Odds & Ends: Martin, Sweeney, Red Sox, D’Backs
On this day in 1999, Mark McGwire hit his 500th career homer, reaching that plateau faster than any other player in history. It was McGwire's second consecutive season with a home run milestone, as he hit homer #400 during his (then) record-breaking 1998 campaign. But since we're not here to talk about the past, let's get to some news items…
- Jon Weisman of ESPNLosAngeles.com looks at Russell Martin's hip injury and how it might spell the end of his tenure with the Dodgers. Weisman also notes that L.A.'s chances of acquiring another catcher to replace Martin this season are "slim to none."
- Mike Sweeney is excited to get his first taste of a pennant race, writes Charles Nobles of MLB.com.
- The Red Sox dealt former Mets infielder Argenis Reyes and minor league catcher Juan Apodaca to Cleveland for future considerations, reports Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal.
- J.P. Ricciardi discussed the waiver wire, the Jarrod Saltalamacchia deal, the Kevin Youkilis injury and other Boston-related news on WEEI's The Big Show today. Maryalice Gill of WEEI.com has the full transcript here.
- Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall took questions from Arizona fans in an MLB.com web chat.
- Speaking of the Snakes, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic looks at how the D'Backs might reallocate the $2MM they had earmarked for first-round draft pick Barret Loux before he failed his physical.
- Pittsburgh has yet to sign 10 of its top 13 picks from the June amateur draft, reports MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.
Astros Sign Delino DeShields Jr.
THURSDAY, 5:43PM: The deal was officially announced today. DeShields' bonus is worth $2.15MM, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (Twitter link). As Callis notes, this bonus is $107K over the recommended slot for the eighth overall pick.
TUESDAY, 6:51PM: The Astros have reached an agreement with eighth overall pick Delino DeShields Jr., according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. DeShields' father, longtime big leaguer Delino DeShields, told McTaggart yesterday that his son would sign. The younger DeShields turns 18 on August 16th, the date by which teams must sign their draft picks.
This year's MLB draft guide noted that DeShields was "one of the best high school running backs in Georgia" and had committed to LSU.
It's not clear how much the Astros will commit to the compactly-built teenager, but recent history suggests the bonus will fall in the $2MM range. Mike Leake ($2.27MM in 2009), Gordon Beckham ($2.6MM in 2008) and Casey Weathers ($1.8MM in 2007) all signed for $2MM or so after their clubs selected them eighth overall. The recommended bonus for the eighth overall pick was $2.04MM last year.
Click here for MLBTR's list of first-round picks to sign.
Cardinals Sign Seth Blair
The Cardinals formally announced the signing of supplementary first rounder Seth Blair, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach (via Twitter). The Cards selected the 21-year-old right-hander 46th overall in last month's draft. Three years ago, the A's selected Blair in the 47th round, but he attended Arizona State instead.
The Cardinals signed Blair for $751,500, according to Baseball America's Jim Callis. That matches MLB's slot recommendation.
Earlier in the week, we heard that the Cards were close to finalizing an agreement with Blair, so tonight's news is no surprise. Click here for the complete list of top picks to sign.
D’Backs’ First-Rounder Fails Physical
MONDAY, 7:33am: Loux's physical exam revealed a shoulder issue, reports Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com.
SATURDAY, 10:52pm: Barret Loux, Arizona's first-round pick in this year's draft, has failed his physical exam, reports Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports. According to Ringolsby, the Diamondbacks have broken off negotiations with Loux, who they picked sixth overall last month.
When the D'Backs selected the Texas A&M right-hander, John Manuel wrote that it was the first pick of the draft Baseball America didn't like. Manuel noted that Loux wasn't considered a consensus first-rounder and that the right-hander had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow at A&M. Loux also received a heavy workload leading up to the draft, throwing 123+ pitches on four different occasions between May 6th and June 4th.
Considering slot money for the sixth overall pick is approximately $2.6MM, the D'Backs seem unlikely to reach an agreement with Loux if his health is a concern. Ringolsby indicates that the decision to draft Loux was made by Josh Byrnes, and that the move may have played a part in the Arizona GM losing his job.
If the D'Backs do not sign Loux, they'll receive the seventh overall pick in next year's draft as compensation.
Odds & Ends: Marcum, Reds, Marlins, Munson
A few more links, on the night of Johnny Damon's 2,500th career hit….
- Shaun Marcum would like to remain a Blue Jay, but says if he gets traded, "hopefully it's [to] someone that's obviously going to be in the playoffs." MLB.com's James Hall has the full story.
- With Edinson Volquez set to rejoin Cincinnati soon, Brandon Phillips tells CBS Sports' Danny Knobler that he doesn't think the Reds need to trade for a pitcher.
- Marlins' players are battling to stay in the playoff hunt, in hopes of convincing the front office not to break up the team, writes the Palm Beach Post's Joe Capozzi. Florida's brass should decide soon whether or not they'll become sellers.
- The Indians signed a pitcher whose pre-draft arm surgery dropped him from a potential top-50 pick to the seventh round, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
- The Padres released former third overall pick Eric Munson, tweets MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- Frank Wren is biding his time when it comes to making trades, writes Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Wren reiterated what we heard a couple weeks ago: the Braves likely won't need to acquire any pitching.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link) hears that the White Sox aren't currently "heavily involved" in trade talk, but concedes that with Chicago, that could change at any moment.
- The Orioles are scouting the Phillies tonight, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). Gelb notes that Ty Wigginton, Miguel Tejada, and Jeremy Guthrie could all be potential targets for the Phils.
- AOL FanHouse's Frankie Piliere lists ten baseball people that ought to be considered for future general manager openings.
Angels Sign Two First-Round Picks
The Angels have signed first-round picks Cameron Bedrosian and Chevez Clarke, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. Bedrosian and Clarke were two of the Angels' three first-rounders in this year's draft, selected 29th and 30th overall respectively. Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that Bedrosian will receive a bonus of $1.116MM, while Clarke signed for $1.089MM.
The son of former Cy Young winner Steve Bedrosian, Cam was selected with the first-round pick the Angels earned when John Lackey signed with the Red Sox. Baseball America ranked Bedrosian 56th overall in their list of draft prospects, noting that his fastball hits the mid-90s and that he has a chance to become a major league starter.
Clarke is a switch-hitting high school outfielder who projects as a leadoff type, with MLB.com's scouting report likening the 18-year-old to Denard Span.
Kaleb Cowart, who the Angels selected with the 18th overall pick they received for losing Chone Figgins, is now the lone first-rounder who has yet to reach an agreement with the team. For the full list of which 2010 first-round picks have signed, click here.
Odds & Ends: Bumgarner, Tracy, Oswalt, Atkins
Links for Friday night, as Edwin Jackson tosses a 149-pitch no-hitter against his former team….
- Madison Bumgarner was scratched from tonight's Triple-A start, fueling speculation that the Giants would call him up to start tomorrow's game. However, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets that the team still plans to start Joe Martinez tomorrow, with Bumgarner as the backup option.
- In his weekly appearance on WEEI's Big Show, Peter Gammons discusses the Red Sox' bullpen issues and the best one-year signing of this past offseason.
- Bill Ladson of MLB.com wonders if the Nationals will be interested in the recently DFA'd Chad Tracy, given Tracy's connection to Nats GM Mike Rizzo.
- Although it looks as if the Rangers won't be able to afford Roy Oswalt, you can add Texas to the list of teams the pitcher would be willing to play for, according to the Dallas Morning News. Oswalt has previously said he'd accept a trade to anywhere he could contend.
- Garrett Atkins tells MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (Twitter link) that being released by the Orioles would be a "welcome opportunity." It appears as though Atkins will soon be designated for assignment.
- Following a blow-up during today's game, Carlos Zambrano has been suspended indefinitely by the Cubs, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. When Zambrano returned to the Cubs' rotation, we discussed Tom Gorzelanny as a trade chip, but as long as Zambrano remains suspended, that possibility looks less likely.
- The Astros signed their second-round pick, right-hander Vincent Velasquez, per a team release.
- Dusty Baker says Gary Matthews Jr. "has got to get his act together" before the outfielder earns a shot at the Reds' big league lineup, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
Royals Sign Christian Colon
The Royals officially signed fourth overall pick Christian Colon today and assigned the shortstop to their Carolina League affiliate. Colon receives a $2.75MM bonus, but no major league deal, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). Keith Law reported the deal Wednesday on ESPN.com's draft Twitter feed.
The 21-year-old shortstop becomes the highest of this year's draft picks to reach an agreement so far. MLB.com's scouting report praises the Cal State Fullerton product's "outstanding makeup and leadership ability," along with his ability to play "above his tools."
Rival executives told ESPN.com's Buster Olney that Colon's skills could bring him to the major leagues by next year. After the draft, Colon told reporters that he is confident in his ability to play in the majors before long. The Scott Boras client said he's open to playing second base or short, depending on the Royals' preference.
Amateur Draft Signings: Wednesday
To keep track of which first rounders and supplemental-round picks have agreed to terms so far, follow our complete list. Here's the latest news on lower draft picks who have signed:
- The Astros have signed two more draft picks according to a team press release: 10th rounder Evan Grills and 30th rounder Kellen Kiilsgaard.
- The Athletics signed seventh-round pick Jordan Tripp and three other players, according to a team release. Oakland's top four picks remain unsigned, but the team has locked up 15 of its next 16 selections.
- James Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press writes that the Tigers agreed to terms with three draftees, including third-rounder Rob Brantly.
- The Twins agreed to sign their second-round pick, high school shortstop Niko Goodrum, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (via Twitter).
Amateur Draft Signings: Tuesday
Here's the round-up of today's mass signings and individual agreements between teams and players from the 2010 Amateur Draft. The list of first-rounders and supplemental round picks to sign can be found here.
- Pittsburgh has signed 14th-rounder Bryce Weidman and 22nd-rounder Adalberto Santos, reports Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds have signed two more of their picks.
- Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times tweets that the Dodgers signed their second and seventh round selections — namely, right-hander Ralston Cash and right-hander Ryan Christenson.
- The Cubs agreed to terms with five draft picks today, according to a team press release. Third-rounder Micah Gibbs was the highest-drafted player amongst the new Cubs.
- Corey Brock of MLB.com tweets that the Padres signed fifth-round pick Rico Noel and eleventh-rounder Brian Guinn.
- A Padres team press release confirmed the signings of Noel and Guinn, and also announced that the club had agreed to terms with six other draft picks.
- Anthony Andro of the Dallas Morning News reports that Texas agreed to terms with sixth-rounder Brett Nicholas.
- According to an Angels press release, the team has signed second-rounder (81st overall) Daniel Tillman, a right-handed pitcher from Florida Southern College.
- Chris Sale passed his team physical and thus his contract with the White Sox was officially announced by the club today, via press release.