Stark On Wagner, Padres, Crawford
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark shows that a number of contenders have vulnerable-looking closers. The Cubs and Phillies two of many teams with shaky arms at the back of the 'pen. Here are the details and the rest of Stark's rumors:
- At least one scout believes John Smoltz would have been the perfect arm for the Marlins to add to their 'pen.
- However, clubs pursuing Smoltz heard that he wanted to start, at least for now.
- A scout who watched Billy Wagner throw has "no doubt" that Wagner could help a team win. The Rays and Marlins are thought to have interest in Wagner, but neither team would be likely to give up much of a prospect unless the Mets picked up salary.
- Stark hears that the Padres pulled Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez back off waivers after multiple teams claimed them.
- Mark Hendrickson cleared waivers, and can now be traded to any team. The Rockies were interested before the deadline, but they may decide to see where the Billy Wagner bidding goes before pursuing Hendrickson again.
- One rival GM considers the Cards "the best team in the league right now."
- The Royals don't seem interested in trading their top pitchers. They pulled Brian Bannister back from waivers and though Joakim Soria and Gil Meche are on waivers now, they aren't likely to be dealt.
- Clubs eyeing Carl Crawford believe the Rays are becoming less likely to deal him. Desmond Jennings could become the Rays' left fielder, but they'd probably have to be overwhelmed to part with Crawford.
- It's possible that Jamie Moyer could draw interest as a trade candidate after the season.
- One AL exec isn't sure Bryce Harper's the guarantee people perceive him to be.
- Stark points out that the Astros traded Ivan Rodriguez just as his incentives were about to start kicking in.
- An official of a team that inquired about Stephen Strasburg before the draft says that Scott Boras invoked Daisuke Matsuzaka's name without specifically saying he wanted $50MM for his client.
Odds & Ends: Tejada, Rays, Yankees
A roundup of links before the evening comes to a close:
- Alyson Footer at MLB.com wonders if Miguel Tejada's suggestion to play third for the Astros in 2010 isn't such a bad idea.
- The father of the Rays' first round pick Levon Washington says the Rays didn't abide by the pre-draft agreement the two sides had come to, says Marc Topkin at the St. Petersburg Times. Washington was reportedly offered $1.1MM. Washington will enter next year's draft.
- Gritty and Clutch examines whether the Yankees got their moneys' worth in payroll this season (h/t River Ave. Blues).
- Matthew Leach at MLB.com gets player and management reaction in the fallout of the Cards' John Smoltz acquisition.
- Kevin Baxter at the L.A. Times says that Vicente Padilla will have to pass a physical before he can join the Dodgers.
Heyman On Strasburg, Harper, Piniella
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Nationals made the "acquisition of the year" when they signed Stephen Strasburg 77 seconds before Monday night's deadline to sign draft picks. Nats president Stan Kasten says he's proud to have signed Strasburg even if he's not proud to have agreed to a record-setting deal. Like many others, Scott Boras believes the agreement was good for both sides. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors:
- Bryce Harper shouldn't come close to Strasburg's $15MM-plus if he signs next year.
- The Rays offered first rounder LeVon Washington $1.1MM. It wasn't enough and Scott Boras was very disappointed not to reach a deal.
- Heyman says there's no way the Cubs fire Lou Piniella after picking up his $4MM option for next year.
- Jerry Manuel shouldn't have picked on Ryan Church, Heyman says.
No Deal For Rays, LeVon Washington
The Rays failed to reach an agreement with 30th overall pick LeVon Washington, according to Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus (via Twitter). Washington, a high school center fielder, is represented by Scott Boras. The Rays will receive a pick next year as compensation.
Rays Don’t Expect To Sign Top Two Picks
The Rays don't expect to sign either one of their top two draft picks, according to Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune. The Rays expect to receive compensation picks in next year's draft for failing to sign first rounder Levon Washington and second rounder Kenny Diekroeger. Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said the team offered Washington a bonus "consistent with late first round picks," but could not come to an agreement with Washington and his agent, Scott Boras.
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: Brewers, Rays, Yankees
Some more news on signings is trickling in — let's dig in:
- Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is hearing that the Brewers have essentially agreed to terms with 39th overall pick Kentrail Davis but aren't announcing it so as to not drive up the price of other picks before the deadline. There was a worry that the two sides weren't completely close earlier today. I understand the reasoning behind the secrecy, but doesn't this feel like something that needs to change? It's not like all of these contract figures have been on lockdown in the first place, and chances are they're not going to be in the future either.
- Jim Callis at Baseball America reports that the Rays awarded fifth-round pick Jeff Malm a bonus of $680k, about five times the slot recommendation for that selection.
- George A. King III at the New York Post says that the only obstacle in the way of Slade Heathcott and John Murphy becoming Yankees are their upcoming physicals. Heathcott and Murphy are the Yanks' first- and second-rounders, respectively.
- We know that the Angels have come to terms with Jake Locker, their 10th-round pick, on a $150k bonus. Locker is a top football prospect too, though, and he will reportedly be given free reign to pursue that career, says Jim Callis. Sounds like a pretty nice deal.
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.
Rays Sign Todd Glaesmann
ESPN's Keith Law reports that the Rays have signed third-rounder Todd Glaesmann to a $930K bonus. The 108th overall pick received more than three times MLB's recommended slot bonus of approximately $290K. Now that the high school outfielder from Waco, Texas has agreed to terms, Tampa has signed their third- through ninth-round picks.
KLaw mentions that the team is unlikely to come to terms with second-rounder Kenny Diekroger, who has a strong commitment to Stanford.
Hughes Sent To O’s, Completes Zaun Deal
According to Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune, the Rays have sent 25-year-old first baseman Rhyne Hughes to Baltimore to complete last week's trade for veteran catcher Gregg Zaun.
Hughes is batting .282/.350/.516 with 22 home runs and 72 RBI this season in 440 at-bats between Triple-A Durham and Double-A Montgomery. He has also struck out 149 times. Zaun, 38, is 5-for-15 with two doubles and a solo home run in his short time with Rays.