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MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | June 22, 2014 at 7:36pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

  • Tim Dierkes revised MLBTR’s 2015 Free Agent Power Rankings and Hanley Ramirez has regained the top spot over Max Scherzer. There are also five new players in this month’s edition (Nelson Cruz, Victor Martinez, Mike Morse, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Russell Martin).
  • Charlie Wilmoth outlined several possible reforms to the Super Two designation (untethering free agency and arbitration eligibility from service time, allowing an arbitrator to determine a prospect’s MLB readiness, eliminating the Super Two and redistributing those salaries, and prorating first-year arbitration salaries), but opines a few cases every season like the Pirates’ Gregory Polanco do not justify sweeping changes to the existing system.
  • Jeff Todd examined the Jon Singleton extension and noted the ground-breaking contract should have relatively minimal impact on players who have the means and desire to bear the inherent risk of transitioning from top prospect to an established Major Leaguer.
  • Tim was the first to report the details of the 2015 vesting option for White Sox lefty reliever Scott Downs: 55 appearances and not ending the season on the disabled list.
  • Speaking of vesting options, Steve Adams is tracking the progress players with a 2015 vesting option are making toward exercising those options.
  • MLBTR was the first to learn right-hander Dustin Moseley, who has hasn’t pitched since 2012 because of a shoulder injury, will throw a full bullpen session for interested teams on Tuesday.
  • Zach Links revisited the notable transactions which have occurred on June 19th.
  • Steve hosted this week’s live chat.
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MLBTR Originals

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NL Central Notes: McCutchen, Brewers, Cards, Wada

By edcreech | June 22, 2014 at 6:43pm CDT

Earlier today, MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk posted divisional roundups for the NL East and AL Central. Now, let’s take a look at the news and notes from the NL Central:

  • The Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen is the best bargain in baseball, opines Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cook notes McCutchen is the 158th-highest-paid player this season and 77 players have richer contracts than the six-year, $51.5MM extension (plus a $14.75MM club option for 2018) he signed in March 2012. The 27-year-old is following up his 2013 MVP season with a slash of .313/.423/.527 with 11 home runs and a league-leading 52 walks.
  • The Brewers are legitimate contenders, writes MLB.com’s Tracy Ringolsby, and their confidence was bolstered by the offseason free agent signing of Matt Garza. “When we signed Garza, I think that’s when we started to feel something could happen,” Jonathan Lucroy told Ringolsby. Added Ryan Braun, “It showed the front office and ownership felt we were a good team.“
  • An under-the-radar free agent signing has also paid huge dividends for the Brewers, reports Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Brewers inked Zach Duke inked to a minor league deal in January and the left-hander has been well worth the investment posting a 1.57 ERA, a K/BB ratio of 7.8 (39/5), and a 53% groundball rate.
  • The Cardinals’ priorities as the Trade Deadline approaches, according to the St. Louis Post-Disptach’s Joe Strauss, include finding an offensive upgrade at second base (or third base, if Matt Carpenter is moved to second), a bench bat, and determining whether Pat Neshek can be a reliable 8th inning option.
  • Earlier today, the Cubs added  Tsuyoshi Wada to their 40-man roster and promptly optioned him to Triple-A. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald tweets Wada could slide into the Cubs’ rotation, if a starter is dealt between now and the Trade Deadline.
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Chicago Cubs Milwaukee Brewers Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals Andrew McCutchen Matt Carpenter Pat Neshek Tsuyoshi Wada Zach Duke

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Padres Fire GM Josh Byrnes

By edcreech | June 22, 2014 at 3:01pm CDT

The Padres have fired Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes, tweets Scott Miller of Bleacher Report/Turner Sports. The team has confirmed Byrnes has been relieved of his duties.

“This ownership group is committed to fielding a team that consistently competes for postseason play,” said Padres President and CEO Mike Dee in a statement. “Thus far this season, the results on the field have been mixed at best and clearly have not lived up to expectations. After a lengthy evaluation of every facet of our baseball operations, we have decided to make this change today. The search for a new General Manager begins immediately. We are looking for someone who can define, direct and lead this franchise’s baseball philosophy for years to come.“

The firing comes just two days after a report surfaced that Byrnes’ relationship with ownership had deteriorated. The Padres hope to have someone in place by later this season, sources tell Miller (on Twitter). Red Sox Assistant GM Mike Hazen has already been discussed as a possible replacement for Byrnes, tweets ESPNBoston.com’s Gordon Edes. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweets the Padres have also discussed a reunion with Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers. In a separate tweet, Nightengale notes Towers (Padres GM from 1995 to 2009) is under contract in Arizona through 2016 but his job security has come into question with the hiring of Tony LaRussa. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune (subscription required) lists five potential candidates: Towers, Larry Beinfest (ex-Marlins GM), Farhan Zaidi (A’s assistant GM/director of baseball operations), David Forst (A’s assistant GM), and Jason McLeod (a former Padre executive and currently the Cubs’ senior vice president of player development and amateur scouting).  

In the interim, Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations Omar Minaya and Assistant GMs A.J. Hinch and Fred Uhlman Jr. will assume Byrnes’ responsibilities in what the Padres call the “office of the general manager.” Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register tweets Minaya will be the point person for any trade talk. Miller reports manager Bud Black and his coaching staff are safe and is expected to remain so until a new general manager is hired (Twitter links).

The Padres have posted a 184-215 record since Byrnes was named general manager in October 2011 replacing Jed Hoyer. Per MLBTR’s Transaction Tracker, Byrnes’ two highest-profile transactions were acquiring Andrew Cashner from the Cubs for Anthony Rizzo and dealing Mat Latos to the Reds for a package of Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Brad Boxberger, and Edinson Volquez. Byrnes has also handed out five contract extensions of three years or more during his tenure (Cameron Maybin, Nick Hundley – since traded to Baltimore – Cory Luebke, Carlos Quentin, and Jedd Gyorko), but was unable to hammer one out with third baseman Chase Headley. 

 

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Newsstand San Diego Padres Josh Byrnes

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MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | June 15, 2014 at 6:10pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the last seven days:

  • Steve Adams, in the latest Free Agent Stock Watch, is bullish about the prospects of Adam LaRoche envisioning a two-year deal worth $10MM+ annually for the Nationals first baseman.
  • Zach Links was the first to report Jason Kubel cleared waivers and will refuse his outright assignment by Twins, which will likely result in his release.
  • Steve hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
  • Zach gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In. 
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MLBTR Originals

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Brewers Notes: Lucroy, Ramirez, Nelson, Estrada

By edcreech | June 15, 2014 at 5:00pm CDT

Today is Father’s Day and to celebrate MLB.com has profiled the father-son bond for one player on each of the 30 clubs. Carlos Gomez, who signed his first professional contract on Father’s Day, is featured in the Brewers’ vignette telling Adam McCalvy he wouldn’t be where he is today without his dad, Carlos Sr. “He’s the guy I owe everything,” the younger Gomez said. “He’s an example to [get an] education, be a good father, respect — and give everything I have right now. I remember the words they told me. ’If you’re going to play ball, you’re going to play right, or not play.’” Carlos Sr. was a well-regarded second baseman and center fielder in the Dominican Republic. So, who is the better player? With the younger Gomez translating, the elder Gomez told McCalvy, “When we were the same age, 16-21, I used to be better. I used to be faster. I knew the game more than him.” Gomez, with a wide smile, retorted, “I have more tools, more ability to play. Every time we joke around, play around like that, ’Who’s better? Who’s better?’ I say, ’I’m the one who has almost eight years in the big leagues!’” Fathers and sons.

In other Brewers news and notes:

  • The franchise has reaped substantial dividends from their decision to sign Jonathan Lucroy to a five-year, $11MM contract extension two years ago, writes Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Lucroy, owner of baseball’s second-best batting average and slashing .333/.396/.504 entering play today, is under team control through 2017.
  • The Brewers are resisting the temptation to recall top prospect Jimmy Nelson and insert him into the rotation in place of Marco Estrada, Haudricourt reports. “Some people say bring Jimmy Nelson up and put him in the bullpen,” GM Doug Melvin told Haudricourt. “But out there you don’t know how much he’ll pitch. We want him to stay sharp down there (Triple-A Nashville) in the event we need him.” The need is fast approaching as Estrada was rocked for three home runs against the Reds this afternoon and has given up 23 gopher balls – most in the Majors – ballooning his HR/9 to 2.46 (84 innings). Haudricourt notes on Twitter 35 of the 45 earned runs allowed this year by Estrada, a non-tender candidate entering his second arbitration year this winter, have come on home runs. MLB.com’s McCalvy tweets Estrada will remain in the rotation until manager Ron Roenicke speaks with Melvin.
  • It would be too big of a gamble for the Brewers to exercise their half of Aramis Ramirez’s 2015 mutual option ($14MM with a $4MM buyout) because he’s at the age where players, even reliable and productive ones like the soon-to-be 36-year-old third baseman, start to break down physically, opines Haudricourt’s colleague, Todd Rosiak, in a recent chat. Ramirez played only 92 games last season with knee issues and has missed more than three weeks this year due to a hamstring pull.
  • The Brewers are satisfied with the first base tandem of Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay and, barring an unexpected trade, what you see is what you’re likely going to get at that position, according to Rosiak.
  • If the first-place Brewers are inclined to make any Trade Deadline deals, they could focus on strengthening their bullpen and bench, Rosiak writes.

 

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Milwaukee Brewers Aramis Ramirez Doug Melvin Jonathan Lucroy Lyle Overbay Marco Estrada Mark Reynolds

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Minor Moves: Brian Gordon, Alex Burnett

By edcreech | June 15, 2014 at 4:05pm CDT

Here are Sunday’s minor moves from around MLB:

  • The Yankees have released right-hander Brian Gordon from Triple-A, tweets Chad Jennings of LoHud.com. The 35-year-old made 14 appearances (13 starts) for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season compiling a 4.75 ERA, 5.8 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9 in 77 2/3 innings. Gordon last appeared in a MLB game with the Yankees in 2011.
  • Right-hander Alex Burnett has signed with the Sioux City Explorers, an independent league team, tweets Phil Miller of the StarTribune. The hope for the 26-year-old, according to Miller, is to draw a contract offer from the Royals. In over 177 Major League appearances, mostly with the Twins, Burnett owns a 4.70 ERA with 5.6 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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Kansas City Royals New York Yankees Transactions Alex Burnett Brian Gordon

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MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | June 8, 2014 at 8:20pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

  • There were five installments of MLBTR’s Draft Prospect Q&A series in the days leading up to the 2014 draft: Nick Gordon (by Zach Links) selected by the Twins in the first round and fifth overall (1-5), Aaron Nola (by Zach) chosen by the Phillies 1-7, Michael Chavis (by Zach) drafted by the Red Sox 1-23, Braxton Davidson (by Steve Adams) tabbed by the Braves 1-32, and Jacob Gatewood (by Steve) picked by the Brewers in the Competitive Balance Round A and 41st overall.
  • Agent David Sloane of Taurus Sports told MLBTR left-hander Justus Sheffield, drafted by the Indians with the 31st-overall pick, agreed to terms at $1.6MM plus the value of a scholarship to Vanderbilt (approximately $250K).
  • A baseball source told MLBTR there is no truth to a report the Cubs were asking for a competitive balance draft choice to be included in any trade for Jeff Samardzija.
  • Zach was the first to report right-hander Luis Ayala agreed to a minor league contract with the Blue Jays and the deal does not include an opt-out.
  • Charlie Wilmoth asked MBTR readers to rank last offseason’s best short-term free agent signings (defined as a player who agreed to an one-year contract or a minor-league deal and has produced more than 1 fWAR at the time of the poll). Nearly 68% of you rated the Orioles signing of Nelson Cruz as number one.
  • Steve hosted the weekly live chat and also anchored the MLBTR draft chat.
  • Zach put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
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MLBTR Originals

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Draft Signings: Skoglund, Rays, Helmink, Bukauskas

By edcreech | June 8, 2014 at 8:05pm CDT

Here are today’s notable draft news and signings:

  • The Royals have agreed to terms with third-round pick Erik Skoglund, who will get the bonus pool amount of $576K, MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo tweets. Skoglund is a projectable lefty and a junior out of Central Florida.
  • The Rays have signed their sixth- through ninth-round draft choices, the Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin tweets. Sixth-rounder Mac James, a catcher from Oklaholma, is a junior, but the other three players (RHP Mike Franco of Florida International, 3B Daniel Miles of Tennessee Tech, and RHP Chris Pike of Oklahoma City University) are all seniors, so the Rays will likely save money against their bonus pool with those picks.
  • The Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with 12th-round pick Holden Helmink, a righty from a Texas junior college, on a deal worth $100K, Cotillo tweets. $100K is the maximum a team can pay a player drafted after the tenth round without it counting against the team’s bonus pool.
  • The Dodgers have agreed to terms with fifth-rounder Jared Walker, a lefty-hitting third baseman from a Georgia high school, on a deal for the bonus pool value of $297K, Cotillo tweets. Walker was committed to Kennesaw State.
  • The Rangers have signed sixth-round pick Jose Trevino, Trevino himself tweets. Texas selected the Oral Roberts junior third baseman at No. 186 overall. The bonus pool value of that pick is about $229K.
  • The Rockies have agreed to terms with sixth-rounder Max George, Neil Devlin of the Denver Post tweets. The 5-foot-9 shortstop is a local product, hailing from Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora. There was no immediate word on George’s bonus, but the pool value of the pick is about $259K.
  • The Blue Jays have announced the first signings of their 2014 draft class: prep catcher Matt Morgan (4th round) and Florida right-hander Justin Shafer (8th round). No terms were released, but the slot value (per Baseball America) for the two picks are $458K and $159.9K, respectively.
  • Right-hander J.B. Bukauskas tweeted he will honor his commitment to the University of North Carolina and not sign with the Diamondbacks. Bukauskas, rated #33 by Baseball America and #38 by MLB.com, lasted until the 20th round (#600 overall) after asking teams last month not to draft him because he wanted to attend UNC.

Charlie Wilmoth contributed to this post.

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2014 Amateur Draft 2014 Amateur Draft Signings Arizona Diamondbacks Colorado Rockies Kansas City Royals Los Angeles Dodgers Texas Rangers Toronto Blue Jays

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Minor Moves: Heath Bell, Brad Meyers

By edcreech | June 8, 2014 at 6:34pm CDT

Here are Sunday’s minor moves from around MLB:

  • Reliever Heath Bell has opted out of his minor-league deal with the Orioles, MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo tweets. Bell had signed with the Orioles in mid-May after being released by the Rays, and the veteran closer pitched 10 2/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 4.22 ERA while striking out 11 and walking six.
  • The Nationals have released right-hander Brad Meyers, reports Geoff Morrow of PennLive.com. Meyers made six starts for the Nationals’ Double-A affiliate this year posting a 7.12 ERA, 4.1 K/9, and 4.9 BB/9 in 24 innings. The 28-year-old, Washington’s 2007 fifth-round draft choice, has battled shoulder and back injuries the past two seasons and has not advanced past Triple-A.
  • Per MLBTR’s DFA Tracker, seven players remain in DFA limbo: Jose Veras (Cubs), Jordan Pacheco (Rockies), David Huff (Giants), Kent Matthes (A’s), Jason Lane (Padres), Josh Lueke (Rays), and Jason Kubel (Twins).

Charlie Wilmoth contributed to this post.

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Baltimore Orioles Transactions Washington Nationals Heath Bell

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MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | June 1, 2014 at 9:40pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the last seven days:

  • Zach Links continued the Draft Prospect Q&A series by profiling Louisville right-hander Nick Burdi. “I think what I can bring is just being a reliable relief pitcher,” Burdi told Zach. “I’m already comfortable in that role and I’m ready to be the seventh or eighth inning guy, know my place, and help a team out.” Burdi added he has modeled himself after closers Trevor Rosenthal, Aroldis Chapman, and Craig Kimbrel and “always watched the taller closers and followed what they did.“
  • Jeff Todd asked MLBTR readers who will sign Kendrys Morales. Nearly 41% of you believe Morales will ink a deal to wear pinstripes.
  • Charlie Wilmoth asked MLBTR readers who the Astros will take with the first overall selection when the draft begins Thursday. One-third of you predict Houston will call the name of North Carolina State left-hander Carlos Rodon.
  • Tim Dierkes was the first to report left-hander Mike Zagurski signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays.
  • Jeff confirmed the trade sending utilityman Jason Donald to the Rangers from the Royals.
  • Steve Adams hosted this week’s chat.
  • Zach compiled the latest edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
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MLBTR Originals

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