Odds & Ends: Indians, Dunn, Cardona, Giants
Let's check out some links on a beautiful evening in New Jersey..
- Indians manager Manny Acta says that he's still focused on developing the team's young talent, writes Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer.
- Adam Dunn says that signing another two-year deal wouldn't be his preference, though he's not opposed to it, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
- Other clubs are upset over Toronto's reported agreement with Adonis Cardona, writes Jeremy Sandler of the National Post.
- Even more from Baggarly, as he tells us not to expect the Giants to sign Jermaine Dye or call up Buster Posey in the coming days.
- Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News (via Twitter) doesn't think the Giants would benefit from bringing back Ryan Garko.
- Former Royals manager Trey Hillman said that the team had a lengthy players-only meeting prior to being swept by the Rangers, tweets Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
- Giants manager Bruce Bochy, GM Brian Sabean, and hitting coach Hensley Meulens are "talking over options" following a 1-hit loss to San Diego, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News (via Twitter).
- The Reds have promoted Yonder Alonso to Triple-A Louisville, tweets Ben Badler of Baseball America. Baseball America's 2010 Prospect Handbook rated Alonso ahead of Mike Leake in Cincinnati's farm system but behind Todd Frazier.
- MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez writes that Major League Baseball is hoping to clean up the sport in Venezuela.
Frank Catalanotto Will Likely Retire
After being designated for assignment by the Mets earlier in the week, Frank Catalanotto says that "chances are" he will retire, according to Michael Obernauer, Matt Gagne, and Andy Martino of the Daily News.
The Long Island-native made the major league squad after signing a minor league deal with the Mets in January. Catalanotto was brought aboard to be the team's left-handed bat off of the bench, but hit just .160/.192/.200 in 26 plate appearances. On Monday, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy suggested that the 36-year-old could be a fit for the Brewers who are seeking minor league depth.
In 14 big league seasons, Catalanotto has a career .291/.357/.445 slash line.
Roy Oswalt Open To Trade
Pitcher Roy Oswalt says he's open to being traded if it helps the Astros rebuild. Oswalt spoke candidly on the matter in an interview with Rob Dibble and Jim Memolo on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM.
"When you get to a point where you need to start rebuilding they're going to start with a guy that's got a lot of value and I understand that if I'm throwing well that they maybe can get two or three guys that can fill holes that they need. I told them from the very beginning when they get to that point I would be open to [being traded]."
The 32-year-old righty explained that if traded, he would want to go to a "true contender". Oswalt's deal, which calls for him to earn a combined $31MM in this season and next, has a full no-trade clause.
Jayson Stark of ESPN recently reported that a friend of Oswalt believes the hurler's preferred destinations are Texas, St. Louis, and Atlanta, though it's hard to imagine any of those teams being a fit. Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes that Oswalt might be the best starter available at this year's trade deadline.
When asked by Memolo how much longer he planned on pitching, Oswalt responded that he would assess his future in two years. Oswalt's contract holds a $16MM club option for 2012 with a relatively meager $2MM buyout.
Mike Lamb Clears Waivers
May 12th: Having cleared waivers, Lamb will join the Marlins' Triple A club today according to Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune. As a member of the Zephyrs, Lamb will be reunited with Jason Lane, another member of the Astros' 2005 World Series club.
May 6th: The Marlins have designated Mike Lamb for assignment, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Outfielder Bryan Petersen has been called up from Triple-A New Orleans and will join the team effective tomorrow.
Lamb has had just 18 plate appearances in 17 games this season for Florida. The corner infielder spent 2009 in the Mets' farm system and was signed by the Fish to a minor league deal in February. Soon after he signed, it was reported that the Marlins were still on the lookout for a lefty bat off of the bench. It appears that they have found that lefty bat in-house.
The 34-year-old had a less-than-stellar stint in Triple-A Buffalo last season, posting an OPS of .669 in 119 games.
Discussion: Possible Targets For The Mariners
As the Mariners' offense continues to struggle, they're likely looking to make deals with teams that have rapidly fallen out of contention, writes Larry Stone of The Seattle Times. Stone writes that the teams falling into that category are the Royals, Indians, Astros, and Orioles.
Kansas City's Jose Guillen has been mentioned as a possibility for the M's, though as of yesterday they have reportedly yet to make a formal inquiry. Lance Berkman of the Astros has been mentioned as a fit for Seattle, though Stone points to his health, salary, and poor performance this season as reasons why Jack Zduriencik would want to steer clear of him.
Stone suggests that Baltimore could offer up Luke Scott or Garrett Atkins, though they have been struggling mightily. On the flipside, Ty Wigginton and Miguel Tejada are in the final years of their respective deals and could be available at some point, though they have been hitting well for an O's team that desperately needs offense.
Austin Kearns and ex-Mariner Russell Branyan could be pried away from the Indians (especially Branyan), but Stone says to "forget about" Cleveland dealing Grady Sizemore. Moving the reasonably-priced star outfielder would be a PR nightmare for a club that has made of a habit of losing their marquee players in recent years.
Stone also says to keep an eye on Hank Blalock, who is hitting quite well in the International League and has an out-clause in his deal with the Rays. However, the M's passed on the two-time All-Star this winter.
Also hampering Seattle is that GMs from around baseball seem unwilling to make trades at this point in the season.
What other sluggers could you see the Mariners inquiring on? Will they be able to talk a GM into making a significant trade with them at this juncture?
Odds & Ends: Huff, Posey, Lewis, Yankees, Johnson
Congratulations to Dallas Braden on throwing the 19th perfect game in MLB history. Let's check out some links from around the web..
- Aubrey Huff is playing well defensively, writes Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Catcher Buster Posey remains in Triple-A Fresno because Giants officials are not convinced that he is ready to catch in the majors, GM Brian Sabean told Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News. Sabean insists that the decision has nothing to do with service-time concerns. MLBTR's Luke Adams led a discussion post that touched on the issue over the weekend.
- Jordan Bastian of MLB.com tweets a quote from Fred Lewis, who says that he's happy to be on a team that never quits. Lewis was traded from San Francisco to Toronto roughly three weeks ago.
- Steve at River Ave. Blues takes a look at the Yankees' offseason targets and how they've fared in the early stages of the 2010 season.
- Cue the scary organ music. Jeff Zrebiec tells us that Orioles reliever Jim Johnson was placed on the disabled list with a strained ulnar collateral ligament and is seeking a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews. MLB.com's Britt Ghiroli has comments from O's president Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley.
- According to a team press release, the Mariners have relieved hitting coach Alan Cockrell of his duties. Alonzo Powell has been promoted from Triple-A Tacoma in his place.
- In his latest mailbag, Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News writes that the Reds' next manager will not be a high-priced guy with star power. That includes Lou Piniella, who plans on making Chicago his last stop as a manager.
- David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution points out that ex-Braves Kelly Johnson and Adam LaRoche are mashing in Arizona.
- Jason Marquis could be as little as two rehab assignments away from rejoining the Nationals, tweets Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Marquis inked a two-year, $15MM deal with the club this offseason but was sidelined after three outings in April.
- Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post implores the Rockies to make a big trade.
Will Red Sox Have To Part With McDonald?
Despite strong play in the majors and Triple-A this season, Darnell McDonald's Red Sox future is in limbo, writes Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal. With Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury set to return soon, the club will have to open up two roster spots.
Fellow outfielder Jonathan Van Every will almost certainly be the first casualty upon Cameron's return, though he still has options remaining. McDonald, 31, is out of options. With his strong play in the last three weeks, MacPherson writes that it is not hard to imagine another team snapping him up.
In 62 major league plate appearances, McDonald has a slash line of .264/.350/.491 with 3 homers. For Triple-A Pawtucket, he hit .341/.372/.683 with 2 HRs in 43 plate appearances.
Bill Hall would be a candidate to get the axe before McDonald if not for the fact that the club needs their fifth outfielder to be able to play the infield as well. Hall's career UZR/150 scores at second base, shortstop, and third base are 0.7, 1.8, and 3.1, respectively.
Will Fontenot Become Trade Bait For Cubs?
Second baseman Mike Fontenot may not fit in with the Cubs' long-term plans if Starlin Castro lives up to expectations, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Castro has knocked Fontenot out of the starting lineup as he has taken over at shortstop with Ryan Theriot taking over at second.
Even though Fontenot has been sent to the bench, he has been decent offensively with an OPS+ of 96. In 80 plate appearances, the soon-to-be 30-year-old is hitting .315/.363/.397, a slash line that is a significant step-up from his posting in 2009. For his career, he has a 10.7 UZR/150 at his preferred position.
Fontenot is set to earn $1MM this season after avoiding arbitration with the Cubs this winter. He became arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career when he was awarded Super Two status in November of 2009.
Cafardo On Fielder, Wood, DeJesus
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe would like to see the Red Sox acquire a marquee player in his prime. Let's dive in and check out the tidbits that he has for us today..
- The Red Sox will shed a great deal of payroll this offseason thanks in large part to David Ortiz and Mike Lowell coming off of the books. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes examined the team's 2011 contract issues recently, suggesting $40MM could be freed up. With that newfound breathing room, Cafardo writes that the BoSox would like to zero in on one of three elite first basemen this winter. While he anticipates Albert Pujols remaining in St. Louis, he says that Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez could be acquired via in-season trades.
- If Kerry Wood can show that he's healthy, he should be able to attract a contending team as we approach the trade deadline. Wood was recalled from his rehab assignment in Akron on Friday. The 32-year-old is set to make $10.5MM this season but if a team were to trade for him they would only have to assume the prorated portion of that.
- David DeJesus is "more than available" for teams seeking a lefty outfield bat. In return, the Royals would seek bullpen help and a positional prospect. Kansas City was said to be expecting serious interest in DeJesus this winter. The 31-year-old earns $4.5MM this season with a $6MM option for next season.
- While there's still some skepticism in Houston that Lance Berkman would really leave the organization, one Astros organizational person opined that the 34-year-old would "fit Boston like a fiddle". However, considering his advanced age and his offensive struggles this season, he's an unlikely fit for the club at present. Meanwhile, Cafardo mentions the Mariners and White Sox as teams that could really use a bat like Berkman's.
- Meanwhile, Jeremy Hermida is an outfielder that would seem to fit Seattle, though it doesn't appear that the Red Sox would entertain offers for him right now.
Nationals Designate Matt Chico For Assignment
11:22am: In an update to his blog post, Goessling has quotes from GM Mike Rizzo on the move. Rizzo explains that it was necessary to DFA Chico in order to put him in the minors because he was on the major league squad for just one day. He added that there is zero risk of the club losing the 26-year-old.
10:30am: The Nationals have designated pitcher Matt Chico for assignment, though he will soon return to the club's 40-man roster, writes Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com. The move is concurrent with Washington's purchase of Doug Slaten's contract from Triple-A Syracuse.
Chico, 26, made his first big league appearance in nearly two years when he got the start against the Marlins yesterday. In five innings, Chico allowed two runs, registered three strikeouts, and didn't walk any batters.
Slaten has been golden in 17 Triple-A innings this season. The 30-year-old has not allowed a single run while racking up 17 strikeouts with just one walk. In 126 career big league outings, the lefty has a 3.68 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9.
Goessling adds that he is unsure as to why Chico is being DFA'd only to be retained. Nats GM Mike Rizzo is scheduled to give a more detailed explanation of the move later this morning.