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Phillies Looking For Pitching, Can Add Payroll

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Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Phillies are working towards adding to a pitching staff that's been weakened by the absence of Brad Lidge and Brett Myers. The team has enough financial flexibility to add payroll, but there's no guarantee Ruben Amaro Jr. will be able to acquire the pitching he covets.

"So many [teams] are looking for pitching," he says. "Wanting to do something and actually doing something are often totally different things."

For now, Amaro says he's "pursuing both" relievers and starters. Salisbury mentions Erik Bedard as a possible fit, though the Mariners would ask for a lot in return and the Phillies would have to be sure Bedard's shoulder is healthy. Amaro says he wouldn't mind adding a lefty to a group of southpaws that includes Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, J.A. Happ and Antonio Bastardo. 

Phillies Sign Top Draft Pick

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According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Phillies have reached a deal with second-round draft pick Kelly Dugan.

Dugan, a switch-hitting high school outfielder from California, was actually the club's first overall selection. Phillies assistant general manager Benny Looper had some nice compliments for the kid on Saturday evening:

"I think several things impressed me," said Looper.  "A lot of it isn't what I saw, but what I know about his character.  His personality.  His work ethic.  What we were able to see was the athleticism and the tools.  The run tool.  The throw tool.  He's a switch-hitter.  He's got a good looking swing."  

Dugan is expected to report to rookie ball later this month.

Brad Penny Drawing Interest

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A major league source informed the Boston Globe's Nick Carfado Sunday that the Red Sox "have fielded multiple calls and some offers" for Brad Penny.  As Carfado writes,

So far the Red Sox, who feel they are dealing in a position of strength, haven't heard anything that would want to make them deal the right-hander even with a logjam in their starting rotation.  The source indicated the Sox like their depth situation and would need to be overwhelmed to make a deal.  While that scenario could take place as teams get more desperate to find pitching, the Red Sox feel they can hold off even it if creates tough decisions internally.

"I think they learned from the Bronson Arroyo situation that depth is fleeting," said the major league source.  "They won't make that mistake again."

Penny, a 31-year-old right-hander, is 5-2 this season with a 5.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 44/20 K/BB ratio.  This report jives with Jon Heyman's tweet from yesterday.  We discovered last week that the Phillies have some level of interest.

Odds & Ends: Donald, DeRosa, Tigers, Boras

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Three years ago today the Diamondbacks cut ties with righthander Russ Ortiz. With $22MM remaining on the four year, $33MM deal he signed before the 2005 season, Ortiz became the highest paid player ever to be released by a Major League team.

On to the links…

  • Despite his knee injury, Jason Donald remains one of the Phillies' best trade chips according to Scott Lauber.
  • Derrick Goold writes that Mark DeRosa's trade value is rising with the team's recent hot streak.
  • The Detroit Free Press polled it's readers, and 32.7% want to see the Tigers trade for a bullpen arm to stay in contention.
  • Bill Shaikin writes about master negotiator Scott Boras and his affect on the draft.
  • Kurt Streeter reports that 36-year-old Jose Lima is still hoping to make it back to the big leagues. Lima Time is currently 1-1 with a 3.16 ERA for the independent Long Beach Armada, and last pitched in the big leagues for the Mets in 2006.
  • ESPN's Jorge Arangure tweets that the Padres are targetting Dominican outfielder Jose Alberta Pena.
  • Miami linebacker Glenn Cook was surprised when the Cubs drafted him in the 48th round because he hasn't played baseball in six years.

Donald To Have Surgery, Phils Lose A Trade Chip

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6:49pm: The Morning Call's article has been updated to say Donald will miss three to four weeks. which matches Zolecki's report. This would give the Phillies a few weeks before the deadline to showcase a healthy Donald.

5:42pm: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports that Phillies' infield prospect Jason Donald will have surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Morning Call says that he could miss up to six weeks, which means he could be on the shelf until the trade deadline.

Donald was hitting just .230-.293-.324 in 226 plate appearances for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, but he's considered one of Philadelphia's best prosects. Just last week we heard rumors of a Brad Penny for Donald swap, but any trade talks involving the 24-yr old shortstop will have to be put on hold now.

Odds & Ends: Sano, Jones, Draft, Fukumori

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A bevy of links for your Saturday morning…

  • Dennis Manoloff reports that the Indians intend to make an offer to uberprospect Miguel Angel Sano.
  • ESPN's Jorge Arangure tweets that the "Yankees have made it very clear that catcher Gary Sanchez is their top choice" on the international market. Last night we noted that the Yanks were going to work Sano out at their Dominican academy next week.
  • Andruw Jones says he asked out of Dodger Blue because of the way owner Frank McCourt treated him, according to Dylan Hernandez.
  • Frank Seravalli reports that Phillies are set to sign second round pick Kyle Dugan today. Dugan was Philadelphia's first selection in the draft after they forfeited their first rounder to sign Raul Ibanez.
  • Kevin Goldstein wonders why Stephen Strasburg's impending megadeal is such a big deal. Meanwhile Michael Wilbon says "No way in the world I'd have taken Stephen Strasburg with the No. 1 pick in the draft," citing the risk. Show me a draft pick without risk, and I'll show you the three bridges in New York I have for sale.
  • Patrick at NPB Tracker notes that the recently released Kazuo Fukumori is set to audition for his former team, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League.

Heyman On Penny, Ackley, Milledge

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SI.com's Jon Heyman places Marco Scutaro and David Ortiz atop his lists of over and underperforming players. In the same article, he provides some trade rumors:

  • The Phillies, Mets and Cardinals are among the teams "in" on the Brad Penny discussions.
  • Philadelphia would still like to acquire a premium pitcher; they're "aiming higher" than Penny.  
  • Dustin Ackley is apparently seeking "Mark Teixeira money."  No, he's not looking for $180MM, but he'd like a deal worth $9.5MM, like the one Teixiera received out of college.
  • And there's word of trade talks involving Lastings Milledge.

Draft Odds and Ends: Phillies, Red Sox, Brewers

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Some draft-themed links…

Draft Roundup: Late Picks, Strasburg, Purke

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Time to pass along some more links, including some noteworthy selections late in the draft…

Stark On Rockies, Angels, Pierre

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In his latest article, Jayson Stark also discusses the many Rockies and Angels thought to be available. Here are the latest rumors:

  • The Phillies are "hunting quietly" for right-handed outfielders. Ryan Spilborghs is on their radar.   
  • One official said Dan O'Dowd would consider moving "anyone" on the Rockies.
  • The Rangers are believed to be watching Huston Street closely.  
  • Jason Marquis could become available too, but some think the Rockies should hang on, given his success. 
  • The Angels seem willing to listen on Mike Napoli, Jeff Mathis and their entire infield, which consists of Kendry Morales, Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar and Chone Figgins.
  • They appear to have interest in young, high-upside pitchers, which could mean they're unsure they'll re-sign John Lackey after the season. 
  • The Dodgers are "sending out signals" that Juan Pierre could be available when Manny Ramirez returns. It's unclear whether the Dodgers would pick up any of the $15MM or so remaining on Pierre's contract.  
  • Among top starters, Erik Bedard is "most frequently connected with the Phillies," but many people around baseball doubt he would fit in Philadelphia.
  • Phillies prospects Lou Marson and Michael Taylor are likely available, but J.A. Happ, Antonio Bastardo, Dominic Brown, Kyle Drabek, Jason Knapp, Jason Donald and Carlos Carrasco would be much harder to acquire.
  • One scout thinks the Pirates may have acquired three future stars for Nate McLouth.   
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