Realignment Links: D’Backs, Balanced Schedule
Buster Olney's report that Major League Baseball and the Players' Association was discussing eliminating divisions and realigning the leagues has generated quite a bit of discussion, even though as Olney heard from a source, there is a "less than 50-50" chance of this plan actually happening. Still, here are a few items concerning how this proposal could work, including which NL team might make the jump to the Junior Circuit.
- The Diamondbacks may be the most likely candidate to join the American League, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Olney mentioned the Astros and Marlins in his initial story, but Drayton McLane doesn't want his club to move. Houston would still be affected by this proposal, since the Astros would likely replace Arizona in the NL West while the Snakes jumped to the AL West, giving every division an even five teams.
- Derrick Hall, Arizona's president and CEO, said the D'Backs would consider switching leagues if asked, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. "I personally am a National League fan — from the pace of the game and from the strategy that is involved without the designated hitter," Hall said. "However, we would certainly gauge the interest of our fans, our season-ticket holders, to see if this is something that we should look into if asked."
- Fangraphs' Dave Cameron is a big fan of the realignment plan but points out the logistical problems of having a balanced schedule, such as TV networks having lessened ratings due to teams playing more games outside their time zones and the toll that increased travel could take on the players.
East Notes: Jays, Reyes, Goetzman, Phillies
It was on this day in 1948 that Babe Ruth made his last public appearance at Yankee Stadium during a celebration of the Stadium's 25th anniversary. With several of his teammates from the 1923 World Series champion Yankees looking on, Ruth's #3 uniform number was retired, marking the second retired number in Yankees history after Lou Gehrig's #4 was immortalized in 1939. Ruth passed away soon after this ceremony, on August 16, 1948.
Since the Babe grew up in Baltimore and spent his whole career in New York and Boston, let's stick to some items from the east coast….
- The Blue Jays have focused on drafting high schoolers under GM Alex Anthopoulos, a strategy that Fangraphs' Reed MacPhail says is a sign that Toronto is ready to spend what it takes to get their picks signed.
- A Jose Reyes extension could look like the disastrous contracts given to Luis Castillo and Chone Figgins if Reyes' speed lessens as it did with those players, points out Joel Sherman of the New York Post. That said, Sherman asks "If Reyes played for another team wouldn’t the Mets be going crazy trying to sign him in the offseason? Especially if they were pretending to be the big-market team that ownership wants to claim this franchise still is?"
- Reyes' "value is greater to the Mets than to other clubs." writes MLB.com's Marty Noble, who thinks the Mets should try to keep such a valuable asset.
- Granden Goetzman, a second-round pick of the Rays (75th overall) tells The Bradenton Herald's Prep Rally blog that he will sign with the club tomorrow provided he passes a physical.
- The Phillies have had interest in Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs in the past, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Renck isn't sure if Spilborghs is still on the Phils' radar as they search for right-handed hitting outfielders.
- The Phillies released catcher Joel Naughton to create Triple-A roster space for Jason Grilli's activation from the DL, tweets MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Naughton (a native of Melbourne, Australia) has a career minor league line of .261/.318/.356 in seven seasons, though he only has 13 plate appearances above the high Class-A level.
- The Red Sox have reached agreements with seven of their 2011 draft picks, reports WEEI.com's Alex Speier. Sixth-rounder Miguel Pena is the highest-drafted of the signed players.
Cardinals Notes: Trade Deadline, Miller, Draft Signings
After suffering a three-game sweep in Milwaukee, the Cardinals sit a half-game behind both the Brew Crew in the NL Central and the Braves in the NL wild card race. Some notes from the Gateway City…
- St. Louis has enough payroll space to make a move before the trade deadline, but maybe just enough for one move, writes MLB.com's Matthew Leach as part of a reader mailbag. He doesn't think the Cards would be able to acquire the likes of Jose Reyes, since "they have some prospects to trade, but not a truckload….My read is that they would upgrade another position with that 'one bullet,' such as the bullpen, rather than acquiring a shortstop," Leach says.
- Star prospects Zack Cox, Carlos Martinez (former known as Carlos Matias) and Shelby Miller are "considered untouchable" by the Cards in any trade talks this summer, reports Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Strauss says he's heard a few names within the organization who are somewhat unexpectedly available in the right deal.
- The Cardinals have announced the signings of 27 picks from the 2011 amateur draft (via Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Twitter). Kansas State outfielder Nick Martini, a seventh-round selection, was the highest-drafted of the signed picks. Colby Rasmus' younger brother Casey, a 36th-round pick, also signed.
Claudio Vargas Retires
Right-hander Claudio Vargas has retired, according to the Pacific Coast League's transactions page. Vargas signed a minor league deal with the Rockies this winter and he had an 11.08 ERA in 26 innings for Triple-A Colorado Springs this season. According to Baseball Reference, Vargas earned just over $5.7MM in his career.
Vargas, 33, was originally signed as an amateur free agent by Florida in 1995 and pitched for the Expos/Nationals, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Mets and Dodgers in his eight-year pro career. He retires with a career ERA of 4.83 in 217 games (114 of them starts). Vargas' best season was 2009, when he posted a 1.74 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in 36 relief appearances with the Brewers and Dodgers.
Diamondbacks Acquire Gaby Hernandez
The D'Backs have acquired right-hander Gaby Hernandez from the White Sox, reports the official Twitter feed of the Reno Aces, Arizona's Triple-A affiliate. Hernandez had a 7.69 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Charlotte this season and he has a career ERA of 5.76 in 81 Triple-A games.
Arizona is Hernandez's fifth organization in 17 months. He was a Mariner, a Red Sock, and a Royal within a little over a month's time in early 2010, and then he was dealt to the White Sox last March. Hernandez was originally taken in the third round of the 2004 amateur draft by the Mets.
NL Central Notes: Pirates, Astros, Draft Signings
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
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
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
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
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.