Potentially Available Left-Handed Relievers
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
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
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
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
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.
White Sox Notes: McMillen, Guillen, Marlins
The White Sox are hosting their crosstown rivals this evening and both teams are looking to move past disappointing starts. The Cubs have a 29-42 record, while the White Sox have improved to 35-38 after a dismal April. Here's the latest on the South Siders:
- The White Sox announced that they have agreed to terms with 23 of their 50 draft picks, including fourth rounder Kyle McMillen, a 21-year-old right-hander from Kent State University. McMillen is represented by Jonathan Maurer.
- Manager Ozzie Guillen told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that he wants to remain in Chicago after this year (Twitter links). Guillen, who is under contract for 2012, acknowledged that chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and GM Kenny Williams have the final say on his future.
- The Marlins, who named 80-year-old Jack McKeon their new manager today, don’t have a long-term skipper in place and have had interest in Guillen for years. Guillen acknowledged the rumors of Florida’s interest in him by pointing out that powerful right fielder Mike Stanton would help the Marlins more than he could.
Reaction To MLB Rejecting McCourt’s Fox Deal
Earlier today we learned that MLB rejected a proposed 17-year television rights contract between the Dodgers and Fox, meaming it's unlikely that Frank McCourt will make payroll later this month. The decision also means that the McCourts' divorce settlement is off. Both sides issued statements regarding the decision, so let's recap…
- The Los Angeles Times posted Selig's statement, and within it he explains that "the [proposed] transaction is structured to facilitate the further diversion of Dodgers assets for the personal needs of Mr. McCourt. Given the magnitude of the transaction, such a diversion of assets would have the effect of mortgaging the future of the franchise to the long-term detriment of the club and its fans."
- Attorney Steve Susman issued a statement on behalf of McCourt and the Dodgers, saying that they're "extremely disappointed" that the commissioner has rejected the proposed deal. Selig's rejection is "potentially destructive" to the Dodgers and MLB, according to Susman who promises to "explore vigorously [the Dodgers'] options and remedies."
Outrighted: Herrera, Brad Davis
The latest group of players who cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A:
- The Brewers outrighted Danny Ray Herrera to Triple-A Nashville, according to MLB.com's transactions page. They designated the left-hander for assignment on Saturday.
- Marlins catcher Brad Davis, designated for assignment Wednesday to open a 40-man spot for Jose Lopez, is headed to New Orleans according to the team's Twitter account.
Reds Eyeing Starting Pitching
The Reds are searching for starting pitchers that they could acquire between now and the end of July, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.com (Twitter links). Cincinnati has interest in Jeremy Guthrie, according to Knobler (though many teams likely have interest in the Orioles’ righty, who has a 3.56 ERA through 91 innings).
The Reds' current rotation consists of Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Travis Wood. However, Arroyo has been hittable and Volquez is walking 5.9 batters per nine innings. Homer Bailey is on the disabled list along with Sam LeCure and Matt Maloney, two occasional starters for Dusty Baker, so internal help could be on the way.
Guthrie figured prominently into Tim Dierkes' list of potentially available starters earlier in the month.
Rays Sign Supplemental First Round Pick Harris
The Rays signed supplemental first round pick James Harris for $490K, MLBTR has learned. Harris is represented by Adam Karon and Tripper Johnson of Sosnick Cobbe Sports.
As Harris was not ranked within Baseball America's top 200, it appears likely that a predraft deal was in place. He signed for about $116K under slot. Harris, a high school outfielder, was the 60th overall pick and the last of the supplemental round. The Rays received the pick as compensation for the loss of reliever Chad Qualls.
According to Baseball America's Conor Glassey, Harris has "huge upside" and is an "explosive athlete." He narrowly missed BA's top 200.