Are Mets Looking To Move Murphy?
The Mets want Daniel Murphy to learn to play multiple positions in part because it would increase his trade value, writes Brian Costa of the Star-Ledger. A person familiar with the team's thinking told Costa that they will send the first baseman to Triple-A when he returns from a right knee sprain. The demotion will give him an opportunity to learn other positions and take more at-bats than he would in the majors.
The 24-year-old Murphy has been unseated at first base by 23-year-old Ike Davis. If Murphy can acclimate himself to left field and second base, he would become a more valuable asset whether he stays or goes elsewhere.
In his 204 games on the varsity squad, Murphy has hit .275/.331/.437. His career UZR/150 at his preferred position is 8.6, while he posted a -9.0 in left field. However, sample size should be taken into account as he played just 59 total games in left.
Mike Jacobs Accepts Minor League Assignment
THURSDAY, 6:03pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that Jacobs has accepted a minor league assignment and will report to the Mets' Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.
WEDNESDAY, 12:51pm: Jacobs cleared waivers, reports ESPN's Adam Rubin.
SUNDAY, 3:45pm: The Mets have designated first baseman Mike Jacobs for assignment to make room for Tobi Stoner, writes ESPN New York's Adam Rubin.
Jacobs, 29, signed a minor league contract this offseason after being non-tendered by the Royals following a disappointing 2009 campaign. The lefty slugger clubbed 32 home runs for the Marlins in 2008, which prompted the Royals to acquire him in exchange for Leo Nunez. Jacobs' problem throughout his career has always been his lack of discipline. He's failed to post an OBP above .300 since 2007, which has led to a career OPS of just .787 in spite of a career average of 29 HR per 162 games and a .475 slugging percentage.
Stoner, 25, was a 16th round pick of the Mets in the 2006 draft. Over five minor league seasons, he's compiled a 3.58 ERA through 507.2 innings. He doesn't profile as a big-time strikeout pitcher, fanning just 6.6 per nine innings over that time, but his plus control (2.6 BB/9) helps make up for it.
Jacobs being out of the picture has greater implications for Mets fans, as Daniel Murphy is still on the disabled list and top prospect Ike Davis looms at Triple-A Buffalo. Davis, 23, is off to a hot start in the minors, hitting .357/.514/.679 through his first nine games. Baseball America named Davis the 62nd-best prospect in all of baseball coming into the 2010 season.
Newsday's David Lennon reminds us, via Twitter, that Jacobs has an option left, and can be sent to Triple-A. Jacobs says he doesn't want to go down to sit on the bench, however. As Lennon says, if the Mets want Jacobs to stay, they should call up Davis.
Odds & Ends: Nationals, Angels, Royals
As the West Coast games get started, here are some tidbits to snack on…
- The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore reports that there is "nothing going on" with contract extension talks involving Adam Dunn. Dunn is off to a slow start, but says it has nothing to do with his possible extension.
- With Jeff Mathis on the disabled list with a fractured wrist, all those teams hoping to take advantage of the Angels' inexplicable disenchantment with Mike Napoli can move on for now.
- MinorLeagueBall.com's John Sickels speculates about what it would take for the Twins to acquire Alex Gordon from the Royals.
- ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin talks with the rehabbing, Daniel Murphy, who says he's willing to learn other positions, even second base, with Ike Davis looking to be up to stay.
Odds & Ends: Bell, Dye, Ortiz, Davis, Strasburg
Links for Monday…
- The MLBTR Forums are rocking with over 3,600 members. Join the discussion today! Just added a prospects section; we've also got areas to discuss trade rumors, free agents, the draft, general baseball, fantasy baseball, and every team.
- Tom Krasovic tweets that the Twins have a scout at tonight's Padres-Giants game, but it's just a routine visit. He adds that Heath Bell remains on Minnesota's radar, but the two sides haven't talked since Spring Training.
- The Giants have no interest in Jermaine Dye, tweets Henry Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle. The reasons are the same as they've been all winter: defense and asking price.
- More changes could be coming to the Dodgers' bullpen, says Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times. Russ Ortiz was designated for assignment yesterday, and Hernandez thinks Ramon Ortiz could be next.
- Talking to MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith, I learned that teams can now safely promote minor leaguers for their MLB debuts with no chance of the player amassing 172 days of service in 2010. By promoting '08 first-rounder Ike Davis today, the Mets ensured that he will be under team control through 2016 instead of 2015. In contrast, the Braves have Jason Heyward through '15.
- On that same topic, agent Scott Boras told MLB.com's Peter Gammons that Stephen Strasburg starting in the minors "had nothing to do with money."
- Joe Posnanski digs into Forbes' team revenue numbers, noting that the Yankees made $173MM more than any other team.
- MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch tells us Hayden Penn has accepted the Pirates' Triple A assignment in lieu of electing free agency.
- In a statement, Cal Ripken said he looks forward to continued talks with the Orioles about a position in the organization.
Odds & Ends: Davis, Cano, Athletics, Pirates
As today's games try to top Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hitter and the Mets' marathon victory, let's browse a few links….
- The Astros will likely make a roster room to clear the way for Lance Berkman's return, tweets Alyson Footer of MLB.com.
- A Mets official told Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated that the club has to "win now" (link goes to Twitter). Earlier today, Mike Jacobs was DFA'd in a move that could clear space for Ike Davis.
- Benjamin Kabak at River Ave. Blues looks back at the Alfonso Soriano–for-Alex Rodriguez trade, and how the Rangers had the opportunity to select Robinson Cano as a second player in the deal. Instead, they chose Joaquin Arias. Think they regret that one?
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post lists ten players and managers who are on the hot seat two weeks into the 2010 season, with Jerry Manuel and Dave Trembley earning the top two spots. Mike Puma of the New York Post writes that Mets' players have jumped to Manuel's defense, while Bill Madden of the New York Daily News thinks that Orioles' players have given up on Trembley.
- With Michael Wuertz nearly ready to come off the DL, the Athletics will have to clear a roster spot for him. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle runs down a few of the players whose status could be in jeopary, including the recently acquired Edwar Ramirez and the out-of-options Chad Gaudin.
- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic examines the Pirates' organization in search of pitchers with ace potential.
- In a mailbag, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer defends the Indians' signings of supposed "marginal, aging players." He also notes that if the Indians end up losing the Cliff Lee deal, they have no one to blame but themselves, since they scouted many of the same Phillies prospects when they discussed a potential CC Sabathia trade in 2008.
- Fantasy baseball season is in full swing, and saves are at a premium as always. Don't forget to follow @closernews to keep up with the ever-changing late-inning scenarios in Major League Baseball!
Odds & Ends: Lowell, Paulino, Cardinals, Nationals
Links for Sunday….
- Tony La Russa tells Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch that he's confident GM John Mozeliak will add pieces if the Cardinals have clear needs this summer.
- Barry Bonds still hasn't retired, notes Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter).
- Mike Lowell explained to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston that he would like to take a year or two off once he's done playing. Lowell would consider broadcasting, but doesn't think he wants to coach at this point.
- Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post credits Florida's front office with another steal for acquiring Ronny Paulino. The Marlins traded for Paulino a year ago in exchange for Hector Correa, who isn't close to the big leagues.
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes a look at the Cardinals' present and future payroll situation.
- Yesterday we discussed the Nationals' need to make room on their 25-man roster for Livan Hernandez, who will start for Washington today. MLB.com's Bill Ladson tweets that the team has cleared a spot by optioning Garrett Mock to Triple A, deciding against sending down Jesse English.
- Despite not receiving much first base production so far, Jerry Manuel says the Mets have no plans to call up Ike Davis, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post.
- The New York Post's Joel Sherman explains why it's important for the New York franchises to develop pitching depth from within their organizations.
Mets Do Not Offer Arb To Any Free Agents
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post (via Twitter) reports that, as, expected, the Mets will not offer arbitration to any of their remaining free agents — Carlos Delgado, Gary Sheffield, Fernando Tatis, or Elmer Dessens. Delgado and Tatis are Type B free agents, while Sheffield and Dessens are unranked.
Hubbuch also tweets that New York is interested in re-signing Delgado to a one-year deal to keep first base occupied while prospect Ike Davis continues to develop.
Mets Notes: Adrian Gonzalez, Marquis, DeRosa
The incomparable Marty Noble answers many of the fan inquiries with his usual mixture of information and wit. Among other ideas, he considers:
- Just what would it take, hypothetically, to bring Adrian Gonzalez to Queens? Noble believes a package of John Maine, Fernando Martinez and Ike Davis "and perhaps more would be one to consider seriously."
- Noble likes Joel Pineiro more than Jason Marquis, adding that "I know the Mets are interested in [Bengie] Molina."
- He says that while Mark DeRosa wouldn't be a top priority, "If they can't bring back Alex Cora, DeRosa would an even better fit."
- He counters a fan's proposal to trade "Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez and Omir Santos to the Angels for Erick Aybar, Gary Matthews Jr., Ervin Santana and Jeff Mathis" with one of his own: "How about Perez for the rights to Albie Pearson?" Pearson was the 1958 AL Rookie of the Year, of course.
As usual, Noble is must-reading.