The non-waiver trade deadline has passed, but August figures to be a busy month nonetheless. MLBTR has an explanation of how teams can make trades this month, plus reaction to yesterday’s deadline moves and a poll on which teams didn’t do enough. Here are today’s links…
- It's time for the Indians to release Derek Lowe and Johnny Damon since the veterans are not producing enough to justify their roster spots, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes.
- Geoff Blum told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that he’s in limbo now, but would love to play again "if the situation is right” (Twitter link). The Diamondbacks released the veteran infielder last month.
- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said his starting rotation remains "a concern," Alex Angert of MLB.com reports. Stephen Fife still has a rotation spot despite rumors that the Dodgers might acquire a starter such as Ryan Dempster or Matt Garza.
- The Blue Jays voided the contract of Venezuelan shortstop Luis Castro after the prospect didn't pass his physical, Ben Badler of Baseball America writes. Castro, 16, had signed for $800K last month.
- The Red Sox placed Nick Punto and Carl Crawford on waivers today, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (Twitter link). Hundreds of players will be placed on waivers this month and only a small percentage of them will be traded.
If this is the end of the line for Damon, he’s had a nice career. Only 1 of 3 players to amass 2500 hits, 1500 runs, 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 HRs,1000 RBIs, 1000 walks and 400 SBs with Bonds and Molitor.
Disagree a bit. Been solid since the first month he played in this year. He really hurt himself by not just manning up and taking a minor league deal this winter. He needed to go into Spring Training. Missing all of spring training and the month of April really set him back. Didn’t play in any minor league games either (just some extended spring training games). Johnny could stick around next year as a veteran bench bat/spot starter, similar to Jim Thome or Jason Giambi. He also showed that he can play a little OF if needed (range is suprisingly not god awful…arm….yeah it’s terrible lol).
Bonds didn’t have 100 triples.
And you have to drop the numbers by 80 or 90 or 100+ in each of those categories to include Damon in that group.
My most sincere apologies on Bonds. Puts Damon in a more exclusive class.
Not saying the guy should be in the Hall, just saying he had a very solid career.
The Dodgers won’t be able acquire Dempster or Garza until the offseason.
I don’t think the Rangers want to trade him
They’ll want to trade him after he gets rocked in the AL.
The whole dodger team remains a concern.
I could get cutting Lowe (paying him $5M and is getting worse), but i disagree on cutting Damon.
Damon started out terrible, but since May 30th he’s arguably been as ‘good’ as Asdrubal Cabrera at the plate.
Since May 30th Damon is hitting .274.318/.403/.721
Since May 30th Asdrubal is hitting .264/.310/.412/.722
So should the Indians cut Asdrubal too?
Damon is barely making over $1M this year. You could easily deal him later this month if you wanted. Vet who is actually not hitting that poorly and wouldn’t be a bad bench bat for a contender. Sure you probably won’t get much for him….but the Tribe did get Asdrubal Cabrera for Eduardo Perez (who retired after that season) and Zach McAllister for Austin Kearns. You just never know…
I agree that they could probably trade him for something (maybe just salary relief), but you can’t really compare Damon (a corner outfielder) to Cabrera (a shortstop) simply based on offense.
double post. d’oh
I agree on the positional thing. Wasn’t trying to say they were equal (the cut Asdrubal thing was a joke). Just pointing out that Damon actually hasn’t been that bad since the first 4 weeks of his season. Pluto wants him to be cut cause he’s hitting .227 on the season, but that number is a bit loaded from the terrible first 4 weeks. That was more my point.
Pluto wants Damon released because he is not going to be part of 2013, and the Indians have multiple guys that could come up and get AB’s. Guys that need a shot that could actually factor in 2013. (LaPorta, Lars, Zeke, Fedroff, Goedert, Canzler) Not simply because the guy is hitting .227
when damon can play defense then you can compare slash lines
When Asdrubal can play defense you mean too? 😛
Well, part of that post is old now.
No Johnny would rather linger and prolong the inevitable, and drage his career BA down by 20 points to get tot he elusive 3000. Well if your avg drops 20 points and you get 3000 hits, I STILL wouldn’t vote him in!
I’m not sure where you’re getting your math from.
His career average going into 2011 was .286. As of right now, it’s at .285.
I someone makes a waiver claim for Punto and his 1.5m 2013 salary? PLEASE let them have him and remember the team isn’t letting him play the last 2 week with Aviles out of the lineup Punto reeks so bad.