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International Signings: Blue Jays, Pirates, Athletics

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This year’s July 2 signing period opened yesterday, and teams got started immediately with a number of significant contracts on the first day of deal-making. The action continues today as the Twins and Indians have already signed players. We’ll keep track of other noteworthy deals right here with the latest updates up top: 

  • The Astros agreed to terms on contracts with outfielder Luis Payano, shortstop Kristian Trompiz, and catcher Victor Tavarez, the team announced. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
  • Dominican shortstop Richard Urena has signed with the Blue Jays, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America.  The 16-year-old is ranked as the No. 13 international prospect by Baseball America and projects to stick at shortstop.
  • The Pirates signed Dominican third baseman Julio Delacruz for $700K, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. Baseball America notes that the 16-year-old has an impressive feel for hitting from the right side. "We are very excited to have signed Julio Delacruz who is, in our estimation, the best pure hitter available in Latin America this season,” director of Latin American scouting Rene Gayo said in a statement from the team.
  • The Athletics signed Dominican outfielder Luis Barrera for $450K, Badler reports. The 16-year-old Barrera has a smooth left-handed swing and profiles at first base or in left field.

Marlins, Astros Talking Carlos Lee Trade

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The Marlins and Astros are deep into talks about a deal that would send Carlos Lee to Miami, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports. The deal isn't completely done but there has been a whole lot of progress, Olney writes. Lee, who can block trades to 14 teams, including the Dodgers, has agreed to go to the Marlins, according to ESPN.

Lee left today's game against the Pirates before the contest ended, leading to speculation that trade talks might be picking up. As Olney notes, Marlins first basemen rank last among the 30 MLB teams with a combined .565 OPS this year.

Lee, 36, is earning $18.5MM in the final season of a six-year, $100MM contract. The Astros will absorb a "huge portion" of the $9MM remaining on his salary, Olney reports. Though Lee doesn't enjoy no-trade protection in the form of ten and five rights, his contract allows him to block trades to 14 clubs. The teams on his list are mostly in large markets, according to FOX Sports.

Lee has five homers and a .286/.336/.412 batting line in 274 plate appearances so far in 2012. Lee has slowed down in recent years, but his bat would still represent an upgrade over Gaby Sanchez's .194/.240/.283 batting line.

This post was first published on July 4th, 2012.

Latest On Yankees’ Search For Pitching

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The Yankees are in wait-and-see mode for now, but could pursue starting pitching before July 31st, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports write. With C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettitte on the disabled list, the Yankees’ rotation now includes Freddy Garcia and David Phelps.

Zack Greinke doesn’t interest the Yankees, who are concerned about how players will adjust to playing in New York. The Yankees could pursue Cole Hamels, but they aim to lower payroll below $189MM by 2014 to avoid the luxury tax, so keeping the left-hander long term wouldn’t be easy given the team’s existing commitments. The Yankees like Matt Garza and he may be their most realistic option if they’re willing to meet the Cubs’ steep asking price.

Athletics Designate Brian Fuentes For Assignment

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The Athletics announced that they designated left-hander Brian Fuentes for assignment. The team reinstated right-hander Bartolo Colon from the disabled list in a related move.

Fuentes, 36, is in the second year of a two-year, $10.5MM contract he signed following the 2010 season. He'll earn $5MM this year and his contract includes a $6.5MM club option for 2013 ($500K buyout). In 25 innings for the Athletics this year he posted a 6.84 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9. A trade involving Fuentes could still occur within the next ten days.

Blue Jays Looking To Add Players

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The Blue Jays, now 40-40 and in fifth place in the American League East, are looking to add to their team as the July 31st trade deadline approaches. General manager Alex Anthopoulos told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that he’s discussing ways of making this year’s team better.

"Every dialogue I’m trying to have now, it’s all about trying to improve the 2012 product, that isn’t going to change," he said. "I’m active in having talks, that doesn’t mean anything is going to get done, but definitely all the trade dialogue I’m handling right now is all about making the 2012 team better."

Anthopoulos told Davidi the Blue Jays have talked about some potential short-term additions, including players headed for free agency. The GM added that this year’s Blue Jays team has a stronger core than in previous years.

Only three MLB teams have out-scored Toronto, but the Blue Jays could use pitching reinforcements after losing three starters to the disabled list and adding Carlos Villanueva, Aaron Laffey and Brett Cecil to their rotation. The Blue Jays are unsurprisingly interested in adding starting pitching depth.

Two scouts told Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com that Anthopoulos should sell this summer. One scout suggested Casey Janssen could become a trade chip. Meanwhile, a rival official said the Blue Jays are “souring” on Yunel Escobar and Knobler suggests the Blue Jays could decide to trade the shortstop just one year after extending him.

Xavier Paul Elects Free Agency

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Xavier Paul has opted out of his contract with the Nationals and elected free agency, MLBTR has learned. The 27-year-old outfielder had been playing at Syracuse for Washington's Triple-A affiliate.

Paul, who appeared in 128 games for the Pirates and Dodgers last year, has spent the entire 2012 campaign at Syracuse. He has a .318/.379/.517 batting line with eight home runs in 235 plate appearances and has played both corner outfield positions. He played all three outfield positions last year, when he posted a .255/.292/.346 batting line for Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

Blue Jays Sign Marcus Stroman

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The Blue Jays and first round selection Marcus Stroman have signed a contract, the pitcher and the team announced today. Stroman obtained a bonus of $1.8MM, ESPN.com's Keith Law tweets.  The Blue Jays selected Stroman 22nd overall and the recommended bonus for that slot is exactly $1.8MM.

"Officially a member of THE Toronto Blue Jays! Signed my contract," Stroman tweeted. "Beyond excited and blessed. Ready to work!" 

Stroman, a right-hander drafted out of Duke, has an impressive repertoire depite his 5'9" frame. He sits 92-94 mph as a starter and can touch 96 out of the bullpen, according to Baseball America. He has a nasty slider and could be the first 2012 draftee to reach the Major Leagues if he pitches in relief, according to many scouts.

Tigers Designate Matt Young For Assignment

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The Tigers announced that they designated utility player Matt Young for assignment (Twitter link). The move creates 40-man roster space for Darin Downs.

Young, 29, appeared in five games for the Tigers last month after signing with Detroit as a free agent in November of 2011. He has spent most of the season at Triple-A Toledo, where he has played second base, center field and right field and posted a .251/.410/.342 batting line in 258 plate appearances.

Indians Sign Hector Caro

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The Indians signed 16-year-old Dominican Hector Caro to a deal worth $1.1MM, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. The corner outfielder bats from the right side and stands 6’2”.

Several teams didn’t consider Caro a top prospect in Latin America and Baseball America had him ranked outside of its top 20. Caro has flashed raw power, but has had trouble in games, Badler writes. The prospect projects as a left fielder.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Tuesday

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The Brewers plan to make another attempt at extending Zack Greinke this year, but if talks don't progress they may have to consider trade offers for the former Cy Young Award winner. Greinke, who's on track to hit free agency after the season, would be one of the best pitchers available if the Brewers decide to sell. Here are the latest rumors surrounding Greinke with the most recent rumors up top:

  • The Brewers have a special assignment scout watching the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets. The scout is not there on routine coverage, which raises the possibility that the Brewers are taking stock of the Rangers’ system in anticipation of possible trades.
  • The Braves are believed to be seriously considering a trade for Greinke even if they don’t have assurances of keeping him beyond 2012, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. O’Brien doubts the Braves would offer Greinke $20MM per season on an extension.
  • A former teammate of Greinke’s told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that the right-hander would like to play for the Braves. Greinke likes Atlanta and wants to win badly, according to Greinke’s friend. The Braves, who have lost four of their past five games, haven’t yet decided how aggressively to pursue upgrades in midseason trades.
  • The Braves are willing to trade young arms for Greinke, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday.

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