Quick Hits: Byrd, Royals, Youk, Padres Sale
Marlon Byrd was suspended for 50 games today after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, according to MLB's official PR department (on Twitter). Byrd issued the following statement:
“I made an inexcusable mistake. Several years ago, I had surgery for a condition that was private and unrelated to baseball. Last winter, I suffered a recurrence of that condition and I was provided with a medication that resulted in my positive test. Although that medication is on the banned list, I absolutely did not use it for performance enhancement reasons. I am mortified by my carelessness and I apologize to everyone who loves this game as I do. I will serve my suspension, continue to work hard and hope that I am given an opportunity to help a Club win later this season.”
Here are some additional links for your Monday evening…
- Royals general manager Dayton Moore told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that he has received zero calls on Jeff Francoeur, Bruce Chen, and Jonathan Broxton (Twitter link).
- Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com tweets that the reason the Red Sox didn't get more for Kevin Youkilis is because some offers from interested parties simply stated that they would take Youkilis "for nothing," if the Sox were willing to pick up the entire contract.
- The imminent sale of the Padres could have a positive impact on the Mariners, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. The sale price is said to be $800MM — $600MM for the Padres and $200MM for a stake in their upcoming $1.2 billion TV deal with FOX. The Mariners can opt out of their current TV deal in 2015, and could be sitting on top of a "financial windfall," writes Baker. He writes that Mariners "should be able to get more in any pending sale if everything remains equal."
- Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports writes that yesterday's Youkilis trade has kicked off the trade season, and runs through some big names that could be trade candidates at this year's deadline.
Padres Ownership Deal Imminent
June 25: The O'Malley family appears to be the sole group left in the bidding, writes Miller. San Diego businessman Ron Fowler will play a much larger role in the ownership group than previously reported, according to Miller's sources.
Fowler would be the point man for the ownership group, which includes Brian and Kevin O'Malley, Peter and Tom Seidler (sons of O'Malley's sister), and PGA superstar Phil Mickelson.
June 22: An agreement for the sale of the Padres is imminent, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The club is believed to be the O'Malley family's to lose, though Gary Jabara remains in the mix.
Earlier tonight, Scott Miller of CBSSports.com reported that the bidding was down to those two principal groups. Although a deal could be reached soon, he says the earliest ownership would likely be transferred is during the owners' meetings in August. The sale price is expected to approach $800MM.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
Padres Getting Calls On Chase Headley, Will Listen
The Padres are getting calls on third baseman Chase Headley, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. San Diego will listen to offers but it will require "a lot" to part with him.
The 28-year-old Headley has hit .269/.373/.415 with seven homers and eight steals this season. The switch-hitter quietly owns a career .300/.366/.444 batting line away from Petco Park and his defense at the hot corner is well-regarded. FanGraphs says he's been the 13th most valuable position player in baseball this season at 3.0 wins above replacement, or WAR.
Headley will earn $3.475MM this season, his second as an arbitration-eligible player. Since he's a Super Two, he still has two more years of team control remaining before becoming eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.
Padres Claim Mark Hamburger Off Waivers
The Padres have claimed right-hander Mark Hamburger off waivers from the Rangers and optioned him to Triple-A, the team announced. Jeremy Hermida was transferred to the 60-day DL to clear a 40-man roster spot.
Hamburger, 25, had been designated for assignment late last week to clear a spot on the roster for Roy Oswalt. He appeared in five games for Texas last year and has spent this season at Triple-A, where he has a 6.55 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 45 1/3 innings.
2013 Vesting Options Update
Let's check in on the players who have vesting options for the 2013 season…
- Jason Bartlett, Padres – $5.5MM option vests with 432 plate appearances. Bartlett came to the plate just 98 times before being placed on the disabled list with a knee injury. There is no firm timetable for his return and it seems unlikely that the option will vest at this point.
- Kevin Gregg, Orioles – $6MM option vests with 50 games finished. Gregg has finished just six of the team's 70 games and it seems likely that Baltimore will keep the option from vesting.
- Brett Myers, Astros – $10MM option vests with 45 games finished or based on a points system. Myers has finished 23 of the club's 70 games and is a trade candidate. If he continues to close, the option seems likely to vest.
Chipper Jones has an option worth $9MM+ that will vest with 123 games played, but he's already rendered the option moot by announcing his plans to retire after the season. Chipper has played in 38 of the Braves' first 70 games.
Alex Gonzalez has an option worth $4MM that will vest with 525 plate appearances, but he is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Gonzalez came to the plate just 89 times before the injury, so the Brewers do not have to worry about this one kicking in.
International Notes: Blue Jays, Red Sox, Twins
A new set of rules and restrictions for the international prospect market will take effect less than two weeks from now, on July 2. Each team will be working with an annual budget of $2.9MM for international players starting next month. Here are the latest rumblings regarding the international prospect market, via Ben Badler of Baseball America:
- The Blue Jays had seemed to be in the lead for Venezuelan right-hander Jose Mujica, but may not be as closely linked to him as expected, Badler writes. The Red Sox and Diamondbacks have also been linked to the 15-year-old Mujica, who's considered by many scouts to be the top pitching prospect available in Latin America.
- The Blue Jays are still favored to sign 16-year-old Venezuelan Franklin Barreto, according to Badler. Some teams consider Barreto the top available prospect, but he will likely move from shortstop to another position.
- The Red Sox, Padres and Royals have been mentioned as possible teams of interest on Venezuelan left-hander Jose Castillo, Badler writes. Some view the Dodgers and Orioles as sleepers for Castillo, who’s expected to obtain a generous bonus.
- The Twins are showing heavy interest in Dominican shortstop Amaurys Minier, according to Badler. The 16-year-old switch-hitter is expected to become one of the highest-paid Dominican prospects.
- Some believe the Pirates are in on Dominican third baseman Julio de la Cruz.
Draft Signings: Phillies, Marlins, Padres, Pirates
The latest noteworthy draft signings from the second round and beyond…
- The Phillies have signed eight of their top 10 picks, Phillies assistant director of scouting Rob Holiday told media (including Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer). Second-round pitcher Alec Rash and third-round infielder Zach Green are the only two yet to sign with the team. We heard last week that the Phils had signed their top three picks, all at slot value.
- The Marlins have signed 25 players from their draft class, with outfielder Kolby Copeland (compensatory third round) being the highest-picked of the signees.
- The Padres announced the signing of second-round pick Jeremy Baltz, via the club's Twitter feed. Baseball America's Jim Callis reports that Baltz's bonus is worth $625K, well below MLB's recommended $757.9K price tag for the 68th overall pick.
- The Pirates announced that they've signed three players: right-hander Adrian Sampson (5th round), infielder D.J. Crumlich (9th round), and infielder Chris Diaz (11th round).
- The Braves announced that they have signed 26 players, including their first six selections. All but four of the 26 players signed out of college.
- The White Sox signed sixth round selection Kyle Hansen for an over-slot bonus of $250K, Jim Callis of Baseball America tweets. The right-hander can reach 96 mph and happens to be the brother of former MLB pitcher Craig Hansen.
- The Indians announced that they have signed fifth round selection Dylan Baker. The Indians also signed seventh rounder Josh Schubert for an over-slot bonus of $250K, Callis tweets. Schubert, a high school outfielder, has raw power and relatively good speed.
Quick Hits: Padres, Phillies, Drabek, Vlad
Teams interested in acquiring starting pitching help surely noticed when the Cubs placed right-hander Ryan Dempster on the disabled list with right lat tightness today. Dempster, 35, is one of the top starters known to be available in trades. Here are today’s links…
- A quick sale of the Padres may not be possible at this point, writes Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. The three apparent finalists are all leading bid groups with multiple investors, which will require extensive background work once a sale is announced.
- Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com examines the trade stock of some of the Phillies biggest names in the event that their slide continues into late July.
- Blue Jays righty Kyle Drabek is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow, tweets Barry Davis of Sportsnet.ca. This will be the second time Drabek has been through Tommy John.
- Free agent designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero isn't close to signing, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter).
- There's no indication the Tigers are interested in Jim Thome, John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports. Thome, a "longtime tormentor" of the Tigers, bats left-handed, which means he’s not a perfect fit in Detroit. The Tigers are interested in acquiring a bat before the July 31st trade deadline and they'd prefer to add a right-handed hitter, Morosi reported yesterday.
- GM Brian Cashman told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio that the Yankees haven't pursued contract extensions for Robinson Cano or Curtis Granderson, but aim to keep both players long-term (Twitter link).
- Maury Brown explains that TV deals are boosting franchise values across MLB in a piece at Baseball Prospectus.
Padres To Sign Zach Eflin
The Padres have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin, a team source tells Dan Hayes of the North County Times. The deal includes a $1.2MM signing bonus — $325K less than the $1.525MM recommended bonus for that slot.
Eflin, a prep pitcher out of Florida, was taken in the supplemental first round of this month's draft, No. 33 overall. The Friars were given that pick as compensation when closer Heath Bell signed with the Marlins.
The deal is pending a physical, Hayes reports. Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA, who first tweeted the signing, notes that Eflin is a hard-thrower and had committed to pitch for the University of Central Florida.
Draft Notes: Brewers, Padres, Nationals, Giolito
Tonight's draft notes, with the latest news up top..
- The Brewers signed third-rounder Zach Quintana for $325K, just under the suggested pick value of $385K, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America. The high school right-hander out of Nevada boasts a 90-95 mph fastball and a hard breaking ball.
- The Padres signed second-rounder Dane Phillips for $450K, significantly less than the pick value of $734K for the No. 70 pick. The catcher/first baseman is said to have a sweet bat and has a chance to stay behind the plate.
- The Nationals gave first-round pick Lucas Giolito a grand tour of Nationals Park earlier today, writes Mark Zuckerman of NatsInsider.com. The 17-year-old right-hander is a UCLA commit.