Odds and Ends: Olivo, Eckstein, Angels, Astros
Labor Day linkage…
- I did a Q&A with an Angels blog called The Halo Is Lit.
- Royals catcher Miguel Olivo patched things up with manager Trey Hillman. Olivo has a mutual option for ’09.
- David Eckstein is a borderline Type B player, but the D’Backs won’t get a pick unless they offer him arbitration and he declines and signs elsewhere. As of August 29th, Eckstein did not have Type B status anyway. By the way, the D’Backs designated Emiliano Fruto for assignment to make room for Eckstein.
- Needless to say, the Angels weren’t able to acquire a shortstop.
- Richard Justice thinks many Astros fans owe GM Ed Wade an apology.
- Patrick Newman has more info on Satoru Komiyama‘s mysterious breaking pitch, the shake.
D’Backs Acquire Eckstein
It’s official: The Diamondbacks have acquired Blue Jays shortstop David Eckstein in exchange for minor league pitcher Chad Beck, according to MLB.com.
Eckstein has posted a respectable line of .273/.352/.355 this season over 75 games with Toronto.
Rotoworld sees Beck, 23, as a long shot to make it to the majors as starter, but feels he can reach the big-league level as a reliever. Beck has had success at both Class-A levels this season. He posted a 2.04 ERA with South Bend, and after being promoted to High-A Visalia, struggled as a starter but has posted a very nice 1.37 ERA as a reliever for the club.
D-Backs Now Favorite To Land Eckstein
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the D-Backs are the favorite to land David Eckstein from the Blue Jays, prior to tonight’s deadline for players to be eligible for the post-season. Previously we heard that both the D-Backs and the Angels were in pursuit of Eckstein.
Eckstein, 33, is almost certain to be traded before the deadline for setting postseason rosters at midnight Sunday. While talks are fluid, the Jays currently are more inclined to trade with the D-backs, sources say.
Rosenthal says the Angels are now considering other options, including Omar Vizquel of the Giants and Juan Castro of the Orioles.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
D-Backs, Angels Interested In Eckstein
The Angels have been in pursuit of infield depth this week, and were rumored to be finalizing a deal with the Blue Jays for veteran shortstop and 2006 World Series MVP, David Eckstein until a "mystery" team entered the running.
Ken Rosenthal is now reporting that the mystery team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams are looking to finalize the deal before Sunday’s deadline for setting post-season rosters.
The Angels would mainly use Eckstein as a backup, but the D-backs need a boost in the infield since Orlando Hudson is out for the rest of the season.
It seems the Diamondbacks are the team with the most urgent need for Eckstein’s services, but a return to Anaheim would be a homecoming of sorts. Where would he be a better fit?
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? E-mail me alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.
D’Backs Claim Ledezma
According to the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks claimed lefty Wil Ledezma off waivers from the Padres. Ledezma, 27, posted a 4.47 ERA in 54.1 innings. Walks have been a problem for him. He’s under team control through 2010, if the D’Backs want to go to arbitration with him.
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Dunn, Huff, Mora
Hot off the press from SI.com’s Jon Heyman:
- An executive who knows C.C. Sabathia well told Heyman the pitcher’s first choice in free agency is the Giants. It’s not a great fit, as starting pitching is the Giants’ strength and Sabathia would add another $100MM+ contract to their rotation. The Yankees are considered the offseason frontrunners for Sabathia, though former teammate Casey Blake sees C.C. in Dodger blue.
- Heyman believes a claim on Paul Byrd would’ve made sense for the Yanks.
- Heyman agrees with the Dodgers’ choice not to risk a claim on Adam Dunn. That decision is tough to defend, though, since no one expected Reds GM Walt Jocketty to give up two draft picks for $3.45MM in salary relief.
- No one’s interested in Aubrey Huff or Melvin Mora, who have both cleared waivers. The Orioles might have an easier time trading them this winter.
Odds and Ends: Manny, Pavano, Gonzalez
Some Saturday mid-day linkage:
- Hitoki Iwase was lit up in the Olympics, possibly dropping his stock as a prospect. Iwase was one of several Japanese players being scouted by Major League clubs in Beijing.
- Luis Gonzalez reminisces about his trade to the Diamondbacks ten years ago.
- Manny Ramirez is not interested in talking about those old Philadelphia rumors. I’m shocked, shocked.
- J.D. Drew‘s back spasms are actually a herniated disk. According to Nick Cafardo, the Red Sox would love to add another outfielder, but can’t seem to lay their hands on one. No offense to Jason Lane.
- He’s baaaa-aaaack: Free-agent-to-be Carl Pavano is starting tonight for the New York Yankees. Strike up the band and break out the rum punch.
- Recently traded infielder Jose Bautista was at odds with Pirates manager John Russell.
- Thomas Boswell talks about the possibility of Stephen Strasburg becoming a National next year.
Sarah Green writes for UmpBump and the Boston Metro and can be reached here.
Odds And Ends: Glavine, Dunn, Draft, Tigers
A few more notes from around the MLBiverse…
- Tom Glavine will not need Tommy John surgery and Glavine puts the chances of an ’09 return "50-50 at best."
- Scott Bordow takes a look at how the Adam Dunn acquisition is affecting the D-Backs.
- In Peter Gammons’ latest piece he takes a look at how small-market teams ignored the slot recommendations from the commissioner’s office, noting that the slot system "only rewards big market teams."
- In the same article, Gammons says the Tigers may have to reduce their payroll by $40MM next season. Gammons believes it will be very difficult, noting they are already committed to more than $100MM for ’09.
- The Hardball Times takes a look at several players drafted using compensation picks that turned out to be much better than the free agent the team lost.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Dempster, Mora, Cameron
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let’s take a look.
- Rosenthal agrees with those who considered C.C. Sabathia pitching the ninth inning Monday a needless risk. Sabathia already had thrown 112 pitches and the Brewers had a seven run lead, but he pitched the ninth to bring the total to 130. The innings shouldn’t affect Sabathia’s payday, but hopefully he remains healthy.
- Rosenthal sees a minimal chance of Ryan Dempster signing elsewhere, given his strong relationship with Cubs GM Jim Hendry. Dempster will be the Cubs’ top offseason priority. I also consider Kerry Wood unlikely to leave.
- Add Melvin Mora to the list of players who have cleared waivers. He, Aubrey Huff, and Ramon Hernandez will be shopped this winter. Mora has raised his numbers and stock significantly by hitting .378/.421/.652 since the beginning of July. He has a full no-trade clause and is owed $9MM next year.
- The Indians are almost certain to sign a closer this winter, with Brandon Lyon and Brian Fuentes perhaps the best available aside from Francisco Rodriguez and Wood.
- The Rockies will place Fuentes on waivers soon and may also shop Willy Taveras. Manny Corpas has already hit the wire.
- Rosenthal figures Mike Cameron‘s $10MM option for ’09 will be exercised. Cameron is hitting .245/.333/.509 in 372 plate appearances while playing strong defense.
- Gary Matthews Jr.‘s knee injury may prevent the Angels from trading him this winter. That, and the $33MM owed to him through 2011.
Odds and Ends: Jeter, Al Reyes, Schilling, Dunn
Let’s kick things off with a link roundup.
- River Ave. Blues wonders about Derek Jeter‘s future with the Yankees. The Yanks don’t have to deal with it until after the 2010 season.
- Reliever Al Reyes is now a free agent. The 38 year-old still has a bit left in the tank.
- Baseball America’s Jim Callis lists the draft’s best coups.
- Curt Schilling is leaning toward retirement. If he does come back, here is a reminder of the 12 teams he was willing to play for last year aside from the Red Sox: Indians, Tigers, Angels, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, Padres, D’Backs, Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers.
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says the Rockies need to keep Todd Helton.
- Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers’ failure to block the D’Backs’ waiver claim on Adam Dunn was a mistake.
- Sam Mellinger explains that Eric Hosmer was smart to hold out for $6MM.