Stark On Dodgers, Giants, Brewers
In this ESPN Radio segment, Jayson Stark says the Dodgers will go after the best starting pitcher they can find. There's no elite starting pitching out there now, but Ned Colletti is looking to turn some up. Here are the rest of Stark's rumors:
- The Giants need an impact hitter and they're "in on every bat out there."
- Matt Holliday is not a likely fit for the Cardinals.
- Stark says Doug Davis is a good fit in Milwaukee.
- The Mets are more interested in left-handed first basemen, so Nick Johnson still looks like a good fit for them.
- The Tigers are looking for a bat, The White Sox could add pitching and the Twins want relievers.
Brewers Rumors: Backe, Trade Market
Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he has no interest in Brandon Backe. Yesterday, Assistant GM Gord Ash said the Brewers would take a look, but the club decided to pass, partly because Backe has had health problems.
Brewers Eyeing Brandon Backe
According to Adam McCalvy at MLB.com, the Brewers might be interested in signing recently-released RHP Brandon Backe. Says assistant GM Gord Ash: "You have to at least take a look."
The Brewers are currently hurting for starting pitching depth, though they received a nice outing from Mike Burns tonight, as McCalvy notes. By picking up Backe they'd only be on the hook for the pro-rated amount of the league minimum. He might be able to slide into the back end of the rotation, but he's not likely to be an impact acquisition.
It's a little murky on who else has expressed interest in Backe. Any other teams where he might make a decent fit?
Arangure Jr. On International Prospects
ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. has been all over the market for potential signings from Latin America ahead of July 2nd, the first day teams are officially eligible to sign international free agents. Let's check out his latest action on the beat:
- The Braves and Reds supposedly watched the workouts for shortstop prospect Humberto Valor. One scout called him "the best position player in Venezuela," and he's expected to get a bonus in the range of $1.5MM-$2.2MM.
- The Red Sox are apparently set to sign Dominican right-hander Raul Alcantara for $500k. Here's a scouting report, and one scout said he's "better than [Michael] Ynoa."
- The Brewers and Yankees are said to be "all over" SS prospect Damian Arredondo, touted for his "raw speed."
Ben had a round-up of more international signing tidbits yesterday. Keep an eye out for a flurry of news as the deadline approaches.
Odds & Ends: Nationals, Mets, Big Z
A roundup of links for a slow Monday evening in the baseball world…
- According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, the Nationals have agreed to terms with second-rounder Jeffrey Kobernus, a second baseman from the University of California. He was handed a $705K signing bonus.
- Brewers prospect Jeremy Jeffress was suspended 100 games Monday for a second violation of the minor league drug program, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). Milwaukee assistant GM Gord Ash said the club is "concerned" about Jeffress, who is one positive test away from a lifetime ban.
- Presented without comment: In a poll taken this afternoon, 57.2 percent of Chicago Tribune readers agreed with Phil Rogers, who opined Monday morning that the Cubs should waive Carlos Zambrano.
- Jay Schreiber of the New York Times wants to hear from Mets fans and want-to-be GMs alike. "Does anyone have any suggestions for the woebegone Mets?," he asks.
- According to MLB.com's Wayne Staats, the Cubs have signed 10 of their top 15 draft picks and 21 of 50 overall. Top pick Brett Jackson, an outfielder out of the University of California, was inked early last week.
- Don't forget about MLBTR's weekly live chats. Ben Nicholson-Smith will be your host Tuesday at 2pm CST.
Brewers, D’Backs Talk Trades
Steve Gilbert at MLB.com talked to Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash, who said there had been "conversations" with the Diamondbacks:
"I think it speaks to what I talked about earlier, that because they are one of the few clubs that have available pieces, the asking price is way too high," Ash said. "So they don't have to make a deal yet."
Gilbert notes that the Brewers are in the market for help in starting pitching and at second base. Though the D'Backs have potential fits there with both Felipe Lopez and Doug Davis in the final years of their contracts, it's unclear if the talks were centered around those players.
The Brewers sit at 40-35, a percentage point above the Cardinals for first place in the NL Central, but were knocked around by the Giants today 7-0 and saw the rival Cards pick up Mark DeRosa last night.
Brewers Asked About DeRosa
In Tom Haudricourt's latest piece, he discusses the Brewers' failed attempt to acquire Mark DeRosa from the Indians.
Haudricourt talked to the Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash, who stated that the Brewers didn't have have what the Indians were looking for – young, major league-ready pitching.
Ash also mentions the Diamondbacks as a possible trade partner, but states that because the market has more buyers than sellers right now, the D'Backs can ask a higher price for players such as Doug Davis and Felipe Lopez. Haudricout quotes Ash saying that Arizona's asking price is "way too high."
Odds & Ends: Morgan, Brewers, Phillies
Some odds and ends around the league:
- Nyjer Morgan was caught off-guard by recent trade rumors, says Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Morgan said he was "flattered."
- Adam McCalvy of MLB.com says the Brewers are still pursuing potential deals after not matching up to acquire Mark DeRosa. Doug Davis is mentioned in the piece.
- Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer rounds up who will be buyers and who will be sellers over the next month. Nothing too surprising. He lists the Phillies as buyers, in need of pitching, and suggests they're looking at Chien-Ming Wang and "have been all over" Brad Penny.
Brewers Looking To Add Pieces
Anthony Witrado of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Brewers are scouring the trade market, but there's no guarantee the team will add an impact player before the trade deadline.
"We are looking to add some pieces here," team owner Mark Attanasio said. "But there's no guarantee of that, so these guys have to get the job done here.
"And we have confidence they can. We wouldn't be looking ahead (to a trade) if we didn't think this was a playoff-caliber team."
The Brewers are said to be clinging to their top prospects, but Attanasio says the team does have some wiggle room financially.
"Within limits, the payroll can expand depending on the caliber of the player involved," Attanasio said. "With our fan support, we're on the upper end of what I thought we could do here.
"We're actively looking at some guys, but one of the (byproducts) of the wild-card system is there's a lot of teams still in contention."
We've known for a while that the Brew Crew wouldn't mind adding an arm, especially now with Seth McClung having to move into the rotation.
Odds And Ends: Beltre, Capuano, Blanton
More links to read in anticipation of John Smoltz's Red Sox debut…
- Larry Larue of the News Tribune reports that Adrian Beltre will need surgery on his shoulder at some point, but he's trying to play through the pain for now. He says he doesn't want teams to question his health when he becomes a free agent this winter.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says we shouldn't expect to see Chris Capuano pitch in 2009.
- Check out RotoAuthority for a closer look at a pitcher who may have value in fantasy leagues: Joe Blanton.
- ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure says the Pirates, Brewers and Tigers are among the teams with the strongest scouting presence in Cuba.