Tigers Actively Seek Pitching
The Tigers are actively pursuing starting pitching with less than two weeks remaining before the July 31st trade deadline, MLB executives tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Top pitching prospect Jacob Turner allowed seven earned runs in two innings to the Angels last night, so Detroit's need for pitching now seems more acute than ever.
The Tigers appear to have some level of interest in Ryan Dempster (details here), Matt Garza (details here) and Wandy Rodriguez (details here). They're expected to make top third base/outfield prospect Nick Castellanos unavailable in trade discussions, but they are probably willing to part with Rob Brantly, and Turner, Casey Crosby or Bruce Rondon could also be available.
The White Sox are also said to be prioritizing starting pitching in trade talks. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports points out that all three AL Central contenders — the Tigers, White Sox and Indians — could use rotation upgrades. Another AL Central team, the Twins, has one of the most intriguing trade candidates in baseball: Francisco Liriano.
Justin Verlander, Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello round out the rest of Detroit's rotation. Rookie left-hander Drew Smyly is on the disabled list with a strained rib cage muscle.
Quick Hits: Indians, Red Sox, Yankees
Indians president Mark Shapiro says the trade market is slow because of the new rules regarding draft pick compensation and the abundance of teams in contention, particularly in the American League (Twitter links). However, the Indians are "heavily engaged" in the trade market, according to Shapiro. Here are more notes from around MLB…
- Indians manager Manny Acta said the team’s front office has been working aggressively to add an outfield bat or a starting pitcher, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio reports (on Twitter).
- The Red Sox have enough starting pitching depth not to have to rush into the market for rotation help, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).
- Heyman could see the Mariners picking up Brent Lillibridge (Twitter link). Seattle likes the utility player, who was recently designated for assignment by the Red Sox.
- Ken Davidoff of the New York Post lists some outfield possibilities for the Yankees, including Shane Victorino, Carlos Quentin, Denard Span and Will Venable. Here’s a detailed look at the market for outfielders.
- Matt Holliday, Starlin Castro and Matt Wieters have considerable trade value, Dave Cameron writes in the continuation of his Trade Value series at FanGraphs.
The New Draft Pick Compensation System
There’s been a lot of talk about the diminished trade value of prospective free agents under baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement, and rightfully so. Teams can no longer obtain draft pick compensation for players acquired midseason. Naturally, that affects the trade value of players on the cusp of free agency like Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels and Carlos Quentin.
There’s a second change to keep in mind as the trade deadline approaches, MLBTR has confirmed. Teams that keep their players now obtain one compensatory draft pick for losing a top free agent, whereas they previously obtained two selections. If a team loses a player who turned down a qualifying offer to sign elsewhere, the player's original team will obtain a single compensatory selection between the first and second rounds of the draft (the qualifying offers, which are based on the average salary of baseball’s 125 best-paid players, are expected to be worth $12.5MM or so).
Meanwhile, the team that signs the free agent will lose a first round selection (though the top ten picks are protected). However, that lost first round pick no longer goes to the player’s former team. Instead, the pick disappears and the first round becomes condensed.
For example, if the Brewers trade Greinke, his new team won’t be eligible for draft pick compensation. If the Brewers hold onto Greinke and make him a qualifying offer after the season only to see him sign elsewhere, Milwaukee will obtain a selection between the first and second rounds of the 2013 draft. The team that signs Greinke would lose its first round selection, but that selection would no longer go to the Brewers under the sport’s new rules.
Fewer players now bring in draft picks and those that do translate into one selection, rather than two. The changes will lead to to a drop in compensatory draft picks and an entirely new trade deadline dynamic.
Photo courtesy of US Presswire.
Yankees Designate McDonald For Assignment
The Yankees designated outfielder Darnell McDonald for assignment, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports (on Twitter). The move creates roster space for C.C. Sabathia, who starts tonight against the Blue Jays.
The Yankees claimed McDonald off of waivers from the Red Sox 13 days ago. He has a .205/.297/.352 batting line in 103 total plate appearances this year and owns a .246/.312/.394 line in six MLB seasons.
Royals Designate Jonathan Sanchez For Assignment
The Royals announced that they designated left-hander Jonathan Sanchez for assignment (Twitter link). Sanchez allowed seven earned runs against the Mariners last night, recording just four outs.
The Royals acquired the left-hander in an ill-fated offseason trade that sent Melky Cabrera to San Francisco. Kansas City also acquired Ryan Verdugo, tonight's starter, in the deal. Sanchez posted a 7.76 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 7.4 BB/9 in 53 1/3 innings for Kansas City, averaging less than 4.5 innings per start. He earns $5.6MM this year and will hit free agency this coming offseason.
Mets Designate Omar Quintanilla For Assignment
The Mets designated Omar Quintanilla for assignment, Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger tweets. The Mets have confirmed the move, which creates roster space for Jason Bay (Twitter link).
Quintanilla, 30, has appeared in 29 games for the Mets this year, playing both middle infield positions. He has a .257/.250/.371 batting line in 80 plate appearances so far this year. The seven-year MLB veteran has a career batting line of .218 /.278 /.294.
Marlins Could Become Sellers
The Marlins have let opposing teams know they may be in sell mode later this month if they don't turn their season around, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (on Twitter). The Marlins will be willing to discuss every player on their roster, including Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Johnson and Omar Infante, if they decide to sell, Olney wrote earlier today.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com writes that the Marlins would listen to offers for Stanton and others, but points out that a long-term extension for the young slugger is more likely. We shouldn't expect Stanton to go anywhere, but Anibal Sanchez and Randy Choate could be traded, Frisaro writes. The Marlins haven’t made any players untouchable, though some are unlikely to be traded, Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel adds (on Twitter).
Miami has played to a disappointing 43-46 record after generating considerable hype leading up to the 2012 season. They signed Jose Reyes, Heath Bell and Mark Buehrle, added manager Ozzie Guillen, moved to a new stadium, and changed their team name and uniform during the 2011-12 offseason.
Cubs Working To Move Dempster
The Cubs are working hard to move Ryan Dempster “by the end of the week,” according to one executive who spoke with ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark (Twitter link). Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the Cubs don’t want to delay and that Dempster could be “the first domino” for this year’s trade market (all Twitter links).
The Cubs are exchanging names with teams interested in Dempster, Ken Rosenthal reported today. The Dodgers, Tigers, Braves, Red Sox and Nationals are in the mix for the right-hander, Rosenthal reported. Dempster has the right to veto any trade, but has indicated that he’d be open to joining contending teams.
Dempster, 35, has a 1.86 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 92 innings for the Cubs this year. He earns $14MM in 2012 — more than $6MM between now and the end of the season — but the Cubs are said to be willing to absorb salary to facilitate a deal. Whichever team acquires Dempster won't be eligible to obtain draft pick compensation for him should he depart as a free agent after the season.
Royals Inquired On Garza, Others
The Royals have inquired on pitchers they could acquire now and control through 2013, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. They’ve asked about Matt Garza of the Cubs, who earns $9.5MM this year and will remain under team control for the 2013 season.
The Royals intend to add a significant free agent starting pitcher for 2013 this coming offseason, Knobler reported one week ago. Kansas City's rotation currently includes, Bruce Chen, Luke Hochevar, Luis Mendoza, Everett Teaford and the struggling Jonathan Sanchez.
Though Royals closer Jonathan Broxton is drawing lots of trade interest, the Royals may still try to sign him for 2013 instead of making a trade, Knobler reports. Broxton earns a base salary of $4MM this year and is on track to hit free agency this coming offseason.
NL West Notes: Headley, Quentin, Cuddyer
The Giants lead the NL West with a 49-40 record, but it doesn't sound as though they'll be particularly aggressive in trade talks this year (it won't be surprising if they trade for bullpen help). Still, there’s plenty of activity throughout the rest of the division with two weeks remaining in July. Here’s the latest…
- Six teams are discussing Chase Headley with the Padres, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio reports (on Twitter). The Dodgers, Pirates, Indians, Orioles and Diamondbacks are all believed to have some interest in Headley, who’s under team control through 2014.
- Though there’s lots of interest in Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin, nothing seems close yet, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).
- Michael Cuddyer has drawn trade interest from other teams, Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes. But the Rockies like Cuddyer and would have to eat a chunk of money to get the kind of players they'd want in return. A trade doesn't seem likely this summer.
- Here are the latest Justin Upton rumors.