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Odds & Ends: Chapman, Pirates, Westbrook

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Some more links to go along with what's been a slow Sunday thus far:

  • If you haven't already, take a look at Jorge Arangure Jr.'s article on Aroldis Chapman. Arangure covers Chapman's journey and the decisions and sacrifices that he made when he defected from the Cuban national team. There are also two videos (one Insider only) to go along with the story. It's lengthy, but a great read. Peter Abraham offers a cautionary note regarding Chapman: "…keep in mind that the same things were being said about Jose Contreras and he’s just another guy at this point. There’s a lot more to being a great pitcher in the majors than having a good arm."
  • Dejan Kovacevic has some of Pirates general manager Neal Huntington's thoughts on several issues, including the club's recent losses and the need for a left-handed reliever. Jen Langosch has some of Huntington's thoughts as well, on topics including the farm system and newly-acquired Ronny Cedeno. Huntington would rather have a quality arm who can retire both left- and right-handed hitters than just a left-handed specialist.
  • Bad new for Indians fans: Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Jake Westbrook experienced another setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and will see Dr. Lewis Yocum this week. Westbrook isn't sure if the pain is something he should expect and work through, or if there are new issues in his arm. General manager Mark Shapiro has said that if Westbrook is healthy, he'll be Cleveland's opening day starter in 2010.
  • Buster Olney has a new article up, and talks about the Dodgers' shrinking lead on the NL West. Olney wonders if, with a growing need for starting pitching, the Dodgers will call on John Smoltz to try his hand back in the National League. Olney stresses that the Smoltz idea is just his own personal speculation.
  • Joel Sherman's Sunday Hardball column looks at how to fix the Mets for 2010. His solution begins with Mark DeRosa and Chone Figgins.

Odds & Ends: A’s, Yankees, Brewers

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Some links to peruse with your Sunday brunch:

Pirates Sign Sixth-Rounder For $1.2MM

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The Pirates continue to pony up quite a bit of cash into the draft in their efforts to rebuild: According to John Perrotto at Pirates Report, they signed their sixth-round pick, Zach Von Rosenberg, for a bonus of $1.2MM. Rosenberg, a 6-5 high-school righty, had a scholarship to Louisiana State.

It's another move in which the Pirates paid significantly more than the recommended slot bonus for their draft choice, as they gave $1.125MM to their eighth-round pick Colton Cain and $600k to their fourth-rounder Zack Dodson. They're a team on a mission. Dejan Kovacevic at the Pittsburth Post-Gazette projects that Von Rosenberg would immediately jump to the top 10 of the Pirates' farm system.

Odds & Ends: Tate, Phillies, Pirates, Indians

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Links? You can't handle the links!

  • ESPN's Jason Churchill notes that third overall pick Donovan Tate was expected to report to UNC's football camp today, and that the Padres are "mum on the negotiations between Tate's adviser, Scott Boras, and the club." If he doesn't sign, Tate will play both football and baseball for the Tar Heels.
  • Peter Gammons of ESPN writes about the Phillies and the rotation depth they've build this year. It seems like whenever we hear a team has pitching depth, it disappears. It's like the Madden cover curse, but crueler.
  • Pirates skipper John Russell admits that his club will "have to look to find a left-hander to solidify [the bullpen], either this season or in time for next season," reports John Perrotto of PiratesReport.com. The Bucs haven't had a southpaw in the pen since trading John Grabow to the Cubs at the deadline. 
  • Terry Pluto of The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that even though the Indians recent moves were driven by money, they still made sense for the organization.

Odds & Ends: Berroa, Yankees, Scheppers, Pirates

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More odds, more ends, more links…

  • Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog reports that the Mets have designated Angel Berroa for assignment. Berroa's tenure in Flushing lasted 31 plate appearances, in which he fashioned a .148-.233-.185 batting line.
  • George A. King III of The NY Post reports that the Yankees placed second baseman Robinson Cano, as well as relievers Brian Bruney, David Robertson, and Mark Melancon on waivers this past Wednesday. King says it's "highly unlikely the Yankees will deal Cano."
  • MLB.com's Daniel Paulling spoke to Greg Genske, agent for Rangers' supplemental first round pick Tanner Scheppers, and reports that Genske is "setting up an audition for Scheppers for about a half dozen Japanese teams within a couple of weeks." Genske hasn't decided whether or not to invite the Rangers to workout, and also mentions that Scheppers has been given a clean bill of health.
  • In addition to eighth rounder Colton Cain, the Pirates have also signed fourth round pick Zackry Dodson according to MLB.com's Jen Langosch. Team president Frank Coonelly denied a report that the team reached an agreement with Dodson last month.
  • Patrick at NPB Tracker passes along a report that Chris Resop has left the Hanshin Tigers and returned home to the States to recover from pain in his throwing elbow. Resop doesn't have any immediate plans to return to Japan, and Patrick says he's unlikely to get another shot with Hanshin.

Pirates Sign Eighth Rounder For Over $1MM

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6:04pm: Baseball America's Jim Callis reports that Cain received a $1.125MM bonus.

1:23pm: Via Twitter, Mayo reports that Cain's bonus is worth more than $1.1MM and less than $1.2MM.

12:45pm: The Pirates are set to sign eighth round pick Colton Cain for at least $1MM, according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. We heard the sides were close to a deal this morning, but there was no indication that it would reach seven figures. After shedding over $7MM in salary at the deadline, the Pirates appear to be re-investing in their system. It's safe to say the commissioner's office won't be pleased to hear of a late-round bonus this high.

Draft Updates: Pirates, Royals, Nats

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Updates on one pick who signed and a couple who may sign soon…

  • ESPN.com's Keith Law reports that the Royals agreed to sign 14th rounder Crawford Simmons for a $450k bonus.
  • Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates should sign eighth rounder Colton Cain this morning. He could receive a bonus worth over $350k; like Simmons' deal, that would be above-slot.
  • Nats selection Drew Storen was the first pick to sign. He told Chico Harlan of the Washington Post that he's looking forward to playing in the big leagues, possibly as soon as this season.

Sano Age Investigation Continues

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Miguel Angel Sano, said to be the prize of the international free agent market this year, was reported to have passed Major League Baseball's age investigation recently. However, Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com is reporting that investigations into Sano's age are still ongoing, and that the Pirates are the only team who have given him a formal offer.

Mayo says that offer is now off the table, and it was reported to be much less than the Cardinals' contract given to Wagner Mateo, which was the highest bonus awarded this season. Sano's agent Rob Plummer claims he never wanted offers in the first place as the investigation was in process, while the Pirates say their offer had a deadline that expired. Still, Pirates GM Neal Huntington says he maintains interest in Sano as investigations continue, and Mayo says Sano should still receive huge offers should his age be proven.

If Sano's age is determined to be falsified, he will be denied a work visa in the United States.

Odds And Ends: Volquez, Hamilton, Pirates

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Time for some afternoon links…

  • Over at SI.com Jonah Keri looks back at a win-win trade that lost its luster. Josh Hamilton and Edinson Volquez seemed like perfect fits for their new teams just last year, but injuries have shelved both.
  • In his MLB.com chat, Pirates president Frank Coonelly defended the organization's choice to flip Jason Bay for prospects last summer. FanGraphs values Andy LaRoche's 2009 performance more than Bay's, believe it or not.
  • Coonelly says the Pirates are the only club to have offered Miguel Angel Sano "significant dollars." Don't expect Sano to sign until the investigation into his age is complete, however.
  • Brandon Phillips would consider playing short if the Reds want him to, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  

Pirates And Mariners Exchange Minor Leaguers

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The Pirates aren't finished dealing after all. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that they traded Mike Koplove to the Mariners for shortstop Deybis Benitez. Benitez, 22, is hitting .304/.407/.304 in A ball. Koplove, a 33-year-old righty, has allowed 42 hits and 21 walks in 54.1 innings for two Triple A teams this year, striking out 50. He spent six years with  the D'Backs and last appeared in the majors a couple years ago on the Indians.

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