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NL Central Notes: Pirates, Astros, Draft Signings

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Of the top eight vote-getters in National League All-Star voting, six are Brewers, Cardinals and Reds.  Ryan Braun leads the way with over 2.23MM votes thus far.  Here are a few items from this star-studded division….

  • The Pirates just acquired Mike McKenry yesterday but they still want to add more catching depth, manager Clint Hurdle tells MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.
  • Astros owner Drayton McLane wants his team to remain in the National League, reports Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.  The 'Stros were rumored to be candidates to move to the AL under a realignment proposal that would even out the AL and NL with 15 teams each.  Of course, McLane is in the process of selling the team to Jim Crane, so McLane's preference wouldn't necessarily be an issue if these realignment plans ever came to fruition.
  • Speaking of Crane, Justice reports (via Twitter) that the new owner will likely officially take over the Astros on July 7 or 8.
  • The Reds announced the signings of 14 draft picks, plus undrafted free agent Phil Bauer from Xavier University.  The highest-selected of these picks is left-hander Tony Cingrani, taken in the third round.
  • The Brewers announced the signings of 14 draft picks and three undrafted free agents (via MLB.com's Adam McCalvy).  Ninth-round outfielder Malcom Dowell is the highest selection to sign.

Yankees Sign Greg Smith, Cory Wade

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The Yankees have signed southpaw Greg Smith and right-hander Cory Wade to minor league contracts, according to the International League's transactions page.  Both pitchers will report to Triple-A Scranton.

Smith, 27, was released by the Rockies in April and he has a career 4.51 ERA in 40 Major League starts with Oakland and Colorado.  The lefty has been part of two of the biggest trades in recent years — he was part of the package (which also included Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson and Chris Carter) sent by the Diamondbacks to the A's in the Dan Haren trade in December 2007.  Smith was then moved along with Gonzalez and Huston Street to the Rockies for Matt Holliday in November 2008.

Wade signed a minor league deal with the Rays last winter which included a clause that allowed him to opt out if he wasn't in the majors by a certain date.  Wade told the Rays he was going to invoke that clause and thus Tampa Bay released him over the weekend.  Wade posted a 2.27 ERA and an 0.93 WHIP in 55 relief appearances with the Dodgers in his 2008 rookie season, but struggled in 2009 and spent 2010 in the minors.  The right-hander had a 1.23 ERA and a 5.67 K/BB ratio in 36 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham this season.

Cubs Will Be Able To Spend, Hendry Says

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Despite recent reports suggesting the Cubs' free agency plans will be hampered by their violation of MLB's debt service rules, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry says his club's spending won't be affected, reports Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.

"We knew the path we went on in '07, '08, when the club was going up for sale, it was high level spending and obviously turned into divisional championship success," Hendry said.  "When you don't finish that off, and the length of the time that the sale took, there was… an area there where (spending was) a little stagnant, and moving forward. Nobody's fault. That's the price of doing business.

"There's never been any talk of not pursuing any free agents….There are no financial difficulties here with the Ricketts family. And i think it will be a great franchise, and better than it's ever been, down the road."

The Cubs have a lot of money coming off the books this winter, which has naturally set off speculation that Chicago will pursue a top-flight free agent like Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder.  Of course, if the Cubs are indeed able to continue business as usual, the question remains as to whether Hendry will be the one conducting it.  Hendry said that given the team's poor performance, he isn't surprised to hear whispers about possibly being fired, saying "that comes with the territory."

"I expected us to win at a higher level than three division championships," Hendry said.  "I don't mind that. This is professional baseball in a big market and a great fan base. We should've done better the last year and a half. So that comes with the territory, and that is my responsibility."

AL West Notes: Weaver, Davis, Anderson, Ellis

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As the Angels and Mariners begin a three-game series at Safeco Field tonight, let's look at some items concerning those clubs and their other two division rivals….

  • Could the Angels considering moving Jered Weaver this summer?  FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal looks at what might happen if the Halos fall out of contention, with a Weaver deal being the biggest possible move the club could make to rebuild.  I looked at Weaver as both a trade and an extension candidate last April.
  • MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan looks at some reader suggestions about what the Rangers might do before the trade deadline.  Sullivan speculates that the Orioles could be a good trade partner for the Rangers — Texas wants right-handed relivers (like Jim Johnson or Koji Uehara) and Baltimore could use a first baseman for the future like Chris Davis.
  • Athletics southpaw Brett Anderson will not need Tommy John surgery, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.  (Twitter link)  Dr. James Andrews instead recommended six weeks of rehabilition for Anderson, and the two will meet again in three weeks for a re-evaluation.
  • Also from Buster Olney, (via Twitter), the Athletics could find a suitor for Mark Ellis without leaving the Bay Area.  The Giants need second base help with Freddy Sanchez possibly out for the season, while the A's might prefer to give playing time at second base to Jemile Weeks or Scott Sizemore.  MLBTR's Tim Dierkes listed Ellis as a possible trade candidate in his examination of what the A's might do if they become sellers.  Of note: Ellis does have no-trade protection in his contract, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.
  • The three-team deal between the Mariners, Indians and Mets in December 2008 has proven to be a boon for the M's, writes Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.

White Sox Claim Leyson Septimo

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The White Sox claimed lefty Leyson Septimo off waivers from the Diamondbacks and optioned him to Double-A, tweets the team.  As the team with the fewest players on their 40-man roster (36) the Sox had plenty of room to make the addition.  Meanwhile, Arizona's 40-man count drops to 38.

Septimo, 25, has a 6.37 ERA, 6.7 K/9, 7.6 BB/9, and 0.3 HR/9 in 29 2/3 relief innings at Double-A this year.  Prior to the 2010 season, Baseball America ranked Septimo 26th among Diamondbacks prospects.  The former outfielder was converted to the mound after the '07 season and can touch triple digits with his fastball, according to BA.  The White Sox currently have a position player conversion success story in their own bullpen, closer Sergio Santos.

If The Athletics Become Sellers

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Having lost 12 of their last 13 games, the A's are eight games back in the AL West.  It's time to discuss their potential trade offerings.

  • David DeJesus has been playing right field in recent years, but he has plenty of experience at the other outfield positions.  At .239/.319/.373 in 236 plate appearances, his contract year has not gone as hoped.  He did hit well in May.  DeJesus is affordable at $6MM, and will appeal to any contender seeking a top of the order outfielder who bats left-handed.  Our latest Elias rankings have DeJesus on the cusp of Type A status in the AL, but I'm not sure the A's would offer him arbitration.
  • Second baseman Mark Ellis is on the DL with a strained right hamstring.  His $6MM salary will be prohibitive unless he starts raking upon his return.  With Jemile Weeks and Scott Sizemore joining Oakland's second base mix, shopping Ellis makes sense if he gets healthy.
  • Left fielder Josh Willingham is another $6MM Athletic.  At .235/.315/.423, he's having the worst year of his career as he heads toward free agency.  Willingham is more firmly a Type A free agent than DeJesus, and given how the free agent market values power an arbitration offer seems more feasible for him.  Willingham should be one of the better available right-handed bats.
  • The A's could break up their entire starting outfield, as Coco Crisp ($5.75MM salary) is also an impending free agent.  Like Willingham, Crisp is helping some fantasy teams offensively but is not getting on base thus far.  Crisp's ability to play center field sets him apart.  The Braves are often mentioned as a potential fit.
  • Hideki Matsui might be tough to move, as a DH hitting .216/.268/.332.  If he doesn't show signs of life over the next six weeks, a release is more likely than a trade.
  • First baseman/outfielder Conor Jackson could be a complementary piece for someone if the A's assume part of his $3.2MM salary.  Jackson can still get on base a little bit but his modest early-career power seems gone.
  • Relievers are always a trade deadline hot commodity, and Oakland's pen has a 3.25 ERA despite their leading innings guy, Brian Fuentes, checking in at 4.71.  The A's might have a chance to bail on Fuentes' contract, which pays $5MM next year.  Their other big relief signing, Grant Balfour, has produced better results despite shaky control; he earns $4MM in 2012.  Both relievers have club options for '13.  Michael Wuertz, who has been excellent, has a club option for '12 and a more modest salary.  The A's could also consider moving a pair of arbitration eligible relievers in Craig Breslow and Brad Ziegler.
  • We've covered the Cubs, Padres, Pirates, Twins, and Astros as potential sellers previously.

Phillies Looking At Right-Handed Hitting Outfielders

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The Phillies are "already looking at right-handed hitting outfielders," tweets ESPN's Buster Olney after talking to a rival evaluator.  At 4.05 runs per game, the Phillies' offense ranks seventh in the National League.  The team's OPS against left-handed pitching ranks 11th, with Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Ben Francisco, and Carlos Ruiz among those under .700.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. cautioned this month, "You will not see a major move this year."  Amaro has made similar claims in the past before authoring big additions, and there has been much debate about whether to believe him this time as the team flirts with the luxury tax payroll threshold.  ESPN's Jayson Stark wrote in May that the Phillies have been "telling other teams they can only talk about hitters making no more than about half of [Hunter] Pence's $6.9 million."

Granted, trade partners can kick in cash or take back a bad contract, but only if the Phillies include better prospects.  The Astros sent the Phillies $11MM in the Roy Oswalt trade, but Amaro told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki this is "not the same sort of situation."  A few available right-handed hitting outfielders making $3.5MM or less include Jeff Francoeur, Matt Diaz, Marcus Thames, as well as switch-hitter Melky Cabrera.  More interesting names such as Pence, Carlos Quentin, Ryan Ludwick, Josh Willingham, and Delmon Young are all under $7MM, and I wouldn't rule them out based strictly on salary.

Rosenthal On Reyes, Hardy, Blue Jays, Padres

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As always, good reading from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…

  • The Mets would listen to an offer for shortstop Jose Reyes if the suitor "bowled them over," according to Rosenthal's source, but they're not currently looking to trade him.  Rosenthal says the Mets "might be growing more flexible" as to what they're willing to offer Reyes for an extension.  The team initially hoped for three years and $45-50MM, which they now realize isn't happening.  I can see Reyes getting a Jayson Werth-type contract on the open market, but 60% of the Mets' season remains. 
  • ESPN's Adam Rubin discussed the Reyes topic recently, writing "it now appears highly likely the Mets will keep Reyes at the trading deadline, take their chances trying to re-sign him as a free agent next offseason, then take the draft picks if he ends up elsewhere."
  • Rosenthal says the Orioles want to discuss an extension with shortstop J.J. Hardy before season's end, and The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec quotes Andy MacPhail on his aim to start talks before the All-Star break.  The 28-year-old Hardy, who is hitting .287/.363/.473 on the season in 147 plate appearances, would be a nice two-year bridge to top prospect Manny Machado.  Of course, Hardy's agent at LSW Baseball knows that his client could get more than two years on the open market if his client remains healthy and keeps hitting.  If the O's do extend Hardy before July 31st, it will strengthen Sandy Alderson's position if he decides to move Reyes.
  • Rosenthal believes the Blue Jays and Padres, both enduring losing streaks, will soon have to put aside notions of contending.

Badler Examines July 2nd Class

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Less than thrilled by your team's draft haul?  Don't forget about the July 2nd class of international players.  This year's group is an improvement on the 2011 class, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America.  He names the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rangers, Royals, Mariners, Pirates, Red Sox, and Reds as teams that could be active in the international market.  Badler's info on a few of the top prospects:

  • Outfielders Ronald Guzman, Elier Hernandez, and Nomar Mazara could challenge Miguel Sano's $3.15MM record for a Dominican hitter, writes Badler.  The Rangers, Red Sox, and Blue Jays have been connected to Guzman and the Royals are the frontrunner for Hernandez.
  • Speedy Venezuelan shortstop Wilmer Becerra has been linked to the Cardinals, Twins, and Athletics, says Badler.  Becerra is projected by many to move to the outfield.
  • Mexican righty Roberto Osuna, nephew of Antonio, is a top prospect who is currently pitching in the Mexican League.  The 15-year-old is battling all kinds of former big leaguers.  Venezuelan righty Victor Sanchez is another one to watch, according to Badler.
  • Key MLBTR posts are translated into Spanish at our Rumores De Béisbol site, which has a unique Latin American focus with features such as Hits Latinos.  Tell your Spanish-speaking friends!

Twins Face Roster Crunch

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The Twins may activate two position players from the 60-day DL this week in Joe Mauer and Tsuyoshi Nishioka.  Since the team's 40-man roster is full, they will have to clear two spots.

Jesse Lund of Twinkie Town tackled the issue this morning, providing his informed speculation.  Lund seems to be leaning toward catcher Rene Rivera as one player who will be designated for assignment, a logical choice.  The other player will probably be a position player as well, so Jason Repko and a few others are on notice.  The Twins don't have a strong candidate to be transferred to the 60-day DL, and this isn't the ideal time to trade Kevin Slowey, who is recovering from an abdominal strain. 

 

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