Konerko Ignores Trade Speculation
The White Sox aren’t selling yet, but if they decide to, Paul Konerko and his league-leading 13 home runs would appeal to many clubs. But Konerko told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he’s not thinking about midseason trades just yet.
“It’s got no place in my day,” he said. “If it doesn’t help me be productive today, then it’s got no place in my routine.”
Konerko, who makes $12MM this year before becoming a free agent, can’t be traded without his permission. His agent says it’s too early to talk about waiving his client’s no-trade clause.
“We’ll cross that bridge when and if we come to it,” Craig Landis said.
If teams start calling the White Sox, GM Kenny Williams may have to listen. It’s early, and Konerko may not maintain this pace, but teams will be looking for power. Morosi names the Rays as a potential suitor and they do make some sense, if Hank Blalock can’t replicate his minor league success at the big league level.
Heyman On Mets, Brewers, Werth
The Marlins should extend manager Fredi Gonzalez to keep him around as long as Hanley Ramirez is under contract, writes Jon Heyman of SI.com. There's no indication that the Marlins are going to extend their skipper in the near future, but Heyman has the latest on some moves that could happen sooner:
- The Mets will "almost assuredly" hire Bob Melvin if they fire Jerry Manuel, but there's no evidence that GM Omar Minaya is under the same scrutiny as Manuel.
- The Brewers would presumably ask bench coach Willie Randolph to manage if they fire manager Ken Macha.
- Executives estimate that Jayson Werth will sign a deal worth more than Jason Bay's $66MM deal, but less than Matt Holliday's $120MM deal. One executive doesn't think Werth will be able to secure a deal like Holliday's because he doesn't have the same track record. Werth hadn't played more than 102 games before 2008, but he has hit .278/.375/.521 since then.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Joaquin Benoit
The Rays signed Joaquin Benoit after a year in which he didn't throw a major league pitch. The 32-year-old missed all of 2009 with rotator cuff surgery, so Tampa Bay was paying for promise, not performance. So far in 2010, the reliever has delivered one dominant outing after the other.
He didn't make the Opening Day roster, but struck out 15.8 batters per nine at Triple A Durham, with just 2.8 BB/9. He has yet to allow a run in six appearances since getting the call to the majors and has nine strikeouts (including all five batters who faced him last night) in 6.2 innings with just one walk.
But performance isn't everything for free agent relievers. Just ask Kiko Calero, who couldn't secure a major league deal last winter because teams questioned his health despite the 1.95 ERA and 10.4 K/9 he posted in 60 innings. If Benoit continues pitching well, his stats will convince teams that he can perform, but his agents will have to convince them that he can stay healthy if he wants a guaranteed contract.
Benoit's fastball is harder than ever, which suggests he has recovered from last year's rotator cuff surgery. If that's the case, he could ask for a guaranteed deal, like the ones some strikeout-inducing relievers agreed to last winter. Kevin Gregg ($2.75MM), J.J. Putz ($3MM) and Octavio Dotel ($3.5MM) signed deals that could become models for the one Benoit signs after 2010.
Possible Destinations: Mike Lowell
Mike Lowell has thought about asking the Red Sox for his release, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com and various other reporters. The Red Sox will be paying most of Lowell's $12MM salary regardless of what the next few weeks bring, but it's time to consider some possible landing spots for the 36-year-old in case Boston trades or releases him. First, let's take stock of Lowell and what he can be expected to contribute.
After offseason thumb surgery and a knee contusion in Spring Training, Lowell's health is far from certain, especially at his age. He posted a .290/.337/.474 line last year and has hit .263/.354/.404 in 65 plate appearances so far in 2010. With one homer and eight walks, his power appears to be waning, but he's still getting on base. As for his defense, Lowell has played just 32 innings at third so far this year. Last year, he posted a UZR/150 of -14.4, which suggests he was – and probably remains – a defensive liability.
The Rangers pursued Lowell last winter, before concerns about his thumb put the deal on hold. With Vladimir Guerrero and Michael Young around, the Rangers appear set at DH and third. First baseman Justin Smoak should hit and Chris Davis and Ryan Garko are around, too, so the Rangers don't seem likely to pursue Lowell again. The Marlins were another rumored destination over the winter, but that was before Gaby Sanchez had proven he could hit in the major leagues.
Earlier in the month, a friend of Lowell's told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that Lowell would like to play for the Twins or Angels. The Twins are starting light-hitting Nick Punto, but Punto's a much more reliable choice on defense, according to UZR. Angels third baseman Brandon Wood has endured one of the slowest starts in the majors, so the Halos are one potential match.
Other possible suitors include the Mariners who need offense (but not more fading veterans) and the Orioles, who have no home runs from their first basemen. Lowell seems to fit best in the American League, where he can DH, but there don't appear to be starting jobs out there for him, unless the Orioles or Angels decide they need production now.
Pirates Sign Six From Latin America
The Pirates signed six Latin American players including Venezuelan outfielder Willy Garcia, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pirates Latin American scouting director Rene Gayo says the club believes Garcia, who received a $280K bonus, has "an athletic body with a chance to develop five tools."
The club also signed five other players, including four pitchers. The new additions include right-handers Brayan Almonte, Oderman Rocha and Jose Luis Acosta and left-hander Angel Sanchez. The Pirates also signed first baseman Jose Roman.
Possible Destinations: Jose Bautista
You're forgiven if you overlooked Jose Bautista coming into the season, too. He had never had a slugging percentage above .420 in any one year and at 29, he wasn't a likely candidate to gain much power. But Bautista, who hit ten home runs last September, finds himself all over the leaderboard a quarter of the way into the season. He started the day third in the league in home runs and fifth in extra base hits, so we can't ignore him any longer.
It's too early to write the Blue Jays off, however. They won again today and they've been among baseball's best teams in May. But should GM Alex Anthopoulos decide to sell, he'll have a versatile and powerful player to market. Does that make Bautista the new Ben Zobrist? Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says no – or at least not yet. Bautista has only hit this well for two and a half months, so he has some work to do.
Comparisons aside, there's no question that Bautsita would appeal to major league teams if the Blue Jays fall out of contention this summer. Whether or not advanced metrics say Bautista's a good defender (they don't) the Blue Jays obviously consider him a major league defender at third and in the outfield. Whether or not you believe in his power, he has out-homered Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard since last September. Plus, Bautista's under team control through 2011.
If he becomes available, the Yankees could have interest, given the injuries to Nick Johnson and Curtis Granderson; the Twins could decide they're more comfortable using Nick Punto as a utility player; the Mariners could spell Jose Lopez at third and use Bautista at DH and in right; the powerless A's could inquire; the Nationals could put Bautista in right; there's no logical position for him in Houston, but the Astros could use the power; the Padres could consider Bautista if they become buyers. In short, many teams could have interest in Bautista, but for now his bat is keeping the Jays in contention.
Upcoming Ten And Five Rights
Players who have accumulated ten years of major league service time can't be traded without their permission if they have spent the last five years with their current club. Ten and five rights can make it much more difficult for a GM to pull off a deal. Here's a list of players whose five and ten rights kick in in the near future:
- A.J. Pierzynski – June 14th
- Mark Buehrle – July 6th
- Jimmy Rollins – Rollins' rights kick in September 7th, long after the trade deadline. The Phillies have not shown any interest in dealing Rollins, but it's worth noting that they won't be able to trade their star shortstop next winter or next season without his permission.
- Mike Lowell – Lowell would have ten and five rights after the season, but only if he stays in Boston. If Lowell, a free agent after 2010, signs elsewhere, he will have no such rights.
- Ichiro – Ichiro will gain ten and five rights after the season. He has a limited no-trade clause now, and isn't going anywhere regardless of his contract status.
- Albert Pujols – Pujols isn't going anywhere either, and his limited no-trade clause becomes a full no-trade clause after the season.
- Rafael Furcal – Like Ichiro and Pujols, Furcal will see his limited no-trade clause become complete after the season. Furcal is under contract through 2011 and the Dodgers have an option for 2012.
Odds & Ends: Peavy, Duchscherer, Vasquez, Piniella
Links for Monday, as Jose Bautista continues to astound…
- Jake Peavy told MLB.com's Scott Merkin that he has no interest in being part of a rebuilding effort at this point in his career. He hasn't given up on the White Sox, though.
- The injured Justin Duchscherer tells John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that he wants to pitch in 2011 (Twitter link).
- Yahoo's Tim Brown lists Dave Trembley, Jerry Manuel and other managers whose jobs aren't completely secure.
- Frankie Piliere of MLB FanHouse names 24 international player to watch leading up to July 2nd, when teams can start signing a new crop of free agents. The Giants are among the favorites to sign top Dominican outfielder Eskarlin Vasquez.
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry says he doesn't have "one thought" in his mind about firing Lou Piniella, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
- Another manager whose contract expires after the season, Jerry Manuel, tells Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork that he isn't worried about his status (Twitter link).
- RotoAuthority identifies some pitchers who have gained and lost velocity this season. Francisco Liriano's fastball has more zip than ever and, now that he's in the rotation, C.J. Wilson isn't throwing as hard.
- Rival executives feel that the Nationals could become aggressive this trade deadline, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. The Nats, now 20-18, could take on an apparently-oversized contract and make a playoff push.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo explains that top college pitchers Anthony Ranaudo and Drew Pomeranz have struggled recently and aren't as attractive to teams as they once were.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes the Cubs should consider firing Lou Piniella if they don't jump into serious contention.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs explains that Jose Bautista and Jake Westbrook could be attractive trade chips later in the summer.
- South Side Sox says Kenny Williams' roster construction "lacked imagination and vision" this year. The result so far: a 15-22 record for the White Sox.
Drew Storen On Track For Super Two Status
If Drew Storen stays on the Nationals' roster all season, he will pile up 140 days of service time this year, enough to have a good chance at Super Two status after 2012. There are no guarantees that relievers- young or old- can maintain enough consistency to merit a roster spot all season long. And there are no guarantees that Storen will accumulate a full year of service time in 2011 and 2012.
But Storen's pedigree (drafted 10th overall) and hot start (10.7 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9) suggest he's as likely as any 22-year-old to stay in the major leagues. If he does, he'll be a Super Two in a couple years and will cost the Nationals more because he will go to arbitration four times, instead of the usual three.
Jonathan Broxton, another reliever who arrived in the majors at a young age, will earn $12.825MM for his three arbitration years. That shows that relievers can make big money before they hit free agency. Of course, Broxton has been nothing but dominant since 2006 and it's premature to ask for that kind of consistency from Storen. But if Storen stays healthy and lives up to his potential as a top prospect, he could become a Super Two player and earn even more than Broxton through arbitration.
White Sox Not Looking To Trade Players
The White Sox may start dealing players at some point this season, but they aren't looking to start trading yet. GM Ken Williams texted manager Ozzie Guillen to say that he isn't looking to trade any White Sox, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). Guillen relayed that message to his players, many of whom have come up in recent trade rumors (Twitter link).
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reported yesterday that the Rangers have inquired on A.J. Pierzynski. Like Mark Buehrle, Pierzynski should see his ten and five rights kick in this June. That would give the players the power to veto trades so Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggested this weekend that the White Sox could start trading soon.
Andruw Jones, Paul Konerko and J.J. Putz could all be appealing if the White Sox fall further out of contention. As MLBTR's Howard Megdal explained last week, five teams could have interest in Jones alone. But the White Sox are all staying put for now, as Williams appears content to wait out his club's 15-22 start in hopes of a summer turnaround.