Will Pedroia’s Injury Force The Sox To Make A Move?
The Red Sox were dealt a huge blow today when they learned that 2008 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia will require a stint on the disabled list after fouling a ball off his right instep last night. Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe tweets that Pedroia could be out as many as six weeks with a fracture, and manager Terry Francona indicated that Bill Hall will take over second base duties for the time being, according to The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham.
Prospects Jose Iglesias and Jed Lowrie are both on the disabled list, so there's no immediate help coming from within. The three injuries have made the Red Sox thin in the middle infield as Alex Speier of WEEI.com explained, so Pedroia's injury could be the one that presses GM Theo Epstein into action.
The team reportedly had interest in Adam Everett, who could certainly provide temporary relief, though he's hardly going to strike fear into opposing pitchers. Other names that could be in play are the same ones we discussed when the Rockies lost Troy Tulowitzki, and include Cesar Izturis, Ryan Theriot, Kelly Johnson, and Dan Uggla. Some would obviously cost more than others, and each would fit differently into the big picture.
Boston is currently three games back in the AL East, and losing their .292/.370/.502 middle infielder isn't going to make the uphill climb any easier. The Red Sox have already inquired about available outfielders, and their shopping list may have gotten just a little bit longer.
Poll: Best Second Tier Starting Pitcher
While Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt will dominate the starting pitcher trade rumor circuit for the next month or so, most teams can't afford (both in terms of prospects and/or money) to add someone of that caliber to their staff. Instead, they'll look to smaller upgrades, similar to what the Tigers did with Jarrod Washburn last season.
Which second tier starting pitcher is the most desirable trade target?
Click here to take survey and here to see the results.
Nationals Exploring A Trade For Edwin Jackson?
Edwin Jackson enjoyed the finest moment of his big league career last night when he no-hit the Rays, which coincidentally came at the same time MASNSports.com's Ben Goessling heard that the Nationals "were exploring a trade" for the righthander. Current Nats' GM Mike Rizzo has plenty of ties to the Diamondbacks, having joined the franchise when they were created in 1998 and serving as their scouting director from 2000-2006.
This year, the 26-year-old Jackson has been unable to replicate the success he enjoyed during in his breakout 2009 season. He's pitched to a 4.63 ERA in 107 innings, striking out 7.1 batters per nine innings while walking 3.8 per nine. The Scott Boras client is owed approximately $2.28MM for the rest of the season, and is under contract for $8.35MM next year.
Rizzo said he has identified starting pitching as the club's biggest need, though we really haven't seen them linked to any specific names until now. Arizona has yet to indicate that a fire sale is coming, but that could change in a heartbeat.
Olney’s Latest: Zambrano, Starting Pitchers, Indians
In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney writes about how Diamondbacks' manager A.J. Hinch went against the grain by leaving Edwin Jackson in to throw 149 pitches as he no-hit the Rays last night. One unnamed manager blamed the media for the pitch count craze, but I want to add that much of it has to do with teams protecting investments. With the rise of salaries throughout the game even from just ten years ago, teams don't want to unnecessarily put a pitcher in the line of danger, so to speak.
Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…
- The Cubs may wish they could get rid of Carlos Zambrano following his latest tirade, but Olney points out that there's still $45MM left on his contract. Chicago would have to eat a huge chunk of that money to unload him.
- The trade market doesn't figure to be very robust this summer because there just isn't a lot of money available around the league. The starting pitching market probably won't budge until Cliff Lee is dealt, at which point second tier fodder like Ben Sheets and Kevin Millwood would draw more attention.
- The Indians' two most marketable players are Austin Kearns and Russell Branyan because neither is making big money. Kearns is owed approximately $417K the rest of the season, Branyan $1.11MM, and both will become free agents as season's end.
Mariners Willing To Trade Cliff Lee Immediately?
Mariners' GM Jack Zduriencik has maintained that he is not yet willing to throw in the towel and trade ace lefty Cliff Lee, but Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com heard from two executives that Seattle is willing to deal him "immediately for the right offer." One of those executives predicted that he could be moved in the next seven to ten days, similar to the timetable the Indians used when dealing CC Sabathia two years ago.
By moving Lee now as opposed to waiting until the deadline, the Mariners could maximize their return since the acquiring team will be getting an extra month of the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner. They'll also save a larger percentage of the approximately $4.94MM owed to Lee the remainder of the season, and of course reduce the risk of a trade value crippling injury.
Rosenthal's sources say that the Mets, Dodgers, and Rangers have all inquired about Lee, but many project the Twins as the front runner. The Mariners have scouted the Yankees' farm system, but the Yanks' scouting of Lee is just the team's routine coverage of a pitcher on their free agent wish list. They are happy with their five-man rotation at the moment.
Seattle is currently 14 games back in the AL West while Cleveland was 13.5 back when they dealt Sabathia. They received a four prospect package highlighted by Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley, and the Mariners can reasonably expect a similar return for Lee. The 31-year-old lefty has made 11 starts this year after missing time with an oblique injury, and has pitched to a 2.39 ERA in 86.2 innings. He's struck out 76 and walked just four.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Jenkins, Twins, Eveland
On this date 11 years ago, Orioles lefty Jesse Orosco set the Major League record for career relief appearances when he came into the 8th inning of a game against the Yankees to face Tino Martinez and Paul O'Neill. It was his 1,051st career appearance, surpassing Kent Tekulve's record. The then-42-year-old Orosco went on to pitch another four years after setting the mark, and retired with 1,252 career appearances, 74 more than anyone else.
Here are a few links from around the baseball blogosphere…
- 1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Jays' prospect Chad Jenkins.
- Nick's Twins Blog doesn't think Minnesota needs to add relievers from outside the organization.
- Pittsburgh Lumber Co. wonders what the Pirates were thinking when they acquired Dana Eveland.
- The Friarhood says it's time for the Padres to reinforce their lineup with a big bat.
- 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba tries to predict some upcoming transactions.
- Prospect Insider looks at some blocked prospects the Mariners could target in a trade this summer.
- Mets Paradise says Elmer Dessens has added a lot of depth to the Amazins' bullpen.
- Capital Avenue Club wonders who the odd man out of the Braves' rotation will be once Jair Jurrjens is healthy.
- Future Redbirds rounded up a bevy of prospect and draft reference links.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.
The Latest On The Orioles’ Managerial Search
Earlier today we updated you on the Marlins' managerial search following their dismissal of Fredi Gonzalez, so now let's do the same for Baltimore. We already know that Bobby Valentine has withdrawn his name from consideration for the job.
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirmed to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli that he and owner Peter Angelos met with current ESPN analyst and long-time big league manager Buck Showalter for several hours today about the team's managerial job (Twitter link). Showalter has a strong track record of helping turn young teams into contenders, specifically his stints with the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers.
Former Indians' manager Eric Wedge is expected to receive a second interview according to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun, though it has not yet been scheduled. He adds that MASN broadcaster and former Orioles player Rick Dempsey is expected to interview for the job as well. He has interviewed for the job twice in the past.
The Orioles are currently under the watch of interim manager Juan Samuel, who replaced Dave Trembley after he was fired earlier this month.
Rizzo, Boras Have Had Initial Talks About Harper
The deadline for teams to sign their draft picks is still a little under eight weeks away, but Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo and agent Scott Boras have had "initial conversations" about a deal for first overall pick Bryce Harper according to principal owner Mark Lerner, as told to The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore.
"I'm confident we'll get a deal worked out," said Lerner. "I think the kid wants to play."
Kilgore mentions that negotiations are unlikely to begin in earnest until close to the August 16th deadline, which Boras is known to do with his top players. Rizzo and Boras have hammered out deals before, most notably for Stephen Strasburg as last year's top pick.
The 17-year-old Harper is expected to shatter Rick Porcello's record deal for a teenage draftee, which guarantees him $7.285MM. Strasburg's $15.1MM contract represents the all-time draft record. You can follow the signing status of all first and supplement first rounders with our complete list.
Orioles Want Young Shortstop For Wigginton
The Orioles figure to be major players on the trade market this summer, though Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweets that the team will not move Ty Wigginton unless they receive a young shortstop in return. Rosenthal calls it a "self-defeating stance," because no team will meet that demand.
Baseball America rated Baltimore's farm system as the ninth best in the game coming into the season, but basically all of their top shortstop prospects are in Single-A. They hope to have their shortstop of the future in Manny Machado, who they selected with the third overall pick in the draft a few weeks ago.
As for Wigginton, the 32-year-old is enjoying a fine season for the last place O's, hitting .274/.359/.487 with 13 homers while playing every day at primarily second base. He offers power and extreme versatility, capable of playing anywhere on the field except short, center, pitcher, and catcher. Every team in the league could use a guy like him.
Wigginton is just one of several Orioles' veterans that could be on the block, joining Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Cesar Izturis, Will Ohman, and Luke Scott. Reports indicate that the team is not looking to shed payroll, however.
Odds & Ends: Grandal, Red Sox, Salazar, Rockies
A few links to check out while we wait to see if the Rays can avoid falling out of first place for the first time in nearly two months…
- The Reds have made initial contact with the representatives for Yasmani Grandal according to John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer. GM Walt Jocketty said they will continue talks this week with 2010's 12th overall draft pick.
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier mentions that when Felix Doubront started for the Red Sox last night, he became the first Latin American player signed and developed by the Theo Epstein regime to reach the big league. ESPN's Jorge Arangure mentions (via Twitter) the Boston hasn't had a homegrown Latin American position player since the early 1990's.
- Meanwhile, MLB.com's Peter Gammons says (via Twitter) that only two teams were willing to take Manny Ramirez off Boston's hands two years ago even if they footed the bill: the Marlins and Dodgers. The Red Sox's requests for Mike Stanton and Andre Ethier were met with "no thank yous."
- MLB.com's Corey Brock, Brittany Ghiroli, and Gina Mizeli spoke to Oscar Salazar, who reflected on the trade that send him from the Orioles to the Padres last year.
- The Rockies will look at the middle infield market, but ESPN's Buster Olney tweets they're likely to just ride out Troy Tulowitzki's absence with what they have in house. He does however mention that Dan Uggla is one name to watch.
- Both Jhonny Peralta and Kerry Wood offered up the stock "it's out of my control" response when asked about the possibility of being traded, according to Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
- Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post says the idea of the Rockies' acquiring Cliff Lee is wishful thinking. The team would have to get back in the playoff race and show it can compete without Troy Tulowitzki before ownership would consider adding Lee's salary to the payroll.
- The Cardinals had interest in signing Ben Sheets this winter according to Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, but the righthander's price was too high. “If he wants to prove his value here, we’d have interest,” said manager Tony La Russa. “It turns out he had value that wasn’t going to work.”