Angels Acquire Dan Haren
It took some time, but the Angels got even. Two weeks after the Rangers acquired Cliff Lee, the Angels traded for a highly-coveted pitcher of their own, obtaining Dan Haren from the Diamondbacks, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. In exchange for Haren, the Angels gave up Joe Saunders, Patrick Corbin, Rafael Rodriguez, and a player to be named later (Twitter link). The player to be named later is going to be Tyler Skaggs, barring something unexpected, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter).
The deal brings an end to months of speculation surrounding Haren, who became the most desirable hurler on the trade block after the Mariners shipped Cliff Lee to the Rangers. Unlike Lee, Haren's contract extends beyond this season. Haren is under contract for 2011 and 2012 at $12.75MM per season with a club option for 2013 of $15.5MM ($3.5MM buyout). The righthander has a 4.60 ERA with 9.0 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 21 starts thus far in 2010.
Saunders, a former first round pick of the Angels, will change teams for the first time in his career. The lefty owns a career-high 4.62 ERA with 4.8 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 on the season. The 29-year-old will earn a shade over $1MM for the rest of this season, after which point he is arbitration-eligible. The D'Backs will control his rights in 2011, but Saunders will hit free agency after 2012.
Skaggs was the Halos' supplemental first-round selection (40th overall) in 2009. The 19-year-old signed for $1MM in early August. According to Baseball America, Skaggs is armed with a fastball in the 88-91 mph range that could reach 91-93 mph when his upper body matures. Skaggs, in their estimation, projects as a solid mid-rotation starter.
Corbin, who turned 21 on Monday, is a lefthander with "much of his value tied to the development of his fastball", according to Baseball America's Prospect Handbook. At 6'3", the super-athletic hurler can dunk a basketball without a running start. Rodriguez, soon to be 26 years old, saw some time with the varsity squad in 2009, turning in a 5.58 ERA with 10 Ks and 9 BBs in 30.2 innings. Baseball America writes that he "features two plus pitches" at his best.
The Phillies, Cardinals, Tigers, Yankees and Dodgers were among the many teams connected to Haren this summer. The Angels did not appear to be a frontrunner for his services, but GM Tony Reagins pulled the deal off nonetheless. His counterpart, D'Backs interim GM Jerry Dipoto, faced the same challenge Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos faced last winter: his first major trade involved his team's best pitcher.
It was first reported by Bill Plunkett and Dan Woike of the Orange County Register that Saunders was involved in a trade.
Valentine Interested In Cubs’ Managerial Opening
Bobby Valentine says that he is interested in succeeding Lou Piniella as Cubs manager, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Valentine discussed the soon-to-be vacant position prior to the Cubs' home contest against the Cardinals:
"As far as the job coming open at the end of the season, anyone that considers himself a manager would think about how attractive this opportunity is, and every once in a while I consider myself a manager," Valentine said.
Valentine, who never spoken with the Ricketts family, appeared to be on the verge of signing on with the Marlins in June before negotiations fell apart. He was also a candidate for the Orioles job before removing his name from consideration.
Sullivan writes that Cubs GM Jim Hendry is known to be high on Valentine and is likely to grant him an interview at some point.
Odds & Ends: Cubs, Phillies, White Sox, Tigers, Lilly
Links for Saturday evening..
- The Cubs signed second-round selection Reggie Golden for a bonus of $720K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Golden, the 65th overall pick in the draft, received a bonus $157K more than MLB's recommendation for his draft position.
- Scouts from the Astros, Tigers, Rays, Red Sox, and Pirates were all in attendance at Phillies-Rockies today, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.
- During FOX's telecast of Mets-Dodgers, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Phillies have scratched Double-A starter J.C. Ramirez from his Sunday start, though he is not injured. The move, he says, could be an indication that a trade is in the works.
- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen thinks clubs are asking for too much in trade talks, writes Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Tigers manager Jim Leyland wants to hang on to his young talent unless the club can get something special in return, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
- Despite some recent reports to the contrary, Cubs officials told Carrie Muskat of MLB.com that there is nothing imminent regarding Ted Lilly.
- The Mets are "near-certain" to non-tender John Maine this winter, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The right-hander underwent season-ending surgery on his right shoulder yesterday.
- It's unlikely that the M's move Jason Vargas, a Seattle official told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
Padres Sign Nick Green
The Padres have signed Nick Green to a minor league deal, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com (via Twitter). Green was DFA'd last Saturday by the Blue Jays in order to make room for the returning Shaun Marcum. Brock adds that the move was made in order to give San Diego organizational depth.
The infielder, who will report to Triple-A Portland, has a career slash line of .237/.305/.348. Known mostly for his glove, Green has made major league cameos for seven different teams.
Ordonez Out 6-8 Weeks, Option Will Not Vest
Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez will be out for 6-8 weeks with a broken right ankle, according to Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse (via Twitter). The injury could prove to be costly for Ordonez as he needs 540 plate appearances or 135 starts in order for his 2011 option to vest.
Currently, the 36-year-old has 363 plate appearances and has started just 71 games. Based on the current prognosis, Ordonez could only hope to return to action in the first week of September.
Had his 2011 option with Detroit vested, Ordonez would have earned $15MM. This season, Ordonez has a slash line of .301/.375/.472 with 12 homers.
Nats Interested In Edwin Jackson
The Nationals are interested in Arizona pitcher Edwin Jackson, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter). Nats GM Mike Rizzo recently identified starting pitching as the club's biggest need.
A month ago it was reported that Washington was exploring a trade for the righthander, though we haven't heard much else on that front in recent weeks. Rizzo has connections to the D'Backs organization, having served as their scouting director from 2000-2006.
Jackson, who turns 27 in September, has a 5.01 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 20 starts this year. On the whole, he has been unable to replicate his play from last season when he registered a 3.62 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9.
Rosenthal On Fielder, Padres, Rockies
Let's see what Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has for us in his latest installment of Full Count..
- White Sox GM Ken Williams is said to be confident about landing either Prince Fielder or Adam Dunn. Williams continues to talk to the Brewers about Fielder but there doesn't seem to be a match as they seek pitching in return. Meanwhile, the Nats have told everyone that they'll need to be overwhelmed by an offer to move Dunn. If the White Sox strike out on the two big-time left-handed sluggers, they're unlikely to reach for a player such as Russell Branyan or Brad Hawpe. Instead, they'll look to go small and try to improve their bullpen and bench.
- The Padres are now more focused on offense than pitching, but don't expect them to make a big splash. The club expects pitchers such as Jake Westbrook to clear waivers rather easily in August. Ultimately, they're likely to make two or three small acquisitions, bringing in guys that won't cost a lot but will help their squad contend.
- The Rockies are looking for a right-handed hitting first baseman in Todd Helton's absence. Jorge Cantu was a possibility but his price was high to begin with and now the Marlins appear to be back in contention. Ty Wigginton also appears to be out of reach as the O's want a young shortstop in return. Colorado made an inquiry on Jayson Werth but the Phillies are telling teams that they won't deal him unless they get a major league-ready starter.
Sheets Headed To Disabled List
A's pitcher Ben Sheets has re-injured his elbow, forcing him to the disabled list, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. The hurler also says that he "might be" out for the remainder of the season (link goes to Twitter). With Sheets sidelined, Oakland has lost a trade chip.
Billy Beane & Co. signed Sheets to a one-year, $10MM deal in January with the hope of dealing him mid-season if the club wasn't in contention. Earlier today, the GM said that "it would behoove" the A's to hang on to the right-hander, though now it doesn't appear that they have much of a choice in the matter.
The Mets, Phillies, and Rangers are just some of the teams that have been keeping an eye on the 32-year-old. Sheets has a 4.53 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 on the year but has pitched well in recent outings.
Gustavo Molina Clears Waivers
TUESDAY: Molina cleared waivers, according to the Boston Globe.
SUNDAY: The Red Sox have designated catcher Gustavo Molina for assignment, according to a team press release. The move was made in order to promote reliever Michael Bowden who will try to help turn around Boston's bullpen.
Molina, 28, was called up to the big league squad on June 29th. The catcher made two starts for the club and appeared in four games total. His promotion to Boston marked his first major league cameo since 2008, when he played in two games for the Mets.
Odds & Ends: Nationals, Lilly, Haren, Marlins, Kotsay
Sunday night linkage..
- Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com wonders if the reason Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo has made players like Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham available is because the team's offense is struggling with them as it is, so he'll try to improve other areas of the team.
- ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine says the Yankees could join the mix for Ted Lilly following Andy Pettitte's injury today. Meanwhile, Yanks' GM Brian Cashman told Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com that he is "not inclined" to make a move to replace Pettitte yet, saying that he prefers to give internal options a try first. Levine has the Tigers, Twins, Mets, and Dodgers also in the hunt for Lilly.
- Scott Miller of CSBSports.com wonders if this weekend's poor play (three losses to the Padres) makes a Dan Haren trade more likely.
- David Villavicencio of Fox Sports Florida tells us that players like Cody Ross and Ricky Nolasco want to stay with the Marlins, and know they need a strong run to make that a reality.
- Mark Kotsay knows what it's like to be the player who's desired in a trade, but also to be the player who would lose playing time as a result of one, writes MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
- Jose Bautista was honored that Alex Anthopoulos called him to help get Yunel Escobar settled into his new environment, writes MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Bautista says that he loves Toronto and would like to stay there long-term.
- The Yankees, who have been interested bystanders through most of the process, are now getting more interested in Mexican amateur pitcher Luis Heredia, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, the Pirates and the Blue Jays remain the frontrunners for the 15-year-old, who is sure to get a bonus of more than $2MM.
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweets that Tampa Bay expressed interest in Yunel Escobar before he was dealt to Toronto. He also tweets that Reid Brignac was part of the talks.
- Hayden Penn, a pitcher for the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate who was reportedly nearing a deal with the Chiba Lotte Marines, is on his way to Japan, according to Indianapolis Indians Triple-A announcer Scott McCauley (via Twitter). McCauley also says that another Indianapolis hurler is "close to a deal".
- The White Sox, who have been linked to Nationals slugger Adam Dunn, have had a scout present for Washington's series against the Marlins, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post (via Twitter).
- Reliever David Aardsma is a possible fit for the Tigers, tweets Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.
- R.J. Anderson of Fangraphs attempted to peg Fausto Carmona's trade value.
- Roy Oswalt wants to claim the Astros win record before leaving, writes Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
- Jean-Jacques Taylor of The Dallas Morning News praised the moves made by Rangers GM Jon Daniels.
- Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun senses deja vu all over again as the deadline approaches.