Odds And Ends: Lee, Carroll, Bradley
Because today's acquisition could be tomorrow's trade bait…
- MLB.com's Todd Zolecki talks to Cliff Lee about his right to demand a trade after the season, as someone traded mid-year during a multi-year contract. Lee says he's focused on 2009. "I'm not even worried about that at all," Lee told Zolecki. "I've given zero thought to it. I'm worried about my next outing against Atlanta [on Saturday]. I really haven't put any thought into that at all." The Phillies hold a $9MM option on Lee for 2010. Also working against Lee demanding a trade: his new team would own his rights for three seasons, meaning Lee couldn't become a free agent until after the 2012 season.
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer believes Jamey Carroll would be an attractive utility target for contending teams. Hoynes writes, "He's hitting .318 (27-for-85) in his past 24 games and .290 (65-for-224) overall with seven doubles, two triples, two homers, 20 RBI and 42 runs. He's played second base, third base, left field and right field."
- Chicago Tribune columnist Phil Rogers advises the Cubs that they have only one choice with struggling outfielder Milton Bradley: release him. Says Rogers, "As of Wednesday, when Bradley declared he roots for nine-inning games because he can't wait to get home, Hendry no longer can cross his fingers and hope Bradley becomes the player he pictured he would be in right field at Wrigley Field. He has to do something to get him off the roster, the sooner the better."
Crasnick On Sheffield, Smoltz, Giambi, Pedro
ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick presents some of the players, managers and executives who can start earning next year's job by finishing the season strong:
- Gary Sheffield is hitting well, but in the words of one NL official, "he has some explaining to do" if he wants a job next year after last week's drama.
- Barring a September collapse, Jerry Manuel seems likely to return next year.
- John Smoltz is "definitely interested" in pitching next year, according to his agent.
- Jason Giambi can prolong his career if he plays well for the Rockies this month.
- One NL exec believes Pedro Martinez can still contribute.
- Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi says he knows some people want him out of Toronto. However, Crasnick believes the GM has a strong relationship with team president Paul Beeston. Once Beeston hands authority over to a new president, Ricciardi could lose his job.
- Crasnick says managers Eric Wedge (Indians), Jim Riggleman (Nationals), Dave Trembley (Orioles) and Cecil Cooper (Astros) don't have much job security.
Odds & Ends: Cardinals, Perez, Pedro
A few items to peruse as the Red Sox and Yankees grind it out on Sunday Night Baseball…
- Matthew Pouliot of NBCSports.com continues his "Restoring the Rosters" series with a look at the Cardinals. "Producing the game's best player and one of the top five pitchers only goes so far," writes Pouliot. "The Cardinals' lack of pitching depth leaves them right in the middle of these rankings."
- As Dennis Manoloff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, reliever Chris Perez has now thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings out of the Tribe's bullpen. He was acquired from the Cardinals in early July (along with Jess Todd) for third baseman Mark DeRosa, who is batting .234/.303/.445 with eight home runs and 15 RBI in 128 at-bats for St. Louis.
- Pedro Martinez allowed four earned runs over six innings Sunday in his return to Flushing, New York, but escaped with his second victory in three starts with the Phillies. Interestingly, he was given a standing ovation when he first took the mound. “The ovation, that’s exactly the response I expected because of the mutual bond I have here,” Martinez said. “I respect them and I love them." (Quote courtesy of the Associated Press).
Olney’s Latest: Jamey Carroll
Earlier this month, MLBTR listed Jamey Carroll as a potential August trade candidate. Today, Buster Olney wonders why a contender hasn't pried the utility infielder away from the Cleveland Indians. He's owed $600,000 for the rest of the season and stands to become a free agent. Olney writes,
"The utility infielder is hitting .298 with a .386 on-base percentage, but he has done much of his damage at the plate since the All-Star break: He's batting .348 with an .875 OPS in the second half, and he has been crushing lefties, against whom he has a .484 on-base percentage."
Rosenthal On Trembley, Yankees, Wagner
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes the Orioles should stick with manager Dave Trembley next year because his teams haven't quit; they've just been overmatched. Rosenthal says it looks like Trembley's "a goner." Here are the rest of the rumors:
- Rosenthal says Jim Riggleman and even Bobby Cox are among the managers with uncertain futures.
- The Yankees inquired on Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang, but lost interest when the Reds refused to send money along.
- The Yankees are looking for starting pitching, but aren't likely to add anyone before rosters expand at the beginning of September.
- Billy Wagner could be a trade target, but the Mets would have to be prepared to take on salary in any deal.
- Rosenthal says Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, Luis Valbuena, Carlos Santana and others should give the Indians strength up the middle for years.
Indians Sign Alex White
The Indians signed 15th overall pick Alex White for $2.25MM, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Slot: $1.557MM. Click here for MLB.com's scouting report on the UNC righty.
Indians, White At A ‘Standstill’
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports that negotiations between the Indians and first round pick Alex White have "remained at a standstill as of 5 p.m."
"It wouldn't do me any good to say [how the negotiations are progressing]," amateur scouting director Brad Grant said. "We have about eight hours left. One way or another, we'll know by then."
Castrovince mentions that White is believed to be seeking a signing bonus north of $2MM. Drafted 15th overall, MLB's recommended bonus is approximately.$1.557MM.
White Sox Acquire Cannizaro From Indians
The White Sox acquired Andy Cannizaro from the Indians for cash, according to CBS Sports. The 30-year-old infielder was assigned to Triple A, where the Indians had him and where he`s played most of his pro career. He had a .698 OPS in the Indians organization this year, but hasn`t played at all in the majors. Cannizaro has ten MLB plate appearances, most recently with the Rays last year.
Odds & Ends: Draft, Moyer, Cubs
Links for Thursday…
- RotoAuthority looks at the worst closers in baseball.
- Indians first-round draft pick Alex White is "seeking top five money," according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hoynes says the Indians are optimistic about signing him before Monday's deadline.
- As you might expect, Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says the Stephen Strasburg talks between the Nationals and Scott Boras will go down to the wire. MLBTR will be covering the signing deadline intensely, as we did last year.
- Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer has a source saying the Phillies' bullpen demotion of Jamie Moyer was "not in any way influenced by money." The team's timing of the move was impeccable, regardless.
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who isn't anticipating any waiver moves for his team.
- ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider link) speculates on a handful of teams that could use recently-designated third baseman Bill Hall.
- Reliever Justin Speier was gracious about his release from the Angels, according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times.
Rays Lose Two Pitchers On Waivers
Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune reports that the Rays lost two pitchers on waivers. The Indians claimed R.J. Swindle and the Pirates claimed John Meloan.