Angels Interested In Hank Blalock
The Angels have some interest in Hank Blalock, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. Blalock, available since the Rays designated him for assignment yesterday, is not one of the Angels’ preferred options this summer. Lance Berkman, Adam LaRoche and Ty Wigginton are having more productive seasons, but GM Tony Reagins is open-minded as he looks for production.
"We're not limiting our options," Reagins said, without referring to Blalock in particular. "There are opportunities to get better, and we're exploring all of them."
The Angels appear to be operating without financial limitations, but Blalock will cost just a pro-rated portion of the major league minimum if he clears waivers. He posted just a .254/.319/.349 line in the majors this year, though he did hit well in the minor leagues before his stint in Tampa. When the Rays cut Blalock yesterday, I speculated that the Twins could have interest as well as the Angels.
Kendry Morales is out with a season-ending leg operation and Brandon Wood has a .438 OPS, so the Angels could use a corner infielder. Blalock was mostly a DH for the Rays, though he did appear at third and first.
Rays Eye Impact Players; May Add In August
If recent history is any indication, the Rays will go after impact players in July and role players in August. Jason Bay, Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez are among the stars the Rays have pursued leading up to the July 31st deadline and Chad Bradford, Gregg Zaun and Russ Springer are among the players they have acquired in August. As MLB.com’s Bill Chastain reports, Rays GM Andrew Friedman expects 2010 will be similar.
“I would imagine that that will be our approach again this year," Friedman said.
The Rays have a well-rounded team, as their 44-32 record suggests. But Friedman promises to “be aggressive” if they can improve. The Rays, who designated Hank Blalock for assignment yesterday, could look to add a DH or improve their ‘pen.
Mets Not Interested In Millwood, Westbrook
The Mets want to acquire starting pitching, but they’re interested in arms like Cliff Lee and Ted Lilly, not mid-rotation types. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that the Mets are now content with R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi and are not interested in Kevin Millwood or Jake Westbrook.
The Mets have not yet had detailed discussions with the Mariners about a possible Lee deal, but GM Omar Minaya is willing to part with top prospects once he knows which ones the Mariners covet. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reported today that the Mariners have not yet started telling teams which players interest them. The Mariners like Jenrry Mejia according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, so the injured pitcher could figure into talks if and when they begin.
If the Mets do not acquire Lee, they could try to pry Ted Lilly away from the Cubs. The Mets believe Oswalt is available, though they’re reluctant to take on tens of millions in salary and hand the Astros top prospects.
Red Sox Sign Rich Hill
The Red Sox signed Boston native Rich Hill to a minor league deal and assigned the lefty to Triple A, according to Pawtucket Red Sox radio broadcaster Dan Hoard (via Twitter). Hill, who had been pitching at Triple A Memphis for the Cardinals, could have opted out of his deal with the Cards at the end of May, but agreed to push the opt-out date back a month.
Hill has only made eight relief appearances in his five-year MLB career, but he has been coming out of the 'pen for the Memphis Redbirds this year. He has allowed just 35 hits in 46 innings and has recorded more than one strikeout per frame. As usual, Hill is walking too many hitters (5.9 BB/9). If he lowers his walk rate or the Red Sox need a lefty out of the 'pen, Hill could find himself in a major league uniform again this season.
Free Agent Stock Watch: June 2010 Edition
Players only have six months to establish their value on the free agent market, so every month counts. Let's take a look at some (not all, but some) of the upcoming free agents who have seen their stock rise or fall this June. First, a few players who have seen their free agent stock drop:
- Livan Hernandez – It wasn't an awful month for Hernandez, who posted a 5.12 ERA in June. But he had an improbably low 2.15 ERA entering the month and June showed that he won't be able to sustain that mark with peripherals like his (4.8 K/9, 3.7 BB/9 in June).
- David Eckstein – Eckstein didn't have a bad month, either. He batted .273/.308/.323 and the Padres stayed in the race, but it wasn't long ago that Eckstein appeared to be raising his free agent stock with a standout all-around season.
- Kevin Millwood – It was a rough month for Millwood, who had a sub-4.00 ERA at the end of May, even though he had yet to win at that point. In June, Millwood had an 8.78 ERA and opponents posted a 1.032 OPS against him.
- Ty Wigginton – There's no question that Wigginton, one of Baltimore's top trade chips, had a poor June. He didn't hit a home run and posted a .207/.298/.256 line. He broke out with two exceptional months in April and May, but his stock has since fallen considerably.
And some players who are in position to demand better deals thanks to a big month:
- Cliff Lee – Lee's strong play suggests his early-season abdominal injury is no longer an issue. He has a 1.76 ERA this month and has rattled off four complete game wins in his last five starts. Impressive. No one knows where Lee will be playing August 1st, but this much is certain: he helped his free agent stock this June.
- Ted Lilly – Lilly posted a 2.57 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 this month, solidifying his place among the top free agent starters this winter.
- Hiroki Kuroda – Back in May, Kuroda seemed poised to attract interest from many clubs after the season. He has posted 8.9 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 2.67 ERA this month against some stiff competition (the Braves, Cardinals, Reds, Yankees and Red Sox).
- Adrian Beltre - Beltre, who will presumably opt out of his contract and seek a multi-year deal this winter, has established himself as a legitimate MVP candidate. He has played strong defense and hit .378/.425/.684 in June.
- Manny Ramirez and Victor Martinez would have been candidates for this list were it not for their recent injuries.
All stats are as of the morning of June 30th. This list is not intended to include all 2011 free agents who have had noteworthy months. Feel free to add more players in the comments.
Cardinals Covet Dan Haren
The Cardinals traded Dan Haren away in 2004, but they like the idea of bringing him back. Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals are one of the teams that covet the D’Backs righty and it doesn’t sound like Haren would mind returning to St. Louis.
“I’ve always said I’d like to play here again,” Haren said, clarifying that he is not asking for a trade.
Haren has limited say in his future, since he doesn’t have a no trade clause. He does have $33.3MM remaining on his contract, and that figure will likely mean some would-be suitors shy away. He makes $750K less than Cliff Lee this year, but has nearly $30MM remaining on his contract after 2010, unlike Lee. That kind of commitment may mean the Cardinals pursue other pitchers.
The Cardinals don’t have Albert Pujols under control after 2011, and have made major commitments to Matt Holliday and Kyle Lohse. Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright are getting paid handsomely, so the Cards may not have the money to add Haren and pay Pujols market value. Other teams, including the Yankees, Twins, Nationals and Tigers, scouted Haren last week according to Nick Cafardo, but the D’Backs aren’t necessarily going to deal him, even if they are open to making deals.
Eliezer Alfonzo Clears Waivers
WEDNESDAY: Alfonzo cleared waivers and accepted his Triple A assignment, according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times (Twitter links).
TUESDAY: The Mariners will designate Eliezer Alfonzo for assignment to create roster space for Josh Bard, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune (via Twitter). Alfonzo, 31, did not hit well in 41 plate appearances this year, striking out ten times and collecting two extra base hits without drawing a walk. To his credit, he threw out two of the four runners who attempted to steal on him.
Bard was hitting well in limited major league playing time before a calf injury sent him to the disabled list at the end of May. The 32-year-old has a .718 OPS in his nine-year MLB career. Rob Johnson, who is hitting just .198, has been doing most of the catching for the Mariners, who hoped for more production from Adam Moore going into the season. However, the young backstop has been sidelined with heel and hamstring injuries.
Cla Meredith Clears Waivers
JUNE 30: Meredith cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple A Norfolk, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
JUNE 22: The Orioles designated Cla Meredith for assignment, according to the team. The 27-year-old sidearmer has a 5.40 ERA in 15 innings with the O's this year, posting 4.2 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. Meredith, who last pitched in the majors on May 27th, was acquired for Oscar Salazar last year. Since his late-May demotion to Triple A, Meredith has a 13.50 in five appearances.
The Orioles demoted Chris Tillman to make room for recent acquisition Jake Fox on the 25-man roster, but they needed 40-man roster space so Meredith loses his spot.
James Houser Clears Waivers
WEDNESDAY: Houser was outrighted to Triple A New Orleans, according to the Marlins via Twitter.
FRIDAY: The Marlins designated James Houser for assignment and called up Jose Veras, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (via Twitter). The Marlins have cut three left-handers this week: Houser, Renyel Pinto (released) and Hunter Jones (released). Houser's replacement is no stranger to the DFA; the Marlins designated Veras in April.
Houser, 25, appeared in one game for the Marlins this year. He allowed three runs in 1.1 innings in the Marlins' loss to the Orioles last night. Veras, a 29-year-old righty, struggled through four early-season appearances with the Marlins, but has since posted a 4.60 ERA with 11.4 K/9 in 24 appearances at Triple A.
The Marlins' search for relievers has led them to Armando Benitez, who pitched a scoreless inning in Triple A last night after signing yesterday.
Braves Seek Right-Handed Bat
The Braves are considering Josh Willingham, Corey Hart and Jose Bautista as they look to upgrade their offense with a right-handed bat, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. No deal appears imminent, but the Braves, who just lost Jason Heyward to the DL, are clearly setting their sights high.
Willingham had a .407 OBP and a .498 slugging percentage even before he homered again tonight. And Hart and Bautista started the day as the home run leaders in their respective leagues. All three outfielders will become free agents after 2011.
David DeJesus, who can be retained for $6MM in 2011, is less appealing to the Braves, partly because he hits left-handed. Should the Braves decide to upgrade over Matt Diaz, Melky Cabrera, Gregor Blanco and Eric Hinske, teams will presumably ask about pitching prospects such as Julio Teheran, Arodys Vizcaino and Mike Minor.