Ryan Freel Retires
Ryan Freel has retired, according to Mike Ashmore of the Hunterdon County Democrat (via Twitter). Freel signed with the Atlantic League's Somerset Patriots in April, but played just nine games for the club, hitting .265 with one steal according to Ashmore (via Twitter).
Freel, 34, played with the Reds, Royals, Cubs, Orioles and Blue Jays in his eight-year MLB career. The utilityman posted a career line of .268/.354/.369 and stole 143 bases in 191 career attempts. Freel made a name for himself in Cincinnati, where he spent six seasons and averaged 37 steals and a .370 on base percentage between 2004-06. He has earned about $11.5MM in his career.
Rosenthal On Vargas, D’Backs, Hillman, Baldelli
Jason Vargas is off to a hot start with the Mariners, but when they acquired him in the 2008 J.J. Putz deal, he wasn’t considered a major part of the trade. GM Jack Zduriencik tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he asked for Vargas while trying to “finish up the deal.” Here are the rest of Rosenthal’s hot stove-related notes:
- One NL official wonders how the D'Backs can operate without a left-handed reliever in a division that includes many imposing left-handed hitters.
- The Royals fired manager Trey Hillman last week, but his baseball career is probably not over. Hillman is still "well-thought of in the industry," according to one GM.
- Rocco Baldelli could make a comeback this year. He's a special assistant to the Rays, and he continues to hit daily. The 28-year-old outfielder hit .253/.311/.433 for the Red Sox last year in 164 plate appearances.
Brian Bass Clears Waivers
SATURDAY, 12:47pm: MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports that Bass has cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A.
MONDAY, 3:03pm: The Pirates designated Brian Bass for assignment, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter). The right-hander is out of options, so he'll be exposed to other clubs, but the Pirates wanted to make room for Ross Ohlendorf.
Bass, 28, allowed nine hits and eight walks in 6.1 innings for the Pirates this season for a 12.79 ERA. The Pirates signed Bass to a minor league deal in January, a month after the Orioles non-tendered him. Bass appeared in 48 games for the Orioles last year, logging 86.1 innings. He allowed 106 hits a year ago with 5.6 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 so it wasn't a surprise when the Orioles declined to offer Bass a contract.
Within ten days we'll see Bass traded, released or, if he clears waivers, assigned to the minor leagues. Bass has been just part of the problem for a Pirates pitching staff that ranks last in the National League in runs allowed (195) and earned runs allowed (179).
Josh Rupe Clears Waivers
FRIDAY, 9:48pm: MLB.com's Samuel Zuba reports that Rupe has cleared waivers and accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A.
WEDNESDAY, 4:29pm: The Royals designated Josh Rupe for assignment, according to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel. The Royals had to make room for Blake Wood, a right-hander who got the call from Triple A Omaha. Rupe allowed all four batters he faced to reach base last night and he allowed a homer in his previous outing. In 9.2 innings this season, the 27-year-old righty has rates of 7.4 K/9 and 6.5 BB/9.
Wood, 24, has a fastball that touches 97 mph with a power curveball and an average changeup, according to Baseball America's 2010 handbook. BA suggests the former starter could have a future as a setup man. This year, Wood has pitched 16.2 innings, with 6.5 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9.
Odds & Ends: Rays, Posey, Smoak, Hillman
Some links as we wonder what to make of the red-hot Padres…
- Ace Walker was the pitcher of the year in the independent Northern League last year, but he didn't get any calls from MLB teams over the winter, reports Adam Wazny of the Winnipeg Free Press.
- High schooler Tony Wolters, who was one of the top shortstops available in this year's draft, has been ruled ineligible, according to John Manuel of Baseball America.
- Rays manager Joe Maddon told Scott Miller of CBS Sports that the Rays have to operate with "one eye on the present and one on the future" to win with their budget.
- MLB.com's Chris Haft suggests the Giants could put Aubrey Huff in left field to make room for Buster Posey's bat at first base.
- RotoAuthority explains why it's a little early to talk about a Barry Zito renaissance.
- The Rangers would only consider trading Justin Smoak for a player who would put them "over the top," in the opinion of Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
- Joe Posnanski notes that Dayton Moore fired Trey Hillman days after praising him and suggests that the decision wasn't Moore's.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told Marc Carig of the Star Ledger that the Tigers were always confident in Austin Jackson's defense.
- The Nationals have the resources to make midseason moves if necessary, writes ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
- James Paxton, a sandwich pick the Blue Jays failed to sign last year, makes his independent league debut tonight. One scout told John Manuel of Baseball America that Paxton threw 88-90 mph and looked rusty in exhibition games.
Minor League Transactions: Anderson, Espinosa
Some familiar names were involved in some under-the-radar moves this week, as Baseball America's Matt Eddy reports:
- The Reds released Josh Anderson, who they signed to a minor league deal in January. Anderson stole 25 bases in 29 attempts for the Royals and Tigers last year, but as his .240/.276/.304 line shows, he doesn't draw walks or have much power.
- The Indians traded Neil Wagner to the A's for cash. Wagner is a 26-year-old right-handed reliever who has career rates of 10.6 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9, but has yet to play above AA.
- The Rays officially signed Sergio Espinosa. The 23-year-old Cuban lefty signed last month, according to Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald, but the move recently became official.
Yankees Claim Shane Lindsay
The Yankees claimed right-hander Shane Lindsay from the Rockies, according to Chad Jennings of the Journal News. The Yankees released injured prospect Christian Garcia to make room for Lindsay on their 40-man roster.
Lindsay, a 25-year-old Australian, has a 6.59 ERA in 13.2 Triple A innings this year with 12.5 K/9 and 11.2 BB/9. The righty has always walked and struck out lots of batters, though his walk rate has never been this extreme. Baseball America praised Lindsay's mid-90s fastball and knuckle-curve in their 2010 handbook, suggesting he could appear in the majors this year if he finally stays healthy. Lindsay will report to the Yankees' minor league complex, where he'll no doubt attempt to regain his command.
Nationals Considering ‘A Handful’ For Top Pick
The Nationals are considering 'a handful' of players in preparation for the draft, GM Mike Rizzo told MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Naturally Bryce Harper is one of the prospects the Nationals are watching, but they aren't committed to taking him.
"I wouldn't say we are leaning toward anybody." Rizzo said. "We are leaning toward a handful of people."
A baseball source told Ladson that the Nationals are also considering pitchers Drew Pomeranz and Jameson Taillon and shortstop Manny Machado. Some have questioned Harper's character, but Rizzo made it clear that he doesn't share those doubts.
"We have no problem with Bryce Harper's character," Rizzo said.
Harper has seemed like a likely selection for a while, but the Nationals have repeated that no decisions have been made, as much as they like Harper's ability and makeup.
July 2 Prospect Update: De La Cruz, Peguero, Romero
Vicmar De La Cruz has received a seven-figure offer from the Indians, according to MLBTR contributor Blake Bentley. Teams cannot make official offers until the international signing period begins this July 2nd, but they're watching now. Bentley reports that the Indians are interested, but says De La Cruz will likely wait for more offers.
This year's best July 2 shortstop, Martin Steylon Peguero, will be in position to demand a solid contract as he is this year's best July 2nd shortstop. Bentley reports that the Rangers, Mariners, Padres, Twins, Reds and Cubs have all expressed serious interest in Peguero, who has also received a seven figure offer.
Wilmer Romero, an outfielder from Santo Domingo, has the toolset to demand seven figures, writes Bentley. The previous unknown stands 6'2'', has good speed, a strong arm and plus power.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Hiroki Kuroda
If Hiroki Kuroda's strong start becomes a strong season, as the numbers suggest it can, he may become one of baseball's most coveted free agent starters this winter.
The Japanese righty is quietly off to a strong start in 2010. Seven outings into the season Kuroda's 4-1 record and 2.66 ERA catch the eye, and his peripheral stats suggest he can maintain this kind of production. He's striking out more batters than usual and inducing more grounders. And unlike some pitchers off to hot starts, Kuroda's ERA isn't low because he strands all his baserunners or has an unsustainable home run rate.
Kuroda's age (35) will work against him as a free agent, but he has been relatively durable since joining the Dodgers in 2008. He made 31 starts in his rookie season, but missed some time last year with an oblique injury. He also missed time after getting hit in the head with a line drive, but you can't hold that against him.
Kuroda's three year $35.3MM deal expires after the season, and he'll hit free agency alongside Cliff Lee, Javier Vazquez and the rest of this winter's class. Vazquez is off to a slow start, Lee missed most of April and Brandon Webb has yet to pitch at all. Given Kuroda's age, it's hard to imagine a team committing to him long-term, but it's not hard to imagine Kuroda drawing interest from ten clubs this winter.