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Archives for June 2011

AL Central Notes: Tigers, Twins, Hernandez, Dunn

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On this date in 1997, the Tigers drafted Matt Anderson first overall (under management that has since been replaced). The flame-throwing right-hander briefly became the Tigers' closer, but didn't match the success of others in his draft class like J.D. Drew, Troy Glaus, Vernon Wells and Lance Berkman. Anderson attempted a comeback with the Phillies this year, but has since been released. Here's the latest from around the AL Central…

  • David Mayo of The Grand Rapids Press defends Tigers manager Jim Leyland and GM Dave Dombrowski, saying the Tigers are annual contenders and “give the Michigan summer a sporting purpose.”
  • Yes, the Twins are just 18-37, but GM Bill Smith tells John Shipley of the Pioneer Press that it's not too late for a comeback. Smith says better health and more home games and intra-divisional series could get the Twins back into contention. Smith also noted that his re-worked bullpen "hasn't worked" and expressed confidence in Alexi Casilla's skills. 
  • The Royals have been linked to international prospect Elier Hernandez, according to Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The outfielder is likely to command a $2-3MM bonus once he's eligible to sign after July 2nd. 
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports suggests that Adam Dunn's struggles and $56MM contract with the White Sox could affect the way American League teams build their rosters going forward. Red Sox DH David Ortiz tells Morosi that DHing is harder than it seems (for more on Ortiz's market value, click here).

Nine Teams In Violation Of Debt Service Rules

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The Dodgers and Mets are among the nine MLB teams in violation of MLB’s debt service rules, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. The regulations came into being in 2002 and are intended to limit a team’s debt to ten times its yearly earnings and ensure that each team can pay its bills. The Orioles, Cubs, Tigers, Marlins, Phillies, Rangers and Nationals are also in violation of the rules, according to Shaikin.

MLB executive VP of labor relations Rob Manfred says he isn’t “concerned about the overall economic condition of the industry" and a National League executive called the high number of teams out of compliance a “hiccup” for an otherwise healthy league.

Along with the competitive balance tax and revenue sharing, the debt service rule figures to be a major financial issue in the negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and the owners. The Phillies have confirmed that they are not currently compliant with the debt-service rule, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Nationals Notes: Harper, Riggleman, Bubba Starling

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Last year's top pick, Bryce Harper, hit his first professional walk-off home run last night and now has 13 homers, 11 stolen bases and a .346/.432/.623 line at Class A. Still just 18 years old, Harper provides lots of hope for Nationals fans, though the big league club is in last place with a 25-31 record. Here's the latest out of Washington:

  • Nationals manager Jim Riggleman told Bill Ladson of MLB.com that he isn’t worried about his job security, though he’s in the last year of his contract.
  • Frankie Piliere of FOX Sports hears that the Nationals have zoned in on high school outfielder Bubba Starling with the sixth overall pick (Twitter link).
  • In case you haven't heard about the toolsy two-sport star, check out my piece on Starling from a couple weeks ago.

Stark On Upton, Pirates, Indians, Red Sox, Fox

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One GM told ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark that he’d like to see the season shortened because it’s a mental and physical grind for the players and they could use more rest to regroup. Stark provides and passes along many suggestions, including a national doubleheader day (what’s not to like about that?) and expanding the active rosters beyond 25 players. Here are the latest rumblings from around MLB…

  • Though a couple of American League teams made strong proposals for Justin Upton last winter, D’Backs president Derrick Hall says it’s doubtful that Arizona would be in first place without their 23-year-old right fielder. About two dozen teams expressed interest in the former first overall pick last offseason. Put another way, only five teams weren’t interested.
  • There are signs that the 26-29 Pirates are going to make a run at .500 instead of trading MLB players for prospects this year. One NL assistant GM says he would shoot for .500 to start changing the perception that the Pirates are perennial losers.
  • Though the Indians understand the injury risks for catchers (Carlos Santana missed the end of the 2010 season after a home plate collision), GM Chris Antonetti says his front office appreciates “the potential competitive advantage of getting exceptional production behind the plate.”
  • They’ve already signed Kevin Millwood and now Red Sox are “poking around” for another starter to stash at Triple-A, according to Stark.
  • The Orioles, who designated Jake Fox for assignment this week, are trying to trade him and at least one scout expects them to find a taker.

 

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Soria, Phillies, Kubel, Cubs

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On this date in 1995, Pedro Martinez fired nine perfect innings against the Padres, though the two teams went to extra innings with no score. The Expos scored a run in the top of the tenth, but Pedro allowed a leadoff double in the bottom of the inning. Mel Rojas relieved Martinez and recorded the final three outs. That was just a hint of what was to come from Pedro, who produced two of the most dominant seasons in baseball history in 1999 and 2000.

Here is this week's batch of links from around the blogosphere…

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

Olney On Marlins, Bundy, Matsuzaka, Mariners

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It appears that the Diamondbacks will be among the most aggressive teams on the trade market this summer. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney has an update on another team preparing to make deals and other notes from around the league…

  • The Marlins will also be among the most aggressive teams on the trade market, Olney reports. President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said this week that he believes in his team’s prospects and doesn’t see glaring holes on the Marlins.
  • Olney points out that talent evaluators love high schooler Dylan Bundy and suggests the right-hander will be selected early on in Monday’s draft.
  • It’s a reasonable guess that Daisuke Matsuzaka’s Red Sox career is over, according to Olney. The Red Sox probably didn’t get their money’s worth on their $103MM investment, but it's not like Matsuzaka's career numbers are bad (4.25 ERA, 622 2/3 innings, 8.2 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, 10.4 WAR). The right-hander will undergo Tommy John surgery.
  • As Olney pointed out yesterday, the Mariners will have to monitor Michael Pineda’s workload this summer. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik says they’ll watch Pineda’s pitch count and innings count with a common-sense approach, rather than a “hard and fast rule.”

Wright’s 2013 Option Only Applies To Mets

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If the Mets trade David Wright, the acquiring team will only get him for one year after 2011. The 2013 team option in the third baseman’s contract is only valid if he’s on the Mets, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.

The Mets aren’t actively discussing the possibility of shopping Wright, according to Martino. Because the 2013 option doesn’t apply to other teams, the Mets would have a harder time obtaining a major haul for the five-time All-Star. Wright earns $14MM this year and $15MM in 2012. The Mets have a $16MM option ($1MM buyout) for his services in 2013.

Wright has maintained that he doesn't want to be traded despite the Mets' struggles. He has a .226/.337/.404 line with six homers and nine steals this year – not 'superstar' production, but good enough for an OPS+ of 107.

Yankees To Explore Deals For Starting Pitching

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Though it may seem like the Yankees’ rotation is a strength, it has been solid rather than spectacular to this point in the season. The Yankees aren’t assuming Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia can continue pitching this well, so, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, they will be looking for ways to bolster their starting pitching depth this summer.

“Overall, the pitching is going to be the defining thing for us,” GM Brian Cashman told Sherman. “The pitching has excelled, but it is not wise or prudent to sit back and try not to reinforce and improve on it.”

The Yankees have not been in contact with left-hander Andy Pettitte, according to Sherman and Cashman says they aren’t discussing the possibility of calling up prospects Manny Banuelos or Dellin Betances. Cashman “badly wants” a left-handed reliever, since the Yankees don’t have left-handed depth in the minors and it could be a while before Pedro Feliciano and Damaso Marte return. 

Don’t expect the Yankees to pursue a “significant” hitter, though. They lead the American League in runs scored and are content with every spot in the lineup except designated hitter. They don’t mind relying on internal options to fill the DH role, Sherman reports.

Hideki Okajima Hopes For Trade

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Red Sox lefty Hideki Okajima is hoping for a trade, he told Michael Vega of the Boston Globe.  Okajima has been pitching in Triple-A since clearing waivers on May 24th.  He told Vega through an interpreter he'd rather not be called up to the Red Sox following Rich Hill's injury.  Perhaps he didn't enjoy being used sparingly while in the bigs.

Okajima, 36, has excelled in eight Triple-A appearances this year.  It appears that the Red Sox explored the trade market for him a couple of weeks ago when he was designated for assignment, and found no takers.

Potentially Available Power Bats

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The Giants, Phillies, Braves, Mariners, Athletics, and Angels are a few contenders short on power with the trade deadline less than two months away.  Let's take a look at some power bats that might be available in late July.

Star Power

We'll let Fred Wilpon decide whether these guys are superstars or just very good players.  But Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Hunter Pence are the best potentially available power bats this summer.  I'm aware that Reyes only has one home run and is not considered a power hitter, but his .489 slugging percentage still ranks 18th in the league and ahead of Ethier.

I don't expect Kemp or Ethier to be traded this summer.  The Dodgers may be under new ownership next year, the last year of control for both outfielders.  They'll both get eight-figure salaries in arbitration, but the team can afford that even with a payroll reduction.  Pence also appears unlikely to be dealt, suggested ESPN's Jayson Stark on Monday.

I have a hard time seeing the Mets sell low on Wright, given his back injury.  Reyes should be available, but Beltran is the true star-level power bat on this market.  About $6MM of his $18.5MM salary will remain on July 31st, and the Mets could kick in a few million to sweeten the return.

Having Solid Years

Carlos Quentin, Jason Kubel, Laynce Nix, and Casey Blake are having solid years, though the sample sizes remain small and several of these guys were disappointing last year.  No one here is earning more than $5.25MM, so salary should not be a factor.  Kubel is on the DL and Blake recently came off it.  Nix has nine home runs in just 130 plate appearances, 118 of which came against right-handed pitching. 

Quentin is the best bet here, if you don't mind questionable defense and occasional injury concerns.  He's under team control through 2012.  With Juan Pierre and Alex Rios both struggling, and Pierre up for free agency at season's end, the Sox might feel compelled to keep Quentin.  If you're seeking a left-handed bat instead, renting Kubel is the more feasible alternative.  He could bring draft pick compensation after the season, which should increase the Twins' asking price.

Regulars With Power And Flaws

The Orioles have four regulars who have flashed power in recent memory: Mark Reynolds, Derrek Lee, Vladimir Guerrero, and Luke Scott.  Lee is on the disabled list and Scott is playing through a shoulder injury.  The four hitters have combined for a .238/.311/.383 line this year, so acquiring them would be buying low.

The Cubs can offer Carlos Pena, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano to the power market; the trio was discussed at length here.  Pena would be the most movable player; would a return to Oakland make sense?

Four more flawed hitters with pop: Jeff Francoeur, Delmon Young, Carlos Lee, and Ryan Ludwick.  Most of them won't draw walks, while Ludwick has been pretty bad outside of a solid May.

Going Young

A pair of corner infielders under the age of 27 who might be available: Ian Stewart and Chris Davis.  The Rangers don't have much of a spot for Davis, so he's a fine trade chip.  The Rockies may be reluctant to give up on Stewart, who has been raking at Triple-A prior to a hamstring injury after earning a surprising demotion.  Stewart returned to the lineup tonight by the way.

The Rest

A batch of part-time bats who have shown power here and there: Brad Hawpe, Edwin Encarnacion, Garrett Jones, Marcus Thames, Rod Barajas, Lyle Overbay, Bill Hall, and Jeff Baker.  Baker is the one having a nice year, though he's on the DL for a strained groin.  The 29-year-old infielder crushes lefties.

Jim Thome deserves special mention, as few players in the game match his power when he's healthy.  Right now he's on the DL for a strained left quad, and when he returns the Twins would probably like to see him get those seven remaining home runs for 600 in their uniform.  A late August deal makes more sense.

Check out our list of potentially available starting pitchers here.

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