Odds And Ends: Red Sox, Mateo, Sano
More links for the afternoon…
- The Pirates signed Victor Black, their supplemental round pick, according to Mike Vukovcan of KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox are set to sign their second round pick, righty Alex Wilson, for about $475k. He turned down $600k from the Cubs last year.
- ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure says the Nats will work Wagner Mateo out, but aren't likely to sign him.
- Arangure says the Mariners, Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants, Yankees and Cubs could sign Mateo.
- Arangure still expects Miguel Angel Sano to sign with the Pirates.
- Peter Abraham of the Journal News suggests the Yankees should release Brett Tomko and Angel Berroa. He also suggests five other ways the Yankees could improve without making a trade.
- Peter Gammons says C.C. Sabathia could use some extra rest in this ESPN Radio discussion. Gammons also believes Daisuke Matsuzaka's injury is "pretty serious."
- MLB.com's Rustin Dodd looks back at the deal that sent Carlos Beltran to the Astros. Five years ago Wednesday, the Royals acquired Mike Wood, Mark Teahen and John Buck for their center fielder.
- Click here to take another look at the MLBTR glossary post on the international signing period. It now explains how some players born in early September, 1993 can sign this year.
Heyman: Ten Teams That Could Add Payroll
Jon Heyman of SI.com provides a list of ten teams that could add payroll. He adds the Angels, Brewers, Red Sox and Brewers to the list we assembled last week. Here are his ten teams:
- The Red Sox could add payroll, but they don't have significant needs.
- The Mets could add payroll and they need a hitter who can play first, the outfield, or both.
- The Phillies could add payroll to acquire pitching.
- The Angels, with several contracts expiring this year (Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, Chone Figgins), could add salary.
- The Giants could take on payroll to add a bat.
- The Brewers and Cardinals could both free up money to add a pitcher or hitter.
- The Tigers, White Sox and Dodgers round out Heyman's list, but he warns us not to rule out the Yankees.
- Don't look for the White Sox to deal prospects away to increase their playoff chances, even though they trail the Tigers by just 5.0 games.
- On another note, no one's called the Mariners about Adrian Beltre.
Odds And Ends: Wedge, Penny, Mets
Some links to start the week off…
- Bud Shaw of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says the Indians wouldn't improve if they fire Eric Wedge.
- As this poll shows, 71% of Plain Dealer readers want Wedge fired.
- Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer suggests the Indians' inability to develop better pitching shows in the standings.
- MLB.com's Ian Browne says Brad Penny's becoming more and more valuable, especially to the Red Sox.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Mets' chance to deal Jose Reyes, David Wright or Carlos Beltran for three or four cheap, young players has likely come and gone.
- The Moneyball movie, which was to star Brad Pitt, is now in jeopardy.
Odds & Ends: O’s, Josh Johnson, Yankees, Red Sox
A busy Sunday morning has made for some some discussable items from around the league:
- Rick Dempsey of MASN is excited by the Orioles future and says it is undoubtedly time for the team to trade, highlighting George Sherrill, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora.
- Carlos Frias of the Palm Beach Post notes A.J. Burnett has regrets over leaving the Marlins and burning his bridges in the process.
- After Josh Johnson beat the Yankees yesterday, Mike Feinsand of the New York Daily News says, "Hope you got a good look, Yankees fans. You may have been watching your future ace."
- River Ave. Blues thinks trading Xavier Nady makes sense despite Buster Olney having said, "The Yankees are unlikely to trade Nick Swisher of Xavier Nady after Nady returns."
- Not a trade rumor, but Manny Ramirez is set to begin a minor-league stint on Tuesday in Albuquerque, says The Tribune-Review.
- Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe says (via Twitter, of course) "Daisuke [Matsuzaka] to DL. [Catching prospect] Dusty Brown up with the team for the first time." She continues, "About to talk to Daisuke. Will get quotes to you shortly. [Sox manager Terry Francona] said he doesn't think this will be a two-week DL." While the Sox still have rotation depth, this surely effects any perceived sense of urgency to deal.
Red Sox To Sign Dominican Amateur
According to Jorge Arangure at ESPN the Magazine, the Red Sox will sign 16-year-old Dominican amateur LHP Victor Payano on July 2nd, when the international signing period begins. He'll receive a $900,000 bonus.
Can't find much information on Payano, but we dug up some video of him here. As Arangure notes, this is the second Sox amateur commitment after learning they reportedly will come to terms with amateur shortstop Jose Vinicio, also of the Dominican Republic.
Dice-K Skipped; Penny Off The Block?
According to Alex Speier of Boston's WEEI, Daisuke Matsuzaka "will be skipped in his next turn through the rotation."
Gammons’ Latest: Red Sox, Washburn, DeRosa
In his latest blog post at ESPN.com, Peter Gammons writes that "unless someone comes up with a Justin Smoak, Matt LaPorta or Brett Wallace," the Red Sox will hold on to Brad Penny and enjoy the depth. He says no one will offer up a prospect like that for a few months of Penny.
Here's the rest of Gammons' rumors:
- Takashi Saito is the pitcher on Boston's staff most likely to be traded.
- Jake Peavy and Erik Bedard "probably won't be tradeable before Aug. 1" because of their injuries.
- Jarrod Washburn could be had.
- The Red Sox have talked to the Angels about infielder Maicer Izturis, but the talks haven't gone anywhere
- Mark Mulder "made considerable progress refinding his delivery after one session with pitching coach Rick Peterson."
- The Mets are looking for an outfield bat. They made a run at Mark DeRosa, but wouldn't discuss Bobby Parnell.
- The Cardinals wouldn't discuss Jason Motte or Chris Perez in exchange for DeRosa.
- The uncertain situation surrounding the Cubs' ownership will likely prohibit any major additions.
Papelbon Backs Off Comments About Joining Other Clubs
Rob Bradford at WEEI.com spoke to Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon about the comments he made on Sirius XM Radio yesterday regarding the possibility of joining the Yankees or other clubs when he reaches free agency.
“I just think that when people hear what I said or people read what I said sometimes they can only see certain things. I want to make that clear, I don’t want to go (expletive) for the Yankees,” Papelbon said. “Believe me, I’ve got a ring here and I’m playing for a manager and general manager who are going to protect me. I’ve been on a team in baseball who has been in first-place more than any other (expletive) team in baseball. It’s just a simple fact for me that what I was stating that guys nowadays don’t necessarily get the opportunity to be with a team for a long period of time. Do I want to be with the Red Sox for as long as I can? Of course. There is no question about because I know I’m playing a manager and general manager who are going to protect me and to me that’s all that matters.”
Papelbon made it clear that his preference is to remain in Boston, but acknowledged that this is a business and he's looking out for his family first and foremost. He also said he understands that he needs the Red Sox more than they need him.
Heyman On Pedro, Nats, Mets, Rangers
Jon Heyman of SI.com says those closest to the Pedro Martinez situation expect him to sign soon. Heyman has many more rumors; here they are:
- One GM thinks the Nationals are demanding too much in return for their players. He says they want "a dollar and a quarter for a dollar."
- As Heyman points out, interim GM Mike Rizzo has an especially tough role, since his job isn't secure.
- Heyman says the Nats will make an announcement on a full-time GM this season. Rizzo has a good shot at the position.
- Rival GMs say Omar Minaya is now looking to boost the Mets' offense.
- Adding a player who can handle first base and the outfield would allow the Mets to make room for Carlos Delgado when he returns later in the season. Mark DeRosa fits the bill, but the Indians are apparently asking for a lot in a potential deal.
- The Rangers aren't likely to trade for Brad Penny, though they have considered him.
- Huston Street's one of the relievers who appeals to the Rangers.
- Texas can't add payroll, but can trade prospects.
- Chad Qualls and Heath Bell would both command big returns in a trade.
- Most contenders believe they need to add relievers, but the Red Sox are willing to trade one away.
- Heyman says releasing Dontrelle Willis would be a drastic move.
- The Reds, Braves and possibly the Cardinals are looking for right-handed hitting corner outfielders.
Epstein On The Trade Market
Brian MacPherson of the New Hampshire Union Leader reports that Theo Epstein is monitoring the trade market, waiting for the many teams in "wait-and-see mode" to become buyers or sellers. A number of teams are unsure about which direction to take, so Epstein says he keeps tabs on all clubs to develop "a feel for what everyone is trying to do."