Mets Links: K-Rod, Capuano, Pelfrey
The Mets roared back from a 7-1 deficit through 6 1/2 innings today, scoring eight runs in two frames against Milwaukee at Citi Field. Unfortunately for the Mets, the Brewers enjoyed their own comeback, scoring four times in the ninth off closer Jason Isringhausen to cinch the 11-9 victory. Picking up the win for the Brewers (despite allowing three runs in an inning of work) was ex-Met Francisco Rodriguez, who is the subject of the first of these Amazin' news items…
- Rodriguez said he would consider returning to the Mets as a free agent this winter, reports Matt Ehalt for ESPN New York. "I understand this is a business, they did what they needed to do and feel what they need to early in the year to trade me, (but) the door is still open," Rodriguez said. "I'm not the type of person that is going to burn bridges and say, no, I'm not coming this place because they trade me or whatever. I'm open-minded and open to come here to New York once again in the future."
- Chris Capuano's 2011 salary currently stands at around $2.65MM, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. Capuano signed with New York for a base salary of $1.5MM last winter, but he is on pace to more than double that total thanks to incentives. Rubin notes that Capuano will receive $75K for each of his next seven starts, plus $550K if the southpaw can reach the 170-inning plateau. Capuano threw 5 2/3 innings today, bringing his total to 145 1/3 innings pitched for the season. (both Twitter links)
- Four unnamed opposing executives describe Mike Pelfrey as "a back-of-the-rotation cog," reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Despite this middling evaluation, Sherman feels the Mets will tender Pelfrey a contract for next year, pay him roughly $6MM after an arbitration bump and then perhaps try to move him at the trade deadline. The executives all feel, however, that both Pelfrey and the Mets "know they are not in a long-term marriage."
Mets Won’t Trade Izzy, Byrdak, Hairston
Relievers Jason Isringhausen and Tim Byrdak, and outfielder Scott Hairston will remain with the Mets for season's balance, a source tells Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The players were placed on waivers, claimed and pulled back by the Mets, meaning they are ineligible to be traded for the rest of the month, Rubin reports.
Last week, we heard that several Mets players cleared waivers, including Jason Bay, Chris Capuano, Angel Pagan, D.J. Carrasco and Willie Harris. Those players can be traded freely, as can the others on this list, which has a running tally of the guys who have cleared waivers this month.
New York Notes: Isringhausen, Wilpons, A-Rod
The Mets are hopeful that first rounder Brandon Nimmo will be able to make his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League this Sunday, tweets MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Nimmo signed for $2.1MM earlier this week after being the 13th overall pick in the draft. Let's round up the latest from the Big Apple…
- Jason Isringhausen picked up his 300th career save earlier this week, and the Mets closer told Mike Puma of The New York Post that he hasn't ruled out pitching in 2012 yet (Twitter link), "I'm not coming back for $500K again, I know that," said Izzy. Make sure you check out CloserNews.com for everything you need to know about fantasy closers.
- Richard Sandomir and Ken Belson of the New York Times say that the latest decision in the Bernie Madoff case could be a significant financial blow to the Wilpons. The Mets owners might have to turnover $300MM to a trustee as a result.
- Harvey Araton of the New York Times says that Alex Rodriguez's knee injury is a reminder that the 36-year-old is a DH-in-waiting with six more years left on his landmark contract.
National League Over Slot Signings
Though MLB would prefer to keep a lid on it, many signings exceeding their slot recommendations will be revealed by reporters today. The latest from the National League:
- The Mets signed 11th rounder Christian Montgomery for $250K, according to Callis. They also signed third rounder Logan Verrett for $425K, according to Callis (Twitter links). Earlier today, the Mets signed high school shortstop Brad Marquez for $325K, reports Callis. Since Marquez also plays football, his bonus will be spread over three years. The Mets also signed 15th round pick and high school middle infielder Philip Evans for $650K, reports Callis.
- Reds 22nd rounder Amir Garrett obtained a $1MM two sport deal that will be spread over five years, Callis tweets.
- The Giants signed second rounder Andrew Susac for $1.1MM according to Zoodig, an athlete digital media platform, on Twitter. They also signed sixth rounder Josh Osich for $450K, according to Callis on Twitter.
- The Phillies signed fifth rounder Mitch Walding for $800K, according to ESPN.com's Keith Law (on Twitter). The Phillies have also signed second rounder Roman Quinn for $775K, reports Baseball America's Conor Glassey (Twitter links). Callis says the high school outfielder was the fastest legitimate prospect in the draft.
- The Cubs signed 11th rounder Shawon Dunston Jr. to a $1.275MM deal, according to Rogers (on Twitter). The Cubs also agreed to sign second rounder Dan Vogelbach for around $1.6MM, according to Rogers (Twitter links). The Florida high schooler has lots of power from the left side, according to Callis.
- The Nationals signed fourth round left-hander Kylin Turnbull for $325K, according to Callis (on Twitter).
- The Reds signed 23rd rounder Sal Romano for $450K, according to Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA (on Twitter). The Reds also signed 43rd rounder Ty Washington, according to Rogers (on Twitter). Callis reports that the second baseman obtains a $300K bonus (Twitter link).
- The Pirates signed ninth rounder Clay Holmes, who was asking for a $1.2MM bonus, according to Callis (on Twitter).
- The Cardinals signed second rounder Charlie Tilson for $1.275MM, according to Callis (Twitter link). The high schooler is a speedy leadoff type who plays center field.
- The Dodgers signed fourth rounder Ryan O'Sullivan for $100K, according to Callis (on Twitter).
- The Brewers signed 18th rounder Chris McFarland for $315K, according to Callis (on Twitter). The high school infielder has solid tools across the board.
- The Cubs signed hard-throwing college reliever Tony Zych, a fourth rounder, for $400K, tweets Callis. The Cubs also signed 25th round pick Rock Shoulders for $294K, tweets Callis. The first baseman came out of a Florida junior college.
- The Diamondbacks signed fifth round pick Michael Perez for $235K, tweets Baseball America's Jim Callis. Perez is a high school catcher out of Puerto Rico.
Mets Sign Brandon Nimmo
The Mets signed first round pick Brandon Nimmo for $2.1MM according to ESPN.com's Keith Law (on Twitter). SFX represents the the 18-year-old Wyoming native, who was the 13th overall selection in the June draft. Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger profiled the outfielder last month.
You can keep track of which top picks have signed with MLBTR's list.
Mets Links: Nimmo, Capuano, Igarashi
Having dropped five in a row, the Mets are in line for the 14th overall draft pick next year, but they could certainly make a "run" for a top ten pick. The latest on the team:
- The Mets drafted high school outfielder Brandon Nimmo 13th overall this year. Slot for that pick is $1.656MM, according to Baseball America, though Nimmo may need more. With tomorrow night's deadline looming, will Nimmo sign or will he honor his commitment to Arkansas? Talking to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Brandon's father Ron said the two sides haven't made any progress since draft day (Twitter link). However, Ron feels that both parties have wiggle room.
- Mets starter Chris Capuano cleared waivers, ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted earlier today. That surprised me, as I explained here. Capuano seemed like a decent fit for a contender like the Diamondbacks, even before they lost new acquisition Jason Marquis for about a month to a broken fibula today.
- Mets manager Terry Collins intends to let his current relievers finish out the year, he told ESPN's Adam Rubin. Rubin had previously wondered if today's unimpressive performance from Ryota Igarashi would be the nail in the coffin (Twitter link).
Draft Links: Angels, Purke, Nimmo, Blue Jays, Cubs
We're closing in on Monday night's deadline to sign picks from the 2011 Draft. Remember you can see our updated list of first and supplemental round picks who have signed on MLBTR's sidebar, and here's some more of the latest news:
- Baseball America's Jim Callis tweets that the Angels signed fourth-rounder Michael Clevinger for a $250K bonus — about $50K over slot. Clevinger is a junior college right-hander who throws 93-95mph.
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo spent the weekend in Houston, negotiating with Peter Vescovo, the representatitve for third-round pick Matt Purke, writes the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore. Purke was originally drafted by the Rangers 14th overall in 2009 but elected to pitch at TCU and had some shoulder troubles this year.
- A Mets official told ESPN's Adam Rubin that the organization is confident a deal with first-rounder Brandon Nimmo will be completed prior to the deadline. The Mets selected Nimmo, a high school outfielder from Wyoming, 13th overall.
- The Blue Jays announced in a press release that the club has agreed to terms with three right-handers: third-round pick John Stilson, sixth-round pick Anthony Desclafani, and eighth-round pick Matt Biggs.
- Baseball America's Jim Callis tweets that the Cubs agreed to terms with their 41st-round pick, Austin Urban, on a $100K bonus.
Yankees Notes: Swisher, Sabathia, Soriano, Garcia
With a month and a half remaining in the regular season, Joel Sherman of the New York Post takes a look at a few subplots facing the Yankees as they prepare for the playoffs and the subsequent offseason. Let's check out the highlights….
- Nick Swisher's OPS sat at .649 heading into June, but he's posted a .941 mark since then. Given his improved play, the Yankees will likely view his $10.25MM option for next year as reasonably priced, and bring him back.
- It's nearly a certainty that C.C. Sabathia exercises his opt-out at season's end. Sherman sees the 31-year-old asking for a raise, from the four years and $92MM he'll have left, to no less than the seven years and $161MM he originally signed for.
- Rafael Soriano has allowed one baserunner in six outings since coming off the DL, leading Sherman to wonder if the righty's opt-out could become a factor this winter. Considering how strong the relief market will be, I can't imagine even Scott Boras finding a deal better than the two years and $23MM Soriano has remaining on his current contract.
- There's no guarantee Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia are Yankees next season, but Garcia projects as a Type B free agent, meaning the club figures to at least offer him arbitration.
- Speaking of starters facing free agency, Jason Marquis tells Andy Martino of the New York Daily News that he'd love to represent his hometown and pitch for the Yankees or Mets. Taking into account their divisions and home parks, the Mets may be more appealing for Marquis than the Yanks, but either way, Marquis suggests he'll "explore that avenue when the season is done."
Quick Hits: Marquis, Pedroia, Mariners
A few links of note for my fellow night owls …
- Diamondbacks right-hander Jason Marquis may once again rekindle his interest in pitching for either his hometown Mets or Yankees this offseason when he enters free agency, writes Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. “I’m a New York guy, and I have always dreamed of playing for the Yankees or Mets, representing my hometown," said Marquis. The veteran was thought to have talked with the Mets prior to 2010 before signing with the Nationals, although those talks apparently never became serious.
- Rob Bradford of WEEI.com looks at the uniquely structured contract of Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. There's a lot going on with this deal, but the takeaway is that there are escalators that can kick in depending upon where Pedroia finishes in MVP voting. Check it out here at Cot's Baseball Contracts.
- The Mariners have signed fifth-round pick Tyler Marlette, a high school catcher out of Florida, for $650K, writes Jim Callis of Baseball America. MLB's slot recommendation for the 153rd overall pick is $165.6K, according to Callis. Marlette was ranked No. 72 overall in BA's pre-draft rankings.
Quick Hits: Tigers, Phillies, Soriano
Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin is starting to look like one of the top acquisitions of last offseason. He has a .279/.332/.408 line with seven homers and 29 stolen bases after today's game. Here are today's ilnks…
- Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press suggests the Tigers should be relying on younger players rather than the likes of Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen.
- Yahoo's Jeff Passan says it's Justin Verlander's Cy Young Award to lose, though C.C. Sabathia and Jered Weaver can’t be ruled out yet.
- David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News explains that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel could use a second left-hander out of the bullpen, not that the need is that pressing.
- Mets third baseman David Wright isn't available, but the Rockies do like him, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter).
- Alfonso Soriano told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times that he thinks there's a 50-50 chance he returns to Chicago next year. The Cubs still owe him $54MM through 2014, so they'd have to eat a lot of money in any trade.