Odds & Ends: Sano, Jones, Draft, Fukumori
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.
Andruw Jones Likely To Make Rangers
Jim Reeves of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported this morning that the Reds have been eyeing Andruw Jones, and the Phillies were also showing signs of interest. Those teams were probably banking on him being released or demoted to Triple-A, and sliding in with an offer of major league at-bats. Well, so much for that. As MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reported this evening, Jones is likely to make the Rangers' final roster.
Andruw appears to have found a home in Texas. "I feel good," he said Wednesday. "I think in this situation it will be spread out how everybody gets in the game. But the best thing is having [hitting coach] Rudy [Jamarillo] there. He's going to keep you focused. You just do all your work and when you get an opportunity to play, you let it happen."
The Rangers will now focus their attention on trying to move Frank Catalanotto. He'd be a nice fit on a National League team.
Rangers Rumors: Andruw Jones, Joaquin Arias
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan has a few Rangers rumors tonight.
- Aside from Gary Sheffield, the Phillies have interest in Rangers outfielder Andruw Jones. Sullivan says the Phils "have been scouting Jones extensively this spring."
- Also, having unloaded Jeff Keppinger, the Reds are looking for utility infield help. One person of interest is Rangers shortstop Joaquin Arias. Arias, who came to Texas in the Alex Rodriguez trade, has strong defensive tools and may yet establish himself as a regular according to Baseball America.
- In another post, Sullivan says reliever Derrick Turnbow has decided to accept his assignment to Triple A Oklahoma.
Andruw Jones Likely To Stay In Texas
2:17pm: Sullivan now states that Jones is likely to stay with the Rangers. Jones will accept a limited role, and says that he expected this situation when he came to camp on a minor-league deal:
"I never came into camp expecting to be a regular everyday player or to play center field," Jones said. "That was not my goal. My goal was to work with [hitting coach] Rudy [Jaramillo], get my swing together and be the player I once was. I never said I have to play."
General Manager Jon Daniels said that they have not asked Jones about the possibility of beginning the season in the minor leagues.
1:38pm: MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan writes that the Rangers have asked Andruw Jones to stay in camp, and that Jones wishes to stay as well. Apparently, they feel that Jones can serve as a backup outfielder and a right-handed option at DH. Texas will not add him to the 25-man roster at this point, however.
The problem for the Rangers is that they need to make room for Jones by doing something with Frank Catalanotto and the $4MM owed to him for 2009, plus the $2MM buyout on his option for 2010. That contract hardly looks appealing on the trade market at this time.
Jones has until midnight on Monday to make a decision on his future.
Heyman On Bargains, Andruw, Buchholz
The latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman…
- Heyman runs through his top 13 free agent bargains, beginning with Orlando Cabrera, Bobby Abreu, and Jon Garland.
- Andruw Jones will decide next week whether to opt out and become a free agent again. Heyman reminds us that the Yankees, Braves, and Phillies were previously interested. He says a Yankees person "hedged" when asked if they'd rejoin the Jones pursuit.
- The Twins sent a scout to watch Ivan Rodriguez before he signed with Houston, but Heyman figures they must be confident about Joe Mauer's back after standing pat.
- The Red Sox "remain uninterested in the Rangers' proposal from a few months ago of Jarrod Saltalamacchia for Clay Buchholz." Buchholz has allowed one run, nine Ks, and two walks in 8.6 innings this spring.
Andruw Decision Pushed To Monday
1:35pm: The decision has been pushed to Monday, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. He adds that Jones does not appear interested in going to Triple A.
10:56am: According to Evan Grant of DMagazine.com, Rangers outfielder Andruw Jones is not expected to opt out of his contract today. Grant says Jones "will give the Rangers at least several more days to evaluate him" and has not cleared out his locker. Jones is hitting .258/.324/.419 in 34 plate appearances this spring.
Andruw Won’t Be On 40-Man Roster
According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News Rangers GM Jon Daniels confirmed that Andruw Jones won't be added to the Rangers' 40-man roster by tomorrow. This decision gives Jones the chance to opt out of the minor league deal he signed with the Rangers.
Jones has said throughout the week that he'd discuss his options with agent Scott Boras if he doesn't make the roster. He can either re-enter the free agent pool or accept a minor league assignment from the Rangers. Jones is six for his last 17 after a very slow start, but he has 14 strikeouts in 31 spring at bats. It'll be fun to see how Boras handles this.
Heyman On Pedro, Pudge, Andruw
SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column.
- Heyman believes the Mets offered Pedro Martinez a $1-2MM base salary, but he's still looking for $5MM. Not happenin'. ESPN's Jayson Stark suggests Pedro is asking for $6-8MM.
- Heyman takes Astros GM Ed Wade to task for seemingly lying to MLB.com beat writer Alyson Footer about the team's pursuit of Ivan Rodriguez. The Pudge deal will be official once his physical is complete.
- Andruw Jones must decide by Friday whether to stay with the Rangers (presumably he'd head to Triple A if he does not opt out). In talking to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, Andruw said he doesn't know yet and needs to talk to Scott Boras.
Andruw Jones Unlikely To Make Rangers
WEDNESDAY, 10:51am: Jones indicated to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he feels comfortable in the Rangers' system and has developed a strong relationship with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo:
"These guys have the system," Jones said. "The hitting coach they’ve got, they work on the things they want to. We’ll see what happens."
TUESDAY, 10:27pm: According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, outfielder Andruw Jones is unlikely to break camp with the Rangers. Marlon Byrd seems to have a leg up on the fourth outfielder role (he's quieted concerns about his surgically-repaired knee). Sullivan explains the Jones situation:
Technically, the Rangers have to decide by Friday if they'll put him on the Major League roster, but it seems quite clear they have no interest in doing that.
The question is, will Andruw head to Triple A for the Rangers to prove he can still contribute?
Odds & Ends: Crosby, Vizcaino, Andruw
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- RotoAuthority sums up the stats you should target in each category for your fantasy league.
- The Braves released pitcher Anthony Lerew, according to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Rany Jazayerli says the Royals will be better just by subtracting Ross Gload, Tony Pena Jr., and Joey Gathright. Here’s my Offseason In Review for the club, if you’re interested.
- A’s manager Bob Geren "chuckled and said no" when asked if Bobby Crosby is being showcased at third base for the Yankees, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Crosby is learning third in part because Eric Chavez is injured again.
- Speaking of Crosby, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune wonders if the Cubs could work out a deal involving reliever Luis Vizcaino. Despite the $4MM owed to Vizcaino, he’s not a lock for the Cubs’ bullpen. We learned last week that the Cubs do not appear interested in Crosby.
- Slusser also has an article about young A’s pitcher Michael Ynoa, who believes he can be in the Majors in two years at age 19.
- Andruw Jones apologized to Dodgers fans in this Bill Plaschke article.
- Talking to Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel sees Jayson Werth missing no more than 15-20 games this year. Geoff Jenkins, with $8MM left on his contract, looks like the odd man out.