West Notes: Upton, Colon, Bloomquist, Billingsley
Colorado is the epicenter of scouting activity this afternoon as Cole Hamels starts against the Rockies. The Angels, Dodgers, and Rangers are scouting the Phillie left-hander, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports (Twitter links). The Tigers are on hand taking a look at Marco Scutaro, tweets Tracy Ringolsby of Root Sports. Here's the rest of the news from the AL and NL West with the most recent up top:
- The Dodgers remain high on the Cubs' Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza and also have expressed interest in the Michael Cuddyer of the Rockies and Josh Willingham of the Twins, writes Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
- The Angels keep telling teams Peter Bourjos is not available, tweets Knobler.
- The A's don't appear to be a fit with the Diamondbacks for Justin Upton, unless it's part of a multi-team deal, writes Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- In the same piece, Slusser writes, if the A's do make a trade, Bartolo Colon will be the first player dealt because he can net a decent prospect or two and the team has in-house replacement options.
- The A's will be buyers and sellers because they can move veteran starting pitching to fill other needs, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- If the Diamondbacks do become sellers, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports tweets there will be interest in utilityman Willie Bloomquist because he can play short. The question is whether GM Kevin Towers will make him available.
- Earlier today, we learned the Dodgers may no longer be the favorite to land the Cubs' Ryan Dempster. There could a renewed sense of urgency as Chad Billingsley was scratched from his scheduled start today because of elbow pain. Billingsley will have a MRI, tweets MLB.com's Ken Gurnick, who adds manager Don Mattingly is unhappy the right-hander didn't disclose the injury earlier.
MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- Ben Nicholson-Smith is previewing the trade market position by position in anticipation of the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline. This week's focus: catchers, first basemen, second basemen, and third basemen.
- MLBTR learned the bonus 16-year-old Australian left-hander Lewis Thorpe received for signing with the Twins was $500K.
- MLBTR also learned Xavier Paul opted out of his minor league contract with the Nationals and became a free agent.
- MLBTR was the first to report the Reds signed their eighth round draft pick Seth Mejias-Brean, who played third base for the College World Series champion Arizona.
- Ben hosted the weekly live chat.
- Mike Axisa gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In. This week's edition featured posts on Cole Hamels, Matt Garza, and Carlos Lee.
- Zach Links listed the remaining unsigned first round selections from the 2012 draft. The signing deadline is this Friday.
- Here's a refresher on MLBTR's commenting policy.
Quick Hits: Dempster, Indians, Taillon
Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster, who MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith profiled as a trade candidate last month, did nothing to hurt his market value by extending his scoreless streak to 27 innings in a 7-0 shutout of the Mets. The streak is the longest by a Cub since Ken Holtzman also tossed 27 scoreless innings in 1971 and is six innings away from tying Holtzman's club record set in 1969. Dempster meanwhile lowered his ERA to 1.99 during his five-inning stint where he struck out four and did not walk a batter.
- Dempster isn't paying attention to all the trade talk telling reporters, including the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan (via Twitter), that the only television he watches is "Swamp People."
- Indians outfielder Shelley Duncan doesn't think the team needs to be active at the trade deadline. "We have the talent," Duncan told reporters including MLB.com's Justin Albers. "A lot of people out there always talk about bringing in new people, getting a bat and all that stuff. But the guys we have on this team, we honestly feel from the bottom of our hearts, we don't need that. We don't need that at all."
- In the same piece, Indians GM Chris Antonetti says finances will not affect his approach at the trade deadline. "I have not limited our focus on potential acquisitions by their contract status." Antonetti added, "There's always a sense of urgency. Every game that passes is a missed opportunity."
- With the Pirates in first place in the NL Central and looking to be buyers at the trade deadline, pitcher Jameson Taillon's name has been mentioned as a possible trade chip. The second overall pick in the 2010 draft told Michael Sanserino of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he tries to avoid the trade talk but it's unavoidable. "There are some people that will bring it up to you and say, 'Hey did you see this? Did you see that rumor?' To be honest, I love the Pirates. You can’t pay too much attention to it. I’m just really glad to be a Pirate." (Twitter links) Taillon will pitch for the United States during the annual All-Star Futures Game being played today in Kansas City.
Marlins Notes: Stanton, Samson, Oviedo
Marlins All-Star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery this morning. Stanton had loose bodies removed from his right knee and is expected to be out four to six weeks. He will miss the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game. As a result, the Marlins will not have a representative in Kansas City for the Midsummer Classic. This was one topic Marlins President David Samson addressed in his meeting with reporters, including Craig Davis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
- "I spoke to MLB. I think there were a lot of different ways that Tony [La Russa] and MLB could have gone. I think it’s unfortunate. I think that every team should be represented on the line in an All-Star Game," Samson said. "Obviously MLB or Tony or whoever makes the decision had their own view of it, and it’s certainly disappointing."
- Samson flashed a sense humor regarding the All-Star snub when asked about Showtime's The Franchise: A Season with the Miami Marlins. "Instead of sending a player to the All-Star Game, I guess we’re going to send the Showtime crew and it’s going be like Where’s Waldo. We’re going to have the Showtime crew just looking for the Marlin."
- On the loss of Stanton, Samson says "it hurt. He is such an imposing force in the lineup. Carlos Lee was brought in to combine him with Stanton in the lineup. Now it’s sort of back to where you are. But Giancarlo will be back in time to help us. We’re not nearly out of it –- the second wild card or even the division.”
- Samson was asked about the team's inconsistent first half, "I think when you talk about all the excitement going into the season, that’s what leads to this level of disappointment because you don’t expect to be below .500 at the break. But the way things went I think we’re pretty happy to be this close to 500. It could have been a lot worse."
- Samson again showed his sense of humor when asked about the issues with the turf at the new Marlins Park. "The grass sort of reflects our season. It’s brown right now but getting greener."
- Manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters, including Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald, that he is looking forward to the return of Juan Carlos Oviedo calling it the "biggest trade of the year." The pitcher formerly known as Leo Nunez finishes his eight-week suspension for age and identity fraud on July 22. Upon his return, Guillen says Oviedo and Heath Bell could be sharing closer duties. "We’ll see how Bell’s throwing and we’ll flip-flop each for whatever reason. It’s going to be a big lift."
Carlos Lee Rumors: Sunday
Yesterday, we learned a deal is on the table for the Dodgers to acquire Carlos Lee and cash from the Astros for pitching prospect Garrett Gould. All that is needed is for Lee to approve the trade. Here's the latest:
- The Dodgers have pulled the plug on the Lee trade and will look elsewhere for a bat, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
- Sources tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney that Lee has not changed his mind since Saturday and won't agree to a deal (via Twitter).
- Lee told reporters, including Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, that he still hasn't made a decision and admitted the weight of trying to decide whether to accept the trade to the Dodgers or stay in Houston has been difficult. McTaggart writes several of Lee's teammates feel he wants to remain with the Astros.
MLBTR Originals
Let's look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- Ben Nicholson-Smith provided service time updates for Anthony Rizzo and Trevor Bauer, a pair of highly regarded prospects who made their 2012 debuts this week.
- Mike Axisa asked MLBTR readers if the Rockies should trade Carlos Gonzalez for a package of prospects and nearly 54% of you think they should.
- Ben hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
- Ben reviewed the performances of the eight players who signed $100MM contracts this past offseason.
- Mike put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In with the Kevin Youkilis trade being a hot topic.
- Ben listed the remaining unsigned first round and supplementary first round selections from the 2012 draft.
Yankees Acquire Chad Qualls
4:08 pm: The Yankees have designated infielder Matt Antonelli for assignment to make room for Qualls on their 40-man roster, tweets Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The Yankees had claimed Antonelli on waivers from the Orioles in May.
3:38 pm: The Yankees announced they have acquired reliever Chad Qualls from the Phillies for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The Phillies had designated Qualls for assignment on Thursday. This is the second trade in as many days for the Phillies, who dealt Jim Thome to the Orioles yesterday for a pair of Class A prospects.
The Yankees needed to supplement their bullpen with the recent struggles of Cory Wade and the promotion of Freddy Garcia to the starting rotation because of injuries to C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettitte. Qualls has struggled himself in 2012 with a 4.60 ERA in a team-high 35 games for the Phillies.
Draft Notes: Blue Jays, Cardinals, Brewers, Padres
The deadline for teams to sign their 2012 draft picks is 4 pm (CT) on July 13. Here's the latest news and signings involving the non-first and supplemental first round selections.
- The Blue Jays have signed second round draft choice Chase DeJong for an over slot bonus of $860K, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America. The recommended value for the pick is $620,300. Callis says the California right-hander has a plus fastball and curve.
- Callis, in a separate tweet, says the Blue Jays can offer their first rounder Marcus Stroman just over $2.13MM without forfeiting a 2013 draft pick.
- Callis tweets the Cardinals signed their fourth round pick Alex Meija for $250K (recommended slot value of $294,200). Meija played short for the College World Series champion Arizona.
- Brewers fifth round draft choice Damien Magnifico tweeted a cryptic message about his future. "It's great to be around family, friends, and the girlfriend. And now have things figured out for the future," wrote Magnifico. The Brewers aren't saying much either about the future of the right-handed pitcher from the University of Oklahoma, reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. "Both parties are still doing their work," was the response Brewers amateur scouting director Bruce Seid gave when asked about the tweet. Magnifico is the highest unsigned pick of the Brewers.
- There have been conflicting reports this week as to whether the Padres have signed their 25th round selection Corey Kimber. Callis confirms the North Carolina prep right-hander signed for $120K, $20K of which counts against the bonus pool (all links go to Twitter).
Mariners Designate Adam Moore For Assignment
The Mariners have designated catcher Adam Moore for assignment, the team announced. The move was made to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for pitcher Josh Kinney. In a corresponding move, the Mariners placed pitcher Erasmo Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain.
Moore, a former sixth round selection of the Mariners in the 2006 draft, has had two stints on the disabled list this season. The most recent was for his second surgery in two years to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. Moore has not appeared in a game for Mariners this season, but has played 24 games for Triple-A Tacoma with a batting line of .209/.247/.372. In his three-year major league career spanning 68 games, Moore has hit .197/.231/.295 with a caught stealing rate of 17%.
MLBTR Originals
Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote Alfonso Soriano will draw some interest from teams in a trade market that doesn't yet feature an impact bat.
- Ben also wrote Jason Vargas could have considerable value as a low-cost option for teams looking for a left-handed starter.
- Ben hosted this week's chat.
- Mike Axisa provided a 2013 vesting options update for players like Jason Bartlett, Kevin Gregg, and Brett Myers.
- This week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In featured posts on Jorge Soler, Cole Hamels, and R.A. Dickey.
- MLBTR reported the Rangers signed right-hander Willie Eyre to a minor league contract.
- Daniel Seco listed the remaining unsigned first round and supplementary first round selections from the 2012 draft.
- Want the latest rumors for your favorite team? Check out MLBTR's team-by-team links for Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.