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Archives for June 2010

Poll: Should The Brewers Deal Fielder And Hart?

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Corey Hart leads the National League in home runs and Prince Fielder already has a home run title. Both realize they could be dealt given the Brewers' 31-40 start, but that doesn't mean GM Doug Melvin will decide to trade them away. Each slugger is arbitration-eligible one last time in 2011, so the Brewers could hold onto them for next year. But given the team's need for pitching, Melvin could listen to offers. Hart's value might never be higher, but Prince isn't hitting for quite as much power as usual, so the Brewers have some decisions to make. 

Should the Brewers trade Fielder and Hart?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Odds & Ends: Pomeranz, Marlins, Everett, Valentine

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Links for Wednesday…

Blue Jays Outright Encarnacion To Minors

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WEDNESDAY, 8:56pm: Encarnacion cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas according to The National Post's Twitter feed. 

MONDAY, 2:39pm: The Blue Jays designated Edwin Encarnacion for assignment, according to the team. The Blue Jays demoted Encarnacion, who they picked up in last summer's Scott Rolen trade, after yesterday's loss to the Giants. 

There's no question that Encarnacion has power – he hit five homers in three games back in May – but his overall .200/.298/.467 was not enough for him to keep his roster spot. Unlike Rolen, Encarnacion is a poor defender (career -12.4 UZR/150 in thousands of innings at third) so his contributions are limited when he slumps at the plate.

The Blue Jays will replace Encarnacion by playing Jose Bautista at third or relying on new addition Jarrett Hoffpauir. The Twins and Angels could have interest in Encarnacion, as both clubs have banged up infielders. 

Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (Twitter link) that he doesn't expect Encarnacion to be claimed, given "the performance and the salary of the player." Encarnacion makes $4.75MM this year, but other clubs could have interest in a deal if the Blue Jays take on salary.

Amateur Draft Signings: Wednesday

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To keep track of which first rounders and supplemental-round picks have agreed to terms so far, follow our complete list. Here's the latest news on lower draft picks who have signed:

  • The Astros have signed two more draft picks according to a team press release: 10th rounder Evan Grills and 30th rounder Kellen Kiilsgaard. 
  • The Athletics signed seventh-round pick Jordan Tripp and three other players, according to a team release. Oakland's top four picks remain unsigned, but the team has locked up 15 of its next 16 selections.
  • James Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press writes that the Tigers agreed to terms with three draftees, including third-rounder Rob Brantly.
  • The Twins agreed to sign their second-round pick, high school shortstop Niko Goodrum, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (via Twitter).

The Latest On The Orioles’ Managerial Search

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Earlier today we updated you on the Marlins' managerial search following their dismissal of Fredi Gonzalez, so now let's do the same for Baltimore. We already know that Bobby Valentine has withdrawn his name from consideration for the job.

President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirmed to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli that he and owner Peter Angelos met with current ESPN analyst and long-time big league manager Buck Showalter for several hours today about the team's managerial job (Twitter link). Showalter has a strong track record of helping turn young teams into contenders, specifically his stints with the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers.

Former Indians' manager Eric Wedge is expected to receive a second interview according to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun, though it has not yet been scheduled. He adds that MASN broadcaster and former Orioles player Rick Dempsey is expected to interview for the job as well. He has interviewed for the job twice in the past. 

The Orioles are currently under the watch of interim manager Juan Samuel, who replaced Dave Trembley after he was fired earlier this month.

Rizzo, Boras Have Had Initial Talks About Harper

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The deadline for teams to sign their draft picks is still a little under eight weeks away, but Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo and agent Scott Boras have had "initial conversations" about a deal for first overall pick Bryce Harper according to principal owner Mark Lerner, as told to The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore.

"I'm confident we'll get a deal worked out," said Lerner. "I think the kid wants to play."

Kilgore mentions that negotiations are unlikely to begin in earnest until close to the August 16th deadline, which Boras is known to do with his top players. Rizzo and Boras have hammered out deals before, most notably for Stephen Strasburg as last year's top pick. 

The 17-year-old Harper is expected to shatter Rick Porcello's record deal for a teenage draftee, which guarantees him $7.285MM. Strasburg's $15.1MM contract represents the all-time draft record. You can follow the signing status of all first and supplement first rounders with our complete list.

Orioles Want Young Shortstop For Wigginton

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The Orioles figure to be major players on the trade market this summer, though Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweets that the team will not move Ty Wigginton unless they receive a young shortstop in return. Rosenthal calls it a "self-defeating stance," because no team will meet that demand.

Baseball America rated Baltimore's farm system as the ninth best in the game coming into the season, but basically all of their top shortstop prospects are in Single-A. They hope to have their shortstop of the future in Manny Machado, who they selected with the third overall pick in the draft a few weeks ago. 

As for Wigginton, the 32-year-old is enjoying a fine season for the last place O's, hitting .274/.359/.487 with 13 homers while playing every day at primarily second base. He offers power and extreme versatility, capable of playing anywhere on the field except short, center, pitcher, and catcher. Every team in the league could use a guy like him.

Wigginton is just one of several Orioles' veterans that could be on the block, joining Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Cesar Izturis, Will Ohman, and Luke Scott. Reports indicate that the team is not looking to shed payroll, however. 

Marlins Outright Jorge Sosa To Triple A

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WEDNESDAY: The Marlins outrighted Sosa to Triple A, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).

SUNDAY: The Marlins will designate veteran reliever Jorge Sosa for assignment on Tuesday, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

Sosa, 32, has appeared in eight games for the Marlins this season, totaling 9.1 innings pitched. Over that time he's allowed eight runs for a 7.71 ERA and walked six hitters as opposed to just five strikeouts. He signed a minor league deal with Florida earlier this Spring after being released by the Red Sox in Spring Training.

Sosa's fastball sits at 92mph these days, as opposed to 2004 when he averaged 94.6mph with the Rays and posted a strong 8.52 K/9. His control has always been a weakness, with a career 4.13 BB/9. That lack of control culminated in a four-walk outing yesterday in which he recorded just two outs and allowed four earned runs, despite surrendering only one hit.

The Latest On The Marlins’ Managerial Search

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The Marlins are "moving fast" to interview Bobby Valentine as soon as possible, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Rosenthal says other candidates are in the mix for the job Fredi Gonzalez held until this morning. 

Jack McKeon, who managed the Marlins to a World Series title in 2003, is not in the running to manage the team again, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter). No more than ten candidates have a shot at the position and the Marlins hope to hire a new manager by the All-Star break (Twitter link).

Team president David Samson spoke with Valentine this morning, according to Capozzi (via Twitter). Interest is mutual at this point; Valentine has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Orioles' opening and said he would consider managing the Marlins.

Sullivan Elects Free Agency; Cash, Daigle To Minors

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WEDNESDAY: Sullivan has elected free agency, while Cash and Daigle have accepted minor league assignments, according to Alyson Footer of the Astros (via Twitter).

SUNDAY: The Astros have designated Kevin Cash, Casey Daigle, and Cory Sullivan for assignment, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.  The moves were made in order to recall catcher Jason Castro, outfielder Jason Bourgeois, and third baseman Chris Johnson from Triple-A Round Rock. 

Cash has caught 18 games for Houston this season, posting a slash line of .216/.286/.353 with two homers.  The 32-year-old also pitched an inning in relief for the club in a blowout against the Reds in May.

Daigle pitched six innings across eight games for the Astros with an ERA of 7.50 with 4.5 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9.  This season marked Daigle's first cameo in the big leagues since 2006.

Sullivan, 30, has struggled at the plate thus far in 2010.  In 70 plate appearances, the outfielder has hit .190/.261/.238.

According to a team press release, the moves will take effect on Tuesday.  Castro and Johnson will move into the starting lineup, according to Alyson Footer of the Astros (via Twitter).

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