Quick Hits: Santana, Liriano, Porter, Samardzija
The Royals' trade for Ervin Santana was the best move of the offseason, ESPN's Buster Olney writes. Santana has posted a 2.97 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in a resurgent season in Kansas City. Right behind the Santana deal, Olney says, was the Braves' deal for Justin Upton and Chris Johnson, followed by the Orioles' signing of Nate McLouth. Here are more notes from around the big leagues.
- Olney's ESPN colleague Jerry Crasnick writes about Francisco Liriano's surprising season with the Pirates. Sure enough, just hours after Crasnick's article was published, Liriano allowed ten runs against the Rockies at Coors Field. But he has still been a big part of the Pirates' stellar year, and for very cheap — Liriano has a complex contract based on the timing of his return from a broken humerus suffered last offseason, but the deal tops out at $4.75MM for 2013, and includes a reasonable vesting option for 2014. Crasnick also names the Rays' James Loney, the Mets' Marlon Byrd, and others as being among the best cheap signings of the offseason.
- Astros manager Bo Porter isn't planning on returning to Washington to manage the Nationals after Davey Johnson retires at the end of the season, Brian McTaggart and Chris Abshire of MLB.com report. "I'm the Houston Astros manager," says Porter. "I'm 100 percent entrenched into getting our situation here to where it is we want to be. The situation in Washington is completely out of my hands and — I'm going to give you my famous one — out of my jurisdiction." Porter is in the midst of a multi-year contract with the Astros, McTaggart and Abshire note, and could only leave for the Nats if the Astros decided to trade him or just let him depart. Neither scenario seems likely, however.
- Jeff Samardzija has struggled recently, but the Cubs don't think his contract situation has anything to do with it, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Samardzija allowed nine runs on Thursday against the Phillies, four starts after allowing nine against the Angels. "We’ve had some dialogue at different times, but nothing’s really changed on that front, so I don’t see why he would start pressing now as opposed to other times," says Cubs GM Jed Hoyer. Before the non-waiver trade deadline, Samardzija's name occasionally appeared in trade rumors, but it never looked particularly likely that the Cubs would deal him. The two sides reportedly will discuss a contract extension after the season is over. Samardzija is eligible for free agency after 2015.
AL Notes: White Sox, Vargas, Morneau
GM Rick Hahn of the White Sox says he plans on spending more on young talent in 2014, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. The White Sox have saved plenty of money in their recent trades of Jake Peavy and Alex Rios, and it sounds like Hahn doesn't plan on using those savings on Major League payroll right away. "It's going to go to making the big league club better for the long haul, no doubt," says Hahn. "One of the positives of an unfortunate season like this is we're going to have the opportunity in all probability to spend a lot more money on amateur talent." Before the season, Baseball America ranked the White Sox's farm system the second-worst of any organization. Hahn also says the White Sox could continue trading this August. Here are more notes from the American League.
- The Angels are no longer in the playoff hunt, but free-agent-to-be Jason Vargas still has something to play for, the Los Angeles Times' Mike DiGiovanna writes. Vargas will soon rejoin the Angels' rotation after missing more than a month with a blood clot. Before that, he had a 3.65 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 91 1/3 innings this season. His performance down the stretch will likely impact his standing on the free agent market this winter, says DiGiovanna, who also notes that the Angels are interested in keeping Vargas around. One possibility is that the Angels could deal Vargas this month, then attempt to acquire him again once he becomes a free agent.
- Twins first baseman Justin Morneau isn't sure about his waiver status, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes (on Twitter). "I have no idea if I’ve been put through waivers or claimed on waivers or whatever it is," Morneau says. "That’s still a possibility." Morneau is making $14MM in the final year of his contract.
Reactions To The Alex Rios Trade
With Nelson Cruz's suspension leaving the Rangers thin in the outfield, Texas acquired Alex Rios from the White Sox today for a PTBNL (widely reported to be infielder Leury Garcia) and $1MM. Now, several hours after news of the trade broke, here are reactions to the deal from around the web.
- Assuming the player to be named later in the deal does turn out to be Garcia, the Rangers paid a reasonable price for Rios, Eno Sarris of Fangraphs.com writes. With Rios only under contract for one more guaranteed year after 2013, the Rangers aren't assuming too much risk. Garcia didn't rank as a top prospect entering the season, and the Rangers have several infielders around for the long term and therefore could afford to part with him.
- The Rios trade is "a great move" for the Rangers, argues Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com. The deal addresses the Rangers' needs both now and in the near future, since Rios is under contract in 2014 and Cruz and David Murphy are eligible for free agency after this season.
- The deal makes sense for both teams, says CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. The Rangers get an average player who adds depth to their lineup, Heyman says, and the White Sox avoid paying Rios' salary through 2014, when they didn't figure to compete anyway.
- Rios says he will remember fondly, MLB.com's Scott Merkin writes (on Twitter). "It was a great ride," says Rios. "I enjoyed my whole time here. I had many great moments here. So, I’m going to miss this place."
International Notes: Portorreal, Phillies
Here are notes on two recent international signings.
- The Pirates have signed Dominican outfielder Jeremias Portorreal for $375K, Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects reports (and Ben Badler of Baseball America confirms). Badler notes that Portorreal, 16, could become a power bat, although he will likely be limited to first base or a corner outfield spot.
- Recent signee Luis Encarnacion adds depth to the Phillies' already-large collection of young third basemen, Bob Brookover of the Inquirer writes. The Phillies already have Cody Asche, Maikel Franco and Zach Green at third base. "I hope we have a problem where guys are competing for job," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says. "These things always have a way of working themselves out, but I hope Maikel Franco becomes the guy we think he can become because he’s the prototypical run producer from the corner." Of course, it will be many years before the 16-year-old Encarnacion enters the picture at the Major League level, and he may well be at a different position once he does.
Twins Notes: Pohlad, Fien, Davies
The Twins placed Ryan Doumit on the seven-day concussion list today and activated Josh Willingham — who could be an August trade candidate if healthy — to take his place. Here's more on the Twins, who are in fourth in the AL Central…
- Twins owner Jim Pohlad spoke with Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and said it's been "terrible" watching the team struggle over the past three seasons. Pohlad said the team has to be "relentless" in looking to acquire talent on the free agent market this offseason as well as through its scouting endeavors.
- Pohlad also said that the decision on whether or not to retain manager Ron Gardenhire, whose contract expires at season's end, is up to general manager Terry Ryan.
- Phil Miller of the Star-Tribune profiled Casey Fien's leap from journeyman to elite setup reliever. Fien tells Miller that former big leaguer Ricky Bones taught him the cut fastball that he's used to thrive since being picked up by the Twins. Fien has a 2.40 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 82 1/3 innings with the Twins dating back to last season. His 1.3 fWAR in 2013 ties him for 18th among qualified relievers.
- Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes that another minor league signee — right-hander Kyle Davies — may get a look with the big league club before the season is over. A veteran of seven Major League seasons, Davies is still just 29 years old but hasn't appeared in the Majors since 2011. He has a 3.40 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 53 innings in 2013 and has boosted his fastball velocity back up to 90 mph after pitching at 84-86 mph earlier in the year.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: A-Rod, Kazmir, Santana, Kubel
On this date in 2008, Barry Bonds was honored by the Giants as part of their 50th anniversary celebration commemorating the club's move to San Francisco. The slugger, who isn't terribly beloved in some circles, got a raucous ovation from the crowd. One has to imagine that Alex Rodriguez is hoping for a similar reception tonight when he returns to Yankee Stadium. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- Pinstripe Pundits looks at how A-Rod's possible suspension affects the Bombers' budget.
- Halos Daily reflects on the Scott Kazmir trade that sent Sean Rodriguez, Matthew Sweeney and Alex Torres to the Rays.
- Kings Of Kauffman says the Royals better hold on to Ervin Santana.
- A's Farm turns in their midseason report card.
- Inside The Zona asks if Jason Kubel should be moved.
- I R Fast slows it down for a change.
- MLB Reports wants to see some changes happen for the 2016 CBA.
- Seattle Clubhouse introduces us to the new Danny Farquhar.
- Rising Apple discusses the rise of strikeouts and the sharp decline in walks.
- Rays Colored Glasses looks at Chris Archer's Rookie of the Year case.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
Red Sox Sign Rafael Devers, Emmanuel DeJesus
AUG. 9: The Devers signing is now official, as the 16-year-old signed his contract today, according to Badler.
JULY 2: The Red Sox made an international splash today, signing Dominican third baseman Rafael Devers for $1.5MM according to a tweet from Dionisio Soldevila of ESPN Deportes. Devers, perhaps the best left-handed hitter on the market, was ranked third among this year's class of international prospects by Baseball America's Ben Badler, and sixth by MLB.com. The Sox also agreed in principle with Venezuelan lefty Emmanuel DeJesus on a deal worth $780K, tweets MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez.
Devers, 16, has average raw power that could become above-average, according to Badler. He needs work defensively but has an "advanced feel for hitting," writes Badler. DeJesus' stuff has some similarities to Felix Doubront, and Badler noted Boston's interest in the past. MLB.com ranked him 24th, noting that he "could end up in the bullpen one day."
The Red Sox have the seventh-largest international bonus pool at $3,179,900, according to BA. They appear to have about $900K remaining after these two signings.
Rangers Claim Alex Rios; Trade Unlikely
FRIDAY: A source involved in the trade talks between the two sides told Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio that the chances of a deal are "smaller than a bread basket."
THURSDAY, 4:51pm: A trade is unlikely to be reached, writes MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Prior to the deadline, the White Sox were interested in lefty Martin Perez, right-hander Luke Jackson and infielder Rougned Odor, and the Rangers aren't keen on giving up those players in a trade for Rios.
3:29pm: The Rangers and White Sox "weren't even close" on an agreement when discussing Rios prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Knobler also tweets that Rios was placed on waivers on Monday, and the deadline to work out a deal for him is tomorrow. That would suggest that Rios was claimed earlier in the week, but the news only broke today.
2:45pm: The Rangers are the team that claimed Rios, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). Grant cautions that claiming Rios and actually striking a deal to acquire the 32-year-old are very different things.
12:58pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Alex Rios has been claimed on revocable waivers by an unknown team (Twitter link).
Because he is on revocable waivers, the White Sox have 48 hours to work out a trade with the claiming team or pull him back off waivers. Chicago could also let the claiming team have Rios for nothing and be content to dump his salary — the very manner in which Chicago acquired Rios from the Blue Jays in 2009 — but that seems unlikely given his .277/.328/.421 batting line. Rios is controlled through 2014 and owed $12.5MM next season with a $13.5MM club option, though each of those salaries will increase by $500K if he is traded.
It seems likely that an American League team was awarded the claim on Rios, as waiver priority at this point in the season is determined by league and record. All 15 AL teams would have the opportunity to claim Rios before an NL team. The Rangers and Pirates were both connected to Rios prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Lohse Claimed On Waivers, Pulled Back By Brewers
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Kyle Lohse was claimed on trade waivers but pulled back by the Brewers after Milwaukee deemed that there wasn't a potential match for a trade (Twitter link). Lohse will not be traded now, as the Brewers would lose the right to pull him back if they tried to pass him through a second time.
The 34-year-old Lohse has a 3.23 ERA with 5.8 K/9, 1.5 BB/9 and a 39.2 percent ground-ball rate in 139 1/3 innings for the Brewers in 2013. He signed a three-year, $33MM contract with Milwaukee late in Spring Training and is owed $11MM in 2014 and again in 2015. That salary seems more than a fair price to pay for Lohse, whose 2013 numbers are nearly identical to his overall numbers since the onset of the 2011 campaign (3.14 ERA, 5.7 K/9, 1.7 BB/9 in 538 2/3 innings). As such, he's likely to have more trade value to the Brewers this offseason when they can negotiate with any team in the Majors.
News that Lohse was on revocable waivers broke yesterday at the same time it was learned that Dan Haren had also been placed on waivers. So far, only three players have reportedly cleared waivers: Michael Young, Jimmy Rollins and Adam Dunn.
Adam Dunn Clears Waivers
Adam Dunn has cleared waivers and is now free to be traded to any team, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. As Heyman points out, Dunn clearing waivers should come as no shock, given his contract situation. The strikeout-prone slugger is earning $15MM in 2013 and again in 2014, meaning he has about $4.2MM remaining on this year's salary and $19.2MM remaining overall.
The 33-year-old Dunn is hitting .227/.332/.465 with 26 homers this season, but his slash line masks what's been a more impressive run since summer began. Since June 1, Dunn is batting .289/.401/.532 with 14 of his 26 homers. American League contenders in need of a bat, such as the Rangers and Orioles, would seem to be logical fits Dunn. The White Sox would likely have to kick in significant cash to make a deal work out, and the more they're willing to include, the more they can expect back in a potential return.
Dunn becomes the third player to have reportedly cleared waivers (though there have likely been others that have gone unreported to this point), joining Michael Young and Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies.