Draft Notes: Harvey, Starling, Anderson, Stilson
With the MLB draft coming up on June 6th, let's take a look at some draft-related tidbits..
- Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe tweets that the Red Sox released Ryan Harvey, who was the 2003 1st round pick of the Cubs. The 26-year-old was trying to convert from the outfield to the mound but never found his way out of extended Spring Training with Boston.
- There's been talk of a lack of elite bats in this year's draft, but there appears to be a good amount of depth when it comes to the outfield prospects, writes Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. Mayo highlights a number of the top outfielders in the draft, including Bubba Starling, George Springer, Mikie Mahtook, and Jackie Bradley.
- More from Mayo who writes that there's a good deal of buzz around Stanford closer Chris Reed, who is seen by some scouts as a starter. Reed, it appears, will be taken somewhere in the sandwich round.
- Meanwhile, Mayo writes that two pitchers, Oregon lefty Tyler Anderson and Texas A&M right-hander John Stilson, may have hurt their stock with recent poor outings.
Reds Release Dallas Buck
The Reds have released right-hander Dallas Buck, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter). Buck never managed to impress while with the Reds organization and posted a 8.50 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 in eight Double-A starts this season.
The release of the 26-year-old means that there are no players remaining from the Adam Dunn deal with the Diamondbacks in 2008. The other two players in the deal are already elsewhere as Micah Owings returned to Arizona this offseason and Wilkin Castillo hooked on with the Braves.
Quick Hits: Okajima, Friedman, Millwood, Red Sox
Some Thursday night Quick Hits..
- Boston DFA'd Hideki Okajima tonight in order to clear a roster spot for Franklin Morales but GM Theo Epstein told WEEI's Alex Speier that he's hopeful that he'll fall through waivers if he's unable to find a trade partner for him.
- If Rays GM and Houston native Andrew Friedman is offered the Astros' GM job, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (video) says that he should stay put. While the Rays obviously don't have deep pockets, he points out that they have a tremendous farm system and a ton of draft picks this June. Meanwhile, Houston's farm system is barren and it will take them quite some time to bolster their big league roster. Rosenthal advises the young executive to instead wait for a job opening that could allow him to win right away.
- Speaking of Friedman, the Rays were trying to obtain Morales before the Red Sox landed him,tweets Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.
- A scout told Abraham (via Twitter) that what Kevin Millwood exhibited in the minors for the Yankees "won't translate to majors very well." Millwood signed with the Red Sox earlier tonight.
- The Millwood signing reflects the Red Sox's concerns over pitching depth, tweets Rosenthal. Coincidentally, Josh Beckett exited tonight's game against the Tigers with neck tightness, though the team said it was for precautionary reasons.
Red Sox Acquire Franklin Morales
The Red Sox have acquired Rockies left-hander Franklin Morales for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald (via Twitter). In order to make room for Morales, Hideki Okajima has been designated for assignment by the BoSox.
Boston has until November to either agree on a player in the Morales trade or pay a nominal amount of money to the Rockies, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.
Morales was ranked as the eighth-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America prior to the 2008 season. The left-hander throws the ball extremely hard as evidenced by his 94.4 mph fastball last year. Across parts of five big league seasons, he owns a 4.83 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9.
The 25-year-old is out of options and the Rockies have reportedly been concerned about losing him to waivers. Yesterday we learned that the Rockies were measuring trade interest in Morales as well as fellow fireballer Felipe Paulino.
Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe (via Twitter) first reported that the two sides were close to an agreement while Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter) reported that a deal was completed.
NL East Notes: Marlins, Vazquez, Sanchez, Botts
Let's check out some tidbits from the National League East..
- Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter) doesn't see Kevin Millwood as being a quality upgrade over Javier Vazquez for the Marlins. He also tweets that the Fish are hopeful that Vazquez will turn things around soon.
- Rodriguez (via Twitter) also says that he could envision the Marlins thinking about an extension for Anibal Sanchez, but not until after the season. The 27-year-old will be arbitration eligible for the final time this winter.
- The Mets' signing of Jason Botts will help replenish Triple-A Buffalo, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The club also inked infielder Luis Figueroa and acquired outfielder Bubba Bell for the same purpose.
Red Sox Notes: Rodriguez, Millwood
A pair of items on the Red Sox as they take on the Tigers at home..
- Scouts around the league tell Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that the Red Sox need to find another catcher. Could Ivan Rodriguez be the solution in Boston? "That's a good park to hit in," Rodriguez told Knobler. "I've always hit well there." The 39-year-old says he wants to play two or three more seasons.
- The BoSox are still talking with Kevin Millwood, but nothing is happening there yet, a source tells Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com (via Twitter). Today we learned that the Cubs are interested in the veteran right-hander.
Mets Sign Jason Botts
The Mets have signed first baseman/outfielder Jason Botts, according to Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger (via Twitter). Botts, who will be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo, was playing for the York Revolution of the Atlantic League.
The 30-year-old hooked on with the Nationals organization last summer, hitting .279/.345/.438 with eight homers for their Triple-A affiliate. In parts of five seasons at the Triple-A level, Botts owns a .909 OPS. In addition to the independent circuit, Botts also saw time overseas when he spent parts of two seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters.
Quick Hits: Dodgers, Cardinals, Inglett, Broderick
Saturday evening linkage…
- Frank McCourt told Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times that the Dodgers' roster would look the same even if the team didn't have financial problems. He was also vague about future payroll plans if the multi-billion dollar deal with FOX were to be approved (Twitter link).
- B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidwest.com points out that the Cardinals will have to make room for Brian Tallet when the lefty comes off the disabled list next week (Twitter links). He doesn't think they'll cut ties with the struggling Ryan Franklin, but he says it's "debatable."
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that Joe Inglett has accepted his outright assignment and will join the Astros' Triple-A affiliate (on Twitter). Inglett could have elected free agency after clearing waivers earlier in the week.
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo believes that pitcher Brian Broderick has a bright future in the big leagues, despite being DFA'd by the club earlier today, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
- Manager Dusty Baker is curious to see if the newly activated Jose Arredondo can provide the Reds with the kind of pitching they expected upon signing him.
- Dave Gershman of Beyond The Box Score examined the market for Padres pitcher Dustin Moseley.
Cubs Outright Thomas Diamond
The Cubs have outrighted Thomas Diamond from their 40-man roster, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com (via Twitter). The move will allow the club to add Doug Davis to the Cubs' 40-man roster in time to start tonight against the Giants.
In parts of three seasons at the Triple-A level, Diamond owns a 4.62 ERA with 8.4 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9. The 28-year-old also made 13 relief appearances and three starts for the Cubs last season, posting a 6.83 ERA with 11.2 K/9 and 5.6 BB/9.
Stewart Has Discussed Trade With Rockies
Earlier today, Rockies third baseman Ian Stewart was demoted to Triple-A for the second time this season. This time around, Stewart is concerned that he might not make it back with the club, writes Jim Armstrong of The Denver Post.
The subject of Stewart being dealt was discussed during a meeting with GM Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy, but Stewart walked away from the meeting hoping he could still produce for the Rockies in 2011.
"I don't get the sense they're just ready to let me go at the snap of a finger. I get the sense they still believe in me and they feel like I can help this organization out this year," said the 26-year-old.
Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter) believes that the Rockies will gauge interest in Stewart but doesn't believe that they'll trade him while his value is so low. Stewart will be arbitration-eligible for the second time this offseason.
"I don't get the sense they're just ready to let me go at the snap of a finger. I get the sense they still believe in me and they feel like I can help this organization out this year."