• River Ave. Blues wonders about Derek Jeter’s future with the Yankees.  The Yanks don’t have to deal with it until after the 2010 season.
• Reliever Al Reyes is now a free agent.  The 38 year-old still has a bit left in the tank.
• Baseball America’s Jim Callis lists the draft’s best coups.
• Curt Schilling is leaning toward retirement.  If he does come back, here is a reminder of the 12 teams he was willing to play for last year aside from the Red Sox: Indians, Tigers, Angels, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, Padres, D’Backs, Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers.
• Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says the Rockies need to keep Todd Helton.
• Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers’ failure to block the D’Backs’ waiver claim on Adam Dunn was a mistake.
• Sam Mellinger explains that Eric Hosmer was smart to hold out for $6MM.

• The biggest move of the month was the Diamondbacks’ acquisition of slugger Adam Dunn for Dallas Buck, Micah Owings, and Wilkin Castillo.  I can’t remember any August trades of this magnitude.
• Bronson Arroyo told the media Dunn would be seeking over $100MM this offseason; Dunn denied the report wholeheartedly. I’d be surprised to see him get $100MM, but I also certainly don’t think it would be the worst signing we’ve seen in the past few offseasons.
• The Red Sox acquired Paul Byrd from the Indians. Boston will pay the remaining portion of Byrd’s salary. Byrd has been very good lately, and you can never have too much pitching depth. Not a bad move for Boston, in my opinion.
• The Twins were very active in discussions this week, though nothing surfaced as of yet. Minnesota claimed Jarrod Washburn off waivers from Seattle, but a deal wasn’t worked out. Boof Bonser and salary relief was originally thought to be the offer, but that report was later denied. Passing a chance to unload Washburn’s salary makes no sense to me. The Twins also claimed Alan Embree from Oakland, but he was pulled back.
• Freddy Garcia signed a minor-league contact with the Tigers. They must have liked what they saw at his audition. If he can return to be as effective as he was in his Chicago days, that would be a great signing. Nice low-risk move for Detroit.
• We’ve seen a lot of teams signing their young talent to long-term deals, but it looks like San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum will not be one of them. He’d prefer to go year-to-year.
• Minor moves happening around baseball: The Reds DFA’d David Ross, the Blue Jays released Shannon Stewart, and the Twins signed Bobby Kielty to a minor-league deal. The Giants DFA’d Jose Castillo, and Richie Sexson’s time in New York was cut short when he was released after just 35 plate appearances. The Rockies added another arm, signing Oscar Villareal.
• And now, for the draft-pick signings! Here are all the signings and not-signings teams made with their top picks this week: The White Sox signed Gordon Beckham, the Orioles signed Brian Matusz, the Padres signed Allan Dykstra, the Rangers signed Justin Smoak, the Giants signed Buster Posey, the Pirates signed Pedro Alvarez, the Royals signed Eric Hosmer, and the Reds not only signed Yonder Alonso, but Venezuelan outfielder Yorman Rodriguez as well. The Nationals failed to sign Aaron Crow, and the Yankees failed to sign Gerrit Cole.
• And to cap things off, since we just covered a bunch of guys who probably weren’t even alive when Jamie Moyer first started pitching in the Majors… he didn’t deny the possibility of pitching until he’s 50. He’s 45 right now with 11 wins and an ERA of 3.64, who knows?

Law uses the Orioles and their first-round pick, Brian Matusz, as an example as he explains the difference between signing players to a major-league contract and a minor-league contract.

Law also points out that even players who sign major-league contracts can still see time at the minor-league level, and that signing a major-league contract immediately places the player on that club’s 40-man roster, despite which level they are headed to.

Immediately after each of the first 30 picks, I polled readers on whether the team "made the right choice."  We can keep the results for posterity and determine whether it’s fair to rag on a team for picking the wrong guy.  If most people liked the pick at the time it was made, it wouldn’t be right to criticize it in hindsight.  Here are the poll responses to the question, "Did Team X make the right choice by drafting Player Y?

1. Tim Beckham, Rays – 80% said yes.
2. Pedro Alvarez, Pirates – 89%.
3. Eric Hosmer, Royals – 63%.
4. Brian Matusz, Orioles – 80%.
5. Buster Posey, Giants – 68%.
6. Kyle Skipworth, Marlins – 54%.
7. Yonder Alonso, Reds – 33%.
8. Gordon Beckham, White Sox – 79%.
9. Aaron Crow, Nationals – 82%.
10. Jason Castro, Astros – 14%.
11. Justin Smoak, Rangers – 90%.
12. Jemile Weeks, A’s – 41%.
13. Brett Wallace, Cardinals – 65%.
14. Aaron Hicks, Twins – 79%.
15. Ethan Martin, Dodgers – 62%.
16. Brett Lawrie, Brewers – 62%.
17. David Cooper, Blue Jays – 26%.
18. Ike Davis, Mets – 55%.
19. Andrew Cashner, Cubs – 57%.
20. Josh Fields, Mariners – 65%.
21. Ryan Perry, Tigers – 53%.
22. Reese Havens, Mets – 33%.
23. Allan Dykstra, Padres – 28%.
24. Anthony Hewitt, Phillies – 32%.
25. Christian Friedrich, Rockies – 89%.
26. Daniel Schlereth, D’Backs – 65%.
27. Carlos Gutierrez, Twins – 21%.
28. Gerrit Cole, Yankees – 82%.
29. Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians – 17%.
30. Casey Kelly, Red Sox – 74%.

There you have it.  Readers agreed least with the Astros’ selection of Castro and most with the Rangers’ pick of Smoak.

• Keith Law calls this year’s first round "unusual in a number of ways," noting that more than half of the picks were college relief pitchers, corner infielders and catchers, three areas that usually get little attention in the first round. Law also gives us his choice for the team that made the best pick (Rockies), the worst picks (Seattle, Minnesota) and the teams that picked players that could reach the big leagues quickly (Seattle, Detroit, Arizona, Chicago, Baltimore).
• Baseball America has their first round recap with a look at each of the draftees.
• Minor League Ball gives us their thoughts on a few sleepers from the 4th and 5th round of the draft.
• The D-Backs top pick seems to be the most vocal draftee in terms of wanting to be in the big leagues this season.
• Buster Olney provides a complete collection of local media reactions to each of the first round draft picks (will need an ESPN Insider password).

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

• Baseball America’s brand new top 30 projections.
• According to Keith Law, Mariners doctors gave the thumbs up on Tanner Scheppers and the team could take him at #20.
• Law says the Nationals seem to be debating between Kyle Skipworth and Aaron Crow at #9.
• Law adds that first baseman Yonder Alonso has an $8MM rumored asking price, which could cause him to drop. Alonso is roughly the 11th-best player in the draft, combining various expert rankings.
• Speaking of huge demands, Buster Posey’s people are floating $12MM.  Perhaps for that reason, the Rays will go with Tim Beckham.
• The Pirates seem a near-lock to take Pedro Alvarez at #2.
• Jonathan Mayo is "fairly certain" the Reds will take Gordon Beckham at #7.
• Nick Piecoro tosses out some possibilities for the D’Backs at #26.
• Tom Haudricourt has three names for the Brewers at #16.

• Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein projects the top 30.  Plenty of inside info here.
• Jonathan Mayo has another set of top 30 projections.  He’s also got a host of rumors; I’ll let you click over to read them.
• Roto Professor chatted with Baseball America’s Jim Callis.
• Dejan Kovacevic dismisses the idea of the Pirates picking Pedro Alvarez as a P.R./fan-pleasing move.  If they pick him, it’ll be for baseball reasons.
• The Reds have their #7 pick narrowed down to four players.
• Baseball America’s John Manuel has all kinds of rumors, and the article is free to read.

• Rany Jazayerli looks at possibilities for the Royals at #3.  He hopes they don’t take Eric Hosmer.
• MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has new projections for the top 30.  He’s switched the Orioles from Brian Matusz to Aaron Crow at #4, among other changes.
• Keith Law has tons of good stuff…the Giants are eyeing Gordon Beckham, the Reds are considering Brett Lawrie, Jason Castro could go to the White Sox, the Dodgers like Zach Collier, and much more.
• Ken Davidoff is hearing that the Padres are in on Brett Wallace and the Twins like Christian Friedrich.
• Pedro Alvarez would be honored to be picked by the Pirates.  Dejan Kovacevic continues to say they’re leaning that way.
• I am considering live-blogging Thursday’s draft, posting each pick here as soon as it’s announced (you would not have to refresh).  Would that be helpful?

• ESPN’s Keith Law has an excellent draft overview, and it’s not behind the subscriber wall.  I wonder what kind of traffic ESPN would get if they freed up all their content.  Law also has his top 30 projections, if you’re a subscriber.
• Is Rick Porcello a problem?  Matthew Futterman implies that teams like the Brewers couldn’t possibly afford him.  But the Crew spent $42MM on Jeff Suppan.
  ]]> 0 https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/mayos-latest-al.html https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/mayos-latest-al.html#respond Thu, 29 May 2008 20:57:35 +0000 http://localhost/mlbtraderumors/2008/05/mayos-latest-al.html MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has some draft tidbits tonight.
  • The idea has been floated that the Rays could draft Pedro Alvarez with an eye on moving Evan Longoria to second base down the road.  Alvarez’s position really shouldn’t be a concern – Carlos Pena might be gone by the time he’s ready.  Mayo’s heard buzz that the Rays have narrowed it down to Alvarez or Buster Posey, despite what Tim Beckham’s dad said.
  • Standard speculation is that the O’s are looking at Brian Matusz and Justin Smoak, but Mayo’s heard there might be a non-Beckham dark horse.
  • The White Sox have Smoak, Yonder Alonso, and perhaps Andrew Cashner on their radar at #8.
  ]]> 0 https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/beckham-a-top-t.html https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/beckham-a-top-t.html#respond Thu, 29 May 2008 08:45:47 +0000 http://localhost/mlbtraderumors/2008/05/beckham-a-top-t.html Dejan Kovacevic talked to Tim Beckham’s father, Jimmy.  Jimmy Beckham says the family has met only with the Rays and Pirates, and he expects his son to be drafted by one of those two clubs.

  I’m surprised they are so certain.  Isn’t it possible that the Rays draft Buster Posey and the Bucs opt for Pedro Alvarez?

  ]]> 0 https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/draft-roundup-1-2.html https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/draft-roundup-1-2.html#respond Wed, 28 May 2008 14:01:46 +0000 http://localhost/mlbtraderumors/2008/05/draft-roundup-1-2.html All kinds of good draft info surfacing today.  Let’s take a look.
  • MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo projects the top 30 picks.  College closer Andrew Cashner moves up the rankings to the Rangers at #11, among other changes.  Mayo has even heard a rumor that the Marlins could consider Cashner at #6 instead of Kyle Skipworth.  Back on May 16th, Baseball America chose the Tigers for Cashner at #21.
  • Mayo sees the Rangers at #11 and the Yankees at #28 as possibilities for Boras advisee Gerrit Cole.  MiLB.com has compared Cole to Kyle Farnsworth.  Baseball America suggested Cole could slip to the Cubs at #19 or the D’Backs at #26.
  • Back to the Rangers…beat writer Evan Grant sees them springing for Eric Hosmer or Shooter Hunt.
  • Jim Callis notes that raw first-round bats (Aaron Hicks for example) often do not pan out.
  • Will the Mets stick to slot this year?
  ]]> 0 https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/draft-roundup-3.html https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/draft-roundup-3.html#respond Mon, 26 May 2008 10:09:55 +0000 http://localhost/mlbtraderumors/2008/05/draft-roundup-3.html All kinds of draft links today. 
  • Baseball America explains the basics in their How The Draft Works column.
  • Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein gives his take on each of the first twelve picks.
  • Keith Law: the Nationals invited Zach Collier to work out, the White Sox are eyeing Brett Wallace, the Marlins may like Eric Hosmer, and Tanner Scheppers is getting a second opinion. 
  • Jim Callis names high schoolers/Boras clients Hosmer and Gerrit Cole as possible wild cards who could head to college.  Callis also talks about Casey Kelly as a possibility for Cincy.
  • Derrick Goold on the Cardinals’ "signability board."
  ]]> 0 https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/kovacevic-chats.html https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/kovacevic-chats.html#respond Sun, 25 May 2008 23:35:46 +0000 http://localhost/mlbtraderumors/2008/05/kovacevic-chats.html There’s been quite a bit of conjecture that the Pirates will draft Pedro Alvarez with their #2 pick.  Alvarez, a Scott Boras advisee, may require a Major League contract.  The Bucs’ new management team will be making a statement to fans if they pony up for Alvarez.

  Devan Kovacevic did a Q&A on the draft with Pirates GM Neal Huntington and team president Frank Coonelly.  He didn’t shy away from tough questions, touching on the Matt Wieters subject.  Kovacevic also referenced Alvarez, asking how a player demanding a big league deal would impact the team’s draft choice.  Said Coonelly:

  The preference is to sign any amateur player to a minor-league contract. It gives the club more flexibility. With a player signed to a major-league contract right out of the draft, you have to use an option immediately to get him to the minors. If he has a minor-league contract, you can have him for three years in the minors before having to use an option.  Does that mean I’m saying the Pirates would never consider that? No. We would if there were a unique set of circumstances.

  So…is Alvarez special enough to warrant it for the Pirates?

  ]]> 0 https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/baseball-blog-2-8.html https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/05/baseball-blog-2-8.html#respond Fri, 23 May 2008 12:59:07 +0000 http://localhost/mlbtraderumors/2008/05/baseball-blog-2-8.html With last year’s top pick, David Price, making his pro debut yesterday, we are now two weeks from the 2008 "Rule 4 Draft" and the top of the draft is not as clear this time around. There are five candidates that could go in the top slot: Buster Posey, the FSU catcher; Vanderbilt’s third baseman Pedro Alvarez; San Diego lefty Brian Matusz; Southern California high school catcher Kyle Skipworth, and Georgia high school shortstop Tim Beckham. Earlier this week we heard that the Rays were leaning towards Posey or Alvarez, while the Pirates were said to be torn between Alvarez and Beckham with the second pick. Recent mock drafts from Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, have Beckham going to the Rays with the top pick.

  Let’s take a look at what is being said about the upcoming draft in the Blogosphere…

  • Minor League Ball ranks the top 30 prospects, with Posey and Beckham at the top of the board, while Alvarez’ injury knocks him down to #8.
  • Baseball Mastermind would like to see a push for a little more hype in the baseball draft and feels that baseball fans would benefit from more debate on the merits of the available talent. They also can’t see the Rays taking Alvarez with the top pick now that they have Evan Longoria locked up to a long-term deal.
  • DRays Bay wonders if recent reports of the Rays drafting Beckham or Posey were just smoke-screens to lower the price on Alvarez, who is a Scott Boras client.
  • Rays of Light note that Alvarez would be the ideal choice, but believe signability may be too big of a factor to ignore, making Posey more attractive.
  • Bucs Dugout feels a team should select the best available player with the second pick, but suggests that a team like the Pirates, that is still several years away from contending, may be better off drafting high school talent. The idea is that an Alvarez will not help a Bucs club in ’09 or ’10 while a Beckham will remain under the team’s control for more years.
  • Camden Depot doesn’t sound very excited about the prospect of the Orioles drafting Matusz.
  • McCovey Chronicles is hoping that Alvarez falls to the Giants at #5.

  Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

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