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Archives for June 2010

Nationals Could Be Buyers Or Sellers

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The Nationals could be sellers at the trade deadline, but if the team climbs out of last place and improves upon its 32-39 record, they could become buyers. GM Mike Rizzo told reporters, including Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, that the Nats front office remains flexible as the deadline approaches.

"If there's a good deal to be made to acquire talent, we'll acquire it," Rizzo said. "There's no marching orders to dump payroll or to add payroll.” 

Rizzo, who says he is always looking to make a deal that helps the team long-term, identified starting pitching as the Nationals’ biggest need. If the team becomes a seller, players such as Livan Hernandez, Matt Capps and Adam Dunn could interest other teams. 

But Rizzo says the club likes Dunn offensively and defensively, so the Nationals continue looking into an extension with the slugging first baseman. Dunn’s two-year $20MM deal expires after the season and the two sides have been discussing an extension since the spring.

Boston’s Areas Of Need

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Red Sox assistant GM Ben Cherington told Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio that Boston will consider improving its bullpen, adding a defense-first shortstop and finding outfield help this summer (Twitter link). Red Sox relievers have combined for a 4.18 ERA and a 1.85 K/BB ratio, so the 'pen has pitched respectably. Still, the team could use a top arm or two behind Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard.

Adam Everett, now a free agent, would likely be an option for any club looking to acquire a strong defensive shortstop. The Red Sox could also consider John McDonald, who backed up current Boston shortstop Marco Scutaro when both were with the Blue Jays last year.

Mike Cameron, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeremy Hermida and J.D. Drew have all missed time with injuries this year, but replacements like Daniel Nava and Darnell McDonald have filled in admirably. The Red Sox just called up Josh Reddick, but could look outside the organization for outfield help. David DeJesus seems like a fit, since the Red Sox would prefer to add a left-handed hitter.

Brewers Release Brian Bruney

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The Brewers released Brian Bruney, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via Twitter). Bruney signed with the Brewers earlier in the month, after the Nationals released him.

Bruney pitched 3.1 scoreless innings at Triple A Nashville after signing with Milwaukee. The right-hander's control evaded him at the big league level this year; he walked more than a batter per inning in 19 appearances with the Nationals. Bruney, who has struck out nearly a batter per inning in his major league career, had an acceptable walk rate as recently as 2008.

Minor League Transactions: Johnson, Mastny, Botts

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Tom Mastny and Jason Botts were among the former major leaguers to sign deals with big league clubs from June 8th-14th. Baseball America's Matt Eddy has the details:

  • Ben Johnson, one of the players the Padres sent the Mets for Heath Bell, has signed a deal with the Tigers. The outfielder, who has a .230/.313/.414 line in parts of three major league seasons, had been playing in the Golden League.
  • Scott Patterson, who played briefly with the Yankees and Padres in 2008, signed with the Mariners after posting an 18K/3BB ratio in the Atlantic League.
  • The Marlins turned to Tom Mastny in their search for relievers, signing the former Indian out of the Atlantic League. Mastny, 29, posted a 6.13 ERA in 94 innings with Cleveland from 2006-08.
  • The Royals released Jason Taylor four years after drafting him in the second round and signing him to a $763K deal.
  • The Nationals signed Jason Botts out of the Atlantic League. Botts, who has a minor league OPS of .875, spent parts of the 2005-08 seasons with the Rangers.
  • The Orioles and Royals, two of the organizations that have seven domestic minor league clubs, have pursued and signed non-drafted free agents aggressively.
  • Mike Curto reports (via Twitter) that the Astros acquired Tommy Everidge from the Mariners. Everidge appeared in 24 games for the A's last year.

Odds & Ends: D’Backs, Manny, Mets, Silva, Rangers

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Links for Tuesday before the Angels and Dodgers face off in Anaheim…

Marlins Release Hunter Jones

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The Marlins released Hunter Jones, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter). Jones and Jose Alvarez joined the Marlins last November in the Jeremy Hermida deal. Jones, who was born about 80 miles from Miami, appeared in three major league games in early May and held the opposition scoreless in 1.2 innings. 

In 45.1 innings for the Triple A New Orleans Zephyrs, Jones has a 4.17 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 this season. The 26-year-old left-hander relies on a high-80s fastball and a high-70s slider, according to data on FanGraphs. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that Jones will likely undergo Tommy John surgery (Twitter link). The Marlins have offered to re-sign him for 2011.

Rangers Can Add Some Salary Regardless Of Sale

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Rangers GM Jon Daniels told Ed Price of AOL FanHouse that his team could add a small amount of payroll even if its sale isn’t complete by the July 31st trade deadline. If new ownership takes over soon, Daniels says the Rangers will “try to add to the club,” but they will have room to add a limited amount of payroll regardless.

A scout who recently watched the Rangers’ Triple A affiliate told Price that the Rangers have some “big arms” and “OK” position players that could become trade bait. Daniels says he’d rather keep his prospects than trade them, but realistically, the Rangers will have to give something up.

The Astros are open to absorbing salary in trades, so Roy Oswalt is almost certainly on the Rangers’ radar. Daniels said earlier in the week that he is open to trading within the division, which means Cliff Lee could be an option for the Rangers if the Mariners make him available.

For now, Colby Lewis, C.J. Wilson, Scott Feldman, Tommy Hunter and Dustin Nippert are starting while Rich Harden and Derek Holland recover from injuries.

Orioles Acquire Jake Fox For Ross Wolf

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The Orioles acquired Jake Fox from the A's for minor league pitcher Ross Wolf, according to Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The Orioles could option Chris Tillman to the minors or designate Garrett Atkins for assignment to make room for the utilityman. 

Soon after the A's designated Fox for assignment, it became apparent that the O's were interested. The 27-year-old is hitting .214/.264/.327 in 106 major league plate appearances this year. Fox, who can catch and play left, right and third, has 122 homers and a .528 slugging percentage in 2636 minor league plate appearances.

Wolf, a 27-year-old righty, has a 2.11 ERA in 38.1 innings at Triple A this year with 6.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9. As Connolly notes (via Twitter), the O's have pulled off the first animal surname for animal surname trade in a while.

Olney On Dodgers, Lee, Yankees

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One general manager told ESPN.com's Buster Olney that "it's becoming pretty clear" that the Dodgers won't be able to add pitching at the trade deadline. But Ed Price of AOL FanHouse heard from an MLB source that the Dodgers are scouting starters "aggressively" in preparation for possible trades. The Dodgers could use starting pitching given John Ely's last three starts and the injuries to Chad Billingsley and Carlos Monasterios, but executives appear to be divided on their ability to acquire it. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:

  • Rival teams are waiting for the Mariners to indicate that they're willing to deal Cliff Lee. One GM says it will be "a win for the Mariners" if and when they do trade Lee, since Jack Zduriencik will probably obtain better prospects than the ones he gave up for the left-hander in December.
  • The Yankees are focused on improving their offense right now. Olney wonders if the Yanks could pursue a powerful infielder like Ty Wigginton. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports listed some easier-to-obtain infielders yesterday.

Poll: Will David DeJesus Be Traded?

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The Giants appear to have interest in David DeJesus and there's a good chance that other clubs will consider the outfielder between now and the end of July. Depending on injuries and team performance, the Red Sox, A's, Braves and Padres could also be looking for outfielders in the near future. The Royals appear to be asking a lot for DeJesus, and why not? He's affordable ($4.7MM salary), plays good defense and is hitting .323/.395/.485. The Royals could hold onto DeJesus and exercise his $6MM option for 2011, but there's a definite chance they make a trade.

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