Stark On Olsen, Willingham, Millwood, Peavy
ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new column up.
- Stark looks at a few trades that didn't happen. Aside from the Angels' run at Aaron Harang at the end of Spring Training, they also talked to the Nationals about Scott Olsen. Stark says Dustin Moseley, Shane Loux, and Jason Bulger were three names kicked around in the Olsen talks.
- Earlier this spring, the Rays inquired on Washington's Josh Willingham, apparently dangling Jason Hammel. Willingham is currently unhappy about being on the Nationals' bench, a situation that probably would not have improved in Tampa Bay.
- Kevin Millwood could be attractive midseason trade bait, if his Opening Day start was any indication. Millwood's contract allows the club to decline his $12MM 2010 option unless he pitches 180 innings this year. He also has a limited no-trade clause.
- Stark talked to an executive of a team that has Jake Peavy on its radar. This exec noted that teams did not overpay in deals for Rich Harden and Johan Santana, so the Padres may not be able to demand a ridiculous bounty for Peavy.
Royals Claim Metcalf; Rangers Sign German
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Royals claimed third baseman Travis Metcalf off waivers from the Rangers today. The Rangers signed infielder Esteban German, formerly of the Cubs and Royals, to replace Metcalf.
Metcalf, 26, has a career line of .249/.300/.475 in 242 plate appearances. He has not had success in a couple of Triple A stints. Back in their '06 Handbook, Baseball America said Metcalf profiled as "as average hitter with potentially above-average power." They considered him a "solid defender" at the time. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star notes that Metcalf starred at the University of Kansas back in the day.
German, 31, hit .245/.303/.338 in 242 plate appearances last year, spending time at multiple positions. He played for the Rangers back in '05 before he was traded to the Royals for Fabio Castro.
Odds & Ends: Metcalf, Baisley, Predictions
Links for the afternoon…
- T.R. Sullivan informs us that the Rangers have designated Travis Metcalf for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster.
- Another DFA this afternoon: Susan Slusser reports that the A's have DFA'ed Jeff Baisley.
- ESPN had its writers predict the divisional outcomes, playoff outcomes, and the MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year for each league. Mostly Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays, but Jim Caple spiced it up by picking the Twins, and Peter Pascarelli went with the Cardinals.
- The Braves will retire Greg Maddux's number 31 this July. Not entirely MLBTR-relevant, but I'm all for honoring one of the best pitchers we'll ever have the privilege of seeing.
Rangers Release Adam Melhuse
According to Jamey Newberg, 37-year-old catcher Adam Melhuse requested and was granted his release on Friday afternoon. Melhuse could sign a minor league deal with another club or opt for retirement. He went 13-for-20 with six RBI during spring play, so the phone could definitely be ringing.
Odds & Ends: Fogg, Payrolls, Padres, Nady
Links for Friday…
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Orioles have "mild interest" in Josh Fogg. If Fogg can't find an appealing job elsewhere he'll report to Triple A Colorado Springs for the Rockies.
- Via the Twitter feed of John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer…the Reds have talked about Geoff Jenkins and Frank Catalanotto but nothing is close.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker has a Sports Hochi report saying recently released pitcher Ken Kadokura is reaching out to the Cardinals and Orioles.
- Ryan Shealy cleared waivers and was sent to Triple A, clearing up the Royals' first base/DH logjam.
- The website FINalternatives.com says Rangers owner Tom Hicks defaulted on more than $500MM in loans.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post looks at the payrolls for the Mets and Yankees.
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says Hal Steinbrenner "told close friends he plans on hiring Lou Piniella as a consultant when his managerial contract with the Cubs runs out after the 2010 season."
- According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres GM Kevin Towers said he still might add another starting pitcher.
- Albert Chen of Sports Illustrated writes about the advanced defensive metrics that are becoming prevalent in the game.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs writes about the ethics of service time manipulation.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman noted yesterday that "The Giants like Xavier Nady and wouldn't mind bringing the University of California product home at some point."
Rosenthal On Sheffield, Repko, McPherson
A look at Ken Rosenthal's column from yesterday afternoon…
- The Marlins chose Ross Gload over Frank Catalanotto, but are still considering signing Cat for the minimum now that he's been released.
- The Braves are not interested in bringing back Gary Sheffield. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Mets (as well as the Phillies and Reds) have an eye on Sheffield.
- Sheffield is apparently the only right-handed hitter on the Phillies' radar. Rosenthal learned that the Rockies' asking price for Jeff Baker is high.
- The Braves almost made a deal for Dodgers outfielder Jason Repko, but backed off recently.
- The Yankees will pass on Dallas McPherson, but the Giants may consider him.
- The Yanks don't seem desperate to move Melky Cabrera. They've received multiple calls on him but Rosenthal says "the team will only move him for the right price."
Minor Moves
A few players were released this evening…
- Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says pitcher Casey Daigle was among the players released by the Rangers. Wilson says Daigle is currently on a reality show with wife Jennie Finch.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along a Kyodo News report that the Cubs released pitcher Ken Kadokura.
- Chad Jennings The Times Tribune says Reegie Corona has been placed on waivers by the Mariners, the first step toward returning the Rule 5 pick to the Yankees.
- The Orioles released shortstop Chris Gomez, who became unnecessary with the Robert Andino acquisition.
Rangers Release Frank Catalanotto
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers have released outfielder Frank Catalanotto.
The club attempted to trade him, but never received a serious offer. Catalanotto, 34, hit .317/.349/.439 with one home run and six RBI in 41 at-bats this spring. He was dropped, essentially, to make room for Andruw Jones.
Andruw Jones Likely To Make Rangers
Jim Reeves of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported this morning that the Reds have been eyeing Andruw Jones, and the Phillies were also showing signs of interest. Those teams were probably banking on him being released or demoted to Triple-A, and sliding in with an offer of major league at-bats. Well, so much for that. As MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reported this evening, Jones is likely to make the Rangers' final roster.
Andruw appears to have found a home in Texas. "I feel good," he said Wednesday. "I think in this situation it will be spread out how everybody gets in the game. But the best thing is having [hitting coach] Rudy [Jamarillo] there. He's going to keep you focused. You just do all your work and when you get an opportunity to play, you let it happen."
The Rangers will now focus their attention on trying to move Frank Catalanotto. He'd be a nice fit on a National League team.
Marlins Interested In Frank Catalanotto
The Marlins acquired Hayden Penn and Ross Gload today, but MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says they might not be done. Frisaro says the Fish also showed interest in Rangers' utility guy Frank Catalanotto.
I imagine the Marlins are probably not willing to assume much of the $6MM owed to Catalanotto. In the case of Gload, the Royals are believed to be paying $1.5MM of the $1.9MM according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.