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Archives for September 2012

Week In Review: 9/2/12 – 9/8/12

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With the battle for playoff spots heating up, let's take a break in the action to catch up on the week that was at MLBTR…

  • The Giants designated Steve Edlefsen for assignment. Edlefsen, 27, has made 27 relief appearances for San Francisco over the last two seasons, pitching to a 6.75 ERA with more walks (16) than strikeouts (15) in 26 2/3 innings.
  • The Cubs claimed Jason Berken off of waivers from the Orioles, who designated the right-hander for assignment. Berken spent most of the 2012 season at Triple-A, where he posted a 3.50 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 26 starts.
  • The Rangers released left-hander Miguel De Los Santos. The 24-year-old posted a 5.22 ERA with 10.7 K/9 and 5.2 BB/9 in 58 2/3 innings at Double-A this year.  
  • Outfielder Chris Denorfia agreed to a contract extension with the Padres that will keep him in San Diego through 2014. The Pro Star Management client will earn $2MM in 2013 and $2.25 in '14.
  • The Giants designated Eric Hacker for assignment. Hacker spent the bulk of the year with Triple-A Fresno, posting a 4.01 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 25 starts and one relief appearance.
  • The Padres designated pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and catcher Eddy Rodriguez for assignment.  The moves allowed the club to recall right-hander Brad Boxberger and infielder/outfielder Andy Parrino from Triple-A.
  • Minor league catcher Guillermo Quiroz joined the Red Sox organization after being acquired from Seattle for cash considerations. Quiroz posted a .278/.362/.483 batting line in 347 plate appearances at Triple-A Tacoma in 2012.
  • The Mariners designated outfielder Johermyn Chavez for assignment. The 23-year-old posted a .232/.339/.386 batting line in 288 plate appearances at Double-A.
  • The Yankees released outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who had signed a minor league deal with New York in July. In five big league seasons, Fukudome owns a .258/.359/.395 batting line for the Cubs, Indians, and White Sox.
  • Utility man Oscar Tejeda has been outrighted to the minors after being designated for assignment by the Pirates. The 22-year-old has hit .253/.293/.380 with eight homers in Double-A this season with most of his time coming at left field.

Poll: What’s Been The Most Unlikely Storyline In ’12?

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A quick look at the 2012 Major League Baseball season reveals a year full of compelling happenings and surprising events that have captivated the attention of the baseball world. From the success of rookie outfielder Mike Trout, who spent the majority of the season playing at age 20, to teams like the Orioles and Athletics mounting viable charges for playoff spots as September quickly gives way to October, this regular season has turned countless heads with mere weeks remaining. Simply put, surprise after surprise has made for good theater. 

Consider the seven choices presented below to help determine which storyline has been the most unlikely during the 2012 Major League Baseball season thus far. Have a different player, team or memory in mind? Head to the comment section to leave a thoughtful response citing your case. 

MLBTR Originals

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A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

AL East Notes: Yankees, Big Papi, Markakis, Red Sox

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Yesterday, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com surveyed two National League executives on Robinson Cano and his value as he inches closer to hitting the open market.  Both supported the Yankees spending big on the second baseman and one even said that he has a legitimate case for a $200MM extension.  Here's more on the Yankees and other AL East items..

  • David Ortiz told reporters, including the Boston Herald's Scott Lauber, that he may not play again for the Red Sox this year because of his strained right Achilles. "To be honest with you, what I’m looking for right now is to make sure I heal up the right way," Ortiz said. "I pushed it once. Didn’t work. So I’m not going to push it again." Ortiz, who has played only once since July 16, received a platelet-rich plasma injection nearly two weeks ago that has left him feeling “totally different.” But, he is still wearing a protective boot on his right foot and won’t attempt any baseball activities until at least Tuesday when he’s expected to have it removed. 
  • The Orioles' Nick Markakis is expected to undergo surgery tomorrow to insert a plate into his broken left thumb, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN.com. The surgery could speed up the recovery process, so the Orioles remain optimistic Markakis could return if they go deep into the playoffs, writes Kubatko.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post looks at five personnel decisions that backfired on the Yankees this season.  Sherman writes that the trade of Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda was among the club's biggest mistakes.  Although Pineda could bounce back from injury and fulfill his potential, Montero could have been a long-term answer for the Yankees in the event that Russell Martin leaves via free agency.
  • Theo Epstein only deserves some of the blame for the situation that the Red Sox are in and not all of it, opines John Tomase of the Boston Herald.  While Epstein made the big money deals that tied up the club's payroll, owners John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino had final say over all of them. 
  • Daisuke Matsuzaka's next start with the Red Sox could be his last with the club, writes Michael Vega of the Boston Globe.  "Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll be wearing this Red Sox uniform next year," Matsuzaka said through his interpreter, Jeff Cutler. "As I’ve said before, it’s an honor to be able to wear this Red Sox uniform, but it hasn’t been an added stress for me."
  • Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine told NESN's Tom Caron that the criticism that has been directed at him stems from personal gripes, writes Alex Speier of WEEI.com.  Valentine believes that he has always received unfair criticism and anticipated more of it when he arrived in Boston.

Edward Creech also contributed to this post.

NL Notes: Strasburg, Carpenter, Pirates

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The first Sunday of the new NFL season has not gone unnoticed by MLB players. The Cubs are celebrating by wearing a NFL jersey of their choice on their flight from Pittsburgh to Houston tonight, reports Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com. But, like their season, the idea wasn't without its pitfalls. While Floridian Anthony Rizzo (Dolphins), Baltimore native Steve Clevenger (Ravens), and Virginian Shawn Camp (Redskins) came prepared, others were left to the mercy of jersey shopping in Pittsburgh. So, newly acquired Jason Berken, a Packers season-ticker holder, had to settle for a Steelers jersey. Enough of the gridiron and back to the diamond:

  • The Stephen Strasburg shutdown will test all of Nationals' intangibles: its confidence, cohesion, and just plain stubbornness, writes Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post. 
  • Jake Westbrook will miss his next start for the Cardinals with a right oblique injury. MLB.com's Jennifer Langosch reports Chris Carpenter is a possibility to replace Westbrook on Thursday. Carpenter, who has yet to pitch this year after undergoing surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome in his right shoulder, is set to throw a simulatated game tomorrow, but Langosch says the team could switch the schedule should they want Carpenter to step in immediately.
  • The Pirates are still developing their offseason plans for Gerrit Cole, the first overall selection in the 2011 draft, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Sulia). "We've got to spend some time with him and see where we can place him," Biertempfel quoted GM Neal Huntington as saying. Cole was roughed up in his final Triple-A start (eight runs in just two innings), but Huntingon was philosophical, "The biggest lesson is, Triple-A (batters) can hit 100 mph (pitches). If you keep coming with 100 mph, they're going to keep hitting it. You've got to use all your pitches. Things snowballed on him, things got a little quick for him. He's going to be better for it." 

Brewers Claim Miguel De Los Santos

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The Brewers have claimed left-hander Miguel De Los Santos off waivers from the Rangers, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Texas released De Los Santos on Friday after designating him for assignment on September 1.

The 24-year-old posted a 5.22 ERA with 10.7 K/9 and 5.2 BB/9 in 58 2/3 innings at Double-A Frisco this year covering 22 relief appearances and four starts. Baseball America ranked De Los Santos 29th among Rangers prospects before the season, crediting him for the best changeup in the organization.

This is the second De Los Santos the Brewers have acquired in the last five weeks. Milwaukee picked up Fautino De Los Santos, no relation, from the A's in exchange for George Kottaras on July 29. The Brewers now have one open spot on their 40-man roster. For the latest on teams with open 40-man roster spots, check out Ben Nicholson-Smith's post from earlier in the week.  

Quick Hits: Marlins, Beinfest, Rasmus, Pirates

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Sunday afternoon linkage..

  • Sources say that there is a growing expectation within the Marlins organization that Larry Beinfest will lose power and that Dan Jennings will gain influence and become the dominant advisory voice for owner Jeffery Loria, writes Buster Olney of ESPN.com.  It also remains to be seen whether Beinfest would be fired outright or simply see a loss in decision-making power.  Sources also expect to see at least three other major changes made as well.
  • The Blue Jays' next big focus will be to sign Colby Rasmus to a multi-year contract, writes Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star.  The centerfielder is currently set to hit the open market after the 2014 season.  Recently, Ben Nicholson-Smith looked back on the trade that brought Rasmus to Toronto.
  • Bob Cohn of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review asks if the Pirates are truly smart spenders or just a frugal franchise.  A recent piece by Bloomberg Businessweek had the Bucs as one of the most efficient spenders in MLB over the last five years, but Cohn is quick to point out the club's overall performance during that span versus their current play.  Pittsburgh has gone 326-489 over the past five seasons, finishing last in the National League Central four times and fourth in 2011.

Cafardo On Red Sox, Cabrera, Okajima, Quentin

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Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington will focus on trying to fix his team’s pitching from top to bottom this offseason, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.  Since drafting Jon Lester in 2002, the only major league starting pitchers the Red Sox have developed are Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, and Justin Masterson.  And while they had good luck with relievers Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard, Craig Hansen and Michael Bowden didn't work out as well.  When it comes to grooming their pitchers of the future, Cafardo suggests that the Red Sox should reach out to Rick Peterson to help steer the ship.  Here's more from today's column..

  • If Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera doesn't have any additional fallout relating to his 50-game suspension, GMs that were asked said they would look at him as a one-year contract possibility.  However, one GM noted that “If there’s competition for him, someone will go multiyear.”
  • Former Red Sox left-hander Hideki Okajima is in Japan and trying to work his way back to the majors.  Okajima is pitching extremely well in Japan, where many thought he wanted to stay, but  he wants another shot at the majors and may get it.
  • Carlos Quentin's contract is very reasonable for the small-market Padres, but they could still be open to moving him this offseason.  Quentin inked a three-year, $27MM extension with the club in July that includes a $10MM mutual option for 2016.
  • One veteran talent evaluator thinks many teams missed the boat on acquiring Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano.  While he’s not the centerpiece of any lineup he would be a good left field option for a team seeking a righthanded middle-of-the-order bat.
  • The Cubs will likely make a push for Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan, bullpen coach Gary Tuck, and possibly even bench coach Tim Bogar.  However, Bogar might prefer to stay in Boston.

Quick Hits: Perez, Indians, Phillies

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Some links as Saturday turns into Sunday…

Eric Hacker Elects Free Agency

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Right-hander Eric Hacker has rejected his outright assignment to pursue opportunities in Japan or Korea, reports Hank Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). The Giants designated him for assignment earlier this week and then outrighted him to Triple-A today.

Hacker, 29, allowed six runs in 9 2/3 innings with San Francisco earlier this season. He spent the bulk of the year with Triple-A Fresno, posting a 4.01 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 25 starts and one relief appearance. Hacker has a 4.76 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in five Triple-A campaigns.

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