Quick Hits: Chemistry, Cuba, Rule 5, Breakouts
Clubhouse chemistry still plays an important role in making a winner, writes Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Multiple players — in rather thoughtful and interesting quotes — tell Nightengale that it is unwise to reject that factor as having causative effect simply because it can’t presently be measured. Indeed, while some adages have been questioned, the ever-changing capacity to measure and value various components of the game has in some cases validated “traditional” viewpoints (as in the case of catcher framing). And it’s not hard to imagine how a positive work environment could help boost play over a long season under often-stressful conditions. Of course, valuing that impact remains a highly inexact science, and it is difficult to separate out true “chemistry” from the generally positive aura of a club that happens to be winning games (due to whatever combination of talent and luck it may have enjoyed). Regardless of one’s feelings on the subject, the piece provides good fodder for thought.
For more reading on the topic, I highly recommend a 2013 piece by Sam Miller for ESPN, which goes into outstanding depth on the opportunities and limitations in this arena. Here are few more notes from around the league:
- Baseball America’s Ben Badler looks in at the latest on the developing market for Cuban talent. There’s too much to summarize here, but Badler includes updates on several of the players who are preparing to sign with major league teams as well as the latest developments and intrigue on those still in Cuba.
- We are in the midst of a historic season for Rule 5 prospects, writes BA’s J.J. Cooper. As he notes, with just days to go until rosters expand, it appears that a remarkable ten of fourteen picks from last winter will be kept by their new teams. Even better, several players — Odubel Herrera and Delino DeShields Jr. chief among them — have been real big league contributors.
- This season, like every other, has featured apparent breakouts from numerous players, only some of which will prove sustainable. In an Insider piece, ESPN.com’s Keith Law lists the nine men who are most likely to build off their big 2015 campaigns. Two of the names on the list — Shelby Miller of the Braves and Nathan Eovaldi of the Yankees — were acquired in offseason trades in hopes that they could regain upward trajectories.
Poll: Best August Trade By A Contender
There’s still some time left for contenders to make August deals. (You can still trade in September, but acquired players aren’t eligible for the post-season.) But we already have seen a decent number of sturdy veterans moved this month.
So, let’s take a quick poll. The question is simple: which of the following additions over the month of August made the biggest positive difference for a team hoping to bolster its chances at qualifying for and moving through the postseason?
- Mets acquire lefty Eric O’Flaherty from Athletics for minor league righty Dawrin Frias. New York needed a southpaw specialist, and liked how O’Flaherty was throwing, but he’s struggled since heading to the Mets.
- Rangers acquire first baseman Mike Napoli from Red Sox for PTBNL or cash. The resurgent Napoli returns to his former club to add a big right-handed bat to a lefty-heavy lineup, and he’s mashed in limited action.
- Blue Jays acquire infielder Cliff Pennington from Diamondbacks for minor league infielder Dawel Lugo. Pennington provides depth for Toronto. He hasn’t hit all year, and that has yet to change since the move.
- Astros acquire lefty Oliver Perez from Diamondbacks for minor league lefty Junior Garcia. Houston was pleased that it was able to win the claim for Perez and work out a deal to add the veteran LOOGY. He’s been strong so far.
- Rangers acquire outfielder Will Venable from Padres for minor league righty Jon Edwards and minor league catcher/outfielder Marcus Greene. Texas has a range of outfield options, but with Josh Hamilton a near-constant injury question, the versatile Venable represents flexibility for the surprising club.
- Dodgers acquire second baseman Chase Utley from Phillies for minor league outfielder Darnell Sweeney and minor league righty John Richy. While Utley’s play has dropped off this year, he’s been better of late and has an impeccable track record.
- Giants acquire outfielder Marlon Byrd from Reds for minor league righty Stephen Johnson. We’ve heard for some time that San Francisco wanted an offensive-oriented outfield bat, and the team finally landed a sturdy, veteran option in Byrd.
- Twins acquire lefty Neal Cotts from Brewers for PTBNL or cash. The Minnesota pen has been badly in need of some upgrades for some time, and Cotts looks like a good add, but did the team wait too long to make a move?
(Listed earliest to most recent; randomized in poll. Bear in mind that most of these deals also included salary offsets; see links for details. Note: Utley was mistakenly omitted from the original version of the poll and was not an option for the first ~2,400 voters.)
Best August Trade By A Contender Thus Far?
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Giants acquire Marlon Byrd 38% (4,420)
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Rangers acquire Mike Napoli 24% (2,775)
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Dodgers acquire Chase Utley 14% (1,604)
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Rangers acquire Will Venable 6% (747)
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Astros acquire Oliver Perez 6% (652)
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Blue Jays acquire Cliff Pennington 5% (629)
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Twins acquire Neal Cotts 4% (492)
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Mets acquire Eric O'Flaherty 3% (404)
Total votes: 11,723
Austin Jackson Clears Waivers, Generating Interest
Mariners outfielder Austin Jackson has cleared revocable trade waivers, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. The free-agent-to-be has been discussed recently in trade talks, per the report.
Jackson, 28, has had something of an up-and-down season but has generally disappointed since coming to Seattle last summer in the three-team David Price deal. (The Mariners shipped Nick Franklin to the Rays to add Jackson from the Tigers.) All told, he’s slashed .259/.302/.365 on the year while adding seven home runs. Though Jackson has swiped 15 bags, he’s been caught on nine attempts.
With free agency looming, Jackson’s value is well down off its peak. Between 2010 and 2013, he compiled a cumulative .278/.344/.416 batting line while often tallying double-digit home runs and steals. With good defensive ratings in center field, he racked up an average of 4.7 rWAR in that span.
With that solid base of stats to work from, Jackson cost the M’s $7.7MM this year via arbitration. About $1.725MM of that still remains to be paid, but apparently no teams were interested in paying the full amount.
The right-handed hitter continues to put up roughly equivalent numbers against right-handed and left-handed pitching, so he’s not a clear platoon player, though he could certainly make sense for a contender as a fourth outfielder. Jackson is one of several outfielders who have now been reported to have cleared trade waivers. Click here for the full list of reportedly clearing players.
AL Notes: Rays, Kaminsky, Washington, Park
Marc Topkin runs through the Rays roster to identify six players who have made the most of opportunities to provide surprising value this year in Tampa Bay. Logan Forsythe, added via trade before the 2014 campaign, has arguably been the best of them, putting up a .279/.360/.434 slash with 14 home runs and nine steals while playing multiple infield positions. Forsythe has lined himself up for a nice raise on his $1.1MM arb salary from this season. And a player added just before this season, righty Erasmo Ramirez, has somewhat quietly compiled 123 innings of 3.66 ERA pitching on the year. Ramirez won’t even reach arb eligibility until 2017, making him a nice asset for the future.
Here are a few more notes from around the American League:
- When the Indians managed to pry young lefty Rob Kaminsky from the Cardinals in the Brandon Moss deal, reactions were overwhelmingly positive for Cleveland. Indians GM Chris Antonetti tells Jim Ingraham of Baseball America that he likes Kaminsky’s fastball life, groundball tendencies, command of the zone, and overall pitch mix. Cleveland is not concerned about Kaminsky’s light frame, and intends to give him every chance to reach the big leagues as a starter. The 20-year-old southpaw has pitched to a 2.24 ERA in 104 1/3 innings at the High-A level on the season.
- The Athletics have named Ron Washington as the team’s third base coach to replace Mike Gallego, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. It was somewhat curious to see the move made now, but the team has struggled with baserunning issues of late and Washington will now have a chance to coach in uniform during games. (He had been prohibited from doing so because of rules limiting the number of uniformed staff.) Nothing more should be read into the decision, writes Slusser, as manager Bob Melvin is still expected to be locked up to a new deal after the season.
- The Twins have scouted Korean slugger Byung-ho Park “a lot” ever since he was a sixteen-year-old, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. But the increasingly interesting first baseman still seems likely to land elsewhere if he’s posted this winter, Wolfson adds.
Minor MLB Transactions: 8/24/15
Here are the day’s minor moves:
- The Cubs have signed outfielder Quintin Berry to a minor league deal, Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com reports on Twitter. Berry, 30, has seen minimal MLB time since being a regular contributor to the 2012 Tigers. He’s put up a .266/.337/.369 slash over just 341 total plate appearances in the majors. But Berry has swiped 25 bases in that span, and his live legs carried him into action in two consecutive World Series. Over 426 turns at bat this year at the Triple-A level with the Red Sox organization, Berry racked up 35 steals but slashed just .228/.329/.287.
Phillies Pulled Back Jeff Francoeur After Waiver Claim
The Phillies pulled back outfielder Jeff Francoeur from waivers after he was claimed by an unknown team, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com tweets. Philadelphia was evidently unable to work out a deal with the club that claimed him and preferred to hold onto the veteran, who now cannot be moved unless Philadelphia exposes him to waivers irrevocably.
It may seem curious at first glace that the rebuilding Phils would not have taken whatever they could get for the 31-year-old, who’ll be a free agent after the season. But he’s playing on a cheap, $950K salary this year and Philadelphia reportedly values his clubhouse presence with an increasingly youthful roster. Without knowing what (if anything) was offered, it’s hard to criticize the decision.
Since signing a minor league deal and making the roster out of camp, Francoeur has enjoyed his best season at the plate in some time. Over 265 plate appearances, he’s put up a .271/.298/.474 slash with 12 home runs. He’s actually done much of his damage against right-handed pitching this year, though he’s been more successful against opposing southpaws historically.
Diamondbacks Designate Danny Dorn
The Diamondbacks have designated outfielder Danny Dorn for assignment, Zach Buchanan of the AZCentral.com reports on Twitter. His 40-man spot was needed for the activation of Jhoulys Chacin.
Dorn, 31, reached the majors for the first time this year, but managed just five hits (one for extra bases) in his 32 turns at bat. But he does have an extensive track record of solid production in the upper minors, and has raked to the tune of a .386/.444/.618 slash in his 305 Triple-A plate appearances this season.
Rangers Sign Drew Stubbs To Minors Deal
The Rangers have announced the signing of outfielder Drew Stubbs to a minor league contract. Stubbs was recently released by the Rockies.
Stubbs, 30, was optioned to Triple-A after a miserable start to the season, but has turned it on since being recalled. All told, he owns a .216/.286/.431 slash — well below league-average once park factors are accounted for. That represents a disappointment both for him and the team, which tendered him a contract after Stubbs put up a strong .289.339/.482 slash line last year.
For the lefty-heavy Rangers, Stubbs could provide a useful option down the stretch. He’s actually been better against right-handed pitching this year, but carries a wide platoon split over his career (.670 OPS against righties, .811 versus lefties). Having spent most of his career in center field, Stubbs also represents a nice glove to have in the fold.
Colorado will remain on the hook for the rest of the cash owed this year to Stubbs, who avoided arbitration with a $5.83MM deal. If he does make it to the Rangers’ big league roster, though, the Rockies will get a small offset equivalent to the pro-rated portion of the league minimum salary.
Adam Rosales Elects Free Agency
AUG. 22: After clearing waivers, Rosales declined his outright assignment to Triple-A, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He will be released as a result.
AUG. 19: The Rangers have designated infielder Adam Rosales for assignment, the club announced. He’ll be replaced on the active roster by Hanser Alberto. Texas needed a 40-man spot for the activation of Derek Holland.
Rosales, 32, owns a .228/.296/.342 slash over 125 plate appearances on the season. The light-hitting utilityman has filled in all over the diamond, but has logged most of his innings at second. Interestingly, Rosales’s batting line this season is a near-perfect match for the .227/.294/.342 slash that he has compiled over parts of eight big league campaigns.
Tigers Release Marc Krauss
The Tigers have released first baseman/outfielder Marc Krauss, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports on Twitter. Detroit needed his roster spot for the addition of just-acquired starter Randy Wolf.
Krauss, 27, opened the year with the Angels and spent time with the Rays before being claimed by Detroit. He’s struggled all season long, putting up a .141/.173/.256 batting line in 81 total plate appearances. Krauss has continued to put up good numbers in the minors, compiling 292 plate appearances of .280/.408/.423 hitting at the Triple-A level on the year.