Braves Release Tom Glavine
5:48pm: David Lennon of Newsday tweets that the Mets are not considering bringing Glavine back. Also, word via radio reports is that Tommy Hanson will come up to start Saturday. That's Kris Medlen's turn, but he's not in the Nate McLouth deal.
4:42pm: According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports the Braves have released Tom Glavine. Glavine signed an incentive-laden deal with the Braves this winter that could have paid him as much as $4.5MM. He would have received a $1MM bonus for making the team. Glavine had just finished rehabbing and had proclaimed himself ready for big league action.
We heard today that Glavine doesn't expect to play in 2010, but his career could be over sooner than that. Ironically, his release comes on the same day fellow-lefty Randy Johnson makes his first attempt at joining Glavine in the 300 win club.
Discussion: What Should The Rangers Do With All Their Catchers?
The Texas Rangers have an embarrassment of riches behind the plate, with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez all checking in at age 25 or younger. Saltalamacchia has received the most playing time at the big league level this year, hitting .255-.307-.411 in 153 plate appearances, but Teagarden has put up a more than respectable .347 OBP in 49 PA as Salty's backup. Ramirez is stashed away in Triple-A after putting up a .217-.345-.370 line in 55 PA last year.
With the team currently sporting a 4.5 game lead in the AL West and young catching always in demand, is now the time for the Rangers to make a move and push for the franchise's first playoff berth in 1999? Could a package centered around one of those three catchers plus one of Texas' promising young arms be enough to entice the Astros to move Roy Oswalt? What do you guys think?
Mike Axisa writes for River Ave. Blues.
Pirates President On McCutchen, Draft, Sano
Pirates President Frank Coonelly told fans that the Pirates plan on pursuing Miguel Angel Sano, but said they'll also be able to spend on the drraft. Here are the specifics from Coonelly's MLB.com chat:
- Andrew McCutchen, who's playing well in Triple A, will likely play in the majors at some point this season.
- A quote worth passing along: "Contrary to some suggestions in the media, however, we have no intention of attempting to save money in the Draft so we can apply it to one or more high profile international players."
- Instead, he says the Pirates plan to acquire top talent through the draft and through international free agent signings.
- Like any 16-year-old, Sano is no sure thing, if you ask Coonelly.
- But since Sano's unlike most 16-year-olds, the Pirates will make him an offer.
- "If Miguel decides that he has an offer that is superior to the one that we present to him, we will continue to have a strong presence in the Dominican," Coonelly said.
Rangers Place Padilla On Waivers
Evan Grant of D Magazine reports that the Rangers have placed Vicente Padilla on outright waivers. The righty makes $12MM this year and the Rangers have the option of paying him the same amount in 2010 or buying him out for $1.75MM.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports also hears that Padilla has been put on outright waivers. Padilla's "history of moodiness and inconsistency" works against the Rangers, writes Rosenthal. Hitting Mark Teixeira twice last night can't have helped Padilla's reputation.
Cardinals Release Former First Round Pick
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tyler Herron is no longer a part of the Cardinals' plans. They released the former first round pick today. Herron, 22, was the 46th selection in the 2005 draft, the same draft that produced Colby Rasmus for St. Louis. Herron pitched well as recently as 2007.
In 45.2 innings at Double A this year, Herron collected 37 strikeouts and allowed 70 baserunners for an ERA of 4.37. Not inspired numbers, but not bad for a 22-year-old. I'd expect someone to pick Herron up, especially given his history as a top prospect.
Odds And Ends: Redding, Aurilia, Mariners
More links for Wednesday…
- There's a question worth asking on NorthJersey.com: Are Tim Redding's Mets days numbered?
- Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Rich Aurilia doesn't concern himself with murmurs that his job is not secure.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times believes the Mariners should hold on to their talent and try to win this year.
- The Cardinals signed a prospect named Adriano Uribe according to MLB.com. There's very little info available, but we do know that he's tall, left-handed and just turned 20.
- The Baltimore Sun reports that Chad Moeller, who was designated for assignment last week, cleared waivers and will head to Triple A Norfolk.
Heyman On Contenders’ Needs
Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Dodgers would have to overpay for Jake Peavy, the Red Sox are going after bats and the Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez. Here are the details:
- It's unlikely the White Sox could pry Cliff Lee away from the Indians.
- The Brewers aren't sure whether they'll go after a hitter or a pitcher.
- Heyman cites a source who says the Dodgers believe they'd have to pay "insanely" more than anyone else if they want to acquire Peavy. That's not much of a problem for the Dodgers, who are looking strong as-is.
- The Red Sox are "aggressively seeking help," according to their competitors.
- The best player they have a realistic shot at is Victor Martinez. If the Red Sox are going to deal for V-Mart, they'll likely have to part with young pitching.
- Along with Nick Johnson and Aubrey Huff, Heyman says Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham are "possibilities" for the Red Sox.
- Not surprisingly, the Mets would not deal Fernando Martinez for Matt Holliday.
- The Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez.
- The Cubs remain the favorites for Peavy, though they haven't called the Padres about him recently.
- The Yankees, Angels and Rangers are looking for relief help.
- One AL exec believes Erik Bedard would not adjust well to the attention if he's dealt to the Phillies.
- And could George W. Bush team up with Nolan Ryan to re-purchase the Rangers?
Draft Update: Matzek, Ackley, Marlins
What happens after the Nationals select Stephen Strasburg? It's becoming a little clearer. Dustin Ackley is considered the best college hitter available, and scouts like the abundance of arms in the first part of round one. Here are some more details:
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that Bobby Borchering "could be the choice" for the Marlins, who have the 18th pick in the draft.
- The Rangers are willing to take a high-ceiling arm with their 14th pick, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Shelby Miller and Matthew Purke are a pair of Texas high schoolers who "are possibilities" for the Rangers.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo places Dustin Ackley on a list of five players who could make an impact in the majors soon after being drafted.
- High school lefty Tyler Matzek will almost certainly be among the first ten selections, according to Baseball America's Dave Perkin. Matzek, who can throw 97 mph, is a "distinct possibility" for the Mariners with the second pick and will be scooped up soon afterwards if the Mariners pass.
- Here's a name to keep an eye on: Perkin calls Henry Owens a "future first-round" pick.
- The Dodgers, picking 36th, believe they can obtain the same sort of player that would be available with a 20th overall pick, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.
Discussion: Who Would You Start A Franchise With?
The results are in from Sports Illustrated's annual poll. Scouts and executives were asked which five active players they would start a franchise with. Albert Pujols won easily, besting runners-up Evan Longoria, Zack Greinke, Joe Mauer and Hanley Ramirez. The five players topping SI's list are phenomenal, but what about pitchers Roy Halladay and Johan Santana? Or youngsters like Fernando Martinez and Matt Wieters? How about Stephen Strasburg?
Glavine Doesn’t Expect To Pitch In 2010
Jim O'Hara of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Tom Glavine expects this season to be his last. When he looks at this year's rotation Glavine says the only "logical spot" is as the fifth starter. With Javier Vazquez, Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens and Kenshin Kawakami in the rotation, Glavine's probably right.