Quick Hits: Cherington, Profar, Royals, A’s, Ryan
Check out MLBTR's "Justin Upton Rumors" for the daily collection of trade buzz about the Diamondbacks outfielder. For any "Justin/Upton Rumors" in regards to the alleged Justin Verlander/Kate Upton relationship, you may need to check out our sister site, MLB Dating Rumors.
Here's the latest from around the majors as we prepare for the second half of the season…
- Red Sox GM Ben Cherington told reporters (including WEEI.com's Rob Bradford) that his team isn't going to be a trade deadline seller. "There's no such thing as taking a year off in Boston," Cherington said. "We feel like we're right in it and have as good a chance as most teams to be there at the end….We've got some ways to improve the team internally, potentially. And we've started to look at ways to improve the team externally. If we play to our capability with the guys we have here our hope is we don't have to make a lot of moves."
- Rangers prospect Jurickson Profar holds the top spot on the midseason top 50 prospects list from ESPN's Keith Law (ESPN Insider subscription required). "Profar has the ultimate mark of an elite prospect. He keeps improving even as he is challenged with better competition," Law writes.
- The Royals are looking for Major League talent in trades rather than prospects, GM Dayton Moore tells Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. “We’re at a stage in our development where we want back ready Major League players to help us," Moore said. "Three or four years ago, yeah, we’re looking for prospects….Now, we have prospects in our system. You can always use more. But we need guys who can help our Major League team.”
- From that same item, Moore said he has been given no directives by ownership to move payroll at the deadline, nor has he made any calls looking to move any of the Royals' veteran players.
- The Athletics are 2.5 games out of a wild card spot and are wondering if they should make a playoff push, reports Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News Group. "I don't think if something is within your grasp, you ignore it," said GM Billy Beane, though he added that, "We are going to have to be somewhat leery of a short-term fix if we give up players for the long term, because I do like this group." A's co-owner Lew Wolff, meanwhile, said that Beane would have payroll space to make a deadline addition if he wished.
- Twins GM Terry Ryan spoke about his drafting, scouting and player development philosophies with Fangraphs' David Laurila.
- Tom Krasovic of the Inside The Padres blog wonders why Carlos Quentin would re-sign with the Padres when he is better suited for a DH role in a less-spacious ballpark.
- The week's minor league transactions are recapped by Matt Eddy of Baseball America.
Justin Upton Rumors: Thursday
Arizona GM Kevin Towers told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that if the Diamondbacks make a trade this summer, it will probably be a deal involving MLB players, not prospects. Justin Upton is now generating as much discussion as any player in baseball. Here’s the latest on Arizona’s 24-year-old right-fielder:
- Three of the four teams on Upton's limited no-trade list have changed since 2010, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. In 2010, Upton's four teams were the Athletics, Indians, Royals and Tigers.
- The Mariners are unlikely to acquire Upton since he would be a short-term addition for a team that isn't planning to contend until 2015, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.
- Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas looks at why and how the Rangers could trade for Upton, though Durrett says he doesn't think Texas would deal top prospect Jurickson Profar, who is "about as close to untouchable as this organization has right now."
- Rival executives say Diamondbacks officials are willing to consider offers for Upton because they are not convinced that he is a winning player, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. Rosenthal predicts the Diamondbacks will trade Upton for a package of players including a young third baseman or shortstop and Major League help.
- Some GMs are convinced the Diamondbacks will move Upton, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports. However, there probably won't be a high volume of serious suitors for Upton, Olney writes. The Pirates, Blue Jays, Rangers, Tigers, Braves, Cubs, Mariners, Indians, Mets and Reds are possible fits for Upton, Olney writes.
- A competing executive suggested the Blue Jays could engage a third team if they wanted Upton badly and didn’t match perfectly with the Diamondbacks, Piecoro reports.
- Another executive wondered why Towers will even listen on Upton, according to Piecoro. “Whenever a player like that is available, I think, ‘People who work in this game are smart. Why is he willing to trade a guy like that on a fairly reasonable contract?’” the person said.
- Towers has had very few conversations with the Pirates, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com writes. Bowden considers five possible trade partners for Arizona should they decide to deal Upton.
MLB Suspends Beras, Approves Contract
MLB will uphold the $4.5MM contract between the Rangers and Dominican outfielder Jairo Beras, Yahoo's Tim Brown reports. However, MLB will suspend Beras for one year after determining that the prospect lied about his age. MLB has announced that Beras will serve a one-year suspension and that his deal with the Rangers stands.
The Rangers agreed to sign Beras in February, when many rival teams thought he was too young to sign. The Rangers operated on the belief that Beras was 17, while competing executives believed he was just 16. MLB launched an investigation in March to determine the validity of the deal.
Beras can attend the Rangers’ academy during the suspension, but he’s not allowed to play in any league until next July. Scouts considered Beras a top Latin American prospect before the Rangers agreed to sign him.
AL West Notes: Rangers, Fuentes, Napoli, Vargas
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (video link) caught up with Josh Hamilton in Kansas City and asked him which team he'll be representing this time next year at Citi Field. "Hopefully an American League team, and hopefully back with the Rangers, that'd be nice," said the outfielder. Here's more out of the American League West..
- The Angels will look to improve their bullpen this month but they have no interest in bringing back struggling left-hander Brian Fuentes, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. Fuentes was released by the A's earlier today.
- Mike Napoli, who is in his contract year with the Rangers, says that he prefers to catch, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. “I’d rather catch than play first base,” he said. "Sometimes, at first base, I feel a little lost. I just want to make the routine play. Knock it down and flip it to the pitcher — that’s basically my mindset," Napoli explained.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times (via Twitter) is a bit suspicious that the Mariners won't be starting Jason Vargas this weekend during their homestand and are instead pushing him to Monday in Kansas City. Baker theorizes that this could be to show that the left-hander can pitch on the road for interested teams. Ben Nicholson-Smith recently examined Vargas as a trade candidate.
Justin Upton Rumors: Wednesday
The Diamondbacks are willing to listen to offers for Justin Upton, but they’re not looking for prospects. "We're still in win mode,” GM Kevin Towers told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. We’ll track the latest rumors on Upton here with the most recent updates up top.
- Olney suggests the Braves could be a fit for Upton (Twitter links). Atlanta could build a deal around third baseman/outfielder Martin Prado and pitching prospects, Olney writes. Upton would balance the Braves' lineup and provide the team with cost certainty going forward, Olney adds.
- The Diamondbacks believe they could obtain a package of perhaps three players for Upton, Piecoro writes. Towers said he’s not shopping the right fielder, but will listen in case an enticing offer emerges. “Clubs have asked; I've said, 'Hey, tell me what you would do.' We could either say yes or say no," the GM told Piecoro.
- The Rangers could make sense as a suitor for Upton, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney suggests (all Twitter links). The Diamondbacks could be interested in third base prospect Mike Olt and the Rangers could like the idea of adding outfield depth with Josh Hamilton headed toward free agency.
- Upton has no-trade protection that allows him to block deals to some big-market teams, including the Yankees, according to Olney.
AL West Notes: Athletics, Hamilton, Napoli
The Athletics see themselves as sellers rather than contenders, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reported earlier today. Meanwhile, the Rangers continue monitoring Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke in anticipation of possible trades, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Here's the latest from the AL West…
- Athletics owner Lew Wolff told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he doesn't intend to move the team anywhere but San Jose (Twitter links). "We have no interest in leaving our two-team market. Our only focus is on San Jose," he said. "We are not leaving the Bay Area and that's the end of it."
- Josh Hamilton said he’d love to stay in Texas, but noted that contract talks are on hold, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. Hamilton’s on track to hit free agency this coming offseason, when he’ll be positioned for a lucrative multiyear contract.
- Mike Napoli, who’s also in the last year of his contract with the Rangers, said he would love to stay in Texas as well, Heyman tweets. “If something doesn't get worked out it's my time to be a free agent," Napoli said.
- Mariners ace Felix Hernandez told Heyman he'd love to stay in Seattle (Twitter link). The Mariners have Hernandez under contract through 2014.
Rosenthal On Upton, Rangers, Twins, Tigers
The Diamondbacks are willing to trade Justin Upton even if they’re in contention, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Arizona GM Kevin Towers won’t make a deal unless he’s “dazzled”, Rosenthal reports. Here are Rosenthal’s latest rumors, starting with Upton:
- The Diamondbacks could pursue Major Leaguers instead of prospects for Upton if they remain in contention for a postseason berth. Upton raises some questions with his effort level and body language, according to Rosenthal, but the outfielder appears to have drawn “huge” interest from teams such as the Pirates nonetheless.
- The Rangers prefer Cole Hamels to Zack Greinke, though they continue scouting Greinke.
- Francisco Liriano has a 2.74 ERA in eight starts since returning to the Twins’ rotation, but clubs are “wary” of trading for the left-hander, Rosenthal reports. It’s doubtful that teams would part with significant prospects for Liriano, who’s thought of as a bullpen option by some teams. Matt Capps will also be available once he returns from the disabled list, according to Rosenthal.
- The Tigers are prioritizing offense over starting pitching, according to an executive that has spoken to the team. The Tigers need second base help and could also explore trades for corner outfielders, starting pitchers and relievers.
Phillies Notes: Cole Hamels, Rangers, Charlie Manuel
The Phillies concluded the first half of the season by dropping an afternoon game against the Braves by the score of 4-3. The setback marked Philadelphia's 50th loss of the season as the team currently sits in last place in the National League East with a record of 37-50. The 2011 Phillies did not lose their 50th game until September 12 as the squad went on to win 102 games in route to the division title. Let's check in on the latest news and headlines from Citizens Bank Park with the All-Star break nearly upon us…
- Cole Hamels spoke with CSNPhilly.com's Leslie Gudel about his current status with the Phillies and his future beyond this season as the trade deadline quickly approaches. Hamels said while he would be happy to sign a long-term deal with the Phillies, he's curious to explore free agency and potentially end up with a team on the West Coast like the Dodgers.
- Look for Hamels to land with the Rangers if the Phillies end up dealing the left-hander, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Olney spoke with baseball officials on Sunday who deemed Texas as the prohibitive favorites in the Hamels arms race.
- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel isn't concerned about his job security given his self-proclaimed belief that he is a winner, writes Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. "How concerned am I? I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself," said Manuel. "And I am a fighter. And not only that, I think I’m a winner."
Central Notes: Greinke, Brewers, Pirates, Tigers
Zack Greinke took the hill for the Brewers today against the Astros, but not for long. The right-hander was tossed from the game after just four pitches when he spiked the ball following a close play at first base. Milwaukee would go on to lose 6-3, but they weren't the only club disappointed by what took place. Here's more on Greinke and other items out of the AL and NL Central..
- Scouts for at least six contending teams were disappointed when Greinke was ejected, as it deprived them of seeing a pitcher of trade interest, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Scouts from the Orioles, Rangers, Braves, Diamondbacks, Giants, and Blue Jays were all in Houston for the game. However, it's possible that some of those teams had their eye on Wandy Rodriguez or were just taking part in regular coverage. Earlier tonight, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports noted that the GMs of the O's and the Brewers have yet to talk about a Greinke deal.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter) spoke with Indians and Rangers GM John Hart, who said he wouldn't be surprised if the Pirates "go all-in" to swing a deal before the deadline.
- The Tigers should go after offense rather than pitching at the trade deadline, opines Jamie Samuelsen of the Detroit Free Press. He argues that Detroit can get by with their No. 2-5 starters but are in greater need of hitting.
Rosenthal On Greinke, Hamels, Ellsbury, Victorino
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has posted his latest edition of Full Count. Let's dive in..
- As of this morning, the GMs of the Orioles and Brewers have not spoken about a trade involving Zack Greinke. But the O's, despite sending three starters to the minors this week, continue to indicate that they are buyers. Brewers pitching coach Rick Kranitz was previously in Baltimore and O's right-hander Jake Arrieta was originally a Brewers draft pick in 2005 and could be of interest as part of a package for Greinke. However, the Orioles may not want to pay a steep price for a potential free agent when they might only be playing for a wild card.
- Rival teams covet Rangers third base prospect Mike Olt and the Phillies would likely target him in any talks for Cole Hamels, but the odds of Philly landing him are slim. Texas would view Hamels as a rental and are looking at Olt at first base and right field, in addition to third. His bat will be needed next season if they lose Hamilton or Mike Napoli to free agency.
- The Red Sox face ongoing luxury tax concerns and are over the threshold by $10MM, according to a source. That could make holding on to Jacoby Ellsbury difficult after 2013 and trading him might make sense at the end of this season. Unfortunately, the free agent market will be flooded with outfielders including Josh Hamilton, Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton, and Shane Victorino. That will obviously hurt the market for the 28-year-old.
- Victorino could be a fit for the Pirates or Indians as they aggressively pursue hitters. The Pirates like Carlos Quentin but his asking price is steep. The Tribe has inquired on Corey Hart, but he is unavailable. Victorino would be a solid fit for Cleveland as he is a switch-hitter (who would join a predominantly left-handed lineup) and can play either left or center field.