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Archives for June 2009

Braves Sign Chris Burke

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Talking Chop reports that the Braves signed utilityman Chris Burke to a minor league deal. Burke, 29, has played every position but pitcher and catcher in the major leagues. In 32 games with the Padres this year, Burke's OPS was .575. More recently, he played in Triple A Tacoma in the Mariners' organization.

Burke was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett, and struck out in a pinch hitting appearance tonight.

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.

Padres Sign Brian Lawrence

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According to a press release, the Padres have signed righthander Brian Lawrence to a minor league deal. He allowed two runs in six innings in a start for the Triple-A Portland Beavers on Wednesday night. Prior to signing, Lawrence had been with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League.

Lawrence last pitched in the big leagues in 2007 for the Mets. He spent five years with the Padres from 2001-2005, drawing Opening Day assignments in 2003 and 2004.

Pedro Martinez Rumors: Friday

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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.

Shawn Estes Retires?

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6:24pm: Mark Gonzales tweets that Estes says he hasn't retired. Instead, Estes indicates that he feels good but can't get his release from the Dodgers organization.

1:46pm: Diamond Leung reports that Shawn Estes has retired. The 36-year-old was pitching for the Dodgers in Triple A, where he started the season 3-4 with a 3.07 ERA. The lefty accepted the minor league assignment in hopes of fortifying the Dodgers' pitching later in the year.

His best major league season came in 1997, when he went 19-5 with a 3.18 ERA and 181 Ks for the Giants. Estes pitched for six teams other than the Giants, including every NL West team but the Dodgers.

Papelbon Backs Off Comments About Joining Other Clubs

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Rob Bradford at WEEI.com spoke to Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon about the comments he made on Sirius XM Radio yesterday regarding the possibility of joining the Yankees or other clubs when he reaches free agency.

“I just think that when people hear what I said or people read what I said sometimes they can only see certain things. I want to make that clear, I don’t want to go (expletive) for the Yankees,” Papelbon said. “Believe me, I’ve got a ring here and I’m playing for a manager and general manager who are going to protect me. I’ve been on a team in baseball who has been in first-place more than any other (expletive) team in baseball. It’s just a simple fact for me that what I was stating that guys nowadays don’t necessarily get the opportunity to be with a team for a long period of time. Do I want to be with the Red Sox for as long as I can? Of course. There is no question about because I know I’m playing a manager and general manager who are going to protect me and to me that’s all that matters.”

Papelbon made it clear that his preference is to remain in Boston, but acknowledged that this is a business and he's looking out for his family first and foremost. He also said he understands that he needs the Red Sox more than they need him.

Odds And Ends: Dodgers, Doumit, Pujols

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More links for Friday evening…

  • Pedro Moura of the LA Daily News reports that the Dodgers have signed 23 of their draft picks.
  • ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says the Pirates should consider trading Ryan Doumit once he shows he's healthy.
  • The man who would make such a move possible, Pirates first rounder Tony Sanchez, will make his pro debut tomorrow, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 
  • My take: Even though Sanchez receives praise for his polished game, he'll need some time to develop, so if the Pirates plan on having a winning season in the next couple years, holding onto Doumit makes sense.
  • ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian polled 11 MLB players about their ultimate pitcher-hitter confrontation. All 11 chose Albert Pujols and seven chose Roy Halladay. 

Mariners Claim Josh Wilson, DFA Quiroz

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For the second time today, a Padre has been claimed off waivers. This time, it's Josh Wilson going to the Mariners, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune. The Mariners also designated catcher Guillermo Quiroz for assignment.

Wilson, a 28-year-old utility man, has already played for the Padres and D'Backs this year, spending most of his time on the left side of the infield. He actually pitched for both clubs, too and it wasn't his first time on a big league mound; his pitching debut came with Tampa Bay in 2007. At the plate, Wilson's only hitting .156 this year, with an OPS below .500.

Quiroz, a 27-year-old catcher, appeared in just four games for the Mariners after a promotion from Triple A.

Wren: Few Big Bats Available

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Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that, though the Braves could definitely use a right-handed power hitter, there aren't many available. As GM Frank Wren points out, the shortage of big bats on the market will have implications for many teams:

"It's going to make it difficult for every team that's looking to add a bat," he said.

Braves president John Schuerholz says he doesn't expect the Braves to have trouble attracting free agents after the season, even if they miss the playoffs for the fourth straight time. The Braves missed out on Ken Griffey Jr. and Rafael Furcal in two unique cases last offseason, but they were able to sign Derek Lowe, Kenshin Kawakami and Garret Anderson.

Mets Claim Arturo Lopez Off Waivers From Padres

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David Lennon of Newsday reports that the Mets claimed Arturo Lopez, a 26-year-old reliever, off waivers from the Padres. The lefty allowed ten baserunners over the course of 2.1 innings for the Padres this year without striking anyone out. 

He can be much better than that, however. In 20 games for Triple A Portland, Lopez had a strikeout to walk ratio of 23/13 and allowed less than a hit per inning en route to a 3.77 ERA. As Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says, Lopez was assigned to the Mets' Triple A team in Buffalo.

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