Odds & Ends: Chipper, Tigers, Padres, Diamondbacks
Some Saturday links…
- Furman Bisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says it's time for the Braves to put Chipper Jones on the market.
- The Tigers designated catcher Dane Sardinha for assignment to make room for righty Alfredo Figaro, according to CBSsports.com.
- Nick Canepa of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes that now is as good a time as any for the Padres to inject some youth into the team.
- In addition to first rounder AJ Pollock, Nick Piecoro reports that the Diamondbacks have announced the signing of four draft picks, including supplemental first rounder Mike Belfiore.
- CJ Nitkowski blogs that he and the SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization have parted ways.
- Rob Biertempfel reports that the Pirates signed another draft pick.
Diamondbacks Agree To Terms With First Round Pick AJ Pollock
Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with first round pick AJ Pollock. The deal is believed to include a $1.4MM signing bonus, which would be below MLB's expected slot recommendation of $1.55MM.The centerfielder from Notre Dame was the 17th overall selection and the second of the D-Backs' back-to-back first round selections.
The deal is still pending a physical, which is scheduled for Monday.
Odds & Ends: Webb, Padres, Corpas, Nationals
Some Friday evening linkage…
- Nick Piecoro says that if Brandon Webb's latest setback requires surgery, it would give the club pause about picking up his $8.5MM option for 2010.
- Paul DePodesta runs through all of the Padres' recent roster moves.
- Rockies reliever Manny Corpas had an MRI on his right elbow today according to Patrick Saunders. Both the team and Corpas were surprised since he has pitched effectively of late. Depending on the severity of the injury, this may impact the Rockies' decision to trade closer Huston Street.
- Thomas Boswell at The Washington Post says we "will see little or nothing for a long time" regarding negotiations with first overall pick Stephen Strasburg. Boswell also says the Nats have begun to discuss which free agents they will pursue next offseason, and the general assumption is that they will go after a reliever.
- Alyson Footer tweets that the Astros have signed three draft picks, including third rounder Jonathan Meyer.
- CBSsports.com's Scott Miller spoke to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, who indicated that they haven't decided to sell off movable pieces yet.
- Dean Jones Jr. writes that the Orioles signed a pair of undrafted free agents out of Towson: infielder Gary Helmick and catcher Jason Stifler.
Odds And Ends: Webb, Doumit, Blanks
Links for Friday morning…
- Bill Conlin of the Philadelphia Daily News argues the Phillies should declare prospect Michael Taylor off-limits.
- Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post says the 2009 Rockies are nothing like the version that stunned us with a late-season surge two Septembers ago.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports argues the Nationals need to fire Manny Acta or assure him that he'll manage all season.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says Brandon Webb had a setback and could miss the entire year.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wonders whether the Pirates have considered moving Ryan Doumit to first base or right field when he returns.
- The Padres called up their top prospect, Kyle Blanks, according to Baseball America's John Manuel.
- Ben Klayman and Megan Davies of Reuters report that the Ricketts family has a rival in its bid to buy the Cubs, as an old bidder is again involved.
Stark On Deadline Deals
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that, with only five teams more than six games under .500, it's a tough time to be a buyer. Here are the details from his latest Rumblings and Grumblings:
- There are many trade candidates in Washingon, but free agent-to-be Nick Johnson is the likeliest to move of them all.
- Adam Dunn's price would be "astronomical" according to one executive.
- One of Danys Baez and George Sherrill will likely be dealt, and it seems more likely that Baez will move. As one official says, "he's throwing great, but he's still Danys Baez."
- The D'Backs would prefer to move prospective free agents, like Doug Davis and Chad Tracy. Stark writes that Davis could fit on the Mets.
- One executive believes Brian Giles "should get released."
- Cla Meredith could bring a decent return for the Padres, who could also move Chris Young and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
- The Royals could move reliever Ron Mahay.
- At this point the Astros still aren't likely to sell. No one expects them to move Roy Oswalt, but Ivan Rodriguez, LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde could be dealt if the Astros decide to sell.
- One official says the Pirates would "love to move Jack Wilson."
- Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee aren't going anywhere, but Mark DeRosa is becoming "more marketable by the minute."
- Matt Holliday will hit the market if the A's don't play very well for the next few weeks. The A's will want the equivalent of a first rounder and a sandwich pick and, because few elite bats are available, at least one exec thinks they'll get a good return.
- The A's are worried he'll accept arbitration if they offer it, but Stark hears that Scott Boras would likely direct Holliday towards a better hitter's park, even if it was for less money.
- The Red Sox aren't in a hurry to deal Brad Penny. If they go for a shortstop, they'd want a short-term fix only.
- The Rockies- definitely not sellers right now- could eventually look to add a setup man.
- Delmon Young is "exceptionally available."
- The Brewers won't discuss dealing Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar.
- The Rays would like to add a reliever, but they're one of many teams that can't add much payroll.
Davis Would Talk Extension Or Test Market
Doug Davis told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he's open to signing an extension with the D'Backs if they approach him before the end of the season and "the price is right." If not, Davis said he would be comfortable testing the market.
He's a free agent after the season, so his name has surfaced in trade rumors, but Davis said he ignores them. He says he'd rather stay in Arizona for the remainder of the season than be traded.
MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that Davis would even consider returning to Arizona as a free agent if he's dealt during the season.
Odds And Ends: Scheppers, Tate, Matsui
Links for Thursday morning…
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports that two teams passed on Tanner Scheppers because they believe he has a partially torn labrum. The Rangers, who picked him, don't believe the problem is as severe.
- In a Q&A for The Baseball Analysts, Padres exec Paul DePodesta says he's "ecstatic" about his team's draft. He compares Donavan Tate, the Padres' first rounder, to Adam Jones and Mike Cameron.
- The Padres are encountering trouble at the major league level, where Chris Young will likely join Jake Peavy on the DL, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock. Not only do the Padres lose their best starters, it's now harder for them to field offers for them.
- Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates are set to sign a handful of their picks, including their second selection, Brooks Pounders.
- Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker passes on comments Hideki Matsui made about returning to Japan. Matsui sounds happy that the Hanshin Tigers could be interested, but says he'd probably prefer to stay in the States.
- The Mariners are scouting top international prospect Guillermo Pimentel, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.
D’Backs Could Deal, But Don’t Expect Them To
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that there's no reason to expect the D'Backs to trade the likes of Felipe Lopez and Doug Davis away, even if they decide they're willing to part with their impending free agents. The D'Backs could eventually investigate deals, but they aren't doing so now. Instead, they're focusing on getting as much production as possible from the players they have.
Diamondbacks Sign Supplemental First Rounder
KTAR.com's Craig Grialou reports that the Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with California high school third baseman Matt Davidson, the 35th overall pick in last week's draft. Davidson was Arizona's third selection, one of five players they drafted before the end of the supplemental first round. Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic says Davidson was given a tour of Chase Field and took batting practice with the big league club after signing.
Financial terms of the deal are unknown, but MLB's recommended slot bonus for the 35th overall pick is expected to be right around $1MM.
Morosi: D’Backs “Destined” To Be Sellers
According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports the Diamondbacks are "destined to be deadline sellers," but his source says they've just had "preliminary trade discussions" so far. Now 26-35, the D'Backs are 14 games behind the Dodgers, and in last place in the NL West. Max Scherzer, Dan Haren and Justin Upton are likely untouchable, but "the vast majority" of the team's players could be available in the right deal:
- The D'Backs may consider dealing Chad Qualls and even Stephen Drew, though they could only be obtained for a steep price.
- Doug Davis could become available. He makes $8.75MM this year before becoming a free agent.
- Felipe Lopez, who's making a reasonable $3.5MM this year, would likely appeal to some contenders.
- Jon Garland, who makes $6.25MM this year and at least $2.5MM in 2010, could also be moved.