Odds & Ends: Milledge, Draft Order, Cubs
Links for Tuesday…
- The Nationals issued a press release regarding Lastings Milledge's demotion to Triple A. Seems like they're hoping it's a wake-up call.
- Scott Boras spoke to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle about matching his client Dallas McPherson with the Giants.
- Baseball America has the 2009 June draft order.
- According to a Reuters article, one source suggested the sale of the Cubs to the Ricketts family may drag on past May.
- Bart Given of Inside The Majors says the Indians are an exception in terms of providing nutritious meals to minor leaguers.
- This week's chat will take place tomorrow at 2pm CST.
Heyman On Bonifacio, Lincecum, Garcia
A look at Jon Heyman's new column at SI.com…
- Heyman writes in praise of the Marlins for acquiring Emilio Bonifacio as part of the Josh Willingham–Scott Olsen deal last November. Contrast that with Ken Rosenthal, who spoke to a scout a week ago who was not impressed with Bonifacio.
- Heyman hasn't found any evidence that the Giants are close to signing Tim Lincecum to an extension.
- Heyman says that Freddy Garcia's contract doesn't have an out clause, but "it's generally understood that if another big-league team is ready to give him a shot, the Mets would either try to find room for him or let him go." Garcia has apparently looked good in extended spring training.
Giants Sign Dallas McPherson
According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants signed third baseman Dallas McPherson to a minor league deal. McPherson will head to extended spring training and then Triple A. It's a nice opportunity for the 28 year-old, who slugged 42 home runs at Triple A in '08 but was released by the Marlins a few weeks ago. If the signing is a success, the Giants can retain McPherson in future years as an arbitration-eligible player.
Padres Claim Luis Perdomo
According to MLB.com's Corey Brock and Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Padres claimed pitcher Luis Perdomo off waivers from the Giants today. Perdomo, a Rule 5 pick from the Cardinals, was designated for assignment by the Giants a few days ago. Perdomo will turn 25 soon; he'll try to make the jump from Double A to the Majors.
Perdomo was the Cardinals' return from the Indians for Anthony Reyes last summer. Baseball America says he throws 93-95 with an "average-to-plus slider."
Dave Roberts Begins Broadcasting Career
According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News:
Dave Roberts won’t be in the lineup, but he’ll be in the ballpark. Comcast added him to its broadcast team and you’ll see him on the air soon. (I’m not sure if he’ll be doing studio work, dugout reporting or what.) He’s also doing radio work in San Diego. I don’t think Roberts wants to announce his retirement officially — the Giants released him with a year on his contract, and he still believed he could contribute to another club — but for all intents and purposes, his playing days have passed. Broadcasting is a natural career move and I expect he’ll be terrific at it.
The Giants were unable to trade Roberts during the offseason, leading to his release in March. They're assuming his $6.5MM salary for '09. If Roberts is done, he finishes with a .266/.342/.366 line in 3,090 plate appearances for the Indians, Dodgers, Red Sox, Padres, and Giants. He'll always be remembered for his crucial steal of second base in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.
No Deadline For Lincecum Talks
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News spoke to several people about a possible long-term contract for Giants ace Tim Lincecum.
The team's president, Larry Baer, expressed a willingness to discuss an extension during the season. Lincecum would also be fine with that, as he'll let his agent Rick Thurman handle the talks. General manager Brian Sabean said he remains open to an extension for Lincecum, but admitted, "Going year to year may not be a bad option at this point." Sabean referred to Lincecum extension talks as a "back-burner issue."
Sabean notes that Lincecum stands to get paid once he enters arbitration, anyway. Baggarly says Lincecum profiles as a Super Two player after this season, meaning he'll go to arbitration four times in his career instead of the normal three. Back in February, the Giants threw a few hundred thousand dollars in goodwill money toward Lincecum, signing him at $650K even though the pitcher and his agent had no say in it. Baggarly talked to an industry source who believes a Lincecum extension would exceed Cole Hamels' three years and $20.5MM. Hamels is also a Super Two, so his contract doesn't take him through all his arbitration years.
In another article, Baggarly talks about the possibility of an extension for Sabean. New managing general partner Bill Neukom and Sabean have exchanged ideas about objectives for Sabean that could lead to a new contract. Manager Bruce Bochy's contract is also up after the season.
Odds & Ends: Sheffield, Morillo, Perdomo
I think you would all agree that today should be a federal holiday. Monday links to tide you over until games start…
- According to David Lennon of Newsday, Gary Sheffield expected to get a call from Albert Pujols about possibly playing for the Cardinals, before the Mets signed him.
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies' acquisition of Jason Hammel may mean Juan Morillo's time with the team is drawing to a close. Morillo throws in the high 90s with poor control, and he's out of options.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic talked to John Dewan about The Fielding Bible and the D'Backs' defense.
- Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says the Giants continue to try to work out a trade for Rule 5 pick Luis Perdomo, who will otherwise have to be offered back to the Cardinals.
- Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star has a great profile of Zack Greinke.
- Baseball America's Matt Eddy has the latest minor league transactions.
- John Hickey recently wrote about Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. Beltre, a Boras client, is entering his contract year.
Odds & Ends: Opening Day Rosters
After the longest spring training in history, it felt like Opening Day might never arrive. As teams finalize their 25-man rosters, here are some notes from yesterday and today's headlines:
- Third baseman Pablo Sandoval was made the lone-backup for catcher Bengie Molina as the Giants finalize their Opening Day roster and go with a 12-man pitching staff, according to Chris Haft of MLB.com.
- As anticipated, Mike Sweeney and his .408 spring batting average made the Mariners' roster, says Larry Stone of the Seattle Times and the M's are without a lefty reliever. Ichiro Suzuki could make a return by next Friday in Oakland, reports the Kyodo News.
- The AP reports the Diamonbacks added Ryan Roberts as a utility man.
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle points out that 24-year old Andrew Bailey, "an unheralded nonroster invitee to major-league camp who hadn't pitched in relief before last summer is now a member of Oakland's bullpen."
- The Phillies added Miguel Cairo.
Odds & Ends: Fogg, Payrolls, Padres, Nady
Links for Friday…
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Orioles have "mild interest" in Josh Fogg. If Fogg can't find an appealing job elsewhere he'll report to Triple A Colorado Springs for the Rockies.
- Via the Twitter feed of John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer…the Reds have talked about Geoff Jenkins and Frank Catalanotto but nothing is close.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker has a Sports Hochi report saying recently released pitcher Ken Kadokura is reaching out to the Cardinals and Orioles.
- Ryan Shealy cleared waivers and was sent to Triple A, clearing up the Royals' first base/DH logjam.
- The website FINalternatives.com says Rangers owner Tom Hicks defaulted on more than $500MM in loans.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post looks at the payrolls for the Mets and Yankees.
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says Hal Steinbrenner "told close friends he plans on hiring Lou Piniella as a consultant when his managerial contract with the Cubs runs out after the 2010 season."
- According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres GM Kevin Towers said he still might add another starting pitcher.
- Albert Chen of Sports Illustrated writes about the advanced defensive metrics that are becoming prevalent in the game.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs writes about the ethics of service time manipulation.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman noted yesterday that "The Giants like Xavier Nady and wouldn't mind bringing the University of California product home at some point."
Rosenthal On Sheffield, Repko, McPherson
A look at Ken Rosenthal's column from yesterday afternoon…
- The Marlins chose Ross Gload over Frank Catalanotto, but are still considering signing Cat for the minimum now that he's been released.
- The Braves are not interested in bringing back Gary Sheffield. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Mets (as well as the Phillies and Reds) have an eye on Sheffield.
- Sheffield is apparently the only right-handed hitter on the Phillies' radar. Rosenthal learned that the Rockies' asking price for Jeff Baker is high.
- The Braves almost made a deal for Dodgers outfielder Jason Repko, but backed off recently.
- The Yankees will pass on Dallas McPherson, but the Giants may consider him.
- The Yanks don't seem desperate to move Melky Cabrera. They've received multiple calls on him but Rosenthal says "the team will only move him for the right price."