Orioles Considering Sano?
The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec reports that the Orioles invited 16-year-old phenom Miguel Angel Sano to a workout at their baseball academy in the Dominican Republic yesterday. Orioles Director of Player Development David Stocksill came out of the tryout "impressed."
Sano has been linked most often to the Pirates, who are rumored to be offering as much as $4MM to obtain the coveted shortstop prospect when international free agents are able to sign this July 2nd. Zrebiec notes that the Orioles have never dropped more than $1MM to acquire an international free agent.
Discussion: Josh Fields’ Future
As recently reported by Mark Gonzales at the Chicago Tribune, with the recent slotting of top prospect Gordon Beckham at third, White Sox GM Kenny Williams admits that Josh Fields' future with the team is "undefined":
"I see it here in Chicago and certainly, this isn't an indication we're giving up on Josh, but you guys understand we're all about winning here."
Williams goes on to say there's a place for Fields "right now," though, as Gonzales notes, the surplus of Pale Hose infielders offers an opportunity to swing a deal and patch some holes. Fields has seen his share of ups and downs for the Sox–he was seen to be the future at third after he jacked 23 homers in 373 at-bats in 2007, but he hasn't flashed that potential since. He's posted a meager .626 OPS in 176 at-bats this year.
Do you see Fields staying with the Sox? Or would he make sense for a team starved for depth at the corners like, say, the Mets? Could he command any useful parts for Kenny Williams, or would he be selling too low?
Rockies Sign Adam Eaton
Troy Renck at the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have signed righty Adam Eaton to a minor-league deal. Eaton was released in late May by the Orioles.
Eaton, 32, posted an ugly 8.56 ERA and 28/19 K/BB ratio for the O's in 41.1 innings before being cut. He'll slide in to provide depth at Triple-A Colorado Springs after the Rockies' recent promotion of Josh Fogg.
Mariners Release Tyler Johnson
According to Ryan Divish at the Tacoma News-Tribune, the Mariners released lefty Tyler Johnson last night. Johnson had been throwing for the Triple-A Rainiers and posted a rough 27.00 ERA in 2.2 innings.
The M's inked Johnson to a minor-league deal in February in hopes he'd develop into a lefty specialist, but he's suffered command issues in his recovery from recent arm surgery.
Glavine Considering Grievance
Odds & Ends: Pavano, Draft, Dodgertown
A couple of links on a sluggish Saturday afternoon in the baseball world…
- MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince has an update on Carl Pavano's contract: "Pavano, at his current rate, is projected to go 17-11 with a 4.63 ERA in 205 innings over 34 starts this season. If that were to happen, Pavano would make an additional $3.5 million in performance incentives, on top of the $1.5 million he is guaranteed this season."
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel breaks down some possibilities for the Brewers' first pick. Baseball America has Milwaukee selecting Notre Dame center fielder A.J. Pollock 26th overall. The Brewers boast five of the first 74 picks.
- Can't get enough draft coverage? John Sickels over at SB Nation's Minor League Ball hosted a first round mock draft this afternoon.
- Dodger Stadium and the surrounding area received it's own ZIP code today, 90090, in a ceremony behind home plate. The territory is already officially listed as "Dodgertown, California."
- Missouri right-hander Kyle Gibson, Baseball America's 4th ranked draft prospect, suffered a stress fracture in his throwing arm on May 30. He'll be out six weeks.
Talkin’ Ryan Spilborghs
With the promotion of 23-year-old outfielder Carlos Gonzalez from Triple-A, Ryan Spilborghs now stands as the fifth outfielder in Colorado. He's not an All-Star, and probably never will be, but Spilborghs deserves a bit more playing time than he'll get with the Rockies. Thus, he's on the proverbial trading block.
As Troy Renck of the Denver Post reported Friday evening, "The Red Sox have interest in Spilborghs, and Tampa and Atlanta are looking for outfield help. The Cubs have always liked Spilborghs as well."
Discussion: Billy Wagner
Mets' lefthander Billy Wagner hasn't pitched this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September, but he's expected to begin throwing to batters by the end of June. A team official said a September 1st return date is "very conservative". The Mets hold an $8MM option for his services next season, but they have reportedly already told Wagner that the option will not be picked up, instead paying him a $1MM buyout.
I'd like to see what the MLBTR readers think about Wagner's situation. If he comes back later in the season and is effective, what kind of market do you think there will be for be for his services in the offseason? As a 38-yr old coming off major surgery, could his distinguished track record still land him a multi-year deal? Could Brian Fuentes' two year, $17.5MM deal with the Angels work as framework for a potential contract?
Royals DFA Horacio Ramirez
According to Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star, the Royals have designated lefthander Horacio Ramirez for assignment to make room on the roster for Luke Hochevar. Ramirez had a 5.96 ERA in 19 appearances for the Royals this year (one start), and Dutton says the Royals hope he can remain with the organization as a starter in Triple-A Omaha.
Draft Roundup: Mock Draft, Strasburg, Gibson
Major League Baseball's amateur draft is now just three days away, so let's round up the latest news.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America posted version three of their Mock Draft yesterday (subscription req'd). He projects the top three picks to be Stephen Strasburg, Dustin Ackley, and Donavan Tate.
- After Strasburg is announced as the first overall pick on Tuesday, he will not meet with the media at his home or on the San Diego State campus, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. Strasburg will instead hold his press conference in "the main lobby of the Boras Corporation offices."
- Conor Glassey reports that Missouri righthander Kyle Gibson experienced tightness in his forearm during his start last weekend, which is causing his velocity and stock to drop. Gibson was a consensus top 15 talent prior to the injury.
- Mark Heller of The East Valley Tribune spoke to Diamondbacks scouting director Tom Allison, who says the team will "stay true to best person on the board." With seven of the first 64 picks, there was some thought that the D-Backs would seek out players willing to sign for, or below slot to save money.
- Steve Buckley of The Boston Herald wrote about how the Red Sox's recent success in the draft has fans following the event more closely than ever.