MLBTR Originals
Here's a look back at some of the analysis and reporting MLBTR's writing team delivered this week..
- This week MLBTR continued to look at the probable and possible starting rotations for clubs in 2011. The Yankees, Giants, Rockies, Phillies, Marlins, Athletics, and Padres have all been profiled in the last seven days. To see all of our 2011 rotation previews, click here.
- Ben Nicholson-Smith drew a comparison between Josh Hamilton and Kevin Youkilis.
- On Monday we unfurled our listing of final-year arbitration-eligible players.
- Howard Megdal reflected on the 1980 trade deadline. Fun Fact: This was the year that Gaylord Perry, then 41, was shipped to the Yankees. Perry started eight games for the Bombers that year.
- The Phillies have been doling out contract years like candy, says Tim Dierkes.
- David Chadd, the vice president of amateur scouting for the Tigers, spoke to Ben Nicholson-Smith about the club's 2010 draft.
- MLBTR was first to learn of the Phillies' agreements with draft picks Brian Pointer and Jonathan Musser. Both players were signed for more than their slot suggested.
- Tim Dierkes analyzed the trade market for veteran Craig Counsell.
- As always we conducted our weekly chat and if you missed out you can review the transcript.
- MLBTR readers voted on Adam LaRoche's future, Francisco Rodriguez's contract, the wisdom of tendering a contract offer to J.J. Hardy and discussed where Magglio Ordonez will end up, whether the Dodgers should deal Ted Lilly, and what the Mets should do with R.A. Dickey.
Odds & Ends: Barajas, Piniella, Nats, Ramirez, Jackson
From the South Bay to the Valley, from the West Side to the East Side, everybody is very happy because Vin Scully will return in 2011. Let's check out some links from around the web..
- A member of the Mets watching Rod Barajas say goodbye to his teammates quipped "Can I go with him?", tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
- Ken Rosenthal pays tribute to Lou Piniella, and opines that Joe Girardi would be a perfect managerial replacement, though he has doubts that the Cubs could pry him away from New York.
- The Nationals have extended their affiliation with the Syracuse Chiefs for an additional two seasons, according to the team's official Twitter page.
- Josh Thole is excited about having the opportunity to start every day now that Rod Barajas has been claimed off waivers by the Dodgers, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
- The Rays might be willing to take a chance on Manny Ramirez, writes Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
- With the way Austin Jackson is playing, it looks like the Tigers got the better end of the Curtis Granderson deal, writes Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger.
- Pittsburgh's signing of Mexican hurler Luis Heredia was years in the making, writes Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer writes that the Indians weren't afraid to spend on the draft this year. Cleveland's top ten picks all signed for more than their recommended slot.
- Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter) jokes that Buck Showalter has done too well with the Orioles as the club might now lose out on the first overall pick in the draft. Baltimore is now 44-80 while the Pirates are 40-83.
Indians Sign Saul Rivera
The Indians have signed reliever Saul Rivera and assigned him to Triple-A Columbus, according to the team's transactions page. This marks the righthander's second stint with the Tribe.
Rivera, 32, was shipped from Cleveland to Arizona in May for cash considerations. The D'Backs went on to designate the veteran for assignment in June and release him in August.
From 2006 through 2008, Rivera found a role in the Nationals bullpen as he posted a 3.72 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9. However his fortune turned in 2009 when he delivered a 6.10 ERA with 4.9 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9.
Damon Wants To Return To Tigers
After reportedly being placed on waivers along with third baseman Brandon Inge, Tigers slugger Johnny Damon could be traded to a contender before the year is through. However, even if he is sent elsewhere, Damon wants to return to Motown in 2011, writes Terry Foster of The Detroit News.
"I like it here," the 36-year-old said. "I have a bunch of friends that live in Detroit. Spring training (Lakeland, Fla.) is 45 minutes from home. There are a lot of benefits for me and hopefully I get to stay with this club. I love it so far. It is as simple as that."
Damon signed a one-year, $8MM deal with Detroit and will be a free agent at the end of the year. The two-time All-Star says that if he finishes out the season with another team, he will tell his representatives to get in touch with club president Dave Dombrowski and owner Mike Ilitch about returning.
Piniella To Step Down After Today’s Game
Cubs manager Lou Piniella has announced that he will step down after today's game, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). Piniella cited his mother's continued failing health as the reason for his decision, Wittenmyer tweets.
Third base coach Mike Quade will take over as interim manager, tweets Wittenmyer. Cubs GM Jim Hendry told Wittenmyer (via Twitter) that Quade will be a candidate to fill the position permanently but Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell has been told that he won't be considered for the job.
Dodgers Claim Barajas On Waivers
10:37am: The Dodgers have claimed Rod Barajas on waivers, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. The Mets will receive cash considerations in return, according to the Dodgers (via Twitter).
Barajas, who turns 35-years-old in September, has hit .225/.263/.414 with 12 homers in 267 plate appearances this season. In late July it was reported that the Red Sox offered reliever Ramon Ramirez in exchange for the veteran. The Mets have summoned Jesus Feliciano to take his place on the roster.
Starting catcher Russell Martin has not played since August 3rd due to a hip injury and will likely be out for the remainder of the year. Brad Ausmus and A.J. Ellis have been splitting time behind the plate but have struggled offensively.
10:26am: The Mets may trade outfielder Jesus Feliciano to the Pirates, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
Feliciano, 31, has a .688 OPS for the Mets in 27 big league games this season. He began the year with the Mets' Triple-A affiliate where he posted a .342/.389/.418 slash line with one homer in 322 plate appearances. This season marked his fourth straight in Triple-A and was his strongest at that level.
Mets skipper Jerry Manuel has summoned catcher Rod Barajas and Rubin wonders (via Twitter) if he could be involved in the deal.
Wagner’s Option Vests, Still Plans To Retire
Last night Billy Wagner picked up his 30th save of the season and finished his 50th game of the season, activating his 2011 option worth $6.5MM. However, the closer reiterated his desire to call it a career to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Wagner made his intentions clear once again this afternoon, writes David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“I’m retiring,” the 38-year-old lefty said to O'Brien. “I don’t know how to say it in a politically correct way, that anybody’s going to believe me.
Wagner's 2010 totals suggest that he still has plenty of baseball left in him. The lefty has a 1.68 ERA with 12.9 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9.
As Tim Dierkes recently pointed out, a guaranteed $6.5MM wouldn't mean a great deal to Wagner as he would make at least that much on the open market anyway. It also doesn't sound like Wagner, who has 415 career saves, is sweating the opportunity to eclipse John Franco's 424 saves to have the fourth most all-time. Back in April, Billy the Kid said that he wasn't concerned with the mark.
Rangers Interested In Hawpe
With right fielder Nelson Cruz on the disabled list, the Rangers are interested in acquiring Brad Hawpe to fill-in, writes Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. Cruz will be sidelined until at least August 30th with a hamstring injury.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels wouldn't comment on Hawpe specifically but said that he would consider bringing someone aboard who could help fill the gap.
"We've looked around while Nellie's been out," the GM said. "For the most part, what we've got is what we've got. But we're always open to adding a guy who might be able to help us fill a role."
Hawpe, a Fort Worth native, was originally linked to the Rangers because of his relationship with hitting coach Clint Hurdle. Last night we learned that the Giants are also exploring the possibility of acquiring the 31-year-old.
Odds & Ends: Mets, Reds, Helton, Darvish, Harper
Friday Night Links..
- Despite a published report to the contrary, Phillies scouting director Marti Wolever is not headed to the Mets, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon spoke to a few members of the Reds who would like to see Dusty Baker sign an extension with the club.
- Brandon Inge and Johnny Damon are both okay with having been put on waivers, writes Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.
- Reds manager Dusty Baker dismissed questions about him possibly becoming the Dodgers manager if Joe Torre retires, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- Mark Kizla of The Denver Post urges Todd Helton to call it quits.
- The Padres don't have much interest in outfielder Cody Ross, tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com.
- The Pirates will send Luis Heredia to their affiliate in Bradenton not to pitch, but to familiarize himself with the program, writes Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker (via Twitter) passes along a report from Japanese outlet Sponichi that the Yankees sent Damon Oppenheimer and scout Billy Eppler to watch Yu Darvish.
- Adam McCalvy of MLB.com (via Twitter) wonders aloud if the Brewers might make a deal in order to free a roster spot for the returning Carlos Gomez.
- Nats GM Mike Rizzo says that Bryce Harper won't be playing in any games for their Gulf Coast League affiliate this season, according to Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com.
Discussion: Ted Lilly
The Dodgers picked up Cubs lefty Ted Lilly at the trade deadline with the hopes of making a run at the postseason. As they host the Reds at home tonight, they sit 12 games back of the Padres for the NL West crown and seven games back in the wild card chase. Their playoff hopes aren't quite dashed at this point but with Manny Ramirez and Rafael Furcal still sidelined with injuries, things do not look good for Los Angeles.
Earlier today, ESPN's Buster Olney wondered if the Dodgers might try to flip the two-time All-Star to a playoff contender. He notes that Lilly would not clear waivers as he would have several teams interested and points to Philadelphia and St. Louis as possible candidates. With a 1.29 ERA with 8.4 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9 in four starts thus far for the Dodgers, it's no surprise to hear that he is highly sought after.
Lilly becomes a free agent at season's end and based on the Dodgers' actions last season, many observers believe that they will not offer him arbitration. If you were in GM Ned Colletti's position, would you hang on to the hurler to keep your playoff hopes alive or would you ship him to his seventh career major league destination?