NL Notes: Dodgers, Phillies, Zambrano, Marmol
If you're looking for some good reading over your Saturday morning coffee, here are a few nice leftovers from yesterday: Writing for Fangraphs, MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet broke down the position players who will participate in the MLB Futures Game. MLB.com's Corey Brock had the story of former third-overall pick Donavan Tate's attempt to revive his injury- and addiction-plagued career. Writing for the Biz of Baseball, Maury Brown discussed the decline in MLB and MiLB PED suspensions thus far in 2013. And as the Washington Post's Dave Sheinin reports, youth baseball is experiencing what could be an inner-city renaissance in Washington, D.C. On to some National League notes:
- Dodgers fans are probably still reeling from last night's beating, the team's worst home loss (Twitter link) since the franchise played in Brooklyn. But with the club's offense pointing upwards of late and with just six games to make up in a scuffling NL West, Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes that L.A. still could be looking to buy pitching. He says that the Dodgers cannot depend on a mix of Chris Capuano, Stephen Fife, Ted Lilly, and Matt Magill at the back of the rotation, and would be even more foolish to place their faith in Brandon League, Peter Moylan, and Matt Guerrier with late-inning pen roles.
- While the Phillies continue to hang around just under .500, speculation has focused on whether the club might deal top arms Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon. Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com wonders whether the club might be more likely to look to deal infielders Chase Utley or Michael Young, in spite of the no-trade protection that both enjoy. With Utley and Young set to become free agents after the season, a clear fall away from contention would make it difficult to pass up a youth infusion. On the other hand, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says that his "intention would be to keep [Utley] in our uniform for the rest of his career, if possible." Should the Phils look to deal, Knobler suggests that the Yankees could be in on both players, with the Royals potentially interested in Utley.
- One player that Philadelphia was hoping might provide a boost was mid-season signee Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano's inconsistent performance in minor league action had already dampened any real enthusiasm for his ascension to the bigs, but he took the Triple-A mound last night hoping to convince Amaro that a call-up was warranted in advance of his July 1 opt-out date. Instead, Zambrano left the game with what Amaro called "serious pain" in his shoulder. As Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports via Twitter, the injury means that Zambrano's already-uncertain big league return will now definitely not occur for the foreseeable future.
- Embattled Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol, who currently sits in DFA limbo, may be able to draw some kind of trade return after all. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe tweeted yesterday that three unnamed teams have shown some interest in Marmol.
International Notes: July 2, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez
Fresh off of wielding the biggest budget in the domestic amateur draft, the Astros are preparing once again to open the club's wallet for some high-risk, high-reward prospects. The 16-year old international signing period opens on July 2, and Houston will have an available bonus pool of $4.9MM to spend, the most in all of baseball. As GM Jeff Luhnow described it to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, the onset of the signing period "is basically a free-for-all." Luhnow continued: "From Monday at midnight and Tuesday at midnight, there will be about $20-30MM spent by the industry in that one day."
- As MLBTR's Marc Hulet explained earlier today, Baseball America's Ben Badler is a key source of information on the July 2 market. Expanding on his previous work, Badler released his list of the top thirty available prospects who are expected to sign just a few days from now. He also provides an excellent explanation of the way the market works. His top five players are Eloy Jimenez (outfielder, Dominican Republic), Gleyber Torres (shortstop, Venezuela), Rafael Devers (third baseman, D.R.), Luis Encarnacion (third baseman, D.R.), and Leonardo Molina (center fielder, D.R.).
- One international prospect who will not go through the draft process is 26-year-old Cuban righty Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. As the recently-declared free agent awaits government authorization to begin negotiating a deal, he has already been heavily scouted by interested clubs. MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez notes (via Twitter) that he expects Gonzalez to sign quickly once the government clears him.
- Meanwhile, CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler — who reported that Gonzalez could get as much as $60MM on a five-year pact — tweets that the Dodgers could be planning to "go all out" to sign the hurler. Peter Gammons, likewise, said on Twitter that there were many teams interested but that "the bets are still on the Dodgers."
- The deep pockets of Los Angeles, along with the broad interest of many big league clubs, could drive a substantial price for Gonzalez. A reported 45 scouts were on hand to watch him throw for the Tijuana Toros, writes Knobler. Teams that sent representatives included the Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Angels. Knobler says that scouts have estimated a Gonzalez signing bonus at anywhere from $40MM to $60MM and above.
Deadline Notes: Starters, Astros, Utley, Braves, Perkins
Let's have a look at the latest talk surrounding the approaching trade deadline season:
- Starting pitching is an active priority for the Orioles, writes Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Hurlers that the club is reportedly looking at include Ricky Nolasco (Marlins), Edinson Volquez and Andrew Cashner (Padres), Matt Garza and Scott Feldman (Cubs), Jake Peavy (White Sox), Bud Norris (Astros), and recent Oriole Joe Saunders (currently with the Mariners). The trouble for the O's, according to Connolly, will be coming up with enough prospects that the team can stomach dealing.
- The Giants are most interested in acquiring a starter that the team can control for more than this year, tweets FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi. In spite of that preference, Morosi says that San Francisco is interested in popular trade subject Matt Garza.
- The Cubs' Garza is generating a lot of attention given his evident availability and intriguing return from a long DL stint. Paul Swydan of Fangraphs wonders, however, whether the oft-injured Garza is really worth the hype. Swydan says that Garza's overall track record as a solid middle or back-of-the-rotation starter is what teams should expect to be buying, especially since his recent starts have come against some of baseball's weaker-hitting clubs.
- Trade talks are "ongoing" for two prominent members of the Astros, starter Bud Norris and closer Jose Veras, tweets Morosi. Both were recent subjects of MLBTR trade candidate analysis, as Mark Polishuk took a look at Norris and Steve Adams analyzed Veras.
- The most obvious trade in baseball, according to Fangraphs' Dave Cameron, is a deal sending Chase Utley from the Phillies to the Athletics. Cameron argues that Utley is still a highly productive second bagger, and would be a huge upgrade at the spot that the A's most need one.
- With the Braves losing key bench bat Ramiro Pena to season-ending shoulder surgery, MLB.com's Mark Bowman wonders whether the team will be more inclined to seek a third baseman before the trade deadline. While Chris Johnson has hit the ball fantastically, he has been a problem on the defensive side. Meanwhile, the team designated and then traded Johnson's early-season platoon partner, Juan Francisco, earlier in the year.
- The Twins face a difficult choice with 30-year-old closer Glen Perkins, writes ESPN's Buster Olney (on Insider). (Olney expanded upon his tweet yesterday addressing the Perkins situation.) With Perkins' value trending way up — he sports a 2.12 ERA, has registered 12.4 K/9 against just 2.1 BB/9, and is inked to a very reasonable three-year deal (plus option) — Minnesota could reap a major return.
Mariners Designate Alex Liddi For Assignment
The Mariners have designated infielder Alex Liddi for assignment, tweets Shannon Drayer of ESPN Radio Seattle. The move was made in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for the promotion of shortstop Brad Miller. (Carlos Triunfel was optioned to make room on the active roster.)
Liddi, 24, has been underwhelming in limited big league experience, with a .208/.266/.370 line in 188 plate appearances. His minor league performance has been much stronger, with a .263/.322/.454 slash over his 262 plate appearances in Triple-A this year (including 11 home runs) to go with a similar .270/.325/.456 line last year.
Liddi is the first born-and-bred Italian to play in Major League Baseball. The designation of Liddi was somewhat unexpected given his young age and power potential, as well as Seattle's other options for clearing a roster spot. As Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports noted on Twitter, Liddi figures to draw some interest from other clubs given his upside.
AL Central Notes: Sox, Morneau, Willingham, Twins
The latest out of the American League Central…
- Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com spoke with a league source who confirmed Jon Heyman's report from earlier this week that the White Sox are open for business, with the exception of Chris Sale and Paul Konerko. Hayes' source said that in the event the Sox were to make Sale available, he'd fetch an even larger haul than the Padres received for Mat Latos.
- The Twins have begun to receive phone calls on Josh Willingham and Justin Morneau, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Morneau is a free agent at season's end, while Willingham is owed $7MM in 2014.
- The Twins will not be in attendance for Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez's showcase in Tijuana tonight, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link). The Twins have seen Gonzalez "a ton" already, he adds, noting that his price tag makes him a long shot for Minnesota.
- Indians minor league right-hander Dillon Howard has been suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (on Twitter). Howard was the Tribe's second-round selection in 2011 and ranked as the team's No. 25 prospect prior to the season, according to Baseball America.
Dodgers Designate Luis Cruz For Assignment
The Dodgers have designated infielder Luis Cruz for assignment, the team announced on Twitter. In a corresponding move, the club reinstated outfielder Scott Van Slyke from the 15-day DL. According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter), Cruz's agent says that he has not yet decided whether he would accept a minor league assignment by the Dodgers if he clears waivers.
The 29-year-old Cruz entered the season looking to seize the opportunity presented by the Dodgers' opening at third and an injury to shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Instead of building on his solid 2012, in which he posted a .297/.322/.431 line in 296 plate appearances, Cruz struggled from the get-go. He currently sports an anemic .127/.175/.169 triple-slash across 128 plate appearances. As Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times noted on Twitter, Cruz is worst in the bigs in each of those categories among hitters with at least 100 at-bats.
Corey Hart To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Brewers first baseman Corey Hart has spent the whole season rehabbing a right knee injury, but he will undergo surgery on his left knee and miss the entire 2013 season, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
The news means that the Brewers, who will clearly be sellers at the deadline this season, will lose a player who could have been one of their primary trade chips. The Brewers could still dangle Yovani Gallardo, Aramis Ramirez, Norichika Aoki, Kyle Lohse and a number of other players, but Hart's .279/.343/.514 batting line and average of 29 homers per season from 2010-12 certainly would have been of their more desireable assets.
The move also have significant implications for Hart, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season. Had he enjoyed a healthy season with similar production, Hart could have positioned himself for a four- or perhaps even five-year deal. Now, he's likely looking at a one-year deal to prove his health.
Draft News: Lanphere, Farinaro, Bryant
Last night, the Pirates agreed to terms with first-rounder Austin Meadows. Here are today's draft-related news items and notable non-first-round signings…
- The Rangers have signed 21st-rounder Luke Lanphere for a $400K signing bonus, according to Baseball America's Jim Callis (Twitter link). That's $300K over-slot for Lanphere, a projectable high school right-hander out of California. The UC Riverside recruit's fastball touches 91 mph presently, according to Callis.
- Baseball America reports that Cardinals 11th-round pick Steven Farinaro signed for $750K, which is the largest bonus ever for a player drafted after the 10th round under the new CBA's rules. Because the assigned pick value for each pick after the 10th round is $100K, signing Farinaro meant a $650K hit to the Cards' bonus pool. The Cardinals have now exceeded their bonus pool by $325K, resulting in a $243K penalty tax and leaving them just $20,896 shy of the point at which they would forfeit their 2014 first-round pick. Farinaro, a high school right-hander, ranked 423rd on BA's Top 500.
- While recent reports suggest that the Cubs and No. 2 overall pick Kris Bryant are "nowhere close" to a deal, Jim Callis of Baseball America tweets that he expects a deal to be completed. He does note that Bryant could be the last first-rounder to sign, however.
Minor Moves: Kinney, Prior, Sherrill
Here's today's collection of minor moves from around the league…
- The Mariners announced that they have re-instated right-hander Josh Kinney from the 60-day DL and outrighted him to Triple-A Tacoma. Kinney was placed on the disabled list on March 25 with a stress reaction in his rib cage. He's thrown 8 1/3 innings at Triple-A over the course of a rehab assignment, allowing three runs with seven strikeouts and no walks.
- Mark Prior has been released from the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville, the team announced via Twitter. The former phenom has been on the shelf since April 25 with a right shoulder strain. He posted a 4.66 ERA with nine strikeouts and four walks (one intentional) in 9 2/3 innings for the Bats this year. Prior hasn't appeared in the Majors since 2006.
- Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star tweets that the Royals have released lefty George Sherrill from Triple-A Omaha. Scott Unger, media relations manager of the independent league Winnipeg Goldeyes (for whom Sherrill used to pitch) first tweeted the news yesterday. The 36-year-old Sherrill posted a 6.23 ERA with with 12.5 K/9 and 5.8 BB/9 in 21 2/3 innings for the Storm Chasers this season. Sherrill racked up 51 saves for the Orioles from 2008-09 after they received him along with Adam Jones, Chris Tillman and Kam Mickolio from the Mariners in 2008's Erik Bedard heist. He has a 3.77 ERA in 324 1/3 Major League innings between the Mariners, Orioles, Dodgers and Braves. Sherrill pitched just 1 1/3 innings last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in early May.
- Three players are currently in DFA limbo: Carlos Marmol of the Cubs, Francisley Bueno of the Royals and Eric Thames of the Mariners.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Nolasco, Garza, Utley, Yankees
On this date in 2009, Mariano Rivera joined Trevor Hoffman in becoming only the second pitcher to record 500 saves. Rivera, who also registered his first RBI of his 15-year career that night, reached the milestone by getting the last four outs in the Yankees' 4-2 win over the Mets at Citi Field. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- I R Fast looks at Ricky Nolasco's pitching with runners on base.
- Rays Colored Glasses sees Tampa Bay as a sleeper destination for Matt Garza.
- Phillies Nation tries to pin down what the Phillies could get for Chase Utley.
- Pinstripe Pundits sees Carlos Ruiz as a fit for the Bombers.
- i70 Baseball gives some credit to the Royals' pitching.
- MLB Reports discussed Kirk Gibson's managerial style.
- Lasorda's Lair wonders how many games it'll take to win the NL West.
- Baseball Hot Corner highlights some of the league's top rookies.
- NASORB checks out the fences at Safeco.
- WCB Sports breaks down a potential Marlins-Dodgers swap involving Nolasco.
- Replacement Level Red Sox talks situational pitching.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.