Giants Sign Max Ramirez
The Giants signed catcher Max Ramirez, MLBTR has confirmed. Earlier tonight, CSNBayArea.com reported the deal, which provides the catching-starved Giants with some depth at Triple-A.
Ramirez has a .229/.267/.339 line for the Cubs' and Astros' Triple-A affiliates this year. In parts of two MLB seasons with the Rangers, the 26-year old has a .217/.343/.357 line.
Ramirez has bounced around constantly in 2011. The Rangers designated him for assignment in January and saw the Red Sox claim him. The Cubs claimed him less than a week later only to release him in May. The Astros then signed him, but his stint with Houston was short, as they released him last week.
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Reyes Not Interested In Negotiating During Season
Jose Reyes is headed for the open market. The shortstop has told the Mets that he isn't interested in negotiating an extension during the season, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). The Mets approached Reyes' agent only to learn that negotiations will have to wait until after the season, according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News (on Twitter).
As recently as this morning it appeared that the Mets had interest in discussing a deal in the near future. COO Jeff Wilpon said today that he hasn't given up hope on re-signing Reyes, who is scheduled to hit free agency for the first time this fall.
If Reyes is waiting until after the season to negotiate, there's a good chance that he'll become available to all 30 teams. But if the Mets miss the playoffs, they could negotiate a deal during the month of October. Even if New York makes the playoffs, they would have five days of exclusive negotiating rights after the World Series ends.
Reyes has arguably been the best player in the National League to this point in the season. The 28-year-old leads the Senior Circuit with a .341 average, 12 triples, 54 runs, 103 hits and 4.2 WAR (according to FanGraphs).
Padres Request Release Waivers For Jorge Cantu
The Padres announced that they have requested unconditional release waivers on Jorge Cantu, who was designated for assignment last Thursday. In related moves, the team designated Luis Durango for assignment, optioned Wade LeBlanc to the minor leagues, placed Brad Hawpe on the 15-day DL, recalled Kyle Phillips and promoted Josh Spence.
Cantu hit .194/.232/285 in 155 plate appearances this year, playing some first, second and third. The 29-year-old signed with the Padres in January, but was unable to reverse the offensive struggles that intensified last year. Cantu had a .788 OPS as recently as 2009, but he has just a .223/.260/.312 line in 382 plate appearances over the course of the last calendar year.
Albert Pujols Injury Reaction
The Cardinals will lose Albert Pujols for four to six weeks with a small fracture in his left arm. Here's the latest reaction to the news, which could affect the Cardinals' approach to the trade deadline this summer and the first baseman's first free agent contract after the season:
- When he returns, Pujols may face the biggest pressure of any prospective free agent in the history of the game, writes ESPN's Buster Olney. One NL evaluator opined that the fracture could cost him $50MM or more, as many wrist injuries are career-altering.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports doesn't expect that the injury will affect Pujols' free agent value as long as he returns in time to prove his health. "The only way the injury will damage his position in the marketplace is if it affects his long-term ability as a hitter," Rosenthal writes, "and does anyone really see that happening?"
- Yahoo's Jeff Passan argues that it's time for GM John Mozeliak to work out an extension with Pujols, who belongs in a Cardinals uniform. One agent suggests an eight-year, $224MM deal for Pujols, who appeared to want $300MM before the season.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says that the Cardinals will be able to get by without Pujols by playing Jon Jay every day and shifting Lance Berkman to first base.
- My take on Pujols' free agent value: he had better hope the Cardinals stay in the race without him, since a standout postseason performance like the one Carlos Beltran had in 2004 could catapult his free agent value back into $300MM territory.
Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.
NL Central Notes: Pujols, Bell, Brewers
Albert Pujols will miss four to six weeks with a fracture in his left arm, further confirmation that no NL Central club appears ready to run away with the division. The 40-33 Brewers would deal a catcher, the defending champion Reds are eyeing arms and the Pirates are lurking around the .500 mark. Here's the rest of tonight's NL Central-related news…
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told Matthew Leach of MLB.com that he isn't ready to determine how aggressive the Cardinals will be in trade talks leading up to the July 31st deadline. The GM acknowledged that Pujols' injury opens "some potential opportunities out there that maybe [the team] wouldn't have explored 48 hours ago."
- Here's more reaction to Pujols' injury from earlier tonight.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America hears that Pirates draft pick Josh Bell is set on going to the University of Texas, where he has committed to playing. Despite that, Callis likes the pick for Pittsburgh, which should have plenty of money to dangle in the prospect's direction.
- Adam McCalvy and Audrey Snyder of MLB.com explain how one lucky Brewers fan signed a one-day contract with his favorite team.
Quick Hits: Mariners, Rizzo, Gonzalez, Orioles
On this date in 1997, the Reds called Aaron Boone up and sent his brother, Bret, to the minors. Bret would emerge as a power threat the following year and average 26 homers per season for the next seven years. Aaron put together a solid 12-year career that featured an All-Star Game berth and one of the most memorable home runs in Yankees history. Here's the latest from around MLB…
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner runs through some possible left field targets for the Mariners, including Ryan Ludwick and Luke Scott.
- Padres GM Jed Hoyer told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that he doesn't want 21-year-old first baseman Anthony Rizzo to try to replace Adrian Gonzalez, the man he was traded for last winter. "Adrian Gonzalez at 21 years old was toiling in Triple-A," Hoyer said. "It took Adrian a number of years before he really established himself as a Major League player."
- Hoyer says he's not surprised that Gonzalez has turned in a "monster" season for the Red Sox so far. Unfortunately for the Padres, they couldn't afford him long-term.
- The Orioles have agreed to terms with third round right-hander Mike Wright, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
- The MLBPA Alumni Association is working on a program that will transition players to jobs beyond the playing field, according to Evan Drellich of MLB.com. Most Major Leaguers retire without millions of dollars saved up, so the program will be important for players like veteran minor leaguer Andy Tracy, who expects to retire after the season.
NL East Notes: Chipper, Escobar, Werth, McKeon
Tim Hudson pitched eight shutout innings and hit a two-run homer to beat the Blue Jays in Yunel Escobar's return to Atlanta tonight. Here's the latest on the Braves and their NL East rivals…
- Chipper Jones told Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he never wanted Escobar to leave, "because the guy’s a good player." Jones suggests last summer's trade worked out well for both sides, since Escobar has matured into a better player and the Braves have the steady Alex Gonzalez. I examined Escobar's recent contract extension earlier today.
- Bill Ladson of MLB.com says free agent signing Jayson Werth has "brought a spark" to Washington and helped the Nationals to a respectable record. Werth has a .232/.332/.409 line with ten home runs in his first season in D.C. – not what the Nats were hoping for when they made a $126MM commitment to the outfielder last offseason.
- New Marlins manager Jack McKeon explained to Dave George of the Palm Beach Post why he returned to the bench as an 80-year-old skipper. "I don't need this job, but I love it, and I love the people I'm working for."
- Hanley Ramirez might not love the person he's working for quite yet; McKeon benched Ramirez tonight after the shortstop showed up late to the ballpark.
Chad Cordero Retires
Former All-Star reliever Chad Cordero has retired, the St. Paul Saints announced. The 29-year-old had been pitching for the Saints, who play in the independent American Association. The Blue Jays released Cordero from Triple-A last month after signing him to a minor league deal in January.
The Expos selected Cordero with the 20th overall pick in the 2003 draft and he was in the Montreal 'pen later on that same season. He put together a solid 2004 campaign for the Expos and was the franchise's full-time closer in 2005. Cordero led the National League with 47 saves that year and made the All-Star team. He followed his breakout season with solid performances in '06 and '07, but had surgery to replace a torn labrum in 2008 and has struggled since.
The right-hander earned $11.5MM as a Major Leaguer, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Best of luck to Cordero in his post-baseball career as he recovers from personal tragedy. Hat tip to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
White Sox Notes: McMillen, Guillen, Marlins
The White Sox are hosting their crosstown rivals this evening and both teams are looking to move past disappointing starts. The Cubs have a 29-42 record, while the White Sox have improved to 35-38 after a dismal April. Here's the latest on the South Siders:
- The White Sox announced that they have agreed to terms with 23 of their 50 draft picks, including fourth rounder Kyle McMillen, a 21-year-old right-hander from Kent State University. McMillen is represented by Jonathan Maurer.
- Manager Ozzie Guillen told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that he wants to remain in Chicago after this year (Twitter links). Guillen, who is under contract for 2012, acknowledged that chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and GM Kenny Williams have the final say on his future.
- The Marlins, who named 80-year-old Jack McKeon their new manager today, don’t have a long-term skipper in place and have had interest in Guillen for years. Guillen acknowledged the rumors of Florida’s interest in him by pointing out that powerful right fielder Mike Stanton would help the Marlins more than he could.