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Archives for August 2012

Dodgers Inquired On Sabathia, Teixeira

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The Dodgers called the Yankees to inquire about the possibility of trading for C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. The Yankees told the Dodgers they had no interest in moving either player despite their substantial contracts (four years and $99MM remain on Sabathia’s deal; four years and $90MM remain on Teixeira’s deal).

Los Angeles recently acquired Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto from Boston by agreeing to take on $260MM in future salaries. Dodgers officials weren’t inspired by the upcoming free agent class, so they explained to rival teams that they’re willing to take on substantial contracts. This gave the Dodgers the leverage to complete many deals — few clubs could add substantial payroll midseason.

There are no signs the Dodgers were interested in Alex Rodriguez, Sherman writes. Some executives question Rodriguez’s ability to play third base every day at this stage in his career, and he might be best-suited for the American League. Furthermore. the Dodgers view Hanley Ramirez and Dee Gordon as solutions on the left side of the infield. 

The Yankees would love to move Rodriguez for payroll reasons, according to Sherman. Yankees executives aim to avoid the $189MM luxury tax threshold for 2014, and Rodriguez’s contract limits their flexibility (five years and $114MM remain on Rodriguez's deal). However, Rodriguez has a no-trade provision, as do Sabathia and Teixeira.

Pirates Release Erik Bedard

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The Pirates released lefty Erik Bedard, reported Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Sulia.  Michael Sanserino of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later confirmed the story.  The Pirates confirmed that they have released Bedard and announced that they'll make a related move this afternoon.

Bedard, 33, posted a 5.01 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, 1.00 HR/9, and 43.3% groundball rate in 125 2/3 innings this year.  The Bucs signed Bedard in December to a one-year, $4.5MM free agent deal, so they still owe him about $910K.  Assuming Bedard hooks on somewhere, he's on track to reach 130 innings for the first time since 2007.  He's had some nice runs this year, but an 8.79 ERA over his past three outings may have been the nail in the coffin for the Pirates as they battle for a wild card spot. 

Veteran Kevin Correia could be a candidate to replace Bedard in the team's rotation.  A.J. Burnett, James McDonald, Wandy Rodriguez and Jeff Karstens round out the Pirates' starting five.

Quick Hits: Clemens, Plouffe, Drew, Ortiz

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On this date 20 years ago the Mets sent right-hander David Cone to the Blue Jays for 24-year-old second baseman Jeff Kent. Cone helped Toronto win the first of two consecutive World Series titles and Kent went on to become a borderline Hall of Famer (though he spent his most productive seasons in San Francisco). Here are today’s links as we await the next major trade of the 2012 season…

  • Alan Blondin of the Houston Chronicle writes that Roger Clemens called his recent performance for the Sugar Land Skeeters a favor to Skeeters manager Gary Gaetti. Clemens told Blondin he doesn't have plans for further pitching performances, but cautioned, "That could change in a couple days." 
  • Twins general manager Terry Ryan feels that now is the time for Trevor Plouffe to step up and establish himself as the team's long-term answer at third base, writes Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN. Mackey quotes Ryan as saying Plouffe "[has] the rest of the year" to show the Twins that third base isn't a position they need to address.
  • Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson and general manager Kevin Towers told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that they don’t regret trading Stephen Drew to Oakland, even though Willie Bloomquist experienced a setback in his return from a back injury. “No. We wanted to see what [Jake] Elmore was capable of doing,” Towers said. “He’s held his own, I think, defensively out there.”
  • David Ortiz, a free agent this offseason, wants to re-sign with the Red Sox, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. “This is what I know and this is something I want to be part of,” Ortiz said.
  • The Athletics and Astros have improved their farm systems considerably in the last year, Jim Callis of Baseball America writes in this week’s edition of Ask BA.
  • The Blue Jays should have publicly told the Red Sox that manager John Farrell is off-limits long ago, Shi Davidi writes at Sportsnet.ca. The Blue Jays have failed to limit speculation about the possibility of Farrell returning to Boston, Davidi writes. Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos has said the Blue Jays won’t announce an extension with Farrell, even if the sides agree to one.

Steve Adams contributed to this post.

J.C. Romero Granted Free Agency

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MONDAY: Romero has been granted free agency, tweets Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com. Romero will be free to sign with any team if he decides against retirement.

FRIDAY: The Orioles have designated left-handed reliever J.C. Romero for assignment, Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). Baltimore acquired Romero from the Indians 11 days ago and purchased his contract from the minor leagues the following day. The 14-year veteran said he's now considering retirement, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports (on Twitter).

Romero appeared in two games for the Orioles before getting removed from their roster. The 36-year-old has spent considerable time at Triple-A, where he posted a 2.74 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 23 innings for the International League affiliates of the Indians and Orioles this year.

Steve Adams contributed to this post.

Jason Vargas, Kevin Millwood On Waivers

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The Mariners have placed both Kevin Millwood and Jason Vargas on waivers, and both players are likely to be claimed, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). As Rosenthal notes, Vargas is owed just over $1MM for the remainder of the season, while Millwood is owed roughly $200K.

The 29-year-old Vargas is appealing for teams looking to improve their rotation in the short- and long-term; he's controlled through 2013 and is arbitration-eligible for the final time this offseason. Shortly before the trade deadline, MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected an $8.1MM salary for Vargas in 2013. He's pitched to a 3.71 ERA since that projection, so he likely hasn't damaged his stock any.

Overall, Vargas has a 3.75 ERA, 5.6 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 and 40.8 percent ground-ball rate in a whopping 180 innings thus far. Vargas' average of 6 2/3 innings per start is likely another appealing element of his game. Interested teams are likely wary of Vargas' struggles away from the spacious Safeco Field. His 2.62 home ERA is two full runs lower than his 4.63 road mark.

Millwood, 37, has a 4.28 ERA, 6.2 K/9, 3.0 BB/9 and 45 percent ground-ball rate in 145 innings for the Mariners this season. Unlike Vargas, he's pitched equally well away from Seattle. The former American League ERA champ signed a minor league deal with the Mariners in January and has gone on to become one of the most successful minor league signees of 2012.

Earlier today it was reported that the Dodgers were in the market for a starting pitcher. Los Angeles has been far and away the most aggressive team in this season's trade market, and they were linked to both Seattle hurlers prior to the non-waiver trade deadline.

Scott Hairston Claimed On Waivers

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5:10pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the winning team made the claim as a block, and Hairston is not likely to be traded (Twitter link).

4:41pm: Mets outfielder Scott Hairston has been claimed on waivers by an unknown team, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (all Twitter links). The Dodgers did not win the claim and neither did the Giants, Heyman writes.

The Mets placed Hairston and Andres Torres on waivers over the weekend. They now have two days to select one of three options. They can let Hairston (and his contract) go to the claiming team, they can complete a trade with the claiming team, or they can pull him back off of waivers. National League teams had waiver priority on Hairston, beginning at the bottom of the standings.

Hairston, 32, earns $1.1MM this year — just $200K between now and the end of the season. He has a .272/.312/.512 batting line this year and a history of hitting left-handed pitching well.

Steve Adams contributed to this post.

Orioles, Randy Wolf Nearing Deal

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The Orioles are nearing a deal with free agent left-hander Randy Wolf, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports (on Twitter). The Brewers released the veteran starter last week.

Wolf, a Wasserman Media Group client, led the National League in hits and earned runs this year, the final season of his three-year, $29.75MM contract with Milwaukee. The 36-year-old started 24 games for the Brewers in 2012, posting a 5.69 ERA with 6.1 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 and a 43.4% ground ball rate in 142 1/3 innings. If Wolf signs with the Orioles, the Brewers will be responsible for all of his $9.5MM salary less the pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum.

This post was first published on August 28th, 2012.

Rangers Designate Luis Hernandez For Assignment

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The Rangers have designated infielder Luis Hernandez for assignment, according to Rangers executive VP of communications John Blake (on Twitter). The Rangers are reinstating Michael Young from the paternity list in a related move.

Hernandez appeared in two games for the Rangers, who selected his contract three days ago. The 28-year-old spent most of the season at Triple-A Round Rock, where he posted a .262/.302/.372 batting line in 548 plate appearances. Hernandez also has MLB experience with the Orioles, Royals and Mets.

Casey Close To Represent Dexter Fowler

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Dexter Fowler switched agents three weeks ago and is now represented by Casey Close of Excel Sports Management, instead of the Boras Corporation, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. The 26-year-old center fielder spoke highly of Scott Boras, but said Close made more sense for him at this point in his career. With more than a month remaining in the season, he’s not thinking about extension talks just yet.

"I like it here, but it's not something on my mind," he told Renck.

The Rockies are expected to offer Fowler an extension this winter when he will be arbitration eligible for the second of four times, Renck reports. The team expects Fowler to be more receptive to a long-term contract now that he’s no longer represented by Boras, who has a reputation for taking player to free agency. The Rockies’ model for deals involving arbitration eligible players involves guaranteeing salaries for a number of years and obtaining a club option or two on free agent seasons in return, Renck writes.

Fowler is under team control through 2015. He has a .305/.390/.496 batting line with 12 home runs in 439 plate appearances so far in 2012. MLBTR's Agency Database offers complete player representation data, including a list of Close's clients.

Cubs Designate Scott Maine For Assignment

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The Cubs designated left-handed reliever Scott Maine for assignment, the team announced. The move creates 40-man roster space for catcher Anthony Recker, who was acquired from the Athletics in a trade.

Maine, a sixth round selection in 2007, appeared in 21 games for the Cubs this year, posting a 4.79 ERA with 11.3 K/9 and 5.2 BB/9 in 20 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old has had high strikeout and walk rates throughout his minor league career. In parts of six minor league seasons, Maine has a 3.28 ERA with 10.2 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9.

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