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AL East Notes: Hughes, Montero, Blue Jays, Rays

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Just when it seemed like the AL East standings were becoming a little less bunched up, the Red Sox dropped four straight and the Rays won seven of eight. New York, Boston, and Tampa Bay are now separated by just two games, as the Rays look for a sweep in Houston while the Sox hope to avoid one in Pittsburgh. Here are today's links from around the division:

  • The Yankees will need to add another starting pitcher if they hope to win a championship this season, writes Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News. He notes that starter doesn't necessarily have to come from outside the organization though – it could be Phil Hughes.
  • Rival evaluators have taken note of Jesus Montero's decline in offensive production this year, says ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Insider only). According to Olney, it's led to some speculation that the Yankees could push to trade Montero this season "in an effort to recoup some value."
  • Within Nick Cafardo's Sunday column for the Boston Globe, he writes that Jason Frasor may be the prize of the Blue Jays' bullpen at next month's trade deadline. Cafardo adds that teams figure to inquire on Marc Rzepczynski, but he's the one Jays' reliever who definitely "isn't going anywhere."
  • DRaysBay's Steve Slowinksi breaks down Andrew Friedman's trade history in a piece for the St. Petersburg Times. Slowinski concludes that Friedman has netted the Rays 20 extra wins while also saving a sizable chunk of salary.

Rays Sign Draft Picks Brandon Martin, Lenny Linsky

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The Rays have signed supplemental first round pick Brandon Martin and second round pick Lenny Linsky, reports Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times (Twitter links). It's unclear how much Martin received, but Baseball America's Jim Callis says Linsky signed for slot money (approximately $392K).

Martin, a high school shortstop from California, was the 38th overall selection in the draft, a compensation pick for the loss of Carl Crawford. Baseball America (subs. req'd) says he's been "showing off five legitimate tools" and draws praise for his "line-drive swing and bat speed." They note that Martin can make the highlight reel plays at short but still needs to refine his game overall. MLB's slot recommendation for the 38th overall pick is approximately $859K.

Linsky, a righty reliever out of Hawaii, was the 89th overall pick and Tampa's natural second rounder. Baseball America described him "nearly unhittable" thanks to heavy sink on his 92-94 mph fastball and a power slider that can run as high as 89.

The Rays have now signed 30 of their 60 draft picks according to Topkin. Check the status of all first and supplemental first round players right here.

Olney’s Latest: Cashman, K-Rod, Rays, Managers

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In today's Insider-only blog post, ESPN's Buster Olney spoke to executives that believe this will be Brian Cashman's last season as Yankees GM. His contract expires after the season, and it could just be a simple case of burnout. "I think maybe he's finally had it," said one GM. "That's a job that will take a lot out of you." Olney cites Cashman's recent stretch of brutal and uncharacteristic honestly as evidence, but also notes that there have been three other instances in which he's looked ready to leave, only to end up staying on three-year deals.

Here are the rest of Buster's rumors…

  • A rival team official believes the Mets need to trade Francisco Rodriguez soon to keep his vesting option from becoming a problem. He's at 28 games finished now (needs 55 to vest a $17.5MM salary for next year), and the longer they keep him the less flexibility a team will have after acquiring him.
  • The Rays have "sent signals that they're open for business" and are prepared to take offers according to rival executives. Olney notes that their tradeable pieces include Kyle Farnsworth and B.J. Upton.
  • One GM told Olney that one position within the game without many young up-and-coming prospects is manager (Twitter link). That's why 80-year-old Jack McKeon and 68-year-old Davey Johnson landed jobs in the last week.

K-Rod Would Consider Trades To Yankees, Rays

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6:06PM: Rodriguez described himself as "irritated" about the story describing his interest in a trade to the Yankees, tweets Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger.  The closer reiterated that he wants to stay with the Mets.

8:13AM: Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez told Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News that he would consider accepting a trade to a contending team like the Yankees, even if it meant setting up rather than closing. Rodriguez says he’d “love to stay” put, but understands that the Mets may approach him about waiving the no-trade protection that allows him to block deals to ten teams.

"If I am going to be traded, obviously I want the opportunity to close out games, but if it's going to be good teams like the Yankees or the Rays, and it's going to be for two months, I can go out there and help them out," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez’s contract includes a $17.5MM option for 2012 that will vest if the right-hander finishes 55 games. He has finished 28 games, which puts him on a pace to finish 60. However, if a team with an established closer were to acquire Rodriguez, he would stop finishing games as frequently and the option might not kick in.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said this week that he’s open to making trades with the Mets, though such deals are by no means easy. The Yankees are looking for a setup man who can restore depth to the team’s depleted ‘pen.

Stark On Cuban, Phillies, Rays, Giants

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Outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is a candidate to own a baseball team someday, but as ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark explains, he faces a number of obstacles. Here’s Stark’s analysis of Cuban and other notes from around MLB:

  • Bud Selig sees Cuban as a “squeaky wheel,” according to Stark’s sources. The commissioner does not appear to have interest in an owner who wants to be the story or who will “overtly challenge him publicly."
  • Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. would like to strengthen his bullpen and he has checked in on a number of relievers, according to Stark.
  • Scouts covering the International League say the Rays appear to be evaluating two of their outfielders, Desmond Jennings and Brandon Guyer, in possible anticipation of a B.J. Upton trade. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Rays listen on offers for Upton, but it would be surprising if they weren’t evaluating their own minor leaguers. Stark reported earlier in the week that the Rays are not likely to trade Upton this summer.
  • Rival scouts have been eyeing the Giants’ Class-A affiliate in San Jose, especially Heath Hembree, who was recently promoted to Double-A, and top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler.

Stark On B.J. Upton, Boras, Dodgers

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The latest from ESPN's Jayson Stark…

  • The Rays are not likely to trade B.J. Upton this summer, though the Nationals have been monitoring the center fielder just in case.  Though the Rays feel they have a long-term need for catching, they're not enticed by the Nats' dangling of Jesus Flores and Ivan Rodriguez.
  • Scott Boras is the biggest culprit in trying to steal clients, says one agent.  However, the practice is legal if Boras reports all contact made with others' clients to the Players Association.  Last year Boras' free agent group looked weak before he snagged Jayson Werth and Rafael Soriano a few months before the offseason began.  This time, Boras won't be swiping Jose Reyes from Peter Greenberg, but he does have Prince Fielder, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Madson, and anyone else he manages to bring aboard.
  • Realignment is unlikely to happen for 2012, since the schedule needs to be finalized by September.  Stark also explains that realignment may depend on the decision to expand the postseason.
  • The Dodgers are telling teams they're weeks away from deciding whether to be deadline sellers.  If they do sell, it won't be because of money issues.  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports agrees, saying MLB-appointed monitor Tom Schieffer would intercede if the team tries to make a move that's not in its best long-term interests.

Rays Sign First-Round Pick Jake Hager

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The Rays signed first-round pick Jake Hager for $963K, tweets Baseball America's Jim Callis.  That's $9K over slot for the high school shortstop, who was chosen 32nd overall.  Hager is represented by Paragon Sports International.

Hager, who had committed to Arizona State, was ranked 122nd on BA's top 200.  BA wrote that Hager "doesn't have one standout tool, but he can do a little bit of everything and always plays hard."

The Rays had a dozen picks within the first 89 this year, and so far they've signed six of them in Hager, Jeff Ames, Blake Snell, Kes Carter, James Harris, and Granden Goetzman.

Hager is the fourth first-round pick to sign, as teams begin by locking up those willing to sign around slot.  Click here to see our full list of first and supplemental round picks to sign.

Rays Sign Supplemental First Round Pick Harris

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The Rays signed supplemental first round pick James Harris for $490K, MLBTR has learned.  Harris is represented by Adam Karon and Tripper Johnson of Sosnick Cobbe Sports.

As Harris was not ranked within Baseball America's top 200, it appears likely that a predraft deal was in place.  He signed for about $116K under slot.  Harris, a high school outfielder, was the 60th overall pick and the last of the supplemental round.  The Rays received the pick as compensation for the loss of reliever Chad Qualls.

According to Baseball America's Conor Glassey, Harris has "huge upside" and is an "explosive athlete."  He narrowly missed BA's top 200.

Rays Sign Supplementary First Rounder Ames

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The Rays have signed supplementary first round selection Jeff Ames for $650K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. MLB recommended a bonus of $803K for the 42nd overall selection, but Ames was not expected to go as early in the draft as he did.

The right-hander hit 98 mph consistently this season, according to Conor Glassey of Baseball America. Ames, who stands 6'4", placed 119th on BA's list of top draft eligible players before the Rays selected him. The Rays obtained the 42nd overall selection as compensation for losing Type A free agent Rafael Soriano to the Yankees after the 2010 season.

Contenders In Need Of A Shortstop Upgrade

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As many as six contenders are lacking at shortstop.  Let's take a look.

  • Rays:  The Rays have been employing Reid Brignac at shortstop lately, though Elliot Johnson and Sean Rodriguez are also capable.  None of them are hitting, though Brignac's defense is a plus and Rodriguez has some pop.
  • Brewers:  The Brewers have used Yuniesky Betancourt at short, with Craig Counsell pitching in.  The numbers say Betancourt has been terrible both offensively and defensively. 
  • Cardinals:  Ryan Theriot has been manning shortstop for the Cards, and his bat has been more than acceptable.  However, he's probably better-suited defensively for second base.
  • Reds:  They've used the Paul Janish/Edgar Renteria tandem, with the 28-year-old Janish getting more playing time.  Janish is strong defensively, and since the Reds have the best offense in the league they might be able to tolerate his struggles with the bat.  Prospect Zack Cozart is hitting .317/.361/.498 at Triple-A, but the Reds are not at the point of making a move yet.
  • Pirates:  The Bucs have been searching for a long-term answer at short for a while now, but right now they have Ronny Cedeno.  Brandon Wood is showing some signs of life this month, and he could be an option at shortstop.  The Pirates also have Chase d'Arnaud playing well at Triple-A.
  • Giants:  Miguel Tejada was signed as the team's shortstop, but it's rookie Brandon Crawford at present.  He's strong with the glove but doesn't provide much offense and skipped Triple-A upon his call-up.

All four NL Central contenders are weak at shortstop, so if one of the clubs acquires a prize like J.J. Hardy it also takes an option away from direct rivals.  The Orioles aim to talk extension with Hardy before the All-Star break.  If that possibility falls through with time to spare before the July 31st deadline, Hardy will be a hot commodity.

A couple of top options in Jose Reyes and Stephen Drew appear to be off the board, since the Mets and Diamondbacks are in contention.  Jamey Carroll, Clint Barmes, and Rafael Furcal (if healthy) may be available.

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