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Latest On Zack Greinke

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Despite the constant stream of rumors surrounding Brewers right-hander Zack Greinke, General Manager Doug Melvin still sounds like he wants to see how the team fares early in the second half before making deals, writes Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel.  Haudricourt writes that moving their other upcoming free agents, however, won't be an easy task.  Randy Wolf and Francisco Rodriguez haven't done much to boost their trade value while Shaun Marcum is on the disabled list with an elbow issue.

Meanwhile, the Royals haven't ruled out bringing Greinke back if he hits the open market after the season, a person familiar with the team's thinking told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  The odds of a reunion aren't terribly strong though as Greinke is looking for a chance to win right away.

Royals To Seek Pitching Next Offseason

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The Royals are determined to sign a significant free agent starting pitcher for 2013 this coming offseason, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. After a difficult first half that included a number of serious injuries, the Royals' rotation ranks 28th in baseball with a 5.16 ERA. 

A Royals person told Knobler the team won’t settle for back-of-the-rotation types. "Not a fifth starter, but a real starting pitcher," the person said. Knobler suggests Missouri native Shaun Marcum could be a fit given the Royals’ past interest in the right-hander.

The Royals rotation currently consists of Bruce Chen, Luke Hochevar, Luis Mendoza, Jonathan Sanchez and Everett Teaford. With the exception of Sanchez, the entire rotation is under control through 2013 or beyond. Royals pitchers Felipe Paulino, Danny Duffy, Blake Wood and Joakim Soria all had their seasons cut short to undergo Tommy John surgery this year.

Former Royals ace Zack Greinke headlines a class of free agent starting pitchers that figures to include Cole Hamels, Anibal Sanchez, Edwin Jackson, Ryan Dempster, Hiroki Kuroda and Marcum.

Royals Sign Two Venezuelan Pitchers

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The Royals have signed a pair of Venezuelan 16-year-olds, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America — right-hander Julio Pinto and left-hander Junior Reyes.

Pinto received a $375K bonus and is described by Badler as a "projection arm" who throws his fastball between 88-92 mph and also mixes in a curveball and changeup. Pinto's trainer, Luis Blasini, also worked with third baseman and recent Royals signee Samir Duenez.

The 5'11", 165-pound Reyes received a $155K bonus and has drawn praise for his pitchability and command of an 87-89 mph fastball.

Minor Moves: Blue Jays, Ryan Eigsti

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The latest minor moves from around MLB…

  • The Blue Jays signed right-hander Chris Jakubauskas, according to the team's website. Jakubauskas, 33, appeared in 33 games for the 2011 Orioles, posting a 5.72 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 72 1/3 innings.
  • Right-hander David Pauley elected free agency last week, according to the Blue Jays' site. The Blue Jays removed Pauley from their roster seven days ago after he made five appearances for the team.
  • The Royals released catcher Ryan Eigsti from Triple-AA Omaha, Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports (on Twitter). Eigsti, 26, appeared in 11 games for the Royals' top affiliate this year. He has a .213/.310/.322 batting line in parts of six minor league seasons.

Knobler On Tigers, Hamels, Upton, Royals

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Rival executives are divided on what the Tigers need to acquire for the second half of the season, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Some say the Tigers need a pitcher, others say they should acquire a second baseman and others believe they don’t need to make a major addition. Here are more of Knobler’s notes, starting with the Tigers:

  • Detroit has shown some interest in Matt Garza, but Tigers people suggest a deal is fairly unlikely, according to Knobler. The Tigers don’t seem enthused about the possibility of trading for Marco Scutaro, though they’ve shown some interest in him.
  • The Phillies have identified about four teams that would be a fit for Cole Hamels and they’re saying they'd want players who are close to contributing in the Major Leagues. However, the Phillies aren’t ready to deal the left-hander yet.
  • Scouts believe the Diamondbacks are serious about listening to offers for Justin Upton.
  • The Royals had been considering the possibility of becoming midseason buyers this year. They don’t intend to give Jonathan Broxton or other players away because they “badly want” to win games in the second half, Knobler writes.
  • The 43-43 Athletics see themselves as sellers, rather than contenders, Knobler reports. A’s people are hoping Brandon McCarthy pitches well and increases his trade value when he returns from the disabled list.
  • Scouts are unimpressed by Cubs pitching prospect Gerardo Concepcion, Knobler notes.

Royals Claim Adam Moore On Waivers

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The Royals have claimed Adam Moore on waivers, a source tells Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via Twitter).  The catcher was designated for assignment by the Mariners last week in order to make room for pitcher Josh Kinney on the 40-man roster.

Moore, 28, recently underwent his second surgery in two years to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee.  The catcher has a slashline of of .209/.247/.372 in 24 games for Triple-A Tacoma this season and did not appear in any games for the M's.  Yesterday, agent Mike McCann insisted to Crasnick that his client is healthy.

Morosi On Nationals, Broxton, Scutaro

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The Nationals are willing to boost payroll midseason if the right opportunity emerges, principal owner Mark Lerner told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. “We’ve never let dollars get in the way of us making decisions that will help this organization,” Lerner said. “That will always be our philosophy.” Here’s more from Morosi, starting in Washington: 

  • Lerner said the Nationals “don’t want to get somebody who’s a rental player,” Morosi reports. The Nationals have a club-record payroll in the $90MM range for 2012.
  • The Royals are now asking for a Major League piece in return for Jonathan Broxton, Morosi tweets. The Royals are open to moving Broxton, Morosi and Ken Rosenthal reported last night. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 1.99 ERA with 6.5 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 and 21 saves this year.
  • Marco Scutaro is available, but the Rockies’ asking price remains high, Morosi tweets. Scutaro would prefer to stay in Colorado, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reported today.

Royals Open To Moving Jonathan Broxton

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The Royals have indicated to other teams that they are willing to trade closer Jonathan Broxton, reports Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. They list the bullpen-challenged Mets as one potential suitor.

Broxton, 28, is owed approximately $2MM for the rest of the season and will become a free agent this winter. The burly right-hander has pitched to a 2.05 ERA with 20 saves in 23 chances, though his strikeout rate (6.8 K/9) is way down compared to his glory years with the Dodgers. Broxton took over as closer after Tommy John surgery shelved Joakim Soria.

Royals To Release Humberto Quintero

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The Royals announced that they have requested unconditional release waivers on catcher Humberto Quintero (Twitter link). Kansas City designated Quintero for assignment on June 27th.

The Royals acquired Quintero and Jason Bourgeois from Houston for Kevin Chapman and minor league outfielder D'Andre Toney back in March. The backstop posted a .232/.257/.341 line in 144 plate appearances for the Royals before being removed from the roster. Once Quintero clears release waivers, teams will be able to sign him for a pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum salary.

International Signings: Royals, Rockies

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MLB teams have been signing top international prospects since Monday, when a new class of players became available. Here are the latest signings from around MLB…

  • The Royals signed Venezuelan third baseman Samir Duenez for $425K, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. The 16-year-old bats left-handed and has projectable power, Badler writes.
  • The Rockies signed Venezuelan left-hander Luis Guzman, Badler reports. The 16-year-old is a strike-thrower with a feel for secondary stuff, Badler adds.
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