Odds & Ends: Escobar, Peavy, Mets, Cardinals
A gaggle of links for your Thursday evening reading pleasure…
- In response to someone mentioning the Yunel Escobar–Matt Holliday rumors, MLB.com's Mark Bowman says "There is zero truth to those Escobar rumors. The Braves have NO and I repeat no intention to move him. Believe me, if they move him, it will simply be a deal that they simply can't refuse and that wouldn't include anything involving Holliday."
- Tom Krasovic notes that Jake Peavy is out of his walking boot, and is ready to begin "ramping it up."
- David Lennon of Newsday says that earlier today Mets GM Omar Minaya twice mentioned "that he talked with five or six teams today."
- Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that the Cardinals may search for starting pitching if Todd Wellemeyer doesn't show more consistency over his next 2-3 starts.
- Scott Lauber of The News Journal notes that the Phillies promoted one of their best prospects, outfielder Michael Taylor, to Triple-A. He speculates that Taylor may best serve the club as trade bait, considering all three of their regular outfielders were All Stars.
- When asked who the best prospect was if matched up head to head, Baseball America's Jim Callis said he'd go with Bryce Harper over Justin Upton, citing Harper's advantage in power.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds gave Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Valor a $690k bonus. Valor signed with Cincinnati earlier this month.
- David Villavicencio of MLB.com mentions that the Marlins have signed eight of their first ten draft picks. First rounder Chad James remains unsigned, however.
Teams Interested In Johnson, Harris
MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that while he's readily available, the Nationals are asking for too much in return for first baseman Nick Johnson.Teams are just not willing to give up their top young players for the injury prone Johnson, even though he's hitting .305-.413-.425 on the season. He'll also be a free agent at the end of the year, another reason teams are reluctant to meet the Nats demands.
Ladson also mentions that "contending teams" have expressed interest in utility man Willie Harris. Capable of playing just about everywhere except pitcher and catcher, Harris is hitting .253-.370-..430 in 190 plate appearances this season.
Orlando Hernandez Expected To Become A Free Agent
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says that the Rangers have told Orlando Hernandez that he will not be called up to the big leagues by Monday, which is when El Duque's out clause comes into play. Sullivan says Hernandez is expected to exercise the opt out and become a free agent.
In 11 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City, all in relief, Hernandez allowed just four hits and four walks while striking out 12 . Sullivan says that he did not show enough velocity or command for the Rangers to think he's ready to pitch in the big leagues.
Rockies DFA Matt Belisle
According to Tracy Ringolsby, the Rockies designated righthander Matt Belisle for assignment today. The move was made to clear room on the roster for Manny Corpas, who is returning from an elbow injury. Belisle pitched in 15 games for Colorado this season, putting up a 8.35 ERA in 18.1 IP.
MLB Nixes Yankees Deal With Dominican SS
Melissa Segura of SI.com reports that Major League Baseball's Department of Investigations has determined that Dominican shortstop Damian Arredondo used a false identity when he signed with the Yankees for $850k earlier this month. Arredondo is not the player's real name and he is older than orginally believed.
By rule, the player formerly known as Damian Arredondo must wait a year before he can sign with another club. Seguara says that in general, MLB is working with authorities to bring criminal charges on those who orchestrate such fraud.
Towers Speaks About Possible Moves
Padres GM Kevin Towers spoke with Darren Smith of 1090 XX Sports Radio earlier today, touching on a variety of Padre related topics. You can download and listen to the interview by clicking here, but here's a roundup of the rumors…
- Towers said he expects to get calls from contending teams about his "experienced players," mentioning David Eckstein, Brian Giles, Henry Blanco, Kevin Correia, Chad Gaudin, Cla Meredith and Mike Adams by name.
- He also said it's doubtful that the team would take on salary in a deadline deal, but they might be able to during the offseason.
- Depending on how he comes back from injury, there may be interest in Giles. Towers said it's doubtful anything happens before the deadline, but a waiver trade could be made in August. Giles, of course, has a full no-trade clause.
- When asked why he wouldn't trade Adrian Gonzalez or Heath Bell before the deadline to bring back as much talent as possible, Towers said "it's not to say we won't." He then mentions that they first need to determine what young players they're committed to keeping here and what they need to bring in from outside the organization, but if someone approaches them about one of those guys "they need to listen."
Royals DFA Tony Pena Jr.
MLB.com's Dick Kaegel reports that the Royals have designated shortstop Tony Pena Jr. for assignment to make room on the roster for the recently acquired Yuniesky Betancourt. Pena has hit just .156-.178-.192 in 288 plate appearances since the start of the 2008 season.
Odds & Ends: Bruce, Ozzie, Indians
Another round of links for those still hanging around on Saturday evening…
- Reds outfielder Jay Bruce broke his right wrist sliding for a ball tonight, and is heading back to Cincinnati to be examined according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. The Reds were looking to add a bat before the injury, so it stands to reason that they'd ramp up those efforts now.
- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he doesn't "think we’re going to give up three or four players, key players, for the future, just to rent a player for year," according to Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune. Ozzie then admitted that GM Kenny Williams is the one calling the shots when it comes to trades.
- Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer rounds up the signing bonuses for the Indians second through tenth round draft picks. First rounder Alex White remains unsigned.
Marlins Looking To Add Pieces
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro spoke to Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest, who said he's looking to add pieces before this month's trade deadline.
"We don't want to take away, we'd like to add," Beinfest said.
"We'd like to improve just like all the other teams looking to improve," Beinfest said. "We recognize, we're heading into the All-Star Break, and we're in the race for the division. So you want to see what's out there to improve yourself the best you can.
"There are so many teams in it, that it's tough to make trades. They don't want to take from their team. They want to add to it. In terms of your prospects, you have a threshold on what to give and not to give."
The Marlins have already said that they will not be moving any of their top prospects for help. Beinfest said the team will "make do" with what they have when it comes to the bullpen, noting that Matt Lindstrom will hopefully be back on a mound in the next week.
Discussion: St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals came into today with the best record in the NL Central, yet GM John Mozeliak is still out there looking for ways to improve his team. Newly acquired Mark DeRosa went down with a torn tendon sheath in his wrist just ten plate appearances into his Redbird career, but the team was still looking to add another bat even before he went down. More recently, we've heard that they're very interested in starter Roy Halladay despite having limited payroll flexibility.
What do you guys think the Cardinals should do? They come into today with the third best team ERA in the game at 3.75, but rank just middle of the pack with 394 runs scored. Should they look to add a big bat to protect Albert Pujols, who will only get fewer pitches to hit in the second half, or bring in another arm to solidify the pitching staff? Do they have the resources to do both?