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Athletics To Sign Addison Russell

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THURSDAY: Russell will receive a $2.625MM bonus according to Baseball America's Jim Callis (on Twitter), the full slot value for the 11th overall pick.

MONDAY: First round selection Addison Russell told Jason Blakeney of the Pensacola News Journal that he has decided to sign with the Athletics. Russell, the 11th overall selection in last week's draft, will fly to California this week, and advisor Scott Boras will finalize his contract.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Russell said. "Being part of a big league club and being an affiliate of the Oakland A's is a dream come true."

Russell didn't reveal the specifics of his deal with the A's, saying only that they "offered [him] a good chunk of change.” MLB recommends a bonus of $2.625MM for the 11th overall selection, according to Baseball America.

Russell, a high school shortstop, became the first prep player selected by Oakland in the first round since 2001. While some teams wanted to move him to third base, the A's told him he can continue playing shortstop for the time being.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Cubs Designate Koyie Hill For Assignment

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The Cubs designated catcher Koyie Hill for assignment, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). The Cubs activated Welington Castillo from the disabled list in a related move.

Hill appeared in 11 games for the Cubs this year, collecting six singles and a double in 39 plate appearances. The 33-year-old has experience in nine MLB seasons, but most of his professional career has been spent at the minor league level, where he has a .278 /.344/.410 batting line.

Trade Candidate: Ryan Dempster

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The Cubs, now 21-41, aren't going to win anything this year, and they’re reportedly willing to listen to trade offers on a variety of players. The Cubs’ front office members would consider a new contract for Ryan Dempster, but there’s no denying the obvious: the 35-year-old right-hander could just as easily be traded.

Ryan Dempster - Cubs (PW)

Teams will have interest in Dempster this summer. He has a 2.31 ERA, and while his peripheral stats suggest the ERA is not quite sustainable, he's been highly effective by most measures. He's striking hitters out (7.7 K/9) and owns a career-best walk rate (2.4 BB/9). Though his average fastball velocity has dropped below 90 mph, he continues to generate swings and misses (9.8% swinging strike rate). 

This year isn’t an anomaly, either. Only 16 pitchers have been more valuable in the past five years, according to FanGraphs’ version of wins above replacement. For context, the metric ranks Dempster alongside pitchers such as James Shields, Josh Beckett and Mark Buehrle for 2008-12.

Dempster’s contract status could complicate trade talks. He'll earn $14MM this season before hitting free agency, so his salary could deter some low-revenue suitors. If a trade is completed, the acquiring team won't be eligible to obtain draft pick compensation in 2013, so other interested teams may be reluctant to meet the Cubs' asking price. And Dempster has earned ten and five rights, so he can block any trade or demand compensation for being traded. All told, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer, Dempster, and the pitcher’s representatives at LSW Baseball face an unusual situation.

The Dodgers are known to be interested in Dempster and others clubs are presumably eyeing him as well. The Braves, Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers are among the contenders that might seek rotation help between now and the end of July.

If Dempster agrees to waive his no-trade protection — and it sounds as though he’s open to the possibility — the Cubs will be positioned to demand valuable prospects or controllable young players in return. The trade market could include Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum seven weeks from now, but at the moment Dempster might be the top starter available and it’s an advantage the Cubs could look to exploit.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

Tigers Interested In Carlos Quentin

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The Tigers are interested in trading for Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links). Quentin's $7MM salary could be an impediment for the Tigers, Morosi adds.

Quentin figures to be one of the best available hitters this summer. Since returning from arthroscopic knee surgery, the 29-year-old has a .421/.542/.921 batting line with five home runs in 48 plate appearances. However, the Padres could wait to make major trades until they settle their ownership situation.

There's room for improvement on Detroit's offense. Tigers right fielders rank second-last in MLB in OPS (.637) and the team's designated hitters rank last in the American League in OPS (.604). The Tigers could use Quentin as a designated hitter at the expense of Delmon Young or mix him in at the corner outfield positions along with Brennan Boesch and, once he's healthy, Andy Dirks.

The Padres could theoretically obtain compensatory draft picks for Quentin by retaining him and making him a qualifying offer after the season, when his contract expires (it still seems unlikely that they would make such an offer). If Quentin is traded, his new team wouldn't be able to obtain compensation picks under baseball's new collective bargaining agreement.

Red Sox, Jenks Talking Settlement

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The Red Sox are negotiating a contract settlement with reliever Bobby Jenks that would end his association with the team, Nick Cafardo and Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe report. Jenks has spent the entire 2012 season on the 60-day disabled list and isn’t expected to pitch this season.

Jenks signed a two-year, $12MM deal in December of 2010, not long after being non-tendered by the White Sox. Biceps and back injuries limited him to just 15 2/3 innings last year, when he walked nearly one batter per inning. The 31-year-old Legacy Sports Group client underwent two back surgeries this past offseason, and was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident this March.

Quick Hits: Dickey, Mariners, Byrd

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The Yankees signed right-hander Cory Wade on this date last year, just two days after the Rays released him. The 29-year-old has pitched 67 total innings for the Yankees in the past year and he owns a 2.28 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 in pinstripes. Here are today's links…

  • Mets right-hander R.A. Dickey told Newsday’s David Lennon that he hopes "to be the best pitcher in the big leagues." The 37-year-old knuckleballer has a 2.44 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 81 innings heading into tonight's start against the Rays. The Mets figure to exercise his 2013 option after the season.
  • George Soto, the son of Dominican trainer Enrique Soto, presented himself as four years younger than he really was when he signed a $700K deal with the Mariners in 2007, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. Soto was 21 when he signed, not 17, as he suggested.
  • There have been a number of inquiries on outfielder Marlon Byrd, but no deal is imminent, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports (on Twitter). The Red Sox released Byrd yesterday, making the ACES client a free agent.

White Sox To Sign Courtney Hawkins

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The White Sox have agreed to sign first round draft pick Courtney Hawkins, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports. The White Sox selected Hawkins 13th overall last week and the high school outfielder promptly did a back flip on live television.

Merkin suggests Hawkins will obtain a bonus of $2.475MM — precisely the amount MLB recommends for the 13th overall selection. Hawkins has impressive bat speed and power and will likely end up playing right field as a professional, according to Baseball America. His fastball reached the low 90s as a pitcher, though he's not expected to continue pitching once he signs.

Indians Acquire Rogers, Designate Carlin

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WEDNESDAY: Cleveland sent $150K to the Rockies in exchange for Rogers, reports Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (on Twitter).

TUESDAY: The Indians acquired Esmil Rogers from the Rockies for cash considerations, the team announced. The Indians designated Luke Carlin for assignment in a related move.

The Rockies designated the 26-year-old Rogers for assignment three days ago after he posted an 8.06 ERA with 10.2 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9 in 25 2/3 innings of relief this year. He can't be optioned to the minors without being exposed to waivers.

Carlin, 31, has appeared in four games with the Indians this year. He has spent most of the season at Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a .230/.345/.311 line in 88 plate appearances. Carlin has a .706 OPS in 11 minor league seasons.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Draft Signings: Rockies, Twins, Angels

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MLBTR has updated lists of which first and supplemental first round picks have agreed to terms. Here are Wednesday's notable draft signings from the second round and beyond…

  • The Rockies agreed to sign third round selection Tom Murphy for $454K bonus, Jim Callis of Baseball America tweets. The catcher profiles as an above-average hitter, according to Callis.
  • The Twins signed fifth round selection Tyler Duffey for $267K, Callis reports (on Twitter). Duffey, a right-handed pitcher, mixes in a slider and throws a fastball that sits in the 92-94 mph range.
  • The Angels signed fourth round selection Alex Yarbrough for $303K, Callis tweets. The second baseman has some power, according to Baseball America.
  • The Tigers agreed to terms with 15 selections including fifth rounder Joe Rogers and 10th rounder Charlie Gillies.

AL East Notes: Youkilis, Orioles, Chamberlain

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Roger Clemens won his 300th MLB game and joined the 4,000 strikeout club on this date in 2003, when he pitched the Yankees to victory against the Cardinals. Here are today's AL East links…

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