D’Backs Claim Blaine Boyer Off Waivers
According to the Arizona Republic the D'Backs claimed pitcher Blaine Boyer off waivers from the Cardinals, who designated him for assignment last week. The 27-year-old had a 4.41 ERA in 15 appearances with the Cards. It's been a hectic year for Boyer, who was traded from Atlanta to St. Louis back in April.
Determining The MLB Draft Order
Here's how to determine the MLB draft order:
- You start by upending the previous year's standings. The team with the worst record in the league gets the top pick in the following year's draft.
- Sometimes, more than one team will have the same record. In 2008, for instance, the Reds, Rockies and Tigers all finished 74-88.
- In that case, you go back one more season and compare those records. The Rockies finished ahead of the Reds and Tigers in 2007, so they were the last of the three teams to select in 2009. The Tigers finished ahead of the Reds in '07, so they picked after Cincinnati.
- If a team fails to sign its first rounder, they get a pick in the next year's draft. A team that fails to sign the tenth overall pick gets the 11th overall selection the following year. A team that fails to sign the 21st overall pick, gets the 22nd pick the following year.
- The first 10 picks in the draft are protected, so if one of those teams signs a free agent who turned down a qualifying offer, it will lose its second round pick instead. Any draft pick obtained for failing to sign a pick the previous year is also not subject to forfeiture.
- After the first round is the compensatory round, for any team that lost a free agent who turned down a qualifying offer. Then comes Competitive Balance Round A, then Round 2, then Competitive Balance Round 3, Round 4, etc. Competitive balance picks are given out through a lottery, as explained here by MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.
Rangers Exercise Washington’s 2010 Option
According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram the Rangers exercised the 2010 option on manager Ron Washington's contract. Washington has led the Rangers, who currently have a 4.5 game lead in the AL West, to a 33-23 record. GM Jon Daniels said picking up the option was an "easy decision" because the Rangers have played so well.
No One’s Calling Toronto About Halladay
Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reported yesterday that no one's calling the Blue Jays about Roy Halladay.
Odds And Ends: Huff, Ackley, Strasburg
Some more links to pass along…
- Steve Melewski of MASN.com reports that Orioles president Andy MacPhail is "open" to talking with Aubrey Huff about a possible extension. Huff, a free agent at the end of the year, has been the subject of many trade rumors.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer agrees with a suggestion Howard made on this site yesterday: Jon Rauch would be a good fit for the Rays.
- Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Cards GM John Mozeliak was among those watching as two college hitters worked out at Busch Stadium this morning. Josh Phegley and A.J. Pollock took some swings in front of the Cardinals' scouting staff.
- As Ian Browne of MLB.com points out, the Red Sox have drafted well in recent years even when they haven't had early selections.
- MLB.com's Jim Street writes that it would be shocking for the Mariners to pick someone other than Dustin Ackley.
- As ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports, Angels scouting director Eddie Bane is amazed by Scott Boras because he intimidates, but "never says a price."
- Tim Keown of ESPN the Magazine passes along one scout's thoughts on Stephen Strasburg: "He'd be a front-of-the-rotation guy for almost every team right now."
Dellucci Would Return To Rangers
According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, the recently-released David Dellucci is interested in playing for the Texas Rangers again. He could return to Texas, where he played two seasons, if they offer him the major league minimum. The Indians are paying the rest of his salary.
Strasburg: A Sure Thing, Or Not?
ESPN.com's Rob Neyer agrees with the argument Alan Schwarz makes in New York Times: Stephen Strasburg is a phenomenal prospect, but we've seen other "can't miss" pitching prospects falter in the major leagues or fail to reach them. Until Strasburg proves himself in the majors, Neyer suggests that we stop preparing to etch Strasburg's name onto a Hall of Fame plaque.
Heyman On Strasburg, D’Backs, Penny
Jon Heyman of SI.com anticipates some memorable negotiations between the Nationals, Scott Boras and Stephen Strasburg. Here's what Heyman heard about Strasburg along with the rest of his rumors:
- Boras is still expected to demand $50MM for Strasburg.
- Think that's a lot? Some think Strasburg would command $100MM as a free agent.
- Executives generally guess he'll end up signing for more than $20MM, but not by much.
- One NL exec said he expects the deal to reach $30MM.
- Strasburg could always pitch in Japan or for an independent team if he doesn't sign, but Heyman imagines he'd much rather join a major league franchise immediately.
- The Pirates could draft catcher Tony Sanchez with the fourth pick.
- The D'Backs could deal Chad Qualls and Tony Pena at the deadline.
- Boston seems "in a hurry" to deal Brad Penny.
- One Red Sox person was not impressed by what he saw from Jeff Francoeur.
- It's probably too early for the Rangers to release Vicente Padilla.
Olney On Economy, Penny, Strasburg
Buster Olney said on ESPN Radio that the struggling economy could limit the number of trades we see this summer as fewer clubs are willing to take on contracts. Here are the details:
- Since a limited number of teams can add salary, Olney suspects "very cheap players" could be the ones to move.
- Teams are willing to give up less impressive prospects for expensive players, so the A's could be limited if they decide to deal Matt Holliday. However, they don't have to deal, so they can stand pat and collect picks after the season.
- Olney says there's a good chance Brad Penny's moved within the next couple weeks. It won't be this week unless Penny gives his permission, since he can't be dealt before June 15th.
- The Indians are starting to ask themselves who they'll be dealing with if they decide to shop Mark DeRosa and others.
- Olney wonders if the Nats will offer Stephen Strasburg a record deal- say $18-20MM- immediately and stick with that offer until the August 15th signing deadline.
Olney fleshes his ideas out in today's column, saying that teams like the Mariners and Padres may see less impressive bids for Erik Bedard and Jake Peavy as the perceived value of cheap, young players continues rising. Teams like the Yankees and Red Sox want to keep their young talent, so they don't drive up the prices for players who could be moved. The Padres could simply keep Peavy instead of accepting a second-rate return for him.
Draft Updates: Strasburg, Nats, Crow
With tomorrow's draft approaching fast let's take a look at some recent rumors and analysis…
- MLB.com's Lisa Winston reports that former super prospect Ben McDonald is impressed by Stephen Strasburg's stuff and poise.
- David Price told Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that Strasburg's stuff is better than his. Like Joe Maddon, Price believes the minors can be helpful and doesn't advocate rushing Strasburg into a big league rotation.
- Chico Harlan of the Washington Post interviewed acting GM Mike Rizzo about the draft and heard that signability won't be a factor for the Nats with their 10th pick, even though they get nothing if they fail to sign the player they choose. After saying for weeks that Strasburg is his choice with the first pick in the draft, Rizzo doesn't confirm it this time.
- Pete McElroy of MASN.com hears that the Nats will take Chad Jenkins, a big college righty, with their 10th pick if he's available.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates could use the $1.3MM they saved by trading Nate McLouth to sign the player they draft fourth overall. Aaron Crow, who's looking for $4MM, could be an option for Pittsburgh.
- Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Crow's looking forward to tomorrow's draft after waiting a year.
- Yahoo's Jeff Passan says prospects can be over-hyped to the point that we encounter "an uncomfortable reality" when they struggle.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports that Kyle Gibson and Tanner Scheppers could fall lower than originally expected because of injury concerns. Other players, like Jacob Turner, could fall because they're expected to demand large bonuses.
- Follow the draft on Twitter as it unfolds: @mlbtraderumors and @MLBDraft.