Mets Seek Top Starter
The Mets would like to add a top starter and their ability to absorb payroll will help them acquire an arm, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. Few teams appear willing to take on significant salary, according to Olney, and that could position the Mets to acquire a pitcher for the stretch run.
Roy Oswalt would pitch for the Mets, but they don’t like the $26.8MM remaining on his contract. That price tag would make any team pause and the Mets know the Astros would want prospects, too. Olney hears that the team would prefer to take on salary than give up prospects.
Some within the Mets organization want to make a serious run at Cliff Lee, who would certainly cost top prospects. The Mariners are hesitant to deal Lee at this point, but most expect that to change.
If the Mets sidestep Oswalt and Lee, they could turn to Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, Ben Sheets or Kevin Millwood (who is open to pitching in Queens). Westbrook, Sheets and Millwood all make $10MM-plus, which could limit the number of bidders and give the Mets an edge.
Darin Erstad Is ‘Done’
There will be no more base hits or diving catches for Darin Erstad. After a 14-year MLB career that began soon after the Angels made him the first overall pick in the 1995 draft, Erstad says he's finished.
“I’m done,” he told Dave Selvig of the Jamestown Sun. “I had my time. I always said, ‘When I’m done, I’m done.’ I’m good.”
Erstad wanted to play this year and the Marlins were reportedly interested, but he didn't sign. That means the 36-year-old is spending more time than ever with his family. Assuming Erstad doesn't play again, his career earnings will fall just short of $50MM, according to Baseball-Reference.
Erstad won Gold Gloves in left field, center field and at first base and was named to two All-Star teams. He has a career .282/.336/.407 line with 179 steals and 124 homers. Erstad played for the Astros last year and the White Sox before that, but he's best-known for the decade-plus he spent in Anaheim.
Red Sox Sign Ryan Shealy
The Red Sox signed Ryan Shealy to a minor league deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Rays granted Shealy his release yesterday after he exercised a June 15th opt-out clause in his contract.
Shealy, 30, last played in the majors in 2008, but was hitting well at Triple A this year. He had ten homers to go along with a .238/.354/.512 line. Rosenthal suggests (via Twitter) that Shealy, a right-handed hitting first baseman, could provide the Red Sox with depth in case they trade Mike Lowell. Shealy's career .271/.335/.429 line shows that he can hit major league pitching.
Angels May Need A Shortstop
Injuries to Maicer Izturis and Erick Aybar could force the Angels to trade for or sign a shortstop. For now, GM Tony Reagins tells Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he’s hoping Aybar’s left knee and Izturis’ left forearm heal on schedule.
"Hopefully, our injury situation isn't long-term," Reagins said. "If it is, you'd probably have to look outside the organization."
The Angels are aware of available shortstops. Adam Everett is a free agent; Maicer’s half-brother Cesar Izturis could become a trade target; the Rays have shortstop depth; Stephen Drew, Ryan Theriot, Omar Vizquel and others could also be available. But the Angels aren’t pursuing any of them.
"We're not at that point," Reagins said.
It’s not a good year to be an Angels infielder. Kendry Morales is out for the season after breaking his leg, so the Angels have been linked to available first basemen for weeks. Despite these injuries, the Angels are just 2.0 games out of first place in the AL West.
Angels Designate Michael Ryan For Assignment
The Angels designated Michael Ryan for assignment after last night's game, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. Ryan said he had "a blast" with the Angels, but the club had to make room for Jeff Mathis, who is coming off of the disabled list.
If Ryan clears waivers, the Angels would assign him to Triple A, but the utilityman hasn't decided whether he would accept the assignment. In 41 plate appearances, the 32-year-old hit .205/.220/.308. It was Ryan's first stint in the majors since 2005, when he played for the Twins.
Teams Are Calling About Cliff Lee
GM Jack Zduriencik told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that teams are calling the Mariners to see if Cliff Lee is available. Those clubs see the Mariners’ 25-41 record and hope that they’re ready to sell, but that’s not how Zduriencik sees it.
“I say, ‘Look, I appreciate the phone call, but what we’re trying to do is get back in this thing,’” Zduriencik said.
The M’s are in last place in the AL West, 12.5 games out of a playoff spot, but Zduriencik has not taken names of potential trade targets from other teams. He says he’s not going to “wave the white flag just yet,” but knows that a number of teams will want to chat if that changes.
Lee, 32 in August, has a 2.88 ERA in nine starts since returning from an abdominal injury. He has 7.9 K/9 and a stingy 0.5 BB/9 in 68.2 innings. His $9MM salary is a bargain and he projects as a Type A free agent after the season. That means his team will get two top picks if Lee turns down arbitration to sign elsewhere. Offering arbitration is risky in some cases, but Lee will almost certainly turn it down.
Pedro Plans To Pitch In 2010
THURSDAY, 9:05am: Amaro told Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com that he hasn't spoken to Pedro's representatives in three weeks to a month, though the club would have some interest if Pedro intends to pitch. A source tells Salisbury that Martinez wants significantly more money than the Phillies would be willing to offer.
WEDNESDAY, 11:48am: Pedro Martinez plans to pitch in the second half of the season, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is training in the Dominican Republic and Miami in preparation for a second consecutive second-half return.
Pedro, now 38, pitched to a 3.63 ERA in 44.2 innings last year with 7.5 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9. It wasn’t until August 12th that Pedro made his 2009 debut and the rest seemed to help. His average fastball was 89 mph, higher than any year since 2004.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. was in touch with Pedro last month and confirmed that the dialogue continues.
"We are not negotiating, but we've been talking to him,” Amaro said. “It all depends on whether he wants to play or not."
The Rangers, Cardinals, Tigers, Reds and Mets are among the contenders that could look to add starters. However, a return to Queens seems unlikely, since the Mets appear to have little interest.
Poll: Mike Lowell’s Next Team
Ever since the Rangers nearly acquired him over the winer, Mike Lowell has been in trade rumors non-stop. The Rangers, Angels and Twins have seemed like fits at times, but Lowell remains in a Red Sox uniform even though it's been apparent for a while that he doesn't have a role in Boston. He has batted just 25 times in the last month and barely starts anymore. Some teams could use corner infield help – does that mean Lowell will be traded?
Where will the Red Sox trade Mike Lowell?
Click here to vote and here to view the results.
Dodgers Sign Claudio Vargas
The Dodgers signed Claudio Vargas, according to the transactions page for the team's Triple A affiliate. The Brewers released the 31-year-old pitcher last week after designating him for assignment.
Vargas has a 7.32 ERA in 17 appearances this year with 8.2 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9. The fastball-slider pitcher has allowed 28 hits, including three home runs in 19.2 innings.
Marlins Designate Renyel Pinto For Assignment
The Marlins have designated lefty reliever Renyel Pinto for assignment, tweets MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. The move clears a roster spot for reliever Tim Wood, who was recalled from Triple-A.
Pinto, 27 next month, had a 2.80 ERA in 15.2 innings for Florida this year, striking out 16 to eight walks. He has actually fared better against righthanded batters in his career than lefties. Pinto is owed approximately $640K for the remainder of the season, and he will be under team control for both the 2011 and 2012 seasons.