Chris Corrigan of the High-A ball Palm Beach Cardinals made history tonight by throwing a perfect game in his start against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Corrigan, 24, was a 30th-round selection for the Cardinals in the 2009 amateur draft and carried a career 4.04 ERA in 102 minor league games (25 starts) entering tonight. Corrigan's gem was the first minor league perfect game since Jeanmar Gomez threw a perfecto for Double-A Akron in 2009. As for the Stone Crabs, they're an affiliate of (who else?) the Rays, who have been perfecto'd three times in the last four years at the Major League level.
Some news and notes from around the baseball world…
- “Every team needs a guy like [Nick] Swisher,” an AL executive tells Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. “You watch him play every day and you can see how much he cares. I wish every player cared that much.” Feinsand suggests that the Yankees could re-sign Swisher and move Brett Gardner to center field, thus creating room to trade the more expensive Curtis Granderson. MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith recently looked at Swisher's free agent stock.
- Chase Utley took some groundballs at third base before today's game and he told reporters (including MLB.com's Todd Zolecki) that he had approached the Phillies about getting some reps at third in order to "create some more flexibility as far as the organization is concerned." Utley spent a season playing third in 2002 in Triple-A before but hasn't played at the hot corner since.
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. commented on Utley's trial, noting that "in a perfect scenario," Utley could hold down third base until prospect Cody Asche is ready, theoretically for the 2014 season. Amaro cautioned reporters (including Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer) that it's hypothetical since Asche has yet to play above Double-A.
- Billy Hamilton will "probably not" be called up for September, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty tells MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Jocketty noted that the decision wasn't finalized yet, however, and that he was going to watch Hamilton play in person this weekend.
- Mets outfielder Scott Hairston believes the Diamondbacks claimed him off waivers, he tells Adam Rubin of ESPN New York (Twitter link). The Giants were known to be interested in outfield help and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports speculated earlier this month that the D'Backs would likely try to block Hairston or Juan Pierre from getting to their NL West rivals. Rosenthal also reported that the team that claimed Hairston did so as a blocking maneuver.
- Roger Clemens is planning to start again for the Sugar Land Skeeters on September 7, according to a text the pitcher sent Mark Berman, sports director of FOX 26 KRIV (Twitter link). Clemens, 50, threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his first start with the Skeeters on August 25.
- Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston suggests a few moves the Red Sox should make this offseason, including re-signing David Ortiz and Cody Ross and trying to add Justin Upton and a top-tier starting pitcher.
- Major League Baseball is investigating whether agents Sam and Seth Levinson arranged for former client Paul Lo Duca to meet with PED distributor Kirk Radomski, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Personally, I can’t wait to see Billy Hamilton. I’ll be so pissed if I end up blinking and he’s already at third.
Who would have though a player caught stealing 36 times in a season would be this insane. He will be a major distraction and will be exactly what the reds need. Someone that gets on base. .429 obp with his speed is nice.
Chase Utley playing third base would solve a lot of problems for the franchise going forward.
That said, if it’s only a move for one season, and they’re going to play Galvis at 2nd anyway, it makes more sense to just play Freddy at Third and Chase at 2nd until Asche is ready.
He is a class act. He does whatever he can to make his team better. It will truly be a sad day when he no longer puts on the red pinstripes.
Dude, we all know he doesn’t have the arm. This was tried, it will not work
Freddy should be able to handle 3B. As much as I’d like to think Chase wouldn’t airmail 25 balls into the first base stands from 3B, I get the gut feeling things haven’t changed from 10 years ago.
The upside if he could manage the throw would be a healthier Utley in all probability, but I think we’re going to have to hope he can grind out 130 games at 2B in 2013.
Utley hasn’t played 130 games since 2009. I think it’s best moving him to 3b if it will keep him healthier. He still has a very good bat and it would benefit the phillies more keeping him in the game even if he isn’t the best defender.
The bunt down the third base line scares the heck out of me. That said, I’d like to see him get some action in September. It didn’t work 10 years ago but he’s a much different player. It doesn’t hurt to try it. If it blows up in their faces, they can always just flip flop him and Galvis.
I’m only a fan of this move if it’s permanent. If it’s temporary, it makes almost no sense at all.
2B have trouble staying healthy late into their careers. Maybe a move to 3B would keep him healthier.
I speculated about that myself in the Spring… especially when Jayson Stark wrote an article about how painful it was for Chase to go to the middle.
The problem, like Ryan said, is his arm. I think he has the strength but he struggles with the throw from 2nd to 1st. Range/Reaction wise, I think he’d be more than capable over there. Maybe not gold glove caliber but good enough.
I wouldn’t mind them trying it… i mean, what’s the worst that could happen? He makes a couple errors in some meaningless games in September?
the D’backs still think they are in it, that’s cute
Who said that? They’re merely messing with the Giants.
I’m against the Red Sox going after Upton. Another outfielder is the last thing we need.
Agreed, though he has a high upside and may need the proverbial change of scenery, BOS shouldn’t give up the farm for him or they’ll be back in the same mess they were in before LAD gave them bail-out.
Not as much, but I also agree that Boston shouldn’t take on pricier outfielders right now. If they’re going to take on a player with a salary of more than $10M a year it should be for a decent middle of the order pitcher like Garza or maybe Jackson. The best moves they can make right now are smaller and more calculated than “he’s the best and priciest on the market.”
justin upton would put them back in the same position as carl crawford and josh beckett? fascinating
the red sox gained 2 very good prospects in the LA trade. if they give up 3 very good prospects for upton, they haven’t come anywhere close to emptying the farm and they’ve acquired one of the best young talents in baseball on a great contract
it’s basically the opposite of their previous situation
I think that Upton would do great as a rh batter in Fenway. I think they should sit it out on him though. Outfielders were not their problem assuming they can re up cody ross. I also think the expected price on Upton has exceeded his worth.
Yes, but based on previous thoughts around the deadline, Upton was going to fetch a lot more than LAD-BOS trade. BOS wasn’t dealing for prospects, they were trying to shed $220 million plus off their payroll. LAD perhaps mistakenly traded 2 highly-rated prospects, including their #2. If money wasn’t included in the deal, that deal never would have gotten done.
Now, take Upton’s age and controllability and production at the MLB level and I dare say that you won’t be able to get him for “3 very good prospects”. They didn’t trade him at the deadline thinking he’d get more in the offseason – and even then there were reports of a large package including top prospects. Considering ARZ is stacked with young pitching, it’ll be tough to find an exact match for their needs, but BOS most likely won’t be one of them.
The question is, who would want Granderson?The Rangers will resign Hamilton, the Dodgers have a full OF, the Angels have a full OF, the Tigers probably don’t have space, the Phillies don’t have the pieces, and the Red Sox are in division and don’t need him. Anyone else would probably have a great deal of trouble taking on that contract.
Edit – whiffed badly and forgot that Granderson has only one year left. Whoops.
Plus he’s a product of his stadium. No way is he hitting 30 bombs playing in AT&T, Petco, Citi, or Safeco.
He did it at Comerica…
Well, not many players in fact can hit 30 HR playing half their games in that ball park. The only recent player that comes to mind is Adrian Gonzalez.
No Giants player has had a 30 HR season since Bonds in 2004
No Met player has had a 30 HR season since Citi Field open (although Wright had 29 in 2010 and there’s a chance Ike Davis makes it this year, sits at 24). And I believe only Griffey and A-Rod have had 30 HR seasons at Safeco. Correct me if I’m wrong on that one.
Also just read that 9 of Granderson’s HR’s this year are HR’s in every ballpark, and 14 were HR that would be HR in 28 ballparks.
With that said, I don’t expect him to be a 30 HR hitter, but 20-25 would be of no surprise.
In 2011 Granderson hit 21 at home and 20 on the road. So its not just the statdium, and dont forget he was a home run hitter at Comerica which has a canyon of an outfield….
15 million for one year is not a big contract. any contending team with an opening in center would fill the bill. The Rangers if they don’t sign Hamilton, whitesox, nationals, braves, cardinals, reds, and giants all come to mind.
You can go ahead and count the Cards out on that one. Jon Jay’s our pony and we’re going to ride him.
1/$15 mil for 40 hrs is not a big deal. ANY team can afford to take a one year hit to the payroll. It’s when you’re talking multi year deals @ $15 mil per that it becomes a hindrance to the payroll.
There are 6 teams (not including the Red Sox and Dodgers) that are quasi contenders that have OF combos that have 50 hrs or less right now and some of those should be teams interested in Granderson (even though I’d rather he stay a Yankee).
Nations, W.Sox, Phillies, Braves, Indians, Tigers and Giants. I doubt the Tigers want to revist Grandy but all the others would seem to be viable trade partners.
Red Sox have made it clear they are in a rebuilding stage, so why in the world should they want to give up premium young talent (which it would take for Upton). Guys like Boegarts, Barnes, Larnaway, and Middlebrooks are who they should be building around.
There is a certain core element of Sox fans who are enamored with Upton and even now, still are wanting him at any cost. me?? I don’t want to give up the farm for any prospect and rarely ever have. Gonzalez was the rare player.. Power hitter that the team needed, but not for 5 tool players that can go back and always regress.. Just not worth it and fans sometimes fall in love with these types, but i never did. Teams are better off trying to develop them, They can be everything you wanted and dreamed of for a few seasons and awful the next.. Just like Hanley Ramirez and you don’t give up a king’s ransom for those kind of players.
it doesn’t make sense to have the blind confidence you two do in prospects while being skeptical of upton. he’s 2 years older than e.g. bradley and barnes but his “awful” seasons come in the form of 2-3 WAR performances in the MLB, not AA
pick your favorite prospect. what did he do at age 21? best case scenario, maybe he crushed the ball to the tune of a .900 OPS in A-ball or maybe even AA. what did upton do at 21? .900 OPS in the major leagues
long story short, if you are going to have blind confidence that premium talent will pan out, then upton is the right choice. his ceiling is higher and his track record is better. he is significantly less risky than prospects
the only exception at this point is bogaerts, who plays a premium position and whose minor league performance 19 rivals some of the best prospects ever (though again – upton played 43 games in the MLB at 19)
everyone else is up for grabs in an upton trade
You said it so well. People have to understand that if you have 3 blue chip prospects and they end up having similar careers to Justin Upton, Nick Swisher and AJ Burnett then you have done pretty well for yourself.
If Bradley becomes Upton then you have done well.
We live in a time where we value someone’s “future potential” more than we do someone’s “proven success”.
Edit: That’s not to say that you should recklessly trade prospects for veterans but in the case of an Upton or Granderson (for Ajax) then it’s worth considering.
“everyone else is up for grabs in an upton trade”
So a team that is rebuilding goes out and gives up many of the main pieces for a guy who is under control for 3 seasons?
this is what i am talking about and it doesn’t matter if any of the pieces involved in the deal turn into the next verlander, or Brad penny type.. it’s the “why would they do that move at all” that is the most out of sorts question mark,
Having “blind confidence” is from saving as much as a team needs to get better the cheapest way possible.. NOT throwing away the best of a core it will need to improve and especially now that the team is rebuilding had figured the Upton talk would go away, lest not the case it seems.. it seems to never go away..
throwing a way the best of a core? we are talking about prospects. the core is entirely theoretical and comes with substantial risk
boston is not tampa. a core of young talent is essential, yes, but they do not need to wait to hit the jackpot on a group of prospects. more importantly, justin upton is a core of young talent – or at least a major part of one. he will be 25 next year. he is a superstar who can be acquired at a discount
i just don’t know what you want. we gained two prospects in the gonzalez trade and would give up 3 or 4 for upton. that leaves us, on balance, with a trade of justin upton for 1 or 2 prospects. and you’re worried about “throwing away a core of young talent”? it doesn’t add up at all
serious question: what do you want instead of that? more free agents? to roll the dice on middlebrooks never regressing and wait for other prospects to become great major leaguers by 2015?
!st off.. never saw me proclaiming Middlebrooks as the 3b heir. I see his replacement further down in the system and middlebrooks is someone whom they could move, or maybe would have had he not fractured his wrist.
Building up, or at least gathering a core together via prospects isn’t a bad way to get things started and then look at outside players, or before throwing away massive amounts to other teams players. you said it yourself Upton would cost 3-4 good prospects and just because they got back 1, maybe 2 in the Gonzalez deal doesn’t make the overall cost any less. It more than adds up.. get the core people up (another year or so) or at least have a better idea where the team is going to be standing with it’s major prospects, then look to some minor outside help, the team isn’t going to compete next year anyway, so why go out and waste resources?? THAT makes no sense.
the choice is not either [build with prospects] or [acquire upton]. both can and should be done. upton can be acquired without even giving up bogaerts
getting 2 prospects from LA doesn’t make upton cheaper, but it does change the budget. it’s simple, really. you don’t make the upton trade if he costs 4 prospects and you only have 4. but if you have 8, you might. if you have 12, you definitely do. in all of those scenarios, the price doesn’t change – but the wisdom of the decision to pay it does
you say the team isn’t going to compete next year, but that’s a choice. it doesn’t have to be the case. it will be if you decline to upgrade the roster because you want to “wait and see” if the prospect gamble goes in your favor, but why would you want to do that? and what are you going to do if it doesn’t pan out?
you’re going to be the orioles, that’s what
“you’re going to be the orioles, that’s what”
Duquette with a decent draft budget allotment isn’t such a terrible thing now is it? i wouldn’t mind him coming back to boston since figured he got the shaft on his way out of town the 1st time around.
A few of his ‘friends” in the media was all he had an issue with, they just made sure he never got a fair shake around town and now the good fans of baltimore are seeing what he can do, Angelos tight fisted wallet and all.
no, not the 2012 horseshoe orioles. the orioles of the last decade
Spot on. The offense that they lost from Crawford and Agon is a big offensive loss. If they wanted to compete next year they wouldn’t have traded them. Upton is a worse hitter than Agon. They need to figure out the base of the team. Trading for upton is the last piece that a tea acquires to put them over, he won’t fix the pitching. The rs have scored the 2nd most runs in all of baseball. That should tell you where their problems are.
Well I think the rs problems go deeper than crawford, especially after subtracting agon. Not making the trade was the better move if they wanted to compete next year. Since they made the trade I think they are best off waiting on the prospects to develop
there’s nothing wrong with having that opinion, but you didn’t tell me why you have it so there isn’t much to say
Simple: Crawford + Agon >>>>> Upton + 1B
Their pitching as I said in March was not suitable. They were depending on perfect scenario and if that didn’t work out they were gone. They expected 2010 Bucholz, 2011 Beckett; not 2010 beckett, and for 2 relievers to make a seamless move to the rotation.
Didn’t expect Lester to be this bad
If they resign ross I think that their outfield is fine, they are just short a firstbaseman and another top starter to pair with lester.
how can you have any confidence at all in that equation when you don’t know who the 1B will be? there are several combinations of upton+1B that are equal to or greater than crawford+gonzalez
you’re right that the team needs improvements in other areas as well, but everyone already knows that. it doesn’t have much to do with upton
Every team needs a player like Nick Swisher, except for the 08 White Sox.
The ’08 White Sox needed Swisher also. just didn’t need Quillen.
And for those who say “Quillen won the crown for them” that year.. Lack of any competition won the crown.. Don Zimmer could have led that team and won it, they had the pitching and even Zimmer couldn’t have fouled it up.
.360 obp/25 hr guy that can play lf/rf/1b. of course he is valuable.
Since 2009:
Granderson WAR – 15.3 (7.0 WAR in 1 season, SO he averages less than a 3 WAR in the other 3)
Swisher WAR – 14.3
If UZR is the best defensive metric we have, Granderson has had the worst UZR for any CF in baseball when you combine the last 2 years. And combined the last 2 years for Swisher, he has been the 5th Best in RF.
I mentioned previously this year that it might make more sense to keep Swisher over Granderson.
Yes sign Cody Ross and David Ortiz do not add Justin Upton get Swisher or Napoli to do 1b and then go after some pitching either by trade or free agency prefer trade as recent free agent pitchers we signed do not give me hope. I would like to see a few trades come the winter meetings would be cool if they could pull off a trade for King Felix or Dan Haren or Tim Lincecum or someone who can be a top 3 starter. I don’t really see them doing a trade like that but I can wish can’t I Iol
King felix is not available. I think that swish to play for the rs is the smarter move because his potential salary should be around what upton gets for the next 3 years and he is still a very solid player.
I watched Swisher hit .191 and strike out every other at-bat in the second half of 2008. He definitely connected with every television camera he found. No thanks.