Mets Acquire Jorge Padilla for Clint Everts
JUNE 26: Rubin tweets that the Blue Jays will receive minor league reliever (and, like Padilla, former National) Clint Everts to complete the trade.
Everts, the fifth overall pick in the draft back in 2002, has appeared in 26 games for Double-A Binghamton this season and notched an unsightly 6.94 ERA through 35 innings. As usual, strikeouts aren't a problem for the right-hander (9.5 K/9 this season, 9.0 for his career), but he's walking 5.4 hitters and allowing 11.8 hits per nine innings.
Everts, the former pride of the then-Expos farm system, has struggled since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2004.
JUNE 19: The Mets have acquired outfielder Jorge Padilla from the Blue Jays, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). There's no word on what Toronto will receive on the deal at this time.
Padilla, 30, has a slash line of .330/.405/.459 with four homers for Toronto's Triple A affiliate this season. He came to the plate 26 times with the Nationals last year, picking up just three singles and walk. The Mets have assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, so he'll presumably serve as extra depth.
Odds & Ends: Reds, Marlins, Athletics, Haren
Thursday night linkage..
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty came to the defense of his manager, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- Bobby Valentine is said to love the Marlins' scouting system and new ballpark, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.
- A's GM Billy Beane told Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com that skipper Bob Geren's job is safe.
- Dealing Dan Haren could help replenish Arizona's thin farm system, writes MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
Braves Not In Search Of Pitching
The Braves won't be looking for pitching as we near the trading deadline, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN. However, Olney goes on to write (also via Twitter) that the club could seek a left-handed bat off of the bench if Eric Hinske continues to be a semi-regular player.
Recently, it was reported that GM Frank Wren could be in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder to boost Atlanta's offense, though it seems that they'll now look for a left-handed hitter. David DeJesus and Luke Scott have been linked to the Braves in recent weeks, but Olney's report might indicate that they'll look to make a smaller move.
Mets Willing To Rent Lee From Mariners
The Mets are willing to deal for Cliff Lee without requiring a negotiating window to sign him to an extension, a source with knowledge of the team's thinking told Mark Hale of the New York Post. Two years ago, when the Mets agreed to trade for Johan Santana, they secured a 72-hour negotiating window with the ace.
The source also told Hale that the club would be unlikely to trade Jenrry Mejia, Jonathon Niese, or Ike Davis for Lee. Without those three in a deal, the Mets could offer the M's a package built around prospects such as Ruben Tejada, Fernando Martinez, Wilmer Flores, Jeurys Familia, and Josh Thole.
Meanwhile, several Mets officials said that the Mariners have not yet made Lee available, according to Andy Martino of the Daily News. The same officials say that there are no untouchables in the minor league system, though Angel Pagan is now "virtually untouchable" with Carlos Beltran's health so uncertain.
Marlins To Offer Valentine Four-Year Deal
The Marlins are expected to offer Bobby Valentine a four-year contract to become their next manager, a source close to the negotiations told Tim Kurkjian of ESPN. Valentine will fly to Florida on Friday night to meet with Marlins executives, including owner Jeffrey Loria.
All signs point to the former Rangers and Mets skipper taking the Marlins job by the end of the weekend, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, the club will interview two other candidates tomorrow. Major league sources tell Rosenthal that the Marlins will interview their interim manager, Edwin Rodriguez, as well as Diamondbacks' third base coach Bo Porter.
Rosenthal reports that Valentine could be sporting teal and silver as soon as Sunday, though no such timetable is assured. Sentiment exists in the organization to leave Rodriguez, the league's first Puerto Rican manager, in command through the team's series against the Mets in Puerto Rico. The series runs from Monday to Wednesday.
Sullivan Elects Free Agency; Cash, Daigle To Minors
WEDNESDAY: Sullivan has elected free agency, while Cash and Daigle have accepted minor league assignments, according to Alyson Footer of the Astros (via Twitter).
SUNDAY: The Astros have designated Kevin Cash, Casey Daigle, and Cory Sullivan for assignment, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The moves were made in order to recall catcher Jason Castro, outfielder Jason Bourgeois, and third baseman Chris Johnson from Triple-A Round Rock.
Cash has caught 18 games for Houston this season, posting a slash line of .216/.286/.353 with two homers. The 32-year-old also pitched an inning in relief for the club in a blowout against the Reds in May.
Daigle pitched six innings across eight games for the Astros with an ERA of 7.50 with 4.5 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9. This season marked Daigle's first cameo in the big leagues since 2006.
Sullivan, 30, has struggled at the plate thus far in 2010. In 70 plate appearances, the outfielder has hit .190/.261/.238.
According to a team press release, the moves will take effect on Tuesday. Castro and Johnson will move into the starting lineup, according to Alyson Footer of the Astros (via Twitter).
Odds & Ends: Sale, Astros, Shealy, Orioles
Links for Sunday night..
- Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune points out that even though Sale signed for less than anticipated, a quick promotion to the majors would start his service time clock sooner.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America tweets that more teams should be willing to test the resolve of college juniors, like the White Sox were with Chris Sale.
- The moves the Astros made earlier this evening will make them younger, faster, and possibly better defensively, writes Alyson Footer of MLB.com.
- Ryan Shealy believes that his new club will afford him a better opportunity to make a big league roster, writes Paul Kenyon for The Providence Journal. Shealy was signed by Boston and placed in Triple-A after exercising his opt-out clause with the Rays.
- O's scouting director Joe Jordan is hopeful that the club's agreement with fourth-round pick Trent Mummey will get the ball rolling for the rest of the team's top draftees, writes MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli. Baltimore has now agreed to terms with 26 of their 49 selections.
Pirates Acquire Adam Davis
The Pirates have acquired Adam Davis from the Indians, according to the MLB.com Transactions page. Davis, 25, has been assigned to the Bradenton Marauders.
The former third-round draft pick spent the bulk of this year in advanced-A Kinston, posting a slash line of .225/.333/.375 with three homers. He also had a five game stint for Double-A Akron where he had an OPS of .498.
Chris Sale, White Sox Reach Agreement
The White Sox have come to terms on a deal with first-round pick Chris Sale, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. The pitcher, who was taken 13th overall, agreed to a bonus of $1.656MM.
The bonus figure is surprising as it is equal to MLB's bonus recommendation for his No. 13 slot in the 2009 draft. The Florida Gulf Coast University product was considered by teams to be the first or second-best college pitcher in the draft.
While Sale will get less money than anticipated, Callis writes that he will be given every opportunity to join the big league bullpen, perhaps as early as August. Sale will start off in high-A in Salem with the goal of jumping to Triple-A Charlotte in mid-July.
Sale's agent, B.B. Abbott of Jet Sports Management, conceded that deal will be "perceived in the industry" as a victory for the White Sox, but believes that it is in the best interest of his client.
"While we felt extremely confident that a larger bonus would be available later in the summer, we think Chris not only has a viable opportunity to pitch in the big leagues this year, but a very good chance to do so. As we did with Zack Wheeler last year, we considered the opportunity, the risk and the reward. As clear as it was that Zack should wait, it is equally clear that this is a legitimate opportunity for Chris to pitch in the big leagues in six weeks or less with a contending team. While this was not an easy decision, we believe it is the right decision," Abbott said.
Sale is now the highest-drafted player to agree to a deal thus far. You can keep track of the bonuses that first rounders, supplemental rounders, and other noteworthy picks obtain right here.
Jack Taschner Declares Free Agency
Pitcher Jack Taschner has declared free agency after refusing an outright assignment to the minors from the Pirates, tweets Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. The left-hander was DFA'd by Pittsburgh early last week.
In 17 appearances this season, Taschner posted an ERA of 6.05 with 7.9 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9. The 32-year-old threw his fastball at an average of 89.6 mph in 2009 but has seen that dip to 88.8 in 2010. His pitch velocity has steadily declined across the last three seasons.