Draft Updates: Brewers, Red Sox, Matzek
More updates, as the deadline approaches…
- Baseball America's Jim Callis reports that the Brewers signed third rounder Brooks Hall for $700k. Hall was a two-way player in high school, but he'll focus on pitching as a pro.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com points out that the Red Sox, who didn't draft any Scott Boras clients, have spent aggresively on players who fell because of perceived signability issues.
- DJ Bean of WEEI.com shows that the Red Sox have a history of drafting and spending aggressively under Theo Epstein. However, they are able to "draw a line in the sand" when necessary.
- Troy Renck of the Denver Post hears that the Rockies and Tyler Matzek are still far apart in their negotiations, though that doesn't mean they won't agree to a deal.
Red Sox Release John Smoltz
The Red Sox released John Smoltz, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. They designated the veteran right-hander for assignment ten days ago and weren't able to work out a trade with any team. Smoltz will become a free agent Wednesday once he clears release waivers and should have a number of suitors to choose from at that point.
Any team that signs Smoltz will only pay him the pro-rated major league minimum; the Red Sox would have to cover the rest of his $5.5MM salary. Since bonuses are negated once a player's released, no team will have to pay Smoltz any incentives.
Russ Ortiz Opts Out, Becomes A Free Agent
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Russ Ortiz has exercised a clause in his contract that allows him to become a free agent. The Yankees agreed to let the righty become a free agent if they didn't promote him after three minor league starts. Ortiz pitched well in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the Yanks asked him to remain in the organization, but he declined.
Rays Don’t Expect To Sign Top Two Picks
The Rays don't expect to sign either one of their top two draft picks, according to Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune. The Rays expect to receive compensation picks in next year's draft for failing to sign first rounder Levon Washington and second rounder Kenny Diekroeger. Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said the team offered Washington a bonus "consistent with late first round picks," but could not come to an agreement with Washington and his agent, Scott Boras.
Heyman On Red Sox, Davis, Padilla
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Red Sox are "thought to have offered a five-prospect package of [Clay] Buchholz, Michael Bowden, Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone and a position player" for Roy Halladay. The club apparently offered the Mariners an even better deal for Felix Hernandez. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors:
- The Brewers offered nothing more than salary relief for Doug Davis, so the D'Backs held on.
- There's a decent chance the Blue Jays will find a new GM. As one exec points out, no one gets to rebuild twice without making the playoffs.
- The Rangers gave up on Vicente Padilla because they consider him a bad teammate.
Law On Miller, Purke, Jays
ESPN.com's Keith Law wrote last night that the Cardinals seem to be on their way to signing top pick Shelby Miller, who could receive top-ten money. Signing the righty would be "a huge coup" for the Cards, Law says. Here are the rest of his rumors:
- The Rangers and Matt Purke are still over $1MM apart so the club isn't optimistic about signing the first rounder.
- The Blue Jays have a good shot at signing third rounder Jake Marisnick, a high schooler who had first round potential heading into the spring.
- The Jays aren't likely to sign Canadian lefty Jake Eliopoulos.
Nats DFA Logan Kensing
For the second time this year, the Nats have designated reliever Logan Kensing for assignment, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Kensing, who throws as hard as 96 mph, has a 10.71 ERA for the season, leading manager Jim Riggleman to wonder if he's tipping his pitches. The Nats DFA'd Kensing for the first time back in May.
Yankees Sign First And Second Rounders
Draft Updates: Jays, Rays, Mariners, Padres
Its' still quiet on the Stephen Strasburg front, but we have other draft updates with less than 12 hours remaining for teams to sign their picks.
- Baseball America's Jim Callis says the Jays signed outfielder K.C. Hobson for $500k, more than three times what MLB recommends giving sixth rounders.
- Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times says the Rays will have to examine Levon Washington's shoulder carefully today, since the top pick is coming off surgery.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times imagines what would happen if the Mariners and Nationals both failed to sign their top picks this year.
- Andy Marks of the Ocala Star-Banner reports that the Padres agreed to sign fourth rounder Keyvius Sampson for second round money, though the specifics of the deal aren't yet known.
Russell Will Manage The Pirates Next Year
Pirates President Frank Coonelly told Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that manager John Russell will return next year. Russell, who is already under contract for 2010, has led the Pirates to a 113-165 record in his two seasons as team manager. GM Neal Huntington, who is also under contract through next season, has traded away most of the team's veteran talent, so Russell has worked with a constantly-changing group.