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Archives for July 2010

Odds & Ends: Dunn, Phillies, Crisp, Molina, Fielder

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Saturday linkage..

Tigers Sign Danry Vasquez

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The Tigers have signed Venezuelan outfielder Danry Vasquez, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.  International sources outside of the organization said in recent days that the bonus was expected to be in the neighborhood of $1MM.  However, Tigers international scouting director Tom Moore declined to comment on the signing bonus.

Vasquez, 16, has a projectable 6'2", 170-pound frame and an advanced left-handed bat.  The youngster has long been on Detroit's radar as they have tracked him while keeping tabs on his youth league teammates in previous signing classes.  Moore sees a ton of upside in the Valencia resident.

"We've seen him use the whole field, not just in tryouts but in games as well," said Detroit's director of international operations. "He's not just a guy who can put it to left field but hit it to left field with authority. Right now it's line-drive power. He does have ability to generate some loft in the ball, but right now it's more consistent line-drive power. With more strength, those balls in the gap are going to be going over the fence."

While Vasquez has experience in center field, he doesn't have the speed to play there in the majors.  The club plans for him to be a corner outfielder.

Braves Agree To Terms With Dominican Right-Hander

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The Braves agreed to terms with Dominican right-hander Mauricio Cabrera, the team confirmed to MLBTR. The sides agreed to a high six-figure deal, according to a second source. Cabrera, a slender 16-year-old, drew interest from several other teams, including the Red Sox, Mets, Rockies and Rangers, before agreeing to terms with the Braves.

Cabrera’s older brother, Alberto Cabrera is a prospect in the Cubs’ system. The elder Cabrera, now 21, has a 6.42 ERA in 40.2 innings at AA Tennessee this year. The international signing period began Friday, so teams can now sign this year's top young international players.

Willingham Wants To Stay, But No Talks Yet

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Nationals outfielder Josh Willingham wants to stay with the club, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.  Willingham, who could make his first All-Star squad tomorrow, says that he would like to stay with the Nats for this season and beyond:

"I like it here a lot," the 31-year-old said. "I don't have control of where I go until I'm free agent, so I don't worry about it. But I'm really comfortable with the organization. I like everybody involved, teammates, everything."

Despite Willingham's fondness for playing in the nation's capital, the two parties have yet to even begin discussions on a contract extension.  The left fielder will earn $4.6MM this season and is under team control for the 2011 season.

While the Nats don't seem eager to move Willingham, he continues to garner interest from around the majors.  Earlier this week, it was reported that the Braves have interest in the outfielder as they seek a right-handed bat.

Back in April, Willingham's agent told Kilgore that his client would like to sign a multiyear deal with the Nationals.

Rays Sign Dominican Outfielder Araujo

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The Rays have signed 16-year-old Dominican center fielder Yoel Araujo, an international source told Ben Badler of Baseball America.  He'll receive an $800K bonus, which is the largest bonus Tampa Bay has ever given to an amateur player from the Dominican Republic.

Araujo, who stands at 6'2" and weighs 180 pounds, demonstrated his raw power and plus speed this spring in the Dominican Prospect League.  Frankie Piliere of MLB Fanhouse writes that while Araujo is more green than other MLB-eligible prospects in the Dominican Republic, scouts believe that he has a high ceiling.

Phillies Designate Brian Bocock For Assignment

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The Phillies have designated infielder Brian Bocock for assignment, tweets FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. The move frees up a roster spot for utility player Cody Ransom.

Bocock, 25, was called up earlier this week when both Chase Utley and Placido Polanco hit the disabled list, though he did not appear in a game. Philadelphia claimed him off waivers back in January, but he hit just .179/.239/.231 in 237 plate appearances with their Triple-A affiliate. 

Cliff Lee Rumors: Saturday

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With as many as 12-15 teams teams potentially showing interesting in Cliff Lee, ESPN's Buster Olney says that the Mariners still want "big bat potential" in any deal for the lefty ace (Twitter link). He lists two candidates: Justin Smoak of the Rangers, and Yonder Alonso of the Reds. Alonso is blocked in Cincinnati by Joey Votto. 

As the Rangers showed with the Bengie Molina deal, they are unable (or unwilling) to take on payroll, instead choosing to give up a higher caliber prospect. Other big bat prospects that could be moved in a trade: Jesus Montero of the Yankees, Fernando Martinez of the Mets, and Domonic Brown of the Phillies. Whether or not those teams are willing to surrender those players in a trade for a 2008 AL Cy Young award winner is another story altogether.

Twins Willing To Add Payroll

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The Twins already boast one of baseball's top payrolls at $97MM, but that doesn't mean the club will be unwilling to take on money at the trade deadline. Team president Dave St. Peter spoke to La Velle E. Neal III of The Star Tribune yesterday, telling him that the front office discussed ways to improve the club during a routine meeting, including the ability to up the payroll.

"We think we have some flexibility," St. Peter said. "The last couple of years we have had some flexibility to try to make the team better." 

"We feel like we are well-positioned, if we so choose, to make a move to make the team better," he said. "Ultimately, we are about trying to get better. If that means trade, if that means kids from the minor leagues, great."

The Twins made several moves last season and acquired Jon Rauch, Carl Pavano, Ron Mahay, and Orlando Cabrera at the trade deadline. Although their rumored interest in Cliff Lee is the hot topic, the team also has a clear need at the hot corner: Twins' third basemen are hitting a league low .228/.297/.299. Minnesota reportedly will not surrender 2009 first round pick Kyle Gibson in a trade, but they have a great chip in catcher Wilson Ramos, who was recently activated from the disabled list in Triple-A. 

Marlins Designate Brian Barden For Assignment

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The Marlins have designated infielder Brian Barden for assignment, tweets Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post. The move frees up for a roster spot for infielder Donnie Murphy, who was summoned from Triple-A.

Barden, 29, hit just .179/.281/.179 in 32 plate appearances for Florida this season, and is a career .211/.268/.303 hitter in close to 200 big league plate appearances. He played every infield spot except first base, but it wasn't enough to keep him with the team.

Poll: Best Prospect To Be Traded

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Every team is hesitant to trade their best young players, but if you want to acquire a Cliff Lee or David DeJesus, you’re going to have to give up some valuable prospects. Last year we saw several top prospects traded at the deadline, including Brett Wallace, Aaron Poreda, Nick Hagadone, and Zach Stewart, which brings us to today’s question…

Who will be the best prospect traded by the 2010 trade deadline?

Click here to take the poll, and here to view the results.

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