Orioles Release Jamie Walker
2:44pm: Roch Kubatko of MASN.com reports that it's official; the O's announced they've released Walker.
1:55pm: Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles will release lefty reliever Jamie Walker. Baltimore still owes Walker about $3MM, but they were no longer satisfied with his production. To replace Walker, they called up Alberto Castillo, another lefty who pitched for the O's last year and has performed well at Triple A Norfolk so far in 2009.
Zrebiec writes that the move is "not all that surprising" because lefties are hitting .458 against Walker this year. The pitcher signed a three year deal worth $12MM before the 2007 season.
Draft Update: O’s, Strasburg, Tate
An update on the draft, which is now just four days away…
- Steve Melewski of MASN.com spoke with Orioles president Andy MacPhail and heard that the O's don't expect to shy away from players who figure to demand large bonuses. MacPhail repeats a line we've heard him say before: "You can buy the bats, but you have to grow the arms."
- There's been lots of commentary on Stephen Strasburg's blazing fastball. But as ESPN.com's Keith Law reports, Strasburg complements his heater with an out-pitch curve and a major league average fastball. Law says Strasburg's repertoire would allow him to compete in the majors now. For $15MM, $20MM or even more, the Nationals can have him in their rotation next spring.
- Players who have a legitimate shot at playing more than one sport have increased power in negotiations because they have more options. Law says Donovan Tate, a top high school player whose father Lars played in the NFL, had dropped football before realizing it would give him more leverage in the draft.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo points to some draft-eligible pitchers whose arms have been overused. Mike Minor, who could be a top-three pick, threw 134 pitches in a game a week ago. That's more than any major leaguer's thrown in a game this year.
Rosenthal On Guthrie, Rangers, Glaus
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Orioles would consider dealing Jeremy Guthrie under the right circumstances. Here are the details, along with highlights from the rest of his column:
- Teams have inquired to see if Guthrie, who makes just $650K this year, is available. The Orioles would only move him if they hear "an overwhelming offer."
- The O's are reluctant to move George Sherrill, who's pitching well and remains under team control through 2011.
- Danys Baez is more likely to be dealt.
- The Rangers could lose Josh Hamilton for an extended period, but that won't stop them from dealing a bat for a reliever. Rosenthal writes that the Rangers could replace a player like Marlon Byrd or Hank Blalock internally.
- The Rangers will consider pursuing a top starting pitcher.
- The Mariners aren't about to deal anybody away for now. "I think right now we are still in it," GM Jack Zduriencik said. The Mariners are 5.5 games out in the AL West.
- If Troy Glaus proves he can hit, but has trouble playing third upon his return, the Cardinals could deal him to a team in need of a first baseman or DH.
Odds And Ends: Draft, Atkins, Lima
Some non-McLouth, non-Glavine links to start your Thursday off…
- On draft day, the Orioles, who pick fifth, will have an ordered list of their top five players and will choose the highest ranked player remaining regardless of position according to Jim Hunter of MASN.com.
- Roch Kubatko of MASN.com would like to see the O's use their pick on a high school arm: either Zack Wheeler or Jacob Turner.
- The D'Backs will have a bigger draft budget than usual, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. They could spend "in the neighborhood of $10MM," since they have seven of the first 64 picks. Not bad, considering the Mets won't have picked once by then.
- The Yankees don't get anything if they can't sign the player they choose 29th overall so, as MLB.com's Brian Hoch reports, signability is a factor.
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post wonders if Garrett Atkins could be in line for a demotion to Triple A.
- Jose Lima's making a comeback! MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports that Lima visited the Dodger Stadium press box last night.
- Jorge Says No! chatted with Garry Templeton, Lima's manager, about the 36-year-old pitcher. Apparently he still throws 90 mph.
- Check out this clip of David Ortiz's visit with Torii Hunter on Hanging with Mr. Hunter.
Odds & Ends: Tejada, Lohse, LaRussa
Some late night linkage as you wait to see if Randy Johnson picks up win number 300:
- Jeff Zrebiec says that the Orioles may end up releasing Jamie Walker in the coming days.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that the Marlins will designate reliever Hayden Penn for assignment. It's unclear who will take his place on the roster.
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson says not to expect to see Tom Glavine in a Nationals uniform, but the team wouldn't mind having him as pitching mentor/coach. Glavine and team president Stan Kasten have a long standing relationship.
- Miguel Tejada wants to finish his career in Houston. With the Astros already seven games back of first and a handful of teams looking for upgrades at shortstop and/or third base, Tejada probably won't get his wish.
- Kyle Lohse left tonight's start in the third inning when his right forearm discomfort returned. Just yesterday there was talk of the Cardinals dealing from their pitching depth to address their infield issues, but depth on the mound has a way of disappearing quickly.
- Tony LaRussa is suing Twitter. Whether Tony likes it or not, Twitter is here to stay.
Mike Axisa writes for River Ave. Blues.
Odds And Ends: Redding, Aurilia, Mariners
More links for Wednesday…
- There's a question worth asking on NorthJersey.com: Are Tim Redding's Mets days numbered?
- Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Rich Aurilia doesn't concern himself with murmurs that his job is not secure.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times believes the Mariners should hold on to their talent and try to win this year.
- The Cardinals signed a prospect named Adriano Uribe according to MLB.com. There's very little info available, but we do know that he's tall, left-handed and just turned 20.
- The Baltimore Sun reports that Chad Moeller, who was designated for assignment last week, cleared waivers and will head to Triple A Norfolk.
O’s Won’t Risk Losing Pie Through Waivers
Steve Melewski of MASN.com heard that the O's do not plan on sending Felix Pie to the minor leagues because they would have to expose him to waivers to do so. Team president Andy MacPhail says "he'd never get through" so the Orioles will keep him in the majors for now.
With Nolan Reimold's emergence, Baltimore has five outfielders, including Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Luke Scott. Pie has struggled so far, but MacPhail has a "pretty talented" group of outfielders so he says "there's nothing about the outfield that makes [him] unhappy."
Draft Update: Strasburg, Orioles, D’Backs
Here's the latest news on next week's draft:
- Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Ben McDonald may meet Stephen Strasburg at the draft. It was 20 years ago, but McDonald was once the best pitching prospect anyone had ever seen and he had Scott Boras advising him, just like Strasburg.
- Check out the comparison chart at the bottom of Nightengale's article to see why McDonald was just as highly touted as Strasburg is today. Also, check out our Boras Blast From The Past feature on McDonald from April.
- According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun the Orioles have scouted college shortstop Grant Green extensively, but it "appears likely" they'll pass and choose between the many high school and college arms that figure to be available when the O's select fifth.
- To be as prepared as possible for the draft the D'Backs had their pro scouts look at amateur players and vice versa, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Mike Leake and Bobby Borchering are two names to watch for the D'Backs.
- MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports that the Cardinals could go for a younger player this year, as their upper-minors are well-stocked.
- As Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Pitt infield prospect Chris Sedon will be in the dentist's chair getting a cavity filled during the draft because it was the only available appointment.
- On ESPN radio Keith Law says "slot is dead" because ultimately the recommended bonuses from the commissioner's office are "just recommendations."
- Even though Strasburg has leverage with the Nationals, Law says it's in his best interest to sign this year and predicts an eleventh hour agreement between the two sides.
Odds & Ends: Draft, Nationals, O’s
A few Tuesday night links…
- ESPN.com's Keith Law has version two of his MLB Mock Draft. It's subscriber-only, but an excellent way to get ready for the June 9 First-Year Player Draft.
- If you're not an ESPN Insider, and don't want to fork over the cash, John Sickels of SB Nation's Minor League Ball ranks his own Top 50.
- Chico Harlan of the Washington Post believes the recent firing of Nationals pitching coach Randy St. Claire is part of an overall "philosophical shift."
- Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun outlines the Orioles' draft options. The club is reportedly still considering "seven to nine players" for the fifth overall pick.
- Peter Gammons, Jayson Stark and FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal each appeared on ESPN Radio today. If you'd like to get caught up, here's the audio archive.
- Follow MLBTR on Twitter!
Odds And Ends: Peavy, Cards, Strasburg
More links for Tuesday…
- As David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News points out, the Phillies already have $94.5MM committed to next year's roster, so adding Jake Peavy would require good accounting or, perhaps more available money.
- Cardinals fans voted Mark DeRosa as the player they'd most like to acquire to play third in this poll on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's site.
- Jeff Gordon of the Post-Dispatch suggests John Mozeliak "will almost certainly deal from his pitching depth" to obtain some infield help.
- Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that Jordan Schafer has been sent to the minors, as the Braves' outfield problems continue.
- The AP (via the Miami Herald) reports that Stephen Strasburg is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which is awarded to the top amateur player in America.
- Orioles president Andy MacPhail is proud of the progress his team has made in the minors, according to Steve Melewski of MASN.com.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com says he expects this to be the year that Roy Oswalt is dealt (via Twitter).