Phillies Looking For A Center Fielder
Phillies center fielder Ben Revere told reporters, including MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, he will miss six-to-eight weeks after breaking a bone in his right ankle in the first game of yesterday's doubleheader against the White Sox. Revere is scheduled to visit a foot specialist tomorrow.
"The prognosis doesn't sound too good," Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters, including Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We'll see how long it's going to be. I think it's something that's going to take a while. If that's the case, we'll probably be looking for a center fielder if one is available or will be an upgrade on what we have with John (Mayberry) out there."
MLBTR's Steve Adams examined the trade market for center fielders recently and the cupboard is somewhat bare, which is why the Phillies could be looking in-house for a replacement. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez started to see some action in center field last week and has been assigned to Double-A to accelerate his learning curve.
"He'll play center field every day for the next 10 days or so," Amaro said. "We're going to get him extensive work down there. But he'll be playing exclusively in center field to see if that's an option for us. He struggled (Saturday), but it's a new position for him. We'll give him a shot."
Brookover notes Hernandez is an interesting option to replace Revere because the two have similar games based on their ability to run. In a brief stint with the Phillies while Chase Utley was on the disabled list earlier this season, Hernandez hit .250 (7-for-28) with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Zolecki meanwhile reports shortstop Freddy Galvis is not an option to replace Revere.
Revere's injury is the second blow to the Phillies' offense in the last week. Ryan Howard underwent knee surgery last Monday and is also set to miss the next six-to-eight weeks. Revere is hitting .347 since the end of April, which is the sixth-best mark in baseball in that span and his .380 on-base percentage is 19th out of 164 qualifying hitters.
Cubs Designate Henry Rodriguez For Assignment
The Cubs have designated right-hander Henry Rodriguez for assignment, tweets MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. The move clears a roster spot for outfielder Cole Gillespie, who was claimed on waivers from the Giants yesterday, tweets Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald.
This is the second time in six weeks Rodriguez has been designated for assigment. The Cubs acquired the 26-year-old on June 11 after the Nationals removed him from their roster. Rodriguez flashes a 100 mph fastball, but command and control has eluded him. In his five-game stint with the Cubs covering four innings, Rodriguez walked four, allowed six hits, and struck out four while allowing four runs (two earned). For the season, the Venezuelan has a 4.09 ERA, 4.9 K/9, 8.2 BB/9, and 8.2 H/9 in 17 games (18 innings).
The Cubs now have ten days to trade Rodriguez, outright him to the minors, or release him.
Garza Informed He’ll Likely Be Traded
11:35pm: Garza denies being informed he will likely be traded, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat tweets.
3:30pm: The Cubs have informed Matt Garza he will likely be traded after contract talks failed to produce an extenstion, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Rangers and Indians, according to Heyman, are clearly interested in Garza while the Red Sox are waiting upon some clarity on the return of injured starter Clay Buchholz. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are believed to be a stealth player for the fifth-ranked free agent on MLBTR's 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings. Yesterday, we learned the Blue Jays are "front runners" in the Garza trade derby, but Heyman writes there is little to no evidence, at the moment, they are actively involved.
Heyman reports the hangup in the negotiations between Garza and the Cubs is over the average annual value of the deal. Just last night, Garza still pegged the odds of returning to Chicago as 50/50.
Huntington Talks Trade Deadline, First-Half Success
The Pirates have won three in a row entering play this afternoon and, at 56-36, are tied with the Cardinals for first place in the NL Central and the best winning percentage in all of baseball. Before today's game with the Mets, GM Neal Huntington met with the media, including MLB.com's Tom Singer (all Twitter links).
- "Experience of last two Julys won't affect what we do, or don't do, this Trade Deadline," Huntington said. The Pirates suffered second-half collaspes and finished with a losing record the past two seasons despite acquiring Ryan Ludwick and Derrek Lee before the July 31st deadline in 2011 and Wandy Rodriguez, Travis Snider, Gaby Sanchez, and Chad Qualls prior to last year's deadline (per MLBTR's Transaction Tracker).
- Given the post-All Star break failures of the last two years, Huntington isn't getting too excited by the Pirates being tied with the Cardinals for the most wins in the NL. "They don't give out half-season awards. You always stay hungry."
- Entering Saturday, the Pirates ranked 25th in MLB with 3.84 runs per game and a big reason is they are batting only .232 with runners in scoring position, including a .219 mark with two outs. Huntington acknowledges, "we have weaknesses. What we don't have are desperate weaknesses."
MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR, as our country celebrated its 237th birthday this past week:
- Steve Adams listed the notable July extensions from the previous three seasons.
- There have been several changes made to the international bonus pool and Steve illustrated the effects of those changes using the Cubs as an example.
- Zach Links tracked the progress players with a 2014 vesting option are making toward exercising those options.
- Steve examined the trade market for second basemen.
- Steve asked MLBTR readers who will acquire Ricky Nolasco. More than 48% of you predicted correctly Dodgers GM Ned Colletti would be the one to finalize a trade for the now ex-Marlins right-hander.
- MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet provided a new Prospect Rumor Roundup.
- Zach assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- Steve hosted this week's live chat.
Central Notes: Garza, Soriano, Peavy, Carpenter
Five years ago today, the Brewers acquired CC Sabathia from the Indians for Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson, and a player to be named later. The PTBNL turned out to be Michael Brantley who hit a pair of homers, including the game-winner, and drove in a career-high five runs in the Indians' 9-6 win over the Tigers this afternoon. Brantley, who has matched his career-best with seven home runs on the season, has become the headliner in the deal for the Indians as LaPorta has been a disappointment and is no longer on their 40-man roster, Bryson is struggling with an ERA over 11 at Double-A Akron, and Jackson is now in the Royals organization. Sabathia, meanwhile, was so dominant during his short tenure as a Brewer he led the NL in complete games (seven) and shutouts (three) while posting a 1.65 ERA during 17 regular-season starts. Sabathia used that platform to sign a record seven-year, $161MM contract with the Yankees. Will there be a similar blockbuster deal between MLB Central Division teams in 2013? Here's the latest:
- With Ricky Nolasco becoming a Dodger, the trade rumor spotlight will now shine brightly upon the Cubs' Matt Garza. The Nationals have kicked the tires on the right-hander, but talks have not progressed to the point of a formal proposal being exchanged, a person familiar with the situation told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. The Nationals, who already have scouted Garza this year, have long had an interest in acquiring Garza engaging in a "not insignificant" pursuit of him in 2011 before the Rays shipped him to the Cubs.
- Alfonso Soriano has increased his trade value thanks to five home runs and 13 RBIs in his last eight games, writes ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine.
- Jake Peavy will continue his rehab from a fractured rib with a simulated game Tuesday after reporting normal soreness from a 53-pitch bullpen session Friday, reports Scott Merkin of MLB.com. If healthy, Peavy could be dealt before the Trade Deadline. "We'll see how it plays out," Peavy told Merkin. "I'm open to anything and I'll do everything I'm asked to do. If that's staying here, I'll be happy to do that. If that means to move, then that's something we'll address and be OK with when that time comes."
- The Cardinals are conducting a low-key search for a starting pitcher and, if healthy, Chris Carpenter could be that starter bringing the club confidence, energy, and swagger during the dog days of the schedule, writes Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "They’re going to evaluate me," Carpenter said. "Is my stuff good enough? Am I good enough to fit in and move one of these guys? If not, be honest, tell me and move on."
- Scouts from the Tigers, Cardinals, and Orioles were on hand for the Brewers–Mets game today, tweets MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- Last night, MLBTR's Jeff Todd highlighted the Trade Deadline options for the Indians.
AL East Notes: Red Sox, Johnson, Yankees, Ishikawa
Let's take a look at the latest news and notes involving the American League East:
- The Red Sox are open to trade market upgrades in the bullpen and at third base, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- One name on Boston's list of bullpen trade targets is the White Sox's Matt Thornton, sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com (Twitter link). The Braves also have "limited" interest in the left-hander.
- Josh Johnson, set to become a free agent at the end of the season, has seen injury and poor performance affect his value to the point where it is difficult to see the Blue Jays pursue a multi-year deal with him, writes the Toronto Star's Richard Griffin. Johnson may be forced to accept a qualifying offer from the Blue Jays, assuming he receives one, to rebuild his value for 2014, opines Griffin.
- The Phillies' Michael Young and Carlos Ruiz both could be on the Yankees' radar as they have a scout in Philadelphia today, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.
- The recently-released Miguel Olivo is not on the Yankees' radar, but first baseman Russ Canzler, who was designated for assignment yesterday, might pique their curiosity, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman (Twitter links).
- Earlier today, the Yankees added first base depth by claiming Travis Ishikawa off waivers from the Orioles. O's Executive Vice President Dan Duquette told reporters, including Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, he acquired Eric Thames from the Mariners last week knowing he could lose Ishikawa to another team.
MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- With the Trade Deadline less than five weeks away, Tim Dierkes has created a Trade Candidate Leaderboard on FanGraphs for MLBTR readers to track the performance of potential trade targets.
- Tim examined the trade market for catchers and first basemen.
- Tim analyzed the 42 free agent-eligible starting pitchers using a customized FanGraphs leaderboard.
- MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet penned this week's installment of Prospect Rumor Roundup.
- Tim was the first to learn the Orioles placed infielder Yamaico Navarro on outright waivers.
- Tim was the first to report utilityman Michael Martinez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A by the Phillies.
- Zach Links gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- Tim hosted the weekly live chat.
Brewers Notes: Axford, K-Rod, Gallardo, Lohse
The Brewers have lost four in a row, used 57 different lineups in 80 games this season, and own the third-worst record in all of baseball. The Brewers are expected to be sellers at the Trade Deadline, a fate further cemented with the news of Corey Hart missing the rest of the year with his third knee surgery in 16 months and Ryan Braun out, at least, until after the All-Star break (per MLB.com's Adam McCalvy) with an irritated nerve in his right hand. Milwaukee's best trade chips are a quartet of relievers (John Axford, Michael Gonzalez, Jim Henderson, and Francisco Rodriguez), who have closer experience. Here's the latest Trade Deadline news involving the Brewers:
- GM Doug Melvin admits to receiving calls about his bullpen, but he isn't quite sure what to expect in return, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Teams have to determine what is important to them and how they value relief pitchers," Melvin said. "Sometimes they don't want to give up a lot to acquire them. They think teams will give up guys just to get rid of their contracts. We're not really looking to do that."
- Axford, the Brewers' highest-paid reliever at $5MM in his first year of arbitration eligibility as a Super Two, is aware his name is being floated in trade rumors. "I'm sure there will be talk about it as we get closer to the trade deadline," Axford told Haudricourt. "Teams probably will test the waters and see what the Brewers' response is. I'll be fine with it. You have to block that out and focus on your job here."
- Manager Ron Roenicke has re-inserted Rodriguez into the closer's role, reports Haudricourt's colleague Michael Hunt. Did the idea of showcasing Rodriguez for a Trade Deadline deal have any role in this decision? "None, not to me," said Roenicke. "Not until I meet with (GM) Doug (Melvin) and Doug tells me something different."
- Teams also are reported to have shown interest in Brewers' starting pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Kyle Lohse, but Melvin told Haudricourt trading either one "is not something we have to do. We're not necessarily looking to sell. But if somebody steps up (with a big offer), I'd have to listen."
Jair Jurrjens Designated For Assignment
The Orioles have tweeted they have designated Jair Jurrjens for assignment off the 25-man roster to clear a spot for Brian Roberts. Roberts, who had been on the 60-day disabled list recovering from a right hamstring strain, is in the lineup tonight against the Yankees as the DH batting ninth.
Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports Jurrjens will go on option waivers, but is expected to clear and be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk (Twitter links). Dan Connolly, Encina's colleague at the Sun, tweets Jurrjens, once officially optioned, will have 72 hours to decide whether he will report to Norfolk and writes the right-hander will take that time, but will go. MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko adds Jurrjens could not be optioned because he was on the active roster for only one day and that the Orioles used the same procedural move with reliever Alex Burnett earlier this year (Twitter links). The Orioles, however, lost Burnett to a waiver claim by the Cubs.
Jurrjens has made two appearances for the Orioles this year including 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in the Orioles' 11-3 win over the Yankees last night. Jurrjens' other appearance was a start against the Rays on May 18 where he allowed four earned runs and struck out five in five innings. The 27-year-old right-hander, signed by the Orioles to a minor league deal in February, has posted a 4.06 ERA, 5.3 K/9, and 2.2 BB/9 in 14 starts (84 1/3 innings) at Triple-A Norfolk.