Dodgers Are Considering Free Agent Pitchers
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he has inquired about free agent pitchers, without specifying which ones. Jarrod Washburn is coaching T-ball these days, but said he would consider offers to pitch this season. Former Dodger Pedro Martinez has said he would pitch for a contender and Braden Looper is another free agent option.
Colletti expressed confidence in his offense and suggested it will take pitching to improve upon the team’s 38-33 record.
"Unless something drastic happens to an everyday player — or more than one — I think our focus will continue to be on our pitching staff," Colletti said.
It would take at least a few weeks for any unsigned pitcher to prepare for major league action, but free agents will only cost money. Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren may be more appealing, but they would cost the Dodgers prospects and salary.
Marlins Pursuing Relief Help; Won’t Deal Morrison
The Marlins are pursuing relief help, but won't deal prospect Logan Morrison to get it, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Marlins executives know that the team needs to improve its 'pen to contend, so they are trying to add relievers, but whenever the Marlins inquire about one, rival teams ask about 22-year-old first baseman Logan Morrison. If that's the price of adding relievers, the Marlins aren't interested.
Now 35-36, the Marlins are thin on relief help after demoting Jorge Sosa and releasing Renyel Pinto and Hunter Jones. It would be a shock to see the Marlins trade Morrison, the team's top prospect now that Mike Stanton is in the majors, for a reliever. The first baseman is hitting .331/.417/.547 so far in 2010.
Last year the cost of acquiring middle relievers varied. The Dodgers gave up Josh Bell for George Sherrill; the White Sox gave up Brandon Allen for Tony Pena; the Rockies gave up Connor Graham for Rafael Betancourt and Robinson Fabian and Ryan Mattheus for Joe Beimel. Bell and Allen are highly-touted prospects, but the Rockies showed that relievers can be acquired more cheaply.
Poll: Should The Brewers Deal Fielder And Hart?
Corey Hart leads the National League in home runs and Prince Fielder already has a home run title. Both realize they could be dealt given the Brewers' 31-40 start, but that doesn't mean GM Doug Melvin will decide to trade them away. Each slugger is arbitration-eligible one last time in 2011, so the Brewers could hold onto them for next year. But given the team's need for pitching, Melvin could listen to offers. Hart's value might never be higher, but Prince isn't hitting for quite as much power as usual, so the Brewers have some decisions to make.
Should the Brewers trade Fielder and Hart?
Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.
Odds & Ends: Pomeranz, Marlins, Everett, Valentine
Links for Wednesday…
- Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that fifth overall pick Drew Pomeranz is scheduled to go to Cleveland on Monday to take a physical and "hear the Indians' sales pitch." Hoynes says there have been no negotiations to date.
- Marlins' president David Samson told Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald that they're "not ready to say for certain that trade didn't work," referring to the Miguel Cabrera blockbuster (Twitter link). Both Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin, the two centerpieces of the deal for Florida, have struggled in the big leagues and are currently in the minors.
- Upon hearing about Boston's interest in his services, Adam Everett said "I haven't heard that, but great team, great city, and it sounds interesting," according to FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi (via Twitter).
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday tweets the leaders in wins above replacement, or WAR, from last year's free agent class. Andy Pettitte tops the list, followed closely by Livan Hernandez and Aubrey Huff.
- Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post notes (via Twitter) that the Marlins spoke with Bobby Valentine this morning. The Marlins' opening interests Valentine.
- Prince Fielder and Corey Hart tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that they realize they could be traded. Morosi says the Brewers should trade Hart for pitching, but Hart would prefer to stay in Milwaukee.
- Kenny Williams told Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune that the White Sox could become buyers.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Blue Jays could trade pitching away this trade deadline (Twitter link).
- Chris Iannetta told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that he did his best to ignore rumors that the Red Sox were interested in him.
- At this point, Pedro Martinez doesn't want to think about whether he'll play this year. He told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald that he doesn't know anything right now.
- Steve Gould of the Baltimore Sun reminds us that 2009 first rounder Matt Hobgood is still a teenager and says Orioles fans should be more patient with the tall righty.
- MLB.com's Fred Claire shows that the Orioles are looking for the kind of stability that was once found in Baltimore and that the Angels now have.
Blue Jays Outright Encarnacion To Minors
WEDNESDAY, 8:56pm: Encarnacion cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas according to The National Post's Twitter feed.
MONDAY, 2:39pm: The Blue Jays designated Edwin Encarnacion for assignment, according to the team. The Blue Jays demoted Encarnacion, who they picked up in last summer's Scott Rolen trade, after yesterday's loss to the Giants.
There's no question that Encarnacion has power – he hit five homers in three games back in May – but his overall .200/.298/.467 was not enough for him to keep his roster spot. Unlike Rolen, Encarnacion is a poor defender (career -12.4 UZR/150 in thousands of innings at third) so his contributions are limited when he slumps at the plate.
The Blue Jays will replace Encarnacion by playing Jose Bautista at third or relying on new addition Jarrett Hoffpauir. The Twins and Angels could have interest in Encarnacion, as both clubs have banged up infielders.
Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (Twitter link) that he doesn't expect Encarnacion to be claimed, given "the performance and the salary of the player." Encarnacion makes $4.75MM this year, but other clubs could have interest in a deal if the Blue Jays take on salary.
Amateur Draft Signings: Wednesday
To keep track of which first rounders and supplemental-round picks have agreed to terms so far, follow our complete list. Here's the latest news on lower draft picks who have signed:
- The Astros have signed two more draft picks according to a team press release: 10th rounder Evan Grills and 30th rounder Kellen Kiilsgaard.
- The Athletics signed seventh-round pick Jordan Tripp and three other players, according to a team release. Oakland's top four picks remain unsigned, but the team has locked up 15 of its next 16 selections.
- James Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press writes that the Tigers agreed to terms with three draftees, including third-rounder Rob Brantly.
- The Twins agreed to sign their second-round pick, high school shortstop Niko Goodrum, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (via Twitter).
The Latest On The Orioles’ Managerial Search
Earlier today we updated you on the Marlins' managerial search following their dismissal of Fredi Gonzalez, so now let's do the same for Baltimore. We already know that Bobby Valentine has withdrawn his name from consideration for the job.
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirmed to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli that he and owner Peter Angelos met with current ESPN analyst and long-time big league manager Buck Showalter for several hours today about the team's managerial job (Twitter link). Showalter has a strong track record of helping turn young teams into contenders, specifically his stints with the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers.
Former Indians' manager Eric Wedge is expected to receive a second interview according to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun, though it has not yet been scheduled. He adds that MASN broadcaster and former Orioles player Rick Dempsey is expected to interview for the job as well. He has interviewed for the job twice in the past.
The Orioles are currently under the watch of interim manager Juan Samuel, who replaced Dave Trembley after he was fired earlier this month.
Rizzo, Boras Have Had Initial Talks About Harper
The deadline for teams to sign their draft picks is still a little under eight weeks away, but Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo and agent Scott Boras have had "initial conversations" about a deal for first overall pick Bryce Harper according to principal owner Mark Lerner, as told to The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore.
"I'm confident we'll get a deal worked out," said Lerner. "I think the kid wants to play."
Kilgore mentions that negotiations are unlikely to begin in earnest until close to the August 16th deadline, which Boras is known to do with his top players. Rizzo and Boras have hammered out deals before, most notably for Stephen Strasburg as last year's top pick.
The 17-year-old Harper is expected to shatter Rick Porcello's record deal for a teenage draftee, which guarantees him $7.285MM. Strasburg's $15.1MM contract represents the all-time draft record. You can follow the signing status of all first and supplement first rounders with our complete list.
Orioles Want Young Shortstop For Wigginton
The Orioles figure to be major players on the trade market this summer, though Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweets that the team will not move Ty Wigginton unless they receive a young shortstop in return. Rosenthal calls it a "self-defeating stance," because no team will meet that demand.
Baseball America rated Baltimore's farm system as the ninth best in the game coming into the season, but basically all of their top shortstop prospects are in Single-A. They hope to have their shortstop of the future in Manny Machado, who they selected with the third overall pick in the draft a few weeks ago.
As for Wigginton, the 32-year-old is enjoying a fine season for the last place O's, hitting .274/.359/.487 with 13 homers while playing every day at primarily second base. He offers power and extreme versatility, capable of playing anywhere on the field except short, center, pitcher, and catcher. Every team in the league could use a guy like him.
Wigginton is just one of several Orioles' veterans that could be on the block, joining Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Cesar Izturis, Will Ohman, and Luke Scott. Reports indicate that the team is not looking to shed payroll, however.
Marlins Outright Jorge Sosa To Triple A
WEDNESDAY: The Marlins outrighted Sosa to Triple A, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).
SUNDAY: The Marlins will designate veteran reliever Jorge Sosa for assignment on Tuesday, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
Sosa, 32, has appeared in eight games for the Marlins this season, totaling 9.1 innings pitched. Over that time he's allowed eight runs for a 7.71 ERA and walked six hitters as opposed to just five strikeouts. He signed a minor league deal with Florida earlier this Spring after being released by the Red Sox in Spring Training.
Sosa's fastball sits at 92mph these days, as opposed to 2004 when he averaged 94.6mph with the Rays and posted a strong 8.52 K/9. His control has always been a weakness, with a career 4.13 BB/9. That lack of control culminated in a four-walk outing yesterday in which he recorded just two outs and allowed four earned runs, despite surrendering only one hit.