Draft Updates: Brewers, Red Sox, Matzek
More updates, as the deadline approaches…
- Baseball America's Jim Callis reports that the Brewers signed third rounder Brooks Hall for $700k. Hall was a two-way player in high school, but he'll focus on pitching as a pro.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com points out that the Red Sox, who didn't draft any Scott Boras clients, have spent aggresively on players who fell because of perceived signability issues.
- DJ Bean of WEEI.com shows that the Red Sox have a history of drafting and spending aggressively under Theo Epstein. However, they are able to "draw a line in the sand" when necessary.
- Troy Renck of the Denver Post hears that the Rockies and Tyler Matzek are still far apart in their negotiations, though that doesn't mean they won't agree to a deal.
Red Sox Release John Smoltz
The Red Sox released John Smoltz, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. They designated the veteran right-hander for assignment ten days ago and weren't able to work out a trade with any team. Smoltz will become a free agent Wednesday once he clears release waivers and should have a number of suitors to choose from at that point.
Any team that signs Smoltz will only pay him the pro-rated major league minimum; the Red Sox would have to cover the rest of his $5.5MM salary. Since bonuses are negated once a player's released, no team will have to pay Smoltz any incentives.
Smoltz To Be Released Monday?
8:38pm: Mark Bowman at MLB.com says the Braves appear to have no interest in bringing back Smoltz and discusses the dubious relationship between the righty and the Braves. A source acknowledges "there would have to be some people saying they're sorry to each other" if any deal were to happen, but Bowman suggests that the Braves were more concerned about his durability than the emotions involved. Had Smoltz been willing to sharpen his mechanics in the minors, Bowman says the team would have been more willing to take another chance on him.
7:49pm: Jon Heyman at SI says (via Twitter) that the Red Sox may release the DFA'd John Smoltz tomorrow. As Heyman notes, it was probably difficult to find takers for Smoltz not only due to his questionable performance but also his built-in contract incentives that pay Smoltz for every day he's on the major-league roster.
As we pointed out yesterday, there are a number of teams that retain interest in Smoltz, and Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports named the Marlins and Cardinals as suitors for Smoltz as a right-handed option out of the bullpen.
Gammons’ Latest: Greene, Angels, Strasburg
Peter Gammons has a new blog post up at ESPN, in which he writes about the wildcard races and what they mean for baseball. Bud Selig takes a lot of heat, but I don't think there's any arguing that the wildcard is one of his greatest achievements.
Anyway, Gammons drops a few rumor nuggets at the end of the piece, so let's round 'em up…
- The Red Sox did not pursue Cardinals shortstop Khalil Greene when he cleared waivers. Remember to check out out handy dandy list of players who have already cleared waivers.
- The Angels are reportedly interested in Heath Bell, who was put on waivers yesterday. Several GMs "expressed doubt that the Padres would be able trade him." I, for one, think the Pads would have no problem moving him if they really wanted to.
- One GM says the Angels "should take Francisco Cordero. The Reds will move him."
- Gammons says that most baseball people think the Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg "if negotiations with Scott Boras do not get contentious." He guesstimates that Strasburg could get $22MM for three years, which would allow him to go to arbitration for three years and land another big payday. Or three.
Odds & Ends: Anderson, Rangers, Brew Crew
Another batch of links, served fresh…
- According to WEEI's Rob Bradford, the Red Sox have called up Brian Anderson and plan to start him in right field tonight against the Rangers. The former White Sox outfielder was acquired in late July for Mark Kotsay.
- T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports the Rangers are "actively looking for catching help on the trade market" with starting backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia headed for the disabled list. Arizona's Chris Snyder seems like a good fit, but that's just speculation on our part.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he's optimistic a deal will be reached with supplemental first-round pick Kentrail Davis by Monday's deadline. Davis is an outfielder from the University of Tennessee.
- Check MLBTR out on Twitter for quick updates and a little more conversation. And, if you're so inclined, hit up your boy Drew Silva.
Talkin’ John Smoltz
As Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com notes, 42-year-old right-hander John Smoltz has not considered retirement and is hoping to join a new team soon, either as a starter or reliever. Here's what we know so far:
Smoltz was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on August 7 after posting an 8.33 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP over eight starts. He refused an assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket earlier this week, and the Sox now have only two days to find a trade partner before they must grant him his release. The Marlins, Cardinals, Dodgers, Rangers and Astros are thought to have some level of interest. SI.com's Jon Heyman has spoken with MLB executives who believe the veteran is likely to end up back in the National League.
There's a chance an interested club will jump in and make a deal for Smoltz before he's released, but it would make more sense for teams to sit tight until Monday, and leave Boston with the remainder of his one-year, $5.5 million contract. A release will also negate all bonuses and incentives tied to that deal.
Red Sox DFA Chris Woodward
As expected, the Red Sox have designated IF Chris Woodward for assignment, says Adam Kilgore at the Boston Globe. He'll leave to make room for the newly acquired Alex Gonzalez. The 33-year-old Woodward played in five games for the Sox after being claimed from the Mariners, going without a hit in seven plate appearances.
Red Sox Agree To Terms With David Renfroe
Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that the Red Sox have agreed to terms with third round pick David Renfroe on a $1.4MM deal. A star quarterback in high school, Renfroe's bonus will be spread over five years under MLB's provisions for two sport athletes. Callis says the net present value of the deal is under the $1.134MM Boston gave first rounder Reymond Fuentes.
Selected 107th overall, the deal is worth considerably more than MLB's slot recommendation of $294,300. Callis says Renfroe is "a polished hitter with solid power and a plus arm that delivered fastballs that topped out at 95 mph."
Odds And Ends: Meche, Hall, Red Sox, Pirates
Time for another round of links…
- Via Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Royals told the Yankees they don't want to trade Gil Meche.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon hears that the Reds have "some interest" in the recently-DFA'd Bill Hall.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that the Red Sox signed 26th rounder Miles Head for $335k, which is more than double MLB's recommended bonus.
- The Red Sox are also nearing deals with David Renfroe and Madison Younginer, whose could each sign for seven figures.
- Callis reports that the Pirates signed 12th rounder Jeff Inman for $425k. Yet another over-slot signing for the Pirates and now Callis says they've been more aggressive than any other team.
Red Sox Acquire Alex Gonzalez
2:55pm: According to their team Twitter, the Reds are sending cash to Boston to help cover the remainder of Gonzalez's $5.4MM salary. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Reds are sending $1.1MM along. When you figure in the $500k buyout, there's a minimum of about $2MM remaining on Gonzalez's deal.
1:20pm: Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox are sending minor league shortstop Kris Negron to Cincinnati in the deal. The Red Sox selected the 23-year-old in the seventh round of the 2006 draft and he's now hitting .264/.338/.347 with 20 steals in high-A ball.
1:13pm: Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says the deal is complete, though the Red Sox have yet to make an official announcement.
1:03pm: Peter Gammons of ESPN.com reports that the Red Sox are finalizing a deal to acquire Gonzalez.
12:17pm: The Red Sox acquired shortstop Alex Gonzalez from the Reds, according to Gary Dzen of the Boston Globe. It's not known what, if anything, the Reds will receive in exchange for Gonzalez, who just cleared waivers. He makes $5.4MM this year and there's a $6MM option on his contract for next year that the Red Sox can buy out for $500k. Dzen expects the Red Sox to release Chris Woodward.