Delgado Still Wants To Play This Year
9:50pm: Delgado refused to speculate if he could play in 2011 if he were to miss all of this season, writes Mike Puma of the New York Post.
6:09pm: Carlos Delgado says that he still wants to play this year, pending rehab, tweets Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The free agent slugger also said that he never got an offer from the Mets before his second surgery.
As David Lennon of Newsday (via Twitter) points out, Delgado could still be an option for the Mets later on in the season. Back in February the 37-year-old said that he could envision himself signing on with a club mid-year.
The first baseman first underwent surgery for a torn labrum of the hip in May of 2009 and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. He enjoyed a successful and healthy season in 2008 when he slugged .271/.353/.518 with 38 HRs.
Diamondbacks To Sign Wagner Mateo?
8:39pm: Then again, maybe they won't. There has been very little recent dialogue between the D-Backs and Mateo, a source tells Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). He adds that no indications of a signing are imminent.
8:22pm: The Diamondbacks may sign outfielder Wagner Mateo by the end of April, tweets Melissa Segura of Sports Illustrated. Mateo worked out for Arizona (and other teams) in mid-March, though we heard recently that the club did not expect to sign him.
The Dominican slugger signed with the Cardinals in July of last year, but GM John Mozeliak ripped up the deal over concerns about his vision. Since then, other teams have been linked to the 17-year-old, including the Giants, who were said to be in pursuit of Mateo prior to his accord with St. Louis.
Mateo was set to earn $3.1MM under his old deal with the Cards.
Odds & Ends: Stanton, Hechavarria, Cordero, Haeger
Monday night links..
- The Marlins won't rush prospect Mike Stanton to the majors, writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
- Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos says that the club is hoping to make an announcement in the next day or two, tweets Shi Davidi of The Canadian Press. However, Anthopoulos wouldn't confirm that the announcement could have to do with the signing of Adeiny Hechavarria. Last week, Hechavarria's visa was approved, opening the door for him to take his physical.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer believes that Chad Cordero could be a "useful" major leaguer again. The 28-year-old has been out of MLB for nearly two years and is attempting to mount a comeback with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate.
- Charlie Haeger went through a long journey before becoming a member of the Dodgers' rotation, writes MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.
Discussion: Aaron Harang
After Aroldis Chapman's strong debut for Triple-A Louisville, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer was asked (via Twitter) if a repeat of that could force the Reds to trade Aaron Harang. Fay, of course, said it was too early for GM Walt Jocketty to take such action. However, the Reds could look to move the veteran pitcher if Chapman makes his way to the big leagues and impresses there as well.
The 31-year-old Harang is set to earn $12.5MM this season with a club option of $12.75MM for 2011 that can be bought out for a modest $2MM. In 2009, he posted a 4.21 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 – numbers that are consistent with his career average. The xFIP metric was even kinder to the righty, as he notched a 3.96 – a marked improvement over his 4.39 the year prior.
If the Reds find themselves in a position where they can move Harang, what teams could you see inquiring on him?
Odds & Ends: Beimel, Cust, Dukes, Santos
Saturday links..
- Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post says that Joe Beimel should arrive in the big leagues within a few days, once he's able to pitch in back-to-back games. Beimel signed a minor league deal with Colorado that will pay a base salary of $850K when he makes the roster.
- A's GM Billy Beane is happy to have Jack Cust back in the mix, writes Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- MLB.com's William Ladson (via Twitter) received a text from Elijah Dukes shooting down a rumor that he has signed on with the Tabasco Olmecas of the Mexican League. Dukes was released by the Nationals roughly three weeks ago.
- Sergio Santos is becoming an integral part of the White Sox' bullpen, writes Scott Merkin of MLB.com. The right-hander made the squad just one year after converting over from the infield.
- The Twins' revamped bullpen is off to a good start, writes Bradford Doolittle of MLB.com.
Lowell Plans To Retire After This Season
Mike Lowell said today that he will almost certainly retire from baseball when his deal expires at the end of the year, tweets Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe.
The BoSox agreed to deal the 36-year-old to the Rangers for catcher Max Ramirez back in December. However, the deal was called off when Texas discovered that Lowell had a torn ligament in his right thumb.
For his major league career, Lowell has hit .280/.343/.468 with 218 HRs.
Discussion: Chris Young
The Padres' trade block was discussed quite a bit this winter, with Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell being talked about as potential trade candidates. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports recently tweeted that 6'10 hurler Chris Young is also likely to be dealt this season.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old was extremely limited by shoulder troubles in 2009, pitching just 76 innings across 14 starts. However, in the three years prior to that, Young posted an ERA of 3.44 with 8.9 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9.
Young is in the final year of a four-year, $14.5MM deal and is set to earn $6.5MM this season. While his price tag certainly hinders his trade value, if he can demonstrate that he is healthy, he could be an attractive option for a contender at mid-season. One has to wonder how much a team might be willing to surrender for a rental of Young.
Robert Andino Clears Waivers
WEDNESDAY, 1:09pm: Andino has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple A Norfolk, according to an Orioles press release. MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli has comments from Andino on the situation.
SATURDAY, 3:25pm: The Orioles have designated Robert Andino for assignment, writes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun. The club now has ten days to trade, release, or request waivers on the infielder.
The recent acquisition of Julio Lugo from the Cardinals made the soon-to-be 26-year-old expendable. Baltimore GM Andy MacPhail says that the roster, barring injury, is now set, according to MLB.com's Britt Ghiroli.
In 215 plate appearances for the O's last season, Andino hit .222/.274/.288 with 2 HRs. However, he played an above-average shortstop, posting a UZR/150 of 6.3.
Indians Not Expected To Lock Up Choo This Season
The Indians are not expected to sign Shin-Soo Choo to a multi-year deal this season, tweets Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer. Choo will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season.
Last week we learned that talks between Choo and the Tribe were at an impasse. Cleveland would reportedly like to sign the 27-year-old to a five-year pact with a team option for a sixth year. One can assume that Choo and his agent Scott Boras, were less than eager to sacrifice years of arbitration and free agency.
Discussion: Chris Snyder
In November of last year, the Diamondbacks thought they had found a taker for Chris Snyder when they agreed to ship him to Toronto for Lyle Overbay. However, the Blue Jays got cold feet because of concerns over Snyder's surgically repaired back. So, the deal was called off and Arizona was stuck paying the catcher $11.25MM over the next two seasons.
This season, the D-Backs say that they plan to give Snyder a healthy dose of playing time at catcher alongside Miguel Montero, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. GM Josh Byrnes claimed back in February that the club was not looking to deal the 29-year-old. Recently, however, a report suggested that Byrnes had him on the block – with the Brewers as a potential suitor.
Snyder was linked to the Mets prior to signing Rod Barajas as their primary backstop. Talks reportedly ended because the Mets wanted Arizona to assume almost all of the $4.75MM Snyder is owed in 2010.
If Snyder can demonstrate that he has truly recovered from his back injury, then Arizona might be able to move the right-handed slugger without eating too much of his salary. What teams could you see getting in the mix?