Richie Sexson Released
The New York Post writes of a minor shakeup for the Yankees. They’re cutting Richie Sexson and demoting Melky Cabrera to the minors in favor of Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom.
Sexson received 35 plate appearances from the Yankees, hitting .250/.371/.393. He did what he was supposed to do, hitting .273/.393/.455 against lefties.
Padres Discussing Deal With Heath Bell
According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres are discussing a multiyear contract extension for setup man Heath Bell. Bell hopes for a three-year deal.
Krasovic says the Padres control Bell’s rights for four more seasons, though by my count it’s three. He’s arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season. Manny Corpas will receive $12.25MM for his three arb seasons, though the third is a club option.
Odds and Ends: Kendall, Laird, Giles, Manny
Today’s linkage…
- A friend pointed out to me how strange it is that the Twins were willing to take on Jarrod Washburn‘s salary and give up Boof Bonser but chose to trade Johan Santana before the season. If Bill Smith could go back in time, would he still make that deal?
- A Gary Sheffield acquisition by the Rays is "unlikely but not impossible," according to one Buster Olney source.
- As expected, Jason Kendall‘s option for ’09 vested. He’s off the list!
- The Rangers were willing to trade Gerald Laird and a solid prospect to the Marlins for Chris Volstad.
- The Padres are wavering on Brian Giles‘ 2009 option. Scott Miller also wonders if they’ll be able to take on Trevor Hoffman for another year.
- Miller says the Marlins had a deal for Manny Ramirez worked out, but the commissioner’s office killed it because the Marlins would’ve been getting draft picks rather than a second player. Manny would’ve vetoed it anyway.
- Rob Neyer thinks the Yankees will exceed a $200MM payroll if need be next year.
- There seems a good chance Randy Johnson pitches next year.
- Randy Winn and Bengie Molina may be traded this winter.
- Missed this one from Monday – the White Sox acquired reliever Franklyn German from the Pirates for a player to be named later.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Millar, Sheffield, Dunn, Rangers, Salty
A few random notes from around the baseball Blogosphere…
- Beerleaguer feels that Kevin Millar would make a nice addition to the Phillies’ bench.
- MetsBlog says Gary Sheffield is the right-handed outfield bat the Mets need and this is the best time to add a player with something to prove.
- True Blue LA is angered that the Dodgers did not block the D’Backs’ claim of Adam Dunn.
- Newberg Report discusses which players the Rangers must be willing to part with if they are to land an "All-Star level, legitimate number one" pitcher or even a pitcher from the next level of starters.
- Over The Monster wonders if the Red Sox will replace Jason Varitek with Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Royals Sign Melville
FRIDAY: Sam Mellinger says the deal is done. Mellinger has some scouts’ views of Melville on his blog. Now the Royals can focus on their other high school draft pick, Eric Hosmer.
THURSDAY: According to Joe Lyons of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Royals are close to a deal with fourth-round pick Tim Melville. The high school pitcher said the contract was sent to the commissioner’s office; he just has to sign it. Typically I have only posted about first-rounders on MLBTR, but Melville is seen as a first-round talent who slipped due to financial demands (he may receive about $1.5MM).
Signing Melville will soften the blow if the Royals are unable to sign first round pick Eric Hosmer. Hosmer is advised by Boras, so that one is expected to go down to the wire. Sam Mellinger is getting positive vibes on a Hosmer deal, but it’s no sure thing. Jonathan Mayo thinks it will get done.
Draft Pick Signing Update: Posey, Matusz, Alonso
10:51am: Baggarly has the latest on Posey. He says it’s a "spitting contest" between Scott Boras and Posey’s agency to have the highest-paid draft pick.
7:46am: The latest links involved unsigned first-round draft picks.
- Sam Mellinger explains the decision Eric Hosmer faces. He might have to go against Scott Boras’ advice.
- Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle denies Andrew Baggarly’s Buster Posey report yesterday, calling it "premature Posey-ing." Schulman talked to the Giants’ director of player personnel, who said the deal is not done and the number is not $7.5MM. There is no verbal agreement, either.
- Schulman also heard the Orioles are about to sign Brian Matusz for less than $7.5MM. Most folks believe this will get done as a Major League deal.
- The Pirates are cautiously optimistic about Pedro Alvarez. It’s possible Scott Boras could drag this out to within minutes of the deadline.
- Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein has an update on all unsigned picks. He believes both Yonder Alonso and Justin Smoak will sign. Publicly, Reds GM Walt Jocketty is 50/50 on Alonso.
- MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo gives his take on Matusz, Josh Fields, and Allan Dykstra.
What To Do With Brad Penny?
Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times raises the question today: what should the Dodgers do with Brad Penny? The 30 year-old righty has been lousy this year, and he’s back on the DL with shoulder woes. In recent years he’s shown a trend of fading in the second half, though he was respectable in ’07.
The Dodgers face a $9.25MM club option with a $2MM buyout. Is Penny worthy of a one-year, $7.25MM deal? I probably wouldn’t guarantee that money to him, but I’m not a doctor. Penny has had back, blister, rib cage, forearm, elbow, biceps nerve, and shoulder problems over the years. He was never worked particularly hard by his managers.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Angels, D’Backs, Giambi, Ellis
Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera. Rosenthal doesn’t expect any of these four back. Garret Anderson‘s $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed. John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for ’09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that.
- Several journalists have noted the D’Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season. They’re not worried about Dunn accepting an offer of arbitration. Why would he want a one-year deal?
- Rosenthal guesses the Indians, Mariners, Blue Jays, and A’s might have interest in Jason Giambi this winter. Giambi’s .398 OBP ranks 7th in the AL. The leader: fellow free agent Milton Bradley at a staggering .446.
- Mark Ellis surprisingly postponed negotiations with the A’s on an extension. It had been said Ellis wanted to figure out a contract before season’s end. He’s the affordable free agent alternative to Hudson.
- The Twins are trying to get creative to find bullpen help. GM Bill Smith says he’s made many waiver claims and won some.
- Rosenthal says "speculation persists" that J.P. Ricciardi will be canned after the season.
- The Tigers aren’t considering trading Magglio Ordonez, but Nate Robertson could be moved this winter. Robertson seems due for a move back to the NL. He earns $7MM in ’09 and $10MM in ’10.
- The Reds are being questioned for holding on to relievers David Weathers and Jeremy Affeldt.
Huff, Millar, Payton Clear Waivers
According to Dan Connolly and Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, four Orioles players have cleared waivers: Aubrey Huff, Jay Payton, Kevin Millar, and Jamie Walker. Walker we already knew about. The Orioles can now trade any of the four to any team.
I had guessed that Huff would not clear waivers, on account of his .910 OPS (10th in the AL). However, the $10.1MM owed to Huff through ’09 proved too much for the other 29 teams. His limited defensive abilities probably also played a role.
The Sun also mentioned that George Sherrill was claimed by an AL team and pulled back, which was expected.
Dunn Trade Details
5:05pm: According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the third player going to the Reds in the Dunn trade is catcher Wilkin Castillo. The 24 year-old ranked 14th among D’Backs prospects heading into the season, according to Baseball America. He is able to play many other positions as well.
THURSDAY, 9:52am: Owings has not yet been placed on waivers, according to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. John Fay says that’s because an injured player cannot be placed on waivers, and Owings is dealing with shoulder stiffness. Owings will be put on waivers when he’s healthy, though the deal will still be completed in the offseason if a team claims him before the Reds.
TUESDAY: John Fay heard one of the players to be named might be Micah Owings. Nick Piecoro confirms it. That seems fair. C. Trent Rosecrans says the Mariners, Giants, Padres, or Nationals claimed Owings, so they’ll have to wait until after the season to officially name him.
MONDAY, 10:27pm: C. Trent Rosecrans heard the players to be named later are on the D’Backs’ 40-man roster. Rosecrans expects it to be an MLB-ready starter and a position player.
2:14pm: Jack Magruder says Dunn’s remaining $4MM or so will be split between the two teams. He confirms the deal is for Buck plus two prospects to be named later. The price seems reasonable, and the D’Backs can snag a couple of draft picks when Dunn leaves.
1:47pm: Rosenthal has changed his report. It now says a deal was consummated just before the window expired. Dunn is a Diamondback. Apparently big trades can happen in August!
1:45pm: MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert says the D’Backs are "close to working out a deal" for Dunn for a minor league pitcher and two players to be named later.
1:41pm: Ken Rosenthal does not agree with Gambadoro’s report. Rosenthal says the D’Backs won a waiver claim on Dunn but could not complete a deal before the window expired today.
1:27pm: John Gambadoro of Arizona radio station KTAR 620 reports that the Diamondbacks have acquired outfielder Adam Dunn for three prospects, including pitcher Dallas Buck. Right field is a poor match for Dunn, but this is still an excellent move by Josh Byrnes. Dunn didn’t really make sense for the eight NL teams with a better waiver position than Arizona.
Dunn isn’t the ideal fit for Arizona, given the strikeouts and defense. But a .900 OPS more than balances out his flaws.