Odds And Ends: Blue Jays, Cotts, Indians
Manny's back to help celebrate the Fourth of July weekend! Here are some links to start the day off…
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Blue Jays execs will decide what course of action to take this month once they see how the team performs on its ten-game road trip against divisional rivals.
- Jamey Newberg ranks this week's top 20 Rangers prospects for MLB.com. Texas just keeps churning out quality players; this week it's Julio Borbon.
- Cubs reliever Neal Cotts underwent Tommy John surgery, according to the Sports Network, via the Miami Herald.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says the Mariners and Angels have a serious advantage over the Rangers when it comes to making deadline deals now that the Rangers are borrowing money from MLB.
- Steve Kornacki of MLive provides five reasons why the Tigers may not make the playoffs and five reasons why they're in first.
- As Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes, Seth McClung's preformance has made the Brewers' need for a starter more glaring.
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says the Indians would need a "staggering" return for either Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez.
Mariners Sign Guillermo Pimentel
The Mariners signed Guillermo Pimentel to a bonus of $2MM, according to ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr.. Pimentel signed the contract as the clock struck midnight on July 2nd, the earliest moment he was eligible.
D’Backs Trade Candidates
The D'Backs are out of the playoff hunt and they have a number of players who could appeal to contenders, as Bob Young of the Arizona Republic notes. GM Josh Byrnes says he's not looking to reinvent the team's core, but he does want to build "talent for the long term." He recognizes that the D'Backs are out of the race and is now open to making deals. Here are some D'Backs trade candidates:
- There's no market for Eric Byrnes and his salary, so Young wonders whether it could be time for the D'Backs to eat the remainder of what they owe the left fielder.
- Felipe Lopez has value; Young mentions Atlanta as a possible fit.
- Young says it's time to move Chad Tracy if the D'Backs find a taker.
- In a thin pitching market, Jon Garland and Doug Davis will appeal to contenders.
- Nick Piecoro reports that Garland doesn't want to be traded and, not surprisingly, wants to wait and see before deciding whether he wants his 2010 option exercised.
- The D'Backs will be looking for affordable young talent in any deals they make, but they already have some in the minors. Piecoro takes a look at the D'Backs' system.
Miguel Angel Sano Rumors: Friday
The Orioles will likely make Miguel Angel Sano an offer in the coming days, though they haven't yet done so, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Orioles president Andy MacPhail said the team wants to see how MLB's investigation into Sano's age turns out. The O's have decided Sano's worth a certain amount, but, obviously did not disclose the number.
Angels Aren’t Close To Making A Deal
Angels GM Tony Reagins told Kevin Baxter of the LA Times that he's talking to other clubs, but those discussions haven't brought him any closer to making a trade than he was a month ago. The Angels could use help in the rotation and in the bullpen and could deal from depth in the middle infield and behind the plate. However, Reagins says there's no point in trading for the sake of trading.
Blue Jays DFA Russ Adams
The Blue Jays have designated Russ Adams for assignment to make room for David Dellucci, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Adams, 28, has been a major disappointment in Toronto since the Blue Jays took him in the first round of the 2002 draft. The converted infielder picked up four hits in 20 at bats, hitting almost exclusively against righties.
Morosi On Yankees, Qualls, Tigers
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports has a few more rumors worth passing along:
- The Yankees' bullpen has been performing well, but that's not stopping the team from keeping a close eye on D'Backs closer Chad Qualls.
- If Brian Bruney doesn't start pitching more consistently, the Yankees may feel more pressure to acquire Qualls, who won't be a free agent until after next season and makes an affordable $2.5MM this year.
- The Tigers are still looking for an outfield bat as Magglio Ordonez's hitting woes continue. The haircut may not have been the answer, as he has just two hits in his last 20 at bats.
Miguel Angel Sano Rumors: Thursday
5:16pm: According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have offered a deal around $3MM, contingent on verification of Sano's age and identification. It seems most of these clubs are willing to hold off until both have been verified.
3:34pm: Arangure Jr. says he's been assured the Pirates haven't offered Sano a deal. As he says, the difference between an offer and the parameters of a deal may just be "semantics," especially since Sano's age is still under investigation.
2:55pm: Kovacevic hears from multiple sources that the Pirates offered Sano a deal yesterday morning. However, nothing will likely materialize before MLB completes the investigation into Sano's age.
2:27pm: Roch Kubatko of MASN.com reports that the Orioles won't be signing Sano in the immediate future.
1:25pm: Arangure Jr. hears that the MLB investigation into Sano's age won't be completed today. Safe to say he won't sign today then.
12:24pm: MLB.com's Jen Langosch reports that the Pirates have not yet made Sano an offer.
9:47am: ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. hears that the Pirates haven't made Sano an offer yet.
8:56am: Today marks the beginning of the international signing period, when teams can start signing the latest crop of young international stars and the Pirates are starting the day off aggressively. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports they are believed to have offered Miguel Angel Sano a contract, the terms of which are still unknown.
- The Twins and Orioles are still in the mix and Baltimore could out-spend both teams.
- The Pirates have a Latin American budget of $2MM, but Sano will likely command a bonus north of $3MM and could approach Michael Ynoa's record of $4.25MM. GM Neal Huntington says the Pirates could expand the budget under special circumstances, something they'd almost certainly have to do to sign Sano.
- There are lingering questions about the shortstop's age which must be resolved.
In spite of this, Huntington says he expects to do "very well" internationally this year.
Trade Candidates: Middle Infielders
The Mets, Reds, Cardinals, Twins, Cubs, Brewers and Giants could all potentially look for middle infield help. Here are some trade candidates, listed from largest 2009 salary to smallest:
- Miguel Tejada – His $13MM salary would be too much for some teams if the Astros made him available, but his 32 extra base hits and low strikeout numbers sure look good.
- Julio Lugo – He makes $9MM this year and the same amount next year, so the Red Sox would presumably take on salary in any deal. The 33-year-old is hitting .370 since the beginning of June.
- Cristian Guzman – At $8MM this year and next he's not cheap, but he's consistently hit for a high average in recent years.
- Jack Wilson – He makes $7.25MM this year and his team will have to buy him out for $600k to avoid paying him even more in 2010. However, he's a good defender who puts the ball in play and has doubles power.
- Freddy Sanchez – He'll make over $6MM this year and his 2010 option for $8MM will likely vest. It's a lot of money, but the former batting titlist is a better hitter than most middle infield trade candidates.
- Dan Uggla - The most powerful option available may not be available, after all. The Marlins are in it, so they may keep Uggla and his $3.5MM salary.
- Orlando Cabrera – He's posted a .610 OPS this year and he'll make $4MM- not an enticing combination, but the A's are falling far out of the race.
- Felipe Lopez – At just $3.5MM, his .771 OPS looks good, in spite of the big strikeout total.
- Jamey Carroll - As a free agent-to-be on the Indians, he's a candidate to be moved. The 35-year-old has a .735 OPS to go along with his $2.5MM salary.
- Cesar Izturis – He'll earn $2.4MM this year and $2.6MM in 2010. He's on the DL, recovering from an apendectomy, and his slow recovery is making it less likely that he'll be traded.
- Yuniesky Betancourt – His $2MM salary is deceptive, as he's still guaranteed about $10MM before his deal expires. That figure, plus his .609 OPS mean he'll likely be staying put, but he could be had.
- John McDonald – He's barely played at all for the Jays, but McDonald, who makes $1.9MM, could work for a team looking for a defensive specialist.
- Yunel Escobar – He makes just $425k this year and Buster Olney says the Braves would consider dealing him for a bat.
- Blake DeWitt – The Dodgers have Orlando Hudson playing second base, so DeWitt could be expendable. He's making just $405k, but his Triple A numbers are uninspired.
- Adam Kennedy – The A's are just paying Kennedy the major league minimum and he's produced an OPS approaching .800 for them.
Rangers Borrowed Millions From MLB
4:54pm: Yahoo's Gordon Edes reports that the Rangers borrowed millions from MLB and will continue to receive financial assistance from the league until owner Tom Hicks finalizes the club's sale. Edes' source says the Rangers borrowed less than $15MM.
Hicks isn't expected to sell the club before the end of the season, so the Rangers will have trouble adding salary at the deadline and could struggle to sign their top draft picks.
3:06pm: Rangers owner Tom Hicks and president Nolan Ryan were among those who dodged questions about the possibility that the Rangers had to borrow $15MM from MLB, according to Evan Grant of D Magazine. One of Grant's sources said the Rangers have had no trouble paying employees and should be able to sign draft picks and international free agents, as expected.