Mets Sign Venezuelan Lefty Juan Urbina
The Mets signed Juan Urbina, a Venezuelan lefty, to a bonus worth more than $1MM, according to Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus. Urbina is the son of longtime major leaguer Ugueth Urbina.
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.
Mets Have No Plans To Make A Major Trade
ESPN Radio's Andrew Marchand hears from an MLB official that the Mets have no plans to make major trades right now. (Hat Tip: MetsBlog) Instead, they're content to wait for the returns of Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, John Maine, Oliver Perez and Carlos Delgado.
Odds And Ends: Pirates, Glaus, Melvin
Happy Canada Day to all of our Canadian readers from our Canadian writer! Now for some links…
- This week's chat will take place today at 2pm CST.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post says Omar Minaya has been negligent when it comes to filling out his roster with talented role players.
- Troy Glaus is ready to start rehabbing, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. There's been speculation that the Cards could trade Glaus when he returns, but they could use his bat, too.
- The Pirates signed another Taiwanese high schooler, Hsu Chi-wei, according to East Windup Chronicle.
- Former D'Backs and Mariners manager Bob Melvin will accept an unspecified job with the Padres, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- Jorge Says No! takes a closer look at the Atlantic League to determine which players could make an impact oh a big league roster.
Odds & Ends: Zambrano, Royals, Hinske
A dosage of links to soothe and satisfy between innings:
- Paul Sullivan at the Chicago Tribune got Carlos Zambrano to respond to the poll that 57.2% of Cubs fans think he should be traded: "Fine, trade me to Boston," he joked.
- Joe Posnanski gives an in-depth look at the problems facing the Royals. "The Royals execs are smart people. But the more they do to this offense, the worse this offense gets," he says.
- Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, cricket players from India who won a reality T.V. show called "Million Dollar Arm" and had never picked up a baseball until recently, are now set to play their first game for rookie-level Pirates affiliate Bradenton.
- M.A. Mehta at the Newark Star-Ledger talked to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who says the deal for Eric Hinske "made some sense…he's a pro."
- Bart Hubbuch at the New York Post tweets that the Mets "inquired repeatedly" on Mark DeRosa but didn't like the price.
- ESPN's Keith Law takes a look at some intriguing pitchers in the Cape League (Insider).
- Kiley McDaniel tweets that Baltimore is a "serious darkhorse" for the services of Miguel Angel Sano, with the Pirates and Twins still favorites.
- According to MLB.com's Rustin Dodd, the Royals have begun discussions with first-round pick Aaron Crow.
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.
Manuel Wants Bat For Mets?
According to Brian Costello at the New York Post, Mets manager Jerry Manuel had this to say about the Mets' potential need for a big bat:
"If we get below [.500] and we continue to struggle offensively as we are, I think that [a trade] is a no-brainer," Manuel said today. "I think we have to visit that. I think that has to be visited or talked about at some point. It would be dishonest if I said no."
Costello notes that this is Manuel's "strongest statement" for endorsing outside help. The Mets were said to be players for the services of Mark DeRosa, and it seems that the DeRosa trade has upped the pressure level on the front offices of the many teams in playoff limbo.
Is this going to push GM Omar Minaya to make a deal? Is there anyone attainable out there who makes sense for the Mets? Do they have the moveable pieces to get the big bat they desire? Discuss your thoughts here.
Renck’s Latest: Hawkins, Saito, Spilborghs, Atkins
In his latest article, the Denver Post's Troy E. Renck has a few Rockies footnotes worth discussing:
- Renck suggests the Rockies should aggressively pursue LaTroy Hawkins if the Astros drop in the standings.
- Takashi Saito is another option. He has dominated in the NL West and the Red Sox like Ryan Spilborghs. He also notes the Tigers and Phillies have expressed interest in Spilborghs, as Ken Rosenthal said earlier this month.
- Renck lists the Braves, Cardinals, and Mets as potential fits for Garrett Atkins, but Renck adds that his "$4 million in remaining salary is prohibitive."
Minaya Discusses Trade Market
Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog says that Mets GM Omar Minaya spoke to reporters prior to last night's game, and was asked if there's a deal available that could significantly help the club.
“That deal is not there right now… I think there are 22, 24 teams that are within playoff striking distance. So, there’s not a lot of guys… The pool is not that big.”
Minaya acknowledged that his priority right now is strengthen the team's lineup. We've seen the Amazin's connected to Mark DeRosa, but we've also heard from one team official that they "will not mortgage [their] future" this summer in any trades.
Heyman On Tigers, Lee, Holliday
Jon Heyman of SI.com says Joe Girardi and Jim Tracy have no guarantees beyond this year. Manny Acta and Eric Wedge, who have both been on the hot seat lately, have no guarantees either. Here are Heyman's latest rumors:
- The Tigers could acquire a pitcher, a hitter, or both. For now, GM Dave Dombrowski says they're "monitoring" the market.
- Heyman applauds the Tigers for drafting Rick Porcello and trading for Edwin Jackson.
- Indians GM Mark Shapiro on the chances he deals Cliff Lee: "unlikely to almost impossible."
- The Rangers and Phillies are two contenders who could overwhelm the Indians with a prospect-rich offer for Lee.
- Matt Holliday, who Heyman calls "the most likely star to be traded," makes $13.5MM this year, so the A's may have to pick up some salary if they deal him, especially if they want to receive top prospects in return.
- The Mets deserve credit for finding Fernando Nieve on the Astros' scrap heap.