Draft Notes: Brewers, Astros, Bell, Beede, Braves
Let's take a look at some draft-related items as Day 2 wraps up:
- The Brewers took just one Scott Boras client across the first two days: his son, Trent Boras. The younger Boras is a USC commit, but the club will try to convince him otherwise, tweets Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
- The Mets could have gone the safe route and taken players that would help them in the immediate future, but instead they went for high-risk, high-reward types, writes Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal.
- Astros first-round pick George Springer sounds as though he's very signable, tweets Stephen Goff of Examiner.com.
- The Pirates are hoping that they will be able to sign high school outfielder Josh Bell, just as they were able to come to terms with pitcher Stetson Allie last year, writes MLB.com's Laura Myers. Allie was a UNC commit, but the Pirates got him to sign with a $2.25MM bonus.
- Blue Jays top pick Tyler Beede says that the decision on whether to sign will be based on money, tweets Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Toronto selected Beede with the 21st overall pick in the draft.
- The Braves didn't take a high schooler until the 11th round (Seth Morando, an infielder from Buchanan High School in California), but that doesn't mark a shift in philosophy for the club, writes Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- With pick No. 685, the Reds selected left-hander Amir Garrett, a left-handed pitcher out of Findlay College Prep in Nevada, who has committed to play basketball for St. John's. The chances of him signing, however, are "infinitesimal", according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (via Twitter). A source close to the family told Luke Winn of Sports Illustrated that Garrett would sign if he were selected in the first seven rounds and offered a bonus of around $1.5MM.
Quick Hits: Ramirez, Indians, Fowler
Let's take a breather from the draft news with some Quick Hits..
- Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez reiterated his agent's comments from earlier today, saying that he "wouldn't accept a trade", writes Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. The veteran is in the final year of a five-year, $75MM deal
- The Indians announced that they released infielder Wes Hodges to create Triple-A roster space at Columbus for Nick Johnson, who joins the Clippers today (Twitter link). Hodges, a 2006 second round pick, had a .219/.276/.325 line at Triple-A this year, though he posted a .270/.308/.430 line with 15 homers there last year.
- The Rockies probably couldn't move Dexter Fowler for much right now if they wanted to, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The centerfielder is hitting .238/.340/.348 so far this year.
Aramis Ramirez Won’t Waive No-Trade Clause
Aramis Ramirez's agent Paul Kinzer said that his client most likely would not drop his no-trade clause this season, writes Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune. Furthermore, the third baseman hopes to play for the Cubs again in 2012.
“He doesn’t even want to take a trade. He took less years and less money to stay in Chicago [in 2006], so that is definitely his first option,” Kinzer said. “Aramis has a full no-trade clause, so he doesn’t want to go anywhere. He’s a 10-and-5 guy and I don’t think he’ll go anywhere. We will have to see when it comes to that.”
Ramirez, 32, is in the final year of a five-year, $75MM deal. The Cubs hold an option on Ramirez in 2012 for $16MM, though roughly two weeks ago SI's Jon Heyman wrote that the club doesn't plan on exercising it. If the club doesn't exercise the option they will instead pay Ramirez a $2MM buyout.
Kinzer also represents Cubs players Geovany Soto, Starlin Castro and John Grabow. The agent isn't concerned about the club moving Soto or Castro, though he acknowledged that Grabow could attract trade interest.
Quick Hits: Johnson, Tigers, Kouzmanoff
With the first round of the 2011 draft in the rear view mirror, let's take a look at a few links..
- Slugger Nick Johnson was in the Indians' clubhouse before tonight's game against the Twins, but skipper Manny Acta says that it doesn't mean that we'll see the veteran promoted to the majors, writes Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Instead, the first baseman will be promoted from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Columbus.
- Because of their signing of Victor Martinez, the Tigers were without a first round pick tonight. Six months later, Tigers VP David Chadd has no regrets, writes MLB.com's Jason Beck. The club wound up surrendering the No. 19 overall pick to the Red Sox, who used the pick to take UConn pitcher Matt Barnes.
- Athletics third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff was shocked to learn of his demotion to Triple-A tonight, writes Jane Lee of MLB.com.
Supplemental Round Results
We'll be live tracking the results of the 2011 supplemental draft right here:
34. Nationals – Brian Goodwin
35. Blue Jays – Jacob Anderson
36. Red Sox – Henry Owens
37. Rangers – Zach Cone
38. Rays – Brandon Martin
39. Phillies – Larry Greene
40. Red Sox – Jackie Bradley Jr.
41. Rays – Tyler Goeddel
42. Rays – Jeff Ames
43. Diamondbacks – Andrew Chafin
44. Mets – Michael Fulmer
45. Rockies – Trevor Story
46. Blue Jays – Joe Musgrove
47. White Sox – Keenyn Walker
48. Padres – Michael Kelly
49. Giants – Kyle Crick
50. Twins – Travis Harrison
51. Yankees – Dante Bichette Jr.
52. Rays – Blake Snell
53. Blue Jays – Dwight Smith Jr.
54. Padres – Brett Austin
55. Twins – Hudson Boyd
56. Rays – Kes Carter
57. Blue Jays – Kevin Comer
58. Padres – Jace Peterson
59. Rays – Grayson Garvin
60. Rays – James Harris Jr.
2011 MLB Draft Results
After months of anticipation, it's finally time for MLB's amateur draft. This year's draft may not have anyone who comes with the same hype as Bryce Harper of last year's class, but it's still flush with tons of intriguing prospects.
Here's this year's draft order, from River Ave. Blues, to be updated after each selection:
- Pirates – Gerrit Cole
- Mariners – Danny Hultzen
- Diamonbacks – Trevor Bauer
- Orioles – Dylan Bundy
- Royals – Bubba Starling
- Nationals – Anthony Rendon
- Diamondbacks – Archie Bradley
- Indians – Francisco Lindor
- Cubs – Javier Baez
- Padres – Cory Spangenberg
- Astros – George Springer
- Brewers – Taylor Jungmann
- Mets – Brandon Nimmo
- Marlins – Jose Fernandez
- Brewers – Jed Bradley
- Dodgers – Chris Reed
- Angels – C.J. Cron
- Athletics – Sonny Gray
- Red Sox – Matt Barnes
- Rockies – Tyler Anderson
- Blue Jays – Tyler Beede
- Cardinals – Kolten Wong
- Nationals – Alex Meyer
- Rays – Taylor Guerrieri
- Padres – Joe Ross
- Red Sox – Blake Swihart
- Reds – Robert Stephenson
- Braves – Sean Gilmartin
- Giants – Joe Panik
- Twins – Levi Michael
- Rays – Mikie Mahtook
- Rays – Jake Hager
- Rangers – Kevin Matthews
Athletics Notes: Sizemore, Bergmann
Here are some notes on the A's as they get set to take on the Orioles in Baltimore..
- The A's recalled Scott Sizemore from Triple-A Sacramento, and demoted third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, according to the team's official Twitter page. Oakland acquired Sizemore from the Tigers in exchange for David Purcey in late May.
- The Athletics have confirmed that Jason Bergmann signed a minor league deal with the club on June 1st. The right-hander has been placed on the Double-A Midland roster. The 29-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox in December but was cut loose in March due to a shoulder injury.
Quick Hits: Giants, Tejada, Mets, Hall
The draft is right around the corner but there's still plenty more going on in the world of baseball..
- The rise of Emmanuel Burriss combined with the return of Pablo Sandoval could push Miguel Tejada out the door, writes Carl Steward of the Mercury News. Even though eating Tejada's contract is less than ideal, Giants GM Brian Sabean has often said that he wants the best 25 players active and contributing, regardless of contract.
- The Mets have released Double-A outfielder Carlos Guzman, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). Guzman, 25, was let go in order to make room Bubba Bell and Erik Turgeon, who are moving down from Triple-A Buffalo.
- Mets manager Terry Collins plans to continue using closer Francisco Rodriguez in high-leverage, non-save situations late in games, write Anthony DiComo and Aaron Taube of MLB.com. The Mets have used K-Rod liberally despite his looming 2012 option for $17.5MM, which vests if he finishes 55 games this year.
- Astros GM Ed Wade checked with both Drayton McLane and new owner Jim Crane before releasing Bill Hall, tweets Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle. Wade called the move "a big economic hit before [Crane] even takes control of the club."
Rosenthal On Wood, White Sox, Reyes, Rays, Dodgers
Let's check out the latest edition of Full Count from FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal..
- Cubs reliever Kerry Wood is likely to be in high demand at the deadline, in part because his salary this year is just $1.5MM. The Cubs gave him a full no-trade clause and Wood told Rosenthal that he hasn't thought about what he would do if the team asked him to waive it. After all, Wood came back to Chicago to be with his family and to lay the groundwork for a job with the organization after his career is through.
- The White Sox expect teams to inquire about their surplus of starting pitching, with Edwin Jackson as their most obvious trade candidate as he is a potential free agent. However, GM Ken Williams wouldn't necessarily seek offense in return. Instead, they'd prefer a right-handed reliever or even prospects. If the White Sox were to add a bat, they wouldn't know where to put it in the lineup.
- The Rays have been sliding as of late but are still in contention in the AL East so we can expect them to be buyers. With offense as their biggest need, it wouldn't be surprising to see them inquire on Jose Reyes, but they likely won't land him. Tampa Bay would have to part with top-notch prospects to pull off such a deal, and prospects are more valuable for the Rays than they are for most teams.
- The Dodgers were hoping to bounce back in the NL West once they got healthy, but a second rash of injuries has left them depleted again. If the Dodgers ever do get healthy, Rosenthal expects them to go after a power bat to put in left field or at third base.
Outrighted To Minors: Coello, Stevens
We'll keep track of all of today's outrighted players right here:
- The Cubs outrighted right-hander Robert Coello to Double-A Tennessee, according to the team transactions page. The 26-year-old was designated for assignment last week to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Rodrigo Lopez. Coello made nine starts for the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate this season, posting a 7.82 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9.
- The Cubbies also sent right-hander Jeff Stevens to Triple-A Iowa, according to the affiliate's transactions page. Stevens cleared waivers after being DFA'd Monday morning. That move allowed the Cubs to bring infielder D.J. LeMahieu on to the 40-man roster.