Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Verlander, Kubel, Hunter
On this date in 2006, 48-year-old Julio Franco became the oldest major leaguer in history to drive in five runs as the Mets routed the Nationals 13-0 at RFK Stadium. The first baseman still had some baseball left in him beyond the '06 season, spending 2007 with the Mets and Braves. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- Baseball Professor has some concerns about Justin Verlander.
- The Tribe Daily weighs in on the Jason Kubel deal.
- Through The Fence Baseball noticed a change in Torii Hunter's hitting.
- Pinstripe Pundits looks at the improvement of Ivan Nova.
- Monkey With A Halo thinks Mike Scioscia will be let go with GM Jerry Dipoto staying put.
- Kings Of Kauffman examines Eric Hosmer's resurgence.
- Inside The Zona breaks down the Diamondbacks' September call-up options.
- Baseball Stooges discusses the future of the Mets.
- i70 Baseball is glad to see some stability in the Cardinals' starting rotation.
- MLB Reports says the time is now (or next year) for the O's to strike.
- Baseball Hot Corner reflects on the hits and misses the Blue Jays have had in the draft.
- Lasorda's Lair has learned quite a bit from Vin Scully.
- Grading On The Curve sees big things for the Twins in the future.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
Giants Interested In Jose Abreu, Masahiro Tanaka
The success of imports like Hyun-Jin Ryu, Yoenis Cespedes, and Yasiel Puig in the state of California has led to the Giants rethinking their approach to the international market this winter. Sources tell Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com that the club's scouting department is going into hyperdrive with an eye on Japan's Masahiro Tanaka and Cuba's Jose Dariel Abreu.
“The risk and cost assessment has to be part of the equation,” Giants vice president Bobby Evans said. “As for the rewards, you do look at what some of these recent high-risk signings have done. It does give you a sense of `This is the potential.’ It does give you that desire to say, `Hey, can we get the next one?’”
Aside from seeing the success of Puig et al, the Giants recognize that this winter's free agent market will be relatively thin, making it necessary to explore other options. San Francisco also recognizes that they will have a good amount of cash to spend thanks to their share of the league's TV revenue. They'll do their due diligence on both Tanaka and Abreu, but Tanaka might be the better fit of the two given the club's emphasis on pitching and the potential marketing opportunities he brings.
Baggarly notes that the Giants may have been discouraged from going after international free agents after their bad experience with Cuban defector Osvaldo Fernandez in the late 1990s. However, they're now seeing that top foreign talents have been able to come to the major leagues and succeed right off the bat. Evans was also quick to note that the Giants always did their homework on players like Cespedes and Puig, along with every other international free agent. For example, sources said they went after Jose Iglesias in 2008 when he defected from Cuba.
Orioles Claim Mike Morse Off Waivers
Mariners outfielder/first baseman Mike Morse has been claimed off revocable trade waivers by the Orioles, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Morse is the second notable player claimed by Baltimore in as many days – last night they had the winning claim on the Twins' Josh Willingham.
Morse, 31, has struggled this season, posting a .226/.283/.410 slash line with 13 homers in 307 plate appearances. It's a significant dropoff for Morse, who boasted a career .295/.347/.492 line heading into this sesaon.
The 70-61 Orioles are in need of an offensive upgrade as they look to make their playoff push. They're not likely to leapfrog the Red Sox and Rays for the AL East crown, but they are just 4.5 games back of the A's for the final Wild Card spot. In total, Baseball Prospectus' number crunch gives them an 8.8% chance of making the postseason.
Morse's teammate Kendrys Morales was claimed by an unknown club earlier this week but no deal was made within the allotted time, Heyman notes (via Twitter).
Orioles Notes: Willingham, Kubel, Morneau
Last night, we learned that a mystery team claimed Josh Willingham off waivers and hours later it was revealed that the Orioles were the club making the claim. Now, the Orioles and Twins have until tomorrow afternoon to hammer out a trade. Here's the latest out of Baltimore..
- In addition to their claim of Josh Willingham last night, the Orioles have also expressed interest in Jason Kubel, according to Peter Gammons of MLB Network (via Twitter). Kubel was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. After an offensively strong 2012, Kubel has a disappointing .220/.288/.324 line in 267 plate appearances.
- One industry source told Dan Connolly and Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun that it appears the Twins are more motivated to trade Justin Morneau than Willingham. However, Willingham, a right-handed hitter, looks like the better fit for the Orioles.
- The Orioles have made several claims this month on players, but have not ended up with a player, writes Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. That means the O's either couldn’t agree on a trade or they were outbid by a team with a lesser record.
- Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com wonders if it's a good idea for the O's to deal for Willingham since it would likely chip away at their farm system.
NL West Notes: Puig, Dodgers, Cano, Giants, Pence
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly benched Yasiel Puig at the start of the fifth inning of last night's 4-0 victory over the Cubs, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says it was the right call. Mattingly gained respect in his clubhouse by benching the 22-year-old, said one Dodgers player. The player added that Puig also gained respect by taking the advice of the club's veterans and accepting responsibility in his postgame chat with the media. Here's more out of the NL West..
- Hunter Pence told Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter) that he'd still pass up free agency to sign a multi-year deal with the Giants, but the club hasn't brought him anything yet. Pence has made no secret of his preference to re-up with the Giants rather go out on the open market.
- Robinson Cano's bid for big bucks is hurt by hints that the Dodgers might not be totally flush with cash after they lock up Clayton Kershaw to a new deal, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com in his list of the top 50 free agents for this offseason. The top ten includes three NL West representatives: Ricky Nolasco of the Dodgers and Tim Lincecum and Pence of the Giants.
- The Dodgers signed Edinson Volquez as another option for the backend of the rotation, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the struggling Chris Capuano will be bumped, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. The Dodgers might use Volquez as a sixth starter at least once to give the other starters an extra day of rest.
AL Central Notes: White Sox, Willingham, Indians
Former White Sox exec Dave Wilder received a two-year federal prison sentence today for his role in taking kickbacks from international signings, as first reported by Larry Yellen of FOX 32 (via Twitter). From December 2004 through February 2008, investigators said that Wilder orchestrated a kickback scheme in which he and other White Sox scouts artificially inflated the value of international players, signing them to bonuses beyond their value and taking a cut for themselves, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America. In total, there were kickbacks involved with 23 signings, according to the federal investigation. The White Sox released a statement calling the scandal a "painful betrayal". The good news for the White Sox is that Wilder was ordered to pay the club roughly $441K in restitution, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Here's more out of the AL Central..
- An unknown team claimed Twins outfielder Josh Willingham off waivers, but Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer reports that it wasn't the Indians. The Indians negotiated with Willingham when he was a free agent before the 2012 season. Willingham wound up signing a three-year deal with the Twins after the Tribe would only go to two.
- Hoynes adds that while Willingham won't be coming to the Indians, the recently DFA'd Jason Kubel could be of interest to them. The Tribe liked Kubel when he played for Minnesota and there were reports that they claimed him on waivers in August of 2011, right around the time they acquired Jim Thome from the Twins.
- Twins GM Terry Ryan confirmed that Minnesota will receive cash from the Royals in the Jamey Carroll trade, tweets Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The Twins had the choice of cash considerations or a PTBNL in the swap.
Dodgers To Sign Edinson Volquez
Shortly after it was reported that the Dodgers had interest in Edinson Volquez, they went out and made it a reality. Volquez and the Dodgers have agreed on a major league deal, pending a physical and other details, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
The Dodgers took interest in Volquez just hours after the Padres requested release waivers on him. The 30-year-old had a decent 2012 for himself, but he wasn't able to carry that momentum into 2013. On the year, Volquez posted a a 6.01 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 27 starts for the Padres. Volquez is a client of Wasserman Media Group, as shown in the MLBTR Agency Database.
The Dodgers are likely eyeing Volquez as a new option for the backend of the rotation. Starter Chris Capuano has had a stronger year than Volquez in total (4.74 ERA, 6.5 K/9, 2.1 BB/9) but he has struggled in his last four starts.
The Padres on the hook for the remainder of his $5.73MM contract ($1.03MM), less the prorated portion of the minimum salary. Buster Olney of ESPN.com first reported that the Dodgers were interested in signing Volquez.
Dodgers, Phillies Interested In Edinson Volquez
The Padres requested release waivers on pitcher Edinson Volquez earlier today but it doesn't sound like he'll be unemployed for long. The Dodgers have serious interest in signing Volquez given Chris Capuano's struggles, sources tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro says that they have discussed the former All-Star internally, writes Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.
For the Dodgers, Volquez could be plugged in as the No. 5 starter in place of Capuano as they gear up for the postseason. Capuano, 35, has a 6.98 ERA across his last four starts and has struggled with consistency all year long. The Phillies obviously aren't going anywhere in 2013, but they could plug Volquez into their rotation and evaluate him as an option going forward. Volquez hasn't been terribly sharp in 2013, as evidenced by his 6.01 ERA on the year with 7.3 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 27 starts.
Mariners To Promote Taijuan Walker
The Mariners announced that they will promote right-hander Taijuan Walker in time to make his major league debut on Friday against the Astros. Walker, 21, is the M's undisputed top pitching prospect.
This year, Walker was rated as the third-best prospect in the nation by Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com, No. 9 by Keith Law of ESPN.com, and the 18th best prospect by Baseball America, BA's 2013 handbook, which put Walker as second only to Mike Zunino in the M's system, describes the youngster as a "premium athlete with an ideal pitcher's frame." Walker projects as a potential ace and his potential showed through 2012, even though his Double-A stats didn't quite support that.
In 25 starts at the Double-A and Triple-A level this season, Walker posted a 2.93 ERA with 10.2 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9. His late August promotion means that the M's can keep him under club control through 2019 without triggering an additional trip through arbitration.
Padres Place Volquez On Release Waivers
WEDNESDAY: San Diego has requested release waivers on Volquez, according to Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com (on Twitter).
SATURDAY: The Padres announced that they have designated Edinson Volquez for assignment. In a related move, the club has recalled right-handed pitcher Brad Brach from Triple-A Tucson.
Volquez came to the Padres as part of five-player trade with Reds in December of 2011 that sent Mat Latos to Cincinnati. Earlier this year, our own Steve Adams reflected on the deal and noted that Volquez was still believed to have upside when he came out west, but he followed up a decent year in 2012 with a rough 2013 campaign.
The 30-year-old has a 6.01 ERA on the year with 7.3 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 27 starts. Despite his struggles this season, he picked up interest from clubs looking for a boost to the backend of the rotation in a thin trade market. Volquez is set to hit the open market this winter.
You can keep track of Volquez and all of the other players in DFA limbo using MLBTR's DFA Tracker.