Rosenthal On Giants, Dye, Lopez, Kennedy
Diamond Leung passes along a clip in which Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggests potential trade targets for the Giants. Here are a few possibilities:
- The Astros, now 5.0 games back in the NL Central, aren't about to trade Miguel Tejada away, so don't expect him to end up on the Giants.
- Rosenthal says Jermaine Dye is a potential fit for the Giants, even though they aren't desperate for outfielders. If the Giants are willing to take on his $11.5MM salary, they wouldn't have to give up as much in return for Dye. The White Sox are just 5.0 games back themselves, however.
- Rosenthal also mentions Felipe Lopez and Adam Kennedy as cheaper options that could help the Giants out.
Glaus Could Appeal To Teams At First Or DH
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Troy Glaus could appeal to teams looking for a first baseman or DH. The Cardinals may not have room for Glaus when he returns from his injury, since his hitting is progressing better than his throwing. With Albert Pujols at first and no DH, the Cardinals may decide to trade Glaus if he can't play third.
Fehr Stepping Down As MLBPA Director
5:53pm: Maury Brown has the Players Association's statement.
1:55pm: ESPN.com reports that Donald Fehr is stepping down as executive director of the MLB Players' Association. ESPN's source says Michael Weiner will replace Fehr, who has led the MLBPA since 1983. Fehr said today he will retire by the end of March 2010.
As MLB.com's Bobbie Dittmeier points out, Fehr began working for the MLBPA in 1977 after working on behalf of the association as a lawyer. Over the course of his leadership, the average major league salary rose from $289k to $2.9MM, according to the AP. However, Fehr has been criticized for waiting until 2002 to allow drug testing in baseball.
Mets DFA Wilson Valdez
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that the Mets designated Wilson Valdez for assignment to make room for pitchers Elmer Dessens and Pat Misch. The roster shuffle comes partially because Carlos Beltran is headed for the DL.
In 26 plate appearances for the Mets, Valdez hit .208/.269/.333. The 31-year-old played both middle infield positions.
Discussion: What Should The Mets Do?
Carlos Beltran will join teammates Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, John Maine, Oliver Perez and J.J. Putz on the disabled list, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. The Mets needed a first base-outfield type before they heard the bad news about their center fielder, and now their need is even more pronounced.
The Mets will combine Gary Sheffield, Fernando Martinez, Ryan Church, Daniel Murphy, Fernando Tatis and Jeremy Reed in the outfield and at first for now. As exasperating as these injuries have become for the Mets, they're only two games out of first place, thanks to the Phillies' recent slide.
The Mets are hoping Beltran will miss just two weeks, but they could use help and every team now knows it. Omar Minaya says he'll "continue to have conversations" with other clubs. Should he wait it out until they know more about the injuries? Try and deal for Aubrey Huff, Mark DeRosa or Nick Johnson now? How much should Minaya be prepared to surrender in a trade?
Indians Rumors: Wedge, White, Draft
MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince says the chatter about Eric Wedge's job security is premature. The Indians aren't on the verge of firing him and are more likely to consider a change after the season. Here are some more Indians notes:
- The Indians are expected to begin negotiations soon with first rounder Alex White.
- As Castrovince pointed out on draft day, White is a 20-year-old righty reliever out of UNC who could make an impact in the majors sooner than most players in the draft.
- The team has now signed 18 of the players drafted earlier in the month, including 13 of their top 16 picks.
Odds And Ends: Red Sox, Mateo, Sano
More links for the afternoon…
- The Pirates signed Victor Black, their supplemental round pick, according to Mike Vukovcan of KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox are set to sign their second round pick, righty Alex Wilson, for about $475k. He turned down $600k from the Cubs last year.
- ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure says the Nats will work Wagner Mateo out, but aren't likely to sign him.
- Arangure says the Mariners, Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants, Yankees and Cubs could sign Mateo.
- Arangure still expects Miguel Angel Sano to sign with the Pirates.
- Peter Abraham of the Journal News suggests the Yankees should release Brett Tomko and Angel Berroa. He also suggests five other ways the Yankees could improve without making a trade.
- Peter Gammons says C.C. Sabathia could use some extra rest in this ESPN Radio discussion. Gammons also believes Daisuke Matsuzaka's injury is "pretty serious."
- MLB.com's Rustin Dodd looks back at the deal that sent Carlos Beltran to the Astros. Five years ago Wednesday, the Royals acquired Mike Wood, Mark Teahen and John Buck for their center fielder.
- Click here to take another look at the MLBTR glossary post on the international signing period. It now explains how some players born in early September, 1993 can sign this year.
The Disqualified List
Another term for the MLBTR Glossary…
Players who violate the terms of their contract can be placed on the disqualified list, which prevents them from collecting service time and money. For example, the Nationals threatened to put Alfonso Soriano on the disqualified list when he refused to play the outfield in 2006, as this AP story shows.
Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts.
Heyman: Ten Teams That Could Add Payroll
Jon Heyman of SI.com provides a list of ten teams that could add payroll. He adds the Angels, Brewers, Red Sox and Brewers to the list we assembled last week. Here are his ten teams:
- The Red Sox could add payroll, but they don't have significant needs.
- The Mets could add payroll and they need a hitter who can play first, the outfield, or both.
- The Phillies could add payroll to acquire pitching.
- The Angels, with several contracts expiring this year (Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, Chone Figgins), could add salary.
- The Giants could take on payroll to add a bat.
- The Brewers and Cardinals could both free up money to add a pitcher or hitter.
- The Tigers, White Sox and Dodgers round out Heyman's list, but he warns us not to rule out the Yankees.
- Don't look for the White Sox to deal prospects away to increase their playoff chances, even though they trail the Tigers by just 5.0 games.
- On another note, no one's called the Mariners about Adrian Beltre.
Jason Bay Was Nearly A Brave
We know that the Braves and Rays almost acquired Jason Bay from the Pirates at last year's trade deadline. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com has some specifics on who the Pirates would have received in return and just how close the Braves came to completing the deal:
- The Braves would have sent Concepcion Rodriguez, Brent Lillibridge, Brandon Jones and Jeff Locke to the Pirates.
- Interestingly, Locke was eventually dealt to the Pirates for another All-Star outfielder, Nate McLouth.
- The Braves actually had Bay's name sewed onto a jersey. I wonder who has it now…
- Pirates president Frank Coonelly called the deal off since he wanted more major league talent in return.
- Bay had no idea that he came so close to becoming a Brave and said he's happy to be in Boston.