Royals Inquired On Garza, Others
The Royals have inquired on pitchers they could acquire now and control through 2013, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. They’ve asked about Matt Garza of the Cubs, who earns $9.5MM this year and will remain under team control for the 2013 season.
The Royals intend to add a significant free agent starting pitcher for 2013 this coming offseason, Knobler reported one week ago. Kansas City's rotation currently includes, Bruce Chen, Luke Hochevar, Luis Mendoza, Everett Teaford and the struggling Jonathan Sanchez.
Though Royals closer Jonathan Broxton is drawing lots of trade interest, the Royals may still try to sign him for 2013 instead of making a trade, Knobler reports. Broxton earns a base salary of $4MM this year and is on track to hit free agency this coming offseason.
Quick Hits: Pena, Braves, Reds, Maier
Some late-night links as Saturday turns into Sunday…
- Prior to acquiring Paul Janish from the Reds, the Braves were talking to the Yankees about Ramiro Pena as a shortstop backup plan according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post (on Twitter). Pena is hitting .236/.287/.297 in 271 plate appearances for New York's Triple-A affiliate this season.
- The Reds thinking behind the Janish trade was to add pitching depth at Triple-A according to ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Cincinnati acquired right-hander Todd Redmond in the trade.
- The Royals have outrighted Mitch Maier to Triple-A, the team announced (on Twitter). Kansas City designated the outfielder for assignment on Independence Day. Maier, 30, hit .172/.260/.313 batting line in 74 plate appearances for the Royals on the season.
Quick Hits: Cherington, Profar, Royals, A’s, Ryan
Check out MLBTR's "Justin Upton Rumors" for the daily collection of trade buzz about the Diamondbacks outfielder. For any "Justin/Upton Rumors" in regards to the alleged Justin Verlander/Kate Upton relationship, you may need to check out our sister site, MLB Dating Rumors.
Here's the latest from around the majors as we prepare for the second half of the season…
- Red Sox GM Ben Cherington told reporters (including WEEI.com's Rob Bradford) that his team isn't going to be a trade deadline seller. "There's no such thing as taking a year off in Boston," Cherington said. "We feel like we're right in it and have as good a chance as most teams to be there at the end….We've got some ways to improve the team internally, potentially. And we've started to look at ways to improve the team externally. If we play to our capability with the guys we have here our hope is we don't have to make a lot of moves."
- Rangers prospect Jurickson Profar holds the top spot on the midseason top 50 prospects list from ESPN's Keith Law (ESPN Insider subscription required). "Profar has the ultimate mark of an elite prospect. He keeps improving even as he is challenged with better competition," Law writes.
- The Royals are looking for Major League talent in trades rather than prospects, GM Dayton Moore tells Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. “We’re at a stage in our development where we want back ready Major League players to help us," Moore said. "Three or four years ago, yeah, we’re looking for prospects….Now, we have prospects in our system. You can always use more. But we need guys who can help our Major League team.”
- From that same item, Moore said he has been given no directives by ownership to move payroll at the deadline, nor has he made any calls looking to move any of the Royals' veteran players.
- The Athletics are 2.5 games out of a wild card spot and are wondering if they should make a playoff push, reports Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News Group. "I don't think if something is within your grasp, you ignore it," said GM Billy Beane, though he added that, "We are going to have to be somewhat leery of a short-term fix if we give up players for the long term, because I do like this group." A's co-owner Lew Wolff, meanwhile, said that Beane would have payroll space to make a deadline addition if he wished.
- Twins GM Terry Ryan spoke about his drafting, scouting and player development philosophies with Fangraphs' David Laurila.
- Tom Krasovic of the Inside The Padres blog wonders why Carlos Quentin would re-sign with the Padres when he is better suited for a DH role in a less-spacious ballpark.
- The week's minor league transactions are recapped by Matt Eddy of Baseball America.
Latest On Zack Greinke
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.