Quick Hits: Kazmir, McKeon, Indians, Gonzalez
Some quick hits as we take in a full slate of games today..
- The Pirates have checked into Scott Kazmir, but GM Neal Huntington did not indicate whether the discussions are ongoing or if it's moot issue, tweets Rob Biertempfel of MLB.com.
- If asked, 80-year-old Jack McKeon says that he's capable of taking over the Marlins managerial job on an interim basis, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.
- The Indians have fired hitting coach Jon Nunnally and will replace him with Bruce Fields, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
- The Cardinals scouted left-hander Scott Kazmir but they do not have interest in pursuing him, a club source told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. While several teams have denied interest in the former All-Star, we learned yesterday that the Mets will consider him.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com looks back at the long-term deal that Adrian Gonzalez signed with the Padres and how it ultimately affected his future with the Red Sox.
- In response to a question, Ken Davidoff of Newsday (via Twitter) said that Carlos Zambrano is unlikely for the Yankees.
- Baseball's international signing period is quickly becoming one of the most important dates on the calendar for many big league teams, writes Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times. The international signing period begins July 2nd.
Blue Jays Sign Yunel Escobar To Extension
The Blue Jays have signed shortstop Yunel Escobar to an extension for the 2012 and 2013 seasons worth $10MM, according to the team's official Twitter page. The deal includes two club options of $5MM each for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Escobar, 28, was already under team control through 2013. The possible option years for '14 and '15 represent his first two years of free agency. The new deal will bring Escobar a significant pay bump as he will earn $2.9MM in 2011 after avoiding arbitration in January.
The Blue Jays acquired Escobar along with Jo-Jo Reyes from the Braves in July of 2010 for Tyler Pastornicky, Tim Collins and Alex Gonzalez. Since then, Escobar has hit .278/.350/.395 with 12 homers in 126 games for Toronto.
As MLBTR's Transaction Tracker shows, Alex Anthopoulos has extended four of Romero's teammates since becoming Toronto's GM after the 2009 season. Adam Lind ($18MM), Ricky Romero ($30.1MM), Rajai Davis ($5.75MM) and Jose Bautista ($65MM) have all signed extensions since last April.
Fellow Cuban Alexei Ramirez is in the same service class as Escobar and makes a comparable salary in 2011 ($2.75MM). Ramirez has shown more power than Escobar and has a Silver Slugger to his name, though he hasn't reached base as often as a Major Leaguer. Ramirez signed a deal that guarantees him $32.5MM, including nearly $10MM per free agent year.
Photo courtesy Icon SMI. MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
Braves Designate Joe Mather For Assignment
The Braves have designated Joe Mather for assignment, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter). The move was made in order to create space for the returning Nate McLouth.
Mather, 28, has a .228/.283/.384 slash line in parts of three big league seasons. The former third-round draft pick has seen time at both infield corners and all three outfield positions in the majors.
Atlanta actually placed Mather on waivers at the end of May but the utility player made it through just two days later. So far in 2011, Mather is hitting .213/.272/.307 with a home run in 83 plate appearances.
Cafardo On Kazmir, Upton, Broxton, Ramirez
In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders if roster manipulation is rampant in baseball. Cafardo points to the pulled quad muscle injury of Red Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald as a possible example. McDonald wasn't showing any signs of injury and when asked about it, he gave a "no comment". It's possible that Boston simply wanted to get McDonald more playing time with Mike Cameron eating up the lion's share of the reps. Things such as this, Cafardo writes, are happening all around baseball. Let's see what else is happening around the majors:
- As poorly as left-hander Scott Kazmir has pitched in the last two seasons, there are at least five teams looking at him in the Rockies, Marlins, Padres, Rangers, and Diamondbacks. It also wouldn't be a surprise if the Yankees jump into the mix considering their pitching needs.
- There always seems to be a should-we-or-shouldn’t-we-trade B.J. Upton dilemma for the Rays. The Nationals could be a fit as they'd like a young center fielder they can grow with. The question is: is he available? All signs point to yes.
- Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton has been on the shelf since May with an elbow injury, but the club could move him if they're lagging in the standings.
- The Marlins' recent slide has skipper Edwin Rodriguez on the hot seat and it's no secret that the club has been keeping an eye on Ozzie Guillen for quite some time. Guillen has one year remaining on his deal with the White Sox.
- The Dodgers owe Manny Ramirez more than $8MM in deferred payments but the charismatic twelve-time All-Star is collecting a lot more than that. The BoSox owe him quite a bit of money too, roughly $32MM over 16 years. Boston will pay Ramirez through 2026, when he’ll be 54-years-old.
Pirates Designate Wyatt Toregas For Assignment
To make room for catcher Mike McKenry, on the 40-man roster, the Pirates have designated Wyatt Toregas for assignment, writes MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. Toregas was on the Bucs big league roster for just four days.
In 135 career Triple-A games, Toregas has a .235/.301/.355 slash line with eleven homers. Prior to this season, the 28-year-old catcher had just 19 major league games to his credit, all of which came with the Indians in 2009.
Pirates Acquire McKenry From Red Sox
The Pirates have acquired catcher Mike McKenry in a trade with the Red Sox, a source tells Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Boston will receive a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com (via Twitter).
Pittsburgh has been in search of a catcher ever since losing Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder to the disabled list. Manager Clint Hurdle recently admitted that the club was having a hard time acquiring a catcher as clubs were looking to take advantage of their situation. The club could potentially be without Doumit until the end of July and without Snyder all season.
McKenry, 26, spent the first five years of his career with the Rockies organization before being dealt to the Red Sox in late March. In 127 career Triple-A games, McKenry has a slash line of .268/.337/.425 with 13 homers.
Quick Hits: Pirates, Millwood, Astros, Gamel
Here are some Sunday evening Quick Hits as the Reds take on the Giants..
- The Astros have been dominating the rumor mill over the last several weeks in Major League Baseball, writes Stephen Goff of Examiner.com. Teams have been calling GM Ed Wade about deals but even he isn't safe from rumors as he's said by some to be on the hot seat.
- The Pirates are actively looking to acquire a catcher after losing their top three catchers to injury. Meanwhile, they don't feel that top catching prospect Tony Sanchez is ready for a big league promotion, writes Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
- Kevin Millwood, who recently signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox, says that he's progressing with each Triple-A outing, writes Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal. The veteran signed a minor league deal with the Yankees earlier in the year but opted out on May 1st.
- Stephen Goff of Examiner.com (via Twitter) tips his cap to Astros scouting director Bobby Heck for already getting 26 out of their 50 Draft picks signed.
- The Brewers are thinking about a mid-week promotion for Mat Gamel, but the club won't have to designate anyone for assignment to make the move, writes MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Relievers Marco Estrada and Tim Dillard both have a minor league option remaining.
MLBTR Originals
Here's a look back at some of the analysis and reporting MLBTR's writing team delivered this week..
- As the losses kept piling up, A's GM Billy Beane realized that he had to make a change and fire his friend, manager Bob Geren, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
- Tim Dierkes reported that the Yankees claimed pitcher Jeff Marquez off of waivers from the White Sox. This year in nine starts for Triple-A Charlotte he posted a 3.97 ERA, 6.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 47 2/3 innings.
- Did you miss this week's chat? Don't worry, you can check out the transcript right here.
- Steve Adams profiled the remarkable run of Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong.
- Astros first-round pick George Springer credits genetics and gymnastics for his athletic ability.
- Ben-Nicholson Smith brought us an update on Super Two candidates.
- There were a ton of great pieces featured in this week's edition of Mike Axisa's Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- Draft picks Archie Bradley and Trevor Bauer are both excited about their futures with the Diamondbacks.
- Howard Megdal took a look back at top picks who have been traded by their original teams.
- Here's a rundown of all of MLBTR's regular features.
Jason Marquis Wants To Stay With Nats
Nats right-hander Jason Marquis is in the final year of a two-year, $15MM deal and he says that he wants to continue his career with the club beyond this season, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com. The two sides have not talked about a contract extension, but Marquis is looking for a multiyear deal.
"Anybody would want a multiyear deal. That's how the game works," the veteran said. "I don't think anyone would turn down a four for a one."
Marquis has long been looked at as a trade candidate due to the expected lack of top-notch arms to be available at the trade deadline. Last week, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote that Marquis could be had in a deal if Washington received enough young talent in return.
In 13 starts this season, Marquis has a 3.67 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9.
Rosenthal On Willingham, Upton, Reds, Twins
It's the middle of June and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (video link) says that teams aren't sure if they'll be buying or selling as the deadline approaches..
- The Athletics certainly look like sellers but they're not ready to just give players away. Three of their more attractive hitters, David DeJesus, Coco Crisp, and Josh Willingham all make $6MM or less, salaries that are not prohibitive. The A's can keep all of them, offer them arbitration, and then collect draft picks if they go elsewhere. Right now, Willingham is the only one of the trio that projects as a Type A free agent.
- The Rays could sell even while in contention if they believe that they can build something better for the future. B.J. Upton remains a difficult call for the club. Desmond Jennings, their top prospect, wouldn't provide as much of an impact. At the same time, Upton is likely to make more than $6MM next season in arbitration. Tampa Bay could wait until the offseason to move him but they might get more value if they act sooner.
- If the Reds wanted to get creative, they could move one of their catchers for starting pitching and promote prospect Devin Mesoraco. However, the combination of Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan is one of their strengths and they might not want to disrupt the chemistry between their pitchers and catchers.
- The Twins are at the bottom of the AL Central but GM Bill Smith says that the team still believes that it's in the race. It also helps that Jason Kubel, Jim Thome, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, and Joe Mauer are all expected back soon. Minnesota isn't ready to pack it in just yet, and they're not quite ready to be mid-season sellers.