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Archives for June 2011

White Sox Rumors: Ozzie, Trade Deadline

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Ten years ago today, the White Sox purchased Jose Canseco's contract from the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. Canseco went on to hit .258/.366/.477 with 16 homers in 306 plate appearances the rest of the season, his last in the majors. Let's round up the latest news from Chicago's south side…

  • Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Ozzie Guillen approached White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf about his long-term status with the club and didn't like what he was told. "I'm maybe going to ask about my situation [after the season], but I'm not going to ask for money or tell them I need a contract, anything like that," said Guillen, whose name has again popped up with regards to the Marlins' long-term managerial position.
  • The White Sox increased payroll by $20MM this year, so it's possible that the team's only big additions this summer will be improved play from Adam Dunn and Alexis Rios according to Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune. "You're certainly not going to go out at the deadline and get somebody that could do the things that some of these guys can do when they're on their game," said GM Kenny Williams.

Albert Pujols Injury Reaction

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The Cardinals will lose Albert Pujols for four to six weeks with a small fracture in his left arm. Here's the latest reaction to the news, which could affect the Cardinals' approach to the trade deadline this summer and the first baseman's first free agent contract after the season:

  • When he returns, Pujols may face the biggest pressure of any prospective free agent in the history of the game, writes ESPN's Buster Olney.  One NL evaluator opined that the fracture could cost him $50MM or more, as many wrist injuries are career-altering. 
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports doesn't expect that the injury will affect Pujols' free agent value as long as he returns in time to prove his health. "The only way the injury will damage his position in the marketplace is if it affects his long-term ability as a hitter," Rosenthal writes, "and does anyone really see that happening?"
  • Yahoo's Jeff Passan argues that it's time for GM John Mozeliak to work out an extension with Pujols, who belongs in a Cardinals uniform. One agent suggests an eight-year, $224MM deal for Pujols, who appeared to want $300MM before the season.
  • Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says that the Cardinals will be able to get by without Pujols by playing Jon Jay every day and shifting Lance Berkman to first base.
  • My take on Pujols' free agent value: he had better hope the Cardinals stay in the race without him, since a standout postseason performance like the one Carlos Beltran had in 2004 could catapult his free agent value back into $300MM territory.

Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.

Mets Rumors: Trades, Reyes, Beltran, Nimmo, Kazmir

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After an off day yesterday, the Mets remain five games out in the wild card at 35-37 as Dillon Gee prepares to face the Athletics.  The latest rumors around the club:

  • Mets COO Jeff Wilpon told Dan Martin of the New York Post that GM Sandy Alderson will "have all the opportunity in the world to bring anybody he wants in."  Alderson is restriction-free, but must bring ideas to his bosses on a case-by-case basis.  Regarding the Mets' status as buyers or sellers, Alderson remarked, "The next three to four weeks will tell a lot."
  • Asked by Martin if he had lost hope on keeping Jose Reyes, Wilpon replied, "Why would we? There's a long time between now and next year [and there are] a lot of things that can happen in a lot of different directions."  Though he's been mum on the subject of his next contract publicly, the shortstop talks about the situation privately all the time, one friend told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.  Said the friend, "If the Mets think they're getting him for, like, $95 million, they're wrong. He's going to get paid. He is clear about that."  Martino feels that even if Reyes gives the Mets a discount, he'll still require "well north of $100 million."  Alderson said recently that the Mets will reach out to Reyes at some point.
  • SI's Tom Verducci thinks the Mets will approach Reyes in July.  A team source told him, "I'm sure there will come a point where we sit down and see what Jose wants. But there's nothing that says we won't try to keep the guy."  The Mets would need to be overwhelmed with an offer of three top prospects to trade Reyes, in the opinion of Verducci.
  • Martin talked to Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran, who said he is not worrying about trade possibilities.
  • Mets first-round draft pick Brandon Nimmo "was asking for $2.5 million," tweets Baseball America's Jim Callis.  Nimmo, drafted 13th overall, is committed to Arkansas.  If Callis' rumor is correct, he's looking for $844K over slot.
  • The Mets' front office wanted to annul the 2004 trade that sent Scott Kazmir to Tampa Bay for Victor Zambrano on medical grounds, reports ESPN's Adam Rubin.  Mets employees believed the Rays did not supply the full trainers' log on Zambrano, who had elbow issues at the time of the deal.  However, the Wilpons elected not to try to revise or undo the trade.  Still, GM Jim Duquette isn't off the hook, because trading Kazmir for a healthy Zambrano wouldn't have been a good deal either.

Giants Asked Questions About Mark Ellis

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The Giants "asked questions" about Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis over the weekend, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.  Schulman's Ellis note was parenthetical, in an article that focused on the lack of clear sellers here in late June.  Still, the assumption is that the Giants asked those questions of Athletics brass, as the teams faced off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Ellis, 34, was hitting .211/.245/.287 in 224 plate appearances this year before hitting the DL with a hamstring strain.  The Athletics' longest-tenured player, Ellis is expected to be activated from the DL tomorrow, wrote Jane Lee and Tom Green of MLB.com on Saturday.  The strong play of rookie Jemile Weeks in 12 games complicates the second base situation. 

Even with the A's hanging around the fringes of contention at 5.5 games out, Ellis could be expendable.  Earlier this month I named him as a viable second base trade candidate, with the Giants one of six potential suitors.  Ellis has good pop for the position, and his defense is highly regarded.  Still, he's a tough sell right now with a $6MM salary.  The Giants have a need given Freddy Sanchez's shoulder injury, but in-house they've got Emmanuel Burriss and Bill Hall as well as Mike Fontenot and Mark DeRosa on the DL.

According to our Transaction Tracker, Billy Beane and Brian Sabean have never matched up for a trade.  They represent the game's longest-tenured GMs.

Rays Sign First-Round Pick Jake Hager

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The Rays signed first-round pick Jake Hager for $963K, tweets Baseball America's Jim Callis.  That's $9K over slot for the high school shortstop, who was chosen 32nd overall.  Hager is represented by Paragon Sports International.

Hager, who had committed to Arizona State, was ranked 122nd on BA's top 200.  BA wrote that Hager "doesn't have one standout tool, but he can do a little bit of everything and always plays hard."

The Rays had a dozen picks within the first 89 this year, and so far they've signed six of them in Hager, Jeff Ames, Blake Snell, Kes Carter, James Harris, and Granden Goetzman.

Hager is the fourth first-round pick to sign, as teams begin by locking up those willing to sign around slot.  Click here to see our full list of first and supplemental round picks to sign.

Potentially Available Left-Handed Relievers

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On Thursday I identified a big group of potentially available right-handed relievers.  Today let's check out the left-handed group.

  • Athletics: Brian Fuentes, Craig Breslow, Jerry Blevins.  Blevins, designated for assignment in May, cleared waivers and is enjoying a strong June after a rough start at Triple-A.  Fuentes and Breslow are less likely to be dealt, as they might be penciled into future Oakland bullpens.
  • Cubs: John Grabow.  The real prize is Sean Marshall, though I don't see why the Cubs would move him.  Grabow would be a salary dump, as he hasn't done much to earn his $4.8MM.
  • Orioles: Mike Gonzalez, Mark Hendrickson.  It's been a rough year for Gonzalez, who has allowed 30 hits and seven home runs in 24 innings.  However, he remains very tough on lefties.  Hendrickson was outrighted to Triple-A in March and has been solid as expected against lefties.
  • Marlins: Randy Choate.  Choate, who is signed for 2012, has been nasty on lefties but should not face righties.
  • Red Sox: Hideki Okajima.  Earlier this month he said he's hoping for a trade, but he hasn't drawn much interest to date.
  • Dodgers: Hong-Chih Kuo.  Just activated from the DL for anxiety disorder, Kuo is nasty when healthy.  He's under team control through 2012 and would have a strong market if the Dodgers are willing to move him.  But even at seven games out they might just prefer to add stability to their own bullpen.
  • J.C. Romero of the Phillies, Dustin Richardson of the Marlins: Both southpaws are currently in DFA limbo, so they won't require much to acquire.

NL Central Notes: Pujols, Bell, Brewers

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Albert Pujols will miss four to six weeks with a fracture in his left arm, further confirmation that no NL Central club appears ready to run away with the division. The 40-33 Brewers would deal a catcher, the defending champion Reds are eyeing arms and the Pirates are lurking around the .500 mark. Here's the rest of tonight's NL Central-related news…

  • Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told Matthew Leach of MLB.com that he isn't ready to determine how aggressive the Cardinals will be in trade talks leading up to the July 31st deadline. The GM acknowledged that Pujols' injury opens "some potential opportunities out there that maybe [the team] wouldn't have explored 48 hours ago."
  • Here's more reaction to Pujols' injury from earlier tonight.
  • Jim Callis of Baseball America hears that Pirates draft pick Josh Bell is set on going to the University of Texas, where he has committed to playing. Despite that, Callis likes the pick for Pittsburgh, which should have plenty of money to dangle in the prospect's direction.
  • Adam McCalvy and Audrey Snyder of MLB.com explain how one lucky Brewers fan signed a one-day contract with his favorite team.

Quick Hits: Mariners, Rizzo, Gonzalez, Orioles

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On this date in 1997, the Reds called Aaron Boone up and sent his brother, Bret, to the minors. Bret would emerge as a power threat the following year and average 26 homers per season for the next seven years. Aaron put together a solid 12-year career that featured an All-Star Game berth and one of the most memorable home runs in Yankees history. Here's the latest from around MLB…

  • Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner runs through some possible left field targets for the Mariners, including Ryan Ludwick and Luke Scott.
  • Padres GM Jed Hoyer told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that he doesn't want 21-year-old first baseman Anthony Rizzo to try to replace Adrian Gonzalez, the man he was traded for last winter. "Adrian Gonzalez at 21 years old was toiling in Triple-A," Hoyer said. "It took Adrian a number of years before he really established himself as a Major League player."
  • Hoyer says he's not surprised that Gonzalez has turned in a "monster" season for the Red Sox so far. Unfortunately for the Padres, they couldn't afford him long-term.
  • The Orioles have agreed to terms with third round right-hander Mike Wright, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
  • The MLBPA Alumni Association is working on a program that will transition players to jobs beyond the playing field, according to Evan Drellich of MLB.com. Most Major Leaguers retire without millions of dollars saved up, so the program will be important for players like veteran minor leaguer Andy Tracy, who expects to retire after the season.

NL East Notes: Chipper, Escobar, Werth, McKeon

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Tim Hudson pitched eight shutout innings and hit a two-run homer to beat the Blue Jays in Yunel Escobar's return to Atlanta tonight. Here's the latest on the Braves and their NL East rivals… 

  • Chipper Jones told Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he never wanted Escobar to leave, "because the guy’s a good player." Jones suggests last summer's trade worked out well for both sides, since Escobar has matured into a better player and the Braves have the steady Alex Gonzalez. I examined Escobar's recent contract extension earlier today.
  • Bill Ladson of MLB.com says free agent signing Jayson Werth has "brought a spark" to Washington and helped the Nationals to a respectable record. Werth has a .232/.332/.409 line with ten home runs in his first season in D.C. – not what the Nats were hoping for when they made a $126MM commitment to the outfielder last offseason. 
  • New Marlins manager Jack McKeon explained to Dave George of the Palm Beach Post why he returned to the bench as an 80-year-old skipper. "I don't need this job, but I love it, and I love the people I'm working for."
  • Hanley Ramirez might not love the person he's working for quite yet; McKeon benched Ramirez tonight after the shortstop showed up late to the ballpark.

Chad Cordero Retires

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Former All-Star reliever Chad Cordero has retired, the St. Paul Saints announced. The 29-year-old had been pitching for the Saints, who play in the independent American Association. The Blue Jays released Cordero from Triple-A last month after signing him to a minor league deal in January.

The Expos selected Cordero with the 20th overall pick in the 2003 draft and he was in the Montreal 'pen later on that same season. He put together a solid 2004 campaign for the Expos and was the franchise's full-time closer in 2005. Cordero led the National League with 47 saves that year and made the All-Star team. He followed his breakout season with solid performances in '06 and '07, but had surgery to replace a torn labrum in 2008 and has struggled since.

The right-hander earned $11.5MM as a Major Leaguer, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Best of luck to Cordero in his post-baseball career as he recovers from personal tragedy. Hat tip to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

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