Some links for Saturday as Roy Oswalt prepares to make what might be the final start of his Astros' career…
- Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweets that an MRI revealed just a bruise in Corey Hart's thumb. He isn't expected to go on the disabled list, but will be out a few days. Plenty of teams have been connected to the Brewers' outfielder this trade season.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com tweets that it will tough for the Angels to justify more upgrades if they get swept by Texas this weekend. The Halos have already brought in Alberto Callaspo, but have fallen seven games back of the Rangers after losing in each of the last two nights.
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff notes (via Twitter) that the Blue Jays had scouts at last night's Royals-Yankees game, and will again today. Toronto has made most of their bullpen available, and the Yanks are known to be looking for relief help.
- ESPN's Buster Olney hears that there is a "major split" between the Mariners' front office and field staff (Twitter link). This comes the morning after Chone Figgins and manager Don Wakamatsu had to be separated in the dugout.
- The Giants made "genuine progress" on a deal for David DeJesus before the Royals' outfielder suffered a season ending thumb injury on Thursday, reports Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News.
- Meanwhile, Baggarly speculates that the Giants could be looking at some Diamondbacks' players since they're looking for a lefty bat.
- A's GM Billy Beane said "it would behoove" him to keep Ben Sheets because of his value in the clubhouse, according to MLB.com's Alex Espinoza. With just over $4MM left on his contract, Sheets should easily clear trade waivers in August if Beane has a change of heart.
- Manny Navarro of The Miami Herald adds the Rockies to the list of teams that have expressed interest in Jorge Cantu.
- The Phillies have not put much money into their international scouting program in recent years, writes Bob Brookover of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Cantu has been garbage since April. Take him at your own risk.
Don’t think Sheets would clear waivers… he would at least bring back draft picks in a strong draft, while helping a playoff team (Yankees) down the stretch. Assuming, of course, they offer him arb. for 2011.
Sheets currently would not net a draft pick
Sheets currently would not net a draft pick
He profiles as neither a Type A or B free agent because it is a system that uses the past 2 seasons to evaluate players. He missed all of 2009.
The morale in the M’s clubhouse is just sad this year….. I could see Wakamatsu going soon.
There is absolutely no reason the Mariners should be in last. You guys have Ichiro and Figgins at the top, and had arguably the best starting pitcher in the league at the beginning of the year. I feel bad for M’s fans.
Second to last in wOBA, 21st in Speed Score, 20th in xFIP, 8th in UZR/150.
Even the one thing they’re good at, defense, has seen a major decline from last year.
And I thought the M’s would be really good this year. But then again, I also didn’t see the Padres at the top of the NL West, the Reds near the top of the central, the Phillies barely breaking .500, and the D’Backs more than 20 games below .500 at the all star break either…
All reasons why I love the baseball season.
I don’t think anyone saw the M’s as being as bad as they are. However, predicting them to be a 75 – 80 win team wasn’t a stretch. Going into the season everyone knew that they couldn’t hit. They had huge question marks beyond Lee and Hernandez in the rotation. It was an interesting experiment that ultimately failed.
Second to last in wOBA, 21st in Speed Score, 20th in xFIP, 8th in UZR/150.
Even the one thing they’re good at, defense, has seen a major decline from last year.
And I thought the M’s would be really good this year. But then again, I also didn’t see the Padres at the top of the NL West, the Reds near the top of the central, the Phillies barely breaking .500, and the D’Backs more than 20 games below .500 at the all star break either…
There is absolutely no reason the Mariners should be in last. You guys have Ichiro and Figgins at the top, and had arguably the best starting pitcher in the league at the beginning of the year. I feel bad for M’s fans.
The morale in the M’s clubhouse is just sad this year….. I could see Wakamatsu going soon.
If the Angels spend any resources (money or talent) to get better for this year I’ll be sick. They should move into sell mode now and start planning for 2011.
The Jays should be keeping their scouts at the Yankee’s AAA and AA games…
this is one of the biggest weeks of the season! love it.
Who would the jays be scouting of the yankees big club?
Are the Pirates willing to trade Garrett Jones? If so, the Giants should trade for him.