Red Sox Sign Dedgar Jimenez
The latest international signings…
- The Red Sox signed Venezuelan left-hander Dedgar Jimenez, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. The 16-year-old obtained a bonus of $175K. Jimenez has a "David Wells-type frame" but good pitchability and a fastball in the 88-89 mph range, Badler writes.
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NL East Notes: Phillies, Prospects, Mets
The Nationals and Braves are very much in the race for postseason berths, but it’s time for three NL East teams to think about 2013 and beyond. Here are the latest NL East links, starting in Philadelphia…
- Philadelphia GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said third base is becoming a difficult position to fill, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The Phillies figure to pursue third basemen when Placido Polanco hits free agency after the season, but Amaro has discussed the possibility of converting a second baseman or shortstop to third base, since the market at the hot corner is so barren. The GM said it may make sense for the Phillies to trade for a third baseman, instead of signing a free agent.
- The Phillies are willing to trade from minor league depth to bolster their MLB team, though they aren't anxious to trade young players, Amaro said.
- The Phillies will also be looking for outfield help this coming offseason — Amaro said it's a top priority. He added that acquiring above-average offensive outfielders could allow the team to pursue a defensively oriented third baseman.
- Manager Terry Collins listed Ruben Tejada as a player who could help the Mets contend for the duration of a six-month season, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. But aside from Tejada, the Mets don't have many sure things in place, Sherman writes. For example, Lucas Duda and Kirk Nieuwenhuis are back in Triple-A and the Mets have ongoing bullpen issues. The 2012 season was supposed to reveal some long-term pieces for the team, but as the season has progressed, more questions than answers have emerged.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Conrad, Kelly, Gwynn
The latest outright assignments…
- The Rays outrighted Brooks Conrad to Triple-A Durham according to the International League transactions page. Tampa Bay designated the infielder for assignment earlier this week. Conrad, 32, hit .172/.213/.362 in 61 plate appearances with the Rays. He also spent some time with the Brewers earlier this season.
- The Tigers announced that they outrighted Don Kelly to Triple-A Toledo (Twitter link). Detroit designated the utility player for assignment six days ago, after he posted a .175/.267/.243 batting line in 116 plate appearances at a variety of positions.
- The Dodgers outrighted Tony Gwynn Jr. to Triple-A Albuquerque, the team announced on its website. Gwynn, who was designated for assignment three days ago, accepted the outright assignment, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times (Twitterlinks). Hernandez suggests Gwynn will return to L.A. when rosters expand next month.
Indians Notes: Radinsky, Dolan, Acta
The Indians announced a significant change to their coaching staff today following an 11-game losing streak that all but eliminated the team from playoff contention. They have replaced pitching coach Scott Radinsky with Ruben Niebla on an interim basis. Niebla had been the pitching coach at Triple-A Columbus since 2011 and has worked in the Cleveland organization for 12 years. Here are more notes on the Indians from Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer…
- Indians CEO Paul Dolan told Pluto that the team’s recent losing streak was “so dismal” and "the most disappointing stretch of baseball" since the Dolans bought the team before the 2000 season.
- The Indians rank last in MLB in attendance (they average 20,321 fans per game) and their finances are “not particularly good” this season, Dolan acknowledged. The Indians are open to minority investors, but the franchise is “not for sale,” Dolan said.
- Indians president Mark Shapiro and general manager Chris Antonetti never brought up the subject of firing manager Manny Acta, Dolan said. However, the CEO declined to comment on the future of Acta or others beyond 2012. "We assess everyone at the end of every season," Dolan told Pluto. "As painful as this has been, I don't want to get into some knee-jerk reactions.”
- Antonetti recently told reporters Acta would return in 2013, but there’s no guarantee of that right now. Dolan wants to see how the team performs between now and the end of the season.
- Shapiro has a contract through 2013 and it’d be a shock if he were replaced, Pluto writes.
- Antonetti’s contract isn’t up at the end of this season, Dolan said. Pluto has heard it runs at least through 2014.
- In case you missed it, the Indians will release Johnny Damon and Jeremy Accardo today.
Indians To Release Johnny Damon, Jeremy Accardo
The Indians will release Johnny Damon and Jeremy Accardo today, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports (on Twitter). The club has one more day to make a move involving Derek Lowe.
The Indians removed Damon from their roster six days ago, after he posted a .222/.281/.329 batting line with four home runs in 224 plate appearances as a left fielder and designated hitter. The club designated Accardo for assignment five days ago after he posted a 4.58 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 26 appearances.
Damon hasn't heard if any contenders are interested in signing him, but he wants to keep playing, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports (Twitter links). The Red Sox will pass on Lowe for now, Cafardo reports.
Bobby Abreu Clears Waivers
2:45pm: Abreu has accepted the Triple-A assignment, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).
10:36am: Bobby Abreu has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (Twitter links). The outfielder must decide by this afternoon whether to accept the minor league assignment, and he is leaning toward accepting it, Crasnick writes.
Though Abreu's power has disappeared, he continues to get on base at an above-average rate. The 38-year-old has posted a .246/.347/.340 batting line in 236 total plate appearances for the Angels and Dodgers this year. The 17-year MLB veteran earns a $9MM salary, but any team could sign him for a pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum if he elects free agency instead of accepting the minor league assignment.
Poll: How Will The Orioles Finish?
The Orioles were one of MLB’s model franchises for decades, but teams of the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s have given way to clubs that have been unable to reach the .500 mark for the last 14 years. While no organization rivals the Pirates’ streak of losing seasons, the Orioles haven’t had a winning record or made the playoffs since 1997.
Everything could change this year if the Orioles continue to play well for the next two months. They're currently 60-51, tied with the Tigers and Athletics for the lead in the American League Wild Card race, and 1.5 games ahead of the Rays and Angels. With five teams playing for two spots, competition for the Wild Card spots will no doubt be heated.
The Orioles have allowed 47 more runs than they've scored, which suggests their .541 winning percentage is unsustainable. But their 60 wins aren’t going to disappear, so they’re very much in contention. Manny Machado is joining the team, and Dylan Bundy might be next. As Dave Cameron explained this morning, there’s a definite chance Baltimore could win enough to reach the postseason. Even if it’s not necessarily likely, the playoffs are within reach.
For the Orioles to end up below .500, they’d have to finish 20-31 or worse. To win 90 games, they’d have to finish 30-21 or better. There are still 51 games to go…
How will the Orioles' season unfold?
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Above .500 but no playoffs 62% (6,070)
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Playoff berth 26% (2,527)
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Below .500 12% (1,128)
Total votes: 9,725
Regular MLBTR Features
If you're a regular MLBTR reader, you'll be familiar with our chats, our Week In Review posts and Mike Axisa's Baseball Blogs Weigh In feature. Here's some more detail on when you'll see our weekly features and exactly what to expect from them:
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Astros Designate Brian Bixler For Assignment
The Astros announced that they designated infielder Brian Bixler for assignment. The move creates 40-man roster space for Tyler Greene, who was claimed off of waivers from St. Louis.
Bixler has appeared in 36 games for the Astros this year, playing second, third, shortstop and both corner outfield positions. He posted a .193/.253/.330 line in 96 plate appearances at the MLB level and has a .267/.349/.366 batting line in 229 plate appearances at Triple-A. The Astros claimed the 2004 second round pick off of waivers from Washington last November.