Cardinals To Sign Wagner Mateo
FRIDAY, 2:42pm: ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure reports that the Cardinals will sign Mateo for $3.1MM. GM John Mozeliak solidified the agreement at Mateo's house. The Giants nearly offered him $3.5MM, but backed off at the last minute.
THURSDAY, 7:42pm: According to Baseball America's Ben Badler, the Cardinals are "zeroing in" on 16-year-old outfielder Wagner Mateo, and are prepared to offer him a $3MM signing bonus.
The international signing period begins July 2. If Mateo does indeed land $3MM, it would be the second-highest chunk of money ever tendered to a Latin American amateur. Oakland right-hander Michael Ynoa (or Inoa, depending who you ask) set the all-time record last year when he landed a $4.25MM bonus. The Cardinals began negotiations with Mateo in late May.
Where Will Mark DeRosa End Up?
There aren't many hitters available, Mark DeRosa would help just about any team and the Indians are 11.0 games out of a playoff spot, so DeRosa's naturally been the subject of recent rumors. But it's hard to predict where he'll end up, because there are so many choices. Here are some of the teams rumored to have interest in the free agent-to-be
- DeRosa would be a great fit for the Cardinals or Mets and both clubs have interest in him.
- DeRosa could play third for the Cardinals and shift positions if Troy Glaus returns.
- The Cubs have thought about reacquiring him.
- The Brewers are hoping Casey McGehee can be their own version of DeRosa and he's certainly impressed so far, with an OPS of .925 accumulated at three different positions. However, McGehee has only played 46 career games.
- The Marlins have interest in DeRosa.
- The Giants are looking for a bat, and DeRosa could fit their needs.
- The Reds are buyers and DeRosa could play third base and left field for Cincy.
- Could he fit on the Tigers? The Indians might prefer not to deal within their division.
- And Cleveland could always decide to keep him.
Where do you see DeRosa and his $5.5MM contract ending up on August 1st?
Norris Hopper Traded For Corky Miller
Tim Curtis of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds traded Norris Hopper to the White Sox in exchange for Corky Miller. Miller, a 33-year-old catcher, began his career with the Reds and played four seasons in Cincinnati from 2001-04. He's played for four major league teams since, most recently for the White Sox. He'll restart his Reds career in Triple A.
Hopper, 30, has played parts of three seasons for the Reds, but hasn't played in the majors so far in 2009.
Odds And Ends: Isringhausen, El Duque, Felix
Who says there are no good sports nicknames anymore? Within this post alone, we find Izzy, El Duque and King Felix…
- The O.C. Register assembles a slideshow of 16 relievers who could be moved in the next five weeks.
- Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times reports that Jason Isringhausen will consider pitching next year if he recovers well from his recent Tommy John surgery.
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels said Orlando Hernandez will be used as a reliever, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- ESPN.com's Jim Caple discusses Felix Hernandez's recent dominance. As Caple says, "the king's crown fits much better this season."
- A thought from Padres exec Paul DePodesta: "Regardless of the preparation they receive in the minors, young players will almost always struggle early on in the majors."
- We're hearing from PGCrossChecker.com that the Cubs signed first rounder Brett Jackson for $972k.
Matt Holliday Update
Scouts tell Joe Stiglich of the San Jose Mercury News that teams' unwillingness to part with prospects and inability to take on salary could make it hard for the A's to deal Matt Holliday. That's fine with GM Billy Beane, who says he doesn't feel pressure to deal his star outfielder this July. After all, if Holliday departs as a free agent after the year, the A's will receive compensation picks in next year's draft (assuming they offer him arbitration).
Odds And Ends: Draft, Nady, Kinsler, Snell
A few links to start the morning off…
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says the draft picks who ask for big bonuses aren't always the bad guys.
- The biggest bonus so far belongs to Tony Sanchez of the Pirates ($2.5MM). Check out our updated list of first rounders to sign.
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that Xavier Nady suffered a setback during his rehab assignment.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic shows how the D'Backs missed out on Ian Kinsler even though they drafted him twice.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests we shouldn't expect Ian Snell to be dealt soon.
- SI.com's Tim Marchman calls Willy Taveras and Edgar Renteria this year's biggest free agent busts.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the Red Sox are hesitant to deal a starter, since Tim Wakefield and John Smoltz are the only two starters over 40 in the AL.
- Definitely not a trade rumor, but WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports that Smoltz received 71 text messages after his start last night.
Red Sox Can Add Salary
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports heard from one Red Sox official who said the team could upgrade its roster, since they're still "way under budget." Last offseason they added John Smoltz and Brad Penny to affordable deals that will cost them a total of just $10.5MM plus incentives.
Andy Phillips Signs With Hiroshima Carp
Former Yankee Andy Phillips signed a one-year deal worth $400k to play for the Hiroshima Carp, according to an AP report on ESPN.com. We heard rumblings about the move earlier in the week, but it's now official.
Dodgers Ink Aaron Miller
FRIDAY, 9:00am: Adam Winkler of KWTX.com says Miller gets a bonus of about $900k.
Royals Open To Trade Possibilities
A source told FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi Wednesday that Royals GM Dayton Moore will be open-minded to trade possibilities this summer "if they bring talent and/or salary relief that would benefit the team in 2010 and beyond."