NL Central Notes: Cards, Taillon, Stephenson
The Cardinals‘ recent firing of scouting director Chris Correa in the wake of the organization’s hacking scandal is part of a broader problem of “brain-drain,” the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Bernie Miklasz writes. A number of top front-office minds left the Cardinals joined Jeff Luhnow in heading to Houston several years ago, and Correa himself replaced Dan Kantrovitz, who left the Cardinals following the 2014 to rejoin the Athletics organization. The investigation into the hacking scandal continues, so the Cardinals might have to withstand other front office departures. Team chairman Bill DeWitt is in a tough position — he’ll surely want to keep what’s left of his front office mostly intact, but if he doesn’t continue punishing any other hacking offenders, he’ll be seen as “soft on baseball crime,” as Miklasz puts it. Here’s more from the NL Central.
- Pirates starting pitching prospect Jameson Taillon will have surgery next week to fix an inguinal hernia, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Travis Sawchik tweets. Taillon will miss two months, so the injury is likely to end his season. He had already missed the entire 2014 season after having Tommy John surgery and had not pitched in 2015, so he will effectively miss two years of development. Taillon was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft, and his talent remains significant, but his injury problems appear to be denting his prospect status.
- The Reds promoted top prospect Robert Stephenson to Triple-A Louisville, where he debuted Friday night, as MiLB.com’s Daren Smith notes. Stephenson pitched well for Double-A Pensacola, with a 3.68 ERA and 10.2 K/9 in 78 2/3 innings, although he walked 4.9 batters per nine. MLB.com currently rates Stephenson the Reds’ best prospect and the 18th-best prospect in baseball, praising his fastball (which can reach into the upper 90s) and excellent curveball. (Baseball Prospectus and Baseball America largely agreed on Stephenson’s place in baseball’s prospect hierarchy, ranking him 16th and 23rd, respectively, heading into the season.) At Louisville, he’ll likely need to continue working on his control. “There have been a couple things we’ve been working on, but the big problem was that I was nitpicking too much and being too fine with my pitches,” says Stephenson. “The other thing was that I was rushing it a little bit, and when I sped up my tempo, I wasn’t able to repeat my motion and throw strikes. When I slow it down, I’m able to repeat my arm slot every time.”
Mets’ Alderson Expresses Support For Terry Collins
Mets GM Sandy Alderson says manager Terry Collins and is not to blame for the team’s current troubles and that the Mets have no plans to fire him, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York writes. Alderson is traveling with the Mets on the team’s current West Coast road trip, but he says that’s unrelated to Collins’ status.
“We’re a .500 team. We haven’t been moving in the right direction,” Alderson says. However, he adds, “[w]e’ve had a lot of people hurt for long periods of time. … We’ve got some young guys in particular that are not hitting. We’ve got some older players that have had to try to carry the load. I think to put all of this on Terry would be grossly unfair.”
The Mets’ front office also had a meeting Thursday, although FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal indicates that the meeting was routine and that the organization did not discuss Collins’ status. Rosenthal notes, however, that the next several weeks will be important ones for the team.
The Mets were 15-5 in late April, but since then they’ve gone 26-35 and are currently just one game above .500. Veteran hitters like Michael Cuddyer and Lucas Duda have struggled lately, along with relievers like Carlos Torres and Alex Torres. Cuddyer, David Wright and catcher Travis d’Arnaud are among a number of Mets players currently dealing with injuries.
Twins Outright Doug Bernier
The Twins have outrighted utility infielder Doug Bernier, according to the MLB.com transactions page. He was back in the lineup for Triple-A Rochester late last week, so he evidently accepted the assignment.
The 35-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Twins after they outrighted him following last season. Bernier then played several weeks for Rochester before being promoted in early May. He collected just six plate appearances with the Twins before being optioned back to the minors.
Bernier has a .254/.326/.308 line in 188 plate appearances with Rochester this season. The Triple-A veteran has 83 career plate appearances in the big leagues, spread across four seasons with the Twins and Rockies.
Week In Review: 6/27/15 – 7/3/15
Here’s a look back at this week at MLBTR.
Key Moves
- Jerry Dipoto resigned as GM of the Angels.
- The Dodgers‘ signing of Yadier Alvarez, the Blue Jays‘ deal with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Giants‘ signing of Lucius Fox, the Phillies‘ signing of Jhailyn Ortiz and a series of high-profile signings by the Cubs highlighted the opening of the July 2 international signing season. You can track international signings here.
- This week’s high-profile draft signings included Carson Fulmer (White Sox – link), Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox – link), Daz Cameron (Astros – link), Garrett Whitley (Rays – link), DJ Stewart (Orioles – link) and Richie Martin (Athletics – link). You can track top draft signings here.
Trades
- Cubs – acquired P Clayton Richard from Pirates for cash considerations
- Angels – acquired C Rafael Lopez from Cubs for P Manuel Rondon and the rights to international bonus spending
- Rays – acquired P Garrett Fulenchek from Braves for the rights to international bonus spending
- Angels – acquired P Gaither Bumgardner from Mets for the rights to international bonus spending
- Angels – acquired P Jason Hoppe from Rangers for the rights to international bonus spending
- Dodgers – acquired OF Jordan Paroubeck and P Caleb Dirks from Braves for the rights to international bonus spending
- Dodgers – acquired P Chase De Jong and IF Tim Locastro from Blue Jays for the rights to international bonus spending
- Marlins – acquired P Enderson Franco from Rays for the rights to international bonus spending
- Athletics – acquired P Cody Martin from Braves for the rights to international bonus spending
- Tigers – acquired IF Alexi Casilla from Rays for a player to be named or cash
Top Prospect Promotions
- Twins – IF Miguel Sano (link)
Designated For Assignment
- Tigers – P Joba Chamberlain, P Tom Gorzelanny (link)
- Rays – 1B Marc Krauss (link), P Ronald Belisario (link)
- Rangers – P Neftali Feliz (link)
- Red Sox – P Zeke Spruill (link)
- Giants – P Brett Bochy (link), 1B Travis Ishikawa (link), IF Casey McGehee (link)
- Blue Jays – P Todd Redmond (link)
- Dodgers – P Brandon League (link)
- Athletics – 1B Nate Freiman (link)
- Mariners – UT Willie Bloomquist (link)
- Orioles – OF Delmon Young (link)
Outrighted
- Blue Jays – IF Steven Tolleson (link)
- Yankees – P Esmil Rogers (link)
- Pirates – OF Jose Tabata (link), P Chris Volstad (link)
- Angels – P Edgar Ibarra (link)
- Marlins – P Vin Mazzaro (link)
- Red Sox – P John Cornely (link)
Released
- Indians – P Scott Atchison (link)
Key Minor League Signings
- Mariners – C Erik Kratz (link)
- Dodgers – P Trevor Cahill (link)
- Orioles – P Chris Perez (link)
- Athletics – P Phil Coke (link)
Miguel Cabrera To Miss Six Weeks
The Tigers have placed first baseman Miguel Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list with a Grade 3 calf strain, and he will miss six weeks, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com (Twitter links). They’ve selected the contract of infielder Jefry Marte from Triple-A Toledo to take his place on the active roster.
Obviously, the injury represents a significant blow to the Tigers, who are trying to hold on against the Royals and Twins in the AL Central. Cabrera currently leads the American League in batting average (.350), on-base percentage (.456) and OPS (1.034).
The 32-year-old Cabrera has been one of baseball’s most durable players throughout his career, appearing in 148 or more games in every season since 2004. Remarkably, this will be his first career stint on the disabled list.
“When Miggy says he can’t play, you know it’s serious,” says Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, via MLive.com’s James Schmehl. “Miggy plays through anything.”
It’s unclear how the Tigers will replace Cabrera in their lineup. Marte, formerly a prospect in the Mets organization, hit a solid .271/.337/.497 for Toledo while playing third base and shortstop, although he’s also played first base on occasion in the past. Alex Avila and Andrew Romine are also currently on the Tigers’ active roster and have played first base this season. Avila, who recently returned from the disabled list himself, will start at first base today, Schmehl tweets.
Rays Designate Marc Krauss For Assignment
The Rays have designated first baseman Marc Krauss for assignment, Bill Chastain of MLB.com tweets. The move clears space on the Rays’ 40-man roster for lefty Everett Teaford. They also optioned lefty C.J. Riefenhauser to the minors. Teaford, a starter in the minors, could provide the Rays with innings today after a 12-inning game against the Yankees on Friday.
The 27-year-old Krauss has collected 48 plate appearances with the Rays and Angels this season, and the bulk of his big-league experience came with the Astros in 2013 and 2014. He’s a career .192/.264/.332 hitter in 402 plate appearances in the Majors. He’s been a significantly better hitter in the minors, batting .289/.415/.453 in 195 plate appearances with the Angels’ Triple-A Salt Lake affiliate this season. The Rays acquired him for righty Kyle Winkler last week.
Pirates Outright Chris Volstad
JULY 4: The Bucs have outrighted Volstad to Triple-A Indianapolis, according to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter).
JUNE 28: The Pirates announced that they have designated Chris Volstad for assignment. As reported earlier, outfielder Jose Tabata has also been bumped to make room on the 40-man roster.
Volstad, 28, was called up to the big league roster just last week and pitched two innings for the Bucs against the Reds on June 24th. The right-hander seen substantial big league time since 2012, but he was solid in 76 Triple-A frames, putting up a 3.43 ERA with 5.9 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9. For his career, the 6’8″ hurler owns a 4.92 ERA with 5.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9.
As the MLBTR DFA Tracker shows, there are now five players in DFA limbo: Volstad, Tabata, Rafael Lopez, Erik Kratz, and Scott Atchison.
Yankees, A-Rod Settle Home Run Milestone Dispute
The Yankees have reached agreement with Alex Rodriguez on a settlement regarding the payment of a home run milestone bonus clause in his contract, as the Associated Press reports (via ESPN.com). New York will pay out $3.5MM to charitable organizations under the settlement.
Rodriguez and the MLBPA had reportedly planned to contest the team’s refusal to pay a $6MM bonus for his 660th home run, the first of several that trigger such bonuses under his deal. The club cited the fact that the bonus was termed a discretionary marketing opportunity under the contract in asserting that it was not obligated to make payment. (Click here for the contract’s details.)
The settlement avoids a potentially ugly grievance proceeding, which all involved were surely motivated not to undertake. It is unclear whether the parties have reached any agreement or understanding regarding future milestones. The next one up is Babe Ruth’s 714 mark, though that seems a long shot for this season with Rodriguez sitting at 669 long balls. Of course, his contract does promise him another $40MM after this season, covering the 2016 and 2017 campaigns.
Notably, the deal means that the Yankees will avoid paying any luxury tax on the $6MM bonus, which would have cost the club $3MM. That adds to the savings achieved on the actual payout.
Rangers Designate Neftali Feliz, Activate Matt Harrison
The Rangers have designated righty Neftali Feliz for assignment, Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest reports on Twitter. His roster spot will go to starter Matt Harrison, who will return to the big leagues after a long layoff for serious back surgery.
Feliz, 27, was once an ace reliever for Texas and owns a 2.71 career ERA over 259 1/3 big league innings. He has struck out 8.4 and walked 3.5 batters per nine over that span, with a 35.4% groundball rate.
Those career marks include a particularly rough start to the current season. Feliz has allowed 5.09 earned runs per regulation game, with 7.6 K/9 against 4.6 BB/9. He still works in the 93 to 94 mph range with his fastball, down a few ticks from his early season peak but still in line with recent campaigns.
Truth be told, the results have not been supported by ERA estimators in recent seasons. Feliz has not posted a sub-4.00 SIERA since way back in 2011, and has not dipped below the 3.00 mark by that measure since his first two seasons. Much the same holds when one looks at his FIP and xFIP numbers.
Things seemingly took a turn for the worse when the team attempted to utilize him as a starter in 2012. Feliz had a rocky go of it, throwing 42 2/3 innings of 3.16 ERA ball while benefiting greatly from a high strand rate and miniscule .213 BABIP. ERA estimators all had him pegged as a replacement level rotation piece. Feliz ultimately succumbed to Tommy John surgery in May of 2012, and has never quite recovered his arm speed.
While all the signs were there, it nevertheless remains stunning to see the move. Feliz was one of the game’s more promising arms in his heyday. He is owed $4.13MM this year, and comes with one more season of arbitration eligibility. Given his salary and recent performance, it would not be surprising to see him pass through waivers, but with over five years of service (he entered the season with 4.151 on his tab), he’d be eligible to elect free agency and keep the money.
The other major news here, of course, is the return of Harrison. It once seemed unclear whether he’d ever throw again, yet alone return to the majors. The 29-year-old was a steady contributor over 2011-12, racing up 399 frames with a 3.34 ERA and leading the team to lock him up to a five-year, $55MM pact. He is still under control through 2018, with the last year coming through a $13.25MM club option ($2MM buyout), and at this point Texas will be glad to receive any contribution from the southpaw.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Draft Signings: Thomas Eshelman, Bryan Hudson
Let’s catch up on some recent draft signings, with slot values via Baseball America:
- The Astros have locked up second-rounder Thomas Eshelman for a $1.1MM bonus that falls shy of the $1,325,700 slot value, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports on Twitter. Callis calls the righty the “best strike-thrower in NCAA history” — he averaged an unthinkable 0.42 BB/9 over this entire college career, per Baseball America — and indeed much of his value lies in his impeccable control. Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs had the highest grade on Eshelman, raning him 54th among draft-eligible players. Other evaluators placed him at or just out of the top 100. MLB.com explained that Eshelman’s fastball hovers in the 90 to 91 mph range, while his offspeed pitches are nothing particularly special.
- Cubs third-rounder Bryan Hudson receives a well-over-slot $1.1MM bonus, per Callis (via Twitter). The slot value at 82nd overall was just $731K. He’s a tall, projectable righty who rated as high as 71st coming into the draft, with MLB.com giving that grade. Baseball America put him in the 101st slot, noting that Hudson features a good curve and has smooth mechanics for a hurler of his size.