According to the Associated Press, via the Seattle Times, the Mariners have released minor league right-hander Luis Pena to clear room on the 40-man roster for reliever Randy Messenger. Pena, 26, was 3-1 this season with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in six appearances between Single-A and Double-A.
Mariners Rumors
Mariners Acquire Bill Hall
According to the Seattle Times' Geoff Baker, the Mariners have acquired Bill Hall from the Brewers. There's an announcement expected before game time. According to Baker's sources, the Brewers will receive minor-league pitcher Ruben "Buddy" Flores in return. The Brewers will reportedly pay the rest of the $6.8MM salary due Hall this year and a large portion of his $8.4MM he earns in 2010.
Hall, 29, has had a rough year, putting up a .606 OPS in 234 PA, but perhaps he'll be able to find his swing with a change of scenery. He could fit into a platoon role against lefties, where the Mariners have struggled this season, and can at least defensively fill in the vacancy at third left by the ailing Adrian Beltre.
Flores is a 25-year-old righty and put up a 2.30 ERA and a 53/28 K/BB ratio in 43 innings in Single-A this year but has been lit up to the tune of a 13.06 ERA since being moved to High-A ball. He's a little old to be considered a prospect, but he projects as a middle reliever if he can put it together.
Mariners Open To Extending Felix
Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he's open to extending Felix Hernandez and the pitcher's agent made similar comments. The Mariners apparently listened to offers for Felix last month and though Zduriencik says he'd have to listen again if a team called, he sounds understandably reluctant to trade his ace before the beginning of next year.
"He'll be on the mound unless we get Koufax or Marichal," Zduriencik said. "That's a long way to predict. But I have all the confidence in the world that he's going to be there."
Hernandez, 23, should hit free agency after the 2011 season.
Signing Deadline Roundup: Ackley, Turner
Some more links in the aftermath of yesterday's deadline to sign draft picks…
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star explains in detail that the MLB draft is broken. It certainly seems like things will change after next year, when the CBA expires.
- Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune reports that Dustin Ackley says he'd like to play outfield.
- Click here to read what Divish did as he awaited word on the Ackley signing last night.
- MLB.com's Jason Beck reports that the Tigers designated minor leaguer Chris Lambert for assignment, presumably to make room for top pick Jacob Turner on the 40-man roster.
- The Astros had a much more relaxing evening than most teams last night, as Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Mariners Sign Dustin Ackley
The Mariners signed second overall pick and Scott Boras client Dustin Ackley, according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. It's a big league deal worth $9.5MM, says SI's Jon Heyman. The five-year contract ties Mark Teixeira's mark for position players, says ESPN's Jason Churchill. Baseball America's Jim Callis says the deal is actually for $7.5MM guaranteed. Click here to see MLB.com's scouting report on the UNC outfielder.
Draft Updates: Jays, Rays, Mariners, Padres
Its' still quiet on the Stephen Strasburg front, but we have other draft updates with less than 12 hours remaining for teams to sign their picks.
- Baseball America's Jim Callis says the Jays signed outfielder K.C. Hobson for $500k, more than three times what MLB recommends giving sixth rounders.
- Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times says the Rays will have to examine Levon Washington's shoulder carefully today, since the top pick is coming off surgery.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times imagines what would happen if the Mariners and Nationals both failed to sign their top picks this year.
- Andy Marks of the Ocala Star-Banner reports that the Padres agreed to sign fourth rounder Keyvius Sampson for second round money, though the specifics of the deal aren't yet known.
Draft Updates: Ackley, Cards, Tigers, Rangers
Here's a few looks at some clubs who are still working to sign their top picks…
- Ryan Divish reports that the Mariners have requested that first-round pick Dustin Ackley take a physical. Divish speculates that this could signal the two sides becoming closer to a deal.
- The Cardinals are still optimistic that they'll reach a deal with first-rounder Shelby Miller, according to Matthew Leach from MLB.com. The commissioner's recommended slot is $1.386MM for the 19th overall pick, but it's clear that Miller will receive more than that, Leach says. Miller himself was quoted, saying: "Right now, I'm definitely looking to sign a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. It feels good." Sounds like good reason to be optimistic to me. UPDATE: B.J. Rains tweets that Miller is on his way to St. Louis for a physical as well.
- Jason Beck writes that the Tigers have 21 picks that remain unsigned, including first-rounder Jacob Turner and second-rounder Andrew Oliver. Both Turner and Oliver are being advised by Scott Boras, which could complicate the signings. Turner was rumored to be seeking a deal similar to Rick Porcello's $7.285MM deal before even being drafted by the Tigers. Oliver is coming off a rough season which dropped him to the second round. Beck writes that he could raise his stock by returning to Oklahoma State for another season.
- The Rangers are "doing everything they can" to sign first-rounder Matthew Purke, says T.R. Sullivan. Purke passed his physical, and has met with club president Nolan Ryan. According to Sullivan though: "all indications from both sides are there is still a substantial gap to bridge before a deal gets done."
Odds & Ends: Orioles, Angels, Ackley
Some Sunday morning odds and ends from around the league:
- The Orioles received first baseman Rhyne Hughes from the Rays to complete the August 7 deal for Gregg Zaun, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The O's also sent more than $300K to the Rays. According to Connolly, the 25-year old Hughes "hit .313 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 56 games at Triple-A Durham and .252 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs in 58 games at Double-A Montgomery this season. He struck out 149 combined times in 440 at-bats this year."
- Ed Eagle of MLB.com reports the Angels signed University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker, their tenth round pick. Locker wants to pursue a career in pro-football but views the opportunity with the Angels as a backup plan. According to Eagle, "Locker is considered a potential high-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft."
- Larry Stone of the Seattle Times chimes in on the latest with Dustin Ackley and the Seattle Mariners who need to reach an agreement by midnight tomorrow.
- Miguel Tejada is willing to move to third if it keeps him in Houston, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Mariners Ink First Round Pick
Jim Callis of Baseball America reports the Mariners have agreed to terms with first-round pick Nick Franklin. He was handed a $1.28MM signing bonus, close to $100K more than MLB's recommendation for his slot. The high school shortstop was selected 27th overall in June.
17 of the 32 first-round draft picks have now signed. Keep it locked on MLBTR as Monday's deadline looms and visit our first-round tracker page for a quick refresher.
Odds & Ends: Bedard, Rays, Hall, Brewers
A few more loose links I rounded up…
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times that he "has not ruled out offering some type of extension deal to injured pitcher Erik Bedard." Of course, the club will monitor Bedard's recovery from shoulder surgery before doing anything.
- The Rays have signed fourth rounder Luke Bailey for $750K according to Baseball America's Jim Callis. Bailey was arguably the top high school catcher in the draft, but he blew out his elbow in the spring and needed Tommy John surgery.
- The Cincinnati Enquirer's Tom Groeschen mentions that the Reds have interest in infielder Bill Hall, who was DFA'd by the Brewers earlier this week.
- According to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, the Brewers "appear headed toward a deal with their highest remaining unsigned selection, University of Tennessee outfielder Kentrail Davis." A month ago we heard that negotiations between the two sides had "gotten ugly." McCalvy also mentions that the Crew signed 5th rounder D'Vontrey Richardson and 15th rounder Del Howell.
- Larry LaRue of The News Tribune says the Mariners "may be on the brink of agreement with high school outfielder Nick Franklin." Seattle selected Frankin 27th overall, and LaRue notes that he'll take a physical tomorrow.
- Jack Etkin of Inside The Rockies reports that the team has released veteran reliever Mike Timlin. Timlin preferred to be home with his wife and children rather than go out on a road trip with the Triple-A Colorado Springs. The move was not performance related and there were no hard feelings on either side.
- The Nationals have signed eighth rounder Roberto Perez, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladsen. The Nats have now signed 10 of their top 12 picks, but they're still waiting on the big guy at the top.
