Rays Sign Jeff Bennett
2:41pm: We have a little more clarity on this situation. According to Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Braves suspended Bennett's pay on June 25, the day after he fractured his hand with an angry punch to a clubhouse wall. Here's more:
"The Braves didn’t announce it at the time, but they suspended his pay beginning June 25. He filed a grievance with the players association and continued his rehab, including two recent minor-league appearances," O'Brien writes.
"When the grievance was heard, the Braves were directed to either “cure the default” by giving him his back pay for the period he was suspended, or allow him to become a free agent. Braves media-relations director Brad Hainje said Bennett requested the team release him from his contract, which they did."
1:04pm: Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune reports minor league left-hander James Houser was released to make room for Bennett on the 40-man roster. Houser, 24, was 4-5 this season with a 5.16 ERA and a 44/50 K/BB ratio in 18 appearances (15 starts) for Triple-A Durham.
12:31pm: According to Ed Price at AOL Fanhouse, the Rays have inked righty Jeff Bennett to a deal. Bennett, 29, had recently asked for his release from the Braves, though it was unclear why. He put up a 3.18 ERA and 23/21 K/BB ratio for Atlanta this season.
More Trade Reactions
A few more trade discussions on a calm Saturday afternoon…
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer believes the Scott Rolen deal has left the Reds with no payroll flexibility heading into 2010. "That's not good," he writes, "when you need a shortstop and an outfielder with some pop — among other things."
- Tracee Hamilton of the Washington Post writes the Nationals "did absolutely the right thing" in shipping off left-hander Joe Beimel and first baseman Nick Johnson.
- Longtime Padres beat writer Tom Krasovic has a look at the Jake Peavy trade: "This looks like a potentially big victory for the Padres and new CEO Jeff Moorad — if, and it's a big if, the club can parlay the $56 million saved into good investments throughout its baseball operations and future payrolls."
- Michael Salfino of SNY thinks the Mets should have made a move or two at the deadline. "The frustrating thing for Mets fans," Salfino writes, "is that catcher Victor Martinez was there for the taking. The cost reportedly was one of two Double-A pitchers Brad Holt or Jenrry Mejia plus Jon Niese."
- For all full look at the deals that went down Friday, check out MLBTR's transactions-only archive.
Players Not Traded
This year, more teams seem to think they're in contention and fewer teams wore the tag of a true "seller." Countless names were bandied about as potential trade bait before yesterday's deadline, but as always only a few were actually dealt. Let's take a look at names on some of the teams that we'd most closely define as "sellers" this deadline that are staying put for now:
- Orioles: Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, Danys Baez, Luke Scott, Ty Wigginton, Mark Hendrickson. They got two good prospects for the popular George Sherrill, but as time ticked away none of these guys seemed to have much interest. Team president Andy MacPhail probably didn't get any offers for the impending free agents better than what the O's might get back in draft picks this offseason, as Huff projects as a Type A free agent and Mora a Type B (though it's unlikely Mora is offered arbitration). Can't rule out a waiver deal for the more expensive guys.
- Athletics: Adam Kennedy, Justin Duchscherer, Michael Wuertz. That Wuertz comes cheap and is under control till 2011 probably meant Billy Beane wanted a big return. Duchscherer is still recovering from elbow surgery and was scratched from his rehab start yesterday, but as an impending free agent with $1.3MM left on his deal this year there's a chance he could be moved this month.
- Blue Jays: Roy Halladay, Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, Lyle Overbay, Brandon League. Some speculated that a Halladay deal would be the impetus for a Scott Rolen deal and create a domino effect, but it looks like the Rolen trade was the only one to truly bowl over J.P. Ricciardi. Overbay might be a waiver deal candidate, as he makes $7MM this year and next.
- Pirates: Zach Duke, Matt Capps. With the explosion of the Pirates' roster, it's a minor surprise neither of these guys were dealt. But they come cheap, and they're under control through 2011.
- Padres: Heath Bell, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Kouzmanoff, David Eckstein, Kevin Correia. By the time the deadline approached, it seemed like Bell or Gonzalez might actually be dealt despite early reports that there would be no way they get moved. Instead, it was Peavy, which seemed to mean the Padres were cost-cutting.
- Diamondbacks: Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Chad Qualls. It became more evident before the deadline passed that the D'Backs would keep Qualls. Garland and Davis are candidates to be moved in August.
- Indians: Kerry Wood, Carl Pavano. With Wood's poor year and hefty contract, he wasn't an altogether attractive option. Pavano's set to net a draft pick as a Type B free agent, which probably appeals to the Indians more than what they were offered.
- Nationals: Josh Willingham, Adam Dunn, Ron Villone, Austin Kearns. Jim Bowden is gone, but it still seems the Nationals are asking quite a lot for their veterans at the deadline. Remember when they neglected to deal Alfonso Soriano at the deadline when he was an impending free agent? Not dealing Willingham can't be worse than that non-move, but it seemed to make sense to maximize value for him for a ballclub going nowhere this year.
- Royals: Mark Teahen, Brian Bannister, Ron Mahay, Willie Bloomquist. The Royals apparently wanted a Washburn-type return for Bannister, and teams might not have agreed with that asking price.
Padres To Release Mark Prior
Another chapter ends in the Mark Prior saga, and it still isn't on a positive note: According to MLB.com's Corey Brock, there are indications that the Padres are about to release Prior from his minor-league contract, possibly today.
The 28-year-old Prior hasn't thrown since April, says Brock. The former phenom had signed a deal with the Padres in January that would have been worth $1MM had he reached the majors. But as it stands, Prior hasn't played in a big league game since 2006.
Indians DFA Abreu, Gosling
According to Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com, the Indians have designated pitchers Winston Abreu and Mike Gosling for assignment. Those spots will clear the way for a call-up of Jensen Lewis and the newly-acquired Justin Masterson.
The Indians had previously gotten Abreu from the Rays in exchange for Jonathan Meloan. Abreu should find work on another team, as he had been performing well in the minors, but he was abysmal for the Tribe, allowing six earned runs and nine baserunners in 2.1 IP.
Odds & Ends: Giants, Tigers, Brewers
Some more links as we unwind from yesterday:
- Bob Ryan at the Boston Globe doesn't like the trade deadline, as he thinks it creates an unfair market for richer teams.
- Aaron Rowand is comfortable with the Giants' additions and thinks the lineup can lead to a playoff appearance, reports Andrew Baggarly at the San Jose Mercury-News.
- Lynn Henning at the Detroit News says that the Tigers still have much on their to-do list after acquiring Jarrod Washburn, which would include plugging in some "muscle" into their batting order.
- Kevin Kaduk at Yahoo Sports wonders what the Indians should do with their two planned Victor Martinez stadium giveaways now that he's a goner.
- The Orioles mostly held on to their veteran free-agents-to-be at the deadline, notes Spencer Fordin at MLB.com.
- Adam McCalvy at MLB.com has more on the three-team trade that fell through yesterday, where the Brewers would have acquired a pitcher. One clue to the unnamed pitcher: He reportedly would not have been able to start for the Brewers today.
More Trade Reactions
Lots of ink and keystrokes are being spent on analyzing yesterday's big deals. Here are a few, with more to be added on throughout the day:
- The Peavy deal, despite its earlier iteration in May, came "out of nowhere," says Scott Miller at CBS Sports. A rival executive says that White Sox GM Kenny Williams has "the biggest balls in sports," according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, who calls it one of his "all-time favorite" trades. Both of these stories, though similar, are good reads.
- Jayson Stark at ESPN lays out his top winners and losers at the deadline.
- South Side Sox notes that since the Peavy deal had the future in mind as well as the present, they "can't complain in the slightest" about the trade.
- Keith Law at ESPN thinks the Jays came out "extremely well" in the Scott Rolen deal. He also likes the versatility now afforded to the Red Sox in acquiring Victor Martinez.
- Rob McQuown at Baseball Prospectus says that in the Rolen deal, "Walt Jocketty undersold his assets. Badly."
Yankees Still Hunting For Starters?
After a drubbing to Sergio Mitre last night, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi admitted that the team is hurting for depth at the back end of their rotation, reports Marc Carig at the Newark Star-Ledger:
"I'm not sure we have a lot of options at this point," Girardi said. "[Mitre's] got to get it done."
The Yankees weren't able to make a move for pitching before the 4 p.m. deadline yesterday, but Carig provides this quote from GM Brian Cashman:
"I think over the years, this trade deadline is no longer even in existence… The waiver stuff is not going to prevent deals in August. Guys are going to get through because people are going to be afraid to claim and get stuck with money that they can't afford. And so the July 31 trade deadline is more of a fictitious one now, anyway."
Girardi reportedly said Friday he does not believe the dealing to be finished on the Yankees' end. So who would make sense in a deal? And why is Paul Byrd still unsigned?
Breaking Down The August Deadlines
And so we turn another leaf: As an insane non-waiver deadline has passed, all eyes are focused on the August 31st waiver deadline. Be sure to check out our detailed post on the logistics of August trades.
Many analysts have noted that teams' financial concerns could mean this upcoming deadline is far more active than previous years, as trades this time of year often involve the unloading of fat contracts. If yesterday was any indication, we could be in for some solid action.
Lest we forget, August 17th is the other major deadline–the last day teams are given to negotiate contracts with their 2009 draft picks. Many top picks remain unsigned, including Stephen Strasburg, so you can expect some Boras drama to kick into high gear.
Here are some fairly significant trades we saw go down before August 31st last season:
- The Diamondbacks made an August playoff push, acquiring Adam Dunn and David Eckstein.
- The Phillies acquired Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays, which led to the creation of a pretty awesome t-shirt. They also picked up lefty Scott Eyre.
- The Dodgers picked up Greg Maddux from their divisional-rival Padres.
- The Red Sox improved their depth with acquisitions of Mark Kotsay and Paul Byrd.
- The Rays acquired Chad Bradford from the Orioles.
Day In Review: 7/31/09
The non-waiver trade deadline has passed, and today absolutely did not disappoint those seeking lots of trade action. Several surprising moves occurred, and another Cy Young winner was moved, but it wasn't Roy Halladay…
Trades that happened:
- If at first you don't succeed, try try again. The White Sox tried again, and this time they landed their ace, as Jake Peavy approved a trade to the South Side. The White Sox sent Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Adam Russell and Dexter Carter to the Padres in exchange. Peavy's recovering from a torn tendon in his ankle, but will pitch again in 2009 most likely.
- Another big name on the move, Victor Martinez went to the Red Sox in exchange for Justin Masterson, Bryan Price, and Nick Hagadone. This move made newly acquired Adam LaRoche expendable, and he was sent back to Atlanta for a second tour in exchange for Casey Kotchman.
- The White Sox weren't the only AL Central team to strengthen their rotation; the Tigers landed Jarrod Washburn in exhcange for Luke French and Mauricio Robles. Does this put them over the top as the team to beat?
- The AL Central was a flurry of action, as the Twins acquired veteran shortstop Orlando Cabrera in exchange for minor league shortstop Tyler Ladendorf. The Twins played the waiting game, and it paid off, as they wound up not dealing their #5 prospect, Danny Valencia, whom the A's reportedly originally asked for. The A's even sent $500K as well.
- Yesterday, I said it looked like Scott Rolen would remain in Toronto. Shows what I know. He was acquired by the Reds for Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Roenicke, and Zach Stewart. The Jays are sending $4MM as well.
- Colorado shored up its bullpen, adding Joe Beimel in exchange for minor leaguers Ryan Mattheus and Robinson Fabian.
- We've heard Nick Johnson rumors for months now, and he finally was traded on the last day, within the division, to the Marlins. The Marlins sent Double-A lefty Aaron Thompson to the Nats in exchange. The Nats are paying the remainder of Johnson's salary.
- Who said the Yankees would have a quiet deadline? They acquired Jerry Hairston Jr. in exchange for minor leaguer Chase Weems.
- In a more minor move, the Blue Jays acquired Double-A pitcher Sean Smith from the Pirates for future considerations.
- Finally, the Dodgers acquired Vinny Rottino from the Brewers, sending Claudio Vargas their way for a reunion with his former club.
Moves that didn't happen:
- So many rumors, so few results. At long last, Roy Halladay is… a Toronto Blue Jay. The Jays were clearly not "wowed," as J.P. Ricciardi required. In the end, no team wanted to pay the multiple top prospects that were asked for.
- A few new names were added to the Heath Bell mix, including the Twins, Dodgers, and Angels. However, when the smoke had cleared, Bell stayed in San Diego, right alongside fellow All-Star Adrian Gonzalez. The Padres elected not to move their two best players, both of whom are under control for several more years. According to Jayson Stark, Gonzalez's asking price was "astronomical." The Padres were asking for "three times as much" as the Jays were asking for Halladay. Yikes.
- Several teams reportedly inquired on Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, but all of them came up short. The Red Sox, Tigers, and Rays all asked, and while Jack Zduriencik listened, he eventually rejected all offers. King Felix is staying put.
- Several Royals drew interest, but in the end, Brian Bannister, Mark Teahen, and Willie Bloomquist all stayed put as well.
- The Dodgers and Angels have both been after bullpen arms, and it looks like they'll take those interests into August. Neither team acquired an arm today, so they'll likely be scouring the waiver wires throughout August to add a piece or two.
What was the biggest surprise of the day? Who were the big winners and losers? And most importantly, what do you see on the horizon for August?
Remember, the non-waiver trade deadline passing doesn't mean there won't be more trades flying about in August. Last year, we saw some noteable August deals, including Adam Dunn going to the Diamondbacks. Many analysts have said that due to player salaries and economic situations, this year's non-waiver deadline means less than any before. So check back as MLBTR continues to cover all of the action across the baseball universe!