Stephen Strasburg Rumors: Sunday
7:10pm: Roch Kubatko at MASN Sports has a source close to the negotiations that says the Nationals' offer is worth $17MM, "with easily attainable incentives that could push it beyond $20MM." There is apparently worry about Strasburg's powerful makeup wearing his arm down, but the Nats "still think he's worth it."
The Nationals front office has reportedly also indicated to Strasburg there's a possibility they choose him again in next year's draft, with his consent.
1:31pm: Harlan now cites an anonymous source, saying that the record-breaking offer the Nationals have offered Strasburg will have to increase, if the fireballer is to sign with Washington.
Harlan's source says the offer has been on the table since last week, and no deal has been agreed upon yet. That, says the source, "should tell you enough."
Harlan writes that everyone involved in the negotiations expects them to go down to the final hours, if not the final minutes.
9:51am: With the deadline to sign at midnight tomorrow, the rumor mill's a-buzz with perspectives on Stephen Strasburg.
- Maury Brown says it could be about years, not dollars. He writes, "If the Nationals do sign Strasburg, if smart, would be looking to avoid dealing with salary arbitration or possibly the first or second year of free agency eligibility. Look at deals such as Evan Longoria’s, Robinson Cano, or Troy Tulowitzki for examples."
- Ken Davidoff, like most, has a "hunch" the deal will get done.
- The AP is reporting that Nats president Stan Kasten acknowledged yesterday a "very real possibility" that the two sides will not reach an agreement.
- Chico Harlan spoke with Ryan Zimmerman who chimed in: "When it comes down to it, Strasburg has to think about, ‘Can I go to bed if I turn down $15, 16 million dollars—whatever it is—to pass up the opportunity to play for these guys?’ That’s a lot of money. I don’t understand what he thinks will be better next year. If we don’t take him, who’s gonna take him next year? Pittsburgh? San Diego? San Diego is not gonna pay him more. Absolutely his leverage will never be higher."
- Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post might agree with Zimmerman. Boz asks, "What team will ever be more over a barrel, or have a richer owner, than the worst-in-baseball-again Nats and multi-billionaire owner Ted Lerner?" In the same piece, he adds, "Signing contracts, not blowing them up, is their job and their responsibility — the Nats to their franchise and their fans, Boras to his client. If they don't get a deal done, it's a mammoth failure of adult supervision."
- Rob Dibble suggests Strasburg will be as hated as his agent if he holds out.
Odds & Ends: Webb, Feliz, Griffey
A few links as the time ticks away before the August 17th signing deadline–just 30 hours left:
- Steve Gilbert at MLB.com (via Twitter) heard this from Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes on a team broadcast about the possibility of picking up the injured Brandon Webb's $8.5MM option next year: "If it's close, he'll probably get the benefit of the doubt."
- After watching the fireballing Neftali Feliz in person, John Beamer at the Hardball Times believes it's safe to declare the Mark Teixeira trade a victory for the Rangers.
- Tyler Kepner at the New York Times has a neat historical piece about how the Mariners almost passed on Ken Griffey Jr. in the 1987 draft for pitcher Mike Harkey.
- As the signing deadline approaches and the waiver deadline looms in just two weeks, be sure to keep up to speed by following MLB Trade Rumors on Twitter.
Week In Review: 8/9/09 – 8/15/09
The non-waiver deadline may have passed, but as was predicted, we've still seen plenty of moves in August. Here's a look back at the week as we count down the hours until tomorrow night's signing deadline:
- The White Sox acquired Alex Rios from the Blue Jays for… well, nothing. Rios was claimed off waivers by the Sox and the Jays elected to part ways with Rios and the nearly $60MM left on his contract. Most analysts seemed to think the opportunity to shed that contract was too good to pass up; looks like J.P. Ricciardi agreed.
- The Red Sox acquired their own Alex this week, but theirs plays shortstop and costs about 10% as much. The Reds sent Alex Gonzalez to Boston in exchange for minor league shortstop Kris Negron. Gonzalez had cleared waivers earlier in the week.
- The Reds managed to shed a bit more salary, sending David Weathers to Milwaukee for a player to be named later. This will be Weathers' second tour with the Brew Crew.
- A little more than 24 hours for the Nats to sign Stephen Strasburg. They made a formal offer this week, that reportedly trumps the $10.5MM received by Mark Prior in 2001. I'm betting the Nats are hoping for better results from Strasburg, if he signs.
- Doug Davis was claimed on waivers this week by the Brewers, but a deal never happened. Instead, the Diamondbacks actually offered Davis a one-year extension to stay in Arizona. That seems unlikely though, as Davis is seeking a three-year deal. Davis says that if he can't make that happen in Arizona, he'll test the free agent market.
- The Yankees have said they'll consider bringing Johnny Damon back after the 2009 campaign. Hideki Matsui, on the other hand, likely won't receive the same opportunity. The Bombers would prefer the option of rotating some other players at DH, and Matsui seems to be the odd man out.
- A couple of expensive subtractions this week, as the Brewers DFA'ed Bill Hall, while the Angels released Justin Speier. Hall makes $8.4MM in 2010 with a $9.25MM option for 2011, while Speier is in the third year of a four-year, $18MM deal.
Brewers Close With Kentrail Davis?
3:23pm: McCalvy now writes that talks could extend into Monday; it's the seventh inning in Milwaukee, and there's no sign of Davis yet.
1:21pm: Last night, we heard general manager Doug Melvin say that he expected a deal to be reached with supplemental pick Kentrail Davis prior to the signing deadline. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy now reports that the Brewers are "set to sign" Davis, who has arrived in Milwaukee for today's game. McCalvy writes:
Davis, who is 5'9" and 200 pounds, played center field at Tennessee, but scouts report that an average throwing arm might mean that his future is in left field. The lefty led his team in hitting in 2008, notching a .330 average while clubbing 13 home runs, knocking in 44 runs, and posting a .435 on base percentage. In 2009, he hit .308 with 9 home runs and 30 runs batted in.
Draft Updates: Ackley, Cards, Tigers, Rangers
Here's a few looks at some clubs who are still working to sign their top picks…
- Ryan Divish reports that the Mariners have requested that first-round pick Dustin Ackley take a physical. Divish speculates that this could signal the two sides becoming closer to a deal.
- The Cardinals are still optimistic that they'll reach a deal with first-rounder Shelby Miller, according to Matthew Leach from MLB.com. The commissioner's recommended slot is $1.386MM for the 19th overall pick, but it's clear that Miller will receive more than that, Leach says. Miller himself was quoted, saying: "Right now, I'm definitely looking to sign a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. It feels good." Sounds like good reason to be optimistic to me. UPDATE: B.J. Rains tweets that Miller is on his way to St. Louis for a physical as well.
- Jason Beck writes that the Tigers have 21 picks that remain unsigned, including first-rounder Jacob Turner and second-rounder Andrew Oliver. Both Turner and Oliver are being advised by Scott Boras, which could complicate the signings. Turner was rumored to be seeking a deal similar to Rick Porcello's $7.285MM deal before even being drafted by the Tigers. Oliver is coming off a rough season which dropped him to the second round. Beck writes that he could raise his stock by returning to Oklahoma State for another season.
- The Rangers are "doing everything they can" to sign first-rounder Matthew Purke, says T.R. Sullivan. Purke passed his physical, and has met with club president Nolan Ryan. According to Sullivan though: "all indications from both sides are there is still a substantial gap to bridge before a deal gets done."
O’s & Yanks Sign Mid-Round Picks
Jeff Zrebiec from the Baltimore Sun writes that the Orioles have agreed to terms with 11th-round pick Michael Ohlman. The 6'4", 215 pound catcher hit .550 and stole 23 bases in 24 attempts in his senior year at Lakewood Ranch High School. Terms of the deal are unknown.
Also, Paul Strelow from the State newspaper in South Carolina reports that the Yankees have agreed to terms with 14th-rounder Graham Stoneburner. Stoneburner was 7-4 with a 3.52 ERA this past season for Clemson, and has already reported to the Yankees' rookie league affiliate in Tampa. (Hat tip NoMaas Yankees Draft Spot)
Padres Confident About Signing Tate
Corey Brock at MLB.com says the Padres are confident they'll sign Donovan Tate, likely close to the midnight (eastern time) deadline tomorrow.
Yesterday, there was a report that the Padres had agreed to a deal for $6.5MM with their first round pick before Pads GM Kevin Towers said it wasn't "a done deal. Still working on it."
Brock notes that Tate is not the only pick that the Padres need to sign. Everett Williams and Keyvius Sampson, their 2nd and 4th rounders respectively, remain unsigned. Williams, says Brock, could be tricky to sign since he was perceived as a first round pick that slid into the second round.
Odds & Ends: Orioles, Angels, Ackley
Some Sunday morning odds and ends from around the league:
- The Orioles received first baseman Rhyne Hughes from the Rays to complete the August 7 deal for Gregg Zaun, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The O's also sent more than $300K to the Rays. According to Connolly, the 25-year old Hughes "hit .313 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 56 games at Triple-A Durham and .252 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs in 58 games at Double-A Montgomery this season. He struck out 149 combined times in 440 at-bats this year."
- Ed Eagle of MLB.com reports the Angels signed University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker, their tenth round pick. Locker wants to pursue a career in pro-football but views the opportunity with the Angels as a backup plan. According to Eagle, "Locker is considered a potential high-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft."
- Larry Stone of the Seattle Times chimes in on the latest with Dustin Ackley and the Seattle Mariners who need to reach an agreement by midnight tomorrow.
- Miguel Tejada is willing to move to third if it keeps him in Houston, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Lackey A Good Fit For Baltimore?
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun speculates that pending free agent John Lackey could be a natural fit for the Orioles who are in need of a veteran starter to "help mold a real rotation out of all those promising young arms." This speculation comes on the heels of Lackey's comments from last night's game:
Schmuck does say that he can't imagine the Angels letting Lackey slip away. As it stands, the Angels are waiting until the off season to begin negotiations. In his last 10 starts, Lackey has allowed more than 2 runs only twice with a 66:21 K:BB.
Gammons’ Latest: Greene, Angels, Strasburg
Peter Gammons has a new blog post up at ESPN, in which he writes about the wildcard races and what they mean for baseball. Bud Selig takes a lot of heat, but I don't think there's any arguing that the wildcard is one of his greatest achievements.
Anyway, Gammons drops a few rumor nuggets at the end of the piece, so let's round 'em up…
- The Red Sox did not pursue Cardinals shortstop Khalil Greene when he cleared waivers. Remember to check out out handy dandy list of players who have already cleared waivers.
- The Angels are reportedly interested in Heath Bell, who was put on waivers yesterday. Several GMs "expressed doubt that the Padres would be able trade him." I, for one, think the Pads would have no problem moving him if they really wanted to.
- One GM says the Angels "should take Francisco Cordero. The Reds will move him."
- Gammons says that most baseball people think the Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg "if negotiations with Scott Boras do not get contentious." He guesstimates that Strasburg could get $22MM for three years, which would allow him to go to arbitration for three years and land another big payday. Or three.