Angels To Sign Hunter Green
The Angels will sign second-round pick Hunter Green to a $942k deal today, MLBTR's Chris Cotillo has learned. MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reported yesterday that a deal was near. Green, who is advised by Jet Sports Management, receives a bonus right at the slot recommendation for the 59th overall pick with which he was chosen. (Slot bonus info courtesy of Baseball America.)
The left-hander was taken with the Angels' first overall pick. (The club forfeited its first-round choice when it inked Josh Hamilton in free agency.) Had he not signed, Green was destined for the University of Kentucky.
Green appeared higher than his draft slot on many pundits' boards. Baseball America slotted him as the 31st best draft prospect, ESPN's Keith Law put him at number 42, and MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo rated Green 48th. While placing Green lower than his colleagues, Mayo explained that the still-lanky youngster is projectable both with his body and his three offerings (fastball-curve-change). Law concurred (Insider link), calling Green inconsistent but "very intriguing."
AL Notes: Yankees, A’s, Royals, White Sox, Mariners
With the Dodgers and manager Don Mattingly at Yankee Stadium today, Yankees GM Brian Cashman discussed the process that resulted in Yanks' manager Joe Girardi getting the gig over Donnie Baseball back in 2007. Cashman considered those two gentlemen along with fellow late-80's/early-90's favorite Tony Pena. Managing the Yankees, explains Cashman, requires a wide range of skills that go well beyond the playing field. Ultimately, he said that Mattingly lacked the managerial experience that he was looking for: "The area that was a very difficult hurdle for him at the time, and obviously he doesn't have that anymore to deal with, is obviously at the time, he hadn't managed a game in the big leagues. So was I going to be in a position to be comfortable enough to turn over $200 million worth of assets to someone who hadn't done that before in-game."
Here are a few notes from some other American League clubs:
- The City of San Jose has brought suit against Major League Baseball relating to the Athletics' potential move to the city, alleging various federal and state antitrust claims along with a claim for interference with prospective economic advantage. In a piece for Fangraphs yesterday, Wendy Thurm gave an excellent overview of the background legal principles governing the dispute, along with the procedural and strategic considerations that will frame it. The situation could, of course, have a major impact on the A's budget moving forward. I highly recommend a read.
- Moving to the AL Central, Fangraphs' Jeff Sullivan took a look at the Royals' impressive recent run of pitching-fueled success. Even as the team's offense continues to sputter, its starters (and excellent defense) have allowed KC to regain traction in the postseason race. Of course, the squad's rotation is led by arms that were acquired in a series of heavily-scrutinized transactions. GM Dayton Moore traded for James Shields and Wade Davis, dealt for Ervin Santana, and gave a three-year deal to free agent Jeremy Guthrie. While Davis has struggled and Guthrie's peripherals are concerning, the collective rotation ERA stands at 7th in baseball.
- As the Royals gear up to try and make a run at the playoffs, the AL Central-rival White Sox appear to be readying to sell at the trade deadline. As MLB.com's Kelly Erickson reports, GM Rick Hahn says the team has "had some phone calls — more of the vulture-type phone calls, the type that traditionally we're more accustomed to making." Given the "hole that we've dug for ourselves," says Hahn, "teams are going to look at us as potential sellers when the deadline comes, and they're starting to lay a little bit of that ground work now."
- The Mariners are coming up on some roster decisions with Dustin Ackley hitting the ball well in Triple-A and Franklin Gutierrez close to returning from the 60-day DL, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. While Ackley's return to the bigs has been delayed while he learns to man the outfield, the seemingly inevitable result will be some roster casualties. Baker tabs outfielder Endy Chavez and pitcher Aaron Harang as potential candidates for the waiver wire.
Quick Hits: Biogenesis, Boldt, Astros, Ramirez
With today's news that MLB could be looking to fast-track suspensions relating to the Biogenesis PED scandal, it is worth reading USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale's look ahead at the arbitration process that will have a major role in how things play out. As previous arbitrator Shyam Das explained to Nightengale, newly-minted arbitrator Fredric Horowitz will be entering "somewhat uncharted waters" as he assesses whether the evidence warrants whatever suspensions are ultimately leveled. You may also be interested in reading this interesting account (from Tim Elfrink of the Miami New Times) of how whistleblower Porter Fischer blew the lid on the Biogenesis clinic.
In more pleasant news, here is a look at some goings-on around baseball:
- While the Red Sox' below-slot signing of first-rounder Trey Ball freed up some cash, Baseball America's Jim Callis tweets that the team is still unlikely to ink 22nd-round choice Ryan Boldt. Boldt, a highly-regarded high school outfielder who was rated as high as 39th overall (by MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo), reportedly intends to attend the University of Nebraska. According to Callis, he is looking for a $2.5MM bonus to forego college.
- On the other hand, with the Astros locking up first overall choice Mark Appel to a bonus that fell about $1.5MM below his slot value, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart says that the club is looking to spend some of that cash on later-round high schoolers. Houston could send some of its free money to tenth-rounder Austin Nicely (a left-handed University of Virginia commit) or eleventh-rounder Devonte German (a righty who will otherwise head to Nevada).
- The inimitable Manny Ramirez has opted out of his contract with the Taiwanese EDR Rhinos and has his eyes set on a return to Major League Baseball, writes FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi. After mashing eight home runs and posting a .352 batting average in the Chinese Professional Baseball League, Ramirez's representatives Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro say that the slugger is "interested in returning to the majors in any role, including that of a pinch hitter." Now 41 years of age, the all-time great slugger last appeared in the bigs in 2011 with the Rays.
Trade Deadline Notes: Closers, Phillies, Buyers
If you are looking for a unique way to occupy your evening, be sure to follow (or re-read) the Dodgers' Twitter feed as unparalleled announcer Vin Scully chats about his incredible memories and observations on today's game. (A sample: Scully says he had to be on his feet watching for foul balls at old Briggs Stadium — better known as Tiger Stadium — because "the booth was so close to home you could hear the hitter grunt.") Also worth reading are the following links looking ahead to the coming trade deadline period:
- The market for closers could focus on Glen Perkins and Steve Cishek if Jonathan Papelbon and Rafael Betancourt are unavailable, tweets MLB Network analyst Peter Gammons. Teams like the Tigers and Red Sox are potentially on the hunt for late-inning help, but Gammons says to expect a high price on Perkins and Cishek.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com took a look at Boston's closer situation today. GM Ben Cherington did not rule out the possibility of dealing for late-inning help, but also said that the club had internal options.
- Buyers should not expect Papelbon to be available, Gammons further tweets. He cites an unnamed GM as saying that the Phillies are unlikely to deal their closer or star pitcher Cliff Lee given "their pending TV deal."
- Potential buyers include the Giants, Orioles, Padres, Diamondbacks, and Reds, according to Baseball Prospectus. While the O's may join the Giants on the market for starting pitching, BP's Bret Sayre says the club should also be in on a second baseman to address its glaring issues there. Likewise, Cincinnati's shopping list is relatively clear: an outfielder to replace the injured Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey. BP further suggests that the Padres have many areas that could warrant an upgrade, while the Dbacks ought to look to add a "star" to compliment the emerging Paul Goldschmidt.
- While the Nationals were quiet at last year's deadline, ultimately acquiring backstop Kurt Suzuki in a post-deadline deal, MLB.com's Bill Ladson suggests that the team could be more active this season. Getting the injured Wilson Ramos and Bryce Harper back is the first order of business, but the Nats could look to add a veteran right-handed bench bat given the struggles of the demoted Tyler Moore. Ladson also wonders whether Washington could look to pick up a fifth starter to replace the inconsistent Dan Haren. But with Haren's salary and track record, Ladson says, the team is unlikely at this point to make such a move. (It is worth noting, too, that the Nats still have Chris Young working at Triple-A on an incentive-laden deal, though Young has struggled to a 7.88 ERA in seven starts.)
- Although the Rangers have struggled at the plate, ESPN.com's Richard Durrett says the team's first order of business should be to shop for starters at the deadline. With the young back of the rotation still looking for consistency, and Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison still major injury question marks, Durrett says the club could look at high-end arms like Cliff Lee. Durrett's colleague Todd Wills, on the other hand, writes (same link) that Texas should focus on finding a left fielder. He suggests that Andre Ethier, Josh Willingham, and Carlos Quentin are viable possibilities. With Leonys Martin and Craig Gentry failing to nail down their roles and Nelson Cruz still potentially a suspension target, says Wills, outfield depth could the the key down the stretch.
- The Padres' recent hot streak has made the team a bubble buyer, writes Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Sanders suggests that starting pitching is the most likely target, as GM Josh Byrnes has said. He says that arms like Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle are potentially available could be a nice fit in the NL West's larger ballparks. Alternatively, if the Pads turn into sellers, the team may be able to find takers for pitchers Eric Stults, Jason Marquis, Edinson Volquez, and Huston Street.
- Other bubble teams include the Dodgers, Giants, and Indians, writes ESPN.com's Jim Bowden (Insider subscription required). Still in contention and with solid enough cores to remain there, Bowden says these clubs are in "reload" mode and gives an in-depth analysis of their trade deadline approach. Los Angeles could use improvements on the left side of the infield and back of the bullpen, and might also look to add rotation or pen depth. San Francisco, meanwhile, could (as noted above) look for rotation help or shop for an outfielder given Angel Pagan's injury. For Cleveland, Bowden says that the team should look to add "at least two more quality arms" while not selling away the team's future. Be sure to check out the link for further analysis and potential trade scenarios.
Astros To Sign Mark Appel
WEDNESDAY, 12:19pm: The Astros will officially sign Appel this afternoon, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The club has put out a press release confirming the deal.
SATURDAY, 4:25pm: It appears that the Astros have accomplished what the Pirates could not last year. Houston has agreed to terms with first overall pick Mark Appel on a deal worth $6.35MM. That number falls below the suggested slot value for the No. 1 pick, which is $7.79MM, according to Baseball America. 
Appel, who is advised by Scott Boras, was drafted last year by the Pirates at No. 8 but ultimately did not sign. The right-hander arguably would have gone higher in the 2012 draft if it weren't for signability concerns. It was reported that the Bucs offered the right-hander $3.8MM and from a money standpoint, Boras and Appel have come out on top.
Appel was ranked as the top prospect in the draft by ESPN's Keith Law and MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. Baseball America had him pegged as the second-best prospect in his class, behind Oklahoma right-hander Jonathan Gray, who went No. 3 to the Rockies.
The Stanford product shows everything scouts look for in a frontline pitcher, according to BA. Appel's fastball sits in the mid-90s and gets as high as 98 mph, and he holds his velocity deep into games. The right-hander has improved in each year at Stanford and figures to move quickly through the minor leagues.
CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman first reported that an agreement was reached while Jim Callis of Baseball America tweeted the value of the deal. Additional details were provided by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images. Zach Links contributed to this post.
Marlins Sign Colby Suggs
The Marlins have signed supplemental second-round pick Colby Suggs for a below-slot bonus of $600k, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America. Suggs was chosen with the last of the first-day picks (number 73), which came with a $759,200 recommended bonus.
Callis pegs the University of Arkansas righty as a potential quick-to-the-bigs reliever, as his big fastball can touch 98. Draft experts' opinions on Suggs, ranged, but he was regarded as a clear top-100 prospect. Keith Law of ESPN was most bullish, placing him as the 65th overall draft prospect, while MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo had him as the 79th best player available and Baseball America rated him at 97. Mayo explained that Suggs is "all power" and could profile as a closer should he tighten up his command and refine his breaking ball.
The Marlins obtained the pick used to choose Suggs as part of the deal that sent Anibal Sanchez to the Tigers. Miami and Detroit swapped their competitive balance picks in the trade.
Draft Signings: White Sox, Arbet, Moll, Palladino
We'll keep track here of notable signings from the second and third day of the amateur draft (slot information courtesy of Baseball America)…
- The White Sox announced in a press release that they have reached agreement with 27 of the team's 40 draft picks, including all of the club's first eleven selections. MLBTR previously covered the team's signing of its first five picks (click for details): Tim Anderson; Tyler Danish; Jacob May; Andrew Mitchell; and Thaddius Lowry.
- Fifth-rounder Trae Arbet has signed with the Pirates for a well-above-slot bonus of $425k, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America. The high-school shortstop, who profiles as an athletic defender and baserunner, was drafted with the 149th overall choice, which carries a $321,400 slot value.
- The Rockies have agreed to terms with southpaw Sam Moll, the club's third-round choice, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca tweeted last night. The hurler from Memphis is small in stature but possesses a powerful left arm that allows him to reach the mid-90's with his fastball. While financial terms are not yet available, his draft slot (77) carries a $713,900 bonus recommendation.
- The Yankees have signed fifth-round choice David Palladino for an above-slot sum of $371k, tweets Callis. Palladino, a towering righty who had been committed to LSU, will receive about $93k over the recommended bonus for the 164th overall selection.
Marlins Place Miguel Olivo On Restricted List
The Marlins have placed catcher Miguel Olivo on the restricted list, tweets Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. The team has recalled outfielder Jordan Brown from Triple-A to take Olivo's 25-man roster spot.
Capozzi notes (via Twitter) that the veteran backstop had been unhappy with a lack of regular playing time, and told the club yesterday that he was quitting. Olivo, 34, had not seen a start behind the dish since the middle of May. He had a .203/.250/.392 line in just 80 plate appearances this year, figures that line up with his output over his last two seasons with the Mariners.
Players on the restricted list do not count toward a team's 25-man or 40-man roster. They do not accrue service time and are not always paid. Miami had Rob Brantly and Jeff Mathis on the active roster at catcher, but only four regular outfielders. Brown already had a spot on the team's 40-man roster.
Padres Sign 2nd Round Pick Dustin Peterson
The Padres have signed second-rounder Dustin Peterson, a high-school shortstop, tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com. Brock also tweeted that Peterson's bonus will land above the $1.082MM slot recommendation for the 50th overall pick, with Baseball America's Jim Callis reporting (via Twitter) that the deal is for $1.4MM. Peterson is advised by Excel Sports Management.
Peterson was universally regarded as a top-100 talent entering the draft. ESPN's Keith Law pegged him as the 39th best overall prospect, while Baseball America had him at 62 and MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo at 73. According to Law, Peterson has solid swing mechanics and gap power, but needs to work on recognizing off-speed offerings. Law noted that the youngster figures more as a second baseman than a shortstop, while Callis calls him a future third baseman. As Brock notes, older brother D.J. Peterson was recently inked by the Mariners after being chosen with the 12th overall selection.
Pirates Designate Mike Zagurski For Assignment
The Pirates have designated left-hander Mike Zagurski for assignment, the team announced via press release. In a corresponding move, the team selected the contract of righty Brandon Cumpton and announced that he will make his MLB debut this afternoon against the Dodgers.
Zagurski, 30, made six appearances and threw six innings for Pittsburgh this year, struggling to a 15.00 ERA and surrendering a troubling eight free passes in the process. He was signed to a minor-league deal by the Pirates in the offseason after posting a 5.54 ERA in 37 1/3 innings for the Diamondbacks in 2012.
Cumpton is a 24-year-old who had been working in Triple-A Indianapolis. He made ten starts, posting a 3.31 ERA in 65 1/3 innings and putting up 6.8 K/9 against 3.0 BB/9. Cumpton appeared at number 25 on Baseball America's pre-season ranking of Pirates prospects.