Olney On Parity, Waivers, Rolen, Encarnacion
ESPN.com's Buster Olney shows that the economic downturn has widened the gap between rich teams and poor ones after a decade of relative parity. As he shows, seven of the eight teams with the biggest payrolls would make the playoffs if they began today. The Mets have the game's second-biggest payroll, but wouldn't make it. Here are a few others notes from Olney's blog:
- We could start hearing about waiver claims today, since teams have stared putting players on waivers.
- The Reds' acquisition of Scott Rolen is "without question the most widely panned pre-deadline trade within the industry."
- The Reds gave up Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart, a pair of highly-regarded young arms.
- One talent evaluator believes the Jays will release Edwin Encarnacion after the season. Even if the third baseman's $4.75MM salary is too much for the Jays, they'd presumably try to trade him first.
Odds And Ends: Jays, O’s, Dodgers, Sano
Some links to read this morning…
- Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian that the Jays will need improved offense to contend next year.
- The Orioles have nearly completed their rebuilding process, MLB.com's Spencer Fordin says.
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun suggests the O's could make room for Brian Matusz by parting ways with Melvin Mora.
- Diamond Leung reports that the Dodgers acquired Harvey Garcia from the Pirates for a PTBNL or cash.
- The Dodgers never acquired a big-name starter, so Yahoo's Tim Brown says the team will have to win without a Manny Ramirez-esque infusion of talent this summer- unless they add a pitcher who clears waivers, of course.
- What's new with Miguel Angel Sano? His agent wants to let interest develop, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Several teams are interested, including the Pirates.
Odds & Ends: Yankees, Pirates, Rays
Some links on this not-necessarily-manic Monday:
- Jen Langosch at MLB.com has a nice scorecard put together of the Pirates' recent acquisitions and how they've performed so far, as well as a rundown of the players they were dealt for.
- Fred Mitchell at the Chicago Tribune has an amusing piece about the lengths what MLB general managers go to keep their stress levels low this time of year.
- MLB.com beat reporter Lyle Spencer answers fan questions, including why they let Roy Halladay get away.
- Jim Callis at Baseball America re-ranks the Pirates' and Indians' systems after their major prospect acquisitions.
- Brian Hoch at MLB.com answers Yankees fans' questions, specifically about the trade deadline and why the team was mostly inactive.
- R.J. Anderson at Fangraphs re-visits the circumstances that led to the Rays obtaining Wade Townsend, who was released today.
Diamondbacks Sign Daniel Cabrera
MONDAY 7:07pm: The riveting saga has come to a close, as Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks have come to terms with Cabrera on a minor-league deal. He'll work his way to a pitch count of 90-100 and the team will decide whether or not to promote him to the majors. His agent indicates there could be an out clause in the contract that would grant Cabrera his release if he isn't called up.
SUNDAY 3:01pm: Steve Gilbert has an update. As of right now, no deal has been reached. Diamondbacks scouts watched Cabrera throw yesterday in the Dominican Republic. Gilbert believes the D'Backs are looking to add pitching depth to the organization, and is unsure whether they envision Cabrera as a starter or reliever.
12:41pm: According to Mario Rojas at Candela Deportiva, the Diamondbacks have signed pitcher Daniel Cabrera to a minor-league deal. Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic talked to Cabrera's agent, who said that there are "active discussions" going on, with both sides trying to hammer down whether it's a major-league or minor-league deal, and that nothing is official just yet.
Cabrera had been designated for assignment by the Nationals in May after posting a 5.85 ERA and 16/35 K/BB ratio in 40 innings. He had signed a one-year, $2.6MM deal with the Nationals before the season.
Unsigned Draft Picks Update
There's a two-week window remaining for teams to sign their draft picks. Once August 17th passes without a negotiation, these players will be eligible for next year's draft and the selecting team receives a compensatory pick in next year's draft. For a full list of signees and terms, visit our handy 2009 Draft scorecard here.
1. Nationals – Stephen Strasburg. All eyes will be on these negotiations, as Strasburg is a Scott Boras client. The range for his bonus has varied wildly, and talks are said to not be close, according to ESPN. This one will go down to the wire, and the Nationals probably can't afford another Aaron Crow situation.
2. Mariners – Dustin Ackley. Ackley is a Boras client, and supposedly talks aren't close. He's reported to desire a bonus similar to the one Mark Teixeira received, which was $9.5MM.
3. Padres – Donavan Tate. Tate's a Boras client as well, and talks aren't close. He has a two-sport scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill.
6. Giants – Zack Wheeler. With the departure of Scott Barnes and Tim Alderson in trades, it'd make sense for the two sides to come to a deal.
7. Braves – Mike Minor. There is word that talks are progressing between the Braves and Minor, and his not signing has reportedly held up negotiations with the college pitchers below him, as his slot will likely determine their contract figures.
8. Reds – Mike Leake. He was recently named College Pitcher of the Year, and last we heard he's nearing a deal says Mark Sheldon at MLB.com.
9. Tigers – Jacob Turner. Scott Boras client whom Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus believes "sure to sign," perhaps for an above-slot deal around $5MM.
11. Rockies – Tyler Matzek. Matzek could be one of the hardest to sign, and supposedly he has already been assigned a dorm room at University of Oregon, where he's committed to play. The Rockies aren't believed to be able to reach Matzek's bonus demands.
12. Royals – Aaron Crow. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out, as Crow didn't come to terms with the Nationals last year. Chico Harlan at the Washington Post thinks he'll receive $1.5-$2MM.
13. A's – Grant Green. Another Boras client, likely to sign for above slot.
14. Rangers – Matt Purke. He's reportedly got high bonus demands, and some believe he's likely headed to school instead.
15. Indians – Alex White.
16. Diamondbacks – Bobby Borchering. Last we heard the two sides were in a "holding pattern."
18. Marlins – Chad James.
19. Cardinals – Shelby Miller. The Cardinals got $1.5MM from the A's for Matt Holliday, which would be well-spent on Miller, who could take the default title as their number one prospect.
20. Blue Jays – Chad Jenkins.
22. Twins – Kyle Gibson. Gibson was hurt recently, which in turn hurt his chances at an above-slot deal. Goldstein believes he was in line for double his $1.3MM slot, but now might settle somewhere in between.
27. Mariners – Nick Franklin.
29. Yankees – Slade Heathcott.
30. Rays – Levon Washington. Scott Boras client.
Discussion: What To Do With Melvin Mora?
Melvin Mora's unhappy in Baltimore and knows he won't be back next year. He's not a part of the Orioles' future and it's looking more and more like he won't be a part of their present for long. He's sure to clear waivers since there's not much of a market for powerless late-thirties hitters making $9MM. This means the Orioles will probably be able to trade him, but they have other options. Let's take a look at their choices:
- Hope that there's a taker on the trade market – Mora's hitting just .256/.321/.330, hardly enough to warrant a $9MM salary. He won't hurt you in the field, but his dropoff in power (23 homers last year, just 3 in 2009) is scary.
- Release him – With nothing to lose but $3MM, the O's could decide that it's not worth having Mora around.
- Hope he turns it around – He was productive as recently as last year. The O's could keep Mora and hope that he finishes strong.
Odds And Ends: Pirates, Bard, Padres, Rolen
More links for the afternoon…
- MLB.com's Ian Browne says Daniel Bard has essentially become "untouchable." Of course few players other than Tim Lincecum and Evan Longoria really are untouchable, but it sounds like the Red Sox really like their young reliever.
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick hears from some people within the game who credit the Pirates for gutting the team and amassing prospects instead of continuing with the "lipstick on a pig" approach they tried for years.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock shows that the Padres improved their pitching depth and suggests they could pursue a free agent hitter this offseason.
- Reds assistant GM Bob Miller said in his MLB.com chat that the reports on the amount the Reds owe Scott Rolen are "incorrect." So how much are the Reds paying Rolen? Miller can't say.
- Peter Abraham of the Journal News shows that Andy Pettitte could double his $5.5MM salary if he has a strong enough finish and his incentives kick in.
Heyman On GM Candidates
Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on a couple of free agents who don't appear on this list: Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd and Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. Both could be free agents after the year (Colletti has a mutual option) and either could be a candidate to become the permanent Nats GM. Heyman lists White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, Marlins exec Dan Jennings, Red Sox exec Jed Hoyer and Rays exec Gerry Hunsicker as other possible fits in Washington, along with acting GM Mike Rizzo.
Heyman On August Trades
Executives tell Jon Heyman of SI.com that we saw the "softest deadline ever" last week because there's still the possibility for trades this month. Here's an explanation of how trades can occur after the deadline and here are the players Heyman deems likely to clear waivers (player who clear waivers may be traded):
- Bronson Arroyo, Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen, Aaron Harang, Adrian Beltre, Aubrey Huff, Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora, Miguel Batista, Juan Cruz, Ty Wigginton, Ron Mahay, Willie Bloomquist, Lyle Overbay, Willy Taveras.
Some players who could clear waivers:
- Jon Garland, Doug Davis, Gil Meche, Alex Rios, Carl Pavano, Mark Hendrickson, Jhonny Peralta, Jamey Carroll, Ron Villone.
And some players who probably won't clear waivers, but who could be dealt to a claiming team:
- Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez, Heath Bell, Adrian Gonzalez, Marco Scutaro, Chad Qualls, Michael Wuertz, Brian Bannister, Josh Willingham, Gary Sheffield, David Eckstein, Jason Frasor, Mark Teahen.
Which Teams Took On Salary At The Deadline?
As the trade deadline approached, we heard many writers and executives suggest teams would be unable to add payroll this year. Here's a breakdown of the teams that added at least $1MM in salary to their 2009 payrolls this summer. All totals are approximate:
- The Cardinals added $2.9MM to the team's payroll when they traded for Mark DeRosa and $3.7MM when they added Matt Holliday for a total of $6.6MM.
- The Red Sox added $4.5MM between the Victor Martinez and Adam LaRoche deals.
- Acquiring Jarrod Washburn added about $3.6MM to the Tigers' payroll.
- The White Sox added $2.8MM in salary when they made the Jake Peavy deal.
- The Giants added $2.1MM in the Freddy Sanchez trade.
- The Phillies added $2MM in the Cliff Lee deal.
- The Rockies added $1.9MM in the Rafael Betancourt and Joe Beimel deals.
- The Brewers took on $1.4MM by dealing for Felipe Lopez.
- The Braves took on $1.3MM to add Nate McLouth.
- The Twins added $1.25MM in salary by trading for Orlando Cabrera.
- They didn't take on much salary, but between the Eric Hinske deal and the Jerry Hairston Jr. acquisition, the Yanks added $1.1MM.
- The Dodgers added about $1MM when they dealt for George Sherrill.
In total, 12 teams added payroll, but only one took on more than $5MM. The prognosticators were right about one thing: teams didn't take on much payroll. However, few predicted 12 teams would take on salary at the deadline. Looks like many teams set economic concerns aside when presented with the chance to win.