Minaya, Manuel Assured Jobs?
9:51pm: Despite Manuel's denial, David Lennon at Newsday talked to Minaya, who confirms earlier reports that they were given a vote of confidence.
6:22pm: Jon Heyman at SI.com reports that Mets COO Jeff Wilpon met with GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel recently to give the two a vote of confidence that they would not be fired this season. Joel Sherman at the New York Post reports that Wilpon would be hesitant to fire Minaya because his three-year extension does not begin until next season and Minaya has many close assistants that have contracts as well.
But Bart Hubbuch at the New York Post talked to Manuel, who said he "never got that call."
The Mets continue to be ravaged by injuries, as pleasant-surprise starter Fernando Nieve hit the DL today.
Minaya: Big Moves Doubtful For Mets
Bart Hubbuch at the New York Post talked to Mets GM Omar Minaya, who agreed with manager Jerry Manuel's pregame comments that the team doesn't expect to bring in significant outside help before the deadline. Minaya ruled out any pursuit of rental players, which would include Matt Holliday.
Hubbuch also notes that Minaya did not deny an earlier report that the Mets refused to deal four of their top prospects for Roy Halladay, and Minaya wouldn't comment further on the situation. No word yet from Minaya on rumors that he was assured his job security by Mets COO Jeff Wilpon.
Odds & Ends: Johnson, Redding, Lopez, Giants, Hillman
Hope everyone's Sunday is going well! Here's some links for the afternoon…
- Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald feels that the face of the Marlins' future is ace Josh Johnson. Gutierrez feels that the most critical move the Marlins need to make it locking up Johnson to a long-term deal. To quote Gutierrez: "If Hanley Ramirez was worth paying for, then Johnson is at least as important, if not more."
- David Lennon of Newsday has Tim Redding's take on the possibility of being released: "I'm not an idiot. I've been around the game long enough to know what's going on, with the way I've been used." Redding, however, remains with the Mets despite a 7.22 ERA.
- Felipe Lopez isn't thinking about the trade rumors surrounding him, according to Nick Piecoro. He's focused on helping Arizona. Piecoro says that the Brewers have expressed interest in the Arizona second basemen.
- It's been a hard weekend for the Giants, as the team's largest shareholder, Sue Burns, died at the age of 58 just a week after learning that she had cancer. Rich Aurilia had some kind words about Burns: "Being here for a while, I've known her family for a long time. They're great people to be around and always treated everyone on the team like a part of their own family, which is nice. You don't get that a lot from a lot of teams and owners. This is a huge loss not only for the Giants but everybody who knew her." Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Burns family, Giants organization, and Giants fans everywhere.
- Royals general manager Dayton Moore has given Trey Hillman his vote of confidence, stating that despite the club's struggles, Hillman will remain with the Royals for both this season and next. Says Moore: "We're all in this thing together… You just can't keep reshuffling." The Royals have lost 42 of their last 61 games.
Mets Ready To Release Redding?
6:42pm: Bart Hubbuch of The NY Post spoke to Mets vice president of player development Tony Bernazard, who said they "haven't spoken internally" about releasing Redding. Manager Jerry Manuel added that from his perspective, Redding was still in the team's plans.
1:14pm: As Rubin notes, Redding was in the Mets' clubhouse Saturday. A release could still be on the horizon, but might not go down until early next week.
10:08am: Adam Rubin of The NY Daily News spoke to a source who indicated that the Mets were ready to release righthander Tim Redding and eat what's left on the one year, $2.25MM deal he signed this winter. Redding has been dreadful for the Amazin's, allowing 86 baserunners and pitching to a 7.22 ERA in 52.1 IP this year.
Odds & Ends: Lugo, Holliday, Red Sox, Draft
Some spare links on a busy Saturday morning …
- Adam Rubin of The NY Daily News says an AL official indicated that the recently DFA'd Julio Lugo has been working out at the Mets complex in the Dominican Republic, and expects the team to sign the shortstop once he clears waivers and is released.
- Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports says Matt Holliday won't say if he wants to be traded or remain an Athletic, but he does have a preference.
- Red Sox GM Theo Epstein says he doesn't think his team has one glaring weakness, but at same time thinks there are opportunities to get better, according to Adam Kilgore of The Boston Globe.
- Considering some of the contracts we've seen players receive in the last few months, the union might concede "financially harnessing the signing system for both draftees and international players" in the next CBA so their players get what they want, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus.
- The Padres are calling up top prospect Mat Latos to start Sunday, reports Corey Brock of MLB.com. They are looking to find more playing time for their young players.
- ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. wrote about the increasingly competitive market for representing Cuban amateurs.
Cubs, Cards & Mets Asked About Lugo
The Cubs, Cardinals and Mets have shown some interest in Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo, according to Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald. The Red Sox will have to pay all of the $13.5MM remaining on Lugo's deal if they release him, so they're likely to pick up the vast majority of the contract in any trade.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Lee, Halladay, Holliday, Zito
On this date one year ago, the Phillies traded three minor leaguers to the A's for Joe Blanton. He would go on to make 13 starts for the Fightins, finishing 4-0 with a 4.20 ERA. With only two weeks remaining before this season's trade deadline, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- MLB Notebook says it is time for the Indians to move Cliff Lee.
- The Ghost of Moonlight Graham breaks down the needs of the contenders as we approach the deadline.
- Drunk Jays Fans explains why Roy Halladay should be traded and why he will still be a Blue Jay in August.
- Talking Chop breaks down the Matt Holliday to Atlanta rumors.
- The Fowl Balls says the Yankees need to get Roy Halladay and is willing to part with Joba Chamberlain, Austin Jackson and others. Just not Phil Hughes.
- Viva El Birdos breaks down what it would cost the Cardinals to land Roy Halladay in terms of players and money.
- The Voice of Yankees Universe looks at some big names that could be moved and have an impact on the AL East.
- Jorge Says No! looks at whether Barry Zito's contract was the worst ever given to a pitcher.
- We're the Team to Beat wonders why Omar Minaya is still calling the shots for the Mets.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Odds & Ends: Escobar, Peavy, Mets, Cardinals
A gaggle of links for your Thursday evening reading pleasure…
- In response to someone mentioning the Yunel Escobar–Matt Holliday rumors, MLB.com's Mark Bowman says "There is zero truth to those Escobar rumors. The Braves have NO and I repeat no intention to move him. Believe me, if they move him, it will simply be a deal that they simply can't refuse and that wouldn't include anything involving Holliday."
- Tom Krasovic notes that Jake Peavy is out of his walking boot, and is ready to begin "ramping it up."
- David Lennon of Newsday says that earlier today Mets GM Omar Minaya twice mentioned "that he talked with five or six teams today."
- Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that the Cardinals may search for starting pitching if Todd Wellemeyer doesn't show more consistency over his next 2-3 starts.
- Scott Lauber of The News Journal notes that the Phillies promoted one of their best prospects, outfielder Michael Taylor, to Triple-A. He speculates that Taylor may best serve the club as trade bait, considering all three of their regular outfielders were All Stars.
- When asked who the best prospect was if matched up head to head, Baseball America's Jim Callis said he'd go with Bryce Harper over Justin Upton, citing Harper's advantage in power.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds gave Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Valor a $690k bonus. Valor signed with Cincinnati earlier this month.
- David Villavicencio of MLB.com mentions that the Marlins have signed eight of their first ten draft picks. First rounder Chad James remains unsigned, however.
Heyman On GMs, Mulder, Bay, Reds
SI.com's Jon Heyman identifies the GMs facing the most pressure heading into the second half of the season and passes along some rumors, too:
- Despite "occasional rumblings" about Omar Minaya's job security, injuries are to blame for the Mets' disappointing start, so Minaya's bosses aren't about to blame him for the season.
- The Nats plan on hiring a permanent GM soon and acting GM Mike Rizzo is in the running for the position.
- Giants GM Brian Sabean saved one of his best showings for his walk year. He's put together a playoff contender and a talented crop of minor leaguers just as his deal's about to expire.
- Royals GM Dayton Moore and Braves GM Frank Wren are expected to have some time to work with.
- It doesn't look like Indians GM Mark Shapiro will ascend to club president this year.
- Heyman likes the Phillies' acquisition of Pedro Martinez.
- Mark Mulder could be the next pitcher to sign, as he's 95% ready, according to his agent.
- Heyman thinks the Red Sox will be able to lock Jason Bay up once they start talking extension.
- Look for the Reds to continue their hunt for outfielders.
Wright Wants To Be A Met For Life
First Victor Martinez, now David Wright. The Mets third baseman told Kevin Kernan of the New York Post that he would "love" to be a Met for life (Hat Tip: MetsBlog). The Mets can keep Wright through 2013 under his current deal, so it's a little early to consider extending it, but Wright says he's open to talking if the Mets ever want to extend his contract.