Odds And Ends: El Duque, Feliz, Cubs
More links for Wednesday afternoon…
- CBS Sports reports that Orlando Hernandez is set to begin pitching for the Rangers' Triple A team in Oklahoma City.
- The Rangers are preparing another Triple A pitcher for the major league staff, but this one's two decades younger than El Duque. Neftali Feliz is now pitching out of the bullpen, according to Evan Grant of D Magazine.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says the Cubs hope to get Aramis Ramirez back in action before determining whether they will make a deadline deal.
- Who knew the Braves added John Halama to their minor league system? Check out Baseball America's latest minor league transactions for more.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo breaks down the pro debuts of some 2009 draftees.
- Phillies prospect Jason Donald isn't letting the rumors about his future distract him, according to Scott Lauber of the News Journal.
- Be sure to follow MLBTR on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook while you're at it.
Odds And Ends: Crisp, Benitez, Webb
On this day in MLBTR history, the Padres hadn't decided whether to be buyers or sellers. A lot's changed since last year, but many teams face a similar dilemma now. Here are some links for the morning…
- Coco Crisp will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
- Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger reports that former MLB closer Armando Benitez is pitching for the Newark Bears, hoping for another shot in the big leagues.
- Prospect Bryce Harper knows he's "not LeBron yet," according to the AP.
- Mark Teixeira says he loved playing in Atlanta and still considers it a "home" of his, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
- D'Backs first rounder A.J. Pollock will begin his pro career in Class A South Bend, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez.
- Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News says the Rangers want to improve their 'pen.
- A pair of starters may not pitch again this season. Nick Piecoro says Brandon Webb may need shoulder surgery and Mike DiGiovanna says Kelvim Escobar has a "deep ache" in his shoulder.
- Click here to listen to my discussion with the Benchwarmers on 590 KFNS in St. Louis last night.
Jon Daniels, Talking Rangers Baseball
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com gathered a few hot stove-related nuggets from Rangers general manager Jon Daniels on Tuesday afternoon. Let's dig in…
- Daniels thinks there won't be enough "sellers" by the time the July 31 trade deadline rolls around. "There are just not that many teams decidedly looking to move players," he said. "There are very few teams that are not within striking distance."
- The Texas GM acknowledged that a scout was present for Pedro Martinez's workout in the Dominican Republic last week, but the 37-year-old right-hander's contract demands are currently too high.
- In the end, grabbing a starting pitcher is probably going to be too costly, both in salary and prospects. (Or just salary, if we're talking about free agent Ben Sheets).
- "Relief is more realistic," Daniels concluded.
Vesting Options For 2010
Magglio Ordonez's 2010 vesting option has created a small stir in the last week or so, but there's a group of players with less-publicized vesting options. Here are updates on a few of them, and please add anyone I missed in the comments below:
- Freddy Sanchez will earn $8MM in 2010 if he makes 635 plate appearances this year. The option will also kicks in if he makes the All Star team and bats 600 times. With 290 plate appearance already, it looks like Sanchez will make $8MM next year.
- Kevin Millwood has a $12MM option that kicks in after 180 innings pitched. He hasn't pitched that much since 2006, but with a league-leading 106.2 innings logged already, Millwood will likely see his option vest.
- It's no surprise that we've heard little about Dmitri Young's $6MM option for next year. It only vests if he bats 500 times, but he hasn't hit yet in 2009. It's safe to say the Nats won't be stuck paying him that much next year.
- Josh Beckett's $12MM 2010 option will kick in if he starts 28 games this year. He's already at 14, so that number seems attainable.
- Milton Bradley's 2011 option will vest if he plays 75 games in 2009. In other words, Bradley will earn $12MM in 2011 if he plays 22 more games this year.
Odds And Ends: Phillips, Mets, Pirates
Links for Tuesday morning…
- It's time for another MLBTR chat. We'll go live at 2pm CST.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes on a report suggesting former Yankee Andy Phillips could soon be playing in Japan for the Hiroshima Carp.
- Chico Harlan of the Washington Post heard from former college standout Ben McDonald that agent Scott Boras never pressured him into anything back in 1989.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Neal Huntington is trying to build a young, athletic, defensive-minded outfield around Andrew McCutchen in Pittsburgh.
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff says the Mets shouldn't part with their trading chips for short-term benefit, even if it costs them their 2009 season.
- After looking at the Rangers' problems yesterday, Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News shows that lots is going well for them.
- Mike White of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Matt Clement is coaching basketball at his former high school.
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier takes his readers behind the scenes of the Red Sox draft.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says a Juan Pierre for Jarrod Washburn swap wouldn't work for the Mariners because of Pierre's contract.
Odds & Ends: Orioles, White Sox, Nady, Indians
Some links to check out while watching game one of the College World Series …
- MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko spoke to Orioles mastermind Andy MacPhail about plenty of topics, including the scuffling Felix Pie and fifth overall pick Matt Hobgood.
- South Side Sox breaks down the White Sox players who won't (or can't) be traded.
- Xavier Nady is set to begin a rehab assignment, however Buster Olney recently said the Yankees will not look to trade one of their spare outfielders once he returns.
- Indians president Paul Dolan says he is concerned about the team's direction, but will not make any "rash decisions" according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It certainly sounds like Eric Wedge's days are numbered, and his number is coming up.
- The Dallas Morning News' Kevin Sherrington writes that even though they're in first place, the Rangers aren't in a position to go all out and need to keep focusing on the future.
Odds And Ends: Reds, LaRoche, Francoeur
More links for the afternoon…
- Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe heard rumors from scouts that the Reds are dangling one of their veteran pitchers. Could Bronson Arroyo be available? Maybe Aaron Harang?
- Ozzie Guillen would endorse an extension for Scott Podsednik, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates aren't close to trading Adam LaRoche.
- MLB.com's Jen Langosch reports that the Pirates have signed three more draft picks.
- Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News asks his readers: what would you do with the struggling Rangers offense?
- Bradford Doolittle of the Kansas City Star says Royals GM Dayton Moore has referred to Jeff Francoeur as a successfully-developed player more than once.
Rangers Want Pitching, Unlikely To Add Salary
Rangers president Nolan Ryan told Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he'd like to add a starter or a durable reliever, though it will be difficult for Texas to take on salary in a deadline deal.
There are free agent pitchers available, but Ryan isn't sure if the team will pursue any of them. The Rangers have been linked to the now-rehabbing Ben Sheets for months, but he's not ready to return to action. In theory Pedro Martinez could be an option, but Ryan said the Rangers wouldn't be able to meet his salary demands.
Pedro Martinez Rumors: Friday
7:12pm: George A. King III reports that the Yankees have informed Pedro that they will pass on signing him.
6:17pm: Jon Heyman tweets that the Rangers Brewers and Cardinals also watched Pedro work out today. He also mentions that the Cubs' uncertain ownership situation hurts their chances to sign the veteran righthander.
8:42am: Pedro Martinez says he's in great shape, but the Yankees are only interested in signing him to a minor league deal. Here are some specifics on today's Pedro rumors:
- Pedro told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald that his arm feels good enough to "throw and throw and throw and throw," he just needs to polish his breaking pitches.
- Pedro said he's in "tippy-top shape," and joked about starting another career soon: "I'm thinking of becoming a swimsuit model," he said.
- Pedro will play winter ball in hopes of playing in 2010 if he doesn't sign this year.
- He said money doesn't motivate him.
- Ken Davidoff and Steve Zipay of Newsday report that the Yankees are only interested in signing Pedro to a minor league deal.
- The Yankees will watch him pitch today, along with the Cubs, Rays and Angels.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com presents a revised list of Pedro's suitors. In order: the Cubs, Angels, Dodgers, Rays and the two New York teams.
Heyman On Pedro, Nats, Mets, Rangers
Jon Heyman of SI.com says those closest to the Pedro Martinez situation expect him to sign soon. Heyman has many more rumors; here they are:
- One GM thinks the Nationals are demanding too much in return for their players. He says they want "a dollar and a quarter for a dollar."
- As Heyman points out, interim GM Mike Rizzo has an especially tough role, since his job isn't secure.
- Heyman says the Nats will make an announcement on a full-time GM this season. Rizzo has a good shot at the position.
- Rival GMs say Omar Minaya is now looking to boost the Mets' offense.
- Adding a player who can handle first base and the outfield would allow the Mets to make room for Carlos Delgado when he returns later in the season. Mark DeRosa fits the bill, but the Indians are apparently asking for a lot in a potential deal.
- The Rangers aren't likely to trade for Brad Penny, though they have considered him.
- Huston Street's one of the relievers who appeals to the Rangers.
- Texas can't add payroll, but can trade prospects.
- Chad Qualls and Heath Bell would both command big returns in a trade.
- Most contenders believe they need to add relievers, but the Red Sox are willing to trade one away.
- Heyman says releasing Dontrelle Willis would be a drastic move.
- The Reds, Braves and possibly the Cardinals are looking for right-handed hitting corner outfielders.