Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury Haven’t Talked Extension
The Red Sox and Scott Boras haven't discussed an extension for Jacoby Ellsbury so far this season, sources tell Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. The outfielder will be eligible to hit the open market after the 2013 campaign.
Ellsbury is earning $9MM in his walk year after going through his final arbitration-eligible offseason. The outfielder is off to a slow start through 45 games this season, and some have openly wondered if the distraction of his impending free agency is partly responsible for his .242/.307/.335 slash line.
The 29-year-old, who ranks third on Tim Dierkes' free agent power rankings, will have to pick things up if he hopes to cash in this winter. Ellsbury is hoping for a repeat of his amazing 2011 season where he hit .321/.376/.552 with 32 homers and 39 steals with a career high 732 plate appearances. ESPN's Buster Olney recently wrote that it would "be a crusher" to Ellsbury if he continues at his current trajectory, noting that he could have pushed for a $100MM contract with a return to those 2011 numbers.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
NL East Notes: Phillies, Lee, Nationals, Mets
Here's a look at the latest out of the National League East..
- Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Cliff Lee's professional, unemotional view on trades has served him well. The 34-year-old left-hander could be a popular trade target if the Philles end up as sellers at the deadline, but that apparently doesn't bother Lee. "Normally, if you're traded you go from a team that's not in a good situation to a team that's winning,'' the veteran said.
- The Nationals will have some interesting roster decisions to make regarding their infield, suggests Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal argues that because of last winter's two-year deal for Adam LaRoche, the club will have difficulty in finding a spot for top prospect Anthony Rendon, with his natural position taken by Ryan Zimmerman. Rendon, who has played at second base of late, has a bat that "should make him an impact big leaguer" according to Baseball America.
- The Mets have discussed demoting Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada, and Jordany Valdespin, according to Andy Martino of NYDailyNews.com. Though there is nothing to suggest that the club would demote the struggling trio all in one fell swoop, Martino argues that the Mets need to make just such a move in order to best move forward.
Max Fogle contributed to this post.
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Draft Notes: Manaea, Outfielders
The latest on the draft, which is just over two weeks away…
- Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea was pulled from today's game due to injury before throwing a pitch, according to Keith Law of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The problem relates to the same hip issue that has plagued him this spring in conjunction with shoulder stiffness and Manaea could possibly pitch on Saturday instead, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com tweets. The left-hander is one of the top prospects in this year's draft.
- The outfielders in this year's draft have tremendous potential, Mayo writes. Georgia high schoolers Clint Frazier and Austin Meadows are the top outfielders in this year's class and they both offer different skill sets. One scouting director noted that while he is impressed with Frazier's strength, he is high on both players and is confident that they will be off the board inside of the first 12 picks.
- Click here to see who will be representing each team at the draft.
- ESPN's Keith Law redrafted the 2003 draft, taking Matt Kemp, Ian Kinsler, and Aaron Hill with the first three picks rather than the reality of Delmon Young, Rickie Weeks, and Kyle Sleeth for the Rays, Brewers, and Tigers. Be sure to check out the entire redraft article.
Mets Sign David Aardsma
The Mets announced that they have signed David Aardsma to a minor league deal. The right-hander will report to the club's Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas.
Aardsma, 31, was with the Marlins on a minor league deal but exercised his opt-out clause in mid-May. The veteran posted a 2.57 ERA with 12 strikeouts and eight walks across 14 innings of work for Triple-A New Orleans. Aardsma has had bad luck with injuries in recent years, having undergone surgery to repair the labrum in his left hip followed by Tommy John surgery in 2011.
Late last week, we heard that Japan's Hanshin Tigers had interest in bringing Aardsma aboard after he parted ways with Miami. For his career, Aardsma owns a 4.22 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 across parts of seven big league seasons.
Contract Extensions Changing The Free Agent Market
One of baseball's rising stars recently told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he was concerned about the flurry of contract extensions in baseball and the effect it could have on all players. Free agency, the player argued, helped to make the players union into the powerhouse that it is today. More extensions around baseball means fewer top players reaching free agency, which leads some to believe that there won't be anyone to drive the top of the market. However, agent Scott Boras and union chief Michael Weiner don't view the increasing number of contract extensions as a problem.
Weiner says that he only asks that players exercise their Basic Agreement rights and is fine with players taking extensions over free agency when it suits their needs. Boras has a slightly different take on things, saying that some players don't have the right agent representing them in contract talks with their club.
“The biggest problem the union faces is that there should be more criteria and practical experience before agents can be qualified to represent players with the decisions at hand,” Boras said. “A large number of players believe that a social relationship is the primary foundation — in other words, ‘I like the guy,’ rather than qualifications."
Rosenthal goes on to note that precautions against deals that are too team-friendly are built into the regulations. Agents are required to consult with the union when representing arbitration-eligible players or working on a contract that will cover arbitration years. Meanwhile, agents without arbitration experience must consult with an attorney who has gone through the process before. That means that Anthony Rizzo's seven-year, $41MM pact – which was widely viewed as a win for the Cubs – had input from the union along the way.
While the money is still flowing in for players with extensions, its hard to entirely dismiss what the open market can do in terms of pushing the ceiling. Justin Verlander, for example, would have given a bigger boost to David Price if he had waited to hit the open market after the 2014 season and signed for $30MM rather than $25.7MM per year in his extension with the Tigers. For now, the union is fine with the status quo, but Rosenthal could see things changing if the union feels as though its not getting its fair share of revenue.
Twins Release Rafael Perez
The Twins announced that they have released left-hander Rafael Perez. Perez signed a minor league deal with the team in February, but had yet to pitch for the big league club.
The 29-year-old logged just four innings for Triple-A Rochester, pitching to a 2.25 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 6.8 BB/9. Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune tweets that the Twins had agreed to release Perez if he was not able to make their roster, and felt that he was not ready for big league hitters. Perez has a 3.64 ERA with 7.3 K/ and 3.2 BB/9 over 329 Major League innings, all with the Indians.
Max Fogle contributed to this post.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Halladay, Porcello, Dodgers
On this date in 1978 while pinch hitting for Davey Lopes in the Dodgers' 10-1 rout of the Pirates, Lee Lacy went deep in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Will McEnaney. Lee, a utility player, became first player in major league history to homer in three consecutive at bats as a pinch hitter. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- On The Way Home wonders if the Phillies have seen the last of Roy Halladay.
- Eye On The Tigers talks Rick Porcello's improved changeup.
- Baseball Hot Corner believes a closer change could be coming in Los Angeles.
- MLB Injury News asks if Troy Tulowitzki should move to third base.
- NASORB looks at what the Anthony Rizzo extension could mean for the Mariners.
- I R Fast digs deeper on Jon Niese's problematic 2013.
- Lasorda's Lair fears this could be the end for Josh Beckett.
- Pinstripe Pundits breaks down Yankees DFA candidates.
- Camden Depot analyzes strikezone analysis for Orioles pitchers.
- A's Farm chats with pitching prospect Sonny Gray.
- Indians Baseball Insider attempts to get a read on Lonnie Chisenhall.
- Wahoo's On First is unhappy with Chisenhall's demotion.
- Feelin Kinda Blue brings us a scouting report on Ross Stripling.
- Halo Hangout tells Howie Kendrick to swing away.
- Kings Of Kauffman tries to pin down pitching overachievers and underachievers.
- WCB Sports says the Dodgers should give Zach Lee a chance.
- Baseball News Source believes that Joba Chamberlain should be traded out of need.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
Draft Notes: Bonuses, Astros, Appel, Gray, Bryant
Yesterday, we learned that the Rockies are eyeing third baseman Kris Bryant with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. However, the University of San Diego product is viewed as the best power bat in the draft and some even feel that he should be taken No. 1 overall. The Astros will consider taking Bryant with the top pick along with right-handers Jonathan Gray and Mark Appel, left-hander Sean Manaea, and outfielders Clint Frazier and Austin Meadows. Here's the latest draft news…
- The draft bonus pool will be increased by 8.2% from last year's total, The Associated Press reports. The league and the players' union agreed to an annual raise in signing bonuses (based on growth of industry revenue) as part of the most recent collective bargaining agreement. The slot value for the first overall pick is now slightly more than $7.79MM, up from $7.2MM last year.
- Astros scouting director Mike Elias talks to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart about how the team is approaching this year's draft.
- Keith Law of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd) offers up his first mock draft of the year and has Gray going No. 1 overall to the Astros. Beyond that, Law has Appel going No. 2 to the Cubs (or Gray, depending on which one is left) and the Rockies landing Bryant with the third pick.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo published a mock draft as well, with the same first three projected picks as Law. They begin to differ on the Twins, with Law giving them high school righty Kohl Stewart and Mayo choosing Manaea for them.
- Matt Eddy of Baseball America examined success rates for various draft demographics. Eddy also highlights the biggest draft flops at each position, starting with catcher Ryan Christianson who never reached the majors despite being given a $2.1MM bonus after being taken with the eleventh pick in the 1999 draft by the Mariners.
MLBTR's Mark Polishuk also contributed to this post
Quick Hits: Zambrano, Dodgers, Mattingly, Astros
Even after signing Carlos Zambrano this week, the Phillies might not be done shopping for pitching, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. When asked if the club is still considering starters with opt-outs, team exec Scott Proefrock said "we're still scouting". Here's more from around baseball..
- It may not be fair, but Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly will be expected to turn things around once Zack Greinke is back in action, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The banged up Dodgers are 16-22 heading into tonight's game versus the Nationals.
- After announcing the departure of team president George Postolos this week, Astros owner Jim Crane reached out to one of the most beloved figures in club history in Larry Dierker, writes Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle. For his part, the 66-year-old is definitely open to returning to the organization.
- Meanwhile, Reid Ryan, son of Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan, is being strongly considered by the Astros to become the team's next president, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26.