Rosenthal On Rios, Pirates, Lucroy, Reds
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports posted a brand new edition of Full Count. Here's a look at the highlights..
- The Pirates should be in the market for a reliever, but their biggest need might be in right field where they rank last in the National League in OPS. The White Sox's Alex Rios would be perfect and he would form an extremely athletic outfield with Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte. However, Rios makes $12.5MM in each of the next two years and two other possibilities, Michael Morse and David DeJesus, are on the DL. The Bucs are in a tricky spot because they want to improve but they don't want to disrupt their chemistry or budding farm system.
- The Brewers will move just about anybody, but not catcher Jonathan Lucroy because they consider him too valuable to their future. They kept suitors away last winter and this season he has full no-trade protection.
- The Reds will stay open minded about acquiring a pitcher because of the uncertainty surrounding Johnny Cueto. They've got Tony Cingrani to turn to, but they'll need to monitor his innings.
- A scout told Rosenthal that the Rays had a ton of eyes on the Rangers' farm system, fueling speculation that a David Price deal might be brewing, but that's not the case. Price is about to return from a triceps injury and Tampa Bay is trying to win. Barring an outright collapse, they are not even going to entertain the thought of moving the hurler until the offseason. With that said, Texas has long had interest in Price and if/when he becomes available, they'll be at the front of the line.
Orioles Acquire Eric Thames
The Orioles announced that they have acquired outfielder Eric Thames from the Mariners in exchange for minor league infielder Ty Kelly. Thames was designated for assignment earlier this month to clear a 40-man roster spot for fellow outfielder Franklin Gutierrez.
Thames hopes that a change of scenery will lead to his first big league game in 2013. In his time with Triple-A Tacoma, Thames posted a slash line of .295/.382/.479 across 249 plate appearances. In 684 career major league PAs, Thames has hit .250/.296/.431.
Kelly, who turns 25 in July, has hit 283/.389/.382 in 72 games for the O's Double-A affiliate. The switch-hitter has spent the bulk of his time at second base and third base with some experience in the outfield.
Blue Jays Sign Ramon Hernandez
The Blue Jays have signed catcher Ramon Hernandez to a minor league deal, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet (via Twitter). The Eric Goldschmidt client was released by the Dodgers on June 22nd after being designated for assignment.
The Dodgers acquired the 37-year-old from the Rockies back in April in exchange for Aaron Harang. The backstop saw only 55 plate appearances for Los Angeles, batting .208/.291/.438. In 5,701 Major League plate appearances with the A's, Padres, Orioles, Reds, Rockies and Dodgers, Hernandez is a .263/.327/.417 hitter.
Rockies Sign Xavier Nady
The Rockies have signed Xavier Nady to a minor league deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Boras Corporation client was released by the Royals yesterday.
Nady was hitting .310/.382/.486 with eleven homers in 289 plate appearances for Triple-A Omaha and a scout who saw Nady recently said that he is swinging the bat as well as he has seen in a while. That's far more promising than his 166 big league plate appearances last season for the Nationals and Giants in which he hit just .184/.253/.316.
Cafardo On Utley, Gonzalez, Crain, Yankees
As impressive as young players like Manny Machado, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Yasiel Puig have been, no one was more spectacular than young Alex Rodriguez, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. However, A-Rod has since tarnished his legacy by being linked to performance enhancing drugs. It all comes back to Rodriguez's love of baseball, because for him, being the best was never good enough. Now he finds himself rehabbing from injury in Tampa, Florida and no one knows how it will play out. Rodriguez could retire because of a physical disability and collect the remaining $114MM on his contract or he return to the Yankees after the All-Star break and provide the righthanded bat they sorely need. Here's more from today's column..
- One team that has at least discussed acquiring the Phillies' Chase Utley is the Royals. Kansas City would love to stabilize their lineup and/or second base situation with someone of Utley’s caliber. Meanwhile, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says that he wants the second baseman to retire in a Phillies uniform, if possible.
- The Red Sox are one of the teams extremely interested in Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, but they won’t break the bank for him, according to a team source. The Sox were certainly burned by the Daisuke Matsuzaka signing and don’t want to get burned again on a deal for the 26-year-old righthander. Even though Gonzalez seems to be the real deal, past injuries seem to be giving some teams pause.
- White Sox reliever Jesse Crain will draw interest and Cafardo warns not to rule out the Red Sox. Pitching coach Juan NIeves coached him in Chicago and he’s a stable force at the end of games. Meanwhile, there will be others vying for Crain, including the Orioles and Yankees. Our own Charlie Wilmoth recently examined Crain as a trade candidate.
- FIrst baseman Chris Carter is an interesting righthanded bat the Astros would move for the right package of young players. The Yankees are a possibility since they need a righthanded hitter who can play first base and the outfield. Even though he strikes out a lot, the 26-year-old Carter could be an intriguing option for clubs.
- The Cubs have a lot of desirable trade pieces, starting of course with Matt Garza, who could be dealt sooner rather than later – maybe even sooner than the Marlins' Ricky Nolasco. Besides Garza, there’s been a lot of interest in outfielder Nate Schierholtz and veteran righthander Scott Feldman, who Cafardo sees as a match for the Orioles. Outfielders Alfonso Soriano and David DeJesus along with relievers Kevin Gregg and James Russell could be moved as well.
- While the Twins say that Glen Perkins is not available, they should expect some club – possibly the Tigers - to offer a substantial package.
Quick Hits: Konerko, Garza, Gonzalez, Yankees
Paul Konerko isn't interested in discussing a potential trade from the White Sox to a contender, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports on Twitter. "I don’t know many teams that are going to want a guy who can’t play," the first baseman said. Konerko, 37, is nursing a back injury and hasn't played since June 23rd. As Merkin notes, Konerko has ten-and-five rights, meaning he cannot be traded without permission. The White Sox reportedly aren't interested in moving him anyway, even though they expect to be sellers at the deadline. Here's more from around baseball..
- The Orioles are interested in the Cubs' Matt Garza after being "lukewarm" on him previously, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports via Twitter. However, they believe the Cubs' current asking price is too high.
- A team source says Cuban righty Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez is "not a fit" for the Nationals, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, via Twitter. The Nats had two scouts watch Gonzalez pitch this month but believe he'll be overpriced.
- The Yankees aren't involved in discussions for Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco "or any other pitcher," FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal says via Twitter, noting that offense is the team's primary need.
- It sounds as though A's GM Billy Beane will give serious thought to re-signing Grant Balfour, despite having two cheaper heir-apparents in the fold, writes Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Aaron Steen contributed to this post.
Orioles Designate Travis Ishikawa For Assignment
The Orioles have designated Travis Ishikawa for assignment, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. The move will allow Baltimore to welcome Jair Jurrjens back to the active roster.
Ishikawa, 29, saw just six games of action for the O's varsity squad this season. As MLBTR first reported, the first baseman had an opt out clause in his minor league deal earlier this month. When he triggered it, Baltimore managed to find room for him on the big league roster. Ishikawa forced the issue by posting an impressive .316/.413/.525 slash line with seven homers in 208 plate appearances for Triple-A Norfolk.
Mariners Notes: Miller, Ryan, Zduriencik
Here's the latest out of Seattle as they get set to host the Cubs tonight..
- In an interview with SportsRadioKJR, GM Jack Zduriencik discussed the club's recent call-up of shortstop Brad Miller and its effect on incumbent Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan. While Miller "will never be the defensive player" that Ryan is, he offers more offensive upside and Seattle wants a look at him in the majors, Zduriencik said.
- Miller's call-up increases the chances that Ryan will be available to contenders at the deadline, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says on Twitter. Though the Seattle shortstop lacks an everyday bat, his defense would be useful in a one-run game in September or October, Morosi notes in a second Tweet.
- Seattle has struggled at the big league level under Zduriencik, but the Mariners appear to have amassed an impressive collection of talent in the minor leagues, Rob Neyer of SBNation says. Danny Hultzen, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, was excellent in a Thursday start that marked his return from the disabled list. Hultzen threw six shutout innings, walking one and striking out six.
Aaron Steen contributed to this post.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Nolasco, Garza, Utley, Yankees
On this date in 2009, Mariano Rivera joined Trevor Hoffman in becoming only the second pitcher to record 500 saves. Rivera, who also registered his first RBI of his 15-year career that night, reached the milestone by getting the last four outs in the Yankees' 4-2 win over the Mets at Citi Field. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- I R Fast looks at Ricky Nolasco's pitching with runners on base.
- Rays Colored Glasses sees Tampa Bay as a sleeper destination for Matt Garza.
- Phillies Nation tries to pin down what the Phillies could get for Chase Utley.
- Pinstripe Pundits sees Carlos Ruiz as a fit for the Bombers.
- i70 Baseball gives some credit to the Royals' pitching.
- MLB Reports discussed Kirk Gibson's managerial style.
- Lasorda's Lair wonders how many games it'll take to win the NL West.
- Baseball Hot Corner highlights some of the league's top rookies.
- NASORB checks out the fences at Safeco.
- WCB Sports breaks down a potential Marlins-Dodgers swap involving Nolasco.
- Replacement Level Red Sox talks situational pitching.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
Marlins Will Not Sign No. 35 Pick Matt Krook
THURSDAY: Krook is choosing to go to college as a result of an issue with his physical, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. The Marlins found an issue — believed to be in Krook's shoulder — which caused them to drop their offer from slot value to $650K. They will, of course, receive a compensatory pick in the 2014 draft as long as they leave their offer on the table for Krook through the July 12 signing deadline.
WEDNESDAY: Pitcher Matt Krook has decided not to sign with the Marlins and will instead attend the University of Oregon, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Miami selected Krook with the No. 35 pick which fell into the Competitive Balance Round A portion of the draft.
According to Baseball America, the suggested value of the No. 35 pick was roughly $1.588MM. Baseball America had the high school left-hander ranked as the 42nd best prospect in the draft, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com had him at No. 55, and Keith Law of ESPN.com was higher on him and had him pegged at No. 30.
BA notes that the 6-foot-4, 195-pound southpaw has had consistency issues as of late. At his best, Krook sits at 90-92 mph, touches 95, and shows flashes of a hard curveball. However, he doesn't have a changeup and there is some effort to his delivery.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.