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Archives for August 2010

Indians To Sign Drew Pomeranz

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The Indians agreed to sign fifth-overall selection Drew Pomeranz on a $2.65MM deal, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter links). The 6'5" left-hander turns 22 this fall. The Rangers drafted Pomeranz in the 12th round of the 2007, but he chose to attend Mississippi instead. Last year MLB recommended a $2.52MM bonus for the fifth-overall selection.

The Indians also signed second-rounder LeVon Washington and third-rounder Tony Wolters, according to Hoynes. ESPN.com's Keith Law says the Indians and Wolters agreed to a $1.35MM deal (Twitter link).

Click here for the complete list of 2010 first-rounders to sign.

First-Rounder Rejects Brewers’ Offer

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10:08pm: Covey's father confirmed to Haudricourt that the pitcher has Type 1 diabetes and will not sign with the Brewers. (all Twitter links). Baseball Beginnings first reported that Covey has diabetes (Twitter link). The family considers the news "crushing," but Covey can look to Brandon Morrow, a successful big league pitcher with diabetes, for inspiration.

9:24pm: Brewers scouting director Bruce Seid told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that 14th-overall pick Dylan Covey has turned down an offer from the team and will instead go to the University of San Diego. Seid says "it wasn't about money" with Covey, a 19-year-old right-hander. 

When Milwaukee drafted Covey back in June, he told reporters that there was a “really good chance” he’d sign. The Brewers will get a pick in next year’s draft (likely 15th overall) for failing to sign their selection, assuming the sides don’t reach a last-minute deal. 

Rangers To Sign Sandwich Pick Jackson

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MONDAY, 9:09pm: The Rangers agreed to sign Jackson for $1.545MM, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter).

SUNDAY, 9:34pm: The Rangers have signed Jackson and are set to announce the deal tomorrow, according to ESPN's Keith Law (via Twitter).

THURSDAY, 4:27pm: Rangers GM Jon Daniels told Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the sides have not reached an agreement (Twitter links).

1:27pm: The Rangers agreed to sign supplemental first-rounder Luke Jackson for $1.557MM, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. The high school right-hander has a low-90s fastball that can reach 96 mph. Jackson, who had committed to playing for the University of Miami, turns 19 later this month.

MLB recommends a $764K bonus for the 45th overall selection, but Jackson doubled that. He obtains as much as Jake Skole, the player the Rangers drafted 15th overall. Here is the complete list of top 2010 draft picks to sign or agree to deals.

The Rangers, now under new ownership, missed out on first rounder Matt Purke last summer. According to Callis, Purke had a handshake agreement with the Rangers for a $6MM bonus, but MLB didn't allow the deal due to the team's then-uncertain ownership.

Nationals Spending Big On Draft Picks

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9:07pm: The Nationals officially announced their deal with Cole (on Twitter).

MONDAY, 7:20pm: The Nationals officially announced their agreement with Solis via press release. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post notes that the left-hander gets $1MM, confirming Baseball America's report (Twitter link).

SUNDAY, 1:19pm: Callis tweets that there's no snag between the Nationals and Cole — they've agreed to terms and the deal should get done as long as Cole passes his physical.

1:17pm: Callis also reports that the Nats have also signed 12th-rounder Robbie Ray for $799K. The high school southpaw's bonus is the second largest for any player drafted later than the fourth round this year.

Callis says Ray impressed scouts last fall with a mid-90s fastball, but worked around 89-91mph for most of his senior season, which contributed toward him slipping to the later rounds.

1:00pm: A "last-minute problem" has gotten in the way of the Nats finalizing their deal with Cole, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (via Twitter). The two sides still have until tomorrow night to work out any issues and get a deal done.

7:59am: The Nationals committed big money to a pair of draft picks by reaching agreements with pitchers A.J. Cole and Sammy Solis, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America.  According to Callis, both players received deals well over MLB's slot recommendations, though GM Mike Rizzo denies that any agreements are in place.  Callis reports that Cole, a fourth-round pick, received a $2MM deal, while Solis, a second-round pick, got $1MM.  Cole's bonus is a record for the fourth round.

Cole, a righty drafted out of high school, has first-round talent comparable to that of the Padres' #9 overall choice, Karsten Whitson.  Solis, a southpaw out of the University of San Diego, dealt with a back injury in '09 but bounced back this year.

The Nationals are once again spending big on the draft, with a potential deal for Bryce Harper expected Monday night.

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Cora, Lee, Chacon

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Links for Monday, with just a couple hours remaining for teams to sign their 2010 draft picks…

  • Bobby Valentine told Jack Curry of the YES Network that he doesn't think the Mariners are "a fit" for him (Twitter link). Seattle has a managerial opening and some have suggested that Valentine could be a target for the Mariners.
  • Orioles manager Buck Showalter told Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that he would be shocked if former Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu had trouble finding a job.
  • The Mariners signed former big leaguer Tug Hulett and assigned him to Triple A, according to the transactions page for the Pacific Coast League. Hulett, now 27, appeared in 15 games for the Royals last year.
  • The Rangers are considering free agent Alex Cora, though they have not offered the infielder a deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
  • The Brockton Rox of the independent Can-Am League signed former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee, according to the AP (via CBSSports.com). Lee, who last faced a major league hitter in 1982, is now 63 years old!
  • The Astros announced that an arbitration panel decided that the team was within its rights to terminate Shawn Chacon’s contract without pay after the pitcher's physical confrontation with GM Ed Wade in 2008.

Johnny Damon Wants To Re-Sign With Tigers

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Johnny Damon maintains that he may retire after 2011, but he told MLB.com's Jason Beck that he wants to return to Detroit for a second season before retiring.

"I'm hoping to stay,” he said. “I'm hoping after this season they want me back.”

Damon, who, considers himself something of a “player-coach,” hits free agency this winter. Rookie outfielders Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch figure to play prominent roles on next year’s team, but Magglio Ordonez’s ankle fracture will prevent his 2011 option from vesting, so the Tigers can choose not to bring him back. 

The Tigers have faded from contention this season, so there has been speculation that they could trade Damon, Brandon Inge and other veterans approaching free agency. Even if he plays the rest of the season for another team, Damon says he would be “very interested” in returning to Detroit after the season. 

The 36-year-old currently projects as a Type A free agent under the Elias rankings. Damon has a .278/.361/.425 line in 442 plate appearances this year and while he's hitting fewer homers, he does have 30 doubles.

Reds To Sign Yasmani Grandal

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The Reds will sign first-round catcher Yasmani Grandal to a major league deal worth $2.99MM, according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. Jon Heyman of SI.com also hears that Grandal will sign for $2.9MM (Twitter link). The University of Miami product becomes the first 2010 draftee to sign a major league deal and will receive a 40-man roster spot.

Grandal, still just 21, played on the 2009 USA Baseball national team. The Red Sox drafted him in the 27th round of the 2007 draft, but he did not sign.

Now 14 first-round picks remain unsigned.

Tigers Sign Chance Ruffin

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The Tigers signed Chance Ruffin for $1.15MM, according to Mike Berman of News8Austin (on Twitter). MLB.com's Jason Beck confirms the report (Twitter link). The 21-year-old right-hander was a pitcher at Texas, where he started and relieved for the Longhorns. The recommended bonus for the 48th overall pick was $728K last year, so Ruffin appears to be getting an above-slot deal.

Here's our complete list of first-round picks to sign.

Mets Considering Attempt To Void K-Rod’s Contract

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Not only did Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez face trouble with the law last week, he tore a ligament in his thumb and will require season-ending surgery. The Mets are now looking into voiding K-Rod's contract, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). 

The injury does not appear to be baseball-related, something the Mets could point to if they decide to attempt to void the contract and sidestep the $18MM they owe Rodriguez. The MLBPA would presumably object if the Mets do attempt to void the deal. The Mets signed K-Rod to a three-year $37MM deal after he set the single-season saves record in 2008.

A Mets official told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork that "you can make the assumption that the injury resulted from the incident last week." K-Rod has $3MM remaining on his contract this year, so the Mets could focus on that amount if they look to void part of the deal, since the closer will likely be ready for the 2011 season.

Blum, Counsell Clear Waivers

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Infielders Geoff Blum and Craig Counsell have cleared waivers, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The Astros and Brewers can now trade their respective veterans to any team. The Braves and Cardinals both lost third basemen, so Blum and Counsell could draw interest. Blum ($1.5MM, mutual option for 2011) and Counsell ($2.1MM) both make modest salaries, play second third and short and can hit the open market after the season.

Here's MLBTR's complete list of players to clear waivers.

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