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NL Central Links: Rizzo, LaHair, Brewers, Astros

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The Reds paid a hefty price to acquire Mat Latos from the Padres this offseason, sending Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Brad Boxberger, and Edinson Volquez to San Diego in exchange for the young ace. Latos has been largely disappointing, but turned in his best start of the season tonight, striking out a career-high 13 in a one-run complete game effort. Here are some more links related to the division…

  • The Cubs officially called up Anthony Rizzo, the team announced, and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that they now view Bryan LaHair as an outfielder. The Cubs, however, would be willing to move LaHair for "the right offer," according to Morosi (Twitter link).
  • The Brewers may be one good week away from contention, but the club could always be one bad week away from selling, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Zack Greinke, Francisco Rodriguez, Shaun Marcum, and George Kottaras would all appeal to other clubs, to varying degrees. Milwaukee's farm system has been depleted by trades for Greinke, Marcum, and C.C. Sabathia and could stand to be replenished, opines Rosenthal. He's careful to note that this could be a dicey PR move, as Milwaukee could surpass 3MM fans on the season and selling would send a bad message.
  • Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle details the Astros' draft strategy and how it led to the signing of Rio Ruiz for a bonus that was leaps and bounds above slot ($1.85MM). General manager Jeff Luhnow tells Levine that he considers Ruiz, Carlos Correa (No. 1 overall) and Lance McCullers Jr. (No. 41 overall) all to be first round talents.

Minors Moves: Brewers

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We'll keep track of today's minor league moves here, with the latest up top.

Cafardo On Garza, Lowrie, Greinke, Red Sox, Liriano

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The rest of the baseball world is waiting for the Yankees to get old, but so far that hasn't happened, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.  "They’ve been saying that ever since I’ve been around," said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. "They said it after 2001. They said it after we were reshuffling in 2003, and in 2004, my therapist said I wasn’t supposed to talk about it. After 2009, we can’t be winning with older guys…So I’ve always heard it. As long as we’re winning, people can keep saying it."  Here's more from today's column..

  • About six teams have been in contact with the Cubs consistently regarding Matt Garza: the Braves, Tigers, Cardinals, Red Sox, Jays, and Royals.  Epstein is looking for a great package to part with Garza as he is the club's biggest chip.  However, teams have some concern over whether the pitcher can control his emotions.
  • The Tigers could be heavily in the mix for Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie and Detroit would likely move him to second to fill a need.  Cafardo wouldn't be shocked if he is on the Phillies’ radar as well. Houston has a few other chips in Brett Myers, Brandon Lyon, and Wandy Rodriguez that could help contenders.
  • When teams ask about Zack Greinke's availability, they are getting "not yet" from the Brewers.  However, Cafardo writes that he'll be available as soon as they get the right offer because there doesn’t seem to be any chance of Milwaukee signing him long-term. 
  • There has been a lot of talk about Scott Podsednik being used as a trade chip but Cody Ross and Daniel Nava could also be made available by the Red Sox.
  • Francisco Liriano's recent pitching has made him a viable trade chip for the Twins.  It would still be hard for a contender to trust him, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be moved.
  • A National League talent evaluator thinks the Mets should give some thought to trading R.A. Dickey while his value is skyhigh.  The Mets don't have the money to make the deadline upgrades that they need, so they could instead continue with their three- or four-year plan by making the right-hander available.

Rosenthal On Greinke, Youkilis, Podsednik, Giants

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has his latest edition of Full Count up.  Let's dive in..

  • It's still too early to know if Zack Greinke will still be a member of the Brewers after the trade deadline.  The club expects Shaun Marcum back as soon as next weekend and Jonathan Lucroy back after the All-Star break.  The Brewers feel that they're obligated to listen on offers for all players but at the same time don't need to be the aggressors just yet.
  • The Indians appear to be on the periphery of the Kevin Youkilis sweepstakes but still aren't certain if they want to squander their limited resources on a player who is far from a sure thing.  While Johnny Damon is hitting much better as of late, their biggest needs are in leftfield and in the starting rotation.
  • The Red Sox will face interesting positions once all four of their left-handed hitting outfielders are back in action.  Things could get interesting with Scott Podsednik, who could be a trade candidate if Daniel Nava is still hot.  The Reds are one team that could be in the mix as they seek a leadoff hitter.
  • The Giants would like to add to their offense but some of their people aren't sure if it's worth compromising their defense.  The obvious position to upgrade is second base but Ryan Theriot has hit better as of late.

2013 Vesting Options Update

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Let's check in on the players who have vesting options for the 2013 season…

  • Jason Bartlett, Padres – $5.5MM option vests with 432 plate appearances. Bartlett came to the plate just 98 times before being placed on the disabled list with a knee injury. There is no firm timetable for his return and it seems unlikely that the option will vest at this point.
  • Kevin Gregg, Orioles – $6MM option vests with 50 games finished. Gregg has finished just six of the team's 70 games and it seems likely that Baltimore will keep the option from vesting.
  • Brett Myers, Astros – $10MM option vests with 45 games finished or based on a points system. Myers has finished 23 of the club's 70 games and is a trade candidate. If he continues to close, the option seems likely to vest.

Chipper Jones has an option worth $9MM+ that will vest with 123 games played, but he's already rendered the option moot by announcing his plans to retire after the season. Chipper has played in 38 of the Braves' first 70 games.

Alex Gonzalez has an option worth $4MM that will vest with 525 plate appearances, but he is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Gonzalez came to the plate just 89 times before the injury, so the Brewers do not have to worry about this one kicking in.

Brewers Designate Maysonet, Perez For Assignment

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The Brewers announced that they designated infielder Edwin Maysonet and left-hander Juan Perez for assignment. The moves create roster space for Livan Hernandez, who's now officially a Brewer, and Cesar Izturis, who has been activated from the 15-day disabled list.

Maysonet, 30, appeared in 30 games for the Brewers this year, posting a .250/.297/.350 batting line in 66 plate appearances and playing shortstop, second and third base. Perez, 33, has appeared in ten games for this year's Brewers team and ten games for the organization's Triple-A affiliate.

Brewers To Sign Livan Hernandez

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The Brewers agreed to sign right-hander Livan Hernandez, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. The Brewers could use help in the bullpen, and their rotation is thinning out now that Shaun Marcum could join starters Chris Narveson and Marco Estrada on the disabled list.

The Braves released Hernandez three days ago  after calling other teams about possible trade scenarios. Hernandez signed a Major League deal with the Braves in March, not long after the Astros released him. The Praver/Shapiro client posted a 4.94 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 31 innings out of the bullpen for Atlanta. 

Bill Hall broke the news on Twitter earlier this afternoon.

Rays Claim Brooks Conrad

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The Rays claimed Brooks Conrad off of waivers from Milwaukee, the Brewers announced. The Brewers, who removed Conrad from their 40-man roster two days, ago, announced that they're recalling right-hander Mike McClendon.

Conrad, 32, has appeared in 25 games for the Brewers this year, playing all four infield positions. He has just three hits and three walks in 44 plate appearances, however. His career numbers — a .212/.287/.406 line in five seasons with the A's, Braves and Brewers — are much better. Conrad joins a Rays infield mix that includes Elliot Johnson, Carlos Pena, Will Rhymes, Sean Rodriguez, Drew Sutton and the injured Jeff Keppinger and Evan Longoria.

Brewers Notes: Greinke, Marcum, Lawrie

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As the Brewers and Blue Jays engage in a slugfest, here's the latest from Miller Park…

  • Brewers officials are telling other clubs that owner Mark Attanasio will be the one who ultimately decides if his team will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, reports CBS Sports' Danny Knobler.  Of the Brewers' possible trade chips, Zack Greinke is seen as the least likely to be dealt.  Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that the Brewers could like to keep Greinke and they feel they wouldn't get full value for the ace "as a two-month rental" before Greinke hits free agency.  (Both links go to Twitter)
  • Also from Haudricourt, he looked back at the Brett Lawrie/Shaun Marcum trade as the Jays are in Milwaukee for an interleague series.  Though Marcum may leave after this season as a free agent, Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he doesn't regret giving up a potential long-term star for a short-term gain of a playoff appearance.  "We needed to get a pitcher of Shaun's caliber. He's done a great job for us," Melvin said. "You make trades and move on. You can't look back on them. Otherwise, you'll never make a trade."

Brewers Designate Brooks Conrad For Assignment

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The Brewers designated infielder Brooks Conrad for assignment, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The move creates roster space for Tyler Thornburg, who's being called on to start tonight's game against the Blue Jays.

Conrad, 32, has appeared in 25 games for the Brewers this year, playing all four infield positions. He has just three hits and three walks in 44 plate appearances, however. His career numbers — a .212/.287/.406 line in five seasons with the A's, Braves and Brewers — are much better.

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