Royals “Love” Jose Iglesias
People in the Royals organization “love” Red Sox shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The 20-year-old Cuban is hitting .306/.340/.408 in AA, so chances are most teams like the looks of him. Not only can Iglesias hit, “scouts can’t say enough about [his] defensive ability,” according to Baseball America.
All of Boston's 29 rivals would probably have some interest in Iglesias, who signed an $8.25MM deal with the Red Sox last summer. The Royals’ interest in the shortstop doesn’t mean the Red Sox would consider moving him, but it’s noteworthy as the trade deadline approaches.
Because of their depleted outfield, the Red Sox would like to acquire a left-handed hitting outfielder. David DeJesus, who is playing well and under contract for just $4.7MM this year, fits that description. Cafardo hears that the Royals want a lot in return for DeJesus in potential trades, though there’s no sign that the Red Sox would so much as consider moving their shortstop prospect. The Royals will have a top shortstop prospect of their own, once they officially agree to terms with Christian Colon.
Rockies To Keep “Weathering The Storm”
Rockies owner Dick Monfort told Troy Renck of the Denver Post that his club probably can’t add a hitter and probably doesn’t need a pitcher. Despite rumblings connecting the Rockies to infielders such as Dan Uggla and Ty Wigginton, Monfort says deals for star hitters are easier discussed than completed.
"I don't think we can add a bat” Monfort said. “I mean, who's going to trade you something you want? It's especially hard to get a right-handed bat. We have plenty of left-handed bats."
Monfort didn’t rule out adding an arm, but said he thinks the Rockies “are good” in terms of pitching, especially since Jorge de la Rosa should return early next month. Taylor Buchholz is also on his way back and Huston Street has joined the club already. Since those pitchers are returning and adding a power bat would be difficult, Monfort thinks the Rockies are “better off weathering the storm.”
It became apparent yesterday that the 38-33 Rockies won't likely acquire infielders soon, even though they're missing a regular until Troy Tulowitzki's wrist heals.
Dodgers Sign Jesus Colome
The Dodgers signed Jesus Colome, according to the roster of the team's Triple A affiliate. The Mariners designated the right-hander for assignment after he pitched to a 5.29 ERA in 12 appearances.
Colome, 32, walked and struck out more batters than he normally does, posting 8.5 K/9 and 5.8 BB/9 in 17 innings of work this year. The ten-year veteran joins two other recent free agent pickups on the Albuquerque Isotopes' roster: Kiko Calero and Claudio Vargas. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti continues to look at free agent pitching, according to the LA Times.
Dodgers Are Considering Free Agent Pitchers
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he has inquired about free agent pitchers, without specifying which ones. Jarrod Washburn is coaching T-ball these days, but said he would consider offers to pitch this season. Former Dodger Pedro Martinez has said he would pitch for a contender and Braden Looper is another free agent option.
Colletti expressed confidence in his offense and suggested it will take pitching to improve upon the team’s 38-33 record.
"Unless something drastic happens to an everyday player — or more than one — I think our focus will continue to be on our pitching staff," Colletti said.
It would take at least a few weeks for any unsigned pitcher to prepare for major league action, but free agents will only cost money. Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren may be more appealing, but they would cost the Dodgers prospects and salary.
Marlins Pursuing Relief Help; Won’t Deal Morrison
The Marlins are pursuing relief help, but won't deal prospect Logan Morrison to get it, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Marlins executives know that the team needs to improve its 'pen to contend, so they are trying to add relievers, but whenever the Marlins inquire about one, rival teams ask about 22-year-old first baseman Logan Morrison. If that's the price of adding relievers, the Marlins aren't interested.
Now 35-36, the Marlins are thin on relief help after demoting Jorge Sosa and releasing Renyel Pinto and Hunter Jones. It would be a shock to see the Marlins trade Morrison, the team's top prospect now that Mike Stanton is in the majors, for a reliever. The first baseman is hitting .331/.417/.547 so far in 2010.
Last year the cost of acquiring middle relievers varied. The Dodgers gave up Josh Bell for George Sherrill; the White Sox gave up Brandon Allen for Tony Pena; the Rockies gave up Connor Graham for Rafael Betancourt and Robinson Fabian and Ryan Mattheus for Joe Beimel. Bell and Allen are highly-touted prospects, but the Rockies showed that relievers can be acquired more cheaply.
Poll: Should The Brewers Deal Fielder And Hart?
Corey Hart leads the National League in home runs and Prince Fielder already has a home run title. Both realize they could be dealt given the Brewers' 31-40 start, but that doesn't mean GM Doug Melvin will decide to trade them away. Each slugger is arbitration-eligible one last time in 2011, so the Brewers could hold onto them for next year. But given the team's need for pitching, Melvin could listen to offers. Hart's value might never be higher, but Prince isn't hitting for quite as much power as usual, so the Brewers have some decisions to make.
Should the Brewers trade Fielder and Hart?
Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.
Odds & Ends: Pomeranz, Marlins, Everett, Valentine
Links for Wednesday…
- Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that fifth overall pick Drew Pomeranz is scheduled to go to Cleveland on Monday to take a physical and "hear the Indians' sales pitch." Hoynes says there have been no negotiations to date.
- Marlins' president David Samson told Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald that they're "not ready to say for certain that trade didn't work," referring to the Miguel Cabrera blockbuster (Twitter link). Both Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin, the two centerpieces of the deal for Florida, have struggled in the big leagues and are currently in the minors.
- Upon hearing about Boston's interest in his services, Adam Everett said "I haven't heard that, but great team, great city, and it sounds interesting," according to FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi (via Twitter).
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday tweets the leaders in wins above replacement, or WAR, from last year's free agent class. Andy Pettitte tops the list, followed closely by Livan Hernandez and Aubrey Huff.
- Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post notes (via Twitter) that the Marlins spoke with Bobby Valentine this morning. The Marlins' opening interests Valentine.
- Prince Fielder and Corey Hart tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that they realize they could be traded. Morosi says the Brewers should trade Hart for pitching, but Hart would prefer to stay in Milwaukee.
- Kenny Williams told Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune that the White Sox could become buyers.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Blue Jays could trade pitching away this trade deadline (Twitter link).
- Chris Iannetta told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that he did his best to ignore rumors that the Red Sox were interested in him.
- At this point, Pedro Martinez doesn't want to think about whether he'll play this year. He told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald that he doesn't know anything right now.
- Steve Gould of the Baltimore Sun reminds us that 2009 first rounder Matt Hobgood is still a teenager and says Orioles fans should be more patient with the tall righty.
- MLB.com's Fred Claire shows that the Orioles are looking for the kind of stability that was once found in Baltimore and that the Angels now have.
Blue Jays Outright Encarnacion To Minors
WEDNESDAY, 8:56pm: Encarnacion cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas according to The National Post's Twitter feed.
MONDAY, 2:39pm: The Blue Jays designated Edwin Encarnacion for assignment, according to the team. The Blue Jays demoted Encarnacion, who they picked up in last summer's Scott Rolen trade, after yesterday's loss to the Giants.
There's no question that Encarnacion has power – he hit five homers in three games back in May – but his overall .200/.298/.467 was not enough for him to keep his roster spot. Unlike Rolen, Encarnacion is a poor defender (career -12.4 UZR/150 in thousands of innings at third) so his contributions are limited when he slumps at the plate.
The Blue Jays will replace Encarnacion by playing Jose Bautista at third or relying on new addition Jarrett Hoffpauir. The Twins and Angels could have interest in Encarnacion, as both clubs have banged up infielders.
Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (Twitter link) that he doesn't expect Encarnacion to be claimed, given "the performance and the salary of the player." Encarnacion makes $4.75MM this year, but other clubs could have interest in a deal if the Blue Jays take on salary.
The Latest On The Marlins’ Managerial Search
The Marlins are "moving fast" to interview Bobby Valentine as soon as possible, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Rosenthal says other candidates are in the mix for the job Fredi Gonzalez held until this morning.
Jack McKeon, who managed the Marlins to a World Series title in 2003, is not in the running to manage the team again, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter). No more than ten candidates have a shot at the position and the Marlins hope to hire a new manager by the All-Star break (Twitter link).
Team president David Samson spoke with Valentine this morning, according to Capozzi (via Twitter). Interest is mutual at this point; Valentine has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Orioles' opening and said he would consider managing the Marlins.
Marlins Release Renyel Pinto
The Marlins released lefty Renyel Pinto, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). It's been a busy day for the Marlins, who fired manager Fredi Gonzalez and have already started contacting potential replacements. Pinto was designated for assignment a week ago, so his release is less of a surprise than his former manager's firing.
Pinto, 28 next month, had a 2.70 ERA in 16.2 innings for Florida this year, striking out 16 and walking nine. He is under team control for both the 2011 and 2012 seasons, so he figures to draw some interest as a free agent.
The Marlins released left-hander Hunter Jones yesterday and it looks like he'll undergo Tommy John surgery. Unlike Jones, Pinto can help a team this year.