Pirates DFA Craig Monroe
According to Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, the Pirates designated outfielder Craig Monroe for assignment after last night's game to make room on the roster for Steve Pearce. Monroe hit just .215-.287-.354 in 87 plate appearances for the Bucs.
Diamondbacks Agree To Terms With First Round Pick AJ Pollock
Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with first round pick AJ Pollock. The deal is believed to include a $1.4MM signing bonus, which would be below MLB's expected slot recommendation of $1.55MM.The centerfielder from Notre Dame was the 17th overall selection and the second of the D-Backs' back-to-back first round selections.
The deal is still pending a physical, which is scheduled for Monday.
Discussion: Which Team Has The Best Young Core?
Young players have taken over the game thanks to their ability to produce at a below market salaries. Let's take some time tonight to discuss which club has the best core of young players in place at the big league level right now. Here's some of the obvious candidates:
- Dodgers: Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, James Loney, Clayton Kershaw, Russell Martin
- Rays: Matt Garza, Scott Kazmir, Evan Longoria, Dioner Navarro, David Price, BJ Upton
- Red Sox: Dan Bard, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson, Dustin Pedroia
Plenty of other teams like the Diamondbacks, Marlins, Orioles, and Reds boast an impressive collection of young players, so this should be an interesting talk. So, who ya got?
Braves Sign Chris Burke
Talking Chop reports that the Braves signed utilityman Chris Burke to a minor league deal. Burke, 29, has played every position but pitcher and catcher in the major leagues. In 32 games with the Padres this year, Burke's OPS was .575. More recently, he played in Triple A Tacoma in the Mariners' organization.
Odds & Ends: Webb, Padres, Corpas, Nationals
Some Friday evening linkage…
- Nick Piecoro says that if Brandon Webb's latest setback requires surgery, it would give the club pause about picking up his $8.5MM option for 2010.
- Paul DePodesta runs through all of the Padres' recent roster moves.
- Rockies reliever Manny Corpas had an MRI on his right elbow today according to Patrick Saunders. Both the team and Corpas were surprised since he has pitched effectively of late. Depending on the severity of the injury, this may impact the Rockies' decision to trade closer Huston Street.
- Thomas Boswell at The Washington Post says we "will see little or nothing for a long time" regarding negotiations with first overall pick Stephen Strasburg. Boswell also says the Nats have begun to discuss which free agents they will pursue next offseason, and the general assumption is that they will go after a reliever.
- Alyson Footer tweets that the Astros have signed three draft picks, including third rounder Jonathan Meyer.
- CBSsports.com's Scott Miller spoke to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, who indicated that they haven't decided to sell off movable pieces yet.
- Dean Jones Jr. writes that the Orioles signed a pair of undrafted free agents out of Towson: infielder Gary Helmick and catcher Jason Stifler.
Padres Sign Brian Lawrence
According to a press release, the Padres have signed righthander Brian Lawrence to a minor league deal. He allowed two runs in six innings in a start for the Triple-A Portland Beavers on Wednesday night. Prior to signing, Lawrence had been with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League.
Lawrence last pitched in the big leagues in 2007 for the Mets. He spent five years with the Padres from 2001-2005, drawing Opening Day assignments in 2003 and 2004.
Pedro Martinez Rumors: Friday
7:12pm: George A. King III reports that the Yankees have informed Pedro that they will pass on signing him.
6:17pm: Jon Heyman tweets that the Rangers Brewers and Cardinals also watched Pedro work out today. He also mentions that the Cubs' uncertain ownership situation hurts their chances to sign the veteran righthander.
8:42am: Pedro Martinez says he's in great shape, but the Yankees are only interested in signing him to a minor league deal. Here are some specifics on today's Pedro rumors:
- Pedro told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald that his arm feels good enough to "throw and throw and throw and throw," he just needs to polish his breaking pitches.
- Pedro said he's in "tippy-top shape," and joked about starting another career soon: "I'm thinking of becoming a swimsuit model," he said.
- Pedro will play winter ball in hopes of playing in 2010 if he doesn't sign this year.
- He said money doesn't motivate him.
- Ken Davidoff and Steve Zipay of Newsday report that the Yankees are only interested in signing Pedro to a minor league deal.
- The Yankees will watch him pitch today, along with the Cubs, Rays and Angels.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com presents a revised list of Pedro's suitors. In order: the Cubs, Angels, Dodgers, Rays and the two New York teams.
Shawn Estes Retires?
6:24pm: Mark Gonzales tweets that Estes says he hasn't retired. Instead, Estes indicates that he feels good but can't get his release from the Dodgers organization.
1:46pm: Diamond Leung reports that Shawn Estes has retired. The 36-year-old was pitching for the Dodgers in Triple A, where he started the season 3-4 with a 3.07 ERA. The lefty accepted the minor league assignment in hopes of fortifying the Dodgers' pitching later in the year.
Papelbon Backs Off Comments About Joining Other Clubs
Rob Bradford at WEEI.com spoke to Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon about the comments he made on Sirius XM Radio yesterday regarding the possibility of joining the Yankees or other clubs when he reaches free agency.
“I just think that when people hear what I said or people read what I said sometimes they can only see certain things. I want to make that clear, I don’t want to go (expletive) for the Yankees,” Papelbon said. “Believe me, I’ve got a ring here and I’m playing for a manager and general manager who are going to protect me. I’ve been on a team in baseball who has been in first-place more than any other (expletive) team in baseball. It’s just a simple fact for me that what I was stating that guys nowadays don’t necessarily get the opportunity to be with a team for a long period of time. Do I want to be with the Red Sox for as long as I can? Of course. There is no question about because I know I’m playing a manager and general manager who are going to protect me and to me that’s all that matters.”
Papelbon made it clear that his preference is to remain in Boston, but acknowledged that this is a business and he's looking out for his family first and foremost. He also said he understands that he needs the Red Sox more than they need him.
Odds And Ends: Dodgers, Doumit, Pujols
More links for Friday evening…
- Pedro Moura of the LA Daily News reports that the Dodgers have signed 23 of their draft picks.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says the Pirates should consider trading Ryan Doumit once he shows he's healthy.
- The man who would make such a move possible, Pirates first rounder Tony Sanchez, will make his pro debut tomorrow, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- My take: Even though Sanchez receives praise for his polished game, he'll need some time to develop, so if the Pirates plan on having a winning season in the next couple years, holding onto Doumit makes sense.
- ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian polled 11 MLB players about their ultimate pitcher-hitter confrontation. All 11 chose Albert Pujols and seven chose Roy Halladay.