Indians Notes: Antonetti, Shapiro, Phelps
A year ago, the Indians were last in the AL Central with a 17-28 record and about to trade some of their most recognizable players for the third consecutive summer. Things are a little different this year; here are the details:
- Could the Indians become buyers? Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer explores this question and hears from GM Chris Antonetti that the Indians will consider going outside of the organization to acquire talent.
- "There's been a demonstrated willingness to spend above projected revenues when we felt we had an opportunity to win," president Mark Shapiro told Bill Lubinger of the Plain Dealer, "and there will be an ability and a willingness to acquire a player in July if we're in position to do it."
- The Indians won’t want to part with key pieces of their highly-regarded farm system, but they may have more cash than expected, as Lubinger explains. Ticket sales, TV ratings, ballpark concessions sales and other merchandise sales are up which means the Indians have lots of revenue streaming in.
- If you're jumping on the Indians' bandwagon, be prepared, warns Michael K. McIntyre of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Cleveland bandwagons come with no seatbelts, no shock absorbers and no brakes."
- Indians prospect Cord Phelps is playing well (.927 OPS at Triple-A), as Zack Meisel explains at MLB.com. Cleveland's system features lots of talent on the infield, so Phelps' path to the Majors isn't clear-cut.
Molina Open To Return With Giants
Free agent catcher Bengie Molina told Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News that he could catch for the Giants, who are without 2010 Rookie of the Year Buster Posey for an extended period of time. Molina hasn’t played since last year, so he wouldn’t expect to be placed on the Giants roster without getting into playing shape first.
"If I get it in my mind to do this, I would go,” Molina said. “If they need me and want me and they ask me to spend two weeks in the minors, I'd do it. Do I expect them to ask? I'd love to say yes, they will, but I don't think so because of the way things happened at the end."
As Baggarly explains, Molina had critical comments for Giants general manager Brian Sabean after the GM commented publicly on his decision to deal the catcher last summer. The Giants have already inquired on Ivan Rodriguez of the Nationals, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Royals Acquire Paulino From Rockies, DFA Tejeda
The Rockies have traded right-hander Felipe Paulino to the Royals for cash considerations, according to the Rockies' official Twitter page. In a corresponding move, Kansas City designated right-handed pitcher Robinson Tejeda for assignment.
In 14.2 innings this season, Paulino has a 7.36 ERA with 8.6 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, and 14.1 H/9. The fireballer owns a 5.93 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 65 career games – 34 of them starts.
Meanwhile, Tejeda hasn't seen a great deal of action in 2011, allowing five runs in 7.1 innings of work. For his big league career, the 29-year-old has a 4.42 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9. While he's worked mostly out of the bullpen, he did make six starts for the Royals in 2009. His $1.55MM salary for '11 is likely to dissuade teams from picking him up.
Colorado designated Paulino for assignment late Saturday night after being initially being unable to find a taker for him. Days earlier, the Rox shipped Franklin Morales to the Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Quick Hits: Inge, Molina, Bedard, Lopez, Aceves
Thursday night Quick Hits..
- Brandon Inge will pick up ten and five rights next Wednesday, according to John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press. That means the Tigers will need permission to trade Inge, who would like to spend the rest of his career in Detroit.
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter) could see the Rockies pursuing free agent catcher Bengie Molina. However, Renck tweets that the veteran would like to be in the majors right away and move through the minors quickly, which could be a hurdle.
- The Cubs have been looking hard for someone like Rodrigo Lopez, GM Jim Hendry told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Earlier today, Hendry acquired Lopez in exchange for left-hander Ryan Buchter.
- The Erik Bedard deal looks a whole lot better for the Mariners now that the left-hander is back to his winning ways as of late, opines Greg Johns of MLB.com.
- Landing pitcher Alfredo Aceves appears to have paid off big time for the Red Sox through the first two months of the season, writes Tim Britton of the The Providence Journal.
Rockies Looking To Improve Bench
The Rockies are dissatisfied with their lack of athleticism and plan to shake up their bench, major-league sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The players that are most in jeopardy are infielders Alfredo Amezaga and Jose Lopez while they seem sweet on the idea of promoting Eric Young Jr. and Chris Nelson.
Lopez has a minor-league option remaining, but his five-plus years of Major League service allow him to reject a demotion and choose free agency. If that happens, Rosenthal writes that he would likely clear waivers and sign a Triple-A contract elsewhere. Lopez is signed to a one-year, $3.6MM contract and sources say that he's generating minimal trade interest.
The versatile Amezaga would also be exposed to waivers if the Rockies tried to demote him to Triple-A.
Nationals Notes: Rodriguez, Coffey
The Nationals may have the day off but they're in the news thanks to interest in two players..
- In the wake of Buster Posey's injury, the Giants have already asked the Nats about Ivan Rodriguez, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Nats have received interest in Pudge from other teams including the Red Sox this season. The club has plenty of catching depth to work with if they do decide to deal Rodriguez.
- The Rangers have inquired about Nationals right-hander Todd Coffey, a baseball source tells Bill Ladson of MLB.com. While it's known that Texas is looking for a setup man, Ladson cautions that the two clubs are not in serious talks at the moment and it's not known whether the Nats would trade Coffey. Ben Nicholson-Smith recently highlighted Coffey as a non-tender from last offseason that is now exceeding expectations with a new ballclub.
Astros Claim Blake King Off Of Waivers
The Astros have claimed right-handed pitcher Blake King off waivers from the Cardinals, according to a team press release. The 24-year-old was placed on the Astros 40-man roster and optioned to Double-A Corpus Christi.
King failed to impress in 2011 at the Triple-A level after spending the bulk of his time in Double-A Springfield. In 58 career Double-A appearances, the 6-foot-1 hurler has a 3.47 ERA with 11.1 K/9 and 7.1 BB/9.
Cubs Acquire Rodrigo Lopez From Braves
The Cubs have acquired right-hander Rodrigo Lopez from the Braves for left-hander Ryan Buchter, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Cubs GM Jim Hendry told Sullivan (via Twitter) that he sees the veteran as a swingman who can start or relieve.
Lopez has spent this season at Triple-A Gwinnett, posting a 2.59 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in nine starts. The 35-year-old pitched 200 innings as a starter for Arizona last season and finished with a 5.00 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9.
Buchter, 24, will be assigned to Class A-Advanced Lynchburg. The reliever has made 57 appearances at the Double-A level and owns a 4.94 ERA with 10.6 K/9 and 7.4 BB/9.
MLB.com's Mark Bowman (via Twitter) first reported that the Braves would receive Buchter in the deal.
Draft Notes: Harvey, Starling, Anderson, Stilson
With the MLB draft coming up on June 6th, let's take a look at some draft-related tidbits..
- Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe tweets that the Red Sox released Ryan Harvey, who was the 2003 1st round pick of the Cubs. The 26-year-old was trying to convert from the outfield to the mound but never found his way out of extended Spring Training with Boston.
- There's been talk of a lack of elite bats in this year's draft, but there appears to be a good amount of depth when it comes to the outfield prospects, writes Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. Mayo highlights a number of the top outfielders in the draft, including Bubba Starling, George Springer, Mikie Mahtook, and Jackie Bradley.
- More from Mayo who writes that there's a good deal of buzz around Stanford closer Chris Reed, who is seen by some scouts as a starter. Reed, it appears, will be taken somewhere in the sandwich round.
- Meanwhile, Mayo writes that two pitchers, Oregon lefty Tyler Anderson and Texas A&M right-hander John Stilson, may have hurt their stock with recent poor outings.
Nationals Notes: Harper, Rodriguez, Werth
The latest on the Nationals, who rest today before hosting the last-place Padres this weekend…
- Top prospect Bryce Harper is hitting his way through the South Atlantic League with the help of his coaches and teammates and as Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com writes, last year's number one pick is just beginning his baseball odyssey.
- As Adam Kilgore points out at the Washington Post, Ivan Rodriguez could appeal to the Giants, who lost Buster Posey to the disabled list, possibly for the rest of the season. The Nationals are one of few teams with catching depth to spare.
- Jayson Werth, who signed a $126MM contract with Washington over the winter, has raised his OPS above .800 for the first time since April 14th and he tells Kilgore that he's feeling good. “I’m working in the right direction," he said. "I’m hitting balls hard, and I’ve got some confidence. I like where I’m at.”