AL Central Notes: Raburn, Twins, Indians
The Tigers lost Joel Zumaya to a season-ending elbow injury on this date last year, the same day they took over first place with a win against the Twins. A year later, Zumaya hasn't made it back to the big leagues, but the Tigers have returned to first place, at least for now. Here’s the latest from their division…
- The Tigers offered outfielder Ryan Raburn to the Mets for reliever Brian Stokes a couple of years ago, according to ESPNNewYork’s Adam Rubin (on Twitter). The Mets eventually acquired Gary Matthews Jr. for Stokes.
- Longtime Twins executive Howard Fox died at the age of 90 earlier today, the team announced. Our condolences to the family and friends of Minnesota's former club president.
- The Twins signed fourth round pick Matt Summers, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The 21-year-old right-hander will report to Rookie League.
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he doesn’t necessarily prefer right-handed hitters to left-handed hitters (Twitter link).
Gammons: Red Sox Can’t Add Payroll
The Red Sox cannot add payroll this season, according to Peter Gammons of MLB Network (on Twitter). He may not have much financial flexibility to work with, but Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is thinking ahead to possible moves. The GM told Joe Castiglione of WEEI that it’s “never too early” to anticipate potential needs. (transcript from WEEI.com's Kirk Minihane).
“The reality is, our outlook as a club is going to change five times between now and July 31,” Epstein said. “The issues that we have right now, we might have an internal solution to, and then we might have a desperate need for somebody in an area that right now looks like a surplus.”
The Red Sox have been active in midseason trades in recent years, as our Transaction Tracker shows. They acquired Jason Bay in 2008, Billy Wagner, Alex Gonzalez, Victor Martinez, Casey Kotchman and Adam LaRoche in 2009 and Jarrod Saltalamacchia last summer. Right field and the starting rotation are possible areas of need for Boston, though lots can change in a month, as Epstein pointed out.
Yomiuri Giants Acquire Josh Fields
The Yomiuri Giants have acquired third baseman Josh Fields from the Rockies, according to a Sponichi report. Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along the news and says we should expect an official announcement in a few days (on Twitter).
Fields had been playing for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs, but the Sky Sox have released him, according to the Pacific Coast League transactions page. The former first round pick had a .365/.429/.674 line at Triple-A, so the Rockies presumably released him as a formality to enable him to join the Japanese team.
Fields, 28, played for the White Sox and Royals from 2006-10. He clubbed 23 home runs in 2007, posting a .244/.308/.480 line in the process. He never replicated that success and has bounced from team to team since. The White Sox sent him to Kansas City in 2009 and the Royals non-tendered him last winter. The Pirates picked him up in December and flipped him to Colorado late in Spring Training.
NL West Notes: Brazoban, Castillo, Tate, Sanchez
Though the Dodgers' bankruptcy has been the biggest news to emerge from the NL West this week, there's plenty going on with the division's other teams. Here's the latest:
- The D'Backs announced that they called up right-hander Yhency Brazoban and left-hander Alberto Castillo from Triple-A Reno and optioned right-handers Esmerling Vasquez and Bryan Shaw to Reno.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, who first reported the Brazoban callup, notes that the reliever last pitched in the Major Leagues as a member of the 2008 Dodgers. Meanwhile, Castillo had a 1.83 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A this year.
- Padres prospect Donavan Tate received a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's drug prevention and treatment program, according to John Manuel of Baseball America. It's the second time that Tate, the third overall selection in 2009, has tested positive for a drug of abuse. The 20-year-old has a .294/.368/.471 line through 76 plate appearances in the lower minors this year.
- Triple-A manager Steve Decker told Chris Haft and Adam Berry of MLB.com that 21-year-old catching prospect Hector Sanchez probably needs more seasoning before he can contribute in San Francisco. The Giants recently promoted Sanchez from Class A to Triple-A, but would like to see him improve his plate discipline. They're searching for big league catchers in the meantime.
Rays Could Add Payroll
The Rays cut their Opening Day payroll by $30MM this year and while the on-field product remains strong – the team is 44-35 in the competitive American League East – it is not generating as much ticket revenue as expected. Owner Stuart Sternberg told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that attendance has been "well-below expectations" to this point in the season. Despite that, the Rays will be open to adding payroll in trades this summer, because “winning is paramount.”
The Rays are last in the American League in attendance this year with an average home crowd of 18,522. That’s a drop of roughly 4,200 fans per game from 2010, when an average of 22,758 showed up at Tropicana Field to cheer their team on in its successful bid for a division title.
Tampa Bay's offense ranks 13th in MLB with 334 runs scored. Elliot Johnson and Reid Brignac haven't provided much thump at shortstop, so that's a possible area of need, as is first base. Though the Rays' remade bullpen has a solid 3.62 ERA, a 4.34 xFIP suggests there's room for improvement.
Rangers Continue To Focus On Bullpen
The Rangers haven’t acquired any relievers since they publicly expressed interest in adding bullpen help 12 days ago, but it’s not for lack of trying. GM Jon Daniels told Jim Bowden and Casey Stern on MLB Network Radio’s SiriusXM channel that his primary goal remains acquiring relievers.
“I think the bullpen will definitely be a focus, first focus,” Daniels said. “You’re always open to anything. But that’s probably where we’ve spent the most of our time.”
It's not surprising to hear that Daniels is interested in adding relief help given his 'pen's performance so far in 2011. Rangers relievers have combined for a 4.53 ERA (28th in MLB) with 6.9 K/9 (27th in MLB) for -1.3 wins above replacement (30th in MLB).
The Rangers had scouts watching the Giants recently, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News (on Twitter). MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes recently previewed the market for left-handed and right-handed relievers.
New York Notes: Cashman, Fielder
We’re about a month away from one of the busiest trading periods of the year – the July 31st trade deadline. But with free agency only a few months away, there’s always time to check in on some of the bigger names headed for the open market. Here’s the latest on a couple prospective free agents who may or may not be in the Big Apple next year…
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who isn’t under contract for 2012, hasn’t discussed his future with his bosses, according to Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News. Cashman says he remains focused on making the Yankees better now and in the future and can understand why the team hasn’t initiated extension talks. Team president Randy Levine said Cashman is a “great general manager” who he hopes to bring back.
- Prince Fielder is one of the most productive prospective free agents in baseball, so everyone’s wondering where he’ll sign, including his father, former MLB slugger Cecil Fielder. Prince would “probably” like to stay in Milwaukee and could end up with one of Los Angeles’ teams, the elder Fielder told Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News. Fielder also suggested his son could end up in New York, saying “the Mets are one of those teams that if they get that situation all squared away, they could get him.”
Quick Hits: Mitre, Bedard, Cron, Joaquin
It was an ugly day for the Dodgers off of the field (they filed for bankruptcy), but they defeated the Twins 15-0 in a one-sided rematch of the 1965 World Series today. Here's the latest from around the Major Leagues…
- The Brewers have gotten multiple calls on Sergio Mitre, the recently-designated right-hander, according to MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes (on Twitter).
- Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says the question of whether the Mariners will be buyers or sellers this summer comes down to whether or not they trade Erik Bedard. The lefty has a 2.93 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 83 innings this year after missing the entire 2010 season. He makes just $1MM in '11 and would have substantial value on the trade market.
- Top Angels draft pick C.J. Cron will start his pro career instead of undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder immediately, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. The powerful prospect took batting practice in Angel Stadium today and hit a number of home runs. Keep track of which top picks have signed with MLBTR's list.
- Waldis Joaquin, a right-hander who pitched for the Giants in 2009-10, can opt out of his contract with San Francisco this Friday if the Giants don't put him back on their 40-man roster, MLBTR has learned. The 24-year-old has recovered from offseason back surgery to post a 2.12 ERA with 3.7 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 17 innings at Triple-A. The Giants have one of the best bullpens in baseball and a full 40-man roster, so finding room for Joaquin won't be easy.
- New Nationals manager Davey Johnson told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he's open to staying on after 2011 (Twitter link).
Kuroda Requires Compensation To Waive No-Trade
Hiroki Kuroda is drawing interest from multiple teams, but acquiring the right-hander won't necessarily be as simple as out-bidding his other suitors. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported last Tuesday that the right-hander will require "some form of compensation" to waive his no-trade clause.
The Rockies and Reds are among the teams with some interest in Kuroda, who may be having his best season yet at age 36. He has a 3.10 ERA with 6.8 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 and a 44.6% ground ball rate in 101 2/3 innings this year. His $8MM salary could be an obstacle for clubs with limited flexibility; about $2.7MM will remain on the one-year deal at the end of July.
AL East Notes: Bell, Orioles, Bautista
The Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays have had their offensive issues, yet all three teams placed in the top eight in scoring in MLB entering tonight's action. Here are the latest links from the American League East…
- Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues examines Heath Bell as a possible trade candidate before determining that the Padres closer would be a luxury at this point, since the Yankees have more pressing needs. The Yankees have called the Padres about the closer.
- Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail explained that the Orioles consider sabermetrics when acquiring players and evaluating their own team. MacPhail also looks at basic information, salary, traditional stats and scouting reports, according to Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com, who passes along more quotes from the weekend's season ticket holders event.
- The Blue Jays could move Jose Bautista to third base as soon as tomorrow, according to Chris Vannini of MLB.com. The slugger is heading back to the infield, partly because the Blue Jays have had such poor offense from their third basemen this season (combined .183/.243/.308 line).
- Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, who extended Bautista this spring, has said he only works on one extension at a time, as Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star recently pointed out. Griffin wonders which Blue Jay Anthopoulos will target for an extension next.
- Anthopoulos has done enough since taking over as Toronto’s GM to earn a tribute song from the Bottom of the Fourth Blog.