Brewers Owner Doesn’t Intend To Dismantle Team
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he doesn’t intend to rebuild completely just because the Brewers aren’t in contention. The Brewers know that players like Corey Hart and Prince Fielder will appeal to other teams, but the sluggers can also help the Brewers achieve Attanasio’s goal of winning in 2011.
“We think we have a very good team,” he said. “Our intent isn’t to dismantle the team simply because we may not make the playoffs this year.”
Attanasio said he hopes the Brewers keep Fielder this summer, since he’s a “big Prince fan.” GM Doug Melvin, who will be the one fielding offers for the first baseman, has satisfied the team’s owner, though the Brewers' pitching has been largely disappointing since 2008. Attanasio said he’s pleased “from an overall standpoint” with Melvin’s work and that the Brewers will address their 2011 option for manager Ken Macha after the season.
Olney On Lee, Braves, Blue Jays
We can argue over where Cliff Lee will end up, but it would be hard to argue that there's a more appealing trade chip this summer. Lee has pitched complete games in three of his last four starts and has stuck out 19 times as many batters as he has walked. The Yankees are expected to have interest in Lee once he hits free agency, but they're now focusing on other needs since their rotation is strong, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter). The rest of Olney's rumors are here:
- The Braves know that hiring Fredi Gonzalez before the end of the season would create the expectation that they have already decided to replace Bobby Cox with Gonzalez in 2011. Olney says there's a good chance the club does not hire Gonzalez before the end of the season, even though he appears to be the leading candidate to manage the team next year.
- Sources tell Olney that the Blue Jays are doing "early reconnaissance" on possible managers. Cito Gaston, who beat Cox and the Braves in the 1992 World Series, will not manage the Jays after this season.
The July 31st Trade Deadline
If you're a regular MLBTR reader, you know all about the July 31st deadline, but we can never be too clear when discussing the busiest trading day of the year.
Teams looking to deal players without first putting them on waivers must do so by 4pm EST on July 31st. Last year we saw Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez and Jake Peavy dealt at the deadline. This year Lee, Roy Oswalt and Corey Hart are some big names to watch.
There are two major reasons the 31st tends to be such a busy day. Teams have developed a good sense of their place in the pennant race. Sellers no longer have illusions about contending and buyers have a clear idea of their needs. Secondly, teams want to deal before August, when pulling off trades for top talent becomes much more complex.
This post was originally published June 25th, 2009.
A’s Won’t Trade Young Players
The A’s aren’t looking to make major changes this summer, but they won’t deal their young players even if they do make trades, GM Billy Beane told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. The A’s haven’t ruled out making moves, but they want to build up a base of young talent.
"That's one of the reasons we acquired Conor Jackson,” Beane said. “Not just for right now, but he's a younger player and his age makes him very attractive."
Two A’s veterans, Ben Sheets and Coco Crisp, have been tabbed as potential trade candidates, but Slusser says Sheets “isn’t stirring up interest” and points out that Crisp has barely played. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reported that the A’s can afford to cover some of the $5.4MM remaining on Sheets’ salary in order to obtain better prospects. The right-hander has a 3.79 ERA, less than one hit allowed per inning pitched and twice as many strikeouts as walks since the Blue Jays lit him up for nine runs on May 2nd.
Even contenders are hesitant to deal young players, so it would be surprising if the A's, who are 10.0 games out of a playoff spot, decided to trade young talent away.
Poll: Which Contender Needs To Make A Trade?
The Red Sox have a patchwork outfield; the Twins could use a third baseman or a starter; the Angels could use a corner infielder. Those are just a few of the American League teams with areas of concern as the trade deadline approaches. And in the National League, the Dodgers could use a starter and the Rockies are down an infielder. Virtually every contender could improve by adding the right piece, but not all of them need to make a deal.
Which contender most needs to make a trade?
Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.
Mariners Sign Joe Nelson
The Mariners signed Joe Nelson and assigned him to Triple A, according to Dan Hoard, the radio announcer for Pawtucket Red Sox games (Twitter link). The Red Sox designated Nelson for assignment earlier in the month, at which point he hinted at retirement. The Mariners signed the righty after he cleared waivers.
Nelson, 35, had a 9.72 ERA in 8.1 big league innings this year, walking six and striking out nine. Those high strikeout and walk rates are characteristic of the ones Nelson has posted over the course of his six-year MLB career. Nelson posted a 2.49 ERA in 21.2 innings at Triple A this year, with similarly high strikeout and walk numbers.
Marlins To Sign Armando Benitez
The Marlins' search for relievers has led them back to Armando Benitez. They plan to sign the long-time closer and assign him to Triple A, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Spencer notes that Benitez will likely be in uniform for the New Orleans Zephyrs tonight, assuming he passes his physical (Twitter link). It was apparent that the Marlins were looking for relief help, but this agreement is a definite surprise.
Benitez, who saved 47 games for the 2004 Marlins, last pitched in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2008. The Astros signed him last year, but he never appeared in a major league game for Houston. Benitez, now 37, ranks 23rd all-time with 289 career saves. He has closed for the Orioles, Mets, Giants and, of course, the Marlins.
A’s Discussing Multi-Year Deal With Suzuki
The A's continue to discuss a multi-year deal with catcher Kurt Suzuki, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. A's GM Billy Beane told Slusser that he's optimistic about completing a deal with Suzuki and agent Dan Horwits, though nothing is imminent. Back in the spring, the A's had "preliminary talks" with Suzuki about an extension.
Suzuki, 26, will qualify for arbitration for the first time after this season and won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2013 season. In 204 plate appearances this season, he is hitting .266/.324/.436 with eight homers. Suzuki has thrown 29% of would-be base stealers out in 2010 and in his career.
Back in April, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes showed that recent catcher extensions have typically valued the player's three arbitration seasons at $7-11MM in total. Suzuki has more experience than his peers did when they reached arbitration, so he could seek $12MM for the three remaining years he's under team control.
Odds & Ends: Hall, Lowell, Myers, Valentine, Lee
Some links for Thursday as Rangers GM Jon Daniels decides exactly how he wants to dye his hair…
- The Rangers released Toby Hall, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan (via Twitter). The catcher, who last played in the majors in 2008, was in extended spring training.
- Peter Gammons wouldn't be surprised to see Bobby Valentine managing the Marlins by this weekend (Twitter link).
- MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince explains that big league players such as Rod Barajas, Daniel Nava and Frank Herrmann were not drafted at all.
- The Red Sox are expected to put Mike Lowell on the DL to make room for Daisuke Matsuzaka, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. The Red Sox have not used Lowell much, leading to trade speculation, but the DL stint won't do much for his value.
- One GM tells ESPN.com's Buster Olney that he finds D'Backs hitters hard to evaluate because Chase Field is so hitter-friendly.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs wonders if Brett Myers might be a better trade chip than Roy Oswalt.
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News hears from a source who believes that there's a 95% chance Valentine becomes the Marlins' next manager.
- Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says Cliff Lee is becoming the "rock-solid, no-questions-asked, No. 1 trade target in baseball."
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says the Mets and Twins are frontrunners for Lee right now.
- Michael Cuddyer expressed confidence in Minnesota's front office and said Lee would look good in a Twins uniform, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Indians Claim Jayson Nix
The Indians claimed Jayson Nix off of waivers from the White Sox, according to the White Sox (via Twitter). The claim comes a week after the White Sox designated Nix for assignment.
Nix flashed power and speed in limited playing time last year, hitting 12 homers and stealing ten bases in 12 attempts. The utilityman posted a .716 OPS a year ago, but his 2010 mark has fallen to .513 in 57 plate appearances. Nix has been as versatile as ever this year, playing second, third, short and right, but he hasn't replicated the power or speed he flashed in 2009.