Latest Mock Drafts
Check here for the latest mock drafts from the nation's experts.
- Callis and Mayo provide updated drafts with just over an hour remaining before it all begins.
- Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein joins the mix with this mock draft, no subscription required.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has his latest.
- AOL FanHouse's Frankie Piliere has a mock this afternoon.
- Baseball America's Jim Callis has a fresh morning mock, and it's free to all.
- ESPN's Keith Law put up a mock draft this morning (Insider required).
Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Cubs, Whitesell
Baseball's draft begins at 6pm CST today. I'll be hosting a live chat here at MLBTR. Beyond the draft, your afternoon linkage…
- Murray Chass got Nationals president Stan Kasten to admit service time was "one of the factors" in deciding when to call up Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg debuts tomorrow night against Jeff Karstens and the Pirates.
- Lou Piniella is trying rookie Andrew Cashner in a setup role, but the Cubs manager told the Chicago Sun-Times the team is still looking to add a right-handed reliever. Also, Piniella hasn't heard any trade talk about his players.
- NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman tweets Tokyo's Yakult Swallows have acquired first baseman Josh Whitesell and will pay him $300K for the rest of the season. Whitesell had signed a minor league deal with the Nationals in December.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports notes that the Mets are "so high on rookie infielder Ruben Tejada that they'd be reluctant to include him in a trade for a pitcher such as Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt."
Brewers Release Jeff Suppan
The Brewers released pitcher Jeff Suppan, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. By my calculation, the Brewers still owe Suppan $10.08MM, which includes a $2MM buyout after the season.
Suppan has spent most of the 2010 season in mop-up duty, posting a 7.48 ERA, 5.0 K/9, and 3.7 BB/9 in 21.6 relief innings. He's been a release candidate dating back to spring. Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who signed Suppan to a four-year, $42MM deal in December of '06, had this to say:
"Jeff has always been a true professional. He gave his best effort to the organization, whether it was on the field or in the community. I am confident that he can return to a starting rotation with another organization. We wish Jeff and his family nothing but the best."
Melvin was overly optimistic to think Suppan was ever anything other than a high 4.00s ERA innings eater, as that's what he was even in his '06 platform year. A strong postseason record may have inflated Suppan's price. On a conference call with Brewers beat writers, Melvin alluded to the many bad free agent pitching contracts signed that winter.
Scott Boras Draft Clients
As Kevin Goldstein noted in this June 2nd ESPN article, Scott Boras clients aren't dropping in the draft as much as they used to. Still, it's always good to be aware of which potential top draft picks Boras' company represents. Thanks to Goldstein and Baseball America for these names. The linked player names go to MLB.com scouting reports. Harper, Machado, Harvey, Colon, and Ranaudo project as potential first-round picks, according to the experts.
- Seth Blair, college RHP
- Gary Brown, college OF
- Christian Colon, college SS
- Bryce Harper, junior college C
- Matt Harvey, college RHP
- Jacoby Jones, high school SS
- Manny Machado, high school SS
- James Paxton, independent league LHP
- Greg Peavey, college RHP
- Brian Ragira, high school OF
- Anthony Ranaudo, college RHP
- DeAndre Smelter, high school RHP
- LeVon Washington, junior college OF
White Sox Open For Business
The White Sox are open for business, ESPN's Buster Olney heard from multiple executives. Olney specifically names Paul Konerko as someone who is available right now. Check out Olney's info in these three tweets.
Back in April, I ran through players who could be available if the Sox became sellers. Konerko can veto any trade, a right that will be granted to A.J. Pierzynski and Mark Buehrle on June 14th and July 6th, respectively. As sellers the White Sox could offer up one of trade season's hottest commodities: relief pitching. Bobby Jenks and J.J. Putz would be prime trade candidates. I'm guessing Scott Linebrink and Tony Pena would not be difficult to pry loose, though Matt Thornton would. The Sox also have plenty of veterans on one-year deals, such as Andruw Jones, Freddy Garcia, Mark Kotsay, Omar Vizquel, and Ramon Castro.
Pirates Expected To Draft Jameson Taillon
The Pirates have the second pick in today's draft, and ESPN's Buster Olney reports that they are expected to take high school pitcher Jameson Taillon. This matches predictions made this morning by Baseball America's Jim Callis and ESPN's Keith Law, though an earlier note by Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggested they were leaning toward Manny Machado. Talking to Finder, Bucs GM Neal Huntington explained that "we passed on some high school pitchers last year because, quite candidly, we didn't think they had the stuff that allowed [some] to be the exceptions."
For more on Taillon, check out Mike Axisa's post from May 29th.
2010 Draft Pick Gains And Losses
Using Mike Axisa's 2010 draft order, let's take a look at which teams gained and lost picks through free agent compensation during the offseason.
- Seven clubs added at least one pick without giving any up: the Angels, Blue Jays, Astros, Rangers, Cardinals, Rays, and Rockies.
- The Angels lost Chone Figgins and John Lackey, but they added the most and best picks: #18, #29, #37, and #40. This is a huge year for director of scouting Eddie Bane. The Blue Jays added three picks: #34, #41, and #80.
- The Astros, Rangers, and Cardinals each added two picks, with the Astros doing the best by snagging #19 and #33 for Jose Valverde.
- The Orioles and Mets were the only two teams to lose a pick without adding any; those are #53 and #57 respectively.
- The Mariners added #43 but gave up #18, while the Tigers added #44 and #48 while giving up #19.
- The Red Sox came out in pretty good shape despite signing a pair of Type As in John Lackey and Marco Scutaro. The Sox added #20, #36, #39, and #57 while losing #29 and #80. Losing a Type A who was offered arbitration brings in two picks, but signing such a player only costs one.
- The Braves added picks #35 and #53, but surrendered #20.
Originally published 3-29-10.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Shortstops
Operating under the safe assumption Derek Jeter re-signs with the Yankees, who's the best available free agent shortstop after the season? As usual, it's an unimpressive group. 2011 age is in parentheses.
- Orlando Cabrera (36) - He's got a $4MM mutual option with a buyout of $500K or $1MM depending on who declines. Whether you're looking for offense or defense, Cabrera's numbers don't impress.
- Adam Everett (34) – Everett still has defensive skills, but his bat deteriorated to the point that the Tigers recently designated him for assignment.
- Alex Gonzalez (33) – He hit for good power in the season's first month, and might be doing enough to get his $2.5MM option picked up by the Blue Jays after the season.
- Cesar Izturis (31) – He's a defense-first type, at least in reputation, and a big negative with the bat.
- Edgar Renteria (35) – He's currently on the DL with a hamstring injury, but at least holds a .372 OBP for now. The Giants are unlikely to exercise his $10.5MM option, making him a tolerable choice in a poor class.
- Jose Reyes (28) – He's been lousy this season, but at least appears healthy. The Mets would be hard-pressed to decline his $11MM option.
- Juan Uribe (31) – Not the ideal defensive shortstop anymore, but he's hit well since returning to the NL last year. Uribe might be the best stopgap shortstop available on the free agent market.
- Felipe Lopez (31) – Like Uribe, he's a solid, versatile bat who can pass as a shortstop if needed.
- Cristian Guzman, Nick Punto, and Miguel Tejada aren't playing shortstop this year, but could potentially be moved back for 2011 if a team is so inclined.
Draft Links: Machado, Blue Jays, Dodgers
The first round of the MLB draft kicks off at 6pm CST today. Links to start you off, with new ones being added to the bottom of the post:
- MLB.com's Mark Newman prepares you for the festivities by outlining MLB's many facets of draft coverage. Here's a reminder of the draft order.
- The Pirates pick second, and Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes they're leaning toward shortstop Manny Machado over pitcher Jameson Taillon. GM Neal Huntington explained that they will have no problem selecting a Scott Boras client. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles would then take Taillon, who they favor anyway. Jim Callis of Baseball America has a different point of view, saying the Pirates lean toward Taillon.
- The Blue Jays have the #11 pick. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun suggests they have a big draft budget and an eye on Delino DeShields, Jr., Josh Sale, and Deck McGuire as potential first-round picks. Scouting director Andrew Tinnish is emphasizing athleticism and upside, as well as up-the-middle positions.
- Dodgers assistant GM Logan White hinted that they could again take a high school pitcher, writes Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times. The Dodgers have the #28 pick in the first round.
- The Tigers start at #44, having given #19 to the Astros for Jose Valverde. John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press quotes scouting director David Chadd: "We have a history of being aggressive. I don't see that changing."
- Phillies scouting director Marti Wolever told Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Inquirer that the team will take the best available player early and will lean toward catching, lefthanded pitching, and middle infielders later. The Phils' first pick is #27.
- The Rockies are at #26, and Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says they've scouted Aaron Sanchez, Nick Castellanos, and Kevin Gausman heavily. Links on player names in this post go to MLB.com scouting reports.
- John Maffei of the North County Times deduced that the Padres might take a center fielder like Michael Choice or Kolbrin Vitek, but MLB.com's Corey Brock tweets his opinion that they will take a pitcher such as Karsten Whitson. The Padres have the #9 pick.
Nelson Figueroa Clears Waivers
THURSDAY: Figueroa cleared waivers and accepted a Triple A assignment, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki (via Twitter).
MONDAY: The Phillies designated pitcher Nelson Figueroa for assignment to make room for Brad Lidge, reports MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Figueroa isn't sure whether he'll accept a minor league assignment if he clears waivers. Figueroa, 36, was claimed off waivers from the Mets on April 7th and tallied nine games for the Phils.
Last year for the Mets Figueroa compiled a 4.09 ERA, 7.5 K/9, and 3.1 BB/9 in 70.3 innings. Figueroa has spent most of his second career Phillies stint in the bullpen, and the strikeouts disappeared.