MLB, NCAA In Serious Talks About Scholarship Funds
In an effort to improve diversity and draw more of the country's best amateur athletes to baseball, MLB is in serious discussions with the NCAA to provide additional scholarship funds according to Bryan Fischer of CBSSports.com. Colleges are currently limited to 11.7 scholarships for baseball and many schools are unable to fund even that many.
Baseball America's Aaron Fitt reports that a contingent of NCAA officials met with MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred and MLBPA head Michael Weiner in New York three weeks ago, and "talks are really picking up steam." Colleges had 13 scholarships at their disposal until a 10% reduction in 1991, and American Baseball Coaches Association executive Dave Keilitz told Fitt that it would be a "huge victory" to get back to 13 scholarships soon. "Personally, I'm hopeful it's more ambitious than that," he added.
Colleges are currently allotted 85 scholarships for football and 13 for basketball, drawing some players away from baseball. It's been speculated that the draft spending restrictions implemented by the collective bargaining agreement could push prospects to other sports as well. In addition to scholarship funding, the two sides have discussed moving the College World Series to better accommodate the draft as well as the widespread implementation of wood bats according to Fischer.
West Links: Abreu, Ishikawa, Trumbo
Here's the latest out of baseball's two West divisions…
- Bobby Abreu had other offers before choosing to sign with the Dodgers, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). He liked the idea of returning to the NL and knows manager Don Mattingly from his time with the Yankees.
- The Giants offered Travis Ishikawa a minor league contract to return during the offseason, but he signed with the Brewers because they offered a better opportunity to Hank Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle. Mat Gamel's injury opened the door for Ishikawa to play everyday.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports speculates (on Twitter) that Mark Trumbo of the Angels would be a good fit for the Blue Jays. He says it's hard to see Toronto trading a reliever while Sergio Santos is still on the DL, however.
Orioles Release Luis Lebron
Let's keep track of the day's minor moves right here…
- The Orioles have released right-hander Luis Lebron, reports Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com (on Twitter). Baseball America ranked the 27-year-old as Baltimore's 21st best prospect prior to last season. Lebron owns a gaudy 13.3 K/9 in 205 1/3 minor league innings, though his 7.0 BB/9 and 5.13 ERA leave a lot to be desired. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010 and has struggled since.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rivera, Youkilis, Street
Five years ago today, 49-year-old Julio Franco and 43-year-old Randy Johnson faced off in the oldest hitter-pitcher matchup in baseball history. Franco took the Big Unit deep, extending his own record as the oldest player to ever hit a home run. Here's the latest from around the league…
- Pirates Prospects spoke to Pirates president Frank Coonelly about a potential international draft.
- Phoul Ballz interviewed top Phillies prospect Trevor May.
- River Ave. Blues says the Yankees will never be same without Mariano Rivera.
- Baseball Trivia Questions thinks the Michael Pineda trade is a good deal gone bad.
- Over The Monster looks at the early returns of Red Sox GM Ben Cherington's moves.
- BoSox Injection believes it is time for the Red Sox to trade Kevin Youkilis.
- I-70 Baseball says the Cardinals have better balance without Albert Pujols.
- FanSpeak thanks Dan Duquette and Andy MacPhail for the Orioles' hot start.
- Through the Fence Baseball explains why the Padres should change the dimensions of Petco Park.
- Chicken Friars thinks Huston Street could attract trade interest soon.
- The Nats Blog wonders what's wrong with Danny Espinosa.
- Call to the Pen analyzed the Hideki Matsui signing.
- The Brewers Bar listed some candidates to replace Mat Gamel.
- Know Hitter assessed the Tigers' needs.
- MLB Reports says the Blue Jays need to add a big bat to contend in the AL East.
- Rant Sports Blue Jays wonders if Edwin Encarnacion is for real.
- Meanwhile, The True Fan's Sports Blog wonders if the Dodgers are for real.
- 85% Sports wrote about the Astros and the first overall pick in this year's draft.
- Redbird Rants says Mike Matheny has proven he was right man for the Cardinals.
- MLB on Deck lists some managers who may be on the hot seat.
- Shutdown Inning analyzed pitcher mechanics and hitter reaction times.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
Quick Hits: Gamel, Paniagua, Padres, Harper
Brewers GM Doug Melvin confirmed that Mat Gamel has a torn right ACL and is likely to miss the rest of the season, reports Tom Haudricourt of The Journal Sentinel. "For now, we'll fill from within," said the GM. "[Travis Ishikawa] will be out there. Making trades aren't as easy as people think."
Here's the latest from around the league…
- Dominican right-hander Juan Carlos Paniagua recently worked out for teams in Puerto Rico, reports Conor Glassey on Baseball America. The Yankees signed the 22-year-old for $1.1MM last year, though the deal was later voided. Paniagua will be free to sign with teams on July 19th, though he will be subject to the international spending restrictions implemented by the new collective bargaining agreement.
- ESPN's Jim Bowden put together a list of early trade candidates, including names like Brandon League, Erik Bedard, and Jeff Francoeur.
- "There are a lot of good things about [the San Diego] market," said Scott Boras to Tom Krasovic of Inside of the Padres. "Has to be an owner with lot of money and patience," he added. The Padres are expected to be sold in the near future, possibly by the All-Star break.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote about Bryce Harper and explained why the Nationals should not send him down. Meanwhile, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tries to temper expectations for the young phenom.
- Matt Eddy of Baseball America has a full recap of last week's minor league transactions, including DL assignments and players signed as undrafted free agents.
Omar Vizquel Hints At Retirement
Infielder Omar Vizquel openly wondered why more older players don't sign minor league contracts and try to win jobs back in Spring Training, though it appears as though he won't do that himself next year. Vizquel told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that this season is likely to be his last as a player.
“I think this is going to be it for me,” he said. “This is going to be my last year.”
Vizquel, 45, did qualify the statement by saying he's only "51% sure" he will call it a career after 2012. He has one single and one walk in a dozen plate appearances for the Blue Jays this year, who signed him to a minor league deal back in January. This is Vizquel's 24th season in the big leagues and the Jays are his sixth team. He has indicated a desire to coach once he hands up the spikes.
Dodgers In Serious Talks With Bobby Abreu
The Dodgers are in serious talks with Bobby Abreu, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Details still need to be worked out, so the deal is not yet done.
The Angels released the 38-year-old Abreu late last week, and earlier today we heard that several NL teams have expressed interest. Abreu posted a .353 on-base percentage with 21 stolen bases and 78 walks last year, but got off to a slow start in 2012. He is a client of Peter E. Greenberg & Associates and is available for a pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum at this point. The Angels are responsible for the remainder of his $9MM salary.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Luke Hughes
Let's keep track of Wednesday's outright assignments right here…
- Luke Hughes has cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Triple-A, he tweeted. The Athletics designated the infielder for assignment earlier this week. Hughes, 27, has hit .130/.125/.130 in 24 plate appearances with the Twins and A's this year.
Red Sox To Sign Mark Prior
The Red Sox will sign Mark Prior, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). John Boggs & Associates represent Prior, who last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2006.
The Cubs drafted Prior second overall in 2001 and he soon became one of the National League's best pitchers. He posted a 2.43 ERA with 10.4 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 as a 22-year-old just a year and a half after being drafted. A series of shoulder problems derailed Prior's career, but he has tried to resurrect it with stints in the Padres', Rangers' and Yankees' systems. Now 31, he's attempting another comeback.
Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
Red Sox Do Not Recall Aaron Cook
The Red Sox did not call up right-hander Aaron Cook by 12:01pm ET tonight, thus activating the opt-out clause in his contract according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier. Cook has 24 hours to exercise the opt-out, then the team would have 48 hours to respond by calling him up or trading him.
Speier reports that the Red Sox will likely work out an agreement with the 33-year-old to keep him on the Major League roster, but there is no formal agreement in place at this time. Boston sent Lars Anderson to Triple-A after Tuesday's game, creating an open 25-man roster spot. The Red Sox would need to clear a 40-man roster for Cook, however.
The long-time Rockie has pitched to a 1.89 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 11 walks in 33 1/3 innings across five Triple-A starts. He signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox back in January. Manager Bobby Valentine had previous told reporters that if the team does add Cook to the roster, he will work out of the bullpen.