Davidoff On Twins, Indians, Reyes, Rays
Since few teams have been completely eliminated from contention, the trade market is developing slowly, according to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff. As of today, the top commodity available is relief pitching and there’s lots of interest in that department. Here are the rest of Davidoff’s notes on the trade market:
- Heath Bell, Francisco Rodriguez, Chad Qualls and Luke Gregerson are available.
- The Mets believe they can keep their fans interested even if they trade Rodriguez.
- The Diamondbacks, Brewers, Cardinals and Rangers are among the teams that are heavily in the mix for relievers.
- It appears extremely unlikely that the Mets will trade Jose Reyes, but his top suitors would likely include the Reds, Indians, Giants and Mariners, four teams that have poked around for infield help, according to Davidoff. It’s even possible that the Red Sox would pursue Reyes if he became available.
- The Orioles aren’t quite ready to shop Koji Uehara and the Twins aren’t quite ready to shop Matt Capps. In fact, the Twins aren’t going to sell until they’re sure they’re out of contention.
- The Yankees are focused on finding a lefty reliever, a commodity the Red Sox and Tigers would also like to acquire.
- Though no frontline starters appear to be available, the Yankees are looking to acquire a top starter. Cleveland and Detroit are also looking for rotation help.
- The Mariners are looking for an outfielder and the Phillies are still looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder.
- One official says the Rays are “buying and selling.” Johnny Damon could be had in the right deal, according to Davidoff.
Cardinals Sign Blaine Boyer, Ron Mahay
The Cardinals announced that they signed right-hander Blaine Boyer and left-hander Ron Mahay to minor league deals (Twitter link). Boyer pitched for the Cardinals in 2009 and though Mahay has pitched for eight teams, St. Louis is not one of them.
Both veterans have bounced around in 2011. Boyer started the season with the Mets, who released him in April. The Pirates signed Boyer soon after New York released him, then let him go in June. The Dodgers signed Mahay in February and released him the next month. By the middle of May he had already signed with Arizona and been released a second time.
Boyer, 29, has a 4.81 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in parts of seven MLB seasons. He allowed 14 hits and nine walks in eight innings for the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate earlier this season. Mahay has a 3.83 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in parts of 14 Major League seasons. The 40-year-old struggled through ten appearances with Triple-A Reno earlier this year.
Brewers Among Clubs With Interest In Padres’ Arms
The Brewers are among the teams that have contacted the Padres about their relievers, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Yankees, Rangers, Phillies and Cardinals have also contacted San Diego about possible trades for relievers.
Though the Padres haven’t begun exchanging offers for players like Heath Bell and Mike Adams, discussions will likely intensify at the All-Star Break. The Yankees will likely pursue relievers aggressively, but Adams will only be available for an “extraordinary” offer, according to Rosenthal and Morosi. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported last week that the Yankees prefer Adams, who is a free agent after 2012, to Bell, who hits the open market this offseason.
Olney On Dodgers, Cardinals, Bell, Kazmir
The Dodgers are playing hard and preparing diligently for every game, but you'd have to be blind to not see the cloud that hangs over the team on a daily basis, writes ESPN.com's Buster Olney. Because of the club's situation, the team knows that there probably won't be help coming in before the trade deadline. They've also seen their farm system dry up and their club is no longer a top destination for big-time free agents. Regardless of who the owner is of the team this time next year, they'll likely need years to repair the damage that has been done. Here's more from Olney..
- The Padres are scouting the farm systems of several clubs as the deadline approaches, and the Cardinals are among those clubs. All along, St. Louis has been a natural fit for Heath Bell or one of the other San Diego relievers. On Thursday, Olney reported that San Diego has told teams that they're ready to take offers on Bell and Mike Adams.
- Pitcher Scott Kazmir is expected to pick his next team sometime in the next ten days. The veteran has met with the Rangers and other clubs are in the mix, such as the Padres. Kazmir worked out for Texas last week and was healthy for the workout.
Quick Hits: Mariners, Rangers, Astros, Hendry
Some Quick Hits for Saturday night..
- The Mariners are looking for bullpen help in addition to bats and they've shown interest in what the Padres have, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). However, the M's aren't likely to overpay for a rental and they'd much prefer players under who are under control for '12 (also via Twitter).
- The Rangers appear to be close to another international signing, writes Enrique Rojas for ESPNDallas.com. The club is nearing a deal with Dominican pitcher Pedro Payano for $500-600K.
- A few inexpensive international signings went down today. The Astros signed Venezuelan shortstop Arturo Michelena for $220K according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. The Braves signed Iosif Bernal, a Panamanian outfielder, for a $230K bonus and the Indians inked Dominican outfielder Francisco Miguel for $200K, writes Badler. The Cardinals signed Venezuelan catcher Jose Godoy for $200K, says Badler.
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry said that he's not concerned about what other people have to say about his job security in an interview on ESPN1000.
Cardinals Sign Dewin Perez
The Cardinals have signed Colombian left-hander Dewin Perez, according to a team press release. Perez will receive a signing bonus of $450K, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America.
Perez is undersized at 5-foot-11 but scouts have seen the hurler sit in the high 80s with a good delivery and show a feel for his offspeed stuff, according to Badler (subscription req'd). The youngster is a solid athlete and a former switch-hitting outfielder.
Potential Suitors For Mike Cameron
The Red Sox cut ties with veteran outfielder Mike Cameron yesterday, designating him for assignment after he hit just .149/.212/.266 in 105 plate appearances this year. "Rest assured I'll play again," said Cameron to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe (Twitter link). "I'm not going out that way."
Despite his poor season and last year's injury riddled campaign (just 48 games), Cameron figures to draw interest based on his track record. He hit .250/.342/.452 with 24 homers as a full-time player just two seasons ago, and he went deep at least 20 times every year from 2006 through 2009. That power might be gone at 38 years old, but his three homers this year suggest that he might still be able to provide double digit long balls given enough playing time.
With approximately $3.625MM left on his contract this year, it's very likely that Cameron will clear waivers and hit the open market. Any team would then be able to sign him for the pro-rated league minimum, which is attractive to clubs on a budget. Let's look at some teams that could be potential suitors for Cameron…
- Braves – Martin Prado is dealing with a staph infection and temporary fill-in Jordan Schafer is hitting just .222/.295/.310. Wilkin Ramirez, Atlanta's current righty outfield bat off the bench, has been unimpressive in limited playing time.
- Cardinals – There's no way to replace Albert Pujols, but St. Louis was able to slide Lance Berkman over to first and stick Jon Jay in right field. The lefty bat is hitting .289/.340/.356 against southpaws, but Cameron could replenish some outfield depth.
- Giants – This one is probably a long shot because their outfield is already crowded, but the game's worst offense (just 285 runs) is in desperate need of help, particularly in the power department.
- Indians – Shin-Soo Choo will miss a substantial amount of time after having thumb surgery, and the incumbent righty hitting outfielder (Austin Kearns) has been ineffective both overall (.194/.282/.265) and against lefties (.244/.292/.267).
- Mariners – Jeff Sullivan of Lookout Landing tackled this one.
- Nationals – They've been looking for a center fielder basically all season, and if nothing else, Cameron would give them a platoon partner for Roger Bernadina (.208/.255/.271 vs. LHP).
- Phillies – Ben Francisco has been disappointing against lefties (.200/.317/.314) this year, plus Cameron could give them platoon partners for both Domonic Brown and Raul Ibanez.
- Pirates – It's strange to think of the Pirates as buyers, but they're over .500 and just two games back in the NL Central. Jose Tabata is on the DL and Matt Diaz has been a disappointment (.268/.297/.331).
- Rangers – Julio Borbon is back in Triple-A and David Murphy can't hit lefties (.177/.235/.194), plus they could probably use the depth since Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz are known to visit the DL from time to time.
- Rays – Matt Joyce and Sam Fuld have cooled off considerably, though the righty hitting Justin Ruggiano has done a swell job in limited playing time (.300/.328/.500). That might not last though.
- Tigers – Ryan Raburn (.207/.244/.348) and Magglio Ordonez (.200/.268/.279) have been big disappointments, and Austin Jackson isn't tearing the cover off the ball either (.248/.312/.364). All three are right-handed and could be replaced, though Jackson figures to keep the center field job.
- Twins – Injuries have decimated the Twins outfield, though at 8.5 games back of a playoff spot, they might be looking to sell off veterans rather than add one.
Jack Curry of the YES Network heard that the Yankees "probably" won't have interest in Cameron (Twitter link), but several other teams figure to come calling once he clears waivers and is available on the cheap. It's easy to see Cameron fitting on the 25-man roster of nearly even team, though the amount of playing time he'll receive is sure to factor into his decision.
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
Cardinals Release Ryan Franklin
The Cardinals have released right-handed reliever Ryan Franklin, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals considered "creative" alternatives such as putting Franklin on the disabled list and designating him for assignment.
The 12-year veteran posted an 8.46 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 27 2/3 innings this year. The results were much better in 2010, when Franklin posted a 3.46 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 to go along with 27 saves. Franklin's average fastball velocity (91 mph) stayed strong this year, though his ground ball rate (37.9%) dropped. He earns $3.25MM in 2011 and the Cardinals will be responsible for all of that less a pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum salary if their former closer signs with a different club.
Decision Expected Soon On Ryan Franklin
The Cardinals "may be closer to a decision regarding relief pitcher Ryan Franklin," writes Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Strauss quotes manager Tony La Russa as considering "creative" alternatives for the beleaguered former closer. Strauss believes options include a DL stint or designating Franklin for assignment to take him off the 40-man roster and have him pitch in the minors while drawing his big league salary. Strauss says a resolution is expected before the Cardinals leave Thursday for Tampa Bay.
Franklin, 38, has a 8.46 ERA, 5.5 K/9, and 2.3 BB/9, with nine home runs and 44 hits allowed in 27 2/3 innings. His groundball rate is down significantly, but his struggles are largely due to a whopping 23.7% of his flyballs leaving the yard and 35% of balls in play dropping for hits. Franklin is earning $3.25MM this year.
Brewers Notes: Braun, Fielder, Gamel, Mitre
The latest on the Brewers on a night that owner Mark Attanasio, a native of the Bronx, watched his hometown team beat up on the club he owns…
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Jack Curry of the YES Network that Ryan Braun could be the Brewers' answer to Cal Ripken Jr. or Derek Jeter (Twitter link). Braun, who is signed through 2020, has a .308/.390/.554 line with 16 homers this year.
- Braun has been among the most productive hitters in the league, but he told Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that Prince Fielder "has probably been the MVP in the National League" so far. Fielder has a .305/.426/.611 line with 21 homers and a league-leading 68 RBI.
- Melvin told Knobler that Fielder has had a "great attitude" this year. The GM isn't going to distract Fielder, a prospective free agent, with extension discussions any time soon.
- Mat Gamel, who may take over at first base if Fielder leaves as a free agent, told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he remains focused on 2011, not Fielder's possible departure.
- The Cardinals have minimal interest in Sergio Mitre, who was designated for assignment by Milwaukee yesterday, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (on Twitter).
- The Brewers would like to strengthen their bench, potentially with a right-handed hitter, according to Knobler.