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Latest On Pedro Alvarez

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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a source that claims the Player’s Association will only focus on the status of Pedro Alvarez’ contract and not on the contract of Eric Hosmer. Kovacevic says the MLBPA will argue that Hosmer’s contract was only delayed so the Pirates could have more time to negotiate with Alvarez.

However, Jonathan Mayo obtained a copy of the grievance filed by the union which suggests that Alvarez’ contract will not be the sole focus (emphasis Mayo’s).

The Commissioner’s Office, without notice to the MLBPA, unilaterally determined to permit Clubs to negotiate with drafted players after the August 15, 2008 deadline, and unilaterally determined to accept agreements by Clubs after the August 15, 2008 deadline.

Mayo feels that the use of plurals in the grievance indicates the union is contesting more than one contract. Mayo says the grievance, combined with MLB not allowing Hosmer to play until this issue is resolved, suggests that this is about more than just the contract status of Alvarez.

Mayo also speculates that part of the desire to make Alvarez the top-paid draftee, may stem from Buster Posey’s decision to go with an agent other than Boras. Mayo wonders if Boras is in-part driven to prove Posey made a mistake.

Other notes…

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Latest On Hosmer, Alvarez

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5:49pm: Disappointing development for the Royals – Hosmer cannot play until the grievance is resolved.  The hearing takes place September 10th, so he won’t miss too much time.

9:08am: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provides his analysis of the Pedro Alvarez situation.  How much of this is due to the rivalry between Pirates team president Frank Coonelly and agent Scott Boras?  Is Alvarez making a mistake by letting this drag on?  Peter Gammons blames Bud Selig, Don Fehr, and Boras for this mess.

Kovacevic does not believe Alvarez will be eligible to return to college in the fall.  Independent ball would be the most likely path, if his contract with the Pirates does not stand.  Meanwhile, the Royals are trying to keep Eric Hosmer out of the crossfire.

Olivo Won’t Be Back With Royals In ’09

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According to Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star, catcher Miguel Olivo won’t be back with the Royals in 2009.  (Olivo’s exact words: "Hell no.")  Olivo’s $2.7MM option for ’09 is mutual, so he’ll decline it even if the Royals exercise it.  Olivo is upset about his lack of playing time, but he knew John Buck was part of the team when he signed.

Olivo, 30, is hitting .264/.291/.472 in 261 plate appearances.  As Mellinger points out, that ugly OBP is actually a career high.  To his credit, Olivo has hit lefties well and gunned down a healthy 37.9% of attempted thieves.  Olivo will join a poor free agent class of catchers.

Drama Over Pedro Alvarez Contract

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4:51pm: Jim Callis’ analysis is a must-read at Baseball America.  There is a legitimate chance Alvarez is treated as if he didn’t sign, and will become eligible for the ’09 draft.

2:08pm: Jonathan Mayo, Jenifer Langosch, and Kevin Goldstein dig up more details.  Turns out Hosmer turned down $5.5MM prior to the deadline, but agreed to $6MM during an MLB-approved extension.  The Nats may have had an extension for Aaron Crow as well.

THURSDAY, 8:19am: MLB and the Pirates say the grievance is without merit, while Boras says the Bucs violated MLB’s rules and need to "come clean."  Dejan Kovacevic says the sides have not yet discussed the idea of more money, dismissing the idea that Boras demanded another $200K.  An arbitrator will make a binding decision on this case on September 10th.  Most believe Alvarez will remain a Pirate with a $6MM bonus.

By the way, Royals GM Dayton Moore is not concerned about Hosmer’s contract.

WEDNESDAY, 5:07pm: MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has been digging all day on this topic.  Many questions remain, but it’s a good read.

2:27pm: Baseball America’s Jim Callis offered thoughts on the situation in a chat today.  He heard Hosmer was granted an extension by MLB, and signed a bit after the deadline.  Alvarez may have been granted one as well.  Alvarez apparently took control of the negotiations toward the end, which may be the cause for Boras’ complaint.  A similar situation happened in ’93 with A-Rod, and the grievance didn’t go anywhere.

Also, it should be noted that the Players Association filed the grievance, not Scott Boras.

2:07pm: MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch talked to a source who said Boras wants another $200K, so that Alvarez’s bonus matches Buster Posey’s.

12:57pm: Turns out Pedro Alvarez has not reported to the Pirates yet for a reason – the Players Association filed a grievance on his behalf today.  They’re saying Alvarez verbally agreed to his $6MM bonus after the midnight deadline on August 15th.  Scott Boras informed the Pirates that Alvarez will not sign the contract unless it is renegotiated at a higher number.  Royals top pick Eric Hosmer may also become tangled up in this mess, since his contract was submitted after Alvarez.

The Pirates issued a statement, showing their displeasure with Boras’ tactics but expressing confidence the grievance will be dropped.  The team also indicates disappointment with Alvarez himself, as he ultimately approved this grievance.  In a way, it seems like Boras is taking a stand in general against the idea of the midnight deadline.

Odds and Ends: Jeter, Al Reyes, Schilling, Dunn

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Let’s kick things off with a link roundup.

  • River Ave. Blues wonders about Derek Jeter’s future with the Yankees.  The Yanks don’t have to deal with it until after the 2010 season.
  • Reliever Al Reyes is now a free agent.  The 38 year-old still has a bit left in the tank.
  • Baseball America’s Jim Callis lists the draft’s best coups.
  • Curt Schilling is leaning toward retirement.  If he does come back, here is a reminder of the 12 teams he was willing to play for last year aside from the Red Sox: Indians, Tigers, Angels, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, Padres, D’Backs, Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers.
  • Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says the Rockies need to keep Todd Helton.
  • Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers’ failure to block the D’Backs’ waiver claim on Adam Dunn was a mistake.
  • Sam Mellinger explains that Eric Hosmer was smart to hold out for $6MM.

Royals Sign Kip Wells

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9:53pm: The Rocky Mountain News is reporting Wells signed with the Royals and will initially work out of the bullpen.

4:02pm: According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Royals have interest in free agent pitcher Kip Wells.  The Horacio Ramirez reclamation project worked out well for KC, so Wells is worth a look.  Wells needs better control and a solid defense behind him; his strikeout and groundball rates are solid.

Post-Draft Roundup: Hosmer, Smoak, Strasburg

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Below I’ve collected more interesting remaining links regarding the amateur draft.

  • The Royals bumped their offer from $5MM to $6MM and signed top pick Eric Hosmer. Rany Jazayerli was surprised to see Hosmer effectively get more than #1 pick Tim Beckham.  The Royals joined the Red Sox and Pirates as teams spending around $10MM on draft picks this year.
  • The Rangers resisted a Major League deal for Justin Smoak, and ultimately signed him to a $3.5MM minor league deal.  Owner Tom Hicks pined for a hard slot system.
  • The story of pitcher Chris Gruler, picked third overall by the Reds in ’02, reminds us to temper our enthusiasm for these kids.  Many will bust.
  • Tim Lincecum says Buster Posey can expect other minor leaguers to treat him differently because of the bonus he received.
  • The race is on for Stephen Strasburg, who is separating himself from the pack as the top talent in the ’09 draft.  The Mariners, Padres, and Nationals all have a shot at him, with the Nats in the "lead."  Would the Nats avoid Strasburg due to signability concerns?

Rosenthal’s Latest: Holliday, Fuentes, Kotsay

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Ken Rosenthal posted a new Full Count video this weekend.

  • Rosenthal believes the Rockies are "almost certain to trade Matt Holliday this offseason."  Should be a hot topic at the Winter Meetings in December.  Rosenthal says to watch out for smaller-revenue sleepers on Holliday like the Nationals, Royals, and Blue Jays.  Holliday, a Boras client, is set to earn $13.5MM in ’09 before he hits free agency.
  • Rockies closer Brian Fuentes has yet to hit the waiver wire, but he will soon.  Rosenthal wonders if the Dodgers would win the claim if their record is worse than Arizona’s when Fuentes hits the wire.  The Marlins, Astros, and the NL non-contenders would have to pass first.  I could see the salary-shy Dodgers passing on Fuentes, but the Phillies probably wouldn’t let him get to the Mets.  At any rate, a team would have to beat two draft picks to pry Fuentes loose in a trade.
  • Somewhat surprising new addition to our cleared waivers list – Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay.  Apparently a number of teams are interested in the resurgent Kotsay, though not enough to take on his remaining salary.
  • The Braves nearly acquired Jason Bay in July, and will be in the market for a slugging outfielder this winter.  They’ll also be looking for a quality starter, likely in the Ryan Dempster/A.J. Burnett/Jon Garland range.  Click here to browse the free agent market.

Royals Sign Melville

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FRIDAY: Sam Mellinger says the deal is done.  Mellinger has some scouts’ views of Melville on his blog.  Now the Royals can focus on their other high school draft pick, Eric Hosmer.

THURSDAY: According to Joe Lyons of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Royals are close to a deal with fourth-round pick Tim Melville.  The high school pitcher said the contract was sent to the commissioner’s office; he just has to sign it.  Typically I have only posted about first-rounders on MLBTR, but Melville is seen as a first-round talent who slipped due to financial demands (he may receive about $1.5MM).

Signing Melville will soften the blow if the Royals are unable to sign first round pick Eric Hosmer.  Hosmer is advised by Boras, so that one is expected to go down to the wire.  Sam Mellinger is getting positive vibes on a Hosmer deal, but it’s no sure thing.  Jonathan Mayo thinks it will get done.

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