Brewers Have Discussed Extension With Weeks
Asked whether he's discussed an extension with Rickie Weeks, Brewers GM Doug Melvin replied in the affirmative. Melvin added that he told Weeks last night about Corey Hart's new deal. Weeks' agent Lon Babby was recently named president of basketball operations of the Phoenix Suns, but Melvin said that situation is between Babby and Weeks.
Weeks, 28 in September, has finally combined performance and health in 2010. He's got a .276/.375/.488 line on the season, and with 22 home runs he trails only Dan Uggla among second basemen. Weeks is earning $2.75MM this season, and should get a big raise for his final arbitration year in 2011 if an extension is not reached beforehand.
Brewers Extend Corey Hart Through 2013
The Brewers announced today that they've extended right fielder Corey Hart through 2013. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the extension is worth $26.5MM. The contract covers Hart's final arbitration season and two free agent years. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets the details: a $1MM signing bonus, $6.5MM in 2011, $9MM in '12, and $10MM in '13 plus a limited no-trade clause.
Hart wasn't far from being a non-tender candidate after a disappointing 2009 season. The Brewers retained him but lost an arbitration hearing regarding his 2010 salary ($4.8MM). Hart bounced back in a big way, making the All-Star team and posting a .288/.346/.565 line so far. He's tied for sixth in the NL with 23 home runs. His name was a rumor mill staple last month until a wrist injury sidelined him, though GM Doug Melvin implied today that discussions did not get to a serious stage. Just yesterday Hart talked about his desire for an extension; it turns out assistant GM Gord Ash had been hammering out the deal over the past week or so with Hart's agent Jeff Berry.
Also in Hart's service time class: Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks, who are under team control through 2011.
Waiver Trade Candidates: NL East
The current NL East situation: the Braves and Phillies are in contention, the Marlins and Mets are in the gray area, and the Nationals are out of it. Waiver trade candidates:
The Braves would have to consider letting Derek Lowe's contract go if he's claimed. Kenshin Kawakami is more likely, as he has a more modest $6.667MM salary for 2011 and is currently in the bullpen. The Braves tried to trade Kawakami over the past month, reports MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Nate McLouth's stock is way down, as he's trying to rebuild value in Triple A. He's getting $6.25MM next year, plus another $1.25MM for a 2012 buyout.
Raul Ibanez and Brad Lidge are two Phillies who'd likely clear waivers. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Danys Baez and Greg Dobbs make it through. The Phillies' attempts to free up payroll might have to wait until the offseason though.
The Marlins might be able to move Cody Ross, depending on which team wins a claim. Wes Helms is another trade candidate.
Though he's not going anywhere, Mets pitcher Johan Santana should clear waivers. Carlos Beltran, Francisco Rodriguez, and Jason Bay are similar stories, though Bay can't pass through waivers until he returns from the DL. Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo, Jeff Francoeur, Alex Cora, and Ryota Igarashi should clear with ease. Rod Barajas, Henry Blanco, and Pedro Feliciano are trade candidates with value who could go if the Mets fall further out of contention, though Barajas would have to return from the DL first.
Could the Nationals trade Adam Dunn, especially if he slips to Type B status? Dunn's been dealt in August before, but the Reds didn't seem to value him the way the Nationals do. The Nats should see Jason Marquis, Willie Harris, and Wil Nieves clear waivers, while Ivan Rodriguez, Adam Kennedy, Miguel Batista, and Livan Hernandez could land with contenders.
For our primer on the waiver trade rules, click here.
Waiver Trade Candidates: AL West
The current AL West picture: the Rangers hold a wide lead, the Angels and Athletics are on the fringe of contention, and the Mariners are out of it. Waiver trade candidates:
The Rangers could consider moving Rich Harden, though the righty came off the DL on Saturday and had a fine start. Even with Derek Holland lurking in Triple A, though, I think it makes sense to maintain the depth. Scott Feldman, recently shifted to the bullpen, could clear waivers.
Angels veterans Bobby Abreu, Brian Fuentes, Hideki Matsui, Fernando Rodney, Scot Shields, and Juan Rivera could all clear waivers, in my estimation. The relievers could generate interest, though.
Athletics assistant GM David Forst recently told ESPN's Jayson Stark they're seriously considering "bringing back the same 25 guys next year." Forst may not have meant that literally, but it doesn't appear they'll dump contracts.
As for the Mariners, Milton Bradley figures to clear waivers if he returns from the DL this month. Chone Figgins might clear too, but if he's claimed the Ms have to at least consider bailing on his contract. Jack Wilson might get through, with $5MM owed next year. Same goes for Casey Kotchman, a non-tender candidate after the season. Jose Lopez isn't too expensive, so he might be claimed. I imagine Russell Branyan would be claimed as well. Various lightly-paid Mariners veterans could be moved in minor deals: Jamey Wright, Mike Sweeney, Josh Bard, and Ryan Langerhans come to mind.
For our primer on the waiver trade rules, click here.
Waiver Trade Candidates: AL Central
The current AL Central picture: the White Sox and Twins are contenders, the Tigers are in the gray area, and the Royals and Indians are out of it. Waiver trade possibilities:
It's been an up-and-down year for White Sox closer Bobby Jenks; would he be claimed despite a $7.5MM salary? Would the Sox pull him back? I'd expect Scott Linebrink and Mark Teahen to clear waivers, although deals seem unlikely. Mark Kotsay and Tony Pena could be expendable in minor trades.
Twins such as Nick Punto, Nick Blackburn, and Brendan Harris should clear waivers, though Punto can't pass through until he returns from the DL.
Brandon Inge may return from the DL from a broken hand this week, and probably would clear waivers. Carlos Guillen, dealing with a calf strain, should clear if he returns from the DL this month. Jeremy Bonderman, Johnny Damon, Jhonny Peralta, Gerald Laird, and Brad Thomas are others who might make it through waivers. If the Tigers are out of it and one of these players is claimed, trimming a few hundred thousand dollars might be appealing.
Royals righty Gil Meche will attempt to finish the season as a reliever rather than undergo shoulder surgery, but it's hard to say if he'll return from the DL this month. Jose Guillen is a lock to clear, and perhaps a deal can be worked out. We'll be curious to see what happens when Yuniesky Betancourt, Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies, Willie Bloomquist, Wilson Betemit, and Bruce Chen hit the wire. Bloomquist may go.
The Indians' Travis Hafner will clear waivers and stay put, if he's activated from the DL for should inflammation later this month.
For our primer on the waiver trade process, click here.
Waiver Trade Candidates: AL East
Last year, Ronnie Belliard, Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, Scott Kazmir, Jon Rauch, Billy Wagner, Bill Hall, Ivan Rodriguez, Aubrey Huff, Alex Gonzalez, David Weathers, Carl Pavano, Chad Gaudin, and Gregg Zaun were traded in August. Alex Rios and Russ Springer also changed teams as waiver claims. Here's our primer on the rules. Let's take a look at candidates to be traded or claimed in 2010, starting with the AL East.
The Orioles traded Miguel Tejada and Will Ohman last week, but kept Ty Wigginton and Luke Scott. Both could be moved, but the O's don't have an obvious replacement for Wigginton. Scott is under team control through 2012, and dealing him in August would limit the trade talks to the one team winning the claim. Jeremy Guthrie isn't going anywhere. Kevin Millwood will probably clear waivers, as he's earning $12MM and has given up five earned runs in each of his last five starts. Cesar Izturis could be dealt if the Orioles don't mind starting Julio Lugo at shortstop the rest of the year. Mark Hendrickson has been better against lefties than Ohman or Javier Lopez; I'm surprised there wasn't more July interest.
The Red Sox discussed sending Mike Lowell to the Yankees via the Rangers on Friday, reported Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Lowell would clear waivers, and Rosenthal feels that the Phillies, Rays, and Twins are potential matches. The Sox seemed willing to part with Manny Delcarmen in July; he could be claimed by a non-contending AL team willing to tender him a contract for 2011.
If Nick Johnson somehow takes a positive turn and comes off the DL this month, perhaps the Yankees would look to move him. Marcus Thames could be the odd man out with Austin Kearns now in the fold.
The Rays optioned Dioner Navarro to Triple A in June and could try to move the remainder of his $2.1MM salary. Lance Cormier or Gabe Kapler could be dumped if the Rays find suitable replacements.
One Blue Jay certain to clear waivers is Vernon Wells, even though his power has returned this year. Lyle Overbay is a reasonable trade candidate, though the Jays seemingly didn't get too far in July discussions. Edwin Encarnacion already cleared waivers in June. Brian Tallet has handled lefties well, and will probably clear waivers given his $2MM salary. Scott Downs, Jason Frasor, Kevin Gregg, and John Buck will probably be retained for future draft pick compensation.
Elias Rankings Update
After the season the Elias Sports Bureau will take all players over the 2009-10 period, divide them into five groups for each league, and rank them based on various statistics. Then each player will be labeled a Type A, B, or none. Those designations and the possible accompanying arbitration offers determine draft pick compensation (click here for a refresher).
Eddie Bajek has reverse-engineered the Elias rankings, and he's providing that information exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a look at how the players rank for the period beginning with the 2009 season running through July 31st, 2010. The Google spreadsheet below has separate tabs for each position group. The players have two more months to change these rankings. You can also go directly to the Google spreadsheet here. Our last set of Elias projections is here, in case you want to see what changed.
Astros Agree To Extension With Brett Myers
SUNDAY, 12:51pm: The Astros and Myers have agreed to an extension that is guaranteed through 2012, per a team release. Houston will hold a club option for 2013 that could vest based on Myers' performance in 2012. The extension guarantees the right-hander at least $21MM, and could earn him up to $29.5MM, including the option and performance incentives.
SATURDAY, 9:06pm: Ed Price of AOL FanHouse tweets that Myers' new deal is expected to cover the 2011 and 2012 seasons with an option for 2013.
3:06pm: The Astros are close to a multiyear deal with Brett Myers, tweets MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. It's an odd time for an extension, but we heard all along the Astros preferred to retain Myers rather than trade him.
Myers, 29, signed a one year deal worth $5.1MM guaranteed this offseason with a $8MM mutual option for 2011 ($2MM buyout). The former Phillie has been better than I think even the Astros hoped he would be, pitching to a 3.10 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 2.60 BB/9 in 21 starts. He's the only pitcher in the game to make that many starts to complete at least six innings each time out.
How August Waiver Trades Work
MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote a primer last year on August waiver trades. Give it a read to get ready for the month.
Red Sox Designate Jeremy Hermida For Assignment
5:11pm: WEEI.com's Alex Speier says the Red Sox will continue to explore deals for Hermida in August if he clears waivers, which Speier says is a near certainty (Twitter links). Hermida could end up back in Boston's farm system if they don't find any takers.
2:40pm: The Red Sox designated outfielder Jeremy Hermida for assignment, tweets NESN's Heidi Watney. The 26-year-old signed with the Sox as a free agent after being non-tendered by the Marlins, but hit just .203/.257/.348 in 171 plate appearances. He dealt with rib and forearm injuries from a collision with Adrian Beltre.