Mariners Designate Edward Paredes For Assignment
The Mariners designated lefty reliever Edward Paredes for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster roster for catcher Josh Bard, announced the team.
Paredes, 24, posted a 7.71 ERA, 8.0 K/9, 6.4 BB/9, and 1.3 HR/9 with 41 hits allowed across 28 Double and Triple-A innings this year. Baseball America ranked him 25th among Mariners prospects prior to the 2009 season, at which point there was hope that he'd become "a Felix Heredia-type reliever."
Heyman On Padres, Athletics, Twins
The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…
- The Padres are being aggressive in engaging in trade discussions, say executives who have spoken to them. They're even willing to discuss dominant set-up man Mike Adams, who is under team control for next year. Many teams prefer Adams over closer Heath Bell, who Heyman says is "very likely" to be dealt. There are a couple of surprise suitors for Bell, but one exec told Heyman the righty "won't bring as much as you think."
- The impending returns of Rich Harden, Brandon McCarthy, and Tyson Ross are delaying the Athletics' decision on whether to sell. If they do sell, here's a look at who might be available.
- A rival executive believes the Mets would have to be bowled over to trade Jose Reyes, though teams seem convinced Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez will be traded. Teams haven't even called the Mets yet about Reyes' availability, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- Heyman says that the Dodgers have not received any calls on Matt Kemp.
- Though they are nine games out, Heyman says there is no evidence the Twins will start shopping soon. A competing exec thinks they'll stand pat. While Michael Cuddyer would be coveted, his value in the clubhouse might compel the Twins to keep him.
- The Giants don't have much interest in Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera, writes Heyman.
- The Reds "seem reluctant" to trade catcher Ramon Hernandez. For more on Hernandez, click here.
- The Rockies are in wait-and-see mode, but if they sell they'll look to move closer Huston Street. Street is signed through 2012 with a club option for '13.
Contenders In Need Of A Center Field Upgrade
As many as five contenders might be seeking a center fielder by the trade deadline:
- White Sox: Alex Rios, who is signed through 2014, is hitting .221/.272/.329 on the season after a fine bounceback 2010. He was pulled from last night's game because manager Ozzie Guillen didn't like the way Rios was running the bases. His replacement Brent Lillibridge could start taking away at-bats, though Lillibridge's own negligence might have cost Chicago that particular game. The Sox have Jordan Danks (.259/.335/.461) at Triple-A.
- Rangers: Their games played leader Julio Borbon is in Triple-A, leaving Endy Chavez, Craig Gentry, and occasionally Josh Hamilton or David Murphy. Chavez has played well in a small sample, and Leonys Martin could be a factor in September.
- Mariners: They're committed to Franklin Gutierrez, but the well-regarded defender is having a very rough year with the bat. If the lack of production continues for, say, four weeks, the Ms could think about renting a center fielder.
- Braves: Jordan Schafer earned the center field job, pushing Nate McLouth to left. Schafer hasn't done much with the bat though, so the Braves could look to upgrade.
- Nationals: The Nats have reportedly been looking for a long-term center fielder for a while now, with B.J. Upton's name coming up often. Roger Bernadina's recent play may give them pause, however.
The Braves and Nationals seem most likely to make a move, though the Nats probably won't seek a rental. The market may include Borbon, Michael Bourn, Coco Crisp, Dexter Fowler, Chris Coghlan, Reed Johnson, Mitch Maier, Marlon Byrd, Melky Cabrera, Aaron Rowand, Rajai Davis, and Corey Patterson in my estimation. Kosuke Fukudome could play center for someone, while Carlos Beltran played there last year. I have a hard time seeing the Rays move Upton in the middle of a pennant race, but stranger things have happened.
White Sox Close To Signing Keenyn Walker
The White Sox are close to signing supplemental round draft pick Keenyn Walker. The outfielder tweeted earlier today, "Ya buddy! Finally becoming a part of the Chicago White Sox family!!" The amount of Walker's apparent agreement is unknown, but slot would be about $740K.
Walker was drafted 47th overall out of Central Arizona Junior College as compensation for the loss of reliever J.J. Putz. The switch-hitter was Chicago's first pick in the draft, as they had to give the #23 pick to Washington to sign Adam Dunn.
Baseball America describes Walker as "mostly a gap hitter with above-average speed," who "profiles as a good defensive center fielder."
iPhone App Beta Test Full
10:11am: The beta test is full, thanks for your interest.
9:39am: Our Baseball Trade Rumors iPhone app allows you to get push notifications for every new rumor for all of your favorite players and teams. The second version of the app is coming out soon, with new features such as team and transaction filters on the news page and an improved refresh button.
We are looking for 25 people to test the new version of the app thoroughly for about a week.
Beta testing on our new Android app will begin soon.
Decision Expected Soon On Ryan Franklin
The Cardinals "may be closer to a decision regarding relief pitcher Ryan Franklin," writes Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Strauss quotes manager Tony La Russa as considering "creative" alternatives for the beleaguered former closer. Strauss believes options include a DL stint or designating Franklin for assignment to take him off the 40-man roster and have him pitch in the minors while drawing his big league salary. Strauss says a resolution is expected before the Cardinals leave Thursday for Tampa Bay.
Franklin, 38, has a 8.46 ERA, 5.5 K/9, and 2.3 BB/9, with nine home runs and 44 hits allowed in 27 2/3 innings. His groundball rate is down significantly, but his struggles are largely due to a whopping 23.7% of his flyballs leaving the yard and 35% of balls in play dropping for hits. Franklin is earning $3.25MM this year.
Beltran Willing To Waive No-Trade Clause
Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran indicated he's willing to waive his no-trade clause in the right deal to a contender, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. Puma believes the Mets would wait for David Wright to return from the disabled list before trading Beltran.
Winners of three in a row, the Mets are five games back in the wild card. They have a little over a month until the July 31st trade deadline to determine whether they're buyers, sellers, or something in-between. But as Puma points out, the August 31st deadline is more applicable to Beltran, because his $18.5MM salary could pass through waivers. Putting him on waivers would create the possibility of a pure salary dump as the Dodgers did with Manny Ramirez last year. The Mets might like to clear the $3MM or so that will remain on Beltran's contract in late August, or maybe they'd prefer to take on some salary and get actual players back.
Contractually, Beltran's team cannot offer arbitration after the season, so draft pick compensation is not a factor.
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
Dodgers Bankruptcy Links: Tuesday
The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy yesterday, an event that ESPN's Buster Olney ranks among the ten worst chapters in MLB history. The latest:
- MLB was happy with today’s events and will move to have monitors re-installed at Dodger Stadium, according to Yahoo’s Tim Brown (Twitter links). MLB will also request a trustee for the team.
- MLB struck back against Frank McCourt today, blaming the Dodgers' owner for the team's inability to make payroll. MLB is asking the bankruptcy court to reject McCourt's $150MM loan, which comes with 10% interest and a $4.5MM fee, in favor of their own financing with 7% interest and no fee. Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has all the details. He notes that the court could decide today which financing to accept.
- Shaikin has a great primer on this whole mess, using a Q&A format. He says the essence of the case is whether bankruptcy court can override MLB rules, if Bud Selig revokes McCourt's ownership.
- The Dodgers should sell off impending free agents like Hiroki Kuroda, Jamey Carroll, and Casey Blake, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, as well as non-tender candidate James Loney. How about MVP candidate Matt Kemp? "We trade him, and we're done," one member of the organization told Morosi.
Contenders In Need Of A Right Field Upgrade
As many as eight contenders might try to improve their right field situation:
- Red Sox: They may just seek a right-handed hitter who can handle lefties, suggested WEEI's Alex Speier. Jeff Francoeur, Conor Jackson, Ryan Spilborghs, and Matt Diaz could be possibilities, or Michael Cuddyer if the team aims for a bigger name.
- Tigers: When Brennan Boesch plays left field, Casper Wells and Magglio Ordonez are options in right. Wells has shown pop in a limited sample, and Maggs has a big contract. The Tigers' offense isn't lacking overall, so this isn't an urgent need. The same could be said for the Red Sox.
- Indians: The Indians just announced that Shin-Soo Choo had thumb surgery today and recovery time is eight to ten weeks. That means a late August return in the best case, so the Tribe could look to upgrade on the Travis Buck/Austin Kearns platoon.
- Phillies: They've got Domonic Brown and Ben Francisco in the current mix. Francisco normally at least handles lefties, but not this year. Brown has star potential, but it's unclear how much leeway the Phillies want to give him this year to learn on the job. They've got a middle of the pack offense this year, and have been linked to Cuddyer, Ryan Ludwick, and Josh Willingham.
- Cardinals: Lance Berkman has taken over at first base in Albert Pujols' absence, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote yesterday that the Cards do not plan to pursue a hitter. Allen Craig could return from a fractured kneecap around the All-Star break and Jon Jay has done a nice job.
- Pirates: The Bucs have employed Garrett Jones, Xavier Paul, and Diaz this year. Jones takes care of righties, so if Diaz returns to his lefty-mashing ways they'll be fine.
- Giants: The Giants are using Nate Schierholtz in right, with Cody Ross also capable. Schierholtz has struggled against lefties.
- Athletics: At six games out the A's are fringe contenders. They could end up selling right field candidates in Willingham, Jackson, David DeJesus, and Ryan Sweeney. Even if they do stay in the race an outfield acquisition seems unlikely.
The Red Sox, Tigers, Indians, and Phillies seem most likely to pursue right field acquisitions. Andre Ethier and Hunter Pence are unlikely to be dealt, leaving names such as Carlos Beltran, Jason Kubel, Kosuke Fukudome, Ludwick, Willingham, Cuddyer, Ordonez, Francoeur, Jackson, Spilborghs, Diaz, and DeJesus on the Major League market.
Kenny Williams Talks Dunn, Viciedo, Deadline
The Chicago Tribune's Dave van Dyck talked to White Sox GM Kenny Williams on Sunday; here are a few highlights.
- "I would make the same move tomorrow again," says Williams in reference to Adam Dunn's four-year, $56MM contract that also cost the Sox the #23 overall draft pick this year. Dunn is hitting .173/.308/.316 with seven home runs in 279 plate appearances as he attempts to adjust to the American League and full-time DH work. Williams considers Dunn's 2011 struggles "a little blip."
- Williams says he respects manager Ozzie Guillen too much to force him to promote prospect Dayan Viciedo. The 22-year-old outfielder is hitting .330/.369/.528 this year, but Williams says Viciedo is "not a finished product."
- Williams does not believe he can acquire a player who has the ability of those already on the team. He's hoping for certain members of his current squad to start playing to their normal abilities.