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Archives for July 2012

Justin Upton Rumors: Tuesday

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The Diamondbacks are willing to listen to trade offers for Justin Upton, the 24-year-old outfielder who finished fourth in National League MVP voting a year ago. Teams are already checking in on Upton, and interest is said to be “huge.” Here’s the latest on the Diamondbacks and their right fielder:

  • The Diamondbacks are seriously open to the idea of trading Upton, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic confirms. The organization has outfield depth in the Majors and minors, so the club could replace his production in the short term. Some decision makers in the organization don’t seem crazy about Upton, as the recent comments of managing general partner Ken Kendrick suggest. 
  • The Diamondbacks would be looking for a third baseman, shortstop or top-of-the-rotation starter if they trade Upton, Piecoro reports.
  • The Pirates are interested but they don’t match up well with Arizona, Piecoro writes. It’s possible the Blue Jays could be a fit, however. The Diamondbacks are known to like shortstop prospect Adeiny Hechavarria, though he wouldn’t be enough to tempt the Diamondbacks.

Royals Sign Two Venezuelan Pitchers

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The Royals have signed a pair of Venezuelan 16-year-olds, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America — right-hander Julio Pinto and left-hander Junior Reyes.

Pinto received a $375K bonus and is described by Badler as a "projection arm" who throws his fastball between 88-92 mph and also mixes in a curveball and changeup. Pinto's trainer, Luis Blasini, also worked with third baseman and recent Royals signee Samir Duenez.

The 5'11", 165-pound Reyes received a $155K bonus and has drawn praise for his pitchability and command of an 87-89 mph fastball.

Melky Open To Long-Term Deal In San Francisco

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The Giants' acquisition of Melky Cabrera this offseason has provided a tremendous boost to San Francisco's lineup. Cabrera is hitting .353/.391/.519, and John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that he would be open to an extension:

“Of course I would. I’m a free agent next (winter), but the fans and Giants’ organization have treated me very well, so I would welcome staying with the Giants.”

According to Shea, Cabrera told his representatives at ACES to let the Giants' front office "know his intention to stick around."

Last month, GM Brian Sabean told reporters that he'd yet to begin extension talks with Cabrera, but that he didn't think Andre Ethier's five-year, $85MM contract was a good comparable. The Melk-Man may not command that large of an investment, but he obviously did well to reject the two-year, $13.5MM extension the Royals offered him last August.

MLBTR's Mark Polishuk examined Cabrera's extension candidacy in May, but his stock has risen considerably since that time. Cabrera had a historic month of May, and he currently leads the National League with 119 hits. Fangraphs pegs his value to date at a healthy 3.3 wins above replacement — good for 11th among all MLB outfielders.

Cabrera, who is capable of playing all three outfield positions, would be part of a strong class of free agent center fielders that includes the likes of B.J. Upton, Shane Victorino, and Michael Bourn. Nick Swisher and Carlos Quentin are also set to hit free agency, which should create a buyer's market for teams seeking impact outfielders.

East Links: Phillies, Beltran, Mets, Bourn

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Some links pertaining to MLB's two eastern divisions as Prince Fielder is crowned Home Run Derby champion for the second time…

  • Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com writes that Jonathan Papelbon says he and his teammates understand the business side of the game, but that trading Cole Hamels would still not go over well in their clubhouse.
  • Carlos Beltran told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca and other reporters that the Blue Jays showed interest in him this offseason, but never made a formal contract offer. Beltran said the Indians and Rays were also interested, but most AL clubs wanted him to spend significant time at DH, and he wanted to play in the field regularly. According to Beltran, he would have considered the Giants, but they never called.
  • The Mets are open to adding veteran pieces at the trade deadline this year to strengthen the club, but they won't be trading top prospects like Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman offers speculative lists of relievers and catchers who could interest GM Sandy Alderson.
  • Heyman also writes that the Braves are not currently in extension talks with Michael Bourn, and that Bourn will likely be pursued by the Giants this winter when he hits free agency.

Gausman Unlikely To Sign With Orioles?

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9:15pm: Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun quotes Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich (on Twitter) as saying that talks between the two sides are still progressing.

7:57pm: Kevin Gausman, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft is unlikely to sign with the Orioles because his heart is still with Louisiana State University, writes Albert Buford of the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

"This is turning out to be a tough decision, but as of now my heart is still with LSU," Gausman said. "There are still things for me to accomplish as a Tiger.  I still want to play in and win the College World Series, and with a lot of guys coming back next year I believe we can do it."

Gausman was the first pitcher taken in this year's draft, going ahead of fellow college righties Kyle Zimmer (Royals) and Mark Appel (Pirates). Earlier today, it was reported that Appel is also leaning toward returning to college for another season, rather than signing in Pittsburgh.

Electing to return to LSU would mean forgoing a sizeable bonus for Gausman. MLB's recommended bonus for the fourth overall pick in the draft is $4.2MM. If he does decide to return to LSU, the decision won't have as much to do with the Orioles as it would a desire to leave his mark on LSU baseball, writes Buford.

Pirates, Reds, Indians Interested In Quentin

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The Pirates, Reds, and Indians are just a few of the teams that have called the Padres about Carlos Quentin, writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

The Pirates have been connected to Quentin within the past week, but this is the first report that either Ohio team has actually contacted the Padres about their slugging left fielder. Until this point, connection to both teams had been speculation.

Quentin, 29, is a San Diego native who has enjoyed his first season playing in his hometown. He currently boasts a .268/.406/.518 triple slash line and has clubbed seven homers in 138 plate appearances. Like most hitters, he's struggled tremendously at Petco Park. Small sample warnings apply, but Quentin has hit just .196/.288/.348 in 14 home games compared to .318/.477/.636 in 19 games on the road.

As Heyman notes, the Padres would need to acquire a return which they deem more valuable than the draft pick Quentin could net them. The new collective bargaining agreement muddles the situation, however, as an acquiring team would not be able to collect a draft pick for him at season's end. That, of course, will make it more difficult for Padres GM Josh Byrnes to net quality prospects in exchange for Quentin's bat.

Heyman also writes that the Tigers and Blue Jays were both seen as fits for Quentin at one point, but that may no longer be the case. The Tigers likely prefer an infielder and/or starting pitcher with Delmon Young's bat coming around, and the Blue Jays are more likely to pursue pitching as well.

The Marlins placed a call about Quentin at one point, according to Heyman, but it's unclear whether or not the acquisition of Carlos Lee has taken them out of the Quentin market.

Draft Signings: Branden Kline

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There are only four days until this year's signing deadline, which has been moved up from previous years. Earlier today we heard that No. 8 pick Mark Appel is leaning toward returning to Stanford rather than signing with the Pirates, and we also saw the Cubs ink No. 6 overall pick Albert Almora for a $3.9MM bonus. Here are today's notable non-first-round signings:

  • The Orioles have signed second rounder Branden Kline for the full pick value of $793,700 according to Baseball America's Jim Callis (on Twitter). The former University of Virginia right-hander features a low 90s fastball and flashes a hard slider.

Quick Hits: Yankees, Orioles, Selig

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Here are some links to read before the Home Run Derby begins, starting with last year's derby winner…

  • The Yankees have had internal discussions about a long-term contract for Robinson Cano, Jack Curry of the YES Network writes. GM Brian Cashman acknowledges that the team has considered trying to lock the second baseman up to an extension. "Oh, yeah. But we haven't done it yet," Cashman said.
  • Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com suggests the Orioles should seek upgrades aggressively without parting with elite prospects Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado. Executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette is working to add starting pitching between now and the end of July and names like Zack Greinke and Wandy Rodriguez have emerged as possibilities.
  • Commissioner Bud Selig told reporters he's "very satisfied" with baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement so far, Eric Fisher of the Sports Business Journal tweets.

Latest On Pirates, Mark Appel

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Mark Appel, the eighth overall selection of the 2012 draft, is leaning against signing with the Pirates, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). MLB recommends a $2.9MM bonus for Appel, who was considered a potential first overall selection. 

Jim Callis of Baseball America keeps hearing the Pirates won't give up a first round pick to sign Appel (Twitter link). Pittsburgh can offer the Stanford right-hander a maximum of $3.84MM without surrendering a 2013 pick, Callis notes. If Appel were to return to school for another season he would be draft eligible following his senior year. Agent Scott Boras is advising Appel.

Just six first round selections remain unsigned with four days to go before this Friday's deadline.

AL West Notes: Athletics, Hamilton, Napoli

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The Athletics see themselves as sellers rather than contenders, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reported earlier today. Meanwhile, the Rangers continue monitoring Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke in anticipation of possible trades, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Here's the latest from the AL West…

  • Athletics owner Lew Wolff told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he doesn't intend to move the team anywhere but San Jose (Twitter links). "We have no interest in leaving our two-team market. Our only focus is on San Jose," he said. "We are not leaving the Bay Area and that's the end of it."
  • Josh Hamilton said he’d love to stay in Texas, but noted that contract talks are on hold, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. Hamilton’s on track to hit free agency this coming offseason, when he’ll be positioned for a lucrative multiyear contract.
  • Mike Napoli, who’s also in the last year of his contract with the Rangers, said he would love to stay in Texas as well, Heyman tweets. “If something doesn't get worked out it's my time to be a free agent," Napoli said.
  • Mariners ace Felix Hernandez told Heyman he'd love to stay in Seattle (Twitter link). The Mariners have Hernandez under contract through 2014.

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