Maggs In Platoon; 2010 Option May Not Kick In
Magglio Ordonez and Clete Thomas are now platooning in right field, which could prevent Magglio's $18MM option from vesting for next year. Because he played regularly last season, Maggs needs to start 126 games or bat 457 times for his option to kick in. He won't likely start 126 games, since Thomas will get the call against righties, but 457 plate appearances remain within Maggs' grasp.
Olney On Halladay, Bay, Mulder
Any team with serious plans to acquire Roy Halladay cannot approach the Blue Jays with a list of untouchable players, as ESPN.com's Buster Olney points out. Here are the details:
- If the Phillies want Halladay, they'll have to be prepared to discuss players like Michael Taylor, Dominic Brown, Kyle Drabek and Jason Knapp.
- The Nats have a powerful young catcher in SIngle A. Derek Norris has already clubbed 20 homers, one for every year he's been alive.
- If Jason Bay signs a contract extension early, he'll determine how much Matt Holliday receives on the open market after the season. Bay's older than Holliday, but he has 12 more homers and an OPS that's 100 points better than Holliday's, so he figures to sign for more.
- The Mariners could think about extending Jarrod Washburn, Erik Bedard and Russell Branyan after the season if they don't trade them.
- Mark Mulder wants to pitch in the majors soon and he expects to begin auditioning for scouts in the next week or ten days.
Brewers DFA Chris Narveson, Call On Parra
The Brewers designated reliever Chris Narveson for assignment to make room for Manny Parra, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Narveson, a 27-year-old lefty, pitched 10.2 innings this year, striking out nine, allowing five walks and fifteen hits for an unsightly ERA of 8.44.
Marlins & Pirates Talking Capps; Aren’t Close
The Marlins, who have signed three relievers this week, are talking with the Pirates about trading for another. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Marlins have maintained contact with the Pirates about closer Matt Capps, though the two sides are not close to a deal.
Cardinals Have “Real” Interest In Halladay
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals' interest in Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay is very real.
Here's what Strauss tweeted just a moment ago: Asked about the price tag for Halladay, a club source said: "Give Ricciardi all our minor-league rosters and let him circle any 5 names."
A deal with the Cardinals would start with Brett Wallace, and might also include shortstop Pete Kozma, catcher Bryan Anderson, outfielder Daryl Jones and/or right-hander Clay Mortensen. We're just throwing the Birds' top prospects out on the table, but that's what it's going to take. According to Erik Manning of FutureRedbirds.net, via the Post-Dispatch's Bernie Miklasz, the Jays "showed a lot of pre-draft interest" in both Wallace and Kozma.
The Rangers And Roy Halladay
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Roy Halladay trade talks have reached the Rangers' clubhouse. The club in Texas has quite a few financial hurdles stemming from owner Tom Hicks' money issues, but that hasn't calmed the players' excitement at the possibility of landing the Toronto ace.
"I'd love to have him here," outfielder Marlon Byrd said Wednesday. "I don't know what price it would take to get him, but I'd love to have him. We're a contender. Hopefully we're on his list."
"You always want people who you feel could help the ballclub," outfielder Josh Hamilton added. "It's not my decision to make, so I don't know. But I want whatever would help this ballclub win games and get to the postseason. I'll leave that decision up to the front office."
As for the front office? "We're going to look to improve the club every way we can," general manager Jon Daniels told Sullivan. "I'll leave it at that."
It seems like a real long shot, unless the Rangers can dump salary. With Hicks looking to sell the team, it's hard to see how they could have $7MM available this season and $15.75MM open in 2010.
Odds & Ends: Reds, Dodgers, Rangers
Links for Wednesday evening, with more to come…
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports the Reds are nearing deals with their top two picks, pitchers Mike Leake and Brad Boxberger. "It's going very well with both of those guys," Reds scouting director Chris Buckley said Wednesday.
- According to Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Daily News, outfielder Mitch Jones has cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Albuquerque. He was DFA'd by the Dodgers about a week ago.
- T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports the Rangers have released 29-year-old minor leaguer Nate Gold, who was batting .256 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 25 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Red Sox DFA Jonathan Van Every
According to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have designated outfielder Jonathan Van Every for assignment.
Van Every was projected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery in late June. He had a .364 batting average, one home run and three RBI in 11 at-bats with the Red Sox during a short stint in the big leagues earlier this season. The club will hope he makes it through the DFA process and returns to his role at Triple-A Pawtucket.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Atkins, Rolen, Rios, Davis
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal has a fresh column up. Let's dive in and explore some of the juicier details…
- The Red Sox and Rockies have discussed a Garrett Atkins swap, but "both teams continue to explore other options." It sounds like Boston may have sent the Rox a feeler, trying to gauge the third baseman's price tag.
- Along with ace Roy Halladay, the Blue Jays are also taking offers for outfielder Alex Rios and third baseman Scott Rolen. They both carry hefty contracts, however, so deals could be tricky.
- The Diamondbacks are seeking first-to-second round talent for Doug Davis, "which is what they will receive if they offer him arbitration and he departs as a free agent," notes Rosenthal. The Brewers have shown mild interest.
- The Rockies currently consider Ryan Spilborghs, who's hitting .351 in the month of July, too valuable to trade.
M’s Ink Cintron To Minors Deal
According to the Tacoma Rainers' official Twitter account, infielder Alex Cintron has signed a minor league contract with the Mariners.
Cintron was designated for assignment on May 20 by the Nationals after going 2-for-26 to start the season. He'll try to work his way up to the big leagues once again. The 30-year-old has a .275/.313/.394 career batting line.