Braves Not Actively Shopping Escobar
One American League scout gets the sense that the Braves may be willing to trade Yunel Escobar, according to Mark Bowman and Chris Hempson of MLB.com. However, Bowman notes that the Braves aren't actively attempting to deal the 27-year-old and that it would take an "extremely attractive package" for Atlanta to move him.
Escobar has performed below expectations so far this year, posting career lows in batting average (.250) and OPS (.651). Not only is the shortstop struggling on the field, but Bowman suggests that "some members of the Braves organization" wouldn't mind parting ways with Escobar, due in part to his approach to the game.
There are a handful of teams, including the Tigers and Angels, who may look into acquiring a shortstop before the July 31st trade deadline. If they do, Escobar would be an intriguing option, though he won't come cheap. Considering his age and his .301/.375/.426 slash line in over 1500 plate appearances from 2007 to 2009, the Braves won't be inclined to sell low.
Padres Acquire Kyle Phillips From Blue Jays
The Padres have acquired Kyle Phillips from the Blue Jays in exchange for a player to be named later, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (via Twitter). The move represents a homecoming for Phillips, who was born in San Diego.
The 26-year-old broke into the major leagues for the first time last year, compiling five hits in 18 late-season plate appearances for Toronto. Over the course of nine minor league seasons with three different organizations, Phillips has a slash line of .265/.333/.381. Though he came through the minors as a catcher, he has spent most of his time this year at third base, hitting .258/.310/.333 in 71 plate appearances for the Jays' Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas.
Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star points out (via Twitter) that Phillips was stuck behind a slew of players on the Jays' catcher and corner infield depth charts.
Rangers Have Room For Rental Player
According to GM Jon Daniels, the Rangers have room in their budget to trade for a player whose contract expires at season's end, tweets Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio. However, in a second tweet, Bowden notes that the club would require the court's permission to acquire a player whose contract runs past 2010.
The news is a mixed bag for Rangers fans who are curious to know how the team's sale and a recent judge's ruling will affect the club's ability to make trades. On one hand, Daniels makes it clear that acquiring an impact pitcher like Cliff Lee is still a possibility. Conversely, trading for a player with a multi-year contract like Roy Oswalt's would be more difficult to pull off. On top of that, if the Rangers were to trade for Lee or another player whose contract expires this year, they'd essentially be renters, as signing anyone to an extension seems unlikely at the moment.
Ted Lilly, Kevin Millwood, Ben Sheets, and Jake Westbrook are a few other potentially available arms who aren't under contract past this season.
Angels Not Limited As Deadline Nears
The Angels will be able to spend as they please this summer, GM Tony Reagins told Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio (Twitter link). Reagins said the Angels have the financial and positional freedom to make the additions his club needs.
The 41-34 Angels are 4.5 games behind the streaking Rangers in the AL West and may need infield help. Injuries to Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis could force Reagins to pursue a shortstop, though that hasn't been the biggest problem for the team in 2010; Angels third basemen have combined to post a .596 OPS with four homers. Manager Mike Scioscia has found ways to fill in for injured first baseman Kendry Morales, but the team could also pursue a replacement via trade.
The Angels could use some pitching, too. Only the Indians, Orioles, Astros, Pirates, Brewers and D'Backs have allowed more runs. The team's bullpen, a major strength for much of the last decade, has posted a 4.94 ERA so far this year, so Reagins could pursue a second lefty to complement closer Brian Fuentes.
Odds & Ends: Fukudome, Kemp, Lowell, Harang
Links for Friday, as the Rangers keep streaking…
- A few Cubs people told Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald that they're not trying to move Kosuke Fukudome as aggressively as it seems. The Cubs would still like to trade him, though.
- In a piece for the New York Times, Baseball-Reference creator Sean Forman says the Padres may be one above-average bat away from sustaining their surprisingly good start.
- Should the Dodgers trade Matt Kemp? Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports answers that question with a definite 'yes.'
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports that Mike Lowell's hip issues, which have landed him on the disabled list, prevented the completion of the deal that would have sent Lowell to Texas over the winter. Lowell tells Speier he knows his DL stint will hurt his trade value.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer wonders if the Reds could trade Aaron Harang.
- The Padres need to add a bat, writes Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Check out my appearance on Bloomberg Sports' Ballpark Figures series right here.
- Joe Torre told Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times that he would have room for Robinson Cano on his all-time Yankees team (Twitter link). Torre also managed All-Star second basemen Chuck Knoblauch and Alfonso Soriano in the Bronx.
- Kevin Kernan of the New York Post says it's the Mets' turn to make a big mid-summer acquisition. Kernan would like to see the Mets bring Cliff Lee back to the NL East.
- A person close to Lee told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News that the lefty would not mind playing in New York.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post strongly endorses Bobby Valentine and Buck Showalter as managers. Sherman writes that the two skippers "are both fantastic at running a game" and would fit well in Florida and Baltimore, respectively.
Mets Focus On Pitching, Not Second Base
The Mets are focused on adding pitching and will not pursue a trade for a second baseman, a source tells Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Luis Castillo has missed almost the entire month with an injured left foot, so 20-year-old Ruben Tejada has filled in at second. The youngster has hit .260/.327/.320 and played well enough defensively for the Mets to feel comfortable focusing on other needs.
Mets executives are engaging in preliminary talks with other teams about pitching help. Cliff Lee would fit in New York, but Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the Mariners aren’t ready to “throw in the towel” yet (Twitter link). That said, Zduriencik is “not a fool” and will sell if the Mariners don’t go on a Texas-sized winning streak (Twitter link).
Ty Wigginton said he would not mind playing for the Mets, but the O’s are reportedly asking for a young shortstop in return. Infielders such as Kelly Johnson, Akinori Iwamura, Craig Counsell, Willie Bloomquist and Adam Kennedy could become options if the Mets change course and pursue a replacement for Castillo.
Padres Interested In Starting Pitching
The Padres have allowed the fewest runs in the majors thanks to a strong rotation and a phenomenal bullpen, but they could pursue starting pitching next month, according to Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse. Krasovic hears that the 42-30 Padres are “extra interested” in potential free agents, since they’re confident those pitchers would want to re-sign in San Diego.
Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie isn’t a potential free agent until after 2012, but he’s open to playing for the Padres.
"Yes, I'd love to play in San Diego," Guthrie, said, before saying that he won’t ask the Orioles for a trade. Guthrie says he loves Baltimore, but wouldn’t mind if Padres GM Jed Hoyer traded for him. The Padres front office wants to be careful with young starters Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc and Clayton Richard, so they're interested in adding pitching depth. Veterans Kevin Correia and Jon Garland are also part of a Padres rotation that has combined for a 3.36 ERA in 2010.
Brewers Owner Doesn’t Intend To Dismantle Team
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he doesn’t intend to rebuild completely just because the Brewers aren’t in contention. The Brewers know that players like Corey Hart and Prince Fielder will appeal to other teams, but the sluggers can also help the Brewers achieve Attanasio’s goal of winning in 2011.
“We think we have a very good team,” he said. “Our intent isn’t to dismantle the team simply because we may not make the playoffs this year.”
Attanasio said he hopes the Brewers keep Fielder this summer, since he’s a “big Prince fan.” GM Doug Melvin, who will be the one fielding offers for the first baseman, has satisfied the team’s owner, though the Brewers' pitching has been largely disappointing since 2008. Attanasio said he’s pleased “from an overall standpoint” with Melvin’s work and that the Brewers will address their 2011 option for manager Ken Macha after the season.
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.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Jenkins, Twins, Eveland
On this date 11 years ago, Orioles lefty Jesse Orosco set the Major League record for career relief appearances when he came into the 8th inning of a game against the Yankees to face Tino Martinez and Paul O'Neill. It was his 1,051st career appearance, surpassing Kent Tekulve's record. The then-42-year-old Orosco went on to pitch another four years after setting the mark, and retired with 1,252 career appearances, 74 more than anyone else.
Here are a few links from around the baseball blogosphere…
- 1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Jays' prospect Chad Jenkins.
- Nick's Twins Blog doesn't think Minnesota needs to add relievers from outside the organization.
- Pittsburgh Lumber Co. wonders what the Pirates were thinking when they acquired Dana Eveland.
- The Friarhood says it's time for the Padres to reinforce their lineup with a big bat.
- 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba tries to predict some upcoming transactions.
- Prospect Insider looks at some blocked prospects the Mariners could target in a trade this summer.
- Mets Paradise says Elmer Dessens has added a lot of depth to the Amazins' bullpen.
- Capital Avenue Club wonders who the odd man out of the Braves' rotation will be once Jair Jurrjens is healthy.
- Future Redbirds rounded up a bevy of prospect and draft reference links.
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