Stark On Chapman, Twins, Lind, Braves
Reds GM Walt Jocketty told ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark that he doesn’t mind the constant discussion surrounding Aroldis Chapman’s role. "I like it. It creates interest in our club, and that's all good,” Jocketty said. “Everybody has a theory on it.” The GM says Chapman would like to start, and that the left-hander will remain in the bullpen for the 2012 season. Here are the rest of Stark’s notes and rumors:
- Twins people have told rival teams they aren’t likely to trade Justin Morneau this summer.
- When teams have asked about Denard Span, the Twins have said they aren’t interested in making trades right now, Stark reports. However, there are indications the Twins will listen on Span if the offers are good enough.
- Stark hears that the Nationals don’t consider Bryce Harper the answer in center field.
- Scouts and executives from three teams say they don’t have interest in Adam Lind, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.
- The Braves are more likely to pursue an impact starting pitcher than a hitter this summer, according to rival teams. GM Frank Wren maintains that Kris Medlen is “probably better than any arm who will be available.” Medlen could join the rotation midseason, according to Wren.
- Rival teams say the Orioles would like to upgrade at first base and/or third base.
- Stark hears that Angels manager Mike Scioscia doesn’t have to worry about his job security. The skipper is under contract through 2018.
2013 Contract Issues: Minnesota Twins
The Twins are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:
Eligible For Free Agency (4)
- Carl Pavano - Pavano has already been traded three times in his career and it won't be a surprise if the Twins deal the right-hander for a fourth time this summer. He doesn't strike many hitters out, but he limits walks and makes his starts, so contending teams could have interest.
- Francisco Liriano - Liriano has already lost his status as an elite pitcher and his place in the starting rotation. His spot on the Twins' roster could be next if the club lets him go after the season.
- Ryan Doumit - Doumit, 31, is hitting well enough to set himself up for another Major League deal next offseason. None of the Twins' free agents should expect offseason qualifying offers from the team.
- Jason Marquis – Marquis lost his spot on the Twins' roster when they designated him for assignment earlier today.
Contract Options (2)
- Scott Baker: $9.25MM club option. Baker is out for the season after undergoing elbow surgery and the Twins can be expected to decline this option.
- Matt Capps: $6MM club option with a $250K buyout. The Twins should decline this option if Capps is still on the team when decisions are due. There's also a chance the Twins deal the right-hander to a team seeking midseason relief help.
Arbitration Eligible (5)
- First time: Brian Duensing, Drew Butera, Alex Burnett
- Third time: Jared Burton, Alexi Casilla
The Twins' arbitration class will be relatively light next offseason. Casilla is the lone player here with a shot at a salary of $3MM-plus in 2013. Burnett is on track for super two status, but not by much. He'd lose eligibility if the Twins send him to the minors at some point this year.
2013 Payroll Obligation
The Twins' payroll has risen to the $100MM range in recent years, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. They've already committed $65MM to next year's team, which leaves lots of breathing room if ownership holds payroll steady. But attendance has dropped by 5,000 fans per game so far this year, so GM Terry Ryan could be working with sub-$100MM payroll.
Twins Designate Jason Marquis For Assignment
TUESDAY: The Twins announced that they designated Marquis for assignment and selected the contract of right-hander Cole DeVries.
MONDAY: The Twins are set to designate pitcher Jason Marquis for assignment, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The 33-year-old has struggled so far in 2012, posting an ERA of 8.47 with 3.2 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in seven starts.
The right-hander inked a one-year, $3MM deal with the Twins in December after picking up interest from other clubs, including the Mets. Morosi notes that despite his struggles in Minnesota this year, the hurler has a history of success in the National League.
Marquis made 23 starts for the Nats and D'Backs in 2011, finishing the year with a 4.43 ERA, 5.2 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 across 132 innings.
Minor Moves: Johnson, Mahay, Thurston, Bates, Garko
Tonight's minor moves..
- The Rockies signed former Cardinals left-hander Tyler Johnson to a minor league deal, according to the CBSSports.com transactions page. Johnson, who won a ring with the Cards in 2006, has been out of affiliated baseball since 2009.
- The Reds released left-hander Ron Mahay, according to the International League transactions page. The 40-year-old signed a minor league deal with the club in January and appeared in 14 games for their Triple-A affiliate this season. The veteran last pitched in the majors for the Twins in 2010 and was signed and released by the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Cardinals in 2011.
- The Twins have released infielder Joe Thurston and first baseman Aaron Bates, according to Dustin Morse of the Twins (via Twitter). Thurston, 32, hooked on with Minnesota in late April after being cut by the Phillies. Once considered a top asset in the Dodgers' farm system, Thurston has yet to see significant time in the majors outside of his 124 game 2009 campaign with the Cardinals.
- The Rays signed former major-leaguer Ryan Garko to a minor league deal, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The first baseman spent time in Korea last year.
- Orioles infielder Zelous Wheeler has cleared waivers and been assigned to Double-A Bowie. Wheeler was DFA'd by Baltimore on Friday.
Quick Hits: Balfour, A’s, Twins, Plouffe, Cardinals
Links as the weekend comes to a close..
- A's reliever Grant Balfour is less than thrilled about losing his job as closer, writes Jeff Fletcher for MLB.com. Balfour has drawn considerable interest from teams around baseball this season and Ben Nicholson-Smith recently looked at what Balfour could net Oakland in a trade.
- Twins utility man Trevor Plouffe has been struggling as of late and could wind up as a roster casualty if things do not pick up, writes Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN.com. Chris Parmelee is also struggling at the plate but has minor league options remaining, unlike Plouffe.
- Alyson Footer of the Astros (via Twitter) felt that the Cardinals dodged a financial bullet when Albert Pujols signed with the Angels.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Matt Maloney
Today’s outright assignments..
- The Twins announced via Twitter that left-hander Matt Maloney has cleared waivers and been assigned outright to Triple-A Rochester. The 27-year-old was designated for assignment on Wednesday to make room for right-hander P.J. Walters.
Quick Hits: Youkilis, Wang, Twins, Wheeler
Expanded instant replay was included in the new collective bargaining agreement, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that the league is no rush to implement a new system. MLB executive vice president Joe Torre told Morosi they want to "make the game better without dragging it on."
Here's the latest from the around the league as Thursday turns into Friday…
- "I have no idea," said Kevin Youkilis to ESPN's Gordon Edes when asked what the arrival of Will Middlebrooks means for his future with the Red Sox. Youkilis can become a free agent after this season and is in the middle of a make or break year.
- The Nationals may have a better chance of trading Chien-Ming Wang than John Lannan, writes Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Wang is currently on the DL with a hamstring issue, but Lannan has a 6.10 ERA in Triple-A.
- "This is just something that we've got to do right now," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire to LaVelle E. Neal III of The Star Tribune following last night's roster shakeup. "We need to make some changes. We need some hits. We need some new life in here, the whole package."
- Dan Wheeler declined to comment when asked if he though about accepting the Red Sox's offer of arbitration last offseason, writes Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal. Wheeler would have received a guaranteed big league contract had he accepted arbitration, but he instead settled for a minor league deal with the Indians.
Twins Designate Matt Maloney For Assignment
The Twins announced via Twitter that they have designated left-hander Matt Maloney for assignment. The move, along with their demotion of Danny Valencia to Triple-A, will allow the club to promote Darin Mastroianni and select the contract of right-hander P.J. Walters.
Minnesota first acquired the 27-year-old off of waivers from the Reds last Halloween. Maloney didn’t impress in his limited opportunities this year as he allowed ten runs with five strikeouts and a walk in eleven innings.
Twins Owner Supports Ron Gardenhire, Terry Ryan
Twins owner Jim Pohlad expressed his support for GM Terry Ryan and manager Ron Gardenhire today, reports Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities radio. Pohlad made a rare appearance on the field today, talking to Gardenhire during batting practice before Monday's game with the Angels. Pohlad said that he is "pleased" with how Ryan has performed his job since returning to the team as the interim general manager last November, and Pohlad added that both he and Ryan have "100 percent confidence" in Gardenhire.
Pohlad admitted it has been difficult watching his team's poor start to the season and while he described the season as "technically salvagable," he sees why Minnesota fans could want a change in management. "But I suppose (calling for someone's job) would be the natural (reaction) for somebody who's not really part of the organization might say. A frustrated fan might say that," Pohlad said.
Ryan was the Twins' GM from 1994-2007, becoming a consultant to the team once Bill Smith took over the job but returning when Smith was fired last November. I don't see the Twins outright firing Ryan given that his tenure with the organization and the fact that he's working on an interim basis already, though it's possible he could step down after 2012 if the club settles on a permanent GM.
Gardenhire's own history with the team is also a point in his favor. This is Gardenhire's 11th season as the Twins' manager, a stint that has seen him lead the team to six AL Central titles and an overall 873-775 record. Gardenhire could take the fall since the Twins are on pace for their second consecutive last-place season but it's hard to blame him for the team's injuries and lackluster roster.
Minor Moves: Thomas, Berlind
We'll keep track of Sunday's minor transactions here…
- Clete Thomas has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Rochester by the Twins, the team announced (on Twitter). Thomas homered in his second plate appearance for Minnesota, but hit just .143/.172/.286 overall while striking out in 14 of his final 19 plate appearances.
- The Cubs released right-hander Dan Berlind, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. Berlind, a seventh round selection of the Twins in 2007, had walked 10 through 8 1/3 innings, leading to 16 earned runs.