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Quick Hits: White Sox, Diamondbacks, Mets

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It’s draft day, which means lots of coverage on MLBTR. I’ll be hosting a live chat throughout the evening, so come by and discuss the latest picks as they’re announced. MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be updating posts with each selection, so you’ll be able to see everything at a glance. Here are some non-draft links as we await the big event…

  • The White Sox are expected to target veteran bullpen help if they're in a position to add to their roster in July, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).
  • Knobler hears the Diamondbacks will call top pitching prospect Trevor Bauer up “soon” (Twitter link).
  • The Red Sox called the Diamondbacks about Joe Saunders after Arizona acquired the left-hander in 2010, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. One MLB executive can imagine a trade involving Saunders and Kevin Youkilis, though the person doubts the Diamondbacks would be interested in taking on considerable salary or parting with a significant prospect.
  • The Mets will likely make three roster moves Tuesday, when Miguel Batista, Jason Bay and Chris Young are expected to return, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports (on Twitter). The club will have to create 40-man roster space for Young.
  • The Tigers should have a better idea of what, if anything, Victor Martinez can offer in 2012 by late July, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.

Stark On Hamels, Ruiz, Scutaro, Willingham, Pirates

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Jayson Stark of ESPN.com has plenty of news in his latest edition of Rumblings & Grumblings.  Let's dive in and take a look..

  • Phillies GM Ruben Amaro says that his value assessment on Cole Hamels hasn't changed but he will have to take his other free agents into account this winter.  "But the biggest thing is all the other decisions we have to make…at third base [Placido Polanco], in center field [Shane Victorino], and at right field [Hunter Pence] and catcher [Carlos Ruiz] in two years. And we haven't solved our left-field situation, either," Amaro said.
  • Amaro says that he is high on Ruiz but will consider the club's payroll as a whole before considering a long-term deal.  The GM also pointed out his age (33) and demanding position.  The Phillies hold a $5MM club option for next year on Ruiz, which would put him on the open market  on the verge of his age-35 season.
  • The Phillies GM also seems confident that the club won't be in a position to cave before the deadline and become sellers.  For the Phillies to pull the plug and sell, he says the club would have to "fall out of contention pretty significantly."  
  • The Tigers might want to consider waiting around for the Rockies' Marco Scutaro as a solution at second base.  Clubs that have checked in with the Rockies say they're still at least a month from selling but Scutaro, Rafael Betancourt, and Jeremy Guthrie are all likely to be available when they do.
  • There's been a surprising amount of trade talk surrounding Twins outfielder Josh Willingham but teams that have kicked the tires on him have been rebuffed. 
  • The Pirates are telling other teams that they're likely to approach this deadline like they did last year's, looking to add.  They've indicated that they're likely to trade arms for bats, especially hitters they can control beyond this year. 
  • Meanwhile, potential shoppers wonder if the Pirates are willing to move enough quality to make a splash.  Pittsburgh is hinting that they'll keep James McDonald, A.J. Burnett, and probably Erik Bedard if they have a shot to win.  If that's the case, they'll instead be shopping the likes of Charlie Morton, Kevin Correia, Jeff Karstens, and prospect Rudy Owens, which won't net them the same kind of return.
  • Despite reports to the contrary, Roy Oswalt never received offers from the Phillies or Cardinals according to Amaro and a source who spoke with the Cards' brass, respectively.  While there was other interest, it seems that this was a one-team negotiation with Oswalt and the Rangers.

Tigers Not Seeking Second Base Help

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The Tigers aren't actively pursuing second base help, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). Members of the team's front office don't believe available infielders represent an upgrade over Danny Worth and Ramon Santiago. Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com notes that the game's best second basemen aren't available in trades and reports that the Tigers would like to upgrade at the position if possible (Twitter link).

Tigers second basemen — Santiago, Worth, Ryan Raburn and Brandon Inge — have combined for a .178/.253/.252 batting line so far this year. The group's .504 OPS ranks last in the American League at second base and next-to-last in MLB (the Giants rank 30th). The Tigers released Inge earlier in the season and optioned Raburn to Triple-A this week.

Tigers Not Expecting To Pursue A Starting Pitcher

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Despite inconsistent performances from Rick Porcello (5.21 ERA) and Max Scherzer (5.67), the Tigers do not expect to pursue a starting pitcher via trade this season according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Detroit likes its current rotation and has prospects Jacob Turner and Casey Crosby in the minors.

The Tigers' rotation currently owns a 3.98 ERA, which ranks as the fifth best in the American League. Rookie left-hander Drew Smyly (3.14 ERA) has settled in nicely in nine starts, and Doug Fister (3.15 ERA) recently returned from a stint on the disabled list. It's worth noting that only two other AL teams have gotten fewer innings out of their starters than Detroit (275 1/3 innings) despite Justin Verlander's streak of 53 consecutive starts of at least six innings.

Magglio Ordonez To Retire

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Magglio Ordonez - Tigers (PW)

Magglio Ordonez will announce his retirement this Sunday at Comerica Park, the site of the defining moment of his 15-year career. Ordonez, who hit a walk-off home run to end the 2006 ALCS and send the Tigers to the World Series, spent the last seven seasons of his career playing in Detroit.

Ordonez suffered a fractured ankle during last year's ALCS, his second such injury in as many seasons. The 38-year-old expressed interest in playing in 2012 and the Athletics appeared to have some interest, but he never signed a deal.

Ordonez retires with 294 home runs and a .309/.369/.502 batting line in 1848 games over the course of 15 seasons with the White Sox and Tigers. The six-time All-Star won the 2007 American League batting title and three Silver Slugger awards. Ordonez, a longtime Scott Boras client, earned more than $133MM in his career, according to Baseball-Reference.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

2013 Contract Issues: Detroit Tigers

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The Tigers are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:

Eligible For Free Agency (3)

  • Delmon Young - Young hasn't done himself many favors at the plate (.669 OPS) or off the field this season. Victor Martinez will return as the Tigers' designated hitter by 2013 and it won't be surprising if Martinez's return eases Young out of Detroit.
  • Jose Valverde – Last year's streak of successful save conversions shouldn't obstruct the fact that Valverde’s in decline. It’s not that his past contributions have already been forgotten or that he won't be a useful reliever in 2013, but a commitment of more than $5MM would be an overpay given the unpredictability of relief pitchers and the right-hander’s peripheral stats.
  • Gerald Laird - Laird, 32, continues to contribute as a backup catcher. Perhaps another one-year deal in the $1-2MM range will work for both sides. None of the Tigers' three free agents should expect qualifying offers next winter.

Contract Options (2)

  • Octavio Dotel: $3.5MM club option with a $500K buyout. Manager Jim Leyland is limiting Dotel's exposure to left-handed hitters and the 38-year-old is pitching well. At a net cost of $3MM, Dotel could be retained as the team's right-on-right specialist.
  • Jhonny Peralta: $6MM club option with a $500K buyout. Even if Peralta doesn't hit the way he did in 2011, the team figures to exercise this option at the end of the season. He has more power and better on-base skills than the average shortstop and remains serviceable on defense, according to The Fielding Bible Volume III. A net commitment of $5.5MM for the shortstop's age-31 season seems like a good deal for the Tigers.

Arbitration Eligible (9)

The Tigers' next arbitration class includes three fifths of the team's starting rotation and much of its outfield. Retaining these players will cost a whole lot, likely more than $20MM. GM Dave Dombrowski has hinted that the team will consider extensions for some players after the season. Avila's on track for a raise to the $3MM range, and Jackson's 2013 salary could also approach $3MM. Fister could have 600 career innings by the time the season ends, so he'll be among the game's best-compensated first time eligible pitchers. Raburn has been a major disappointment at the plate this year, so a non-tender isn't out of the question.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The Tigers have committed just over $87MM to next year's team, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. Owner Mike Ilitch has regularly spent more than $100MM on his team and payroll rose to $133MM for 2012 following last offseason's Prince Fielder signing. Dombrowski should have some flexibility next offseason, though his major pieces are already in place.

Tigers Designate Collin Balester For Assignment

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WEDNESDAY: Balester has been designated for assignment and Berry has been called up, the team announced (on Twitter).

TUESDAY: The Tigers will designate Collin Balester for assignment tomorrow according to Brian Britten, the team's director of media relations (on Twitter). The move will clear a roster spot for Quintin Berry.

Balester, 25, pitched to a 6.50 ERA with nearly as many walks (11) as strikeouts (12) in 18 innings this season. Detroit acquired him from the Nationals for Ryan Perry this offseason. Balester is out of options and needs to clear waivers before he can go to Triple-A.

Oswalt Worked Out For Phillies, Red Sox

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8:14pm: Scott Miller of CBSSports.com hears that Oswalt already has several "very nice offers" on the table, though it's unclear which teams presented them.

3:53pm: The Angels haven't had anyone watch Oswalt throw near his Mississippi home recently, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com tweets.

11:48am: Rosenthal reports (on Twitter) that neither the Yankees or Tigers are in the mix for Oswalt at this time. The righty intends to sign soon, possibly within the week, and pitch in MLB by mid or late June, Rosenthal tweets.

11:19am: The Phillies and Red Sox occupy last place in their respective divisions, but both teams are eyeing midseason reinforcements. Free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt threw a bullpen session for the Phillies last week and worked out for the Red Sox this week, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (all Twitter links).

Oswalt is also throwing for two unknown teams, Rosenthal reports. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears from someone who expects Oswalt to return within a month (Twitter link).

The Phillies, winners of five consecutive games, are familiar to Oswalt, who pitched for Philadelphia in 2010 and 2011. The Red Sox, who have won six of their last seven games, expressed interest in Oswalt last offseason after the Phillies declined his 2012 option. The 34-year-old appeared to be in good shape during his workouts but was not yet in midseason form, Rosenthal reports. Bob Garber of Select Sports Group represents Oswalt.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Olney On Tigers, Cardinals, Oswalt

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MLB executives are looking ahead to the summer trade deadline and, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, there’s an expectation that certain teams will be particularly aggressive in trade talks this July. Here are the details…

  • Executives expect the Tigers, Dodgers and Cardinals to be among the most aggressive teams this summer. As one person pointed out, the Tigers figure to be aggressive after committing $214MM to Prince Fielder. Detroit could use pitching help or could consider trading for a second baseman or left fielder.
  • Rival GMs say the Cardinals will be active when a need emerges.
  • Some people with the Phillies expected Roy Oswalt to eventually find his way back to Philadelphia, Olney tweets. The Phillies placed Vance Worley on the disabled list today, which could create an opening for Oswalt. However, the Phillies haven’t determined whether to be buyers or sellers this summer.
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