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Sherman On Dempster, Lee, Gonzalez

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MLB executives expect the additional Wild Card teams to slow the trade market this summer, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. The Cubs and a few other teams such as the Athletics, Astros and Padres are willing to sell now, but most clubs still hope to contend this summer. Here are some notes from Sherman on the trade market:

  • No clear difference makers appear to be available right now, Sherman reports. People are generally waiting to see if the Brewers or Phillies decide to trade established stars for controllable talent.
  • A Yankees official told Sherman that Ryan Dempster would just “muddy the water” in New York, an indication that the Yankees aren’t overly interested in the Cubs right-hander.
  • Though there’s no indication that Cliff Lee and Carlos Gonzalez are available, Sherman makes the case that their respective clubs should consider trades for them this summer. Lee, who has a nine-team no-trade list, would appeal to a number of contenders, and Gonzalez would draw considerable interest in a trade market that currently features few impact hitters.
  • Sherman points out that people in the industry see California native Cole Hamels heading toward a big payday from the Dodgers after the season when he hits free agency.

Quick Hits: Bay, Indians, Brewers

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Happy Father's Day to all dads!  Jim Thome, a father of two, became just the fourth player in baseball history to hit 100 home runs for three different clubs with his solo shot in the Phillies' game against the Blue Jays. Thome joins Alex Rodriguez, Reggie Jackson, and Darrell Evans in that exclusive club. 

  • Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters, including Adam Rosenbloom of MLB.com, he is concerned about the playing career of Jason Bay, who is on the disabled list with his second career concussion. "We've got to put ourselves in his shoes, and decide what we think is the best for the future," Collins said.
  • Indians GM Chris Antonetti will not show any apprehension approaching the trade deadline after the mixed results of the Ubaldo Jimenez deal last year, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I continue to trust our process and evaluators," said Antonetti. "If we feel the right guy is out there, and it's the right trade, we'll certainly be willing to make it. I don't think we'd operate any differently."
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes the Brewers recent sweep at the hands of the Royals may cause the team to be sellers at the trade deadline. Haudricourt points out the Brewers will have several question marks heading into 2013 including the starting rotation, first base, outfield, and shortstop.

Draft Notes: Brewers, Padres, Nationals, Giolito

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Tonight's draft notes, with the latest news up top..

  • ‪The Brewers‬ signed third-rounder Zach Quintana for $325K, just under the suggested pick value of $385K, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America.  The high school right-hander out of Nevada boasts a 90-95 mph fastball and a hard breaking ball.
  • The Padres‬ signed second-rounder Dane Phillips for $450K, significantly less than the pick value of $734K for the No. 70 pick.  The catcher/first baseman is said to have a sweet bat and has a chance to stay behind the plate.
  • The Nationals gave first-round pick Lucas Giolito a grand tour of Nationals Park earlier today, writes Mark Zuckerman of NatsInsider.com.  The 17-year-old right-hander is a UCLA commit.

Draft Signings: Brewers, Rockies, Red Sox, Mets

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So far this year we haven’t seen as many substantial draft bonuses as in years past, Yahoo’s Jeff Passan notes (on Twitter). In the previous five drafts, 16 players obtained $6MM or more, but Byron Buxton may be the only player to sign for $6MM this year, now that the new collective bargaining agreement is in place. Here are today’s noteworthy draft signings from the second round and on…

  • The Indians announced that they signed second round selection Mitch Brown. The high school right-hander obtained an over-slot bonus of $800K, MLBTR has learned. Adam Karon and Tripper Johnson of Sosnick/Cobbe Sports represent Brown, who entered the draft as the 44th-best eligible prospect, according to Baseball America.
  • The Brewers signed second rounder Tyrone Taylor for $750K, Jim Callis of Baseball America reports (on Twitter). MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy had reported earlier in the week that the Brewers were nearing a deal with the athletic high school outfielder.
  • The Rockies announced that they have agreed to sign 28 selections, including their top six picks and 12 of their first 14 selections (Twitter link).
  • The Red Sox announced that they have signed 11 picks, including second rounder Jamie Callahan and fourth rounder Ty Buttrey. Callahan obtained a $600K bonus, according to Callis (on Twitter). Buttrey obtained an over-slot bonus of $1.3MM, Callis tweets.
  • The Mets signed fourth rounder Branden Kaupe for $225K, Callis reports (Twitter link). The switch-hitting shortstop has very good speed, according to Baseball America.

Knobler On Pirates, Brewers, Morneau

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The trade market remains relatively quiet, but it’s starting to take shape, as Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com explains. Here are some details from Knobler:

  • Pirates GM Neal Huntington said this week that "you can't buy when people aren't selling." The 32-30 Pirates figure to be looking for offense this summer.
  • The Brewers are simultaneously preparing for the possibility of becoming sellers and suggesting they could become buyers. They’ve told their scouts to identify prospects to target in the farm systems of contending teams, yet they won’t necessarily sell. They remain interested in keeping Zack Greinke, whose contract expires after the season.
  • Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos asked the Twins about Justin Morneau, Knobler reports. Yet as one unnamed executive told Knobler “Alex calls about everyone." The Blue Jays are said to be particularly interested in Morneau, according to Knobler.

NL Central Notes: Dempster, Cubs, Brewers, Appel

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Items out of the NL Central as Wednesday turns into Thursday..

  • Amid heavy trade talk, Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster had a long chat with Theo Epstein in the stands of Wrigley Field before today's game, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.  Dempster told Muskat that the two discussed an upcoming fundraiser.  Meanwhile, some execs believe that the hurler could be moved early, perhaps even before the All-Star break.
  • The Brewers expect to announce a number of draft signings by the end of the week, including a deal with second-round pick Tyrone Taylor, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.  Taylor is a center fielder out of Torrance High School in California.
  • Many of this year's top picks have already signed with their respective clubs and when all is said and done, Keith Law of ESPN.com (via Twitter) believes that Mark Appel is the only first round pick who may not sign.  The Pirates' eighth-overall pick was said to be in the mix to go No. 1 but asked for more than the Astros were willing to pay.

Quick Hits: Teahen, Soler, Ethier, Hamilton, Youkilis

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The Dodgers officially announced their five-year, $85MM extension with Andre Ethier this afternoon on a day that featured lots of draft news. Here are some of Tuesday’s non-draft-related links, starting in Los Angeles…

  • Mark Teahen can opt-out of his minor league contract with the Nationals if not called up by June 15th, MLBTR has learned. The 30-year-old has hit .293/.347/.404 with Washington's Triple-A affiliate while playing all four corner spots.
  • Jorge Soler is still in the process of securing a visa prior to officially signing with the Cubs, reports MLB.com's Carrie Muskat (on Twitter). That could take about a week.
  • The Dodgers’ deal with Ethier could eliminate them from the Josh Hamilton sweepstakes after the season, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney writes (Twitterlinks). This could limit Hamilton’s leverage with the Rangers whenever the sides resume contract talks.
  • Olney points to the abundance of quality outfielders nearing free agency and suggests it makes sense for the players to accept deals now instead of waiting for what could be a buyer’s market.
  • There are no new developments in contract discussions between Cole Hamels and the Phillies or Zack Greinke and the Brewers, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).
  • GM Sandy Alderson told Ken Davidoff of the New York Post that the Mets haven't drawn up plans to buy or sell this summer. Davidoff suggests that the Mets could decide to stay the course at the upcoming trade deadline.
  • One scout watched Kevin Youkilis play and wasn’t impressed, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). "For what he costs, he can't do anything," the scout said.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Brewers To Sign Mitch Haniger

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4:39pm: Haniger will obtain a $1.2MM bonus, Jim Callis of Baseball America tweets.

4:01pm: Supplemental first round draft pick Mitch Haniger tweeted that he's set to sign with the Brewers this Thursday (Twitter links). "Can't wait to be a Brewer!" the outfielder wrote (via MLB.com's Adam McCalvy and Brewer Nation).  

The Brewers drafted Haniger with the 38th overall selection as compensation for losing Prince Fielder to free agency. MLB recommends a bonus of $1.36MM for the 38th overall selection, according to Baseball America.

Draft Signings: Melotakis, Jones, Alford, Astros, A’s

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MLBTR will track which first and supplemental first round picks have signed leading up to the July 13th signing deadline. As for players selected in round two and beyond, here are some additional draft signings…

  • The Twins have signed second rounder Mason Melotakis and fourth rounder Zach Jones, reports MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger (on Twitter). Both players are college pitchers; Melotakis a lefty and Jones a righty. Jim Callis of Baseball America reports (on Twitter) that Jones signed for $357K, exactly slot money.
  • The Brewers have signed 25th rounder Lance Roenicke according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (on Twitter). Lance, a college outfielder, is the son of Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.
  • The Blue Jays will sign third round selection Anthony Alford, Jim Callis of Baseball America reports. Alford, a high school outfielder, might have been a first round selection, but he informed teams of his intent to play football and baseball at Southern Mississippi instead of signing out of the draft. The Blue Jays will allow Alford to play football, Callis reports. The outfielder’s bonus remains unconfirmed, but it could be close to double the recommended value of $424K.
  • The Astros announced the signing of eight selections, including fifth rounder Andrew Aplin.
  • The A's announced that they agreed to terms with 13 players, including their fourth round selection, high school center fielder B.J. Boyd.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Brewers Sign Victor Roache

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FRIDAY: The Brewers announced that they have signed Roache.

THURSDAY: The Brewers have agreed to terms with their first-round pick (28th overall) Victor Roache, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America (Twitter link).  Roache, an outfielder from Georgia Southern University, will receive a $1.525MM bonus, slightly below the recommended slot price of $1.65MM.  Roache is represented by Reynolds Sports Management.

Roache told 1250 WSSP Radio (h/t Jaymes Langrehr of Disciples Of Uecker) yesterday that his signing was imminent.  "I’m coming into Milwaukee Thursday to get my physical and sign a contract, do the press conference and all that," Roache said.  "You know, because of my injury from my college season, it was possible I might get shipped off to Phoenix and then start rehabbing, or I might come back home and find someplace here to rehab. Once I get my hand and wrist back fully 100%, they’re going to ship me off and we’ll start playing."

Brewers scouting director Bruce Seid told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (via Twitter) on Wednedsay that the team was "close with a lot of the top guys."

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