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When To Expect Stephen Strasburg

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It's easy to forget just how quickly Stephen Strasburg has risen through the minor leagues. This time last year, he hadn't even been drafted; one record setting contract and seven minor league appearances later, it's safe to say he's ready for the major leagues. 

Before tonight's start, he had combined for a 1.29 ERA with 10.6 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 across the upper minors. Tonight he outdid himself, no-hitting the Norfolk Tides through six innings. Strasburg added seven strikeouts and walked one batter, just the third baserunner he has allowed in 12 Triple A innings.  

So when can Nationals fans expect Strasburg to deliver his first major league pitch? Nationals president Stan Kasten told MLB.com's Bill Ladson that it will be "soon," without being any more specific. A glance at the Syracuse Chiefs' schedule shows that Strasburg will likely start on the 17th, the 22nd and the 27th of May.

That would line Strasburg up for a June 1st start. If the Nationals keep him in the minors for three more May starts, they can call him to the majors on June 1st. That would almost certainly be late enough to prevent Strasburg from becoming a Super Two player and earning millions more through arbitration. However, calling Strasburg up in May would give him a chance at Super Two status.

In theory, the Nationals could make money by calling their phenom up. As USA Today's Mel Antonen reported this week, attendance figures and merchandise sales have spiked wherever Strasburg has pitched. This could happen in Washington, too, but the Nationals have just five home dates remaining in May, and they would only be able to start Strasburg once on their upcoming homestand. 

It seems much more likely that the Nationals will keep Strasburg in the minors for three more starts, save themselves a few million and call on the phenom to face the Astros in Houston June 1st.  

Yankees Sign Tim Redding

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Tim Redding officially signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (via Twitter). The Dodgers and a Korean team also expressed interest in Redding, who was released by the Rockies this morning.

Redding, 32, had been pitching at Triple A in the Rockies organization. The righty had a 4.32 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 25 innings. He posted a 5.10 ERA in 120 innings for the Mets last year, with 5.7 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9.

Back in 2005, Redding started one game for the Yankees. It didn't go well for anyone but the Red Sox hitters Redding faced; he allowed four walks, four hits and six runs in his lone inning in Yankee pinstripes.

Odds & Ends: Hillman, Cubs, DeRosa, Marquis

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Links for Wednesday, as Stephen Strasburg continues to dominate in the minors…

  • Royals manager Trey Hillman told MLB.com's Dick Kaegel that he's as frustrated as ever about his club's slow start.
  • R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs is not completely convinced that Hank Blalock is the solution for the Rays, even as Pat Burrell's struggles continue. Blalock may exercise the opt-out clause in his contract in the coming week. ESPN.com's Buster Olney names the A's as a possible suitor for Blalock (Twitter link).
  • An Associated Press article on ESPN.com notes that the deadline for signing players with remaining college eligibility has been pushed back a day to August 16th this year because August 15th falls on a weekend.
  • RotoAuthority identifies Scott Olsen as a candidate to post a sub-4.00 ERA and respectable strikeout totals for your fantasy team going forward.
  • MLB.com's Carrie Muskat says the Cubs aren't about to make a deal any time soon.
  • If you have experience designing databases, MLBTR has a project for you. We’re interested in finding someone to design a searchable database for the site, so send an email to mlbtrdatabase@gmail.com if you are the right person for the job.
  • Mark DeRosa told MLB.com's Chris Haft that last year's wrist surgery was "a total failure."  With numbness in a couple fingers and ligaments "flapping all over the place again," DeRosa might need another procedure.  From Day 1, two years and $12MM was an aggressive commitment by the Giants.
  • In a similar vein, Nationals free agent signing Jason Marquis will likely miss another eight to ten weeks with surgery to remove spurs and bone chips from his elbow, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports asked Ken Griffey Jr. about retirement, and Junior said, "I'll figure it out when I get to that point."  The Mariners, meanwhile, have made a villain of Larry LaRue, the reporter who quoted a couple of unnamed players about a recent Griffey in-game clubhouse nap.

Derek Holland On Track For Super Two Status

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When Derek Holland makes his 2010 debut tonight, his major league service time starts piling up once again. If Holland stays in the majors until the end of this season, he has a good chance at becoming a Super Two player after next year. That means he would go to arbitration four times instead of three and would likely make millions more than he otherwise would. 

Here's how it breaks down: Holland has 170 days of service time now. He can pile up 145 more days of service time this year if the Rangers keep him in the majors all season. That would leave Holland with 1.143 years of service time after this season. With another full year in the majors, he could have 2.143 years of service time after 2011, which be enough for Super Two status.

Holland's Super Two status depends on two things: the time he spends on the roster this year and the time he spends on it next year. If he doesn't see the minors again, he'll go to arbitration four times. So is he ready for the majors? The stats suggest he is. In 38.2 innings at Triple A, the 23-year-old lefty has a 0.93 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9.

Examining Milwaukee’s Rotation

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When the Brewers effectively replaced starters Manny Parra and Braden Looper with Randy Wolf and Doug Davis this offseason, the rotation seemed better-positioned to carry the team than it was last year, when Brewers pitching was largely disappointing. 

Their starters posted a 5.37 ERA a year ago and their pitching staff as a whole allowed more runs than every NL club except the Nationals. GM Doug Melvin discussed trading for Kevin Correia, Jarrod Washburn, Doug Davis, Brian Bannister and others when the team was in contention last summer. The Brewers even claimed Davis, but they never made a major move. 

This year the Brewers are among the worst teams in the National League in runs allowed (14th) and home runs allowed (15th). Their bullpen has been disappointing, but the starters have done better than last year, combining for a 4.70 ERA. 

Yovani Gallardo has been fantastic so far, with a 3.07 ERA and 11.0 K/9. Wolf's ERA is below 4.00, but he's walking significantly more batters than he did with the Dodgers last year. Like Wolf, Dave Bush has an ERA around 4.00, but is walking far more batters than usual. Meanwhile, hitters are batting .415 on balls they put in play off of Davis. That figure should drop and drag Davis' 7.56 ERA down along with it. Rounding out the rotation, Chris Narveson pitched well against the D'Backs on Sunday, but he is no sure thing.

The Brewers have some options within the organization should their current starters falter. Carlos Villanueva has experience starting and this year he's throwing harder than ever. Villanueva, the team's pitcher of the month in April, is striking out more than a batter per inning. John Axford, ranked 23rd among Brewers prospects by Baseball America before the season, is pitching well in Triple A and could be called upon to replace Villanueva in the 'pen.

The Brewers have a solid but unremarkable rotation at this point, though they're surely hoping to see Wolf and Bush limit their free passes. We can expect Davis to improve and Villanueva could contribute, so the Brewers don't appear as desperate to acquire arms as they were a year ago. It may all be a moot point. If Milwaukee can't turn things around, they may become sellers and Jeff Suppan, Davis and Bush could be trade bait for other clubs.

Rockies Release Tim Redding

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The Rockies released pitcher Tim Redding from their Triple A club, reports Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies.  The 32-year-old righty posted a 4.32 ERA, 7.6 K/9, and 1.8 BB/9 in 25 innings for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

The Rockies had signed Redding to a minor league deal in January after he'd been non-tendered by the Mets in December.  Since Redding signed with the Rockies he's reportedly been monitored by the Phillies and Mariners.

Juan Cruz Having Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

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Free agent reliever Juan Cruz is having season-ending shoulder surgery today, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.  Olney says Cruz has a cyst in his shoulder and should be ready for winter ball.

Cruz, 31, was released by the Royals on April 23rd.  They're on the hook for his $3.25MM salary this season, plus a $500K buyout for his 2011 option.  The injury explains why the Royals gave up on him after five appearances this year and he did not sign elsewhere after his release.

Rays Face Decision On Blalock

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WEDNESDAY, 10:49am: ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that other teams are beginning to weigh interest in Blalock, in case the Rays are willing to trade him.  Olney guesses his opt-out date is May 15th.  He adds that "once Blalock informs the Rays that he wants to opt out, they have 48 hours to deal him or put him on their roster."  Olney's sources presume the Mariners and White Sox would get in the mix if Blalock becomes a free agent.

TUESDAY, 10:54pm: Scott Boras indicated to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that Hank Blalock may exercise the out clause in his contract within a week if the Rays don't call him up.

"I would imagine that we'll probably know something about Hank in the next seven days," Boras said. "The time has come. The time has come. He's playing third base, obviously he's hitting well, he's a young guy."

Blalock, 29, has a .375/.435/.552 line and four homers in Triple A Durham (though that batting average has been inflated by a .421 batting average on balls in play). Meanwhile, Pat Burrell is hitting .221/.315/.364 with two homers in the majors. Willy Aybar has yet to start at DH for the Rays, but he has appeared in ten games as a backup DH, so the Rays could turn to him.

The Rays could cut their losses and release Burrell, who earns $9MM this year, to make room for Blalock. They could also attempt to trade Blalock, perhaps to the Mariners. But if Blalock hits free agency again, Boras says he is confident that there will be interest in his client.

"I think a lot of people understand Hank's a better choice for them, so we'll see," Boras said.

Under his current contract, Blalock is set to earn a base salary of $925K in the major leagues.

If The Mariners Become Sellers

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The Mariners sit at 13-19, 4.5 games out in the AL West.  With 130 games left on the schedule, there's plenty of time to find some offense and climb to the top of the division.  But should the Mariners continue to struggle for the next month or two, which players might hit the trading block?

Cliff Lee's name jumps out as the most intriguing trade chip.  The Mariners could offer two or three months of the ace lefty, plus two potential draft picks if he leaves.  The trade return would have to clearly exceed the value of those two draft picks for the Mariners.  Lee has been traded for uninspiring packages twice in the last ten months, but that doesn't mean the Mariners would give him away.

The Ms could peddle a former ace lefty as well, once Erik Bedard returns from shoulder surgery.  He might be ready to go in June, as he's yet to embark on a minor league rehab assignment.

Relievers David Aardsma, Mark Lowe, and Brandon League are under team control through 2012.  They'll probably be retained since they'll be needed next year, but perhaps a big offer could pry one loose.  The Mariners might be willing to trade Jose Lopez, who switched from second to third base this year.  Until the 20 home run power returns, there won't be much of a market.

Ian Snell has a $4.25MM salary this year, so he'll probably be non-tendered after his '11 option is declined.  Snell is now in the bullpen, so the Mariners may try to move him regardless of the standings.  First baseman Casey Kotchman is another non-tender candidate after the season, if he doesn't start hitting.  He'd presumably be available for a contender to use as a bench bat.  Mike Sweeney and Ryan Langerhans would be expendable as well.

Mike Lamb Clears Waivers

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May 12th: Having cleared waivers, Lamb will join the Marlins' Triple A club today according to Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune.  As a member of the Zephyrs, Lamb will be reunited with Jason Lane, another member of the Astros' 2005 World Series club.

May 6th: The Marlins have designated Mike Lamb for assignment, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.  Outfielder Bryan Petersen has been called up from Triple-A New Orleans and will join the team effective tomorrow.

Lamb has had just 18 plate appearances in 17 games this season for Florida.  The corner infielder spent 2009 in the Mets' farm system and was signed by the Fish to a minor league deal in February.  Soon after he signed, it was reported that the Marlins were still on the lookout for a lefty bat off of the bench.  It appears that they have found that lefty bat in-house.

The 34-year-old had a less-than-stellar stint in Triple-A Buffalo last season, posting an OPS of .669 in 119 games.

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