No Moves Likely For Mets Pitching Staff
Andy Martino of the New York Daily News writes that the Mets are unlikely to make any moves for pitching via trade or free agency, and specifically adds that the Mets are not interested in Jarrod Washburn.
If it seems a bit early for such discussions, that is largely due to the travails of John Maine, whose fastball velocity is way down, while his ERA is way up. After allowing seven earned runs in three innings last night, Maine faces a do-or-die start on Sunday night against the Cardinals, according to Newsday's David Lennon.
Another reason for New York's reluctance to reach outside the organization is a lack of attractive external options, though should the team climb into contention, a partial-season deal with Pedro Martinez could be considered.
Rangers May Pursue Miles
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers "may explore interest" in Aaron Miles, recently released by the Cincinnati Reds.
Miles could fill in for the injured Ian Kinsler, though he'd be unlikely to approach anything like Kinsler's production.
For instance, Miles has 16 career home runs in 2,423 plate appearances. Kinsler hit 31 home runs in the 2009 season alone.
Sullivan says that Miles would likely begin at Triple-A.
2011 Contract Issues: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are paying over $15MM to former players this year; that number will fall under $7MM in 2011 as their commitments will be reduced to Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones. They'll also potentially free up over $40MM for departing free agents, with Manny Ramirez, Hiroki Kuroda, and Vicente Padilla the biggest salaries.
On the increase side, players under contract will receive over $13MM more. Andre Ethier, Rafael Furcal, Jonathan Broxton, and Matt Kemp account for the raises. More increases will be due to arbitration-eligibles: Chad Billingsley, James Loney, and Hong-Chih Kuo enter their second year, Russell Martin his third, and George Sherrill his fourth. Sherrill can be considered a non-tender candidate, only because the Dodgers may be reluctant to pay a setup man more than $5MM.
Even if payroll is maintained in the low $100MM range, the Dodgers should free up enough money to adequately replace Ramirez and at least one of the starting pitchers.
Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts for the info.
Red Sox Claim Santo Luis
The Red Sox claimed righty Santo Luis off waivers from the White Sox, according to a team press release. Luis was then optioned to Double A. Jed Lowrie was placed on the 60-day DL to clear a spot for Luis.
Luis, 26, posted a 4.34 ERA, 12.7 K/9, and 3.7 BB/9 in 56 High A relief innings last year, allowing 11 home runs. He saved 14 games for Joe McEwing's Winston-Salem Dash. The Sox had claimed Luis from the Astros in '07 in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
Odds & Ends: Antonetti, Harper, Embree
Links for Wednesday…
- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick looks at nine revolving door positions for various teams, such as Red Sox shortstop and Braves' left fielder.
- RotoAuthority looks at a few potential buy-low candidates on the young fantasy season.
- Murray Chass takes USA Today to task for publishing inaccurate salary data.
- Jim Callis ranks Baseball America's #1 prospects from the last ten years, putting Jason Heyward behind only Matt Wieters and Josh Beckett.
- MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince looks at the background of the Indians' GM-in-waiting, Chris Antonetti.
- ESPN's Keith Law agrees with Ben Goessling of MASN, saying the Nationals have "more or less settled on Bryce Harper." Law says the Nats would be nuts to take someone else.
- MLB.com's Ian Browne tweets that Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has been in touch with Alan Embree's agent, perhaps regarding the lefty's April 15th out-out date.
- Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star notes that the Blue Jays have to place Adeiny Hechavarria on the 2013 25-man Opening Day 2013 roster, or else place him on waivers.
- SI's Melissa Segura tweets that the Twins were impressed by outfielder Vicmal de la Cruz, "perhaps the jewel of the 2010 July 2 class." Click here to view Kiley McDaniel's video of the kid.
Clint Everts Clears Waivers
WEDNESDAY, 2:42pm: Everts cleared waivers, tweets ESPN's Adam Rubin.
SUNDAY, 10:56am: The New York Mets have designated right-handed reliever Clint Everts for assignment, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork. The team made the move to clear a roster spot for Cuban lefty Raul Valdes.
The 25-year-old Everts had spent his entire career in the Montreal/Washington organization, before signing with the Mets this winter. He posted a 1.65 ERA in 60 innings over three levels in the minors last season.
Jose Veras Designated For Assignment
The Marlins designated reliever Jose Veras for assignment, reports Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. The Marlins decided they'd seen enough of Veras after four appearances. He allowed eight runs in 4.6 innings. Veras, 30, posted a 5.19 ERA, 7.2 K/9, and 5.0 BB/9 in 50.3 innings last year for the Yankees and Indians. He was designated for assignment twice during the season, and non-tendered by the Tribe in December.
The Marlins have already discarded all of their scrap heap relief pickups: Veras, Mike MacDougal, Seth McClung, and Derrick Turnbow.
Blue Jays Claim Shawn Bowman
The Blue Jays claimed Canadian third baseman Shawn Bowman off waivers from the Mets, according to a team press release. He'll head to the Jays' High A affiliate.
Bowman, 25, hit .294/.346/.458 in 379 Double A plate appearances last year. He has above-average raw power and strong defense, according to Baseball America's '06 Handbook.
Miles Released; Balentien Outrighted
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets the results of Aaron Miles and Wladimir Balentien being designated for assignment by the Reds. Both players cleared waivers. Miles was released, while Balentien was outrighted to Triple A.
Miles joins the free agent ranks; he'll likely be signed for $400K with the Reds paying the remaining $2.3MM on his contract. The 33-year-old infielder hit .185/.224/.242 in 170 plate appearances for the Cubs last year, battling shoulder and elbow injuries. He was acquired twice during the offseason - by the A's to help facilitate their acquisition of Jake Fox, and by the Reds as a way of dumping the inferior contract of Willy Taveras.
Balentien, a 25-year-old outfielder, hit .234/.305/.385 in 295 plate appearances for the Mariners and Reds last year. He's flashed big power at various minor league stops and was a well-regarded prospect as recently as 2008.
Fuentes Back Strain Could Save Angels $9 Million
Angels closer Brian Fuentes tweaked a back muscle picking up a dumbbell about a week ago, according to MLB.com's Lyle Spencer. The freak injury could save the Angels $9MM in 2011.
Fuentes is eligible to return on April 21st. Barring a rainout, the Angels will have 147 games left to play at that point. Fuentes has finished one game this year, and needs 54 more to cause his '11 option to vest. That's one GF out of every 2.72 Halos games. Last year Fuentes finished one for every 2.84 Angels games, though Kevin Jepsen picked up a few GFs in September. It will be tough for Fuentes to finish games at the pace necessary to reach 55 in 2010, now that he'll miss at least the Angels' next seven games.