.
6:15pm: MLB.com's Corey Brock hears that the Padres "will officially extend 2B David Eckstein today, through 2010." Eckstein is hitting .255-.317-.325 in 416 plate appearances this year, also spending some time on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.
Astros Ink Armando Benitez
8:54pm: Astros GM Ed Wade said "We'll give Armando a chance to finish the season at Round Rock and then determine where we go from there," according to the AP. Round Rock's regular season ends on Sept. 7th, so if he pitches well we might see the Major League return of Big Game Benitez.
3:24pm: MLB.com's Alyson Footer confirms it is indeed a minor league deal. Benitez will head directly to Triple-A Round Rock.
3:02pm: According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the Astros have signed 36-year-old reliever Armando Benitez.
It's safe to assume the agreement is a minor league deal. Benitez hasn't appeared in the major leagues since 2008, when he allowed four earned runs in 6 1/3 innings out of the Blue Jays' bullpen. For what it's worth, he has a 3.18 career ERA, a 1.22 WHIP and 289 saves.
Odds & Ends: Wagner, Red Sox, Kikuchi
I'm proud of you fellas. You all kept your head on a swivel, and that's what you gotta do when you find yourself in a vicious link fight…
- The Boston Herald reports that Bean Stringfellow, agent for reliever Billy Wagner, said his client is willing to waive his no-trade clause to go anywhere that would give him a shot to win a championship. "Certainly, the Red Sox would give him a chance to win a World Series, and this year that’s first and foremost,” Stringfellow said. “From where we sit, that’s all that matters right now. Over the next six weeks he’d have a chance to win, and then we could think about next year.”
- Meanwhile, Alex Speier of WEEI.com says that some Red Sox relievers are puzzled by the Wagner waiver claim. Closer Jonathan Papelbon said it's "kind of like the (Eric) Gagne thing, I guess.”
- Patrick at NPB Tracker passes along a report were Mets GM Omar Minaya commented on having some interest in Japanese high school pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. “I haven’t seen him throw myself, but I’ve heard his name. He wants to come to the majors? If so we’ll continue watching him," said Minaya. Patrick offered up a brief scouting report on Kikuchi earlier in the week.
Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Wagner, Holliday, Brewers
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com has a new Full Count video up. Let's dive in…
- Don't expect the Mets to just give away Billy Wagner as a salary dump. He'll have "actual trade value" this winter, and his $8MM club option would not be outrageous money on a one year deal if he's healthy.
- Even if his team declines the option, they could offer him arbitration and receive two high draft picks if he signs elsewhere since he projects to be a Type-A free agent. Wagner would be much more than a six-week rent in that case.
- Matt Holliday's performance with the Cardinals has undoubtedly boosted his stock as an impending free agent. One GM still thinks Jason Bay is a comparable player on the open market, but Holliday is better defensively, younger, and better at hitting breaking balls than Bay.
- The real question is how each player will age, which is impossible to say at this point.
- The Brewers have yet to place veterans like Mike Cameron and Trevor Hoffman on trade waivers, but with the team now out of contention, Rosenthal asks "why not?"
- GM Doug Melvin is disinclined to make such deals because he knows the return may not be significant, but Hoffman in particular would be attractive. The Rockies have already discussed him internally.
- Craig Counsell, Braden Looper, and Jason Kendall could have value as well.
- Earlier this season there was talk that Mark Mulder and Ben Sheets could help teams in the second half, but that hasn't happened. Sheets has decided that the risk of a setback isn't worth the reward of an accelerated return, but he should be healthy for next season.
- Mulder has only thrown 12.2 IP over the last two seasons, but he's been working with his former pitching coach Rick Peterson and supposedly wants to pitch this season.
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Odds & Ends: O’s, Rolen, Borbon
A few more links for your Saturday afternoon viewing pleasure…
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun expects the Orioles to call up infielder Justin Turner, outfielder Joey Gathright and catcher Robby Hammock when rosters expand on September 1. The O's might also want to add some bullpen depth.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer takes a look back, and a look forward, at the Reds' trade for Scott Rolen. "There's no question Rolen is a big upgrade over Edwin Encarnacion," Fay writes. "But the Reds gave up young pitching in the deal, and Rolen's salary really hamstrings the club as far as payroll flexibility."
- Marc Hulet of Fangraphs reviews the career of "under-hyped" outfielder Julio Borbon, who has been on fire since his promotion to the Rangers on August 7. Can he maintain the pace?
Mariners Release Luis Pena
According to the Associated Press, via the Seattle Times, the Mariners have released minor league right-hander Luis Pena to clear room on the 40-man roster for reliever Randy Messenger. Pena, 26, was 3-1 this season with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in six appearances between Single-A and Double-A.
Mets DFA Andy Green
According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, the Mets have designated infielder Andy Green for assignment.
The move was made in order to clear roster space for left-hander Pat Misch, who was called up in a corresponding move. Green, 32, was promoted to the bigs earlier this week and went 1-for-4 with one walk. He had a .272/.355/.404 batting line in 151 minor league at-bats this season. He's not likely to draw much interest from opposing clubs.