Nats Notes: Trades, Dunn, Willingham
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo addressed the Washington media following their loss to San Francisco this afternoon. Let's take a look at some highlights courtesy of MLB.com's Bill Ladson:
- The team's performance over the next few weeks will not affect what the club does at the Trade Deadline. Rizzo added: "We are trying to win as many ball games as we can in 2010 and do it the right way and build for the future."
- Rizzo went as far as to say that it would take an "extraordinary offer" to pry away Adam Dunn in a trade. However, he would not rule out the possibility of dealing the slugger, nor did he nix the idea of trading Dunn and pursuing him in free agency after the season.
- Despite publicly stating his desire to sign a new deal with the Nats, the club still hasn't approached Josh Willingham about an extension, Ladson tweets.
Cubs Chairman Gives GM Hendry Vote Of Confidence
Cubs owner Tom Ricketts told reporters in Anaheim that he has "the highest level of confidence" in his GM Jim Hendry, writes MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. However, Ricketts stopped sort of guaranteeing Hendry's job security:
"The fact is right now, Jim is our general manager, I support him, I think he does a great job, and after that we'll just take it one day at a time," the chairman said.
The Cubs have the highest payroll in the National League and are nine-and-a-half games back in the Central division. Hendry has received quite a bit of heat from Cubs fans and the critics haven't gotten any quieter as they're on pace for their second consecutive season without a playoff berth. Even though he wouldn't guarantee Hendry's job beyond 2010, Ricketts declined to point the finger at anyone in particular.
"I'm not going to assign blame to anyone or anything," said Ricketts. "The fact is we came into the season, we had what appeared to be a pretty strong lineup. It hasn't worked out for whatever reason and it seems like the guys are putting it together now and let's just keep winning."
Meanwhile, the club is reportedly looking to shed some cumbersome contracts as they head into the Trade Deadline. There are several deals that go beyond 2010 that the Cubs would like to move, but their most tradeable big salary player is likely Kosuke Fukudome.
Odds & Ends: Smoak, Giants, McDonald, Orioles
Sunday night linkage..
- M's manager Don Wakamatsu urged fans to be patient with the newly acquired Justin Smoak, writes MLB.com's Mike McCall.
- Giants GM Brian Sabean isn't sure if his club can make the postseason without a trade, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News.
- Darnell McDonald went from being a non-factor with the Orioles to being a key part of Boston's offense, says WEEI's DJ Bean.
- Kevin Cowherd of The Baltimore Sun wants to see the Orioles hire their new manager this week.
White Sox Might Consider Oswalt
The White Sox might consider dealing for Roy Oswalt, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. At the same time, GM Kenny Williams & Co. are leery of a switch from the National League to the American League.
Williams may have some convincing to do as Oswalt reportedly does not want to play for the White Sox. One has to think that the ace could be swayed, however, as the ChiSox present Oswalt with a chance to win and the opportunity to team up with friend Jake Peavy. Back in 2008, Peavy was open to joining the Astros in order to play with the three-time All-Star.
It appeared that the White Sox would be sellers just one month ago. However, the club may look to buy after rallying in recent weeks and climbing their way to the top of the AL Central.
Week In Review: 7/4/10 – 7/10/10
It's time to take a look back at the week that was..
- The Cliff Lee sweepstakes came to an end when the Rangers landed the lefty for Justin Smoak and a trio of minor leaguers. The Yankees thought they had struck a deal for Lee in exchange for a package centered around Jesus Montero, but that wasn't the case. However, many believe that the Yankees still have the best chance of signing Lee this offseason.
- Meanwhile, after sending Smoak to the M's, Texas is interested in Xavier Nady.
- The Brewers are reportedly listening to offers for Prince Fielder and Corey Hart. However, the club is not interested in moving Rickie Weeks.
- The Giants won't discuss an extension for Aubrey Huff during the season.
- We've been hearing Jayson Werth's name quite a bit lately and the Red Sox are one of the teams showing interest.
- San Francisco GM Brian Sabean likes Corey Hart, but is said to prefer a left-handed bat.
- Roy Oswalt is not interested in playing for the White Sox or Tigers.
- We've heard the Mets linked to several starting pitchers, though they may not have the financial freedom to make a move at the deadline.
- The Astros shelled out upwards of $2MM to land top Dominican outfield prospect Ariel Ovando. The Blue Jays also opened up the vault to sign Venezuelan righty Adonis Cardona.
- Kerry Wood, Jake Westbrook, and Austin Kearns are drawing interest from teams.
- The Cubs want to unload some of their cumbersome salaries.
- Stephen Drew is reportedly a player of interest to the Tigers, though there have not been talks yet between Detroit and Arizona.
- The White Sox are said to be "all over Adam Dunn". Meanwhile, the Nats are drawing interest in Cristian Guzman and Adam Kennedy.
- Interest is picking up in Toronto reliever Scott Downs and the Phillies are looking into the 34-year-old.
- Teams are inquiring on Yunel Escobar, who has struggled in the first half of the year.
- The BoSox have yet to approach Victor Martinez about an extension.
- Pittsburgh acquired the recently DFA'd Sean Gallagher from the Padres.
- Jim Leyland shot down reports of Rick Porcello being a trade chip for the Tigers.
- Meanwhile, Detroit has begun scouting relievers.
- Torii Hunter wants to see the Halos pursue a big-time bat.
- Arizona designated Dontrelle Willis for assignment.
- The Rockies will wait until the end of the month to make deals.
- Halos skipper Mike Scioscia wants depth, not rental players.
- Carlos Delgado wants to get back to baseball within the month.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak wants to add personality to the team's clubhouse.
- GM Jon Daniels can opt out of his deal in Texas if the ownership changes.
- The Cardinals signed Mike MacDougal after having bullpen trouble recently.
- Chad Tracy hooked on with the Yankees.
- The Braves signed Willy Taveras.
- Barret Loux, the D'Backs first-round selection in this year's draft, failed his physical.
- Ben spoke with Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos, who is pleased with his recent free agent additions.
- Howard took a look back at Gary Sheffield and the 1994 Trade Deadline.
Orioles Sign Hector Veloz
The Orioles have signed Dominican third baseman Hector Veloz, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America. The O's director of international scouting, David Stockstill, confirmed to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun that the club has reached agreement on a deal with the 16-year-old.
Veloz reportedly received $300K, which would be a franchise record signing bonus for a Dominican amateur. Badler writes that the prospect has shown plus raw power from the right side, though his hitting in games has been spotty. For Veloz's deal to become official, he will have to pass a drug test. The youngster tested positive for an anabolic steroid in May.
Orioles Release Garrett Atkins
JULY 6th: Atkins has cleared waivers and been released by the Orioles, making him a free agent, reports Connolly.
JUNE 27th: The Orioles have officially designated Atkins for assignment, reports Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com. The move clears a spot for Uehara to be activated from the disabled list. Atkins told Ghiroli earlier this weekend that he wouldn't look at it as a bad thing if the O's decide to release him.
JUNE 24th: Baltimore will likely designate Garrett Atkins for assignment, writes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun. The O's must free up two spots on the 25-man roster in order to welcome back Brad Bergesen and Koji Uehara.
Atkins has been disappointing so far this season, hitting .219/.282/.292 with one homer in 149 plate appearances. The 30-year-old inked a one-year, $4.5MM deal with the O's over the winter. Baltimore's acquisition of Jake Fox on Tuesday was a sign that Atkins' time in orange and black was nearing an end.
To clear the second spot, the Orioles could either demote Frank Mata to Triple-A or designate fellow reliever Matt Albers for assignment. Seldom used fourth outfielder Lou Montanez could also be shown the door, though he will likely be kept until Felix Pie returns from the disabled list.
Odds & Ends: Phillies, Orioles, Nats, Rangers, Lowell
Monday night linkage..
- Using MLBTR's reverse engineered Elias Rankings, Jack Moore of Fangraphs writes that Ted Lilly and Felipe Lopez are two Type A free agents to keep an eye on in the National League.
- R.J. Anderson of Fangraphs sees Kelly Johnson and Jose Lopez as potential fits for the Phillies.
- Buck Showalter told Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun that he has not yet been offered the O's managerial position.
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson expects the Nationals to be buyers at the Trade Deadline.
- Chuck Greenberg's group has waived their exclusive right to purchase the Rangers, writes T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. The lenders who hold the debt on Hicks Sports Group believe that there are other potential buyers out there who would pay more for the club.
- Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal wonders if Mike Lowell might consider retiring before the end of the season. If he were to retire now, the veteran would be leaving more than $5MM on the table.
Padres Drawing Interest In Gallagher
A "handful" of teams have called the Padres to discuss trading for pitcher Sean Gallagher, a team source told Dan Hayes of the North County Times. San Diego DFA'd the 24-year-old on Thursday in order to activate Tim Stauffer.
In 15 relief appearances for the Padres this season, Gallagher posted a 5.40 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 7.3 BB/9. While he assumed a long relief role for the big league squad, he has served mostly as a starter in the minors.
One baseball source told Hayes that the righty still has value because of the "buzz from his prospect days". In 2008, Baseball America ranked Gallagher, then a member of the Cubs organization, the 82nd best prospect in the minors.
Rays Sign Brian Shouse
The Rays have signed reliever Brian Shouse to a minor league deal, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (via Twitter). Shouse will rehab his injured knee with the club's affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.
In 45 appearances for the Rays in 2009, the 41-year-old posted a 4.50 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9.
The lefty was released by the Red Sox in March, months after signing a deal that would have paid him $800K had he made the big league roster.