Latest On Kevin Youkilis
The Dodgers, Phillies and Diamondbacks are among the teams showing early interest in Kevin Youkilis, people familiar with the situation tell Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. One Red Sox person termed talks as "very preliminary'' but others familiar with the club's thinking say that they feel the need to trade him, barring more injuries.
Red Sox people are telling others that they're looking for value in exchange for Youkilis, but it is said that they would ask for less if a team will pay the $9MM plus remaining on his contract ($12MM salary). That deal also has a $13MM option with a $1MM buyout for 2013.
Aside from the aforementioned clubs, Heyman writes that the White Sox, Angels, Brewers, Giants, Rangers, Indians, and Reds are also possible destinations for the 33-year-old. While Texas had a scout at a recent Red Sox game, Heyman notes that they are pretty set in the infield and the right-handed bat they seek is much more likely to be an outfielder.
Quick Hits: Wright, Contreras, Draft
A few odds and ends as Saturday becomes Sunday …
- Mets third baseman David Wright announced yesterday that he doesn't want to enter into extension talks during the season, and he added tonight that was his plan since before the season began, writes Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com. "It’s just not necessary. As I said, I think with the good vibes that are going on right now and the good surrounding this club, I just feel somewhat selfish to be talking about myself, talking about me when we should be talking about we.”
- Phillies reliever Jose Contreras will need major surgery and is out for the year, writes Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Contreras, 40, would like to rehab and return next season, although he conceded that the odds are against him. The Phils hold a $2.5MM option on the right-hander for 2013, which seems likely to be declined. The buyout is $500K.
- In addition to Jorge Soler, several other Cuban prospects have been granted free agency, writes Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. Those players are right-hander Armando Rivero, outfielders Henry Urrutia and Gerald Sanchez, and teenage lefty Omar Luis.
- For a breakdown of how draft spending breaks down under the new CBA, check out this New York Times piece by Benjamin Hoffman.
- MLB could soon render a decision on the Rangers' signing of Dominican outfield prospect Jairo Beras, tweets Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. There is some discrepancy among teams who were scouting Beras as to his age, which triggered MLB's investigation. Beras signed for $4.5MM.
Rosenthal On Wright, Astros, Garza, Youkilis
Here's the latest Full Count video from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com …
- Mets third baseman David Wright, a free agent after next season assuming his 2013 option is picked up, will likely seek an eight-year contract extension of $150MM, using the long-term deals of franchise players Troy Tulowitzki, Matt Kemp and Joey Votto as negotiating points.
- With several hard-to-trade veterans on the roster in Wandy Rodriguez, Carlos Lee and Brett Myers, the Astros might be well advised to trade second baseman Jose Altuve as a means to replenish their farm system. Houston has a well-regarded second base prospect in the minors in Jimmy Paredes, who was acquired in the deal that sent Lance Berkman to the Yankees.
- Most teams expect the Cubs to trade Matt Garza, but the North Siders are also considering re-signing the right-hander to a long-term extension. If the Cubs opt to trade Garza, though, they should be able to draw interest from pitching-needy AL East teams, as well as the Tigers.
- The Red Sox are motivated to trade Kevin Youkilis sooner than later, wanting to preclude a distraction and limit the positional shuffling of Adrian Gonzalez, but potential suitors want to see Youkilis remain healthy and productive before buying. The Dodgers are an obvious fit, while the Diamondbacks, who expressed interest last offseason, might not have the financial flexibility to take on the $12MM owed to Youk.
West Links: Sandoval, Padres, Angels
A few items of note from MLB's West divisions …
- Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval was questioned by police and faces possible sexual assault charges following an incident at a beach resort in Santa Cruz County, Calif., a source tells Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com. No assumptions should be made about the incident, writes Ray Ratto of CSNBayArea.com, but the Giants are growing frustrated with Sandoval's questionable work ethic and are unsure whether he'll be part of their "core in years to come."
- The Padres make for an interesting study in the dilemma that small- and mid-market teams face when locking up young players to long-term contracts, writes Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune. While extensions for Cameron Maybin, Cory Luebke and Nick Hundley were generally well received by fans and pundits, those players have struggled with slumps and/or injuries so far this season.
- Mike Trout is the best prospect the Angels have produced in the team's 51-year history, opines Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times. Many Halos — including Frank Tanana, Devon White, Tim Salmon, Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus — enjoyed excellent big league careers, but none were as good at such a young age as Trout is, Dufresne writes.
Chicago Cubs Rumors: Saturday
Two days ago we heard that the Cubs are letting teams know that almost all of their players — other than Jeff Samardzija and Starlin Castro — are available in trades. Chicago's north side will be a hot source of rumors over the next few weeks, so let's keep track of today's news here, with the latest up top…
- Contrary to spring rumors, the Cubs never had a handshake agreement with outfielder Jorge Soler, but their interest in the Cuban was legit and figures to intensify now that he's officially a free agent, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Manager Dale Sveum, who watched Soler workout this offseason, described his hitting as "pretty strong" today.
- Matt Garza is available for the right offer, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (Twitter links). The Yankees have interest and Olney speculates that the Blue Jays could be a fit given their need for high-end starting pitching and cache of tradeable prospects.
- "If I'd known that, it would have made me think about it," said Castro to reporters (including Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune) when asked about the trade rumors. "That's what I want — to be here all my career. I don't want to go anywhere. I have my family here. I don't want to be traded."
Minor Moves: Fiorentino, Padilla
Today's minor moves..
- The Athletics have released Triple-A outfielder Jeff Fiorentino, according to Casey Pratt of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter). Fiorentino was released as one of two moves to free up spots for Daric Barton and Tyson Ross.
- The Padres signed outfielder Jorge Padilla to a minor league contract, according to CBSSports.com's transactions page. Padilla, 33 in August, had a 29-game cup of coffee with the Nationals in 2009 for his only big league service time. He's a career .292/.360/.413 hitter in parts of 15 minor league seasons.
Ross Ohlendorf Elects Free Agency
Ross Ohlendorf has opted out of his minor league contract with the Red Sox, MLBTR has learned. The right-hander obtained the right to opt out of his deal and declare free agency when the Red Sox declined to call him up by June 1.
Ohlendorf, 29, signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox in February. He started 50 games for the Pirates from 2009-10, but Pittsburgh non-tendered him following the 2011 season. Ohlendorf had a 4.61 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 52 2/3 innings over the course of ten starts for Boston's Triple-A affiliate this year.
Quick Hits: Dodgers, Byrd, Soler, Red Sox, Cubs
The Dodgers have been sliding as of late and though they could use some reinforcements, they might not get them any time soon. General Manager Ned Colletti said that he has been contacting other teams for the last month to inquire about potential trades but hasn't found much yet, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. More from around baseball..
- Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter) wonders if both of the players in the Michael Bowden–Marlon Byrd trade could be designated for assignment. Bowden was DFA'd by the Cubs yesterday to make room for right-hander Jairo Asencio while Byrd could be DFA'd by the Red Sox when Darnell McDonald returns.
- Jorge Soler's agent, Barry Praver, has requested that offers for his client be submitted by Thursday, June 7th, a source tells Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (via Twitter).
- The Red Sox aren't aggressively shopping Kevin Youkilis right now because he has been hitting well and the club doesn't know when Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury will be back, writes Buster Olney of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd).
- Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (Insider req'd) suggests three trades to help fix the Cubs.
Blue Jays Claim Chris Schwinden, DFA Farquhar
The Blue Jays announced that they have claimed right-hander Chris Schwinden off of waivers from the Mets and designated Danny Farquhar for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Schwinden will report to the team's Triple-A Las Vegas affiliate.
Schwinden, 25, was DFA'd by the Mets yesterday as one of two moves needed to make room on the 40-man for right-hander Elvin Ramirez and catcher Josh Thole. Aside from two starts and a relief appearance for the Mets, Schwinden has spent the year with Triple-A Buffalo. In nine starts there, the 6'3" hurler posted a 2.59 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9.
Farquhar, also 25, has spent the year with Double-A New Hampshire after pitching mostly at the Triple-A level in 2011. In 20 appearances this year, Farquhar has a 2.97 ERA with 9.8 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9.
Orioles Acquire Steve Pearce, DFA Bill Hall
The Orioles have acquired first baseman Steve Pearce from the Yankees and designated utility man Bill Hall for assignment, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). The Yankees will receive cash considerations in return, tweets Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
Pearce, 29, signed a minor league deal with the Yanks in late March after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Pirates. In 52 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, Pearce hit .321/.422/.574 with eleven homers.
Hall, 32, was just added to the club's 25 and 40-man rosters yesterday after having his contract purchased. The veteran was also DFA'd by the team on May 25th before clearing waivers. Hall has a .221/.272/.372 slash line with three home runs in 21 Triple-A games this year.