Odds And Ends: Fields, Grilli, Boras, D’Backs
Some links for Thursday evening…
- Josh Fields told MLB.com's Scott Merkin that he had a "blunt and straightforward" meeting with Ken Williams about his place on the White Sox.
- Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports the White Sox drafted their GM's son, Tyler Williams, and Harold Baines Jr..
- Jason Grilli was recently dealt to the Rangers and now he's working on a deal of his own. According to his Twitter, Grilli plans to exchange "cash or an item to be named later" for number 49.
- Gavin McCourt, the son of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, was drafted by the Red Sox. The 39th round pick says Scott Boras wouldn't fit into his "family dynamics," so his dad will represent him, according to the LA Times .
- Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune believes it's time for the Diamondbacks to sell, beginning with Felipe Lopez and Doug Davis.
- And I'll be talking baseball on 590 KFNS in St. Louis tonight at 11pm CST, so tune in if you're in the area. If not, you can always listen online.
Stark On Peavy, Oswalt, Phillies, DeRosa, Giants
Let's take a look at the latest Rumblings and Grumblings column from ESPN's Jayson Stark.
- The Padres' recent winning streak has not changed their intention of trading Jake Peavy. The Dodgers and Cubs are in Peavy's first tier of choices, follwed by the Giants, Cardinals, and Astros. The Angels would be the one AL team he'd consider. The East Coast is a long shot. Also, Peavy will want his 2011-13 partial no-trade clause to become a full no-trade. Peavy's friend Roy Oswalt has been unsuccessful in lobbying Astros owner Drayton McLane, as the 'Stros can't take on Peavy's contract. As for the Dodgers, GM Ned Colletti told the L.A. Times he hasn't talked to the Padres about Peavy since the pitcher vetoed the White Sox deal.
- Stark talked to scouts who believe Oswalt has "lost his edge" and needs a change of scenery. The Phillies have inquired on him, but they've asked about everyone: Peavy, Brandon Webb, Roy Halladay, Doug Davis, Erik Bedard, Cliff Lee, Aaron Harang, Brad Penny, Chris Young and Jason Marquis. Popular Phillies trade targets include Lou Marson, Jason Donald, Carlos Carrasco, Travis D'Arnaud, Freddy Galvis, Kyle Drabek, Dominic Brown, and Antonio Bastardo.
- The Braves are interested in bringing Mark DeRosa back to Atlanta. He came up with them and was non-tendered in '04 after tearing his ACL. But to deal young arms, the Braves would want an impact bat. Stark says they're "mostly listening" rather than shopping Jeff Francoeur. His trade value is difficult to gauge.
- The Mets seem content to wait out the first base trade market.
- The Giants seek a middle-of-the-order bat, and Jonathan Sanchez is being dangled. Three targets they haven't had success on are Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu, and possibly Carlos Lee. Lee, according to one Stark source, doesn't intend to waive his no-trade for anyone.
Doug Davis A Midseason Trade Candidate?
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic writes about Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis, who is eligible for free agency after the season. Davis admitted that his contract situation "pretty much goes through my head every day." He's motivated by his contract year, and doesn't understand the team's anti-incentive policy. Davis would like to remain in Arizona, but he knows he's a trade candidate if the team is out of contention this summer. Other impending free agents like Jon Garland and Felipe Lopez could fit the bill as well.
Davis, 33, is earning $8.75MM this year. He has a 2.91 ERA through five starts, and his 2.6 walks per nine innings would be a career-best if it holds up.
Doug Davis Hopes To Stay With D’Backs
MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert questioned Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis about his future, learning that the pitcher would like to put in three more years. Davis will be eligible for free agency after the season, but he hopes to remain in Arizona. The sides have yet to discuss an extension.
Doug Davis Gets Three-Year Deal
Instead of battling Doug Davis at an arbitration hearing, the Diamondbacks decided to sign him through 2009 for $22MM. The deal buys out his first two years of free agency; there’s one off the board for the ’08 class. While Davis would have earned several million more had he waited until November, the certainty is valuable.
The 31 year-old southpaw is a durable 200 inning guy with a strong strikeout rate but shaky control. He, Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb are locked down for Arizona’s 2008 rotation.