Draft Update: Strasburg, Ackley, Miller
ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill has an update on some of the most coveted draft-eligible players:
- Stephen Strasburg left his Wednesday night start holding his back. The San Deigo State staff reported a "minor back cramp." Strasburg still managed to strike out six, allowing only four baserunners in 7.2 innings.
- Vanderbilt lefty Mike Minor pitched well yesterday and though he's projected to go after the first round now, he could improve his standing.
- Dustin Ackley hit two home runs against Duke and he has now "all but cemented himself as the No. 2 overall prospect in the draft." The Mariners have the second overall pick.
- Texas high schooler Shelby Miller pitched a four-hit shoutout in front of a number of scouts and Rangers President Nolan Ryan. Miller is expected to be selected within the first five picks.
For the hottest prospects already with a major league organization, check out Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet.
Heyman On Peavy, Pedro, Blalock
Jon Heyman of SI.com has a number of rumors in his latest column:
- He believes the Cubs and Brewers have the best shot at acquiring Jake Peavy, because of the pitcher's preference for the National League and his desire to play in "middle America." Heyman believes Peavy would accept a deal to either team, but there are never guarantees with a no-trade clause.
- The Yankees and Indians both say they cannot add payroll.
- One AL executive believes Pedro Martinez would sign for $3MM plus incentives at this point.
- The Rangers would listen to offers for Hank Blalock and ask for relief help in return.
Odds And Ends: Padres, Takatsu, Sano
Links for Friday afternoon…
- SI.com's Tom Verducci heard one GM argue that the Padres should trade Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez to re-stock the farm system.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo breaks down what will happen after Stephen Strasburg's drafted by the Nationals. He predicts that eight or nine college arms could go in the first 20 picks, if you count redrafts like Aaron Crow and Tanner Scheppers.
- According to Mike Rutsey of the Toronto Sun, Travis Snider was sent to Triple A by the Blue Jays. Snider was hitting .242/.292/.394, with 25 strikeouts in 99 at bats.
- According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, Shingo Takatsu auditioned in front of the D'Backs and Giants. He threw as hard as 86 mph and impressed scouts with his breaking balls. If the name sounds familiar it's because the 40-year-old sidearmer used to close for the White Sox.
- Steve Melewski of MASN wonders if Nolan Reimold has seen the last of the minor leagues. After a slow start, the left fielder is seven for his last 18, including a homer off Mariano Rviera.
- Via Twitter, Keith Law suggests pitcher Sonny Gray would go in the top three picks of this year's draft if he were eligible.
- Live to Play suggests the list of suitors for Miguel Angel Sano will soon "thin out to the very serious contenders" for the 16-year-old shortstop prospect.
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star writes that the ideal trade for the Royals might be Mike Jacobs or Jose Guillen for a "capable shortstop."
Gammons On Peavy, Greene, Holliday
More rumors from ESPN.com's Peter Gammons in his latest column:
- Gammons says it made sense for Kenny Williams to try to deal for Jake Peavy because the AL Central is winnable and Gordon Beckham wasn't part of the deal.
- Gammons expects teams to be wary of no-trade clauses after seeing Peavy thwart the Padres' plans to deal him.
- Nats GM Mike Rizzo wants to deal now, while more teams are in the pennant race and remain possible buyers.
- Rizzo would like to improve his bullpen, which has an ERA nearing 7.00.
- The Red Sox want to wait on David Ortiz and plan on giving him the chance to start hitting. He finally homered this week, but has struck out in seven of his last 20 plate appearances.
- Gammons believes it makes sense for the Cardinals to see if the Red Sox have interest in Khalil Greene.
- Billy Beane may face a limited market for Matt Holliday if he decides to trade the left fielder in July.
Reds DFA Darnell McDonald
According to the team's official Twitter, the Reds have designated outfielder Darnell McDonald for assignment. McDonald, 30, was hitting .175/.250/.225 for Cincinnati in 44 plate appearances. McDonald played all three outfield positions for the Reds, but managed just one extra base hit, a triple.
Jake Peavy Not A Fit In Boston
In the aftermath of the failed White Sox-Padres swap that would have sent Peavy to Chicago, there are other reactions from around the majors:
- MLB.com's Todd Zolecki wonders if it would be smart for the Phillies to acquire Peavy. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. declined to comment on the chances of making such a deal happen.
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Cubs GM Jim Hendry didn't comment when asked about re-starting talks to acquire the righty. Ryan Theriot sounds excited about pursuing Peavy.
- Yahoo's Jeff Passan writes that Peavy made the right call, since the White Sox are no sure thing.
Cardinals Waiting For Glaus, Could Deal Later
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the Cardinals are waiting to see how much Troy Glaus can contribute to the team before deciding whether to deal for a third baseman or rely on the current roster. Brian Barden, Tyler Greene, Brendan Ryan and Joe Thurston are all options for the Cards at third. Brett Wallace, last year's first round draft pick, just started at Triple A and isn't about to be called up soon.
Gammons On Indians, Nationals, Mauer
Here are the highlights from Peter Gammons' analysis on Mike and Mike in the Morning. Joe Haggerty of the Boston Metro has the interview transcript on his blog, Hacks with Haggs.
- The Padres will have a hard time dealing Jake Peavy because there aren't many takers who have the resources to acquire him. The Braves don't figure in now that they have enough pitching and the Cardinals aren't a likely fit either.
- "Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee are not on the trade block," according to Gammons.
- The Indians would deal Mark DeRosa for "major league ready pitching."
- Washington would like to deal Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns and some of their "semi-attractive" relievers.
- The Nationals offered Johnson to the Red Sox for Manny Delcarmen.
- Gammons says he believes it's in the best interest of the buyer and the seller to deal earlier, rather than later.
- The Yankees and Red Sox could offer Mark Teixeira money ($180MM) to Joe Mauer if the catcher hits free agency after the 2010 season.
Astros DFA Jason Smith Again
Jason Smith, who has already been designated for assignment and re-signed by the Astros this month, was designated for assignment once again, according to MLB.com's Alyson Footer. Edwin Maysonet was called up to play a utility role. Smith, 32 in July, had no hits or walks in 27 plate appearances for the Astros.
Rockies Rumors: Hurdle’s Job, O’Dowd’s Plan
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies, who are in last place, 12 games back of the Dodgers in the NL West, with a 16-24 record:
- Manager Clint Hurdle's job security depends on how well his team plays in its upcoming games, according to this article.
- GM Dan O'Dowd said there's no timeline for a turnaround, but the Rockies have to respond better to Hurdle.
- Renck also reports that the Rockies aren't likely to make a deal soon.
- O'Dowd: "At this point, you would be trading an undervalued player for another undervalued player."
- Opposing executives say Garrett Atkins has to hit better before he attracts interest.