Odds & Ends: Buchholz, Nats, O’s, Rays
A few bits and pieces from around the web:
- According to Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox are "shrugging off" comments made by Clay Buchholz that may have been blown out of proportion. "Whenever they come to a problem, they seem like they find a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is — it's frustrating at times," said Buchholz. Terry Francona called the comment one throwaway line in "a really mature interview."
- The AP reports Nats' manager Manny Acta has no worries about being fired despite reports that that he'll be replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman.
- Eight draft picks were signed by the Orioles, all players selected between rounds 12 and 45, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
- Cheng Sio of MLB.com reports the Rays signed 14 of their draft picks, all collegiate level players taken in the 12th round or later.
Jonathan Sanchez’s Trade Value Dropping
Brian Sabean once said he couldn't imagine trading Jonathan Sanchez. Now he may not be able to. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says the lefty flamethrower's stock has declined sharply. Baggarly writes:
Baggarly says the Indians reported interest "has cooled" and that teams view Sanchez as more of a bullpen arm. Baggarly adds,
Possible Type A Free Agents
Eddie Bajek has reverse-engineered the Elias rankings, and we'll now be providing that information exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. Today let's take a look at the 2010 free agents who would be Type A, if the season ended today. Click here for an explanation on free agent compensation.
Catchers
- Victor Martinez*
- Jason Varitek*
- Bengie Molina
First Base/Outfield/DH
- Matt Holliday
- Aubrey Huff
- Jason Bay
- Magglio Ordonez*
- Johnny Damon
- Bobby Abreu
- Jim Thome
- Jermaine Dye*
- Xavier Nady
- Randy Winn
Second Base/Third Base/Shortstop
- Marco Scutaro
- Orlando Cabrera
- Melvin Mora*
- Chone Figgins
- Miguel Tejada
- Orlando Hudson
- Troy Glaus
Starting Pitchers
- Cliff Lee*
- Vicente Padilla*
- Josh Beckett*
- Rich Harden
Relievers
- Octavio Dotel
- Jose Valverde
- Trevor Hoffman
- Billy Wagner*
- John Grabow
- Mike Gonzalez
- Kevin Gregg
- Ryan Franklin*
- Doug Brocail*
- Rafael Soriano
* denotes an option for 2010
Near the borderline of Type A/B status: Rod Barajas, Vladimir Guerrero, Placido Polanco, Adrian Beltre, John Lackey, Darren Oliver, Carlos Delgado, Randy Johnson, LaTroy Hawkins.
Of course, a lot can change between now and the end of the season. But it's interesting to see that players such as Guerrero, Beltre, and Lackey are no locks for Type A. Wondering about Erik Bedard? He has 69.259 of 100 points, while the lowest Type A American League starter has a 74.815 score. He's in the middle of the AL Type B starting pitchers at the moment. But if Bedard is traded to an NL club, he'll be ranked with that league's starters.
Giants Option Burriss To Triple A
San Francisco just shook things up. Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Gate reports the team optioned Emmanuel Burriss to Triple A Fresno and purchased the contract of Matt Downs, a 25-year old infielder. Burriss had been without a hit since June 4. Schulman writes,
Catcher Steve Holm was DFA'd to make space for Downs on the 40-man.
Discussion: What Should The Tigers Do?
With Carlos Guillen's season in jeopardy due to a disclosed shoulder injury, and the AL Central very much up for grabs, Rob Neyer wonders if the Tigers will now be motivated to trade for an impact hitter. Neyer notes Detroit's left field ranks 13th in the AL in OPS and their internal options are not the solution.
The Tigers are ready to deal and can add payroll, as reported earlier today by Drew Sharp. But do they need hitting or pitching?
Mario Impemba, the Tigers play-by-play announcer thinks the Tigers "have some hard decisions to make in the upcoming weeks or so and I think they'll make them," reports James Schmehl of MLive.com.
It wouldn't be unconscionable to see Dontrelle Willis be released, and for the Tigers to devour his $10MM owed in '09 and $12MM in '10. Armando Galarraga continues to get hit hard. Impemba also notes Rick Porcello's arm needs to be protected and the youngster can't be relied on to throw 200 innings. Yet Impemba feels the Tigers won't win if Miguel Cabrera, Placido Polanco, and Magglio Ordonez don't meet expectations.
It seems logical to slot Zach Miner into the rotation for Willis or Galarraga, but what else can the team do? If a left field power bat is what they need, and they're willing to expand payroll, could Matt Holliday (if available) be a realistic option? Brad Hawpe? Or do they need pitching more? The Tigers are currently in first place, three games up on the Twins in the AL Central.
Jesse Crain Optioned To Triple A
Joe Christensen reports Jesse Crain has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester to make room for Glen Perkins, back from the DL. Crain carries a cumbersome 8.15 ERA and is returning to the minors for the first time since 2004.
Christensen notes that should Denard Span need to go on the DL, "it sounded like the team would promote an outfielder." So Crain may not soon be back. In 2009, he is making $1.7MM in the final year of his 3 year, $3.5MM deal, with one year of arbitration remaining.
Smoltz Set To Return On June 25
John Smoltz is scheduled to return to the Majors next Thursday, June 25, against the Nationals. This will slot the 42-year old between Josh Beckett and Jon Lester in the rotation, barring a change in probables.
According to AP Sports Writer Howard Ulman, Terry Francona suggested he may use a six-man rotation for a "short period of time" so don't hold your breath for any immediate trade activity. The Boston Globe's Amalie Benjamin tweets it would be "for a couple turns, but not as a long-term solution, Francona said." She also notes that Smoltz will not face the Braves in this set-up.
Last Friday, MLBTR readers discussed what the Red Sox should do with their starting pitching surplus. Answers varied, to say the least.
Designated For Assignment
When teams want to clear roster space without immediately parting ways with the player they're removing from their roster, they can designate him for assignment. The move always clears a 40-man roster spot and when a player gets designated off of the active roster, a 25-man roster space opens up as well. The team then has ten days to assign the player to the minor leagues, trade him, or release him.
Players who have the right to refuse a minor league assignment benefit from the ten-day window, and it buys time for the team as well. For a team to assign a player to the minor leagues, he must first be exposed to all other teams on irrevocable outright waivers. If no one claims him, he can be released or outrighted to the minors.
A player's ability to refuse a minor league assignment depends on his service time and contract status.
Thanks to Rob Neyer's Transactions Primer and Cot's Baseball Contracts. Check out the MLBTR Glossary for more explanations of transactions terms.
Daniels On Sheets, El Duque, Trade Deadline
Rangers GM Jon Daniels answered questions in an online chat hosted by Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News. One thing becomes clear throughout the chat: Daniels will try to win this year:
- Ben Sheets isn't far enough along to be talking contract, but the Rangers are in touch with his agent.
- The Rangers could deal prospects away to improve their playoff chances this year, but Daniels doesn't suggest that's likely.
- Tom Glavine is "probably not" a fit.
- Orlando Hernandez could be ready for the majors by late July.
- Daniels says signing Matt Purke and Tanner Scheppers before July 31st wouldn't make him more likely to part with other prospects in a deal.
- The Rangers talked with Luis Vizcaino before he signed with Cleveland.
- Could the Rangers pick up a big-time starter? Daniels says "we'll see."
Odds And Ends: Sosa, Harper, Pedro, Ibanez
Links for Tuesday evening…
- Michael S. Schmidt of the New York Times reports that lawyers with knowledge of MLB's 2003 drug tests say Sammy Sosa tested positive for PEDs that year. Not our domain here at MLBTR, but easily the biggest baseball story of the day.
- Tom Verducci of SI.com reports that Bryce Harper has been flooded with interview requests since being profiled on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
- Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star believes the Jays should pursue Pedro Martinez.
- ESPN.com's Jayson Stark profiles Raul Ibanez and the hot start to the 37-year-old's season.
- Not only did the Rockies agree to terms with Tim Wheeler, they made progress with Rex Brothers and signed 27 players in total, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.