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Orioles, Nationals Interested In Bill Hall

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For a player that hit .224/.272/.340 before being released by the Astros, Bill Hall is drawing quite a bit of interest. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that both the Orioles and Nationals have interest in Hall, and he mentions that the Yankees could get in the mix as well.

Baltimore's interest stems from Brian Roberts' injury and uncertain status while Washington sees him as a super-utility player. It's unclear how that would work, since Jerry Hairston Jr. figures to return to that role once Ryan Zimmerman comes off the disabled list. Rosenthal says New York's level of interest is unclear, but they would presumably use him off the bench.

Hall, 31, will be collecting checks for the rest of his $3MM salary from Houston, less the pro-rated portion of the league minimum that his new team (whoever that ends up being) will pay him. Despite his ugly showing with the Astros, Hall did hit .247/.316/.456 with 18 homers for the Red Sox just last year, and he can play pretty much any position on the field.

Quick Hits: Spangenberg, A’s, Beltran, Cubs, Twins

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First Eric Hosmer, now Mike Moustakas. The Royals are calling up their other super-prospect according to Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star (on Twitter), optioning Mike Aviles to Triple-A to make room on the roster. Moustakas hit .287/.347/.498 for Triple-A Omaha in 250 plate appearances, and congrats to him for reaching the show.

Here's the latest from around the league…

  • Padres assistant GM Jason McLeod told Dan Hayes of The North County Times that first round pick Cory Spangenberg will be in San Diego tomorrow to take his physical, indicating that a deal is all but done (Twitter link).
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says that the Padres and Athletics are unlikely to start selling pieces anytime soon (Twitter link). The call-up of Anthony Rizzo and firing of Bob Geren gives both clubs a new look that they'll first take a chance with.
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says that Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran is willing to waive his no-trade clause to join a team with a chance at a championship.
  • Although calls are being made for a fire sale, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Chicago Sun-Times says it won't be easy for the Cubs to move some of their bloated contracts.
  • MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince explains why there is no quick fix for what ails the Twins.
  • Big money contracts for relievers like Rafael Soriano, Pedro Feliciano, and Hisanori Takahashi haven't worked so far, and MLB.com's Tom Singer says that could change the way teams build bullpens in the future.
  • The Diamondbacks have come to terms with 23 draft picks according to a team press release. The highest pick of the group is fourth rounder Evan Marshall.
  • Derrick Goold of The St. Louis-Post Dispatch reports that the Cardinals have inked tenth round pick Lance Jeffries (Twitter link).

Pirates Looking For Catching Help, Fox Claim Unlikely

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As if Ryan Doumit's fractured ankle wasn't enough, today the Pirates learned that catcher Chris Snyder will need surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. Dusty Brown and Wyatt Toregas are holding down the fort down right now, and Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the team is searching around for some help behind the plate (on Twitter).

The recently waived Jake Fox is not a fit according to Biertempfel simply because he is too much of a defensive liability. Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun reiterates that such a claim is unlikely. The Angels are carrying three catchers (Hank Conger, Jeff Mathis, Bobby Wilson) and could match up as a trade partner, ditto the Padres (Nick Hundley, Rob Johnson, Kyle Phillips). Ivan Rodriguez's name has been popping up in rumors as well, though it's unclear if Pittsburgh is looking for a long-term solution or just a short term fix until Doumit returns. 

Marlins Sign Jose Lopez

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The Marlins have signed Jose Lopez to a minor league contract reports MLB.com's Greg Johns (on Twitter). He had been released by the Rockies earlier this week.

Lopez, 27, hit just .208/.233/.288 in 129 plate appearances for Colorado, which is why they designated him for assignment late last month. The Marlins would only owe Lopez the pro-rated portion of the league minimum if they called him up; the Rockies are on the hook for the rest of his $3.6MM salary.

Astros Links: Beltran, Reed, Draft Picks

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Here's the latest from Houston, as the Astros prepare to take on the Cardinals at home…

  • The Astros have released right-hander Francis Beltran, reports MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (on Twitter). The 31-year-old reliever pitched to a 19.89 ERA in 6 1/3 innings for Houston's Triple-A team this year. He has not appeared in the big leagues since 2008.
  • Assistant GM Bobby Heck told Stephen Goff of Examiner.com that rumors of the team pursuing a pre-draft deal with lefty Chris Reed were a "misinterpretation on the part of numerous scouts with strong media connections." Reed went 16th overall to the Dodgers, five picks after the Astros chose George Springer.
  • Steve Campbell of The Houston Chronicle lists five draft picks the Astros have signed, including fifth rounder Nick Tropiano.

Padres Designate Eric Patterson For Assignment

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The Padres have designated Eric Patterson for assignment, reports Marty Caswell of XX1090 Sports Radio (Twitter links). Will Venable has been called up to take his spot on the roster, and is expected to serve as a fourth outfielder.

Patterson, 28, was the player to be named later in the Adrian Gonzalez trade. He started the season on the disabled list, but returned in April and has hit just .180/.272/.292 in 103 plate appearances. Patterson played all over the field for San Diego, seeing time at all three outfield spots as well as at second base.

Blue Jays Release DeWayne Wise

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The Blue Jays have released Dewayne Wise, reports Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (on Twitter). The move was first reported by John Lott of The National Post (on Twitter). GM Alex Anthopoulos told Lott that this move is similar to Scott Podsednik's release, in that Wise didn't fit into the team's plans and was allowed to seek a job elsewhere.

Wise, 33, signed with the Jays back in April and played for their Triple-A affiliate after a brief tune up in A-ball. He hit a more than respectable .333/.382/.562 with five homers in 134 total plate appearances, though the ballpark for Toronto's Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas is very hitter-friendly. The Nationals are known to be seeking a center fielder, so perhaps there's a fit there.

Draft Links: Rays, Astros, Indians, Diamondbacks

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Earlier today we learned that the Pirates plan to select Gerrit Cole with the number one overall pick in Monday's amateur draft, the first of over 1,500 players that will hear their names called next week. We'll keep track of draft news thoughout the day right here, with the latest up top…

  • The Rays are ready to cash in on their glut of draft picks, writes Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.  Tampa Bay is the first team to have twelve of the top 100 selections in a draft.
  • The Astros are trying to reach a pre-draft deal with Stanford lefty Chris Reed for the 11th overall pick according Frankie Piliere of FOX Sports (on Twitter), though they are denying that is the case (also via Twitter). Baseball America ranked Reed as the 60th best prospect in the draft on their top 200 list.
  • ESPN's Keith Law is hearing "quite a bit" about the Indians being connected to Vanderbilt righty Sonny Gray with the eighth overall pick (Twitter link). Click here to see Ben Nicholson-Smith's Q&A with Gray.
  • Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic hears that the Diamondbacks may be willing to take a player with large bonus demands with the seventh overall pick. That pick is compensation for failing to sign Barret Loux last year and is unprotected, so they won't get another pick if they don't sign the player. For that reason, it's been speculated that they would take a player they know they can sign.
  • Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun puts a spotlight on high school righty Dylan Bundy, who is in the mix to be selected by the Orioles, number four overall. Jim Callis of Baseball America has Bundy going to the D'Backs and Danny Hultzen going to O's on his latest draft board (Twitter link).
  • The Red Sox have a unique opportunity on their hands in owning four of the top 40 picks in the draft, writes Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com. Boston had five of the first 47 picks in 2005, selecting Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Michael Bowden and Craig Hansen. Pretty nice haul there.
  • The Rangers are showing strong interest in prep outfielder Brandon Nimmo from Wyoming with the 33rd overall pick, according to Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com (via Twitter). Nimmo has committed to attend Arkansas.

Padres Links: Hawpe, Scouts, First Rounders

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On this date in 2002, the Padres used the 13th overall pick in the draft to select Clemson shortstop Khalil Greene. He reached the big leagues in 2003 and hit .248/.304/.427 in parts of six seasons with San Diego before being traded to the Cardinals for a pair of minor league relievers (including Luke Gregerson). Let's recap the latest from San Diego…

Debt May Impact Cubs’ Free Agency Plans

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The Cubs are one of nine teams in violation of MLB's debt service rules, and Gordon Wittenmyer of The Chicago Sun-Times hears that the debt might impact the team's ability to pursue big free agents over the next few years. Wittenmyer estimates the debt at $400MM or so.

On paper, a free agent first baseman like Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols would make perfect sense for the Cubs, who have a ton of money coming off the books after the season as Tim Dierkes explained in his 2012 Contracts Issues post. Now their ability to pursue players of that caliber is in question. Chairman Tom Ricketts has been preaching player development since purchasing the team in 2009, and the draft will be even more important if the Cubbies are unable plug holes with free agents. 

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