Mariners Rumors

Mariners Ink First Round Pick

By | August 15, 2009 at 3:18pm CDT

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

By Mike Axisa | August 14, 2009 at 9:27pm CDT

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.

Odds & Ends: Strasburg, White Sox, Rangers

By Mike Axisa | August 14, 2009 at 6:05pm CDT

Here's a few links to the get night started right…

Ben Goessling of The Washington Times reports that a "club source said managing principal owner Ted Lerner, team president Stan Kasten and acting general manager Mike Rizzo all flew to California last week to visit with (Stephen) Strasburg." It is unknown if Scott Boras was part of the meeting, or if Strasburg took the physical necessary to sign a Major League contract.
Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse tweets that Erik Bedard had his "bursa debrided & labrum repaired" when he underwent shoulder surgery. He can resume baseball activity in 4-6 months, right in the middle of his impending free agency.
Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune writes about the payroll challenges facing White Sox GM Kenny Williams in 2010. The team has $68.3MM tied up in ten players next year - including the recently acquired Jake Peavy and Alex Rios – and will owe considerable raises to Carlos Quentin and John Danks, both of whom are arbitration eligible for the first time. Gonzales says that "probably means the Sox will listen to offers for closer Bobby Jenks."
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports that Rangers first round pick Matt Purke is in town for a physical, but no deal is imminent. The club just wants to get that part of signing process out of the way because negotiations might go down to the wire. GM Jon Daniels said "They are where you would expect them to be. We still have a gap, a divide, to bridge. That's not unusual three days before the deadline. They have been amicable discussions. He agreed to submit to the physical and get that completed just to get it behind us so we can focus on negotiations. We don't want any hurdles if we negotiate late."
In news that involves players who have actually signed, Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that the Rangers have inked 14th rounder Chad Bell to a $450K bonus. He's the third player Texas has signed for more than MLB's recommended $150K maximum after the fifth round.
Chad Jennings of The Times Tribune mentions that Josh Towers is expected to return to the Triple-A Scranton rotation next week. The Yankees DFA'd Towers last weekend, but he apparently declined to become a free agent in favor of having a job.

Odds & Ends: Rays, Royals, Free Agents

By Eddie Schmid | August 13, 2009 at 6:20pm CDT

Did somebody order these links? No? Oh, well here, you can have them anyway:

ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider link) gives a rundown of the coming offseason's most attractive starting pitching options and the caveats that come with them.
The owners of the Rays have purchased a franchise, the Florida Tuskers, in the United Football League, says Joe Smith at the St. Petersburg Times. They'll play in Tropicana Field.
Sam Mellinger at the Kansas City Star says that fourth-rounder Chris Dwyer and third-rounder Wil Myers have yet to sign with the Royals, despite reports and bonus figures that indicated they had. Regardless, talks are "close."
Marc Topkin at the St. Petersburg Times says that the Rays are close to signing their third-, fourth-, fifth- and ninth-round picks. No word on the terms just yet.
According to Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times, Mariners assistant GM Jim Na is resigning.

Odds & Ends: Reds, Mariners, Yankees

By Eddie Schmid | August 12, 2009 at 9:55pm CDT

A few more links to peruse this evening:

Hal McCoy at the Dayton Daily News says that the Reds won't deal Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang, but it's likely that the Reds unload Francisco Cordero to anyone who will take him. It's not clear if Cordero has been placed on waivers just yet.
Larry LaRue at the Tacoma News-Tribune reports that Mariners' top signee last year, Scott Boras client Josh Fields, has had his development stunted because of a contract holdout.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman doesn't have interest in bringing in FA Mark Mulder, says Peter Abraham at the Journal News.
The Rangers have signed their fifth-round pick Nicholas McBride, a HS righty, reports T.R. Sullivan at MLB.com.
According to Dan Barbarisi at the Providence Journal, John Smoltz refused a bullpen assignment to the Sox. This could mean he's only interested in joining another team as a starter, if at all.

Odds And Ends: Astros, Branyan, Helton, O’s

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 11, 2009 at 11:55am CDT

More links as Colby Rasmus and Pablo Sandoval turn 23…

Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle reports that attendance has dropped 12% at Astros games this year and could fall further. Team owner Drayton McLane won't say how much he'll spend on payroll next year.
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says there's room for Russell Branyan on next year's Mariners team. Could $10MM over two years work for both sides?
ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says Todd Helton has a chance at a Hall of Fame plaque, whether or not the first baseman is comfortable discussing his chances at immortality.
The Orioles agreed to sign fifth rounder Ashur Tolliver for $200k, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. They also agreed to terms with Randy Henry for $365k and Ryan Berry for $418k. All three bonuses are higher than recommended.

What To Expect Before The Signing Deadline

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 10, 2009 at 2:39pm CDT

ESPN.com's Keith Law reminds us that the Reds seemed unlikely to sign Yonder Alonso until hours before the deadline to sign draft picks last summer. It shouldn't be any different this year; here are the details:

We'll hear that teams aren't close to signing their picks, but that doesn't mean the two sides won't agree to last-minute deals.
Don't expect Stephen Strasburg, Dustin Ackley or Donavan Tate (all Scott Boras clients) to sign much before next Monday at midnight.
Law expects Strasburg to sign for about $18-20MM.
The commissioner's office will try to limit the number of over-slot signings, but teams can offer whatever they like, so MLB's efforts to hold teams to recommended bonuses may be quixotic in the end.

Mariners Rumors: Felix, Ackley, Branyan

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 10, 2009 at 10:32am CDT

Jack Zduriencik says he hasn't started talking with Felix Hernandez about a new deal, according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, who passes on comments the Mariners GM made on Q-13 FOX over the weekend. Here are the details and assorted Mariners rumors:

The Mariners haven't started talking with Felix Hernandez, who will hit free agency after 2011, about a new deal. Zduriencik says he appreciates Felix's talent, but cautions: "it takes two to tango."
The Mariners have started talking with Scott Boras about the team's first round pick, Dustin Ackley. The two sides have had a couple conversations recently and Zduriencik expects talks to intensify soon.
The Mariners want to re-sign Russell Branyan after the season. Something tells me $1.4MM won't be enough this time around!

Red Sox Add Tazawa & Woodward; DFA Traber

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 7, 2009 at 3:08pm CDT

The Red Sox called up Junichi Tazawa, acquired Chris Woodward from the Mariners and designated Billy Traber for assignment this afternoon, according to DJ Bean of WEEI.com. Tazawa pitched well in the minors, striking out 88 in 98 AA innings before pitching twice in Triple A.

They acquired Woodward off of waivers, according to a team press release.

Olney On Gonzalez, Draft, Strasburg

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 7, 2009 at 11:58am CDT

Two prominent baseball figures inched closer to retirement yesterday and ESPN.com's Buster Olney recognizes both of them. John Smoltz's fading repertoire brings him closer to retirement than ever and the faltering newspaper industry will push longtime Reds writer Hal McCoy to call it a career after the season. Here are Olney's rumors:

Olney hears that the Mariners came closer to obtaining Adrian Gonzalez than the Red Sox ever did.
Many teams are believed to have struck deals with their top picks. So why haven't we heard about them? Teams will announce over-slot deals at the last minute so it seems like they're respecting the commissioner's recommended bonuses.
Real doubts are beginning to emerge that the Nats will be able to sign Stephen Strasburg.

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