Olney’s Latest: Dodgers, Yankees, Pedro, Strasburg
ESPN.com's Buster Olney writes that it "is said by others" that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti is searching for pitching. Olney outlines the heavy workload endured by the Dodgers' bullpen early on, and wonders how it will hold up down the stretch.
Here's some other bits that Olney's heard:
- The Yankees are unlikely to trade Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady when the latter returns from an elbow injury because of the club's needs. Olney also mentions that they wouldn't be able to get full market value for Nady because of his injury.
- The Yanks did discuss Nady with other clubs during the offseason after signing Mark Teixeira.
- Several teams walked away from Pedro Martinez's workout yesterday unimpressed and uninterested in signing him.
- Olney says that several teams would be interested in the future Hall of Famer if he decides to pitch for something close to the pro-rated minimum with incentives, and is willing to work his way back up through the minors.
- Early talks between the Nationals and first overall pick Stephen Strasburg "are off to a sluggish start."
Shawn Estes Retires?
6:24pm: Mark Gonzales tweets that Estes says he hasn't retired. Instead, Estes indicates that he feels good but can't get his release from the Dodgers organization.
1:46pm: Diamond Leung reports that Shawn Estes has retired. The 36-year-old was pitching for the Dodgers in Triple A, where he started the season 3-4 with a 3.07 ERA. The lefty accepted the minor league assignment in hopes of fortifying the Dodgers' pitching later in the year.
His best major league season came in 1997, when he went 19-5 with a 3.18 ERA and 181 Ks for the Giants. Estes pitched for six teams other than the Giants, including every NL West team but the Dodgers.
Odds And Ends: Dodgers, Doumit, Pujols
More links for Friday evening…
- Pedro Moura of the LA Daily News reports that the Dodgers have signed 23 of their draft picks.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says the Pirates should consider trading Ryan Doumit once he shows he's healthy.
- The man who would make such a move possible, Pirates first rounder Tony Sanchez, will make his pro debut tomorrow, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- My take: Even though Sanchez receives praise for his polished game, he'll need some time to develop, so if the Pirates plan on having a winning season in the next couple years, holding onto Doumit makes sense.
- ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian polled 11 MLB players about their ultimate pitcher-hitter confrontation. All 11 chose Albert Pujols and seven chose Roy Halladay.
Odds And Ends: Cuban, Harper, Sano
More links for the afternoon…
- ESPN.com reports that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has no plans to bid on the Chicago Cubs.
- Yankees and Red Sox scouts are assembling teams of high schoolers to face off in an exhibition game at Fenway Park this August. And Bryce Harper will be suiting up in pinstripes, according to Peter Abraham of the Journal News.
- Roch Kubatko of MASN.com hears that the Orioles are hesitant to offer Miguel Angel Sano big money. Kubatko would be surprised to see the Orioles become frontrunners for the Dominican prospect.
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says Shawn Chacon isn't expected to be an option in Oakland. Instead, he's there to provide the A's with depth.
- The Baltimore Sun relays an AP report informing us that David Walters, a college senior, signed a free agent contract with the Orioes. The righty was drafted by the Braves in 2008 before returning to school for his senior year.
- MLB.com's Jason Beck reports that the Tigers have agreed to terms with 16 of their draftees.
- Speaking on ESPN Radio, Peter Gammons suggests the Cubs, Rays, Rangers, Angels and Yankees should make moves before July 31st. Joe Haggerty has the transcript up at Hacks with Haggs.
- Diamond Leung reports that the Dodgers released Val Pascucci, who had an OPS of .715 at Triple A.
Teams Willing To Add Payroll
Deep-pocketed teams like the Cubs and Yankees say they'll have trouble adding salary this year, and they're far from the only ones. Here's a quick list of teams that could add payroll:
- Mike Ilitch's Red Wings just made it to the Stanley Cup final and he says the Tigers can add salary if it'll make them winners, too.
- Earlier in the week we heard that the Phillies can take on payroll.
- The Cardinals are in a position to add salary as well.
- The Dodgers are spending $2.7MM less than expected this year because of the Manny Ramirez suspension. This could give them the flexibility to take on a contract.
- The White Sox would have taken on payroll in the failed Jake Peavy trade.
- The Mets have about $5MM in payroll flexibility.
Add any teams I've missed in the comments and we can flesh this list out.
Dodgers Sign Korean High Schooler
According to MLB.com's Tom Singer, the Dodgers signed a Korean high schooler, Tae-hyeok Nam, to a minor league contract. Nam, an 18-year-old corner infielder, is over six feet tall, with power and speed. As Singer points out, Koreans Chan Ho Park, Hee-seop Choi and Jae Weong Seo all played for the Dodgers. This marks the first time the Dodgers have signed a Korean out of high school.
Odd & Ends: Penny, Reds, Nationals, Buchholz
The College World Series kicked off today, with Arkansas knocking off Cal State Fullerton in Game One of the double elimination event. Virginia is taking on LSU tonight. You can see the game on ESPN.
Anyway, here's some Saturday night linkage:
- The Angels have signed nine draft picks, including 48th overall pick Tyler Kehrer according to Mike DiGiovanna.
- Jon Heyman tweets that teams have called the Red Sox about Brad Penny, and even though the Dodgers are looking "they wouldn't take him back."
- John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer spoke to Reds GM Walt Jocketty, who said he's looked outside the organization for help, but "there’s not a lot going on right now." Jocketty also said that the team is not looking for a third baseman, despite reports.
- Chico Harlan of The Washington Post says that the Nationals signed righthander Trevor Holder, their third round pick, to a below slot bonus.
- Rockies reliever Taylor Buchholz suffered a setback in his return from a right elbow injury according to Patrick Saunders, and could be out for the year. Could Buchholz's injury impact the Rockies' decision to move closer Huston Street if they maintain their current hot streak?
- The New York Times' Joe Brescia wrote about the Yankees and how they've used Mexico as a source of talent recently.
- Personal fave Chris Britton caught on with the independent York Revolution according to Jim Seip. The Padres released Britton last month after allowed 47 baserunners and had a 10.45 ERA in 20.2 IP between Double-A and Triple-A. (h/t Chad Jennings)
Odds & Ends: Sano, Jones, Draft, Fukumori
A bevy of links for your Saturday morning…
- Dennis Manoloff reports that the Indians intend to make an offer to uberprospect Miguel Angel Sano.
- ESPN's Jorge Arangure tweets that the "Yankees have made it very clear that catcher Gary Sanchez is their top choice" on the international market. Last night we noted that the Yanks were going to work Sano out at their Dominican academy next week.
- Andruw Jones says he asked out of Dodger Blue because of the way owner Frank McCourt treated him, according to Dylan Hernandez.
- Frank Seravalli reports that Phillies are set to sign second round pick Kyle Dugan today. Dugan was Philadelphia's first selection in the draft after they forfeited their first rounder to sign Raul Ibanez.
- Kevin Goldstein wonders why Stephen Strasburg's impending megadeal is such a big deal. Meanwhile Michael Wilbon says "No way in the world I'd have taken Stephen Strasburg with the No. 1 pick in the draft," citing the risk. Show me a draft pick without risk, and I'll show you the three bridges in New York I have for sale.
- Patrick at NPB Tracker notes that the recently released Kazuo Fukumori is set to audition for his former team, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League.
Stark On Rockies, Angels, Pierre
In his latest article, Jayson Stark also discusses the many Rockies and Angels thought to be available. Here are the latest rumors:
- The Phillies are "hunting quietly" for right-handed outfielders. Ryan Spilborghs is on their radar.
- One official said Dan O'Dowd would consider moving "anyone" on the Rockies.
- The Rangers are believed to be watching Huston Street closely.
- Jason Marquis could become available too, but some think the Rockies should hang on, given his success.
- The Angels seem willing to listen on Mike Napoli, Jeff Mathis and their entire infield, which consists of Kendry Morales, Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar and Chone Figgins.
- They appear to have interest in young, high-upside pitchers, which could mean they're unsure they'll re-sign John Lackey after the season.
- The Dodgers are "sending out signals" that Juan Pierre could be available when Manny Ramirez returns. It's unclear whether the Dodgers would pick up any of the $15MM or so remaining on Pierre's contract.
- Among top starters, Erik Bedard is "most frequently connected with the Phillies," but many people around baseball doubt he would fit in Philadelphia.
- Phillies prospects Lou Marson and Michael Taylor are likely available, but J.A. Happ, Antonio Bastardo, Dominic Brown, Kyle Drabek, Jason Knapp, Jason Donald and Carlos Carrasco would be much harder to acquire.
- One scout thinks the Pirates may have acquired three future stars for Nate McLouth.
Draft Day 2 Roundup: Mets, Indians, Red Sox
Writers are rolling in the draft recaps. Let's see if we can't keep up with a few:
- The Mets took a majority of pitchers and outfielders, says MLB.com's Tim Britton.
- The Angels' second day was highlighted with University of Washington QB Jake Locker, says MLB's Lyle Spencer.
- The Dodgers snagged Jeremy Wise, Big 12 player of the year and one of three catchers in their draft, according to David Ely at MLB.com.
- 20 of the Indians' 30 draft choices were pitchers this year, notes Anthony Castrovince.
- The Red Sox took mostly pitchers, but struck an even balance between high school and college talent, note Joe McDonald and Daniel Barbarisi at the Providence Journal.
- According to Wayne Staats at MLB.com, Pirates GM Neal Huntington says 21 of the 30 players drafted have asked for six figures.
- B.J. Rains recaps the Cardinals' second draft day, which erred on the side of college talent after a few high-upside prep school picks on day one.
- The Marlins aimed to restock their pitching, says David Villaveciencio at MLB.com.
- ESPN's tireless Keith Law recaps Day 2 for a few teams, including the Pirates and A's (subscription req'd).