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Minor Deals: Zumaya, Red Sox, Reds, Blue Jays

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Troy Patton, who was designated for assignment by the Orioles last week, cleared waivers and has been optioned to Triple-A, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Here are the rest of today’s minor moves:

  • The Tigers released Richard Zumaya, the younger brother of  Major Leaguer Joel Zumaya, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (on Twitter). The 21-year-old right-hander struggled in the lower minors in 2010 and 2011.
  • The Red Sox signed right-hander Chris Huseby, who once signed a seven-figure deal with the Cubs, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (on Twitter). The 23-year-old hasn't pitched this year but he has a 3.58 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 158 1/3 innings of pro ball.
  • The Reds acquired righty Brandon Hynick from the White Sox and the Phillies acquired Niuman Romero from the Blue Jays, according to Eddy (on Twitter). The White Sox and Blue Jays obtained cash considerations in return for their respective prospects.
  • The Reds also signed righty reliever Steven Jackson after the Dodgers released him, according to Eddy (on Twitter).
  • The Braves signed right-hander Steven Shell to provide depth at Triple-A, according to Eddy (on Twitter).

Heyman On Reyes, Rodriguez, A’s, Minaya

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We know that Mets owner Fred Wilpon doesn’t think Jose Reyes is a $142MM player, but how do other insiders see it? Jon Heyman of SI.com hears from five MLB executives who estimate Reyes will sign for somewhere between $45-108MM after the season when he hits free agency. Here’s the latest from around the majors, with a focus on Reyes’ Mets:

  • Francisco Rodriguez, who can veto trades to ten teams, told Heyman that he understands baseball is “a business” and deals happen.
  • There’s no chance the Mariners trade Felix Hernandez now that they’re playing better, according to Heyman.
  • If the White Sox make a starter available, Edwin Jackson could be the one to hit the trade market, as he’s eligible for free agency after the season. 
  • Over the weekend, MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk weighed in on what a “bad” season would mean for Albert Pujols. Heyman says Pujols will surely do well even if his off-year continues, since the Cardinals “aren't going to lower their offer of nine years and more than $200MM.”
  • Ivan Rodriguez repeated that he wants to play three more years.
  • Despite the recent controversy involving A’s manager Bob Geren and relievers Brian Fuentes and Huston Street, Heyman says the skipper “isn't going anywhere.”
  • The Indians are one of a few teams that has shown interest in former Mets and Expos GM Omar Minaya.

Alex Cintron Retires

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Infielder Alex Cintron has retired, tweets Padres Triple-A broadcaster Tim Hagerty.  Cintron had signed a minor league deal with the Padres earlier this month after a brief stint in the Nationals organization.

Cintron, 32, finishes with a .275/.313/.394 line in 2,217 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks, White Sox, Orioles, and Nationals.  He played shortstop, second base, and third base.  Cintron's best season was with the 2003 D'Backs, when he hit .317/.359/.489 with 13 home runs.  The Puerto Rico native earned over $4MM in his big league career, according to Baseball Reference.     

Chicago Notes: Montanez, Sox Rotation

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Both Chicago teams are struggling this year.  The White Sox sit at 22-27, 10 games out in the division and 4.5 back in the wild card.  The 20-25 Cubs are seven games out in their division and six out in the wild card.  Combined payrolls: about $262MM.  On to the links:

  • Outfielder Lou Montanez will have his contract purchased by the Cubs, Iowa manager Bill Dancy told Rick Brown of the Des Moines Register.  Montanez, 29, was the third overall pick for the Cubs in 2000 as a shortstop.  He became an outfielder in 2004, and after a stint with the Orioles signed a minor league deal to return to the Cubs in January.  As Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald notes, the Cubs will have to create a 40-man roster spot for Montanez, perhaps by moving Andrew Cashner or Brian Schlitter to the 60-day DL.  The team would also have to open a spot on the 25-man roster, and ESPN's Bruce Levine speculates that that could be accomplished by putting Matt Garza on the DL.
  • The White Sox will likely bump someone from their six-man rotation after the current road trip, writes Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times.  Bumping Phil Humber might create the fewest waves, since he's the only starter earning less than $5MM.  However, he has the best ERA of the group and the Sox are talking about doing what's best for the team because some starters can't pitch with eight days rest.  It'd be very interesting to see John Danks or Edwin Jackson moved to the bullpen, as Danks has a big arbitration raise coming and Jackson will be a free agent.
  • You can follow MLBTR's Cubs rumors via Facebook, Twitter, and RSS.  Check out MLBTR's Sox rumors via Facebook, Twitter, and RSS as well. 

Quick Hits: Lee, Branyan, Simon, Francona

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Happy birthday to Matt Wieters!  The Orioles catcher turned 25 today, and he celebrated with a 2-for-4 performance in Baltimore's 8-3 win over Washington.

Here's some news from around the majors….

  • The Rangers' offseason courtship of Cliff Lee is recapped by Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com.  Lee was brilliant against his former team today, holding the Rangers to just five hits and two walks over eight shutout innings in a 2-0 Philadelphia victory.
  • The Mariners don't have any room, or particular need, for Russell Branyan, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.  Branyan was released by the Diamondbacks earlier today.  
  • The Orioles activated Alfredo Simon from the restricted list a day earlier than expected and he was available to pitch today against the Nationals, reports Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Terry Francona was Jim Hendry's choice to manage the Cubs had Dusty Baker not taken the job before the 2003 season, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com.  Francona was also a finalist to manage the White Sox (along with Cito Gaston) before Ozzie Guillen was hired. 
  • Jamey Newberg of The Newberg Report looks at the Rays' cheap, effective bullpen revamp from this past offseason as an example of how the Rangers should approach improving their relief corps.

Few Waiver Claims Contributing So Far

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A number of non-tenders are adding value in the Major Leagues this year, as I showed earlier today. Waiver claims – at least so far – haven’t had close to the same success. Former top prospects such as Brandon Wood and Max Ramirez haven’t produced and neither have most of the 30-plus players who have been claimed since last season. Here’s a look at the few waiver claims who have made an impact in the Majors this year:

  • Phil Humber (White Sox, from Royals, via Athletics) – The 28-year-old former top draft pick has a 3.18 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 through 45 1/3 innings. Now a member of Chicago's six-man rotation, Humber is finally providing value in his sixth MLB season.
  • Pat Neshek (Padres, from Twins) – Neshek is back on the Padres' active roster after a quick stint in the minors. He posted a 1.86 ERA with 10 strikeouts in  9 2/3 innings earlier this year. Padres reliever Samuel Deduno (from Rockies) gets an honorable mention, though he's not on San Diego’s active roster.
  • Joe Mather (Braves, from Cardinals) – A longtime favorite of the Braves, Mather has a .747 OPS after 24 plate appearances and has appeared at three positions. With respect to Mather, his presence on this list shows how little other waiver claims have impacted MLB rosters so far in 2011.

White Sox Notes: Negron, Williams, Rotation

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On this date in 1991, the White Sox signed Magglio Ordonez as an amateur free agent. Though he's now on the Tigers' DL with right ankle weakness, Ordonez has been consistently productive these past 20 years, posting a .310/.370/.507 line in 15 MLB seasons. Here are today’s White Sox-related links…

  • The White Sox released center fielder turned left-handed pitcher Miguel Negron, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (on Twitter). The 2000 first rounder struggled through seven relief appearances at Class A, walking more than he struck out and posting a 6.23 ERA.
  • Meanwhile, White Sox GM Kenny Williams has ideas for possible moves, but isn't revealing any details just yet, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
  • Brett Ballantini of CSNChicago.com responds to Chicago's six-man rotation with some alternative ways for manager Ozzie Guillen to structure his starters' work.

AL Central Notes: Royals, McPherson, LaPorta

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Harmon Killebrew passed away today at the age of 74 after a battle with esophageal cancer, the Twins announced. MLBTR extends its condolences to the Hall of Famer's family and friends and the Twins organization. Here are today's notes on the AL Central…

  • Royals analyst Rany Jazayerli checks in on nine top Kansas City prospects, including Danny Duffy, who will be called up tomorrow. For more on Duffy's promotion, click here. 
  • Former top prospect Dallas McPherson is returning to the Majors to replace Mark Teahen on the White Sox, the team announced. The White Sox added McPherson to their 40-man roster (they still have four empty spots).
  • Joe Pawlikowski of FanGraphs asks where Matt LaPorta's power has disappeared to this month. The Indians' first baseman hasn't homered in May and has just four home runs for the season, but his batting line is a healthy .274/.354/.487 thanks to ten doubles. The centerpiece in the 2008 C.C. Sabathia trade, LaPorta could still become a useful player, according to Pawlikowski.

Transactions History: Sergio Santos

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When the Twins claimed a shortstop off of waivers on this date in 2008, they probably wouldn’t have guessed that Sergio Santos would go on to become a closer for their division rivals. Yet that’s exactly what’s happened since Minnesota claimed Santos from the Blue Jays three years ago. 

Santos, selected in the first round of the 2002 draft by the D’Backs as a shortstop, arrived in the Toronto organization late in 2005, when the Blue Jays sent Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista to the D’Backs for Troy Glaus. The Twins then claimed Santos on May 16th, 2008, before he had ever pitched in a professional game. After Santos posted a .242/.279/.374 line in the minors, the Twins let the infielder go.

Later in the offseason the White Sox signed Santos and within months, he was on the move again. The White Sox traded Santos to San Francisco late in Spring Training on the condition that the Giants would find him an everyday job in Triple-A. Unable to provide Santos with a regular role, the Giants sent him back to Chicago less than two weeks later.

Once the 2009 season began, Santos began the transition to the mound, as Yahoo's Jef Passan explained last year. The right-hander posted an 8.16 ERA through 28 2/3 innings for four different White Sox affiliates and allowed 37 hits and 20 walks, while striking out 30. 

By 2010, Santos had graduated to Chicago's 'pen. He posted a 2.96 ERA in 51 2/3 innings with 9.8 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 as a rookie. Armed with a 95 mph fastball, Santos has posted similar numbers through 19 frames this year. He has yet to allow an earned run and he has 10.4 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 as Ozzie Guillen’s most effective reliever – almost certainly not what the Twins were envisioning when they claimed the former shortstop off of waivers on this date in ’08.

Mariners Claim Jeff Gray

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The Mariners claimed Jeff Gray off of waivers from the White Sox, according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times (on Twitter). The White Sox designated the right-hander for assignment earlier in the week. Seattle has yet to announce a corresponding move.

Gray, 29, had pitched 13 1/3 innings for the White Sox this year, with 4.7 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9. He has a 4.36 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 53 2/3 career innings with the Athletics, Cubs and White Sox.

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