Quick Hits: Hardy, Soriano, Rangers, Clemens
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy admitted that Manny Machado's presence makes him wonder about his own future with the club, tweets Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun. The veteran, who is under contract through 2014 for $7MM per season, says that he is focused on playing his best at shortstop and won't let the uncertainty hinder him. "Does it cross my mind? Yeah. I’m not going to lie. I was in the same situation in Milwaukee with Alcides Escobar coming up. I don’t know what’s going to happen," said Hardy. More Thursday night linkage..
- Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano has gone from one of baseball's most overpaid players to one of its most underrated, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Cubs have one day to find a deal for Soriano if they hope to move him this season. Last week it was reported that Theo Epstein & Co. are unlikely to deal him this month.
- In his latest mailbag, a reader asked MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan if the Rangers made a mistake in extending Derek Holland before working out a deal with Matt Harrison. He writes that the club should have the financial flexibility to get both extensions done and can be expected to hammer something out with Harrison this winter. The left-hander will be eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.
- It's becoming more and more obvious by the day that the Astros and Roger Clemens are set for a reunion, says Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (video link). Rosenthal opines that the idea is embarrassing for both parties, but possibly worse on the team's end. Despite Clemens' tarnished reputation, he is still a well-liked figure in Houston who should serve as a strong gate attraction if he makes a return.
- After being cut loose by the Brewers just over a week ago, veteran Randy Wolf says that he is excited to hook on with a young Orioles squad, writes Kevin Cowherd of the Baltimore Sun. The Brewers are on the hook for most of his $9.5MM salary, with the O's covering the pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum.
AL East Notes: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Sanchez
A look at the latest out of the American League East..
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports updated his list of winners and losers of the trade deadline to include the deals that have gone down in the month of August and put the Red Sox at the top of the winners column. He writes that while Boston certainly won’t win the division, they came away as winners this month with their quarter-billion-dollar purge. The Orioles also made it to the winners circle thanks to their pickups of Nate McLouth and Omar Quintanilla.
- The Blue Jays had "all kinds of offers" for minor league right-hander Aaron Sanchez at the deadline, one veteran talent evaluator told Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. However, Toronto held on to the 20-year-old as he continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with his velocity climbing from the 92-93 mph range to 94-96. Sanchez has a 2.29 ERA with 9.6 K/9 and 5.2 BB/9 in 86.1 innings for Single-A Lansing this year.
- Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe believes that the Red Sox owners are irked that Theo Epstein managed to leave the club without blame for the club's struggles this year. Owners John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino have taken a great deal of criticism in Boston for the club's direction over the past twelve months while the former GM has recieved little, Shaughnessy writes.
NL West Notes: Dodgers, Billingsley, Rockies, Padres
Earlier today we learned that Shane Victorino would like to re-sign with the Dodgers after this season, but the veteran has no interest in returning as a bench player. While Victorino seemed likely to be retained by the Dodgers when they traded for him, the club’s acquisition of Carl Crawford might alter their plans. Here’s more out of the National League West..
- Dodgers president Stan Kasten told Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times that he fears that Chad Billingsley‘s elbow injury could sideline him for the remainder of the season. Kasten went on to say that the fear did not stem from “medical evidence”, which implies that it may just be a hunch at this juncture.
- Meanwhile, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com that the talent pool that has cleared waivers or remains on waivers is “very thin right now.” Colletti wouldn’t completely rule out the idea of an acquisition taking place tonight or tomorrow but said that nothing is brewing at present.
- The Rockies will continue to use a four-man rotation in 2013, writes Troy Renck of The Denver Post. The club has experimented with using four starters on a limited pitch count with three “piggyback” relievers this season and will tweak the model to use four relievers next year. The plan was met with skepticism this season but the Rockies have been pitching better since making the switch.
- The Padres could contend for a Wild Card spot next season with some badly-needed upgrades to their rotation, writes Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs. Earlier today, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that Padres execs are encouraged by the team’s recent play and are adjusting their plans in order to win in the short-term. The report also suggested that San Diego could target an established starter like Hiroki Kuroda.
- Renck (via Twitter) doesn’t expect the Rockies to be in on Joe Mauer, in large part because they already have Wilin Rosario behind the plate and Mauer would lose value if moved elsewhere.
Astros To Scout Clemens’ Next Start
The Astros plan to scout Roger Clemens' upcoming start for the independent league Sugar Land Skeeters on September 7th, General Manager Jeff Luhnow told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (story by Danny Knobler). Knobler writes that the strong speculation in baseball is that if Clemens pitches well, he will then pitch for the Astros five days later, on September 12 versus the Cubs.
The 50-year-old hurler last pitched in the majors in 2007 for the Yankees and can likely delay his Hall of Fame eligibility for another five years if he returns to the big leagues with Houston. While the Astros have been linked to Clemens recently, the Rangers and Royals are reportedly not interested in his services.
Cubs Extend Starlin Castro
The Cubs have signed Starlin Castro to a contract extension that will keep the 22-year-old shortstop under contract for the remainder of his 20s. The team officially announced a seven-year extension that covers Castro's four arbitration seasons and at least three seasons of free agent eligibility. Paul Kinzer of Wasserman Media Group represents Castro, whose seven-year deal includes $60MM in guaranteed money.
Castro has posted a .276/.311/.418 batting line with 12 homers in 540 plate appearances this season. Despite his youth, he already has three full seasons of MLB experience and was on track to go to arbitration for the first time this offseason. As a super two player, he has four seasons of arbitration eligibility.
The deal locks Castro up through 2019, which means he and prospects Jorge Soler and Gerardo Concepcion are the only Cubs players under contract beyond 2014. Soler's nine-year, $30MM contract extends through 2020 and Concepcion's five-year, $6MM contract extends through 2016.
Castro will receive a $6MM signing bonus before earning $5MM in 2013 and 2014, $6MM in 2015, $7MM in 2016, $9MM in 2017, $10MM in 2018 and $11MM in 2019, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links). If Castro finishes in the top five of the MVP voting twice over the life of his contract, his 2019 salary and the value of his $16MM option will each increase by $2MM. All told, the maximum value of his contract including escalators would be $79MM over eight years.
The eighth-year option includes a $1MM buyout that is part of the $60MM guarantee, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). The deal doesn't include a no-trade clause, Heyman reports (on Twitter).
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com first reported that the sides reached an agreement after David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com first reported that the two sides were working on a long-term deal. Post by Ben Nicholson-Smith with Zach Links and Steve Adams. Photo courtesy of US Presswire.
NL East Notes: Mets, Braves, McCann, Wright
It has been a tough year for the Mets and it doesn't seem like the club is in position to back up a Brink's truck to reload in 2013. Recently, it was reported that General Manager Sandy Alderson will basically working with the same payroll next year with the lid being in the neighborhood of $90MM. Here's more out of Queens and other items from the National League East..
- Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson said that he expects David Wright to be with the team for the future at a Q&A session for season ticket holders, tweets Matt Ehalt of ESPNNewYork.com. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter) notes that it takes two to tango, however, and the question isn't whether the Mets want Wright back.
- During that same gathering, Alderson also said he expects R.A. Dickey to be with the Mets "long-term," writes Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Dickey and Wright have options for 2013 that will be exercised by the club, but Alderson will not wait until the pair hit free agency to negotiate. "It's not our intention to simply rely on those options and go into next season and deal with their free agency after 2013," the GM explained.
- The Red Sox-Dodgers blockbuster underscores the tough situation that the Mets are currently facing, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman wonders why the Mets never looked at the Dodgers' need at third base and pitch them on Wright plus a bad contract or two in exchange for payroll relief and prospects.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wonders if Brian McCann is playing his way out of a big contract as he struggles to fight through a pair of injuries in his right shoulder. The Braves hold a $12MM option on McCann for next season, making this winter the ideal time to discuss a new deal.
Edward Creech contributed to this post.
Orioles Acquire Joe Saunders For Matt Lindstrom
1:12pm: The player to be named later the Diamondbacks will receive won't be named until after the season and will not be a targeted prospect but a lower-level minor leaguer, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
11:09am: The Orioles have acquired Joe Saunders and cash from the Diamondbacks in exchange for reliever Matt Lindstrom and a player to be named later. Saunders cleared trade waivers earlier in the week, making him eligible to be dealt to any club.
Late last night, we learned that Arizona found a trade partner for the 31-year-old and the O's were said to be the club with the most steady interest in him. Saunders will be owed roughly $1.5MM, the prorated portion of his $6MM salary, between now and the end of the year.
The veteran has a 4.22 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 21 starts for the Diamondbacks this year. For his career, Saunders owns a 4.17 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in eight big league seasons for the Angels and Diamondbacks.
Lindstrom, 32, has a 2.72 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 34 appearances this year. The right-hander is earning $3.6MM in 2012 (roughly $748K remaining) with a $4MM club option for next season. Lindstrom's option can be bought out for just $200K. The deal marks the fifth time that Lindstrom has been traded in the last six years.
The O's also announced that Jake Arrieta has been called up from Triple-A.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter) first reported that the Orioles acquired Saunders. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter) added details.
Mets Place Scott Hairston, Andres Torres On Waivers
The Mets have placed Scott Hairston and Andres Torres on waivers, a major league source told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets have said that they want to be competitive in the month of September but may be willing to part with Hairston as they sit with a 58-69 record heading into this afternoon's game against the Astros.
The club has yet to have contract extension talks with Hairston, though he recently indicated that he would be open to the discussion. The 32-year-old has a slash line of .272/.312/.512 with 14 homers in 104 games this season for the Mets.
On the other hand, Torres has been viewed as a possible non-tender candidate for 2013. The centerfielder is earning $2.7MM this season and would see something in the neighborhood of $3MM in arbitration this winter. For the Mets, it wouldn't make a great deal of sense to dole out such a deal for a fourth outfielder.
Red Sox Notes: Beckett, Gonzalez, Cherington
Here's a look at the latest out of Boston as everyone continues to digest yesterday's big story..
- The Red Sox absolutely had to make the deal, but they'll now be charged with the task of finding an outfielder, a starting pitcher, and maybe a first baseman and shortstop, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will have to hope that Carl Crawford is rejuvenated by the laid back environment of Southern California once he comes back from Tommy John surgery.
- Josh Beckett, who found himself as a lightning rod for criticism in Boston, said that it was time to move on from the BoSox, writes Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. Adrian Gonzalez expressed some "regret" about decisions made during his time in Boston, which Miller took to be a reference to the meeting that was called to discuss manager Bobby Valentine.
- At the press conference to formally announce the trade, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington explained that the club will continue to spend, but will do so with fiscal responsibility, writes Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. "We're not limited in what we'll be able to explore," he said. "At the same time we need to be smart about it. We need to build a team and not be focused on one transaction or the other."
- Despite the trade, Cherington insists that 2013 will not be a "bridge year" and that the club will still look to contend, writes Tim Britton of The Providence Journal.
Rosenthal On Upton, Rangers, Beckett, Drew
Here's a look at the latest edition of Full Count from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (video link)..
- It's likely that the Rangers will pursue a trade for the Diamondbacks' Justin Upton this offseason. Upton would join Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar as a part of the team's future offensive core. Of course, Texas will be facing the potential losses of Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli as free agents and Nelson Cruz will be entering his final year under contract. In a deal for Upton, the D'Backs would likely have interest in shortstop Elvis Andrus.
- Stephen Drew is basically on a six-week audition with the A's and the club won't rule out bringing him back for 2013, perhaps even by exercising their end of his $10MM option. Drew's agent Scott Boras has shown a willingness to do one-year deals to help players re-establish value and the shortstop has a strong relationship with Bob Melvin.
- The Red Sox won't regret trading Josh Beckett when they had the chance. Even though this winter's available pitchers aren't necessarily elite, there are plenty of more attractive options than Beckett. Three of the big free agents: Zack Greinke, Ryan Dempster, and Anibal Sanchez, haven't upped their value since being traded and their prices could sink. Dan Haren and Ervin Santana could be available if the Angels decline their options and pitchers like Gavin Floyd and Justin Masterson could be on the trade block.
- The Reds are leaning against promoting Billy Hamilton, who has 148 stolen bases in the minors this season. The idea of using him as a pinch runner in September would be extremely exciting, but the club doesn't believe that he will be ready to play in the majors next season and he would basically be a waste of a 40-man spot.