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Archives for July 2012

NL East Notes: Phillies, Hairston, Byrdak

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Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison could miss the rest of the season, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter). Miami placed Morrison on the 15-day disabled list with right knee inflammation earlier today. Here are some more NL East links…

  • The Phillies may start a partial sale after two consecutive losses to the Braves, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). Shane Victorino, Juan Pierre and Joe Blanton could be moved.
  • There's interest in Scott Hairston, but the Mets may value him more than his potential suitors do, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes (on Twitter). The Mets see the value of finishing strong and Hairston could help them over the course of the season's final two months.
  • Teams are expressing zero interest in left-hander Tim Byrdak, a Mets person tells Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). The 38-year-old has a 4.76 ERA with 9.8 K/9 and 5.7 BB/9 in an NL-leading 53 appearances this year.
  • The Mets haven't been impressed by offers for Daniel Murphy, Martino reports (on Twitter). "We're not trading Murphy for a reliever," a Mets person told Martino.

Stark On Johnson, Rangers, Phillies

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The results of Josh Johnson’s start against the Padres and Roy Halladay’s start against the Braves could have major consequences for the trade market, ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark writes. More than a dozen scouts are on hand to watch Johnson pitch in Miami today, while Halladay is attempting to prevent the Braves from sweeping the Phillies out of town and, possibly, out of the playoff mix. Here are the details from Stark:

  • MLB executives are wary of Johnson’s past shoulder troubles, his career-high ERA and his diminishing fastball velocity, but no other available starter has his kind of stuff. The Marlins continue to look for a “dream package” for Johnson and they’re prepared to keep him if no club meets their asking price, Stark reports.
  • The Rangers seem especially cautious about Johnson, but they have people watching his start today. The Marlins told the Rangers  they aren’t interested in discussing a trade unless Mike Olt is involved, yet the Rangers haven’t been willing to make Olt available.
  • As of last night, the Phillies were telling clubs they haven’t decided how they’ll approach the deadline. They’ve likely done enough talking to trade Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Juan Pierre and Ty Wigginton in short order if necessary, Stark writes.
  • The Phillies continue dangling Hunter Pence, but seem intent on waiting until the offseason to start serious trade discussions.
  • Philadelphia could keep its trade chips for now and make moves in August, when players have to be placed on waivers to be dealt.

Diamondbacks Acquire Chris Johnson

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The Diamondbacks have acquired third baseman Chris Johnson from the Astros for minor league outfielders Marc Krauss and Bobby Borchering, the teams announced. Borchering, 21, was Arizona's first round pick in the 2009 draft while Krauss, 24, was taken in the second round of the same draft.

Johnson, 27, has a slash line of .279/.329/.428 with eight homers in 368 plate appearances this season. The right-handed hitter, who also played a handful of games at first base for Houston this year, won't be arbitration eligible until after the 2013 season unless he qualifies for super two status this coming offseason.

The Diamondbacks dealt from an area from strength in this trade as they are rather deep in the outfield. While Krauss and Borchering were standouts at the Double-A level, they also have prospects Adam Eaton and A.J. Pollock in Triple-A Reno. 

GM Jeff Luhnow continues to sell off Major League pieces as a part of the club's rebuilding effort. In the last ten days, the Astros have traded Wandy Rodriguez to the Pirates, Brett Myers to the White Sox, and J.A. Happ to the Blue Jays.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NL West Notes: Pence, Giants, Headley

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The Giants lead the Dodgers by one game in the NL West, and the 51-50 Diamondbacks are just 4.5 games out of first place. Here's the latest from the division…

  • The Giants are eyeing outfielders now and Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence of the Phillies could be options in San Francisco, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com writes (Twitter link).
  • Pence is likely too pricey for the Giants, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). But as Rosenthal notes, the Dodgers might be able to afford him. Pence earns $10.4MM in 2012 and will get a raise through the arbitration process this coming offseason.
  • Giants GM Brian Sabean continues to look for a right-handed reliever, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (on Twitter).
  • The Padres are sending signals they'll keep Chase Headley if they don't receive a better offer for him in the next two days, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter).

Nationals Release Xavier Nady

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The Nationals announced that they have unconditionally released Xavier Nady. Washington had designated the outfielder/first baseman for assignment eight days ago.

A wrist issue had sidelined Nady since late-June. The 33-year-old posted a  .157/.211/.275 batting line with three homers in 109 plate appearances for Washington this season. The Nationals signed him to a minor league contract during Spring Training.

Rosenthal On Garza, Reds, Miley

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Demand for starting pitching exceeds supply right now, so Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggests it'd make sense for teams to listen to offers for certain starters. Pitchers such as Felix Hernandez, Matt Garza, Bartolo Colon, Jon Lester, Phil Hughes, Homer Bailey, Wade Miley, Justin Masterson and Bud Norris could draw considerable interest if they were made available. Here are some of Rosenthal’s notes on the starting pitching market:

  • Teams continue calling the Cubs to check in on Garza, Rosenthal reports. However, the Cubs won’t offer a discount based on the fluid buildup in Garza’s triceps and a trade remains “doubtful.” Garza isn’t expected to pitch until after the trade deadline.
  • The Reds have relied on just five starters this year, and their rotation ranks fifth in MLB with a 3.58 ERA, but Rosenthal senses that the team isn’t completely comfortable with its rotation. They’ve asked about starting pitchers and are “all over the place” this summer, in the words of one MLB executive.
  • Rosenthal suggests Arizona GM Kevin Towers would listen on Miley, as starting pitching is an area of strength for the Diamondbacks.
  • Norris could be a fit for the Orioles, Blue Jays or Cardinals, Rosenthal writes.

Olney On Span, Shields, Johnson, Padres

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A player’s contract status can affect his trade value substantially this time of year, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney writes. Players under team-friendly contracts, like Denard Span, are much harder to acquire in trades. "It's really hard to place a value on a contract like that," one GM told Olney. Here are Olney’s latest notes from around MLB:

  • The Blue Jays say Yunel Escobar has been a good team guy for them, despite his reputation as a difficult player. Escobar is under contract for $5MM per season through 2013 and his contract includes two club options valued at $5MM each for 2014-15. That’s good value for a 29-year-old who handles an up-the-middle position and has a history of providing league-average offense, Olney writes.
  • There’s interest in James Shields, but the Rays could decide to hold their pitching staff together to make a run at the playoffs if Evan Longoria’s rehab assignment goes well. Some executives believe the Rays will trade Shields this month, according to Olney.
  • The Marlins aren’t especially motivated to trade Josh Johnson, Olney writes. They’re content to keep him if they don’t get the trade offers they’re looking for.
  • Anything the Indians do now will be done to help them win in 2013, not just in 2012.
  • The Padres aren’t far down the road in trade talks regarding Chase Headley, Olney tweets. San Diego might table trade talks until the winter, he suggests.

Padres To Extend Huston Street

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Huston Street is off of the trade market and in the Padres' long-term plans. The team agreed to sign the 28-year-old right-hander to a two-year extension that includes a club option for 2015. The contract between the Padres and the Hendricks Sports client will be worth $14MM and the '15 option will be valued at $7MM, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.

Huston Street - Padres (PW)

“Huston is an established closer and has proven to be a valuable leader and teammate,” GM Josh Byrnes said in a press release. “We are very excited to have him be part of this organization going forward.”

The Padres worked to lock Street up this week and were prepared to trade him if an extension didn't seem possible. Street's previous contract included a $9MM mutual option for 2013 ($500K buyout). He would have been a free agent following the 2012 season unless both sides had exercised the option.

Street has a 0.91 ERA with 11.8 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 40% ground ball rate in 29 2/3 innings for the Padres this year. He has a 2.97 ERA with 9.3 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 and a 38.1% ground ball rate in eight seasons with the Athletics, Rockies and Padres. 

Street earns $7MM per season in 2013-14 and there's no buyout on the 2015 option, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (on Twitter). His $7MM salary will now represent a substantial portion of the Padres' payroll — $55.6MM entering the 2012 season.

This marks the second time in eight days that Byrnes has signed a potential trade candidate to a multiyear extension. The Padres agreed to sign Carlos Quentin to a three-year, $30MM extension one week ago today. Street, Quentin and Cameron Maybin now represent the Padres' largest financial commitments for 2013 and beyond.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

Latest On Possible Extensions For Wright, Cano

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David Wright is more than a year away from hitting free agency, but the Mets hope to sign him to an extension sooner, rather than later, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. The Mets don’t want to experience the tension that would occur if Wright enters the 2013 without a long-term deal, and the team’s officials sound confident they’ll find common ground with the ACES client this offseason.  

Wright earns $15MM this season and his contract includes a $16MM club option for 2013 ($1MM buyout) that will definitely be exercised. The 29-year-old is playing at an MVP level this year, which means the Mets probably can’t expect to lock him up for a deal similar to Ryan Zimmerman’s six-year, $100MM contract.

Cano's contract status is similar to Wright's. The second baseman earns $14MM this year and his contract includes a $15MM club option ($2MM buyout for 2013). Like Wright, Cano is playing at an MVP level and his contract option is sure to be picked up. The Yankees have a club policy of waiting for players to hit free agency before negotiating contracts, but Cano says he’d listen if the Yankees have a proposal. 

“I am always open to hearing anything,” he said, according to Sherman. “If it works for both sides, that is great. But I have to hear an offer.”

The Yankees aim to avoid the luxury tax by 2014, so GM Brian Cashman might have to get creative to retain Cano and Curtis Granderson (Granderson is also under team control through 2013). Cano, 29, felt underpaid on the contract he signed with his previous representatives and wants to make a score on his next contract, Sherman reports. 

Agent Scott Boras, who represents Cano, said it costs elite prices to buy elite players out of free agent years. Boras pointed out that the Yankees generate far more revenue than most teams and said clubs sometimes have to commit to ten-year deals for the privilege of locking up an elite player for his prime years.

MLBTR Originals

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A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

  • Tim Dierkes was the first to report the option on Cole Hamels' contract extension is either a club option at $20MM or a vesting option at $24MM. 
  • Ben Nicholson-Smith discussed the Jacob Turner–Anibal Sanchez–Omar Infante trade. Some teams seem willing to trade top prospects for prospective free agents, even when draft pick compensation isn't a possibility.
  • Ben also explained the impact of the Carlos Quentin extension for teams outside of San Diego
  • Ben posted his interview with Colby Rasmus on the one-year anniversary of the blockbuster three-team trade that sent the outfielder to Toronto.
  • Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers which available starting pitcher would provide the biggest boost as a trade deadline acquisition: Hamels, Ryan Dempster, Zack Greinke, Matt Garza, or someone else. Over 58% of you favored Hamels. The Phillies agreed with you, but the Angels are hoping you're wrong.
  • Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
  • Mike Axisa put together a trade deadline themed Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
  • The MLBTR Reverse Standings page is now available offering readers a simple way of following the action, as teams vie for the for the best draft picks in June of 2013 by losing the most games in 2012. You can find the link under MLBTR Features in the right sidebar. 

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