Odds And Ends: Pirates, Bard, Padres, Rolen
More links for the afternoon…
- MLB.com's Ian Browne says Daniel Bard has essentially become "untouchable." Of course few players other than Tim Lincecum and Evan Longoria really are untouchable, but it sounds like the Red Sox really like their young reliever.
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick hears from some people within the game who credit the Pirates for gutting the team and amassing prospects instead of continuing with the "lipstick on a pig" approach they tried for years.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock shows that the Padres improved their pitching depth and suggests they could pursue a free agent hitter this offseason.
- Reds assistant GM Bob Miller said in his MLB.com chat that the reports on the amount the Reds owe Scott Rolen are "incorrect." So how much are the Reds paying Rolen? Miller can't say.
- Peter Abraham of the Journal News shows that Andy Pettitte could double his $5.5MM salary if he has a strong enough finish and his incentives kick in.
Heyman On GM Candidates
Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on a couple of free agents who don't appear on this list: Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd and Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. Both could be free agents after the year (Colletti has a mutual option) and either could be a candidate to become the permanent Nats GM. Heyman lists White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, Marlins exec Dan Jennings, Red Sox exec Jed Hoyer and Rays exec Gerry Hunsicker as other possible fits in Washington, along with acting GM Mike Rizzo.
Heyman On August Trades
Executives tell Jon Heyman of SI.com that we saw the "softest deadline ever" last week because there's still the possibility for trades this month. Here's an explanation of how trades can occur after the deadline and here are the players Heyman deems likely to clear waivers (player who clear waivers may be traded):
- Bronson Arroyo, Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen, Aaron Harang, Adrian Beltre, Aubrey Huff, Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora, Miguel Batista, Juan Cruz, Ty Wigginton, Ron Mahay, Willie Bloomquist, Lyle Overbay, Willy Taveras.
Some players who could clear waivers:
- Jon Garland, Doug Davis, Gil Meche, Alex Rios, Carl Pavano, Mark Hendrickson, Jhonny Peralta, Jamey Carroll, Ron Villone.
And some players who probably won't clear waivers, but who could be dealt to a claiming team:
- Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez, Heath Bell, Adrian Gonzalez, Marco Scutaro, Chad Qualls, Michael Wuertz, Brian Bannister, Josh Willingham, Gary Sheffield, David Eckstein, Jason Frasor, Mark Teahen.
Which Teams Took On Salary At The Deadline?
As the trade deadline approached, we heard many writers and executives suggest teams would be unable to add payroll this year. Here's a breakdown of the teams that added at least $1MM in salary to their 2009 payrolls this summer. All totals are approximate:
- The Cardinals added $2.9MM to the team's payroll when they traded for Mark DeRosa and $3.7MM when they added Matt Holliday for a total of $6.6MM.
- The Red Sox added $4.5MM between the Victor Martinez and Adam LaRoche deals.
- Acquiring Jarrod Washburn added about $3.6MM to the Tigers' payroll.
- The White Sox added $2.8MM in salary when they made the Jake Peavy deal.
- The Giants added $2.1MM in the Freddy Sanchez trade.
- The Phillies added $2MM in the Cliff Lee deal.
- The Rockies added $1.9MM in the Rafael Betancourt and Joe Beimel deals.
- The Brewers took on $1.4MM by dealing for Felipe Lopez.
- The Braves took on $1.3MM to add Nate McLouth.
- The Twins added $1.25MM in salary by trading for Orlando Cabrera.
- They didn't take on much salary, but between the Eric Hinske deal and the Jerry Hairston Jr. acquisition, the Yanks added $1.1MM.
- The Dodgers added about $1MM when they dealt for George Sherrill.
In total, 12 teams added payroll, but only one took on more than $5MM. The prognosticators were right about one thing: teams didn't take on much payroll. However, few predicted 12 teams would take on salary at the deadline. Looks like many teams set economic concerns aside when presented with the chance to win.
Rays Release Wade Townsend
Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays released former first round pick Wade Townsend. The 26-year-old righty has struggled with injuries since the Rays selected him 8th overall in 2005. He pitched poorly in limited action at Rookie ball this year and never put together an impressive season in the minors. The Rays chose Townsend when Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce and Jacoby Ellsbury were available, but they do have Matt Garza, who the Twins selected in the first round that year.
Odds And Ends: Rockies, Volquez, Pirates
More links for the morning…
- At the Hardball Times, Adam Guttridge uses his trade evaluation system to break down some of last week's deals. He says the Phillies, Red Sox and White Sox overpaid to acquire star players.
- Todd Helton tells MLB.com's Thomas Harding it's nice to see the Rockies adding, rather than subtracting at the deadline.
- Via Twitter, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that Edinson Volquez had Tommy John surgery and will miss a year. What a blow for the Reds.
- MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reviews the new-look Pirates organization.
Nats Will Look For Pitching & A Second Baseman
The Nats will look for a veteran starter, relievers and a second baseman this offseason, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Here are the details on the team's plans:
- Acting GM Mike Rizzo says he's looking for a "teacher and mentor type" pitcher to solidify the staff and help develop the club's young arms.
- The Nats want to revamp their bullpen and Ladson expects them to pursue closers this offseason.
- Second base has been an issue, so Ladson suggests the team could pursue Orlando Hudson again when he becomes a free agent after the season.
- The Nats would also like to add speed to their lineup.
Felix & Gonzalez Were Part Of Failed Deal
You thought the Jake Peavy deal was a surprise? The Red Sox, Mariners and Padres discussed a trade that would have made the Peavy acquisition look like the Jason Hirsh deal, according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Baker hears that the Red Sox gave the Mariners the chance to choose five of the following players in exchange for Felix Hernandez:
- Clay Buchholz
- Daniel Bard
- Justin Masterson
- Nick Hagadone
- Michael Bowden
- Felix Doubront
- Josh Reddick
- Yamaico Navarro
The Mariners apparently turned down the deal, at which point the Padres became involved in discussions about a possible three-way trade. The Mariners would have received Adrian Gonzalez, Buchholz and prospects in the deal. They would have sent Felix to the Red Sox and dealt Brandon Morrow, Phillippe Aumont and Carlos Triunfel to the Padres, who would have received prospects from the Red Sox as well. In the end, Baker says the Mariners nixed the deal.
Matt Holliday’s Rising Value
Matt Holliday was hot before he joined the Cardinals. Now he's 20 for his first 37 with the Cards and his season numbers have rounded into form. With a .311/.400/.501 line and above-average defense in left field, Holliday has reinserted himself atop this offseason's free agent class. One GM believes Holliday could boost his value even more with a strong finish:
Odds And Ends: Mets, Mora, Peavy, Pirates
Some links to start the week off…
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Mets are more likely to trade for a number two starter than sign a free agent like John Lackey or Jarrod Washburn this offseason. Sherman can see the Mets pursuing Jose Contreras, who will also be a free agent after the season.
- Steve Melewski of MASN.com suggests it's time for the Orioles to move on from Melvin Mora, who has become unhappy in Baltimore.
- Mora told Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun that he'll play for "somebody else" next year.
- Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune says it's "not in the best interest of baseball" that the Padres had to trade Jake Peavy.
- There's a $7.3MM difference between what the Pirates will spend this year and what they expected to spend at the beginning of the season, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.