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Archives for July 2013

Red Sox Sign Contreras, Lyon To Minor League Deals

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The Red Sox have signed right-handers Jose Contreras and Brandon Lyon to minor league deals and assigned each to Triple-A Pawtucket, the team announced (hat tip: Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald on Twitter).

Contreras, 41, was released by the Pirates just over 24 hours ago. He's spent time on the bereavement list and dealt with shoulder inflammation recently, but as Tim Dierkes noted yesterday, Contreras has excelled at Triple-A Indianapolis of late. The veteran Cuban has allowed just one earned run with 19 strikeouts against five walks in his past 16 2/3 minor league innings. Contreras is represented by agent Jaime Torres.

Lyon, 33, was released by the Mets 10 days ago. He was terrific in his first 31 1/3 innings for the Mets, posting a 3.16 ERA with 22 strikeouts against 10 walks in that time. However, he yielded eight earned runs over his next three innings of work, including a disastrous six-run meltdown against the Nationals. This will be Lyon's second stint with Boston, as he saved nine games and pitched to a 4.12 ERA in 59 innings with the Sox back in 2003. Lyon is a client of Meister Sports Management.

Cafardo On Rios, Young, Peavy, Aramis

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The Red Sox have scouted both Alex Rios and Michael Young recently, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (on Twitter). Cafardo adds that the team is likely to scout Jake Peavy's next few starts for the White Sox as he returns from the disabled list. In a separate tweet, Cafardo reports that the Yankees and Red Sox are both likely to scout Aramis Ramirez next week when he returns from the disabled list.

Boston's in Rios is somewhat of a surprise, as both Shane Victorino and Jacoby Ellsbury have played well across the board, and Daniel Nava is hitting .288/.374/.429 while playing the outfield corners. Nava's OPS has declined in each month this season, however, and he grades out as a poor defender according to both Ultimate Zone Rating and The Fielding Bible. Rios would also present the Sox with a right field option if they wish to move Victorino to center field in 2014, should Ellsbury sign elsewhere (my own speculation).

The Young connection makes sense in light of recent reports that they're looking at upgrades on the left side of their infield. There's said to be "intense" interest in Young from a number of teams, and the Phillies could probably move him even if they don't wish to fully commit as sellers.

Ramirez hasn't hit for much power this season when on the field, but he's hitting .271 with a .359 on-base percentage, which should appeal to both teams. Neither has received much production at the hot corner. He's under control through 2014, but the $16MM salary that he is guaranteed next year could be prohibitive for interested parties.

Earlier today it was reported that the Red Sox are also interested in Houston's Bud Norris, and last night the Pirates were also connected to Rios.

Boston Not Heavily Interested In Garza; Called About Norris

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The Red Sox were never a big factor in trade talks for Matt Garza because the team viewed him strictly as a rental and wasn't interested in offering him a long-term extension, writes WEEI.com's Rob Bradford. Because they only saw him as a two-and-a-half-month acquisition (plus the playoffs, ideally), they were unwilling to deal top-tier prospects. The Rangers are said to be on the verge of acquiring Garza as of this morning.

Bradford's colleague Alex Speier reports that the Red Sox are interested in Bud Norris more than rentals like Garza and Ervin Santana (though Santana is reportedly unavailable anyway). Boston has inquired on Norris, according to Speier, but finds the asking price to be too high at this time. GM Ben Cherington and his staff feel that he's being priced more like a front-of-the-rotation arm than a mid-rotation or back-end starter. That gels with previous reports that the Astros want a pair of top prospects for Norris, who has also drawn interest from the Rangers, Pirates, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Giants recently.

Speier adds that the Sox are pleased with their core of upper-level pitching prospects such as Allen Webster, Brandon Workman, Drake Britton and Rubby de la Rosa. However, because none of them have proven anything at the big league level, the team may become more aggressive on Norris (and similarly controllable pitchers) if Houston's asking price drops. Norris is being paid just $3MM in 2013 and is controlled via arbitration through the 2015 campaign. Bradford notes that interest in adding an arm will increase if Clay Buchholz's health setbacks continue.

Additional Names Coming In Biogenesis Scandal

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Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that there are still many unreleased names in the ongoing Biogenesis scandal, and that the mystery surrounding the identity of these players will likely be a story throughout the season's second half.

None of the unreleased players are believed to be big names or superstars, according to Passan, but that doesn't mean that the unknown names aren't significant. Any pending free agents, extension candidates or trade candidates could have their stock significantly altered by a connection to Biogenesis.

Passan adds that Major League Baseball has not yet finished interviewing players connected to the clinic, and as a result, any hopes for an expedited process appear unlikely. Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, Nelson Cruz, Everth Cabrera, Bartolo Colon and Jhonny Peralta are just some of the notable Major League players connected to the clinic thus far, and suspensions are sounding like an inevitable outcome. The date and length of those suspensions has yet to be determined, however.

Trade Market For Left-Handed Relievers

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One lefty reliever has already been traded this month, with Matt Thornton going to the Red Sox in exchange for outfield prospect Brandon Jacobs. Over the past couple of years, lefties Randy Choate, Craig Breslow, Marc Rzepczynski and Trever Miller have been involved in July swaps as well. The Braves are reportedly one team in the market for left-handed relief help, but they'll be far from the only ones searching.

Here's a look at some of the names who could be on the market and the roles in which they've been used (though admittedly not all fall neatly into one category)…

Closers

Glen Perkins (Twins)

The Twins are just one of two teams to regularly deploy a left-handed closer, and the other (Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman) isn't even up for debate. GM Terry Ryan has turned away early inquiries on Perkins, which is understandable. Perkins is in the first year of a three-year, $10.3MM contract that contains a $4.5MM club option. He's pitched to a 1.82 ERA with 12.2 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 2013, and he has a 2.38 ERA dating back to 2011. On top of that, the Minnesota native is beloved by his hometown fans. Interested parties would likely have to make a shockingly large offer to acquire the 30-year-old.

Setup Men

Oliver Perez (Mariners), Mike Dunn (Marlins), Scott Downs (Angels), Antonio Bastardo (Phillies), Mike Gonzalez (Brewers), James Russell (Cubs), Darren Oliver (Blue Jays)

Perez has risen from the ashes to rebuild his career as a successful late-inning reliever. After a disastrous three-year deal as a starter with the Mets, he returned to the Majors in Seattle's bullpen last season. In 65 2/3 innings from 2012-13, Perez has posted a 1.92 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9. He's been terrific against both lefties and righties, and he earns just $1.5MM this season before hitting the open market.

The Marlins have flatly said that they don't want to trade Dunn, but some of that could be posturing, and teams will still surely be checking in. Like Perez, he's been effective against righties as well as lefties this season, holding each to an OPS under .670. His command is improved from 2012, though it's still shaky (4.4 BB/9), and he also whiffs about a batter per inning. Dunn is controlled through 2016, so an acquiring team would have to pay for three and a half years of his service.

Downs has obliterated opposing left-handers (.444 OPS) and held his own against right-handed hitters (.706 OPS). In the final season of a three-year, $15MM pact with the Angels, he is set to hit free agency at season's end. He's been one of the game's most effective lefty setup men since 2007 and has a bit of ninth-inning experience as well (25 saves in that time).

Bastardo's excellent strikeout rate has dipped a bit in 2013, but he's still whiffed more hitters than innings pitched with his typical rocky control. He's been effective against right- and left-handed hitters throughout his career, and he's earning just $1.4MM this season as a first-time arbitration player. The Phillies aren't clear sellers, but if they decide to move some pieces, Bastardo will be of interest.

Gonzalez is used primarily against left-handed hitters, though he hasn't been outstanding against righties or lefties. He's a free agent at season's end and earning just $2.25MM, however, which seems like a perfectly reasonable price for a 3.00 ERA, 10.9 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9. Both FIP and xFIP suggest that his ERA should be about a full run higher, however. The Brewers' pen has drawn quite a bit of interest thus far.

Russell's stock has fallen after he posted a 5.56 ERA in 11 1/3 innings in June. Forced to face more right-handed batters due to deficiencies in the Cubs' bullpen, he was hit hard and saw his sub-1.00 ERA soar. However, he's still at 2.78 on the season and has seven straight scoreless appearances (though he's totaled just 3 1/3 innings in that stretch). Russell is controlled through 2015, but his career splits suggest that he's more of a lefty specialist than a true setup man.

Oliver, strangely, has been hammered by lefties this season but dominated right-handed hitters. The seemingly ageless 42-year-old is a free agent at season's end but could be a big boost to a contender's relief corps if he can rediscover his typical form against lefties.

Multiple Inning Relievers

Tom Gorzelanny (Brewers), Brian Duensing (Twins), Charlie Furbush (Mariners), Brett Cecil (Blue Jays)

Gorzelanny has a long background as a starting pitcher, but he's been used primarily in relief for the Brewers. His final two appearances prior to the All-Star break were starts, however, and that flexibility is likely appealing to other clubs. He's more effective against left-handers but has gone multiple innings numerous times this season. He can be controlled via arbitration for the 2014 season.

Duensing has been jerked back and forth between the Twins' rotation and bullpen throughout his career, but his glaring platoon splits indicate that he's best suited for a role as a left-handed specialist. He's been unusually susceptible to left-handed opponents this season but has held them to a .583 OPS for his career (compared to .828 for right-handed hitters). The former third-round pick is under team control through 2015.

Furbush isn't a free agent until after the 2017 season, so there's no rush for the Mariners to trade him. He's been reasonably effective against righties and stifled lefties, and he's thrown more than one inning in 10 of his appearances so far this season. Teams in need of relief help would undoubtedly be happy to land a lefty of that ilk.

Cecil is holding righties in check for the first time this season and has worked an inning-plus multiple times as a result. Lefties have a sub-.400 OPS against him, and he's under control through 2016 as a Super Two player. The first-time All-Star would likely have a notable asking price.

Lefty Specialists

Javier Lopez (Giants), Joe Thatcher (Padres), Travis Blackley (Astros), Wesley Wright (Astros)

Wright has been hit by both lefties and righties this season but excelled against lefty swingers in 2012. He can be controlled through 2015 and is making just $1.03MM after going through arbitration for the first time this past offseason.

Lopez, Thatcher and Blackley have been used primarily for one or two outs recently, and all three have held left-handers to an OPS under .600, with Thatcher limiting them to a brilliant .458 mark. Lopez is a free agent following the season, while Thatcher is controlled through 2014 and Blackley can be controlled through 2016. Blackley has starting experience as 2012 with the A's, so he could theoretically be stretched out into a longer role, though his splits aren't encouraging.

For more on the 2013 trade market, take a look at Tim Dierkes' examination of the market for catchers, first basemen, shortstops, third basemen, starting pitchers and designated hitters as well as my own look at the market for second basemen, corner outfielders, center fielders and right-handed relievers.

Prospect Rumor Roundup: Trade Bait

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The July trade deadline in Major League Baseball is less than two weeks away on the 31st. We don't exactly know who will be on the move, or how many trades will be completed, but we do know that a lot of minor league prospects will be changing uniforms within the next 13 days.

Below is a look at some of the prospects who could be on the move to new organizations looking to build for the future.

American League

Athletics: Oakland hasn't shied away from leaning on young players while in a playoff hunt and recent promotions for pitcher Sonny Gray and infielder/outfielder Grant Green could also serve a secondary purpose: showcasing. Gray, a right-handed hurler, was extremely successful in Triple-A and was lights-out during his one big league appearance before the All-Star break. He could develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter, or a high-leverage reliever. Green has played sparingly since his promotion but the former first round draft pick's versatility could be highly coveted.  

Indians: Cleveland has one of the top shortstop prospects in (untouchable) Francisco Lindor, which could make fellow infielder Dorssys Paulino expendable in the right deal. Just 18, his numbers don't look great but he's holding his own in Low-A ball at a young age and has shown signs of improvement in June and July.

Orioles: L.J.Hoes doesn't have a huge ceiling but the 23-year-old prospect can play all three outfield positions, as well as second and third base. Currently hitting .308/.405/.413 at Triple-A, he makes good contact and can run the bases well.

Rangers: It would probably take a very intriguing veteran player with more than one year of control but Texas' middle infield depth could allow the club to dangle shortstop Luis Sardinas on the trade market. The 20-year-old infielder is a slick defender with little-to-no power but the ability to hit for average and steal some bases.

Rays: Right-hander Alex Colome made three starts with Tampa Bay earlier this year and the organization's pitching depth could allow the right-hander to be offered in an attractive deal, but he's currently on the Triple-A disabled list with what has been called a "mild elbow strain." Second baseman Ryan Brett, 21, received a 50-game suspension last year, so that cloud is still hanging over his head, but the scrappy baseball player can really hit. He's currently batting .336/.392/.480 with 17 steals in 39High-A ball games.

Red Sox: Boston is in an enviable position with a fair amount of depth that can be used to help strengthen the big league product. The presence of top prospect Xander Bogaerts means that the club can comfortably move third base prospect Garin Cecchini or shortstop Deven Marrero, should the right deal come along, because Bogaerts could probably handle either position at the big league level. Cecchini swings a mean stick but he lacks the prototypical power that teams look for from the hot corner. Marrero's numbers have been respectable in 2013 but nothing to write home about. A team that really liked him in college, though, might be willing to bite. 

Tigers: The Tigers system is pretty thin, which could impact the organization's ability to make key moves via the trade market. Outfielder Danry Vasquez is highly projectable thanks to his frame and left-handed swing, both of which hint at future power. Just 19, he's aggressive but makes good contact given his limited experience.

Yankees: Catcher J.R. Murphy could be an attractive name on the trade market, if New York is willing to part with him knowing that Gary Sanchez is not that far behind. Murphy is an offensive-minded backstop who's improved his defensive game, especially with throwing out baserunners. 

National League

Braves: On the surface it seems like the Braves haven't really made the amateur draft a priority in recent years and that has hurt the organization's depth. The versatile Joey Terdoslavich's strong performance in Triple-A earned him a promotion to the big league level where he's possibly been showcased for a deal. The pop in his bat, along with his ability to switch hit and positional versatility could make him an intriguing trade target.

Cardinals: The Cardinals have some impressive middle infield depth and former first round draft pick Kolten Wong could become a casualty. The second baseman can hit, but converted third baseman Matt Carpenter has been nothing short of brilliant at the big league level. Any team that acquires Wong is getting a player who's very close to MLB ready.

Diamondbacks: If Arizona is looking to make a big splash at the trade deadline, the club has a lot of pitching depth to deal from, including (likely) untouchables Archie Bradley and Tyler Skaggs. It would take a special player coming over to Arizona to nab him, but lefty David Holmberg is an underrated talent that could help a lot of ball clubs. His ceiling is probably that of a No. 3 or 4 starter but he's been durable and isn't afraid to throw strikes.

Dodgers: Los Angeles is always rumored to have a lot of irons in the fire and the club is definitely looking to improve itself despite the massive payroll. Southpaw Onelki Garcia, signed out of Cuba in 2012, made just one appearances during the regular season last year. In 2013, he's been very good in Double-A thanks to his above-average fastball. He's mostly viewed as a future reliever but Garcia has made six starts. 

Pirates: To get value back, you often have to trade quality players. Pittsburgh has enjoyed breakouts over the past year in the form of infielder Alen Hanson, outfielder Gregory Polanco and pitcher Tyler Glasnow, among others, and that trio is probably safe at the trade deadline barring a blockbuster deal. However, pitcher Luis Heredia could perhaps be had at the right price. The right-hander is just 18 with three years of pro experience under his belt. He's a larger-framed pitcher and hasn't developed quite as hoped, suggesting a modest ceiling as a starter.  He's been passed on the depth chart by a number of guys like Jameson Taillon, Nick Kingham and Glasnow.

Reds: Outfielder Jesse Winker doesn't wow with his tools but he gets the most out of his abilities and is one of the safer bets in Cincinnati's system to have a big league career. The 19-year-old prospect has modest power and doesn't steal bases so he's going to have to hit for average to provide value as a hitter — along with his willingness to take a free pass.

Rockies: Colorado doesn't have much in the way of tradable commodities, but the organization could cash in on the lack of catching depth around the game — much like the Yankees — with Tom Murphy. The second-year catcher, who's now 22 years old, has inexplicably been left in Low-A ball all year long despite overpowering the younger competition. He's by no means a finished product and has holes in his game but an OPS over 1.000 is going to attract some suitors.

Pirates Targeting Rios; May Have Interest In Ramirez

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The Pirates own the second-best record in all of baseball but find themselves in second place in their own division thanks to the Cardinals. Seeking to bolster their lineup for the season's second half, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that GM Neal Huntington has his sights set on Alex Rios and may be interested in Alexei Ramirez as well.

Pirates right fielders have combined to hit .235/.309/.394 this season and played below replacement level as a whole, according to Fangraphs, thanks to poor defense and baserunning. Rios would obviously serve as a massive upgrade for the final two and a half months, as he's hitting .270/.326/.429 with strong defense and baserunning. However, as Heyman notes, the $18MM that he is guaranteed through next season is steep for the Pirates, who opened the season with a payroll just under $67MM.

Ramirez is also costly, as he's owed $23MM through the 2015 season. He's hitting .286/.311/.358 with 20 stolen bases, and advanced metrics like Ultimate Zone Rating love his range at shortstop. Jordy Mercer took over as Pittsburgh's starting shortstop recently, but he's hitting just .188/.246/.188 over his past 18 games and doesn't have much of a track record.

To this point, the White Sox have been "extremely disappointed" in the offers they've received for Rios, but the Pirates have a deep farm system that ranked seventh in baseball prior to the season, according to Baseball America. It stands to reason that the Pirates could put together an enticing offer, especially if White Sox GM Rick Hahn agrees to include cash to help facilitate a deal. The Buccos are not one of the six teams on Rios' no-trade list.

Quick Hits: Delgado, Top Prospects, Byrd, Relievers

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The Blue Jays will add Carlos Delgado to the Level of Excellence at the Rogers Centre this weekend — an honor bestowed upon the greatest Jays in franchise history. Delgado spent a dozen seasons with the Jays, hitting .282/.392/.556 with 336 homers in 6,018 plate appearances. He will join Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Tony Fernandez, George Bell and Dave Stieb as players to receive the distinction. Here's more from around the league…

  • ESPN's Keith Law unveiled the latest edition of his Top 50 prospects (ESPN Insider required and recommended), and it's fronted by Twins Class A Advanced center fielder Byron Buxton, though Law cautions that even he is a little uncomfortable with the amount of hype Buxton is receiving. Oscar Taveras, Xander Bogaerts, Miguel Sano and Francisco Lindor round out Law's Top 5.
  • The Mets will need to be "overwhelmed" to trade Marlon Byrd, writes Jorge Castillo of the Newark Star Ledger. "Overwhelmed," of course, is a relative term, and manager Terry Collins states things more lightly later in the article: "Right now, Marlon Byrd’s a huge piece. If Marlon Byrd’s going to get moved, we’re going to get something good back." Castillo's article meshes with previous reports that the Mets may simply stand pat at the deadline.
  • A team official tells Mike Puma of the New York Post that the Mets haven't had any action yet on Byrd or closer Bobby Parnell (Twitter link).
  • ESPN's Jim Bowden examines the trade market for relievers (video link), naming all of the usual suspects that have been mentioned previously but also adding Jared Burton, Huston Street and Luke Gregerson, who haven't been mentioned often this summer. All three are controlled beyond 2013. Bowden's colleague Buster Olney tweeted earlier today that the Diamondbacks continue to be players on the relief pitching market.
  • Uncertainty surrounding Clay Buchholz's injuries hasn't changed Boston's approach to the trade deadline, writes Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. The Red Sox still plan to be "selective" as they debate possibilities to upgrade what they consider to be strong rotation depth. The team is also still interested in upgrades at third base and in the bullpen.

AL Central Links: Morneau, Royals, Gonzalez, Linares

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Earlier tonight, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports took a look at the Twins' trade chips, noting that the market for Justin Morneau is soft at this time, with a few interested parties deterred by the $6MM remaining on the former MVP's contract. Here's more on Morneau and the rest of the AL Central…

  • Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes that the M&M Boys (Joe Mauer and Morneau) in Minnesota is coming to an end. Berardino took some time over the All-Star break to talk to Mauer and former teammates Michael Cuddyer, Joe Nathan and Carlos Gomez about Morneau's leadership abilities. All spoke with the utmost respect for the Canadian slugger.
  • Royals general manager Dayton Moore is not in sell mode despite the team's recent slide in the standings, writes Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Moore says he won't shift gears and focus on the future, though that doesn't mean he won't acquire players who can help the team beyond 2013. He also won't entertain offers for free-agent-to-be Ervin Santana.
  • A source close to Cuban right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez told Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities that there's no steam between the Twins and Gonzalez (Twitter link). Earlier tonight, the Twins were connected to Gonzalez but listed as a long shot due to his price tag.
  • The White Sox and Indians are two of the three teams that MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports as suitors for 19-year-old Cuban right-hander Leandro Linares (Twitter links). The Marlins also have interest in Linares, who does fall under the newest CBA's international signing guidelines.

Lincecum Has Limited No-Trade Clause; Unlikely To Be Moved

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9:45pm: Lincecum's no-trade clause is likely to be a moot point, as general manager Brian Sabean said today on KNBR radio: "I find it hard to believe we'll see Timmy in another uniform this year" (via Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle on Twitter).

Lincecum told Schulman's colleague, John Shea, that he's not worried about trade talk, especially after Sabean's comments (Twitter link).

7:06pm: Tim Lincecum has a previously unreported limited no-trade clause in his contract that would allow him to block trades to eight teams, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The Red Sox and Tigers aren't on that list, he adds, alluding to a report from earlier in the week that the Tigers have interest in acquiring "The Freak" and converting him to a reliever.

A Tigers acquisition is a "major long shot," and one NL executive called the idea of a team acquiring Lincecum and converting him into a closer "far-fetched." Heyman adds that Lincecum likely wouldn't be happy about the move anyway. He prefers to start, and because he's just over two months away from hitting the open market for the first time, a move to the bullpen may reduce his free agent value.

The 29-year-old Lincecum has a 4.26 ERA with 9.7 K/9, 3.7 BB/9 and a 46.2 percent ground-ball rate in 116 1/3 innings this season. He's in the final season of a two-year, $40.5MM contract he signed with the Giants to avoid arbitration prior to the 2012 campaign. He's lost significant life on his fastball and seen his command worsen in that time, leading to results that look more like a fourth or fifth starter than a two-time Cy Young winner. 

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