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Morosi On Reds, Berkman, Blue Jays

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The Reds have signed Russ Springer and they're close to adding Jason Isringhausen, but that doesn't mean GM Walt Jocketty is content with his team's bullpen. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports has the details on the Reds, plus other notes from around the majors:

  • The Reds have been looking for late-inning relievers aggressively, since they don’t want to tire out Francisco Cordero, Arthur Rhodes and Nick Masset.
  • The Angels are not interested in taking on Lance Berkman’s contract, at this point (Twitter link). Berkman, 34, has a .799 OPS and about $5.8MM remaining on his salary this year. That's not it though – there's also a $2MM buyout for next year's $15MM option.
  • The Tigers, Twins, Phillies, Yankees, and Rockies were checking out the Blue Jays’ relievers and bats this week in Kansas City (Twitter link).

Angels Discussed Cantu, LaRoche

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Jorge Cantu and Adam LaRoche are among the names the Angels have discussed, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Those veteran rentals could help the Halos at first base, but changing leagues is said to be a big factor for the Angels.  Alberto Callaspo wouldn't be making the change; Rosenthal says the Royals infielder is on the Angels' short list.  Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles first reported that target yesterday afternoon.

Regarding the first base situation, the Angels are said to prefer a rental player since Kendry Morales will be back next year.  Aside from Cantu and LaRoche, the market features Lance Berkman, Derrek Lee, Xavier Nady, Lyle Overbay, and others.  Despite the name value, keep in mind that many of these first basemen are having lackluster seasons. 

Angels Focused On Alberto Callaspo

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The Angels don’t have the resources to trade for a big-name slugger, so they have turned their attention to Alberto Callaspo. GM Tony Reagins is targeting the former Angels minor leaguer, according to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Saxon reports that the Angels “are believed to have offered” Sean O'Sullivan and a fringe prospect for Callaspo, only to have Royals GM Dayton Moore turn the offer down. Callaspo, 27, has a .276/.310/.413 line this season and could play second or (more likely) third for the Angels.

Reagins considered pursuing Adam Dunn, but backed off when he realized that other teams only have “marginal interest” in the pitchers the Angels have in the upper minors. Top prospect Mike Trout is not going anywhere, though teams do have interest in him.

Angels Designate Paul McAnulty For Assignment

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The Angels have designated Paul McAnulty for assignment, tweets Larry Stone of The Seattle Times. The move clears a roster spot for Maicer Izturis, who was activated off the disabled list following a month-long hiatus due to a forearm issue.

McAnulty, 29, hit just .136/.174/.273 in 23 plate appearances for the Angels, his first big league action since 2008. He certainly impressed in the minors this year, posting a .344/.412/.610 batting line in 294 plate appearances split between Double-A and Triple-A.

Mike Trout Unlikely To Be Traded

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Angels prospect Mike Trout reached base in all four of his at-bats at this year's All-Star Futures Game, twice on hits, and twice after "forcing errors on sharply struck grounders," to quote MLB.com's Lyle Spencer.  It was yet another impressive performance for the 18-year-old Trout, and one that reiterates his value to the Los Angeles organization.  This is why Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that any potential deal of Trout for a proven major leaguer seems highly unlikely.

It shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise that the Halos are hesitant to deal their first-round pick (25th overall) from the 2009 amateur draft.  After all, Trout has a .358/.440/.509 line in 579 plate appearances for the Angels' rookie ball and single-A affiliates, plus 58 steals in 69 attempts and a good center field glove.  Baseball America's John Manuel ranks Trout second amongst all minor leaguers on BA's list of the top 25 midseason prospects. 

So while holding onto Trout bodes well for LAA's future, it might also curb their ability to acquire a big hitter at this season's trade deadline.  Players like Prince Fielder or Adam Dunn who have been rumored to be on the Angels' radar could almost certainly be had for a trade package that included Trout.  But since Trout seems to be untouchable, Los Angeles probably doesn't have the necessary minor league talent to attract a superstar big bat.  Hank Conger and Peter Bourjos were both ranked on BA's preseason top 100 prospects list, and Luis Jimenez also played well in the Futures Game, but overall, the Angels' system lacks depth.  The 2010 Baseball America Handbook ranked the Angels' minor-league system as 25th among all major league teams, the same spot that they finished in the 2009 ranking.

Dealing prospects at this point would only serve to weaken an already-thin system, so as we approach the deadline, it's most likely that we see the Angels make a "plan B" style move for some bench help.  For example, Hank Blalock's name has already been mentioned in connection with the Halos, and Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles speculates that Russell Branyan could be made available now that Seattle has Justin Smoak at first base.

Odds & Ends: Dunn, Beltre, Lee, Sabathia

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Links for Tuesday, as we wait for David Price to throw the first pitch of the All-Star Game to Hanley Ramirez…

Rosenthal On Marlins, Crawford, Dodgers

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Good stuff from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports; let's get into it…

  • The Marlins have made Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross available, but are currently holding off on Dan Uggla and Ricky Nolasco.  Rosenthal finds Cantu to be a fine fit for the Rockies, although it might leave Melvin Mora without much of a role.  President Larry Beinfest said yesterday that the Marlins will be active one way or another, but their moves will not be financially motivated.  I'll still note that Cantu, a free agent after the season, has $2.74MM left on his contract.  He's just below Type B status at the moment.  Ross has $2.03MM left on his contract this year and is under team control through 2011.
  • Unlike nearby teams such as the Giants and Padres, the Angels prefer a rental player if they are to acquire a first baseman.  One reason is that Kendry Morales will be back next year, and the other is that the Halos "intend to pursue Carl Crawford as a free agent."  A blockbuster signing of that nature would push Bobby Abreu to the DH spot.
  • The Dodgers would like to add a reliever and a starter, though they may look internally at Kenley Jansen for the 'pen.

Minor League Transactions: Meyer, Colome

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The latest minor league transactions from Baseball America's Matt Eddy…

  • The Astros released second baseman Drew Meyer, who was then signed by the Angels.  Meyer has already racked up 39 plate appearances for the Salt Lake Bees.
  • The Dodgers released reliever Jesus Colome.  They'd signed him on June 24th, but he made only three appearances for the Isotopes before being let go.
  • Other familiar names were cut, including Brian Buscher (Indians), Ruddy Lugo (Tigers), and Mike Koplove (Mariners).  The Red Sox signed Argenis Reyes, who had been playing independent league ball.  

Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Dunn, Oswalt, Haren

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In his latest Full Count video at FOX Sports, Ken Rosenthal looks at possible next moves for the Angels, Yankees, Mets, and White Sox. Let's check out the highlights….

  • The Angels are expected to respond in some form to the Rangers' acquisition of Cliff Lee, with a corner infield bat still their top priority. While Rosenthal agrees that the Halos would like a third baseman who's under team control past this season, he thinks they could look at a rental for first base, since Kendry Morales will be back next spring.
  • Besides Adam Dunn, Rosenthal names Jose Bautista, Adam LaRoche, Ty Wigginton, and Jorge Cantu as potential fits for the Angels, suggesting Bautista makes the most sense. Rosenthal also speculates that, if their respective teams made them available, Mark Reynolds and Casey McGehee would intrigue the defending AL West champs.
  • Lee was the only starting pitcher the Yankees really coveted, so don't expect them to pursue players like Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren now that they missed out on the left-hander.
  • Rosenthal expresses skepticism that Oswalt or Haren will get dealt at all. Houston doesn't appear willing to take on enough of their ace's contract, while the D'Backs would need to be "blown away" to trade Haren.
  • The Mets' search for pitching has them looking at Jake Westbrook and a handful of other arms. Rosenthal notes that the team has had interest in Octavio Dotel as a free agent in the past, and that some members of the Mets' organization are "wary" of Ted Lilly.
  • The White Sox made a run at Cliff Lee, but never got close to landing him. Although a left-handed bat remains their biggest need, there aren't many on the market who appeal to them besides Dunn, whose price tag is "exorbitant." They might settle for acquiring a right-handed hitter, and could also pursue another starter if Daniel Hudson struggles.

Odds & Ends: Jays, Haren, Nolasco, Lee, Hunter

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Some links before Cliff Lee makes his Rangers' debut this evening…

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