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Archives for June 2010

Morimoto And Iwakuma Qualify For Free Agency

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Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker passes along a pair of reports indicating that Hichori Morimoto and Hisashi Iwakuma have accrued enough service time in Japan to qualify for domestic free agency. 

Morimoto, a 29-year-old center fielder for the Nippon Ham Fighters, said “I’m interested, you know, in America”, before adding, “I care about how other teams evaluate me, but playing for the Fighters is the best.” A winner of multiple Gold Gloves, the speedy Morimoto is hitting .301/.348/.406 with just three steals this year, but he's a .275 hitter with a .327 OBP with 65 steals in his four seasons as a full-time player. 

Iwakuma is a 29-year-old starting pitcher that opened eyes with three dominant starts (and one relief appearance) in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The righthander has posted a 2.72 ERA in 102.2 innings for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles this year, and he owns a 3.36 ERA in more than eight years of NPB experience.

Newman mentions that Iwakuma is under contract for next season, but expects him to make the move to MLB following the 2011 season as long as he remains healthy and effective. He is represented by IMG.

Pierzynski’s Ten And Five Rights Kick In

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A.J. Pierzynski's ten and five rights kicked in at 11pm CT last night, giving the White Sox catcher the ability to veto any trade. Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune mentions that Pierzynski was happy for his family since he can now control his own destiny, though he indicated last week that he would still be open to a trade.

The 33-year-old Pierzynski is in the final year of his contract and is owed approximately $3.85MM for the remainder of this season. His offense has suffered in 2010, with his triple-slash line sitting at .236/.277/.372 in 204 plate appearances. Never a great thrower, Pierzynski's caught stealing rate sits at 28%, his highest mark since 2003. 

Quality catchers are always in demand, and rumors of a Chicago sell-off have been circulating. The White Sox have already been gauging interest in their catcher, with the Rangers reportedly showing interest. 

Here is our list of players whose ten and five rights kick in in the near future.

Odds & Ends: Pierzynski, Yankees, Orioles, Fox

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Ted Lilly doesn't get the no-hitter, but he does get his first win in a while.  Some links for tonight..

Could White Sox Stand Pat?

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Tonight, the White Sox are looking to win their fifth straight game as they take on the Cubs at Wrigley Field.  While the club sits in the middle of the AL Central, manager Ozzie Guillen seems to think that his club might be turning a corner:

''What's the [trade] deadline, July 31?'' Guillen said to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday. ''That's a long time, that's a long way. I said before we started this long homestand — counting the Cubs [at Wrigley Field], too, because we're still in Chicago — we have to give [General Manager] Kenny [Williams], [assistant GM] Rick [Hahn] and [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] an idea of what kind of ballclub we have."

While Guillen would be more than happy to keep his core together, GM Kenny Williams has made it known that he does not necessarily feel the same way.  While Williams doesn't appear ready to conduct a fire sale, he does sound like he is ready to make some changes.  Several executives told ESPN's Buster Olney that the club is willing to deal. 

The White Sox have several pieces that could be attractive to teams as we near the deadline.  Several bullpen arms, including Bobby Jenks and J.J. Putz, could be trade candidates.  Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who is in the final year of his contract, says that he would be open to a trade.  If they do go through with a rebuilding effort, Jake Peavy has said that he would prefer to be dealt.

All signs seem to be pointing to the White Sox making some significant deals before the deadline, though Guillen's latest comments imply that the team can still win the front office over. 

Athletics Designate Jake Fox For Assignment

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The A's have designated Jake Fox for assignment, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). 

Slusser also tweets that the A's are hoping that he clears waivers, though it might be tough as he has demonstrated the ability to catch.  The soon-to-be 28-year-old has started seven games behind the plate this season.

Fox has struggled at the plate in 2010, posting a slash line of .214/.264/.327 in 106 plate appearances.  While his offensive performance has been disappointing, Mychael Urban of CSN (via Twitter) believes that this move could be a precursor to something else.

Oakland acquired Jake Fox and Aaron Miles from the Cubs in December for Jeff Gray and a pair of minor leaguers.  Miles would later be dealt to the Reds, released, and signed by the Cardinals.

Odds & Ends: Bell, Giants, Lowell, Maine, Indians

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Sunday linkage..

Week In Review: 6/6/10 – 6/12/10

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It's time to take a look back at the week that was..

Cafardo’s Latest: Red Sox, Brewers, Mariners, Oswalt

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In today's notes column, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe wonders if the Red Sox would move closer Jonathan Papelbon after the season to open up the closer's role for Daniel Bard. He speculates that the Brewers, Twins, Rays, Braves, and Phillies could be in the market for a closer this winter. Papelbon is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2011 season. 

Let's round up the rest of Cafardo's rumors…

  • Scott Boras said he undervalued Stephen Strasburg last year, even though he eventually signed the largest contract in draft history. Boras added that being around San Diego State coach Tony Gwynn helped Strasburg become prepared for what lied ahead.
  • Cafardo says that New England isn't a high priority area for scouts before the draft because by time they can get out to see the players in the region, it's too late in the game for a cross-checker to confirm anything.
  • Cafardo predicts that Jacoby Ellsbury will be traded this offseason. He'll arbitration eligible for the first time after 2010, though he's been battling rib issues basically all season.
  • He also remarks that the Red Sox would have to play Mike Lowell if they want to showcase him for a trade. Lowell has received just 50 plate appearances since the end of April.
  • Kevin Millwood should become major trade bait as the deadline approaches because he's pitched well and is in the final year of his contract.
  • The Brewers would love to make Randy Wolf available, but no one would take him on with more than two years and $24MM left on his deal. Meanwhile, Milwaukee still isn't sure if they'll try to improve their catching situation or become sellers and look towards next season.
  • The feeling is that once Seattle trades Cliff Lee, pretty much everyone on their roster not named Ichiro and Felix Hernandez will be available as well. 
  • Diamondbacks' CEO Derrick Hall isn't happy with his team's performance and has talked about re-evaluating his management staff. They could be major players at the deadline, with Justin Upton representing the only untouchable.
  • Cafardo says that the feeling among big league executives is that the Dodgers will not give up the prospects necessary to acquire Roy Oswalt, but they would be okay taking on the money.
  • Adam Dunn would be a perfect fit for the Red Sox if they let David Ortiz go after the season, assuming the Nationals don't re-sign him.  

Astros Sign Brad Thompson

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The Astros have signed righthander Brad Thompson to a minor league deal according to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League transactions. Thompson elected to become a free agent last week after the Royals designated him for assignment. 

The 28-year-old posted a 6.41 ERA in 19.2 innings for Kansas City this year, though his strikeout rate was an unimpressive 4.6 K/9. Thompson spent the first five years of his career with the Cardinals, throwing 385.2 innings with a respectable 4.36 ERA.

Odds & Ends: Lee, Rockies, Orioles, Matthews

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Some links for Saturday night as we take in some night games..

  • Yankees special assistant and former Padres GM Kevin Towers was at Petco Park tonight with Cliff Lee pitching, tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com.  However, Brock points out that Towers still lives in San Diego.
  • The Rockies have agreed to terms with 11 draft picks, according to Steve Foster of Inside The Rockies. Three of their top ten selections are now in the fold as well as 22nd round pick Mark Tracy, son of manager Jim Tracy.
  • Jon Heyman of SI (via Twitter) wonders aloud if Bobby Valentine will want to manage the O's if he's watching them play.
  • A major league source told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News that the Angels and Red Sox agreed to swap Mike Lowell for Gary Matthews Jr. last December.  However, the Angels changed their minds over concerns about Lowell's thumb.
  • After a breakout season in 2009, Wandy Rodriguez is struggling mightily in 2010, writes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.   McTaggart writes that if Rodriguez is unable to rebound, the Astros may have to consider his future with the club after this season.
  • O's GM Andy MacPhail says that the club may not finish its managerial search before the end of this season, writes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.  Baltimore has interviewed Bobby Valentine and ex-Indians skipper Eric Wedge thus far.
  • Brandon Webb could be valuable trade bait for the D'Backs if he returns healthy, writes USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

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