Marlins Sign Comp Balance Round Pick Joe Mack
The Marlins have signed catcher Joe Mack for a $2.5MM bonus, MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reports (via Twitter). It is a slight overslot deal for Mack, as the 31st pick in the draft — and the first pick of Competitive Balance Round A — has an assigned slot price of $2.312MM.
A product of Williamsville East High School in western New York state, Mack has a 60-grade throwing arm, and MLB Pipeline’s scouting report figures “he’ll be at least a solid average receiver” with a little more development behind the plate. Mack’s left-handed bat has a lot of power potential, though there is some debate on that topic amongst scouts. As Baseball America’s report puts it, “those highest on Mack see an advanced hitter with good bat speed and a chance to hit for plus power in his prime, though others see more of a hit-first offensive profile with average power.”
Miami went heavy on four-year college players in its draft class, as Mack as one of only three high schoolers selected within the Marlins’ first 11 picks. The tactic allowed the Marlins to save some money on those college signings, thus creating more pool space for overslot deals for Mack and third-rounder Jordan McCants. Miami’s first-round pick, Kahlil Watson, could possibly be looking for a bonus significantly above the $3,745,500 assigned to the 16th overall selection considering that Watson was seen as a top-five choice heading into draft night.
Dombrowski: Phillies Will “Be Aggressive” As Trade Deadline Approaches
5:22PM: Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski spoke with MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki and other reporters today, reiterating that the team will “be aggressive” in its pursuit of roster help, and the Phillies are “kind of open to anything” in regards to adding pieces to the roster.
Unless “we got crushed seven games in a row, and the Mets won seven games in a row” before Friday’s trade deadline, Dombrowski said that the Phillies are planning to be buyers. “The one thing I can safely say is we’re not in a position where we’re looking to move players,” the PBO said. “That is not where we are. We’re looking to add players to our club, if we can.”
Dombrowski declined to publicly comment on whether or not Phillies ownership was willing to let the team cross the $210MM luxury tax threshold, only saying that “ownership here is very supportive of trying to win.” In terms of trades, Dombrowski didn’t rule out the addition of rental players, but “would not anticipate” that the Phillies would move top prospects for such short-term upgrades.
8:52AM: Though the Phillies are sporting a -12 run differential on the year, they may represent the most viable threat to the Mets division lead in the National League East. The Nationals are 3-7 in their last ten, now seven games behind the Mets, and the cavalry may not be coming. The Braves know they’ll be without their biggest star, and despite having the best run differential in the division right now at +26, it’s hard to consider Atlanta as a viable threat without Ronald Acuna Jr. The Marlins are 41-57, 12 games out, and they’re in full-on sell mode.
That leaves the Phillies. Though they’re exactly .500 at 48-48, that leaves them right where they’ve been for most of the Bryce Harper era. This team didn’t re-sign J.T. Realmuto and hire Dave Dombrowski to run the front office just to stand pat, however. Not only are rival executives expecting the Phillies to be aggressive this trade deadline, but they think the Phillies will be willing to exceed the luxury tax, if that’s what it takes to find the right upgrades, per Jon Heyman of the MLB Network (via Twitter).
As for what the Phillies might be pursuing, there are plenty of avenues to improve the roster. Heyman suggests they could use a starter, multiple relievers and a centerfielder. Alec Bohm has not been good at third base (-0.1 fWAR), but they’re not close to moving on from the 25-year-old former top prospect.
The bullpen’s shortcomings have been thoroughly noted, and it now seems a near certainty that they’ll add at least one bullpen arm. The question is whether they’ll shell out for a premium arm like the Cubs’ Craig Kimbrel, or if they’ll target cheaper options like the Pirates’ Richard Rodriguez or Ian Kennedy of the Rangers.
They could aim even lower and shop in the non-premium section of opposing bullpens where there are plenty of viable options for the right price: the Cubs’ Ryan Tepera and Andrew Chafin, the Twins’ Caleb Thielbar and Tyler Duffey, or Anthony Bass, Dylan Floro, and Yimi Garcia of the Marlins are a few names worth checking in on.That said, if there’s any team that might look for a fire-tested closer to take the reins, Philly would be it.
In center, Starling Marte would be the obvious target, though it’s unclear how willing the Marlins are to move him within the division — nor is it clear if the Phillies have what Miami GM Kim Ng desires in a return package. For starters, the Marlins are seeking a long-term replacement for Marte in center, per Craig Mish of the Swings and Mishes podcast. That’s going to slow trade discussions, as most teams will balk at moving a younger, cheaper option in center, especially if the Marlins are prioritizing near ML-ready prospects.
The Phillies do have some centerfield prospects they could dangle, such as Simon Muzziotti, their 10th-ranked prospect by Fangraphs, Mickey Moniak, their 8th-ranked prospect, or Johan Rojas, their 4th-ranked prospect. Of the three, Muzziotti probably comes closest to starting the conversation for Marte.
None of the three are blue-chippers, however, and only Moniak has advanced beyond High-A. Moniak, of course, was the former No. 1 overall draft pick,but he’s fallen down prospect charts since his selection in the 2016 draft. Baseball America calls him “a fourth or fifth outfielder,” and he wouldn’t likely be viewed as a centerpiece in a Marte deal.
Without a ton of options on the market, Philly might need to stick with their in-house options. Odubel Herrera has returned to action after missing all of 2020, but he’s rocking just an 86 wRC+. Travis Jankowski‘s been a revelation through 68 plate appearances, though the 30-year-old was a 76 wRC+ hitter through 994 plate appearances prior to this season. The fact remains that outside of Marte, there aren’t a ton of available centerfielders on the market.
The Phillies might have an easier time upgrading their pitching staff, especially given the low bar. Beyond the bullpen, Philadelphia needs more for the rotation, though Dombrowski hasn’t exactly succeeded in that regard thus far, writes Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Offseason additions Matt Moore and Chase Anderson have posted -0.1 fWAR apiece while earning a combined $7MM.
Philly starters have a 4.21 ERA, which ranks 21st in the Majors overall, though they’re 12th by the measure of a 3.97 combined FIP. They rank 10th overall in innings pitched. Still, they could conceivably find upgrades for 60 percent of the rotation, given the uncertain track records of Vince Velasquez and rookie Spencer Howard. It’s unlikely they’ll find three starters, but it’s also hard to reason Dombrowski coming away from the trade deadline without any new arms in the rotation.
Cole Hamels has been a popular name of late, and it would certainly be fun to see the 37-year-old back in a Phillies uniform. He also comes with the added benefit of not costing prospects. Hamels alone won’t be enough, but there’s not much risk in seeing if he can upgrade Moore’s spot in the rotation.
Asher Wojciechowski Elects Free Agency
Right-hander Asher Wojciechowski has rejected the Yankees’ outright assignment to Triple-A and elected to become a free agent, the team announced. New York designated Wojciechowski for assignment earlier this week.
After signing a minors deal with the Yankees this past offseason, Wojciechowski’s tenure in the Bronx lasted just one Major League game — a spot start against the Phillies on Wednesday that saw the righty allow two runs in four innings of what ended up as a 6-5 Yankees victory.
Wojciechowski will now head back onto the open market, after having already been a member of 10 different organizations during a pro career that began when the Blue Jays selected him 41st overall in the 2010 draft. Wojciechowski has pitched for five teams at the MLB level, with a 5.93 ERA over 202 career innings over parts of five seasons. Since Wojciechowski had also been outrighted off a big league roster in the past (by the Orioles last September), it was his right to refuse another outright assignment and opt for free agency.
Mets Acquire Mark Payton From Reds For Cash
4:14PM: Peterson’s shift to the 60-day IL is actually due to a new injury, as the Mets told reporters (including Newsday’s Tim Healey) that Peterson fractured his right pinkie toe.
11:34AM: The Mets have swung another deal, this time acquiring outfielder Mark Payton from the Reds for cash, per Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter). Payton was recently designated for assignment. The Mets are sending $75k to the Reds, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter).
Payton has been assigned to Triple-A Syracuse where he’ll serve as injury depth for the Mets’ oft-injured outfield. Though Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith present an intact trio at the present, the Mets outfielders have been stung by the injury bug quite a bit this season. Having just lost Johneshwy Fargas to the Cubs, the Mets now replenish that depth with the addition of Payton.
David Peterson was moved to the 60-day injured list to create the roster spot, per Tim Healey of Newsday (via Twitter). Peterson has been out since July 1 with an oblique strain.
Phillies Claim Tyler Phillips, Place Adam Haseley On COVID List
The Phillies have claimed right-hander Tyler Phillips off waivers from the Rangers. Phillips was designated for assignment by Texas earlier this week. In another move announced by the Phils, outfielder Adam Haseley was placed on Philadelphia’s COVID-related injury list.
A 16th-round pick for the Rangers back in 2015, Phillips is still only 23, but he hasn’t found much success pitching at either the Double-A or Triple-A levels. Phillips has a 4.72 ERA over 108 2/3 frames at Double-A Frisco, comprised of two separate stints in Frisco sandwiched around the canceled 2020 minor league season. Making the jump to Triple-A this season for the first time, Phillips has fared even worse, with a 9.90 ERA and more walks (12) than strikeouts (11) in his first 10 innings of work.
That small sample size was enough to make Phillips expendable in the Rangers’ eyes, though the Phillies will now see if a change of scenery can get him on track. Phillips did show some potential as a starter in the lower minors, delivering some good groundball numbers and (his control problems this season notwithstanding) limiting walks.
Marlins Place Trevor Rogers On 10-Day IL, Activate Brian Anderson, Designate Chad Wallach
3:53PM: Catcher Chad Wallach has been designated for assignment to open up roster space for Anderson, according to McPherson. Wallach has spent the last four seasons in Miami, appearing in 71 total games and hitting .213/.280/.315 over 220 plate appearances.
2:52PM: The Marlins placed All-Star starter Trevor Rogers on the 10-day injured list today with lower back muscle spasms, per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
Braxton Garrett was recalled, and he will take Rogers’ turn in the rotation. Garrett has made four appearances (three starts), totaling 15 2/3 innings with a 5.17 ERA.
Garrett is a fine placeholder, but he’s obviously no replacement for Rogers, who has put together a stellar rookie season. Rogers boasts a 2.37 ERA through 19 starts, tossing 106 1/3 innings. There may be an element of workload management here for Rogers, who is just 23 years old and in his first full season. That’s not to say Rogers isn’t legitimately injured, just that the Marlins might be more cautious with Rogers given his rookie status.
In other news, Brian Anderson is likely to be reinstated from the injured list today, per MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola (via Twitter). Anderson has been on the 60-day injured list with shoulder subluxation, so there will need to be a corresponding roster to create a spot on the 40-man roster.
Anderson had yet to really get rolling. He was slashing .250/.316/.371 in 136 plate appearances prior to the injury. Shoulder injuries will often sap a player of their power, so Anderson may yet bounce back to his normal levels of production if the shoulder is fully healed.
Latest On Max Scherzer
3:41PM: In another wrinkle to the situation, Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled start tonight against the Orioles due to what the Nationals described as “mild discomfort” in the veteran ace’s right tricep. (Jon Lester will instead take the ball for Washington.) The injury doesn’t appear to be serious, as Scherzer told MLB.com’s Jessica Camerato and other reporters that he expects to make his next start, and his triceps issue stemmed from a recent batting practice session rather than anything pitching-related.
11:12AM: The Nationals have long been one of the more stubborn teams in terms of maintaining the opportunity for contention, and that’s no less true this season. But with the Nationals playoff odds currently at 2.2 percent per Fangraphs, Max Scherzer is “being discussed in potential trades,” per Jon Heyman of the MLB Network (via Twitter).
Heyman makes no specific mention of the Nats’ decision-makers, however, and even if GM Mike Rizzo were open to moving the future Hall of Famer, he’d still need to get the okay from owner Mark Lerner. Historically, trading off pieces of any kind has been a tough sell to Lerner, let alone Scherzer, whom the club has long envisioned as the centerpiece of the organization.
Heyman is no doubt right that Scherzer’s availability would re-shape the trade market. He would be far and away the most impactful pitcher available. The 36-year-old shows no signs of slowing down with a 2.83 ERA through 105 innings this season.
Braves Designate Ender Inciarte For Assignment
The Braves have reinstated Ender Inciarte from the injured list and designated him for assignment, per Gabe Burns of Baseball America (via Twitter).
This was Inciarte’s sixth season in Atlanta, but he slashes just .215/.276/.316 in 89 plate appearances. He missed time with a strained hamstring and then, more recently, was placed on the COVID-related injured list.
Given the Braves’ current need in the outfield, it certainly speaks volumes to DFA Inciarte at this time. That said, given his $8.7MM contract for this season, there’s a pretty good chance he makes it through waivers and could remain in the organization. Atlanta holds a $9MM club option for Inciarte next season.
Nationals Call Up Carter Kieboom
Carter Kieboom is on his way to join the Nationals in Baltimore, per Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post, who first suggested (via Twitter) that he’d be added to the roster in place of Jordy Mercer. As expected, the Nationals announced the move, with Mercer landing back on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, retroactive to July 21st, and Kieboom on his way to the Major League roster.
Regardless of the cause, it’s an interesting time for the Nationals to make a move with Kieboom, once a top prospect in baseball and still one of Washington’s top trade chips. With less than a week before the trade deadline, there’s not much time for a showcase of any kind, whether it be for the Nats to show him off to other clubs, or even just to get a look at him themselves.
It’s looking less and less like the Nationals are readying to make a push for contention, so perhaps this is just the beginning of a season-long showcase for Kieboom to prove himself at the hot corner. He’s had opportunity before, but never on ideal terms. He was rushed to the Majors in 2019 because of a Trea Turner injury, then took over for departed franchise icon Anthony Rendon for a shortened season during a global pandemic. Though he hasn’t performed as expected in the Majors, the book is hardly closed on Kieboom.
Roster Notes: Rays, Orioles, Reds
The Rays announced a roster move today, optioning Taylor Walls to Triple-A and recalling right-hander Sean Poppen from Triple-A, per the team. After the recent Rich Hill trade, Poppen provides an extra arm right away for the Rays to lean on, while Walls may have been subject to a demotion when Manuel Margot returns from the injured list later this week anyhow, suggests Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter).
The Rays have also added southpaw Ryan Sherriff to the taxi squad, per Topkin, presuming that Sherriff will soon take the roster spot of whoever on the roster gets used in today’s ballgame. Let’s check in on some other roster moves happening around the game right now…
- The Orioles have selected the contract of Conner Greene from Triple-A, per the team. Greene takes the place of Tyler Wells, who was placed on the injured list yesterday, though he’s expected back shortly. Greene is a 26-year-old right-hander who has yet to make his big league debut.
- The Reds have placed right-hander R.J. Alaniz on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, the team announced. Infielder Max Schrock has been recalled to take his roster spot. Alaniz, 30, made three appearances for the Reds, tossing 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run on a solo homer, walking three and striking out three.