Tigers Sign Danry Vasquez
The Tigers have signed Venezuelan outfielder Danry Vasquez, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. International sources outside of the organization said in recent days that the bonus was expected to be in the neighborhood of $1MM. However, Tigers international scouting director Tom Moore declined to comment on the signing bonus.
Vasquez, 16, has a projectable 6'2", 170-pound frame and an advanced left-handed bat. The youngster has long been on Detroit's radar as they have tracked him while keeping tabs on his youth league teammates in previous signing classes. Moore sees a ton of upside in the Valencia resident.
"We've seen him use the whole field, not just in tryouts but in games as well," said Detroit's director of international operations. "He's not just a guy who can put it to left field but hit it to left field with authority. Right now it's line-drive power. He does have ability to generate some loft in the ball, but right now it's more consistent line-drive power. With more strength, those balls in the gap are going to be going over the fence."
While Vasquez has experience in center field, he doesn't have the speed to play there in the majors. The club plans for him to be a corner outfielder.
Willingham Wants To Stay, But No Talks Yet
Nationals outfielder Josh Willingham wants to stay with the club, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Willingham, who could make his first All-Star squad tomorrow, says that he would like to stay with the Nats for this season and beyond:
"I like it here a lot," the 31-year-old said. "I don't have control of where I go until I'm free agent, so I don't worry about it. But I'm really comfortable with the organization. I like everybody involved, teammates, everything."
Despite Willingham's fondness for playing in the nation's capital, the two parties have yet to even begin discussions on a contract extension. The left fielder will earn $4.6MM this season and is under team control for the 2011 season.
While the Nats don't seem eager to move Willingham, he continues to garner interest from around the majors. Earlier this week, it was reported that the Braves have interest in the outfielder as they seek a right-handed bat.
Back in April, Willingham's agent told Kilgore that his client would like to sign a multiyear deal with the Nationals.
Rays Sign Dominican Outfielder Araujo
The Rays have signed 16-year-old Dominican center fielder Yoel Araujo, an international source told Ben Badler of Baseball America. He'll receive an $800K bonus, which is the largest bonus Tampa Bay has ever given to an amateur player from the Dominican Republic.
Araujo, who stands at 6'2" and weighs 180 pounds, demonstrated his raw power and plus speed this spring in the Dominican Prospect League. Frankie Piliere of MLB Fanhouse writes that while Araujo is more green than other MLB-eligible prospects in the Dominican Republic, scouts believe that he has a high ceiling.
Josh Banks Clears Waivers
WEDNESDAY: Banks cleared waivers and accepted an assignment at Triple A Round Rock, according to Footer (via Twitter).
SUNDAY: The Astros have designated righthander Josh Banks for assignment, according to Alyson Footer of the Astros (via Twitter). The move will allow the club to reinstate fellow righty Bud Norris from the disabled list.
The soon-to-be 28-year-old's stint on the Astros' big league roster was brief. Banks was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday to start against the Rangers on Saturday. Texas went to town on Banks, scoring six runs and drawing four walks in four innings.
Banks, a former second-round selection of the Blue Jays, found success this year pitching for the Astros' Triple-A affiliate. In 15 starts, he posted a 2.97 ERA with 2.2 BB/9, though his 3.2 K/9 left much to be desired.
Shane Lindsay Clears Waivers
MONDAY: The Indians assigned Lindsay to AA, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter).
FRIDAY: The Indians have designated Shane Lindsay for assignment, according to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince (via Twitter). The move was made in order to clear room for Jayson Nix, who was picked up off of waivers earlier this afternoon.
Lindsay, 25, was claimed off of waivers from the Yankees on the first of the month, two weeks after the Yanks claimed him from the Rockies. In 13.2 innings for Colorado's Triple A affiliate this year, the righthander posted a 6.59 ERA with 19 Ks and 17 walks. Baseball America's Prospect Handbook questioned if the Australian could ever stay healthy enough to capitalize on his raw ability.
Odds & Ends: Branyan, Orioles, D’Backs, Marlins
Links for Sunday..
- Returning to a former team is nothing new for Russell Branyan, writes JR Radcliffe for MLB.com.
- Eric Wedge had a great interview with the O's, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.
- Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic writes that D'Backs manager A.J. Hinch doesn't want his players to worry about being dealt.
- Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was sorry to see skipper Fredi Gonzalez go, writes Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald.
- Andy MacPhail said that the O's "gambled" and lost when they gave Garrett Atkins a one-year, $4.5MM deal, writes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.
- Carlos Gomez hopes that he can live up to the expectations the Brewers had for him when they acquired him from the Twins, writes MLB.com's Jordan Schelling.
- Former Oriole and current MASN broadcaster Rick Dempsey isn't sure if his upcoming meeting with O's GM Andy MacPhail can be considered an official interview for the managerial position, writes Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com.
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer doesn't envision a club taking Jhonny Peralta at the trade deadline.
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry stands by his investment in Carlos Zambrano, writes the Daily Herald's Bruce Miles. Hendry gave the hurler a five-year, $91.5MM extension in 2007.
Valentine Not In Running For Marlins Job
10:12pm: The talks broke down not over Valentine's salary desires, but over philosophical differences, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. While their source indicated that the team's decision is final, the FOX Sports duo writes that the volatility of Valentine and owner Jeffrey Loria creates the possibility for a reversal.
Interim manager Edwin Rodriguez will remain manager for the Marlins' series against the Mets in Puerto Rico and the foreseeable future. The Marlins now figure to expand their search to other candidates.
9:30pm: Valentine is no longer a candidate for the job, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
7:57pm: On ESPN's Baseball Tonight, Valentine declined to quantify the chances of him becoming the Marlins' next skipper, writes Capozzi:
“I can’t mention that chance or percentage because I’m in the middle of the process," said Valentine.
Meanwhile, Valentine remains a candidate for a job, a high-placed source tells Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
5:27pm: Valentine says that he has no idea if he's still in the running for the Marlins job, tweets Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post.
4:55pm: Bobby Valentine is no longer in the running for the Marlins' managerial position, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Heyman added (also via Twitter) that he is uncertain of what derailed talks between the two parties as all signs pointed to the job being his just a few days ago.
On Friday, the former Mets manager and the Marlins reportedly had a tentative agreement in place. Valentine, a friend of owner Jeffrey Loria, has been linked to the Florida job since Fredi Gonzalez was let go earlier this week. On that same day, Bobby V told the Orioles that he was no longer interested in managing their club.
Mets Won’t Deal Mejia Without Negotiating Window
The Mets aren't ready to deal Jenrry Mejia in a package for Cliff Lee unless Lee gives them a negotiating window, according to Kevin Burkhardt of SNY (via Twitter). Recently, it was reported that the Mets would be unlikely to deal Mejia, Jonathon Niese, or Ike Davis for the 2008 Cy Young winner.
Burkhardt adds (also via Twitter) that the Mets could change their minds on the matter. However, if Seattle is willing to deal Lee sooner rather than later, there may not be much time to have a change of heart. The Twins and Dodgers are also said to be in the mix for Lee and could beat GM Omar Minaya to the punch. Many feel that Minnesota is the front-runner in the Lee sweepstakes.
Week In Review: 6/20/10 – 6/26/10
Do you know what time it is? If you said "game time", I'll award you partial credit. It's Sunday night, which means it's time to take a look back at the week that was..
- In a surprising move, the Mariners brought Russell Branyan back to the club in a trade with the Indians. The M's gave up minor leaguers Ezequiel Carrera and Juan Diaz to pull off the reunion. Seattle will pay the remaining money owed to Branyan for this year, roughly $1.1MM, while the Tribe will pick up the tab on the buyout for his mutual $5MM option.
- The Nationals are reportedly exploring a trade for Arizona's Edwin Jackson.
- Cliff Lee is a top candidate to be traded near the deadline, but Seattle may be willing to deal him well before we reach July 31st. Meanwhile, the Rangers have room to take on a rental player as their ownership situation will not be a factor. The Mets, another top suitor, are willing to take on Lee without a negotiating window.
- Florida decided to let manager Fredi Gonzalez go. We've heard lots of talk about Bobby Valentine becoming their next manager. At the time of this post, it's all still up in the air.
- Christian Colon, the Royals' first round pick selected fourth overall, signed with the club. He'll receive a $2.75MM bonus in the minor league deal. To keep up with all of the major signings in the 2010 draft, you can refer to this handy post.
- The Orioles acquired Jake Fox from the A's for minor league pitcher Ross Wolf. The move led to the club designating Garrett Atkins for assignment.
- The Red Sox pulled the trigger on a minor deal when they acquired Eric Patterson from the A's in exchange for minor league lefty Fabian Williamson. Patterson was designated for assignment earlier in the week.
- There were no takers for Akinori Iwamura whom the Pirates designated for assignment.
- Meanwhile, the BoSox are looking for a more significant upgrade in the outfield.
- The Giants emerged as possible suitors for David DeJesus but most of you think that he'll end up with the Braves.
- The Mets acquired outfielder Jorge Padilla from the Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher Clint Everts.
- The Cards picked up Renyel Pinto after he was cut loose by the Marlins on Wednesday.
- Dana Eveland was DFA'd for the third time this year, this time by the Pirates.
- The Angels will not be limited as the trade deadline approaches.
- Brewers owner Mark Attanasio says that he's not interested in dismantling his ballclub.
- Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger was DFA'd by the Dodgers. Meanwhile, they brought Jesus Colome on board with a minor league deal.
- Armando Benitez will try to work his way back to the big leagues once again after signing a minor league deal with the Marlins.
- Kevin Cash, Casey Daigle, and Cory Sullivan were all designated for assignment by the Astros this week. Cash and Daigle will accept their minor league assignments while Sullivan has elected free agency.
- Veteran pitcher Ramon Ortiz was scooped up by the Mets.
- The Padres acquired Kyle Phillips from Toronto for a PTBNL.
- Milwaukee cut reliever Brian Bruney loose.
- Edwin Encarnacion was DFA'd by Toronto and subsequently outrighted to Triple-A.
- The Marlins designated reliever Jorge Sosa for assignment and later outrighted him to Triple-A.
- Chad Tracy struggled in 49 plate appearances for the Cubs this season and was DFA'd on Friday.
- Oakland acquired minor league catcher Jared Price from the White Sox.
- The Yankees DFA'd Chad Moeller, but the catcher cleared waivers.
- Howard Megdal took a look back at the 1993 trade deadline.
Angels Might Focus On First Base At Deadline
The Angels might be focusing their shopping list on the first base position as they near the trade deadline, writes Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
This morning, GM Tony Reagins had a private meeting with manager Mike Scioscia. After the half-hour discussion, Reagins told the media that he has been actively involved in trade talks, but wouldn't elaborate. However, he did say that he does not expect a deal to happen immediately:
"Right now, there's nothing I can say is going to happen in the next day or so," said the GM.
Meanwhile, Scioscia explained that he's content with some of the club's perceived weak points. He believes the starting rotation and bullpen are headed in the right direction while the third base situation will improve upon the return of Maicer Izturis. Despite his confidence in those areas, Scioscia did admit that the Halos could use some more depth at the first base position.
Saxon writes that Mike Napoli, who has been filling in at the position for the injured Kendry Morales, could be part of a deal for a first baseman. The strong play of Bobby Wilson behind the plate has given the club two viable catchers, meaning that the club can comfortably part with Napoli. As we've been hearing lately, Reagins may look to land Adam Dunn or Adam LaRoche as we near July 31st.