Olney On Marlins, Bundy, Matsuzaka, Mariners
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
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
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
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
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.
Twins Acquire Jeremy Reed
The Twins acquired outfielder Jeremy Reed from the Brewers for future considerations, tweets Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The Twins will send Reed to Triple-A Rochester.
Reed had signed a minor league deal with the Brewers in January. He made the Opening Day roster, but went hitless in seven plate appearances and was designated for assignment. He later cleared waivers and accepted a Triple-A assignment. The 29-year-old former top prospect was hitting .233/.310/.350 in 118 plate appearances for the Nashville Sounds, playing mostly at the outfield corners.
According to another Christensen tweet, there is "strong speculation" that Reed will take the place of infielder/outfielder Brian Dinkelman, who could have his contract purchased by the Twins tonight. Earlier, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire indicated to Kelsie Smith of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the Twins would call up a left-handed hitter, one who would have to be added to the 40-man roster (Twitter link). Smith notes that a spot could be opened by transferring catcher Joe Mauer to the 60-day DL. Jason Kubel, Jim Thome, and Tsuyoshi Nishioka are the other Twins bats currently on the disabled list.
Quick Hits: Skaggs, Maholm, Red Sox, Lamb
On this date last year, Armando Galarraga came within one out of a perfect game before a blown call prevented him from making history. Here are Thursday’s links, including reaction to the Galarraga game:
- Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports weighed in on the anniversary of Galarraga’s near-miss.
- The Rangers' asking price of the Diamondbacks for Michael Young in Spring Training was lefty prospect Tyler Skaggs, tweets Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. At the time, Skaggs was regarded as roughly the 80th best prospect in baseball.
- Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggests it'd be a good idea for the Pirates to offer Paul Maholm $25MM or so on a three-year extension. Maholm is having a nice year (3.18 ERA, 70 2/3 IP, 6.1 K/9, 3.2 BB/9) but $25MM sounds excessive to me.
- Listen in as MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes joins Midwest Sports Fans on their MLB Trivia Challenge Podcast.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com explores the options for the Red Sox, who will lose Daisuke Matsuzaka to Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.
- The Royals announced that top prospect John Lamb will undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow. Baseball America ranked the lefty 18th among all MLB prospects before the season.
Minor Deals: Brazoban, Reds, Rangers, Astros, Phillies
Once in a while, a minor move becomes more than just a footnote. For example, about six years ago the Rangers released outfielder Andres Torres, who found his way back to the Majors in '09 after several more stops and put up some big numbers for the Giants. Today's minor deals:
- Yhency Brazoban signed with the Diamondbacks after exercising his out clause with the Rangers, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The 30-year-old former Dodger posted a 3.42 ERA, 10.6 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, and 1.7 HR/9 in 26 1/3 innings for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate.
- The Reds acquired righty Chris Mobley from the Rangers for future considerations, writes Baseball America's Matt Eddy. The 27-year-old reliever has a 4.61 ERA in 27 1/3 innings across Double and Triple-A this year.
- The Astros signed righty Brad Hennessey, reports Eddy. The 31-year-old, who was drafted by the Giants in '01 17 spots before David Wright, has a 4.69 ERA in 360 2/3 career innings. He last pitched in the Majors in '08.
- The Giants released outfielder Terry Evans, notes Eddy. Evans quickly signed with the Phillies, tweeted Reading Royals beat writer Jason Guarente yesterday. Back in July of '06, the Cardinals sent Evans to the Angels for eventual World Series hero Jeff Weaver, plus cash.
- Eddy reports that the Mariners signed lefty Tony Butler, one of the players they sent to the Orioles for Erik Bedard back in February of '08.
- The Blue Jays released righty Chris Malone, writes Eddy. Malone was the player the Jays acquired from Colorado for Brad Emaus in April, and they only needed eight innings to decide they didn't need him. Emaus, meanwhile, is hitting .355/.419/.645 in 87 plate appearances for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate, playing mostly second base.
- Andrew Miller has a June 15th out clause in his contract with the Red Sox, so Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders if the Red Sox will consider calling him up to replace Rich Hill, especially given Miller’s recent success (Twitter link). Brian McPherson of The Providence Journal talked to Miller, who isn't thinking about his opt-out.
Law On Royals, Josh Bell, Dodgers, Mets
Draft junkies, you're missing out if you don't read Keith Law's latest chat at ESPN. Insider is required to read it, and is well worth your money, but here are a few highlights.
- With the fifth overall pick, Law sees the Royals taking a college arm or Dylan Bundy. Law and Jim Callis of Baseball America projected them to take Matt Barnes or Gerrit Cole, respectively, in late May mock drafts. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo went with high school outfielder Bubba Starling in a mock draft published today. Mayo mentions UCLA righty Trevor Bauer and high school shortstop Francisco Lindor as well, but Law says the Royals are not on Lindor.
- One team that is in on Lindor is the Mariners at #2, as ESPN's Shannon Drayer tweets that they worked him out at Safeco Field. However, Law says that while the Ms like Lindor and Starling, he doubts they'd pass on Anthony Rendon if the Pirates take someone else.
- Law hears rumors that the Tigers and Red Sox are in on high school outfielder Josh Bell, a Boras Corporation advisee who sent a letter to the MLB Scouting Bureau saying he intends to honor his commitment to the University of Texas and does not want to be drafted. Law hears a "widespread rumor" about the Tigers drafting Bell and offering $6MM, presumably with the #76 overall pick (their first).
- The Red Sox don't know how the draft will change under the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement, so they intend to take advantage of this year's draft, GM Theo Epstein told Ian Browne of MLB.com. Boston will select four of the first 40 players under second-year scouting director Amiel Sawdaye.
- Law hears high school righty Robert Stephenson "very strongly" for the Dodgers at #16. He also hears that the Dodgers can't go over slot with any pick, so hopefully Stephenson is comfortable with $1.8MM or so. High school shortstop Javier Baez and high school righty Taylor Guerrieri have been projected for the Dodgers in various recent mock drafts.
- Derek Fisher, a high school outfielder with "light-tower raw power" according to Law, will be a tough sign with demands of $2MM or more.
- Silly numbers like Danny Hultzen's reported $13MM demand "just get ignored," says Law. To get to know the University of Virginia southpaw, check out Josh Barr's article for the Washington Post. The article says Hultzen has visited with officials from only the first six teams picking in the draft, and told those clubs what he'll need to sign.
- The Mets are leaning toward a college arm at #13, writes Law. Mayo went with Vanderbilt's Sonny Gray in today's mock.
- For a look at each team's picks within the first 90, click here.
Outrighted To The Minors: Amezaga, Sosa, Tejeda
We'll keep track of all the day's outrighted players right here:
- Alfredo Amezaga, designated for assignment by the Rockies on May 29th to create a spot for Chris Nelson, cleared waivers and has been assigned to Triple-A, tweets the team.
- Henry Sosa, who was designated for assignment by the Giants last week, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).
- Robinson Tejeda cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). The Royals designated Tejeda for assignment last week to create roster space for hard-throwing right-hander Felipe Paulino.
- Dallas McPherson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). The White Sox designated the infielder for assignment Monday after he collected a pair of singles in 15 plate appearances over the course of 11 games. The 30-year-old former top prospect had a characteristically strong .305/.366/.458 line in Triple-A Charlotte before getting the call to the Majors.