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Archives for July 2012

Minor Moves: Blue Jays, Ryan Eigsti

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The latest minor moves from around MLB…

  • The Blue Jays signed right-hander Chris Jakubauskas, according to the team's website. Jakubauskas, 33, appeared in 33 games for the 2011 Orioles, posting a 5.72 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 72 1/3 innings.
  • Right-hander David Pauley elected free agency last week, according to the Blue Jays' site. The Blue Jays removed Pauley from their roster seven days ago after he made five appearances for the team.
  • The Royals released catcher Ryan Eigsti from Triple-AA Omaha, Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports (on Twitter). Eigsti, 26, appeared in 11 games for the Royals' top affiliate this year. He has a .213/.310/.322 batting line in parts of six minor league seasons.

Knobler On Tigers, Hamels, Upton, Royals

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Rival executives are divided on what the Tigers need to acquire for the second half of the season, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Some say the Tigers need a pitcher, others say they should acquire a second baseman and others believe they don’t need to make a major addition. Here are more of Knobler’s notes, starting with the Tigers:

  • Detroit has shown some interest in Matt Garza, but Tigers people suggest a deal is fairly unlikely, according to Knobler. The Tigers don’t seem enthused about the possibility of trading for Marco Scutaro, though they’ve shown some interest in him.
  • The Phillies have identified about four teams that would be a fit for Cole Hamels and they’re saying they'd want players who are close to contributing in the Major Leagues. However, the Phillies aren’t ready to deal the left-hander yet.
  • Scouts believe the Diamondbacks are serious about listening to offers for Justin Upton.
  • The Royals had been considering the possibility of becoming midseason buyers this year. They don’t intend to give Jonathan Broxton or other players away because they “badly want” to win games in the second half, Knobler writes.
  • The 43-43 Athletics see themselves as sellers, rather than contenders, Knobler reports. A’s people are hoping Brandon McCarthy pitches well and increases his trade value when he returns from the disabled list.
  • Scouts are unimpressed by Cubs pitching prospect Gerardo Concepcion, Knobler notes.

Jay Gibbons Retires

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The Brewers announced that outfielder Jay Gibbons has retired, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. The 35-year-old last played in the Major Leagues with the 2010-11 Dodgers.

Gibbons appeared in 58 games for Milwaukee's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates this year, posting a .253/.345/.431 batting line. He retires with 127 career MLB home runs and a .260/.315/.453 batting line in nine seasons with the Orioles and Dodgers. Gibbons hit at least 20 homers in three of four seasons from 2002-05 and earned close to $16MM in his career, according to Baseball-Reference.

Potentially Available Shortstops

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The trade market for shortstops looks thin this summer. Here’s a closer look:

  • Marco Scutaro, Rockies – Scutaro figures to draw considerable interest because he can play second base and shortstop while contributing at the plate. Though he’s mostly playing second in Denver, he has considerable experience at shortstop, including 27 games at the position in 2012. The 36-year-old infielder has a .277/.329/.372 batting line in 2012. He earns $6MM this year and will hit free agency this coming offseason.
  • Willie Bloomquist, Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks could consider offers for Bloomquist once John McDonald returns from the disabled list. Bloomquist, 34, has a .294/.324/.393 batting line and earns $1.9MM per season for 2012 and 2013. Now that Stephen Drew is back, Bloomquist is on the bench.
  • Cody Ransom, Brewers – The Brewers could trade Ransom if they become sellers this month. The infielder has a .214/.313/.403 batting line in 177 plate appearances so far this year and has played shortstop 32 times.
  • Brendan Ryan, Mariners – Teams might be willing to overlook Ryan's .187/.287/.276 slash line because of his reputation as a tremendous defender. He's earning $1.75MM this year and will be arbitration eligible this coming offseason.
  • Jamey Carroll, Twins – Carroll, 38, has a .234/.318/.278 batting line and more than $5MM remaining on his contract with Minnesota, so he wouldn’t have much trade value.
  • Jed Lowrie, Astros – Lowrie is essentially unavailable, Ken Rosenthal reported five days ago. The Dodgers recently asked about Lowrie, who has an impressive .254/.343/.461 batting line in his first season as a National Leaguer.
  • Rumors and speculation surrounded Starlin Castro early on this year, but it appears that the 22-year-old is staying put.

MLBTR started previewing the trade market last week with a look at potentially available catchers, first basemen, second basemen and third basemen.

Pirates Notes: Upton, Quentin, Lincoln

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The Pirates, who lead the NL Central with a 48-37 record, aim to improve their roster for the second half of the season. “We’re in a buying mode,” manager Clint Hurdle said, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Pirates have inquired on Carlos Quentin and Justin Upton, two of the top bats available this summer. Here are the details on the Pirates…

  • “Our focus is to exhaustively search all opportunities to add to this club and to execute the right move(s) to make this club better,” GM Neal Huntington said, according to Biertempfel.
  • The Diamondbacks and Padres might have some degree of interest in right-hander Brad Lincoln in potential deals involving Upton and Quentin, Biertempfel reports (on Twitter). The Diamondbacks are scouting the Pirates’ Triple-A team and the Padres are scouting the Pirates’ Class A West Virginia team, Biertempfel adds.
  • Biertempfel suggests the Pirates could use starting pitching depth.
  • Within Biertempfel’s piece a handful of former general managers share thoughts on what the Pirates should do this year.

Rosenthal On Upton, Rangers, Twins, Tigers

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The Diamondbacks are willing to trade Justin Upton even if they’re in contention, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Arizona GM Kevin Towers won’t make a deal unless he’s “dazzled”, Rosenthal reports. Here are Rosenthal’s latest rumors, starting with Upton:

  • The Diamondbacks could pursue Major Leaguers instead of prospects for Upton if they remain in contention for a postseason berth. Upton raises some questions with his effort level and body language, according to Rosenthal, but the outfielder appears to have drawn “huge” interest from teams such as the Pirates nonetheless. 
  • The Rangers prefer Cole Hamels to Zack Greinke, though they continue scouting Greinke.
  • Francisco Liriano has a 2.74 ERA in eight starts since returning to the Twins’ rotation, but clubs are “wary” of trading for the left-hander, Rosenthal reports. It’s doubtful that teams would part with significant prospects for Liriano, who’s thought of as a bullpen option by some teams. Matt Capps will also be available once he returns from the disabled list, according to Rosenthal.
  • The Tigers are prioritizing offense over starting pitching, according to an executive that has spoken to the team. The Tigers need second base help and could also explore trades for corner outfielders, starting pitchers and relievers.

Latest On Mets, Rockies, Hernandez

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The Mets are interested in Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez, but New York officials aren’t willing to offer significant prospects to complete a trade, the New York Post reported yesterday. The Mets have shown a willingness to take on most, but not all, of Hernandez’s annual $3.2MM salary for 2012 and 2013 once the catcher comes off of the disabled list, Joel Sherman of the Post reports today.

“We are not talking about acquiring Gary Carter in 1985 here,” one Mets person told Sherman. 

The Rockies really like Mets minor leaguers Matt Den Dekker and Josh Edgin and they also have interest in prospects Wilfredo Tovar, Jacob deGrom and Domingo Tapia, Sherman writes. The Rockies have suggested the Mets might want to expand discussions to include left-handed reliever Matt Reynolds, but the Mets aren’t interested, according to Sherman.

Joel Sherman noted yesterday that the Mets also have interest in Kelly Shoppach of the Red Sox and Miguel Olivo of the Mariners. For an expanded look at potentially available catchers click here.

Phillies Notes: Cole Hamels, Rangers, Charlie Manuel

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The Phillies concluded the first half of the season by dropping an afternoon game against the Braves by the score of 4-3. The setback marked Philadelphia's 50th loss of the season as the team currently sits in last place in the National League East with a record of 37-50. The 2011 Phillies did not lose their 50th game until September 12 as the squad went on to win 102 games in route to the division title. Let's check in on the latest news and headlines from Citizens Bank Park with the All-Star break nearly upon us…

  • Cole Hamels spoke with CSNPhilly.com's Leslie Gudel about his current status with the Phillies and his future beyond this season as the trade deadline quickly approaches. Hamels said while he would be happy to sign a long-term deal with the Phillies, he's curious to explore free agency and potentially end up with a team on the West Coast like the Dodgers.
  • Look for Hamels to land with the Rangers if the Phillies end up dealing the left-hander, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Olney spoke with baseball officials on Sunday who deemed Texas as the prohibitive favorites in the Hamels arms race. 
  • Phillies manager Charlie Manuel isn't concerned about his job security given his self-proclaimed belief that he is a winner, writes Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. "How concerned am I? I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself," said Manuel. "And I am a fighter. And not only that, I think I’m a winner."

Week In Review: 7/1/12 – 7/7/12

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As we head to Kansas City for the All-Star break, let's catch up on the week that was here on MLBTR…

  • The Marlins acquired first baseman Carlos Lee from the Astros for third baseman Matt Dominguez and left-hander Rob Rasmussen. The move provides the Marlins with an instant upgrade in their lineup and gives the Astros young talent as they continue to rebuild.
  • The Mariners signed third overall pick Mike Zunino, who obtained a $4MM bonus. The former University of Florida catcher projects to be an above-average hitter for his position and has intangibles similar to those of Jason Varitek.
  • Former Marlins sensation Dontrelle Willis announced his retirement after spending the majority of the season in the Orioles organization.
  • The Royals claimed Adam Moore on waivers after the catcher was designated for assignment by the Mariners last week. 
  • The Indians granted right-hander Chris Ray his release from Triple-A Columbus. Ray, 30, posted a 2.75 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9.
  • After being released by the Indians late last month, Andy LaRoche signed with the Red Sox and joined the organization's Triple-A affiliate.
  • The Pirates outrighted Doug Slaten and Chris Leroux to Triple-A after the duo cleared waivers.
  • The White Sox claimed left-hander Daniel Moskos off of waivers from the Pirates and optioned him to Triple-A. 
  • Jamie Moyer's future as a Major League pitcher took a hit as the Blue Jays became the third team to part ways with the veteran this season.
  • The Cubs agreed to sign second round pick Duane Underwood for $1.05MM. 
  • The Reds released right-hander Michael Wuertz after signing him to a minor league contract in May.
  • Matt Young is headed back to Toledo after the Tigers outrighted the utility player to Triple-A. 
  • The Orioles outrighted left-hander Zach Philips to Triple-A after he cleared waivers.
  • The Royals requested unconditional release waivers on catcher Humberto Quintero.
  • Chris Schwinden's whirlwind season continues as the Mets claimed the right-hander off of waivers from the Yankees and optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo.
  • The Braves released right-hander D.J. Carrasco as the veteran now faces having to find a third team to call home this season.
  • The Blue Jays designated David Pauley for assignment as the right-hander struggled to get outs in five appearances with Toronto..
  • First round selection Marcus Stroman signed a contract with the Blue Jays for $1.8MM.
  • The Royals designated outfielder Mitch Maier for assignment as the former first round pick collected more strikeouts than hits and walks combined this season.
  • The Yankees claimed outfielder Darnell McDonald off of waivers from the Red Sox to provide New York with depth off the bench.
  • Xavier Paul opted out of his contract with the Nationals and elected free agency in hopes of catching on with a team willing to give him an opportunity at the big league level.
  • The White Sox released left-hander Will Ohman after designating the veteran for assignment late last month.
  • The Mets designated left-hander Justin Hampson for assignment. Hampson, 32, appeared in three games and faced eight batters for New York.
  • Bobby Jenks reached a contract termination settlement with the Red Sox and was placed on unconditional release waivers by Boston. 
  • The Padres‬ signed supplemental first-rounder Walker Weickel for $2MM.
  • The Athletics designated left-hander Brian Fuentes for assignment. In 25 innings for the Athletics this year Fuentes posted a 6.84 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9.
  • In a flurry of international signings from across the league, the Mets signed shortstop Amed Rosario to a $1.75MM bonus.
  • The Indians signed 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Hector Caro to a deal worth $1.1MM.
  • The Yankees signed Venezuelan catcher Luis Torrens for $1.3MM.
  • Venezuelan right-hander Jose Mujica signed with the Rays for $1MM.
  • The Twins signed Dominican infielder Amaurys Minier for $1.4MM.
  • The Giants signed Dominican center fielder Gustavo Cabrera for $1.3MM.
  • Venezuelan left-hander Jose Castillo signed with the Rays for $1.55MM.
  • The Blue Jays signed Venezuelan shortstop/centerfielder Franklin Barreto, who obtained a $1.45MM bonus.

Poll: Which Addition Makes Most Sense For Pirates?

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The Pirates enter the All-Star break atop the Central Division with a 48-37 record and a legitimate opportunity to remain competitive in the second half. Pittsburgh, led by the MVP-esque play of Andrew McCutchen and strong pitching from its starting rotation, plans to be a buyer with the trade deadline quickly approaching.

As mentioned on MLBTR earlier today, the Pirates have expressed interest in Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin and Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton, among others. MLBTR's Zach Links suggests acquiring Quentin would require Pittsburgh to part with a lesser package of prospects whereas adding Upton to its outfield would demand a series of quality prospects given his ability and that he is under team control through 2015.

The question for the Pirates becomes whether they will take a conservative approach at the trade deadline like last season or go all in by making a splash at the end of the month with a star player like Upton. 

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