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Rosenthal On Phillies, Dempster, Soriano, Chavez

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Phillies general partner David Montgomery told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he’s not thinking about trading away established players since opportunity still exists for his 29-33 club. “Come August or something, maybe we feel differently,” Montgomery acknowledged, noting that the team’s current goal is to re-enter the playoff picture.

Here are more rumors and notes from Rosenthal…

  • Though the Cubs want to add talent, they are reluctant to start a long rebuilding process. Of all the Cubs, Ryan Dempster is most likely to be traded, according to Rosenthal. One general manager said the right-hander seems like a “classic Ned Colletti buy,” so don’t be surprised if the Dodgers show some interest in Dempster. 
  • Rosenthal speculates that the Indians could be a fit for Alfonso Soriano. Though the Cubs would be paying most of the outfielder’s salary in any trade, Soriano can still hit, especially against left-handers. Rival teams expect the Indians to be aggressive this summer, and they could use a right-handed bat like Soriano.
  • Teams aren’t sure that Wandy Rodriguez would succeed in the American League.
  • One person said there’s “no chance” the Red Sox could obtain prospects for Kevin Youkilis without paying most of his salary.
  • The Reds want to add a left-handed hitter, Rosenthal reports.
  • Though Eric Chavez can still play, preparing for games has become “a huge hurdle to climb physically.” The Yankees and White Sox were the only teams to show interest in the 34-year-old this past offseason, and he would have been content to retire if necessary.
  • Don’t be surprised if the Giants look to acquire a reliever, Rosenthal writes.
  • One executive wonders if the Orioles could trade Brian Matusz in a deal for a more established starter.

Phillies To Sign Top Picks Watson, Gueller, Cozens

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6:53pm: Callis also tweets that the Phillies have signed their second-round pick Dylan Cozens, while Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer adds (via Twitter as well) that they've signed all three of their top picks at slot value. That means in addition to Watson and Cozens, Philadelphia has inked supplemental rounder Mitch Gueller (No. 54 overall).

Gueller, a prep right-hander out of Washington will receive $940,200. The Phillies received the 54th pick as compensation for losing Raul Ibanez. Cozens, a prep outfielder out of Arizona, will receive $659,800. Callis touts his athleticism and power.

6:08pm: The Phillies have agreed to terms with supplemental first round pick Shane Watson, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter).

Watson, a right-hander out of Lakewood High School in California, will receive full slot as the 40th overall pick — a bonus of $1,291,300. The Phils received the pick as compensation for losing Ryan Madson to the Reds. According to Callis, Watson can touch 96mph with his heater and also features a plus curveball.

Jorge Soler Rumors: Monday

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Cuban outfield prospect Jorge Soler could sign any day now. A number of teams have been linked to Soler, who must sign by July 2 if he aims to maximize his earning potential and avoid the spending restrictions that will soon take effect. Here’s the latest on Soler:

  • The Phillies have maintained a stealth pursuit of Soler and have made him an offer, Jim Salisbury‏ of CSNPhilly.com reports (on Twitter).
  • Some competing executives see the Cubs as the favorite for Soler, Heyman tweets.
  • The Dodgers are no longer engaged on Soler, Yahoo’s Tim Brown reports (on Twitter). ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported late last week that the Dodgers were among his most aggressive suitors.
  • The Blue Jays are said to be in the mix for Soler, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). Heyman notes that the Cubs and Yankees also appear to be involved.

NL East Notes: Nationals, Phillies, Bernazard

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Some notes from the National League East before the Nationals, Marlins and Braves suit up for three of the day's four MLB games…

Cafardo On Upton, Phillies, Red Sox, Mariners

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In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe ranks the top ten managers in baseball.  Don Mattingly of the Dodgers tops the list as he has the club off to a surprising 38-22 record, putting them four games above the Giants in the NL West.  Robin Ventura (White Sox), Terry Collins (Mets), Bobby Valentine (Red Sox), and Buck Showalter (Orioles) round out the top five.  Here's more from Cafardo..

  • Only Kevin Towers knows for sure if the inconsistent Justin Upton could ever be available in a deal.  However, a few baseball evaluators wouldn’t mind tempting the Diamondbacks with a package.  Arizona doesn't need pitching, so the Red Sox can't use someone like Clay Buchholz to get him.
  • The Phillies may be more interested in Will Middlebrooks than Kevin Youkilis, a major league source told Cafardo.  However, it doesn't look like the Red Sox would have interest in dealing Middlebrooks.
  • The Orioles' new six-year, $85MM deal with Adam Jones has led to speculation on how the Red Sox will approach Jacoby Ellsbury, who can be a free agent after the 2013 season.  However, there's reason for both sides to wait.  As an Oregon native who shuns the spotlight, Ellsbury may want a quieter market.  The Sox, meanwhile, would want to see Ellsbury stay healthy for a while before committing 6-8 years to him.
  • While the Mariners haven’t given indications that they will sell off veteran pieces, teams are targeting them as a seller.  The M's have already received some inquiries for Brandon League.
  • The Rays have to be looking for a middle infielder, which are extremely hard to come by.  Tampa Bay is anxious to upgrade from the defensive play of Sean Rodriguez.
  • The Red Sox really like Jorge Soler, but they don’t appear to be the front-runners for him.

Draft Signings: Mathisen, Maxwell, Cardinals

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Here are Saturday's notable non-first round draft pick signings…

  • The Pirates have agreed to sign second rounder Wyatt Mathisen according to Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (on Sulia). Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects first reported the agreement. The high school catcher from Texas was the 69th overall pick, which carries a slot value of $746K.
  • The Athletics have signed second rounder Bruce Maxwell for a below slot $770K, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). The college bat was slotted for $831K.  Maxwell is represented by Matt Sosnick and Adam Karon of Sosnick Cobbe Sports.
  • In addition to first rounder Stryker Trahan, the Diamondbacks announced that they've agreed to terms with 30 other draft picks. Second rounder Jose Munoz and third rounder Jake Barrett highlight the crop. The Arizona Republic has the full list.
  • Ben Nicholson-Smith reports (on Twitter) that the D'Backs gave ninth rounder Jeff Gibbs a $90K bonus plus college tuition. Callis reports (on Twitter) that they gave fourth rounder Charles Taylor a $250K bonus. Slot money for those two picks is $125K and $286K, respectively.
  • The Cardinals have signed third rounder Tim Cooney for a straight slot $404K bonus, reports Callis (on Twitter). The left-hander hails from Wake Forest.
  • The Mariners have agreed to terms with fourth rounder Patrick Kivlehan, reports MLB.com's Josh Liebeskind. Slot money for the Rutgers third baseman is $353K. Seattle also signed 12th rounder Mike Faulkner for $100K according to Callis (on Twitter).
  • The Red Sox have signed their fifth through tenth round draft picks according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier. All six players are college seniors.
  • The Royals have signed sixth rounder Zach Lovvorn for $275K, reports Callis (on Twitter). Slot money for the pick was $194K.
  • The Astros announced the signing of eight more picks, including ninth rounder Daniel Minor. Houston has now signed 18 picks total according to the release.
  • The Phillies have signed tenth rounder Kevin Brady for a straight slot $125K bonus according to Callis (on Twitter). The right-hander is out of Clemson.

Phillies Looking For Outside Help

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Mired in last place in the NL East with a 28-31 record, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel indicated to reporters (including Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer) that the club is looking for help outside the organization. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says the skipper hinted that bullpen help is the primary target (Twitter links).

"You never stop exploring things," said assistant GM Scott Proefrock to Gelb (via Sulia). "Our objective is to get better. That's what we're charged with. That's what we're trying to do. That's what we talk to our scouts about constantly. When things are going good, we're doing the same thing. There isn't more pressure."

The Phillies own the fourth worst bullpen ERA (4.33) in baseball despite stellar early returns from their investment in Jonathan Papelbon (2.31 ERA in 24 games). Jose Contreras (5.27 ERA) was ineffective before suffering a season-ending injury and Chad Qualls continues to struggle (5.32 ERA). David Herndon's 4.70 ERA is the club's best by a non-Papelbon right-handed reliever.

Stark On Padres, Dodgers, Stanton, Phillies

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The Tigers, Phillies, Mets, White Sox and Rays are among the most surprising teams in baseball so far this season, Jayson Stark writes at ESPN.com. Here are some details from Stark's latest Rumblings & Grumblings column…

  • GM Josh Byrnes admits that "this season is probably unsalvageable" for the 19-39 Padres, but he isn’t looking to trade Carlos Quentin. "We need his home run production in the middle of the order,” Byrnes told Stark. “So we're not looking to trade him in mid-June. We're definitely open to keeping him around beyond this year." The Padres haven’t yet talked to Quentin or his agent about a deal for 2013 and beyond. I set out to determine the outfielder's trade value last week.
  • Rival teams say the Dodgers are looking for a starter, a lefty reliever and a bat.
  • There are no indications the Marlins will look to extend Giancarlo Stanton in the near future, Stark reports. One person says the Marlins would “never” consider giving anyone, Stanton included, a seven-year deal. Stanton probably won’t qualify for arbitration until after the 2013 season.
  • Anibal Sanchez will hit free agency a few months from now, but rival executives don’t expect the Marlins to sign another starting pitcher for $10MM-plus per season.
  • MLB execs believe Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is aiming to make his team younger. Phillies scouts are eyeing young third basemen and center fielders as Placido Polanco and Shane Victorino near free agency.

Olney On Hamels, Hamilton, Quentin

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The free agent market will feature an unusually strong class of outfielders this coming offseason, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney writes. Josh Hamilton leads a group that includes Michael Bourn, Andre Ethier, Melky Cabrera, Shane Victorino, B.J. Upton and Carlos Quentin. However, teams are looking to avoid unnecessary long-term commitments, so it may not be possible for all of these players to cash in. Here are more notes from Olney:

  • Cole Hamels’ contract talks with the Phillies remain dormant, Olney reports. Hamels is on track for free agency after the season, when he’ll be the top starting pitcher available.
  • One general manager suggested the Orioles could become aggressive bidders for Hamilton, who will likely command an annual salary of $20MM-plus. "But [at that price] I don't think he's got a lot of places to go," the GM told Olney.
  • Some MLB officials guesstimate Quentin could be in line for a deal in the four-year, $48MM range if he stays healthy and keeps hitting. Four years and $60MM isn’t out of the question, according to those officials. 
  • Personally I see Quentin signing for two or three years at an average annual value of $6-9MM. He'll turn 30 before the offseason, his defense isn't particularly well-regarded and injury questions persist, so I believe he'd do well to match Josh Willingham's three-year, $21MM deal.
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