Willingham, Morgan Don’t Appear Available
Nationals fans are accustomed to seeing their team at the bottom of the NL East standings, but a lot has changed since last summer. A year ago, the Nationals were 21-46, their manager was on the hot seat and they had yet to sign Stephen Strasburg. Now, they're still in last place, but the mood is different in D.C. and the 31-36 Nationals aren't about to spoil it by trading their most proven outfielders.
Josh Willingham and Nyjer Morgan do not appear to be available, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Nationals have turned down multiple chances to deal Willingham in the last 15 months and have no intention of moving him, Morosi reports.
The Giants are looking for outfield help, but it doesn't appear that the Nationals will be willing to deal. Morosi mentions one intriguing outfielder clubs could target: Mitch Maier (Twitter link). The 27-year-old has played center field for the Royals and has a .265/.349/.373 line. Those numbers suggest Maier could be useful, though he'd likely be a depth option for a contender.
Red Sox Designate Boof Bonser For Assignment
The Red Sox designated Boof Bonser for assignment to make room for Felix Doubront, according to DJ Bean of WEEI.com. Bonser, 28, missed much of the season with a groin strain, so he has appeared in just two games for the Red Sox since they acquired him from the Twins this offseason. He has logged two innings and allowed six hits and a pair of walks, without striking any hitters out.
Bonser drew interest from the Cubs and D'Backs before the season, before his groin became an issue. The D'Backs have been looking for pitching, though Bonser's injury has likely tempered their interest. Red Sox manager Terry Francona told Bean that Bonser is pretty healthy and that "Boof is going to pitch in the big leagues."
Blue Jays Sign Nick Green
The Blue Jays signed Nick Green to a major league contract and optioned Mike McCoy to Triple A, according to the team. Green, 31, became a free agent this month after opting out of his deal with the Dodgers.
Green appeared in five big league games this year before the Dodgers designated him for assignment. He picked up one hit in eight at bats and reached base a second time when Dontrelle Willis plunked him. The utilityman spent most of the season at Triple A Albuquerque, where he batted .204/.235/.398 and played shortstop, second, third and (for one game) center field.
Not only can Green play around the infield and outfield, he pitched for the Red Sox last year. The White Sox couldn't get a hit or run off of Green, who threw an 88 mph fastball, in two innings. Green has also played for the Braves, Devil Rays, Yankees and Mariners in his six-year MLB career.
This Date In Transactions History: Francisco Cordero
It's the summer of 1994 in the Dominican Republic. Teenagers are showing their skills off to the general manager of the Detroit Tigers, Joe Klein. The hitters bat and, one after the other, the pitchers throw. The sun has started setting by the time a tall, sturdily-built right-hander takes his turn. And as soon as Francisco Cordero starts unleashing fastballs, Klein takes notice.
"There was no question in my mind that he was going to be a major leaguer," said Klein, who is now the executive director of the Atlantic League.
Even then, Cordero had a blazing fastball. He was a couple inches shorter than he is today and had yet to fill out completely, but Tigers scout Ramon Pena liked the looks of the 19-year-old. Klein was surprised to find out that Cordero hadn't been signed, but the pitcher didn't remain a free agent for long. The Tigers signed him 16 years ago today.
It took most of five minor league seasons for Cordero to reach the majors and even when he finally debuted with the Tigers in 1999, he walked nearly a batter per inning. It wasn't until three years after the Tigers sent Cordero to Texas in the Juan Gonzalez trade that he emerged as a dominant pitcher. Cordero has been effective every season since 2002, averaging 30 saves per year, posting a 2.90 ERA, striking out more than a batter per inning and limiting his walks (3.8 BB/9).
Now, Cordero's nothing like the teenager the Tigers found in the Dominican 16 years ago. Klein sees similarities between the prospect he signed and the 35-year-old flamethrower in the Cincinnati bullpen, but can he believe they're the same person?
"No," Klein said. "He's learned to focus and he's matured and I'm really proud of him."
Odds & Ends: Aybar, Haren, Hughes, Jackson
Links for Friday, before the Subway Series, Stephen Strasburg's third MLB start and Manny Ramirez's return to Fenway…
- Mike Scioscia tells Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times he's "very optimistic" that Erick Aybar's left knee injury won't lead to a DL stint. That reduces the chances that the Angels will go after a shortstop.
- It's been a great year for young players like Strasburg and Mike Leake, as ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian shows.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the D'Backs often hear trade rumors from Dan Haren, who reads MLBTR. As Piecoro explains, players are generally aware of the latest rumblings in "the era of the trade rumor."
- Another top pitcher, Cliff Lee, chooses to ignore the rumors, according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post asked 12 baseball insiders whether they would prefer to have Phil Hughes or Mike Pelfrey for the next five years and was surprised to see all 12 select Hughes.
- Edwin Jackson and Dontrelle Willis say they have good memories of Detroit and no hard feelings over the trades that sent them to Arizona, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Pedro Would Only Consider Contenders
Pedro Martinez’s agent confirmed that his client wants to play in 2010 and explained that the circumstances would have to be right for Pedro to return to the majors. Fernando Cuza told Andy Martino and Christian Red of the New York Daily News that Pedro won’t play for a losing team.
“It definitely has to be a contending team, one that has a chance to make the playoffs and go deep," Cuza said.
Pedro, who is working out privately in the Dominican Republic isn’t about to showcase himself for teams, as he did last year. Cuza says Pedro “removed any doubts” with last year’s performance.
Martinez posted a 3.63 ERA in 44.2 innings for the Phillies last year thanks in part to a rejuvenated fastball. The Phillies downplayed their interest in Pedro, though they have been keeping in touch. The Rangers, Cardinals, Tigers and Reds could be looking for pitching this summer. It’s hard to imagine the Mets bringing Pedro back, but they are looking for top starters.
Yankees Sign First Rounder Cito Culver
The Yankees signed first round pick Cito Culver, according to the team. Marc Carig of the Star Ledger reports (via Twitter) that the deal is worth $954K. Culver, a high school shortstop, placed 168th among the draft-eligible prospects that Baseball America ranked, so his selection in the first round was a surprise. But Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer told fans at MLB.com that the Yankees couldn't pass Culver up.
"He has great tools, makeup and performs," Oppenheimer said. "He's a great shortstop and can hit."
The Yankees aren't the only ones who consider Culver a skilled defender. Baseball America says the shortstop has "all the tools to play shortstop in pro ball, including a 65 arm on the 20-80 scale." Culver is the eighth first rounder to agree to a deal. Click here for the complete, updated list of which first and supplemental rounders have signed.
Culver lists Derek Jeter as one of his favorite players and the Yankees as his favorite team on his high school bio page. Culver and C.J. Henry are the two high school shortstops the Yankees have drafted in the first round since they selected Jeter in 1992.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Lee, Orioles, Gomes, Loewen
On this date back in 1996, catcher Chris Anderson delivered a run scoring single for the Hudson Valley Renegades of the short season New York-Penn League. It was the first hit ever recorded by a member of the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. Anderson was the team's 66th round draft pick that year, but he never made it out of A-ball and hit just .170/.236/.298 in 432 plate appearances before calling it a career in 1999. Every team starts somewhere.
Here are a few links from the baseball blogosphere…
- U.S.S. Mariner dubs the Twins as the favorites to land Cliff Lee this summer.
- Camden Chat likes the Orioles' draft haul, but thinks it could have been better.
- Bernie's Crew uses Milwaukee's roster to show that the later rounds of the draft can be productive as well.
- More Hardball looks at the bang Jonny Gomes has provided for the Reds' buck.
- Liam McGuire's Blog wonders if Adam Loewen is the second coming of Rick Ankiel.
- 1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Tom Filer, former big leaguer and current pitching coach for the Altoona Curve, Pittsburgh's Double-A affiliate.
- Baseball Opinion examines the best and worst picks of the 2005 draft.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Brandon Inge
Last year, Brandon Inge posted a .314 OBP and a .406 slugging percentage with a +7 UZR/150 on defense. This year, he has a .316 OBP and a .403 slugging percentage with a +6 UZR/150 on defense. His production is as consistent as can be, but his free agent stock is not quite the same as it was pre-season.
Back in March, Inge appeared to be on track for a modest one-year deal. At that point, he was just one year removed from 2008, when he caught 60 games and played center field 13 times. Now, the 33-year-old is exclusively a third baseman, so it would be hard to leverage his versatility into a favorable contract.
Inge is not exactly the same hitter he was in 2009, despite his nearly-identical slash line. He hit 27 homers a year ago, but his power has come in the form of doubles so far in 2010, possibly because he's hitting more line drives. Inge still strikes out a lot, but he now fans 23% of the time (down from 30% last year).
A few months ago, it looked like Garrett Atkins, Miguel Tejada, Pedro Feliz, Jorge Cantu and Adrian Beltre would be competing for jobs alongside Inge. Beltre has distinguished himself from that group of free agents-to-be with exceptional play on offense (.898 OPS) and defense (+18.5 UZR/150) and it now appears that Atkins and Feliz will be non-factors this winter. Cantu and Tejada are still comparable to Inge and could be competing for openings in Baltimore, Boston, Houston, Miami and Detroit after the season.
Inge will no longer be able to distinguish himself from the likes of Tejada and Cantu with his versatility, but he remains a capable hitter and an above-average defender. Those skills should enable him to land a guaranteed deal in the $4-6MM range.
Poll: Which Team Will Become A Surprise Buyer
Some clubs, like the Yankees, Rangers and Phillies, have positioned themselves as buyers for the trade deadline. They may not add stars, but they can consider big moves since they're going for it in 2010. Some other clubs could conceivably become buyers if things go well between now and the end of July. Will it be the Nationals? the Cubs? the Blue Jays? It's time for your predictions.
Which team will become a surprise buyer at the trade deadline?
Click here to take the survey and here to see the results.