Odds And Ends: International Signings, Lo Duca, Ichiro, ChiSox
Here’s a list of loose links (sink ships) from today:
- The A’s officially inked Michel Inoa for $4.25MM.
- Corey Brock of MLB.com has a piece on the Padres’ international signings. More here from the man himself, Paul DePodesta.
- The Marlins are still looking for a catcher, and one of their former guys might be available. That would be Paul Lo Duca. With the Nats out of it, could they swap Lo Duca within the division? And would they assume part of Lo Duca’s remaining salary? Keep in mind that MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro said yesterday that the Marlins were "not serious" about Lo Duca.
- Ozzie Guillen is completely content with the current White Sox team. Other than an underperforming and injured Paul Konerko, they’re looking solid.
- Sam Mellinger goes over the Royals trade options. It’s full of the usual suspects: Mark Grundielanek and Ron Mahay. He also mentions Esteban German, who in the past might have intrigued teams as a solid utility player, but who has dropped off considerably in 2008.
- The best way to rebuild the Mariners? Trade Ichiro, says Scott Miller.
White Sox May Trade Juan Uribe
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Juan Uribe trade talks are rumored to be heating up. Kenny Williams may be trying to finish a deal before Paul Konerko returns from the disabled list. Manager Ozzie Guillen talked about finding "the best opportunity" for Uribe, so it’s no secret the Sox are trying to make a trade.
Uribe, 29, is hitting .215/.269/.341 in 147 plate appearances as a utility infielder this year. He’s making $4.5MM, so that’ll be an issue.
The Orioles seem the most likely suitor, unless they complete a deal for Felipe Lopez. The Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales says the Orioles had a scout in attendance for yesterday’s White Sox-Indians game (Uribe did not play).
Gammons’ Latest: Murton, Nady, Wilder
Rumory goodness from Peter Gammons’ latest blog post, aside from the Sabathia and Cubs stuff.
- The Rays are focused on a right-handed hitter. Matt Murton and Xavier Nady are on the radar.
- As you know, the White Sox fired scouting director Dave Wilder and two scouts for violations of the team’s scouting and signing procedures in Latin America. At the time, the Chicago Tribune said the investigation involved skimming and was limited to the Sox. However, Gammons says Wilder is telling investigators about other teams.
- Gammons agrees with Scott Merkin of MLB.com – the White Sox will not be active in the trade market.
Odds and Ends: White Sox, Mackowiak, Garcia, Rays
A gathering of Sunday afternoon links…
- From the What Might’ve Been File – Phil Rogers reminds us that the White Sox offered more than the Cubs did for Kosuke Fukudome.
- The White Sox seem content with the current roster.
- River Ave. Blues doesn’t expect Brian Cashman and the Yankees to pursue an impact player at the trade deadline.
- The Reds signed Rob Mackowiak to a minor league deal.
- Free agent Freddy Garcia is looking to sign before the trade deadline. Garcia says he feels like he has a new shoulder.
- For the first time in their history, the Rays will consider trading for rentals.
Odds And Ends: Brewers, White Sox, Astros, Harden
A few minor notes from around the MLBiverse…
- Jon Heyman came up with a list of 19 pitchers that could be made available prior to the trade deadline. He also presents a list of 12 candidates that the Mariners may consider for their vacant GM position.
- The Brewers’ assistant GM indicated the team would like to add a starting pitcher to give the pitching staff more depth.
- Ken Williams says that he is happy with the White Sox’ roster and has not assigned scouts to specific players on other teams that could be available.
- Richard Justice says that the Astros will not ship off veterans before the trade deadline, but also notes that they might not be able to even if they wanted to be active sellers.
- Rich Harden struck out 11 in eight shutout innings in front of a number of scouts two nights ago. Also at this link, Joe Blanton and Chad Gaudin have heard trade rumors about themselves. Gaudin is "convinced that he’s going to be traded."
- Derek Jeter vouched for Shawn Chacon‘s character.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex and can be reached here. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.
Thome’s ’09 Option
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times discusses Jim Thome‘s ’09 option. Cowley says Thome needs 392 more plate appearances this year for the $13MM salary to vest. The White Sox can choose a $3MM buyout if it does not vest.
However, both Cot’s Baseball Contracts and the Chicago Tribune indicate that Thome’s ’09 option vests if he tallies 564 PAs this year. He already has 274, so he needs 292 more. He should be able to pull it off if he starts 75 more games. The White Sox have 85 games left. Today’s game is the last in an NL park, so Thome can go back to DHing regularly. This option will go right down to the wire.
Thome may be back regardless, according to the Tribune in February. The White Sox have been getting a half price deal on his contract; the Phillies paid them $22MM.
Odds And Ends: Beckham, Rangers, Peterson, Drew
A few more minor notes from the MLBiverse…
- Marc Lancaster is reporting that Tim Beckham, the top pick of the Rule 4 draft, will be visiting Tropicana Field at the end of the week and his father believes that a deal will be in place by the end of the weekend. The rest of the first rounders could sign quickly once Beckham and the Rays set the benchmark.
- Jamey Newberg wonders if the Rangers will have a hard time making trades because their farm system is so deep. The Rays might have the same problem.
- Jeff Passan names his All-Overpaid and All-Underpaid teams.
- Could Rick Peterson reunite with Barry Zito in San Francisco?
- Dave Cameron says J.D. Drew was worth the money.
- A reader emailed in saying he saw Mets scout Jerry Krause at the White Sox-Pirates game. Krause might be the game’s most publicly recognizable scout.
Odds And Ends: Lo Duca, Cabrera, Nady, Bay
A few more minor notes from the MLBiverse…
- Jay Gibbons joins the Long Island Ducks.
- The Giants may have to trade for a long-reliever. Bruce Bochy admits that his team is without a long-reliever and will work to find extra innings from his middle relievers.
- With Paul Lo Duca coming off the DL, the Nationals will now have three catchers. Chico Harlan feels the Nats will hope that Lo Duca plays well in his return to increase his trade value.
- Nick Cafardo believes that the White Sox will let Orlando Cabrera walk at the end of the season as a free agent, feeling that their double-play combination of the future is in the system and not far away.
- Bob Smizik doesn’t see the Pirates landing any top prospects for Xavier Nady or Jason Bay, should they be dealt.
Loaiza Not Released
5:09pm: Loaiza will remain with the Sox for now, but he’s headed to the DL.
8:45am: According to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, the White Sox will release Esteban Loaiza prior to today’s game.
It was a short-lived experiment; only three innings. The Sun-Times may have the reasoning behind it in today’s article. Joe Cowley says Loaiza hadn’t been working out or throwing before the Sox signed him, which may be one of the reasons he can barely crack 80 mph.
Stark’s Latest: Holliday, Lofton, Hudson, Greinke
Time to delve into Jayson Stark’s latest column for ESPN.
- The Rockies are 9.5 games out, and if they slip further over the next month they may trade Matt Holliday or Garrett Atkins (not both). If so, they’d be flexible on the number and ages of the players they’d want in return. Aaron Cook will not be traded.
- Stark talked to one team official who speculated the Pirates could keep their outfield intact in the name of a run at .500. Presumably they’d be doing this for the fans, but diehards would probably prefer a sweet bounty of young players and a better ’09 draft pick.
- As we’ve discussed here, the Mariners don’t have much to trade. Raul Ibanez has decent value, but Erik Bedard will probably stay put unless a new GM is installed.
- The White Sox "made the most serious run yet" at Kenny Lofton, but he they balked at his $2.5-3MM asking price. Kenny…c’mon. We want to see you in baseball this year.
- Orlando Hudson might’ve signed below-market to play in New York, but the Mets signed Luis Castillo through 2011. How about the other New York team, in the event of a Robinson Cano trade?
- One AL exec believes the Royals would be best served to trade Zack Greinke now, and get an influx of even younger talent.