Let's start this Friday off with some links…
- Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com feels that Neal Huntington's rebuilding plan has yet to yield results.
- Olney tweets that rival executives feel that both Oswalt and Lance Berkman would have trade value, but only if Houston was willing to eat a lot of money and accept secondary prospects in return. Yesterday we learned that Berkman would be willing to waive his no-trade clause.
- SI.com's Melissa Segura hears that MLB will announce a pilot program that will allow international amateurs to register before the July 2nd signing period begins, which should streamline age investigations and signings (link goes to Twitter).
- Meanwhile, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez chatted with MLB's Dominican office consultant Sandy Alderson about what he hopes to achieve regarding how he hopes to improve the international market.
- ESPN's Enrique Rojas tweets that the Cubs have called up top shortstop prospect Starlin Castro. The 20-year-old was rated as the 16th best prospect in the game by Baseball America prior to the season, and was hitting .376/.421/.569 in 121 Double-A plate appearances. Chicago has already pushed his free agency back a year, but he can still qualify as a Super Two after 2012.
- Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle mentions that the Astros have only $44MM in salary commitments for next season, most of which is tied up in Roy Oswalt and Carlos Lee. I respectfully disagree that Oswalt's $16MM salary "can easily be traded." How many teams have that much room in their budget?
- ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that Carl Crawford has put himself in a pretty good position going into free agency. The Rays' left fielder is hitting .343/.408/.571, but is only 7-for-11 in stolen base opportunities, and there's still 83% of the season left the play.
- ESPN's Keith Law and Jason Churchill go back and redo the 2004 draft. Both see Justin Verlander and Dustin Pedroia going 1-2 in a redraft.
“ESPN’s Enrique Rojas tweets that the Cubs have called up top shortstop prospect Starlin Castro.”
I don’t get the timing of this move at all. Lou must be desperate to try anything to shake it up. This move is nothing more than a feel good move for some fans. Even if Castro is all that and more, there are troubles all over the team that need tightning up. They should leave the kid where he was to blossom and not place the pressure on him to jump start this team. Bad move by Pinella and Hendry.
Agree about the desperation and Lou’s need to shake things up.
I had a feeling this was coming when Castro wasn’t in the Tennessee lineup last night. They’ve also had people watching him for a couple of weeks now. Anyway, I’m actually not too upset about this move. I’m not thrilled either because I don’t think Castro will necessarily outproduce Fontenot/Baker at the plate. On the positive side, I am a little tired of seeing Theriot get to balls in the hole and not being able to make the throw — especially when you see other teams SS, even our own castoffs like Ronny Cedeno, make that same play. Overall, better defense, but the upgrade in offense is questionable.
I also think Castro can handle the move from both a baseball standpoint and a mental standpoint so I don’t think it will hurt his development. What concerns me is that they’ll yo-yo him if he doesn’t succeed right away.
I’m not upset over the move. I just do not like the timing for the very reason you pointed out, the ‘yo-yo’ effect. I would rather Castro spend some more time fine tuning his game in the minors. I agree on Theriot not getting throws off though. This should help the defense a lot. The pressure to succeed is high for Castro. We see rookies and veteran free agents often come in and struggle early on with the pressure they place on themselves and the pressure fans place on the new guy. Byrd seems to have not been effected by the new team thing, but maybe because he played in Philly early on helped his mental approach. I just hope Castro is not looked at as the saviour from Ramierez and Lee’s lack of power, Berg or Grabow’s walks issued from the pen or timely hitting missing up and down the line up. Now that he’s up, Lou has to show patience and let Castro play no matter what success or slump he encounters. The last thing Castro needs is to be bounced back and forth to the bench or Iowa.
There is always a possibility they may yo-yo him, but one would hope management has learned from their mistakes involving Pie and Patterson. Not only in regard to the need for consistent playing time once promoted, but also that the make-up of Castro is not similar to that of Pie or Patterson. I’m confident they understand this, no matter how checkered their past with position players may appear.
I hope you’re right. If they put him at SS and leave him there, I think he’ll be okay. I’m not sure it’ll make the Cubs better overall but at least they wouldn’t be botching up his development. The thing about Castro is that he has hit at every level and he seems to have no problems with AA pitchers. Maybe major league pitching is the challenge he needs to keep developing as a hitter.
Patterson was a good example of how poor makeup can stunt a young player’s growth as a ballplayer and I’m not sure he had it in him to succeed no matter what the Cubs did. Pie, on the other, hand seems like a better bet. He hit well in the 2nd half and this spring before getting hurt. I think the Cubs botched it with both Pie and Patterson, but for different reasons. Patterson was a poor evaluation. Million dollar tools and a 10 cent brain. Pie, in my opinion, has the right stuff — maybe not a star, but he probably would have been fine if the Cubs if they would have just left him alone.
I hope you’re right. If they put him at SS and leave him there, I think he’ll be okay. I’m not sure it’ll make the Cubs better overall but at least they wouldn’t be botching up his development. The thing about Castro is that he has hit at every level and he seems to have no problems with AA pitchers. Maybe major league pitching is the challenge he needs to keep developing as a hitter.
Patterson was a good example of how poor makeup can stunt a young player’s growth as a ballplayer and I’m not sure he had it in him to succeed no matter what the Cubs did. Pie, on the other, hand seems like a better bet. He hit well in the 2nd half and this spring before getting hurt. I think the Cubs botched it with both Pie and Patterson, but for different reasons. Patterson was a poor evaluation. Million dollar tools and a 10 cent brain. Pie, in my opinion, has the right stuff — maybe not a star, but he probably would have been fine if the Cubs if they would have just left him alone.
We called up Castro? I would have thought Cubs.com would have said something about it.
Haven’t you realized yet this site beats MLB official channels by several hours?
“and there’s still 93% of the season left the play. ”
MATH FAIL–most teams have played 28 games meaning there is 83% of the season remaining.
Just a typo. It’s fixed.
Future is starting now. I expect the Cubs if he starts today, or tomorrow, this weekend, that this will be the line up.
2B- Ryan Theriot
RF- Kosuke Fukudome
1B- Derrek Lee
CF- Marlon Byrd
LF- Alfonso Soriano
3B- Aramis Ramirez
SS- Starlin Castro
C- Geovany Soto
Actually I think they should put Ramirez on the 15-day DL. Something is wrong with him right now. Either physically or mentally. This would also clear up a spot so Castro can come up and give management 15 days to see who they are sending down or getting rid of.
2B- Ryan Theriot
RF- Kosuke Fukudome
1B- Derrek Lee (or Byrd)
CF- Marlon Byrd (or DLee)
LF- Alfonso Soriano
3B- Chad Tracey (LH bat they lose with Fontenot benched)
SS- Starlin Castro
C- Geovany Soto
Tracy got demoted with the Castro promotion. You’ll see Ramirez/Fontenot/Baker at 3rd.
Well then, Fontenot better start practicing at 3B again. We can’t run 7RH/1LH group out there and not get exploited. However, I still think Ramirez needs to be on the DL for 15 days. Have him get some practice on some lessor pitching in AAA to get his grove back then bring him back up.
Gah. It’s one of those days I wish I had Insider, so I could read that redraft article. *sigh*
Reading comments here makes me wonder why people even bother since it amazes me they think they know more about a prospect than an organization does. I just hope if he succeeds, they all come back and eat crow.
Also, HUGE thumbs down to MLBTR for not giving more analysis. One of the most popular teams in baseball just called up their #1 prospect and they get a little one liner story? This is why i’ve ventured to other sites for info and analysis. MLBTR seems behind on everything lately.
The site is for trade rumors… Sorry your Cubs only got one line mentioned about a call up…
Awww….hurt the feelings of a Brewers fan? Sorry that your team doesn’t matter much, but don’t hate because of it!
Awww…..I love seeing Brewers fans hate on the Cubs. They really like to feel like they matter. It’s cute almost. Keep trying big guy….one day the sports world may pay attention to Milwaukee!!!
It’s not a hate for the Cubs at all. You think that because Chicago has a well known team, you deserve special attention.
It’s not like we want the attention people love the Cubs from all over. Chicago is one of the best tourist attractions and Wrigley is one hell of a place to be. Even when we had the south side irish parade people from Milwaukee were calling each other North Chicagoans. So besides that you could keep complaining about our team but you should really be complaining about yours cause with out Fielder and Braun it aint Sh*t
I’m not going to touch this argument….however you can’t take away a team’s two best players and say it isn’t worth sh*t because you can do that to almost every team in baseball:
Cardinals: Take away Albert and Wainwright
Brewers: Fielder and Braun
Mets: Reyes and Wright
Red Sox: Pedroia and Youkilis
Twins: Mauer and Morneau
Giants: Sandoval and Lincecum
Phillies: Utley and Howard
Nationals: Zimmerman and Dunn
Yankees: Arod and Tex
And you can do this with everyteam.
Just saying…the argument that the Brewers without Braun and Fielder are a bad team isn’t exactly a knock on them. It’s a general truth throughout MLB that any team without it’s two best players would suck.
Special attention? Do you know what the #1 searched term on Google is today? That’s right…Starlin Castro. More people are interested in the promotion of Starlin Castro than Mother’s Day, The Players Championship, Movie Releases across the US, NHL or NBA Playoffs, The Stock Market or even the Times Square Lockdown……MLBTR couldn’t detail a little bit about Castro coming up to the bigs when its’ that big of a deal to the rest of America? Please….not asking special attention here…..but we’re talking about a big time prospect!
By the way…it’s a big enough deal for ESPN to report it on front page. So yes, MLBTR failed in reporting that story.
You clearly don’t understand the purpose of this site. It’s not a “minor league callup wire”.
It linked to a tweet. As more information becomes available, there may or may not be subsequent links.
But frankly, the patrons of this site come here to read about contracts and potential trades.
Sorry you feel short-changed that your benny-boy didn’t get his due homage.
“You clearly don’t understand the purpose of this site. It’s not a “minor league callup wire”.
Again…then why report on it….so, you’re wrong. It’s an MLB news/rumor site….pretty much reporting on everything.
“It linked to a tweet. As more information becomes available, there may or may not be subsequent links.”
That’s an irrelevant statement.
“But frankly, the patrons of this site come here to read about contracts and potential trades.” And obviously about minor league call-ups….which is why it was reported here.
“Sorry you feel short-changed that your benny-boy didn’t get his due homage.”
A big-time prospect gets the callup….you report on it from another site and can’t even elaborate on it? It’s pathetic linking and weak distribution. Paint it whatever color you want and because it wasn’t about the Twinkies, you don’t care. Do yourself a favor and don’t post to me again. You’re post was worthless with zero contribution!
Slow your roll, son. You’re throwing a tantrum because your kid didn’t get front page showing.
Get over it. Or move along. All this comment space is now wasted on what mlbtr should be covering, instead of starting a discussion on this callup.
Ever heard of rotoworld.com? That’s what a rumor/reporting site should look like. They are way ahead of this site as far as reporting breaking info as well as details about the rumors, trades or whatever else. When something of that magnitude happens, it isn’t a one liner saying it happened.
I’m throwing a tantrum? Hardly Nancy….just stating the facts. Maybe MLBTR could learn something by listening to what people post?
I’ve moved along…..again, when you have nothing to offer Nancy….don’t post useless info to me wasting both of our time.
You clearly don’t understand the purpose of this site. It’s not a “minor league callup wire”.
It linked to a tweet. As more information becomes available, there may or may not be subsequent links.
But frankly, the patrons of this site come here to read about contracts and potential trades.
Sorry you feel short-changed that your benny-boy didn’t get his due homage.
Really? You might want to take a look at most of the recent posts. Trade rumors may be the name of the site, but it isn’t the only thing they cover — and it’s been like that for quite some time now. Welcome to the party.
That Andre Ethier grand-slam walk-off off Hawkins last night was pretty.
🙁 At least we got two out of three.
🙁 At least we got two out of three.
That Andre Ethier grand-slam walk-off off Hawkins last night was pretty.
“Reading comments here makes me wonder why people even bother since it amazes me they think they know more about a prospect than an organization does. I just hope if he succeeds, they all come back and eat crow.”
Do you really need a list of Cub prospects called up and bounced around, not developed properly, ultimately failed or not as good as the hype? Ofcourse, I hope Castro succeeds. I think Cub fans have seen too much the other way.
It’s a news site, not an analysis site. Go read Law, Goldstein, Callis, Neyer, or any of a zillion other guys if you want analysis.
It’s not an analyis site? The article below is analyis about players that would have been free agents after 2010. WOULD HAVE BEEN! Something that’s not happening in other words. A few articles below that is analysis about whether or not Lackey and Bay should be of concern. There’s a full article below that about how the Marlins have designated Mike Lamb for assignment? Really? Then there’s a full article about 2011 Detroit Tigers contracts! So, next time you make yourself look foolish, do your homework.
Fine, allow me to rephrase: While this site features analysis, it is primarily designed to cover transactions and the rumors thereof, usually based around linking to outside stories. Analysis is the same way; they generally link to outside analysts. Most of that analysis hasn’t hit the web yet. Crying about this site not featuring analysis is obnoxious. Wait a couple of hours and you can find five thousand words about the Castro promotion with two clicks of the mouse.
Or if you’re desperate for analysis of the move on this site, here you go: Castro has put up a very encouraging performance this year, stabilizing what he did last year as perhaps the fastest rising prospect in the minors. However, this promotion is needlessly aggressive and smells like a desperation move to save the jobs of the people who constructed an old, expensive team that’s poorly designed to win this year and may be crippled by its free agent contracts going forward.
There you go.
LoL. Chill out dude. Don’t like it, don’t come to it.
LoL. Chill out dude. Don’t like it, don’t come to it.
The Cubs also promoted Josh Vitters to AA and Andrew Cashner to AAA.
The cavalry is coming!
I mean, man, as a Cubs fan, it feels like years since we called up a prospect worth getting excited about. When we called up Pie, you could almost tell that they were going to misuse him and retard his development, and the same could be said for Samardzija, too.
I just hope that these guys don’t burst onto the scene too hot, they might end up saving Hendry’s job.
That would be crazy, wouldn’t it? Especially since it’s Wilken and his scouts who are bringing these guys in! If Cubs do fire Hendry, I hope they keep Wilken. He’s been their best farm director since Goldsberry and the Dallas Green days. Vitters has been hot lately after a bad start. The overall numbers don’t look great but there have been some encouraging signs lately – one of which is a 7-8% walk rate. Still average and it’s a small sample size, but this is a guy who used to swing at everything. I’m also liking the Iowa Cubs one-two punch of Andrew Cashner and Jay Jackson. Help is on the way! If this season tanks, I hope the Cubs don’t hesitate to shed some of their overpaid veterans.
“If this season tanks, I hope the Cubs don’t hesitate to shed some of their overpaid veterans.”
This is why I was not happy the rumors in the offseason were that the Cubs were going to extend Lee in spring training. Not that I am hating on Lee, but just from a financial and NTC stand point, I’m glad they (Ricketts) held off.
The Cubs may be in a pretty good position to be sellers if the season tanks. With Jackson and Cashner knocking on the door and Gorzelanny pitching well, the Cubs may be able to trade Lilly or other starters. Lee and Ramirez may be attractive at the deadline — if they’re hitting, of course. Fukudome is another possibility with the emergence of Colvin (though I’m still not convinced on him, yet). Nady is another bat they could trade down the road. Of course, I’d rather have the Cubs win this year but if they don’t, they have every opportunity to begin rebuilding. Whether they take that opportunity is a different story, as we know all too well.
Would a few of these guys waive their no trade though? I would not complain if the Cubs saw they were a .500 team give or take and decided to go yonger in July. Younger does not mean better, but it would hopefully open a few spots and shed payroll down the road. Ofcourse, that is if the Cubs would not have to eat a bunch of money. Again, they would have to get guys to waive their NTC first. Thoughts?
That is the biggest hurdle, but I don’t think overcoming NTCs will hamper their efforts to make a trade. If Lee, Ramirez, etc. get particular about where they want to go, they could hurt the Cubs leverage. But, I would think, if the team decides it’s in rebuilding mode it’s hard to imagine them wanting to stay on a team that’s going with youth. Especially since it’s only for a few months before they go into free agency anyway where they can choose their own teams. I think overall the Cubs will be able to trade those guys and rebuild. I’m more concerned that if it doesn’t work out, the Cubs will kid themselves into believing they can still contend with a few tweaks.
I would think guys would be particular about where they went ‘IF’ they waived the clause. Also, I doubt Ramirez opts out. He will not get that kind of money out there. It would not hurt if Ram and Lee start hitting to help this team though. That’s ok, Castro will pick up the slack 😉
I would think guys would be particular about where they went ‘IF’ they waived the clause. Also, I doubt Ramirez opts out. He will not get that kind of money out there. It would not hurt if Ram and Lee start hitting to help this team though. That’s ok, Castro will pick up the slack 😉
I mean particular as in “I’m only going to approve a trade to LA”. If they are particular in the sense that they just want to go to a contender there should still be some leverage on a deal. But I think most players will move somewhere for a 3 month stint if it means a shot at the WS. And if you’re someone like DLee and the Cubs are out of it and start the rebuilding process, why would you stubbornly hang around when the team has no plans of keeping you anyway? If that’s where the Cubs find themselves come July, I really don’t think the NTCs are going to be a huge factor. The biggest obstacle for the Cubs when it comes to rebuilding will be self-delusion!
I mean particular as in “I’m only going to approve a trade to LA”. If they are particular in the sense that they just want to go to a contender there should still be some leverage on a deal. But I think most players will move somewhere for a 3 month stint if it means a shot at the WS. And if you’re someone like DLee and the Cubs are out of it and start the rebuilding process, why would you stubbornly hang around when the team has no plans of keeping you anyway? If that’s where the Cubs find themselves come July, I really don’t think the NTCs are going to be a huge factor. The biggest obstacle for the Cubs when it comes to rebuilding will be self-delusion!
That is the biggest hurdle, but I don’t think overcoming NTCs will hamper their efforts to make a trade. If Lee, Ramirez, etc. get particular about where they want to go, they could hurt the Cubs leverage. But, I would think, if the team decides it’s in rebuilding mode it’s hard to imagine them wanting to stay on a team that’s going with youth. Especially since it’s only for a few months before they go into free agency anyway where they can choose their own teams. I think overall the Cubs will be able to trade those guys and rebuild. I’m more concerned that if it doesn’t work out, the Cubs will kid themselves into believing they can still contend with a few tweaks.
“When we called up Pie, you could almost tell that they were going to misuse him and retard his development, and the same could be said for Samardzija, too.”
True. However, part of Pie’s problem was he liked the night life and did not focus on baseball. Still, the Cubs did bounce him around too much. Samardzija was likely rushed due to his big contract. The Cubs bounced him around too much as well. Although, he looks like a bad investment for the money, period. I think Lou has seen enough of him, barring an injury.
As I posted on here, Lou will need patience and let the Kid grow. I do not like the move, but now Castro is here. He needs to stay, play and hopefully succeed.
“Samardzija was likely rushed due to his big contract.”
That, and Samardzija stinks;)
Yeah, that’s why I say it looks like a bad investment. Lou has seen enough of the ‘Shark’. I had hopes, but see regression.
Finally the Cubbie farm is thriving. Vitters, Castro, B.Jackson, J.Jackson, Andrew Cashner can’t wait to seem them all play together in 2-3 years.
Even though Cashner, Castro and J.Jackson are reportedly all should see sometime this year
Not to mention Hak-Ju Lee and their plethora of infield prospects behind Castro.
It’s almost a weird feeling, watching the Cubs seemingly draft and develop their own players.
“ESPN’s Enrique Rojas tweets that the Cubs have called up top shortstop prospect Starlin Castro.”
What the??? Seriously, are we THAT bad of an organization? No good could come of this, and this reeks of a pitiful desperation move like those you would expect… well, only us to make! Honestly unless this means we are officially in full rebuild mode, this is a sad, sad move.
I really wish I was one of those lucky people who followed an organization that had a clue as to what they were doing…
(((For the love of God, please fire Hendry already!!!)))
“(((For the love of God, please fire Hendry already!!!)))”
I’m not shedding responsibility, since Hendry is the GM who makes the moves. However, Castro is a Lou Pinella move all the way. Lou has been itching to tell Hendry to get him here. Doesn’t mean Hendry has to do it. What Lou wants, Lou gets. Now Lou has him, Lou needs patience. He better play him thick or thin and not yank Castro around.
Agree this is a Lou, not Hendry, thing… But, Hendry put us here to begin with, leading to Lou’s (constant, and generally illogical) wants. If Hendry had done his job in the first place, moves like this wouldnt be taking place.
I’m not being negative, just saying. Castro was almost a given. If things do not improve, they might call up someone else this year…Cashner perhaps.
Huntington’s rebuilding plan hasn’t yielded results yet? How quickly was it supposed to happen? On the difficulty scale, the project Huntington inherited is moderately harder than rebuilding the Royals and slightly easier than rebuilding Afghanistan.
I agree. I’m not a Bucco fan, but Huntington has a lot to do. Fans and media just have to give the man some time.
That’s not true. Afghanistan at least has drug money to put back into the country. Nutting is cheap.
There’s zero point for the Astros to move Oswalt and Berkman (or Lee) for that matter if the rest of the league wants them to eat significant salary and only get back lesser prospects.
No salary relief and/or no impact prospects = no deal.
Give it a few months. Somebody like Kenny Williams will certainly be willing to pay premo dollars and prospects for another guy he used to have a baseball card of when he was a kid.
There’s zero point for the Astros to move Oswalt and Berkman (or Lee) for that matter if the rest of the league wants them to eat significant salary and only get back lesser prospects.
No salary relief and/or no impact prospects = no deal.