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.
Odds And Ends: Zito, Red Sox, Pedro
Some links for the morning…
- Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says the Giants have to think about releasing Barry Zito after the season because he's weighing them down.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says the Giants can't afford to release Zito just yet.
- Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox could use another lefty specialist in the 'pen.
- Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates are confident Miguel Angel Sano is a 16 years old, like he says.
- Jamey Newberg updates us on the top 20 Rangers prospects at MLB.com. You have to think the Blue Jays are looking at a version of this list.
- Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle says no one will be watching Matt Holliday more closely than the Giants.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders if Pedro Martinez can have a David Cone-like late career renaissance in Philadelphia.
- And check out the final part of my discussion over at NESN.com for a look at the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays and an under-the-radar trade candidate.
Odds and Ends: Pedro, Wells, Tepesch, Zito
A few links for your pre-second half entertainment:
- Dave Cameron at Fangraphs is counting down the 50 players with the most trade value. Today, he posted #30-#26.
- ESPN's Jayson Stark recaps the Pedro Martinez press conference, and contends that the newest Phillie will start off on the DL because he didn't want to sign a minor league contract.
- Anthony Rieber of Newsday.com argues that the Yankess are in a unique position to land Roy Halladay – if they are willing to eat the contract of Vernon Wells.
- In the latest in a series of short videos on college prospects, ESPN's Keith Law scouts Missouri RHP Nick Tepesch.
- And Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News argues that it is time for the Giants to attempt to trade Barry Zito or release him in the off-season.
Odds And Ends: Strasburg, Huff, Pedro
Some links to read through this afternoon…
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Nats "absolutely, positively must sign" Stephen Strasburg this summer. The Strasburg saga is just one of Crasnick's nine stories to watch in the second half.
- Stan McNeal of the Sporting News says a fringe prospect should be enough for the O's to ship Aubrey Huff and his $8MM salary away.
- Pedro Martinez said he was pitching hurt with the Mets, but feels better now, according to the AP (via ESPN).
- Benjamin Kabak of River Ave. Blues says the Yankees would have to be prepared to give up a painful amount in a possible Roy Halladay deal.
- Pirates reliever Tyler Yates had Tommy John surgery, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Check out my thoughts on the market for outfielders this offseason at NESN.com. Evans Clinchy of NESN.com believes it's now time for the Red Sox to lock Jason Bay up.
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.
Odds And Ends: Pedro, Milton, Halladay
Some links to check out after a surprisingly quick All-Star Game…
- Pedro Martinez will begin his tenure with the Phillies on the DL, according to David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.
- The Phillies will announce the signing at 11am CST.
- Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the Pedro signing can't be the biggest move the Phillies make this month.
- Dodgers pitcher Eric Milton had back surgery and will likely miss the rest of the season according to ESPN.
- Roy Halladay says the Blue Jays have a lot to look forward to, but he's not sure this is their year, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.
- I preview the offseason outfield market over at NESN.com so check out the Q&A for some thoughts on Johnny Damon, Jason Bay and Carl Crawford.
Phillies Sign Pedro Martinez
10:35pm: Andy Martino reports that the Phillies signed Pedro.
8:39pm: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki has confirmed that a press conference introducing Pedro as a member of the Phillies will take place tomorrow.
6:26pm: Gordon Edes, who first broke the news on Pedro's successful physical, now has a full story up on Yahoo! Sports. It's a nice roundup of the events leading towards Wednesday's press conference.
5:32pm: Martino reports the deal is worth around $1MM, with another $1.5MM in incentives. The Phillies are expected to make it all official with a press conference tomorrow.
4:41pm: Pedro Martinez passed his physical with the Phillies and is expected to sign a deal with the defending World Champions soon, according to Yahoo's Gordon Edes.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. had no comment on Edes' report, according to Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Pedro Martinez Rumors: Tuesday
Pedro Martinez starts his physical with the Phillies in about 20 minutes. Here are the latest rumors on the subject:
- ESPN.com's Jayson Stark says it's not a "slam dunk" that Pedro will pass the physical, but it's the only obstacle he faces and all signs point to an agreement in the near future.
- It's no surprise that David Murphy and Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News hear Pedro will sign if he passes his physical.
- Pedro told TV reporters that his poor showing last season was partially because of his father's death and his own health problems, according to Murphy.
Pedro Martinez To Take Physical For Phils
2:57pm: Martino says Pedro's physical will take place tomorrow morning at 10am CST.
11:52am: Andy Martino reports that Pedro landed in Philly for his physical.
10:37am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the physical will take place tomorrow, which means Pedro could sign as soon as Wednesday. Pedro, who should be ready for the majors in about three weeks, is expected to sign for less than $5MM prorated.
8:42am: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki says Pedro will fly to Philadelphia today and take a physical today or tomorrow. Martinez should sign in the coming days if he passes his physical.
1:35am: WCAU-TV's John Clark is reporting that Pedro Martinez "may be touching down in Philadelphia Monday to meet with Phillies officials." Tentative phrasing, but enough to catch ESPN's eye. That Marc Stein ESPN article credits Jayson Stark with some info as well:
After arriving, it is believed Martinez will take a physical, which appears to be the final obstacle standing in the way of the 37-year-old right-hander signing with the Phillies for the remainder of the season.
I'm thinking Pedro will get a couple million bucks, and we'll all talk about the prorated amount to make him feel better. If a deal is reached, does Martinez have enough left in the tank to bring down the Phils' 5.04 rotation ERA? The team's high-octane lineup would be paired with a rotation of Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, Jamie Moyer, and Martinez. I'm curious to see where Pedro would slot into the playoff rotation should the Phillies' four-game division lead hold up.
More food for thought: ESPN's Buster Olney said Thursday that a Pedro signing wouldn't affect a Roy Halladay pursuit. Would Moyer be the odd man out in the event of a deal, despite the money owed to him through 2010?
Odds And Ends: Chapman, Nats, Buehrle
More links for the afternoon…
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney believes the Phillies should let the Blue Jays take three A prospects, one B prospect and one C prospect for Roy Halladay.
- The Nationals point to the positives in this letter to their fans.
- Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman chose an agent, according to the AP (via ESPN).
- As Mike Viera of the Washington Post notes, Mike Rizzo's goals for the 2009 Nationals aren't based on win totals.
- Mark Buehrle told Derrick Goold that he'd like to wear a Cardinals jersey for one day.
- And there are some radio appearances to let you know about. I'll be on 1570 The Score at 4:05 CST, 830 KLAA in LA at 6:05 CST and FirstInning.com at 7:05 CST.
- And check out my thoughts on Roy Halladay over at NESN.com.