O’s Not In “Salary-Dump Mode”
The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who says despite the Os' woes the team is not in "salary dump mode":
"People make assumptions about what our activity would be, which is probably not unreasonable, but at the same time, I never thought we're required to be the rest of the league's farm system.
If something makes sense for us where we can help somebody in the short term and we can get better in the long-term, that's one thing. But I really don't have much of an appetite to do something just for the sake of doing it."
Zrebiec notes that this is a stance MacPhail has "reiterated… the past couple years." Despite being the subject of many rumors, the O's haven't made any significant deadline deals since MacPhail was named president in June 2007. Zrebiec reminds that Melvin Mora, Aubrey Huff and Danys Baez are all in the final years of their contracts and that Luke Scott, Felix Pie, Jeremy Guthrie and George Sherrill have all attracted interest.
Keep up with all the latest Orioles rumors here.
Odds & Ends: Webb, Padres, Corpas, Nationals
Some Friday evening linkage…
- Nick Piecoro says that if Brandon Webb's latest setback requires surgery, it would give the club pause about picking up his $8.5MM option for 2010.
- Paul DePodesta runs through all of the Padres' recent roster moves.
- Rockies reliever Manny Corpas had an MRI on his right elbow today according to Patrick Saunders. Both the team and Corpas were surprised since he has pitched effectively of late. Depending on the severity of the injury, this may impact the Rockies' decision to trade closer Huston Street.
- Thomas Boswell at The Washington Post says we "will see little or nothing for a long time" regarding negotiations with first overall pick Stephen Strasburg. Boswell also says the Nats have begun to discuss which free agents they will pursue next offseason, and the general assumption is that they will go after a reliever.
- Alyson Footer tweets that the Astros have signed three draft picks, including third rounder Jonathan Meyer.
- CBSsports.com's Scott Miller spoke to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, who indicated that they haven't decided to sell off movable pieces yet.
- Dean Jones Jr. writes that the Orioles signed a pair of undrafted free agents out of Towson: infielder Gary Helmick and catcher Jason Stifler.
Odds And Ends: Cuban, Harper, Sano
More links for the afternoon…
- ESPN.com reports that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has no plans to bid on the Chicago Cubs.
- Yankees and Red Sox scouts are assembling teams of high schoolers to face off in an exhibition game at Fenway Park this August. And Bryce Harper will be suiting up in pinstripes, according to Peter Abraham of the Journal News.
- Roch Kubatko of MASN.com hears that the Orioles are hesitant to offer Miguel Angel Sano big money. Kubatko would be surprised to see the Orioles become frontrunners for the Dominican prospect.
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says Shawn Chacon isn't expected to be an option in Oakland. Instead, he's there to provide the A's with depth.
- The Baltimore Sun relays an AP report informing us that David Walters, a college senior, signed a free agent contract with the Orioes. The righty was drafted by the Braves in 2008 before returning to school for his senior year.
- MLB.com's Jason Beck reports that the Tigers have agreed to terms with 16 of their draftees.
- Speaking on ESPN Radio, Peter Gammons suggests the Cubs, Rays, Rangers, Angels and Yankees should make moves before July 31st. Joe Haggerty has the transcript up at Hacks with Haggs.
- Diamond Leung reports that the Dodgers released Val Pascucci, who had an OPS of .715 at Triple A.
Stark On Deadline Deals
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that, with only five teams more than six games under .500, it's a tough time to be a buyer. Here are the details from his latest Rumblings and Grumblings:
- There are many trade candidates in Washingon, but free agent-to-be Nick Johnson is the likeliest to move of them all.
- Adam Dunn's price would be "astronomical" according to one executive.
- One of Danys Baez and George Sherrill will likely be dealt, and it seems more likely that Baez will move. As one official says, "he's throwing great, but he's still Danys Baez."
- The D'Backs would prefer to move prospective free agents, like Doug Davis and Chad Tracy. Stark writes that Davis could fit on the Mets.
- One executive believes Brian Giles "should get released."
- Cla Meredith could bring a decent return for the Padres, who could also move Chris Young and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
- The Royals could move reliever Ron Mahay.
- At this point the Astros still aren't likely to sell. No one expects them to move Roy Oswalt, but Ivan Rodriguez, LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde could be dealt if the Astros decide to sell.
- One official says the Pirates would "love to move Jack Wilson."
- Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee aren't going anywhere, but Mark DeRosa is becoming "more marketable by the minute."
- Matt Holliday will hit the market if the A's don't play very well for the next few weeks. The A's will want the equivalent of a first rounder and a sandwich pick and, because few elite bats are available, at least one exec thinks they'll get a good return.
- The A's are worried he'll accept arbitration if they offer it, but Stark hears that Scott Boras would likely direct Holliday towards a better hitter's park, even if it was for less money.
- The Red Sox aren't in a hurry to deal Brad Penny. If they go for a shortstop, they'd want a short-term fix only.
- The Rockies- definitely not sellers right now- could eventually look to add a setup man.
- Delmon Young is "exceptionally available."
- The Brewers won't discuss dealing Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar.
- The Rays would like to add a reliever, but they're one of many teams that can't add much payroll.
Odds And Ends: Strasburg, Guillen, Smoltz
Links for Wednesday afternoon…
- Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball points out that a $5MM annual salary would place Stephen Strasburg within the top third of arbitration-eligible pitchers from last offseason.
- John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports that Carlos Guillen will have to undergo season-ending surgery if his shoulder doesn't heal soon.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com looks at the impact John Smoltz's return will have on each of the five other Boston starters.
- In an article for SI.com Joel Sherman argues the Indians shouldn't trade Cliff Lee this year. They can contend with Lee in 2010, if not this year, so Sherman says it makes sense to try to win with him.
- Jorge Says No! outlines possible fire sales for the Nationals and Orioles.
- Yankees first rounder Slade Heathcott and his agent were in New York last night, but the Yankees aren't expected to sign their selection quickly, according to Peter Abraham.
Odds & Ends: Buchholz, Nats, O’s, Rays
A few bits and pieces from around the web:
- According to Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox are "shrugging off" comments made by Clay Buchholz that may have been blown out of proportion. "Whenever they come to a problem, they seem like they find a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is — it's frustrating at times," said Buchholz. Terry Francona called the comment one throwaway line in "a really mature interview."
- The AP reports Nats' manager Manny Acta has no worries about being fired despite reports that that he'll be replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman.
- Eight draft picks were signed by the Orioles, all players selected between rounds 12 and 45, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
- Cheng Sio of MLB.com reports the Rays signed 14 of their draft picks, all collegiate level players taken in the 12th round or later.
Rosenthal On Saito, Rangers, Hardy
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Red Sox discussed a trade that would have sent Takashi Saito to Texas for Hank Blalock. The idea lost traction once Josh Hamilton underwent surgery and David Ortiz began hitting better and it's not likely to be revived. However, "several" teams have interest in Saito, who the Red Sox might prefer to deal for a prospect. Here are more details from Rosenthal's column:
- The Rangers remain the leading contenders to sign Ben Sheets.
- They also considered going after Nick Johnson, but are more likely to replace Chris Davis internally if they decide he's not contributing enough at the plate.
- One scout has noticed the Brewers following Erik Bedard and believes they'll make a "strong play" for him.
- J.J. Hardy remains appealing to teams around the league and the Brewers are "constantly" asked about shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar.
- The Red Sox "sniffed around" on a Hardy-Brad Penny swap, but that deal wouldn't work for Milwaukee.
- The Orioles are increasingly willing to deal George Sherrill and Danys Baez.
Odds & Ends: Izzy, Baez, Nationals
Some links to peruse as you realize how lame it is when your favorite team has a scheduled off day…
- Joe Smith of The St. Petersburg Times spoke to agent Dan Horwits, who says his client Jason Isringhausen plans to come back and pitch in the big leagues again. Izzy will miss the rest of the year due to Tommy John surgery.
- The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec writes that the Orioles have a valuable trade chip in reliever Danys Baez.
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson reiterated that the Nationals are not going to bring Pedro Martinez or Tom Glavine aboard as players. The team would be interested in Glavine as a coach, though.
- Pete McElroy of of MASNsports.com lists the 16 draft picks the Nationals have signed.
- The Yankees signed catcher Buck Afenir as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas according to KUsports.com.
Morosi’s Latest: Orioles, Cardinals, Rangers
FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi writes that with the Orioles buried in fifth place in the AL East, look for the team to start moving some of their veterans. Morosi cites an "industry executive" who says that several teams have called about Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, both lefthanded bats with some thump. He suggests that the Reds, Tigers, Giants and Braves could match up in a deal, noting that the Tigers pursued both Huff and Scott three years ago.
Here's the rest of Morosi's rumors:
- Triple-A outfielder Wilkin Ramirez is one of Detroit's best trade chips.
- Morosi echoes reports that the Cardinals are looking for a bat.
- One scout says that Miguel Tejada's defense has been better than most give him credit for. I can't imagine that will play a big role in determining his trade value, though.
- Texas is looking for an upgrade for their rotation, and would likely be in on Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt if they are made available.
- It's increasingly unlikely that the Red Sox will make a move for a shortstop with Nick Green holding his own and Jed Lowrie close to returning from a wrist injury.
Orioles, Cardinals Interested In Sano
Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles will attend a three day workout for Dominican prospect Miguel Angel Sano later this month. John Stockstill, the O's director of international scouting, confirms the team's interest:
"We've seen him a few times, but it gets back to our commitment of seeing the top players," John Stockstill said. "We're going to make sure we give him a thorough look and evaluation. We have legitimate interest, but we have to be sure of what we're seeing."
The Orioles worked Sano out just over a week ago, but apparently they still want to see more. Meanwhile, Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette passes along word that the Cardinals have also scheduled a workout for Sano later this week. It certainly looks like it will be a very competitive market for the 16-yr old shortstop, by our count no fewer than 12 teams have expressed interest in the youngster.
You can follow all of the Sano rumors here.