Quick Hits: Manny, Youkilis, Indians, Hernandez
Manny Ramirez is a free agent after being cut loose by the Athletics and says that he wants to continue playing, but it's not clear where he might get the major league opportunity that he's seeking. The Rockies don't have any need for Manny, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Orioles GM Dan Duquette, who brought Ramirez to Boston, told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter) that he has no interest in signing him. Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers aren't interested in bringing Mannywood back to Chavez Ravine, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times tweets. Here's more from around baseball..
- Scouts from around baseball aren't terribly hot on Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, writes Cafardo. "He’s been an outstanding hitter in this league for a long time. But given some of the injuries, he’s got to show that he’s completely healthy and that he can still be the same hitter he was," a veteran scout said.
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti says that the trade market is still not clear, tweets Jordian Bastian of MLB.com. There are more buyers than sellers but the team will look at bats and arms as the market develops.
- Pitcher Livan Hernandez doesn't plan on retiring after being DFA'd by the Braves yesterday, writes Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The 37-year-old posted a 4.94 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 31 innings out of the bullpen for Atlanta.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Luke Carlin
The latest outright assignments…
- The Indians outrighted catcher Luke Carlin to Triple-A, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). The Indians designated Carlin for assignment two days ago to create roster space for newly acquired right-hander Esmil Rogers. Carlin has spent most of the season at Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a .230/.345/.311 line in 88 plate appearances.
Draft Signings: Brewers, Rockies, Red Sox, Mets
So far this year we haven’t seen as many substantial draft bonuses as in years past, Yahoo’s Jeff Passan notes (on Twitter). In the previous five drafts, 16 players obtained $6MM or more, but Byron Buxton may be the only player to sign for $6MM this year, now that the new collective bargaining agreement is in place. Here are today’s noteworthy draft signings from the second round and on…
- The Indians announced that they signed second round selection Mitch Brown. The high school right-hander obtained an over-slot bonus of $800K, MLBTR has learned. Adam Karon and Tripper Johnson of Sosnick/Cobbe Sports represent Brown, who entered the draft as the 44th-best eligible prospect, according to Baseball America.
- The Brewers signed second rounder Tyrone Taylor for $750K, Jim Callis of Baseball America reports (on Twitter). MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy had reported earlier in the week that the Brewers were nearing a deal with the athletic high school outfielder.
- The Rockies announced that they have agreed to sign 28 selections, including their top six picks and 12 of their first 14 selections (Twitter link).
- The Red Sox announced that they have signed 11 picks, including second rounder Jamie Callahan and fourth rounder Ty Buttrey. Callahan obtained a $600K bonus, according to Callis (on Twitter). Buttrey obtained an over-slot bonus of $1.3MM, Callis tweets.
- The Mets signed fourth rounder Branden Kaupe for $225K, Callis reports (Twitter link). The switch-hitting shortstop has very good speed, according to Baseball America.
Indians To Sign Tyler Naquin
The Indians agreed to sign first round pick Tyler Naquin, Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA reports (on Twitter). The Texas A&M outfielder will obtain a bonus of $1.75MM.
Naquin "was one of the best pure hitters and had one of the strongest outfield arms in this year's draft," Jim Callis of Baseball America writes. MLB recommended a $2.25MM bonus for the 15th overall selection, so the Indians save toward their draft cap with the deal.
Indians Acquire Rogers, Designate Carlin
WEDNESDAY: Cleveland sent $150K to the Rockies in exchange for Rogers, reports Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (on Twitter).
TUESDAY: The Indians acquired Esmil Rogers from the Rockies for cash considerations, the team announced. The Indians designated Luke Carlin for assignment in a related move.
The Rockies designated the 26-year-old Rogers for assignment three days ago after he posted an 8.06 ERA with 10.2 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9 in 25 2/3 innings of relief this year. He can't be optioned to the minors without being exposed to waivers.
Carlin, 31, has appeared in four games with the Indians this year. He has spent most of the season at Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a .230/.345/.311 line in 88 plate appearances. Carlin has a .706 OPS in 11 minor league seasons.
Mike Axisa contributed to this post.
Rosenthal On Phillies, Dempster, Soriano, Chavez
Phillies general partner David Montgomery told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he’s not thinking about trading away established players since opportunity still exists for his 29-33 club. “Come August or something, maybe we feel differently,” Montgomery acknowledged, noting that the team’s current goal is to re-enter the playoff picture.
Here are more rumors and notes from Rosenthal…
- Though the Cubs want to add talent, they are reluctant to start a long rebuilding process. Of all the Cubs, Ryan Dempster is most likely to be traded, according to Rosenthal. One general manager said the right-hander seems like a “classic Ned Colletti buy,” so don’t be surprised if the Dodgers show some interest in Dempster.
- Rosenthal speculates that the Indians could be a fit for Alfonso Soriano. Though the Cubs would be paying most of the outfielder’s salary in any trade, Soriano can still hit, especially against left-handers. Rival teams expect the Indians to be aggressive this summer, and they could use a right-handed bat like Soriano.
- Teams aren’t sure that Wandy Rodriguez would succeed in the American League.
- One person said there’s “no chance” the Red Sox could obtain prospects for Kevin Youkilis without paying most of his salary.
- The Reds want to add a left-handed hitter, Rosenthal reports.
- Though Eric Chavez can still play, preparing for games has become “a huge hurdle to climb physically.” The Yankees and White Sox were the only teams to show interest in the 34-year-old this past offseason, and he would have been content to retire if necessary.
- Don’t be surprised if the Giants look to acquire a reliever, Rosenthal writes.
- One executive wonders if the Orioles could trade Brian Matusz in a deal for a more established starter.
NL Central Notes: Appel, Perez, Soriano
Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia has tearing in his labrum and rotator cuff, reports Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Surgery is not recommended at this time but he will be shut down for a minimum of four weeks. Garcia signed a four-year, $27MM extension last July.
Here's the latest from the NL Central, which just lost one of its best young pitchers…
- ESPN's Jayson Stark hears that the Pirates are expected to offer eighth overall pick and Stanford right-hander Mark Appel a slot $2.9MM signing bonus and hold the line until the July 13th deadline as they sign their other picks. "I don't see how," said one executive when asked if a deal will get done between the team and the Scott Boras client.
- Indians closer Chris Perez told Andrew Wagaman of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he was excited when the Cardinals traded him "because I could go do my thing." Cleveland acquired Perez from the Cards for Mark DeRosa in June 2009.
- We know the Cubs are willing to absorb most of the $54MM left on Alfonso Soriano's contract to trade him, and ESPN's Buster Olney wonders (on Twitter) if the outfielder's recent power surge will create some interest. Soriano hit two homers last night and has 11 in his last 23 games.
Indians Claim Chris Schwinden Off Waivers
The Indians announced that they have claimed right-hander Chris Schwinden off of waivers from the Blue Jays. Schwinden has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus.
The 25-year-old spent less than a week with Toronto after being picked up off of waivers from the Mets on Saturday. Schwinden started two games for the Mets this year and nine starts for Triple-A Buffalo in which he posted a 2.59 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. The righty allowed eight runs in three innings in his lone start for Toronto's Triple-A affiliate.
Latest On Kevin Youkilis
The Dodgers, Phillies and Diamondbacks are among the teams showing early interest in Kevin Youkilis, people familiar with the situation tell Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. One Red Sox person termed talks as "very preliminary'' but others familiar with the club's thinking say that they feel the need to trade him, barring more injuries.
Red Sox people are telling others that they're looking for value in exchange for Youkilis, but it is said that they would ask for less if a team will pay the $9MM plus remaining on his contract ($12MM salary). That deal also has a $13MM option with a $1MM buyout for 2013.
Aside from the aforementioned clubs, Heyman writes that the White Sox, Angels, Brewers, Giants, Rangers, Indians, and Reds are also possible destinations for the 33-year-old. While Texas had a scout at a recent Red Sox game, Heyman notes that they are pretty set in the infield and the right-handed bat they seek is much more likely to be an outfielder.
Cubs Claim Asencio, DFA Bowden
The Cubs claimed right-hander Jairo Asencio off of waivers from the Indians, ESPN.com's Keith Law tweets. Chicago designated right-hander Michael Bowden for assignment in a corresponding move.
The Indians acquired Asencio from the Braves for cash at the end of March then designated him for assignment four days ago. The out of options reliever posted a 5.96 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 25 2/3 innings for the Indians this year. He led the International League in saves in 2009 and 2011 and posted a 1.81 ERA with 11.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 54 2/3 innings at Triple-A last year.
The Cubs acquired Bowden from the Red Sox in the April trade that sent Marlon Byrd to Boston. The 25-year-old has a 7.45 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 4.7 BB/9 in 9 2/3 innings with the Cubs since the trade.