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Heyman On Strasburg, Pedro, DeRosa

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Jon Heyman of SI.com lists some of the best and worst starts to the season. Justin Upton and Marco Scutaro are two of the players to make the first list. Heyman's also got some rumors to pass along; here they are:

  • It is believed that Stephen Strasburg's people don't want him to pitch in the majors this year.
  • Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, is believed to have mentioned Jose Contreras, who signed for $32MM, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, who signed for $52MM, as comparable players.
  • It doesn't sound like former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker will end up as the Nationals' next GM, though the Nats are said to be considering names other than Mike Rizzo's for the permanent job. 
  • Heyman says a Doug Davis return to Milwaukee could make sense. 
  • The Rays would like to add a closer without adding payroll, which will be a challenge.
  • Rays GM Andrew Friedman hasn't ruled out Pedro Martinez, but says he's a long shot.  
  • Heyman hears that the Cardinals and Mets are two of the teams calling the Indians about Mark DeRosa.   

Nationals DFA Kip Wells, Call On Clippard

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MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that the Nationals designated reliever Kip Wells for assignment to make room for Tyler Clippard. Wells, a 32-year-old righty, has an ERA of 6.49 in just over 26 innings, with 18 strikeouts and as many walks.

It's possible that Clippard will be the Nats' best reliever, as he's dominated Triple A so far this year. He backs up his sparkling 0.92 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 39 innings, and just 20 hits and 15 walks allowed.

Rosenthal On Strasburg, Arroyo, Zobrist

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says most believe the Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg to a record deal of about $15-18MM this summer. Here are the details:  

  • Rosenthal describes doomsday scenarios for the Nationals and Strasburg to show that the two sides need to come to an agreement. 
  • The Reds can't even consider dealing Bronson Arroyo until Edinson Volquez returns. If Homer Bailey comes up and pitches well, it would be easier for the Reds to part with a starter.
  • If Akinori Iwamura can return this year, Ben Zobrist may become a super utilityman again. Rosenthal wonders if the AL OPS leader is more valuable when he plays multiple positions.
  • The Brewers, who would like to add pitching, could talk with the Braves, who have had interest in Corey Hart in the past.  
  • Nobody's interested in Jeff Francoeur, but the Braves have enviable pitching depth that would entice the Brewers.

Vesting Options For 2010

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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.

Prospect Updates: Strasburg, Harper, Sanchez

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Updates on some of baseball's best prospects;

Odds & Ends: Pedro, Ordonez, Holliday

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On this day in MLBTR history: Last year, the Blue Jays fired manager John Gibbons and Matt Holliday talks were still swirling. In '07, we actually cared who was on Eric Gagne's team veto list and saw Michael Barrett get traded to the Padres.

Olney’s Latest: Dodgers, Yankees, Pedro, Strasburg

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney writes that it "is said by others" that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti is searching for pitching. Olney outlines the heavy workload endured by the Dodgers' bullpen early on, and wonders how it will hold up down the stretch.

Here's some other bits that Olney's heard:

  • The Yankees are unlikely to trade Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady when the latter returns from an elbow injury because of the club's needs. Olney also mentions that they wouldn't be able to get full market value for Nady because of his injury.
  • The Yanks did discuss Nady with other clubs during the offseason after signing Mark Teixeira.
  • Several teams walked away from Pedro Martinez's workout yesterday unimpressed and uninterested in signing him.
  • Olney says that several teams would be interested in the future Hall of Famer if he decides to pitch for something close to the pro-rated minimum with incentives, and is willing to work his way back up through the minors.
  • Early talks between the Nationals and first overall pick Stephen Strasburg "are off to a sluggish start."

Odds & Ends: Webb, Padres, Corpas, Nationals

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Some Friday evening linkage…

  • Nick Piecoro says that if Brandon Webb's latest setback requires surgery, it would give the club pause about picking up his $8.5MM option for 2010.
  • Paul DePodesta runs through all of the Padres' recent roster moves.
  • Rockies reliever Manny Corpas had an MRI on his right elbow today according to Patrick Saunders. Both the team and Corpas were surprised since he has pitched effectively of late. Depending on the severity of the injury, this may impact the Rockies' decision to trade closer Huston Street.
  • Thomas Boswell at The Washington Post says we "will see little or nothing for a long time" regarding negotiations with first overall pick Stephen Strasburg. Boswell also says the Nats have begun to discuss which free agents they will pursue next offseason, and the general assumption is that they will go after a reliever.
  • Alyson Footer tweets that the Astros have signed three draft picks, including third rounder Jonathan Meyer.
  • CBSsports.com's Scott Miller spoke to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, who indicated that they haven't decided to sell off movable pieces yet.
  • Dean Jones Jr. writes that the Orioles signed a pair of undrafted free agents out of Towson: infielder Gary Helmick and catcher Jason Stifler.

Heyman On Pedro, Nats, Mets, Rangers

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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. 

Odds And Ends: Webb, Doumit, Blanks

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Links for Friday morning…

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