Edes On Tejada, Nationals, Shapiro
Yahoo's Gordon Edes updates us on the Cardinals' search for a bat and more in his most recent column. Here are the details:
- The Cardinals aren't interested in Miguel Tejada, but they are looking to add offensive help at third or in the outfield.
- Some have criticized the Pirates for taking Tony Sanchez fourth overall, but Edes hears they chose him because they like his tools and believe he's polished enough to reach the majors before most players in the draft.
- The Nationals would move Elijah Dukes or Lastings Milledge. Ryan Zimmerman is their only untouchable player.
- The Rangers have interest in Nick Johnson.
- There is speculation that Indians GM Mark Shaprio could be promoted to club president, with Chris Antonetti becoming GM. Edes hears that we won't see an in-season shake-up.
- Bill Lajoie, one of the decision-makers behind the deal that sent Hanley Ramirez to Florida, doesn't second guess the move.
- Edes heard from one scouting director who believes Bryce Harper is stronger than Chipper Jones, Alex Rodriguez or Manny Ramirez when they were in high school. However, some scouts wonder whether Harper would be better if he didn't rush to the majors.
Odds And Ends: Strasburg, Guillen, Smoltz
Links for Wednesday afternoon…
- Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball points out that a $5MM annual salary would place Stephen Strasburg within the top third of arbitration-eligible pitchers from last offseason.
- John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports that Carlos Guillen will have to undergo season-ending surgery if his shoulder doesn't heal soon.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com looks at the impact John Smoltz's return will have on each of the five other Boston starters.
- In an article for SI.com Joel Sherman argues the Indians shouldn't trade Cliff Lee this year. They can contend with Lee in 2010, if not this year, so Sherman says it makes sense to try to win with him.
- Jorge Says No! outlines possible fire sales for the Nationals and Orioles.
- Yankees first rounder Slade Heathcott and his agent were in New York last night, but the Yankees aren't expected to sign their selection quickly, according to Peter Abraham.
Arbitration
Today's MLBTR Glossary entry:
Arbitration exists to help teams and players settle on contracts. The two sides usually come to an agreement without having to go to an arbitration hearing, but if they can't, each side submits a figure and a panel of three arbitrators chooses one of them.
When a player has between three and six years service time or qualifies as a Super Two, he's arbitration eligible, but isn't yet free to negotiate with other teams. Here's how arbitration works:
- Generally speaking, players almost never receive pay cuts through arbitration, and usually receive raises.
- Teams must offer contracts to players under team control by the non-tender deadline (typically in December) or see them become free agents.
- Players file for arbitration in January, with figures due to be exchanged a few days later. Some teams, nicknamed "File and Trial" clubs, choose to automatically go to a hearing if they reach the figure exchange date without an agreement.
- Teams and players can continue to negotiate up until the scheduled hearing.
- Only a handful of hearings occur each year, in February. Each side has one hour for initial presentation, and then a half-hour for rebuttal and summation. At the end, the three-person arbitration panel chooses one side's salary figure.
Tim Dierkes contributed to this post. Updated 11-11-13.
Heyman On Bedard, Valentine, Glavine
Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the market for starting pitching continues to shrink as top pitchers encounter health issues. Here are the details, along with the rest of his rumors:
- Unless Erik Bedard proves his shoulder is healthy, Brad Penny and Jarrod Washburn could be the most appealing starters on the market.
- Theo Epstein, who traded Bronson Arroyo when the Red Sox seemed to have excess pitching, would rather have a pitching surplus than give Penny away.
- The Phillies, who are still looking for a front-line starter, are a little "leery" of adding Bedard, according to one of Heyman's sources.
- The Indians remain reluctant to deal Cliff Lee, who would be the best starter availabe if he hit the market.
- One GM says the Nationals should add Bobby Valentine, but says they're "too cheap" to make the move.
- Tom Glavine's agent acknowledged that his client is becoming more likely to retire.
- The asking price for Nick Johnson remains high.
Discussion: This Year’s Late-Season Surge
It doesn't happen every year, but some slow-starting teams are able to turn an extended hot streak into a playoff appearance. The 2005 Astros, 2007 Yankees and 2007 Rockies had three of the most memorable late-season surges in recent memory. This year, many teams are unsure whether they'll make a playoff run or deal some parts away in hopes of better teams to come. Here's a rundown of those teams:
- White Sox – Just 4.0 games out of the Central
- Royals - Thanks to a strong rotation, they're just 4.5 games back of the division lead
- Indians - For all of their struggles, they're still within 6.5 games of the Tigers
- Mariners – Two games under .500 and 5.5 behind the Rangers
- A's - Now 9.0 games behind Texas
- Marlins - Ony 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race
- Astros - 4.5 games back of the Wild Card leading Cardinals
- Pirates - Tied with the Astros in a surprisingly tight NL Central
- Rockies – Their streak's over, but they're just 3.5 games behind the Cardinals
Marlins Rumors: Ross, Hermida, Uggla
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that the Marlins aren't about to pull the trigger and deal away arbitration-eligible players in an effort to trim payroll. Instead, they feel ready to make a run at a postseason berth. Here are the specifics from Frisaro's blog post:
- The Marlins aren't actively shopping Dan Uggla, Cody Ross or Jeremy Hermida.
- Frisaro suggests the Braves offered Charlie Morton and Jeff Francoeur for Hermida before the Nate McLouth trade.
- The Marlins always look to obtain pitching in return for their players.
- The Braves are still looking to add a bat.
The Marlins are 32-34 now, third in the NL East and just 3.5 games behind the Cardinals in the Wild Card race. Don't look for them to deal anyone away unless they fall out of contention.
Cardinals GM Will Watch Sano Work Out
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Cardinals GM John Mozeliak will watch prospect Miguel Angel Sano work out in the Dominican Republic. Sano, a 16-year-old shortstop, will have a number of suitors to choose from once he becomes a free agent on July 2nd when the international signing period begins.
Odds And Ends: Wagner, Peavy, Melhuse
Some links for Wednesday morning…
- Billy Wagner says he could be pitching in the majors within 30 days, according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. If he returns in mid-July, the Mets would have time to evaluate Wagner before deciding whether to acquire more arms via trade.
- The Royals signed ten of their draft picks, according to MLB.com's Rustin Dodd.
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post reports that Evan Longoria never wonders what it would be like to play for the Rockies. Colorado, who selected Greg Reynolds instead of Longoria back in 2006, has probably wondered what it would be like to have Longoria.
- Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Padres have an insurance policy in place that would potentially recoup money for the team should Jake Peavy miss much time. The details aren't clear, as GM Kevin Towers hasn't looked at the policy yet.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that catcher Adam Melhuse retired. He had been playing for the Pirates' Triple A affiliate.
- Carlos Quentin has had second thoughts about his decision to turn down an extension from the White Sox, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Rangers Inquired On Snell
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Rangers inquired about Pirates starter Ian Snell. The Pirates haven't had serious talks about dealing Snell to the Rangers or anyone else, since other teams value him as a reliever and the Pirates value him as a starter.
We heard yesterday that the Rockies don't have interest in Snell.
Morosi On Penny, Hermida, Padres
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports shows that Derek Jeter's much-criticized defense has been above average this year. He also provides some rumors, so let's take a look:
- One official said he doubts the Red Sox move Brad Penny. They can do so without his permission, now that we're two and a half months into the season.
- Morosi says Chris Young and Heath Bell are sure to attract interest, but says Kevin Towers doesn't have to trade either player.
- It's possible that the Padres will "flip relievers for prospects."
- The Braves like Jeremy Hermida, but it makes sense for them to pass the Marlins in the standings before inquiring on him.