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Archives for June 2009

Josh Johnson Will Seek Big Payday

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Josh Johnson won't be a free agent until after the 2011 season, but his agent's already anticipating a big contract, according to Manny Navarro and Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Matt Sosnick, who represents the Marlins righty, says his client deserves a hefty contract along the lines of A.J. Burnett's ($82.5MM) or C.C. Sabathia's ($161MM):

"The way that I think Josh needs to be valued is somewhere between Burnett's contract and Sabathia's contract, and probably closer to Sabathia's," Sosnick said. "Josh is that guy in two years."

If Johnson wants his deal to be closer to $161MM than $82.5MM, he's looking at a contract worth upwards of $122MM. In recent years, the Marlins have been willing to trade players other than Hanley Ramirez once they become expensive during their arbitration years or let them depart as free agents.

Johnson's agent can throw lofty numbers around, since Johnson's pitching so well this year. He's 7-1, and has allowed only 110 baserunners in 105 innings, striking out 88. Just yesterday, ESPN.com's Buster Olney called him the NL version of Roy Halladay. Johnson will be just 27 when he hits the open market, so expect a long list of bidders.

Angels, Dodgers Will Pass On Pedro Martinez

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According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, the Angels scouted Pedro Martinez last week.  There was some question as to which teams actually saw the Friday audition.  However, Shaikin learned from Angels GM Tony Reagins that the Halos will pass on Martinez for baseball (not financial) reasons.  Shaikin's source says Pedro was working around 85 mph.

Shaikin adds:

The Dodgers did not scout the workout, and Manager Joe Torre said today that the team has not discussed Martinez since spring training.

Summing up previous reports: the Nationals weren't in attendance Friday, the Brewers didn't get a chance to see him, and the Yankees will pass.  We don't have definitive word on the Rays, Rangers, Cardinals, D'Backs, Indians, and Cubs.  Rays exec Andrew Friedman downplayed his team's interest though.

Week In Review: 6/14/09 – 6/21/09

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Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there (my own included)! We're nearing the end of June already, and the trade winds should start to heat up in the coming weeks. Let's take a look back at the past week, in the meantime:

  • The Tigers have benched Magglio Ordonez indefinitely, much to the chagrin of agent Scott Boras. Maggs will obviously still see the field, but his production this season has been abysmal. He has a vesting option for 2010 which I'm sure the Tigers don't want to be forced into picking up.
  • More Bryce Harper news: The 16-year-old that has scouts salivating across the country is enrolling junior college, which will make him available for the 2010 draft. Hey Bryce, how do you feel about the nation's capitol…?
  • Onto another 16-year-old phenom – at least we think so. MLB is investigating the age of Miguel Angel Sano prior to July 2nd to ensure that he actually is 16 years old. The Twins and Pirates are reportedly the frontrunners for the young shortstop, but we've heard more about Pittsburgh than Minnesota.
  • Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden both feel like they can transfer their success this season over to the big league level, but the Red Sox don't currently have room. Something's gotta give with this situation, and probably soon. John Smoltz is set to start this week. However, the injury to Daisuke Matsuzaka might buy Boston a bit of time to figure the situation out.
  • Another Red Sox pitcher had some interesting comments this week, when Jonathan Papelbon stated that he'd pitch for the Yankees or any other club if he couldn't work out a long-term deal with Boston. Sox fans obviously weren't thrilled with the comments, and Papelbon reiterated later in the week that his perfect scenario would have him pitching in Boston for the long haul.
  • If the Red Sox are looking for places to deal pitching to, there's no shortage. Charlie Manuel has said he'd like the Phillies to add a starter, and the Brewers are also talking about ways to improve as a club. Manuel did imply that he'd be looking for more of an ace-type pitcher, however.
  • Any team could also call up Pedro Martinez if they want some more pitching, but he's still going to be a bit costly, which may have caused the Rays and Cubs to back off. Here's some more updates on the Pedro situation.
  • The Rays may not add anyone at all, in fact. An upgrade to the bullpen would be a nice boost for the club, but they apparently won't be spending on a closer if they spend any money at all.
  • If you're curious which teams are in position to add some payroll, here's some that fit that description.
  • Tom Glavine won't be pitching in 2009. He didn't announce his retirement, but it's hard to imagine him making a run again in 2010. He stated that he'd spend some time being a "full-time dad." If this is the end for you Tom, congratulations on a great career. Cooperstown is only a few years away.

Are Eric Wedge’s Days Numbered?

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The Indians are currently sporting the worst record in the American League; their loss to the Cubs today dropped them to 29-42 on the season and 10 games out of first place in the AL Central. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer takes a look at the decision that owners Paul and Larry Dolan face with Eric Wedge. Hoynes writes:

"When asked if he was considering a change, Larry Dolan said, 'I'll talk to you later.' When asked if that meant a change was being considered, Dolan said, 'I just don't want to lie to you.'"

General manager Mark Shapiro doesn't feel that Wedge should lose his job, and actually takes more of the blame himself for the bullpen he assembled this offseason:

"'Part of the bullpen's performance is tied to the inconsistency of our starting rotation and not having three-fifth of the rotation we opened the season with.'"

Shapiro added, 'If anyone is to blame, it's me.'"

The Indians have also dealt with injuries to Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Asdrubal Cabrera, Aaron Laffey, and Anthony Reyes, just to name a few. Fausto Carmona completely imploded, and Jake Westbrook's recovery from Tommy John surgery has been slowed.

Wedge doesn't shy away from criticism though:

"'There is always going to be fingers pointed at me,' said Wedge. 'That comes with the territory. When you have this type of year, and you're going through a tough stretch like this, there is going to be a certain amount of focus on me. I take full responsibility. I don't shy away from that at all.'"

The Indians have had their share of injuries and a faulty bullpen to blame for their last-place ranking this season. There's certainly plenty of cases that can be made to defend Eric Wedge, but we've seen managers fired for a lot less than this, and typically someone has to take the blame. So should Wedge stay or go?

Lopez Wants To Stay In Arizona

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With the Diamondbacks 11 games below .500 and 16 back in the NL West, it would make sense to see some moves to build for 2010 and beyond. MLB.com's Steve Gilbert tells us that Felipe Lopez hopes he's not involved in any of them.

Lopez, 29, is having a nice season at the plate for the Dbacks, hitting .299/.355/.413. He'd certainly be an appealing name for a number of teams, given his offense this year, as well as his versatility. He's seen time at second, third, short, and in the outfield since last season. He also signed a very affordable $3.5MM contract for 2009.

However, Lopez says he likes the Arizona organization and his teammates, and is happy where he is. Not only that, but he thinks the Dbacks can turn their season around still.

Should Arizona go into sell mode, or are they capable of making a run like the Rockies have made over the past few weeks to save their season? If they do become sellers, you have to imagine that Lopez will become a pretty good trade chip. Sorry Felipe.

Orioles Draft Pick Updates

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Steve Melewski informs us that the Orioles are getting closer to signing first-round pick Matt Hobgood. Hobgood will travel to Baltimore this week to take a physical, and could have a press conference and  be introduced at Camden Yards as soon as next Saturday.

Orioles scouting director Joe Jordan has said that Hobgood will likely pitch in the Gulf Coast League when he signs, and could possibly move up later in the summer.

The O's aren't close to signing second-rounder Mychal Givens, but are expected to sign sixth-round pick Justin Dallas and 23rd rounder Michael Mooney soon.

Brewers Discussing Possible Rotation Fixes

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MLB.com's Adam McCalvy writes that the Brewers will meet this week to discuss a potential acquisition to boost a struggling rotation. Thursday's starter is currently "to be announced."

With Dave Bush's arm fatigue, and the demotion of Manny Parra and his 7.52 ERA to Triple-A Nashville, the Milwaukee rotation is looking hazy, to say the least. Writes McCalvy:

"… [Ken] Macha will meet with general manager Doug Melvin, assistant GM Gord Ash and the coaching staff early Tuesday afternoon at Miller Park to discuss their options.

Melvin has been looking hard at potential trades, but it appears unlikely that he will be able to acquire a starter as early as this week."

Macha has also said that he's hesitant to move Seth McClung to the rotation, because he's so pleased with what McClung has done in relief this season.

McCalvy also names Tim Dillard, Lindsay Gulin, and Mike Burns, who made an effective spot start earlier in the season, as possibilities to be recalled from Nashville.

Personal speculation: the obvious name that comes to mind is Brad Penny, with all of the rumors surrounding the Boston right-hander. Who are some other names the Brewers could target?

M’s Still Need Long Term Deal For Hernandez

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Ryan Divish of The News Tribune says the Mariners must find a way to sign Felix Hernandez to a long-term contract extension. Divish says simply, "There is no pitcher in the organization who is comparable in terms of talent or potential. None. He’s an ace, a front-of-the-rotation horse who doesn’t come around often. And you need to keep him."

Hernandez is making $3.8MM this season and is under club control until 2011. Obviously the M's want to get this done. In March 2008, they reportedly made an offer but talks seemingly stagnated. Before 2008, $15-17MM seemed a fair amount to buy out his arbitration years. So far in 2009, Hernandez's price tag has surely increased and it's scary to think he could improve further. Divish notes,

"[Hernandez] would rather give up back-to-back grand slams than talk about his contract status. Why? Perhaps he doesn’t want the distraction, or perhaps he is looking forward to free agency and the certainly gargantuan payday that most likely awaits him."

Holliday, Angels A Good Fit?

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Bill Shaikin of the LA Times wonders if Matt Holliday could wind up with the Halos, whether this season or next. Last offseason, Holliday rented a home in Laguna Beach and, says Shaikin,

"Loved it. So did his wife. So maybe, just maybe, the Hollidays could move to Orange County for good next year. If Jason Bay stays with the Boston Red Sox, Holliday would be the best outfielder available in free agency, the one acquisition that would allow the Angels to bid farewell to Vladimir Guerrero without too much of a fuss."

He notes that Scott Boras' negotiation style "clashes with the quick-strike style of Angels owner Arte Moreno."

Odds & Ends: O’s, Josh Johnson, Yankees, Red Sox

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A busy Sunday morning has made for some some discussable items from around the league:

  • Rick Dempsey of MASN is excited by the Orioles future and says it is undoubtedly time for the team to trade, highlighting George Sherrill, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora.
  • Carlos Frias of the Palm Beach Post notes A.J. Burnett has regrets over leaving the Marlins and burning his bridges in the process.
  • After Josh Johnson beat the Yankees yesterday, Mike Feinsand of the New York Daily News says, "Hope you got a good look, Yankees fans. You may have been watching your future ace."
  • River Ave. Blues thinks trading Xavier Nady makes sense despite Buster Olney having said, "The Yankees are unlikely to trade Nick Swisher of Xavier Nady after Nady returns."
  • Not a trade rumor, but Manny Ramirez is set to begin a minor-league stint on Tuesday in Albuquerque, says The Tribune-Review.
  • Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe says (via Twitter, of course) "Daisuke [Matsuzaka] to DL. [Catching prospect] Dusty Brown up with the team for the first time." She continues, "About to talk to Daisuke. Will get quotes to you shortly. [Sox manager Terry Francona] said he doesn't think this will be a two-week DL." While the Sox still have rotation depth, this surely effects any perceived sense of urgency to deal.

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