Odds & Ends: Contreras, Wedge, Izzy
This day in MLBTR history: On June 25, 2007, there was speculation that the Yankees might have interest in either Mark Buehrle or Jermaine Dye, and the sports world first got word that Ken Griffey Jr. wanted to retire as a Mariner. Oh, and we were still rocking the white-on-black layout. On to some links…
- Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that right-hander Jose Contreras is drawing interest among some scouts. The White Sox are not in selling mode just yet, but things could change between now and the July 31 trade deadline.
- According to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince, Indians manager Eric Wedge is well aware that his job is on the line. "[General manager] Mark [Shapiro] and I continue to talk daily, as we always have," Wedge told reporters Wednesday. "We've had conversations about everything. I don't think there are ever any guarantees in this game."
- Jason Isringhausen hasn't ruled out a return to baseball, according to MLB.com's Zach Schonbrun. After undergoing Tommy John surgery last week, however, he probably won't be ready to contribute until July of 2010.
Nationals Team President On Acta
According to Chico Harlan and Mike Viera of the Washington Post, Nationals team president Stan Kasten "gave his firmest-yet support" of Manny Acta during a speaking engagement Wednesday afternoon, expressing hope that he can "serve as long-term manager" for the club.
Discussion: The Breakout Performance Of 2009
Zorilla isn't the only one having a surprise season. From Tampa to Toronto to Seattle, players have surprised us all with breakout starts to the year. Here are just a few of the players to play unexpectedly well so far:
- Ben Zobrist – he's slugging .629 with 15 homers and eight steals
- Marco Scutaro – leads the AL in walks and runs to go along with above-average defense and an .835 OPS
- Edwin Jackson – has kept his ERA under 2.50 after chopping his walk rate by one per nine and striking out as many batters as he has allowed base hits
- Russell Branyan – He has 18 homers already- as many as he's hit in any year since 2002- along with an OPS over 1.000
- Adam Kennedy – hitting .298 with more homers already (6) than he's hit in any year since 2004
Which performance has surprised you most?
Just a note: I'm not talking about established players or prospects who were expected to break out.
Odds And Ends: Snell, Tigers, Dotel
Some more links for a quiet Thursday…
- MLB.com's Jen Langosch says it's "almost certain" that Ian Snell will be demoted to Triple A and Dejan Kovacevic confirms the news. Snell has been mentioned in some rumors, but his value's pretty low at this point.
- Chris Iott of MLive.com reports that the Tigers signed two of their picks and a non-drafted free agent.
- Octavio Dotel realizes he could be traded and says nothing will surprise him, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
- In a piece for MLB.com, Jamey Newberg says Justin Smoak and Martin Perez lead the list of top Rangers prospects.
- Don't forget to tune in at 6:20 CST when I'll be talking rumors on the TEAM 1380 in St. Louis.
Frank Thomas “Close” To Retiring
Frank Thomas says he's "close" to retiring, according to ESPN.com. The two-time MVP said there's only about a five percent chance he returns, but he never wants to unretire, so he's intent on thinking his decision through. Thomas believes he could still play in the major leagues and says he's in good shape.
The Big Hurt had eight homers and a .723 OPS last year with the Blue Jays and A's. He has a career .974 OPS and his 521 homers place him 18th on the all-time list.
Stark On Lee, DeRosa, Phillies, Rays, Beltre
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com calls this one of the slowest-moving trade markets in a while, but provides lots of rumors anyways:
- Teams are making introductory calls now to set the tone for the next five weeks.
- One official looking to add a reliever says no one is available.
- With so few teams willing to part with players, sellers are asking for a lot.
- The Brewers, Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are among the teams to call about Cliff Lee. The Indians would still have to be overwhelmed to part with him.
- The Cubs have considered trying to reacquire Mark DeRosa.
- They've also done some preliminary searching for a bat, but they're not sure where they'd play a new hitter so that gives the versatile DeRosa extra appeal.
- Stark's heard nothing to suggest Bobby Valentine will end up managing the Nationals.
- The Phillies have given indications that they'd part with Michael Taylor and/or Jason Donald in a deal for a top starter.
- However, they won't listen on these players: Dominic Brown, Lou Marson, Kyle Drabek, Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco and Antonio Bastardo.
- Doug Davis and Ian Snell aren't Phillies targets.
- The Rays are looking for long-term upgrades. They'd like to acquire "the next J.P. Howell."
- They're asking about young corner outfielders, rather than Jermaine Dye types.
- Pedro Martinez still wants a $5MM salary (prorated) plus incentives, so don't expect him to sign soon.
- The Reds have the best minor leaguers in the division and some could become trade chips.
- The Mets checked in on Garrett Atkins.
- Tony Reagins believes 2009 free agent Vladimir Guerrero can still hit.
- At least one scout can't imagine Adrian Beltre being traded. Makes sense, given his shoulder injury and contract.
Olney On A-Rod, Marlins, DeRosa
ESPN.com's Buster Olney says Alex Rodriguez will never be as marketable as he once was, but the Yankees would settle for a return to his standard high level of play. A-Rod's not impressing scouts anymore, but all the Yankees can do is keep playing him and hope he returns to form. After all, he has eight years on his contract after this one. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:
- Olney confirms what we heard earlier today: the Marlins are looking for a proven reliever. Olney says Danys Baez could work, as well as LaTroy Hawkins and Luis Ayala.
- The Marlins have been considering Mark DeRosa, but they could stay internal at third base and play Emilio Bonifacio and Gaby Sanchez.
- Executives expect DeRosa to go to whoever offers the best young pitching, something teams are increasingly unwilling to part with.
- Executives considered the Reds' starting pitching depth possible trade bait, but until Edinson Volquez returns, Cincinnati doesn't have as many pitchers as expected.
Odds And Ends: Beltre, Capuano, Blanton
More links to read in anticipation of John Smoltz's Red Sox debut…
- Larry Larue of the News Tribune reports that Adrian Beltre will need surgery on his shoulder at some point, but he's trying to play through the pain for now. He says he doesn't want teams to question his health when he becomes a free agent this winter.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says we shouldn't expect to see Chris Capuano pitch in 2009.
- Check out RotoAuthority for a closer look at a pitcher who may have value in fantasy leagues: Joe Blanton.
- ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure says the Pirates, Brewers and Tigers are among the teams with the strongest scouting presence in Cuba.
Tigers Rumors: Polanco, Rodney, Lyon, Everett
Lynn Henning of the Detroit News predicts how the Tigers will handle four impending free agents this offseason:
- Placido Polanco "will likely be allowed to chase free agency" as the Tigers look for another second baseman.
- The Tigers are thinking about Joel Zumaya as their 2010 closer, but they'll likely offer Fernando Rodney arbitration anyways. Henning says Rodney's a good bet to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere.
- Henning expects Brandon Lyon to receive an offer of arbitration.
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The Tigers love Adam Everett and want him back, so much so that they may offer him a contract before he hits free agency.
Casey Fossum Becomes A Free Agent
Casey Fossum has opted out of his contract to become a free agent, according to The Scranton Times-Tribune. He was pitching for Triple A Scranton in the Yankees organization after the Mets designated him for assignment in April.
Fossum, 31, has good numbers in ten starts for Scranton. He's averaging just five innings per start, but has allowed less than a hit per inning with 43 strikeouts and 16 walks. Fossum also pitched briefly for the Mets and their Triple A affiliate.