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Archives for July 2012

Knobler On Greinke, Brewers, Hamels, Phillies

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Numerous teams remain unsure of how they will approach the non-waiver trade deadline as their performance over the next few days should separate the buyers from the sellers, writes Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. For the Rays, a strong week may mean the difference between trading and retaining James Shields. Here are more of Knobler's notes, starting with Zack Greinke:

  • With the Brewers falling out of the NL playoff picture and Greinke stating his desire to test free agency, Milwaukee will attempt to put rumors to bed about the right-hander's health when he takes the mound on Tuesday. Greinke missed a start last week after expressing concern about how he felt in the wake of starting three consecutive games.
  • Beyond Greinke, the Brewers may elect to move other pieces including Francisco Rodriguez, Aramis Ramirez and Corey Hart, among others.
  • While Cole Hamels has been presented with a series of strong offers from the Phillies, the star left-hander remains uncertain about agreeing to an extension prior to the deadline, thus keeping a potential trade to another team in play.
  • Similar to the Brewers, the Phillies have a host of players drawing attention from a variety of teams but remain reluctant to alienate the fanbase by trading away names like Cliff Lee or Jimmy Rollins.

Quick Hits: Rangers, Jerry Dipoto, Ryan Dempster

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With the calendar set to turn to August in less than two weeks, the Pirates continue to shock the baseball world with their sights on winning the National League Central. Winners of seven of its last ten, Pittsburgh owns the best record in baseball since June 16 thanks to the strong play of Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez. McCutchen, one of the frontrunners for league MVP, boasts a batting average of .470 during that time frame with Alvarez leading the Major Leagues with home runs over the last five weeks (h/t Jon Heyman). 

Let's catch up on the latest news and headlines from around the league…

  • Rangers manager Ron Washington told Jim Bowden of ESPN.com that Texas is willing to consider trading any of its prospects except for Jurickson Profar if the team looks to acquire a piece for another World Series run (Twitter link).
  • Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto spoke with Bowden about the team's plans for the non-waiver trade deadline and said that he's working incredibly hard to improve his roster but that the trade market has proven to be difficult (via Twitter).
  • With the Dodgers cooling on Ryan Dempster, the Braves have emerged as the favorites to land the right-hander, report Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com. Potential suitors, including the Cardinals and Nationals, are wary of parting with better prospects for what could prove to be a rental given Dempster's status as a free agent at the end of the season. 
  • After signing Carlos Quentin to a multiyear deal earlier on Sunday, the Padres are in preliminary talks with Huston Street with hopes of retaining his services well into the future, writes Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. 

NL East Notes: Sanchez, Victorino, Braves, Mets

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The battle for the top spot in the National League East has quickly become a two-horse race given how teams have fared since returning from the All-Star break. Swept by the Dodgers in a three-game series this weekend, the Mets are now one game under .500 after losing eight of their last nine contests. New York is left looking up at the Braves and Nationals, who split a four game series with Atlanta at home. Here's the latest news and happenings from around the division…

  • The Marlins' Anibal Sanchez was being scouted today by the Tigers and Red Sox, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Sanchez took the loss against the Pirates but was impressive striking out eight while allowing only three runs in seven innings.
  • The Pirates see Shane Victorino as a perfect fit for their outfield, but not until the Phillies drop their asking price dramatically, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 
  • The Braves continue to be one of the teams courting the Cubs' Ryan Dempster. ESPN's Buster Olney wonders if Jair Jurrjens' poor outing today (six runs allowed, including two home runs, in 2 1/3 innings) will spur more talk between the Braves and Cubs (via Twitter).
  • The Mets will not become sellers at the trade deadline, despite their recent struggles, because they don't want to leave the clubhouse bare, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Rubin adds the Mets could still be active at the deadline making lateral trades for MLB players under control in 2013 (via Twitter). 

Daniel Seco contributed to this post.

MLBTR Originals

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

  • Ben Nicholson-Smith reviewed the changes in draft pick compensation resulting from the new collective bargaining agreement and confirmed that teams losing a free agent will only receive one compensatory draft pick, whereas they previously obtained two selections. 
  • Tim Dierkes discussed trade candidates who could eventually be tied to draft pick compensation.
  • Ben asked MLBTR readers should teams be willing to trade top prospects for players on the brink of free agency. Over 71% of you prefer the prospects to the rental. 
  • Speaking of rentals, Tim asked MLBTR readers whether the Phillies will extend Cole Hamels prior to the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline. Nearly 57% of you don't think they will.
  • Ben hosted this week's chat.
  • Ben also recapped the first-ever Competitive Balance Lottery, which allocates additional draft picks to small-market and low-revenue teams. 
  • Mike Axisa compiled this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
  • There are many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a refresher on how to use MLBTR.
  • Want the latest rumors for your favorite team? Check out MLBTR's team-by-team links for Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.

NL Central Notes: HOF, Garza, Cards, Brewers

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Barry Larkin and the late Ron Santo were inducted today into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the Class of 2012. The ceremony in Cooperstown was marked by the moving acceptance speech given by Santo's widow, Vicki, and the singing of the National Anthem by Larkin's daughter, Cymber. Larkin spent his entire career with his hometown Reds while Santo spent his entire 15-year career in Chicago, 14 of those with the Cubs. In other news concerning teams from the NL Central:

  • The Cubs' Matt Garza told reporters, including the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan, that he feels better after being forced from Saturday's game with triceps cramping. "I don't think it's a bone contusion or a bruise or anything," Garza said. "I think it's just a cramp that's stiff, just a stiff muscle. I have better movement today than I did yesterday, so that's positive. I can move it today, so that's a huge plus." Several teams have Garza on their radar as the trade deadline approaches.
  • Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told reporters, including Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, that there is no urgency to add a starting pitcher with the increased production from the rotation and the encouraging health of Jaime Garcia. "It clearly takes a little pressure off as far as feeling like we have to do something," said Mozeliak. "We feel very confident that (Garcia) is going to be back by mid-August. If you were to go after another starter, who are you really bouncing out? That's why the urgency isn't quite there for rotation help as it was three or four weeks ago."
  • After being swept by the first-place Reds this weekend, the Brewers may be inclined to become sellers at the trade deadline, opines Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via Twitter). Zack Greinke is the Brewers' most discussed trade candidate. 
  • The Brewers have reached an agreement with 16-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Yosmer Leal for $370K, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. The bonus would be one of the largest ever given by the Brewers to a Latin American player. Leal still must pass a physical and a MLB age investigation. The investigation is standard procedure for all Latin American signees.

West Notes: Rangers, Padres, Giants

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The Rangers head into their Sunday night matchup against the Angels with an ailing starting rotation. The Rangers have scratched Roy Oswalt from his start tomorrow and Colby Lewis is scheduled to have his forearm examined tomorrow before he's given the green light to make his scheduled start on Tuesday. The Rangers don't believe Oswalt's injury is serious, but he and Lewis can both wind up on the disabled list, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  Elsewhere from the AL and NL West:

Braves Moving Toward Deal For Ryan Dempster

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12:59pm: The Braves seem to be close to acquiring Ryan Dempster, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (Twitter links). The Braves are believed to be high on the list of teams to which Dempster would approve a trade, Heyman notes. The right-hander, who can veto any trade, is not likely to demand an extension. 

Dempster, 35, has an NL-best 2.11 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 98 innings for the Cubs this year. He earns $14MM in 2012 — more than $5.5MM between now and the end of the season — but the Cubs are said to be willing to absorb salary to facilitate a deal.

12:39pm: The Braves are moving closer to finalizing a trade for a starting pitcher, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter). GM Frank Wren is known to be looking for starting pitching and reportedly has some interest in Zack Greinke, Ryan Dempster, Jon Lester, Jason Vargas and others.

Braves starters have combined for a 4.34 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 so far this year. The team's rotation currently consists of Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Mike Minor, Jair Jurrjens and newcomer Ben Sheets. Brandon Beachy and Arodys Vizcaino are out for the season with Tommy John surgery, which has diminished the organization's internal options. Here's a look at some potentially available starting pitchers.

This post was first published on Monday, July 23rd.

Padres Sign Carlos Quentin

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The Padres have announced the signing of Carlos Quentin to a contract extension through the 2015 season with a mutual option for 2016. 

“We are very pleased to extend Carlos’ contract,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes in a statement announcing the extension. “He provides a real threat in the middle of our lineup and brings an intensity and edge to our club. As a San Diegan, he is very invested in the success of the Padres.”

The Padres did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, but Corey Brock of MLB.com tweets Quentin will receive $9.5MM in 2013 and 2014, $8MM in 2015, and, if the 2016 option is picked up, $10MM. In a separate tweet, Brock reports Quentin is guaranteed a $3MM buyout of the option, if he plays over 320 games the next three years. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.com writes the deal includes a full no-trade clause, a pivotal stipulation for Quentin. 

Quentin's name has popped up quite a bit in trade rumors with the outfielder drawing interest from several clubs including the Pirates, Giants, Indians, and Reds. The outfielder has looked strong this season since returning from knee surgery, hitting .273/.389/.525 with nine homers in 40 games.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, who first reported the agreement, notes that the club viewed Michael Cuddyer, Edwin Encarnacion, and Josh Willingham – who all received three-year deals – as fair comps for the 29-year-old. Of the three, Quentin's deal is most similar to Cuddyer's, whose contract is worth $31.5MM over that span. 

In years past, the Padres' financial situation has hampered them from keeping some of their biggest stars, but San Diego was able to retain the outfielder thanks in large part to their new ownership. Both the current group and the incoming group signed off on the deal to keep Quentin in San Diego.

The Padres might not stop with a new deal for Quentin and are looking to lock up right-hander Huston Street next, according to Rosenthal. The club may just look to guarantee his $9MM mutual option for 2013 but the 28-year-old would likely prefer a multi-year pact.

Huntington Talks Trade Deadline

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With the Pirates riding a four-game winning streak and sitting just one-half game behind the NL Central-leading Reds, GM Neal Huntington met with reporters today including Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Sulia).

  • The Pirates pushed their budget to the limit with the Spring Training acquisition of A.J. Burnett, but Huntington isn't concerned about adding payroll. "We've got some flexibility," Huntington said without elaborating. Biertempfel has received indications the front office has requested and received permission from owner Bob Nutting to increase payroll, if necessary, at the trade deadline.
  • With the trade deadline a little over a week away, Huntington says reality is starting to hit some teams. "Teams are starting to reach out with two-way logic — still looking to add but reality is starting to set in they might need to sell. There are not more clear sellers, but (more) teams that are beginning to prepare if they decide to go in that direction."
  • On trade talks, Huntington said he's "no busier than we've been the last couple last weeks of July."
  • On trading the pick obtained in the new Competitive Balance Lottery, Huntington said, "It's another asset for us. We've got a certain value on it. If we get that value, it's no different than a prospect in our system who we've played a value on. We're not looking to move it. It will be interesting to see how industry values it."

Edwin Jackson To Join Legacy Agency

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Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson is changing his representation, leaving Scott Boras for the Legacy Agency, major league sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  With Boras, Jackson signed a one-year, $11MM deal with the Nationals rather than a multi-year pact.

The Legacy partners include Greg Genske, Brian Peters and Scott Parker. They represent C.C. Sabathia, Carl Crawford, and Adam Dunn. For other Legacy clients and client of other agents, check out MLBTR's Agency Database.

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