Links for Sunday, as the baseball world attempts to come to terms with Omar Infante's All-Star nod….
- Kyle Drabek, who was a part of the Roy Halladay deal, threw a no-hitter for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. This was the first nine inning no-hitter in the history of Toronto's Double-A affiliate, writes Alex Raskin for MLB.com.
- Rob Neyer of ESPN (via Twitter) says that he's usually hyper-critical of the Royals organization, but applauds their pickup of Kanekoa Texeira. The Royals claimed the pitcher off of waivers from the M's early last month.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter) suggests that Mike Lowell could be an option for the Phillies if he gets healthy. He points out that the Phils went hard after him last time he was a free agent.
- The Orioles have made 46 personnel moves since Opening Day, writes Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun.
- The Marlins had interest in Dontrelle Willis before he was dealt to Arizona, tweets Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Frisaro hears that the lefty will take his time before deciding his next move.
- Kyle Parker, the Rockies' first-round draft pick, visited Coors Field, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding and Joey Nowak. Colorado hopes to sign the Clemson quarterback, who has three years of football eligibility remaining.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that the Astros have been telling teams they're willing to absorb some salary in a potential Roy Oswalt trade. We heard a couple weeks ago that Houston was entertaining this possibility if it meant landing better prospects.
- Heyman and ESPN.com's Buster Olney (both Twitter links) place their bets on the Orioles' managerial search.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says not to be surprised if the White Sox make a play for Prince Fielder.
- The Giants aren't expected to make a splash on the international free agent market, writes Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
- Domonic Brown deserves to be labeled "untouchable" by the Phillies, according to this piece at Philly.com.
The White Sox don’t have prospects that would inspire me to trade Fielder if I were the Brewers. A guy who can hit but probably isn’t a catcher? A guy who can hit but isn’t a third baseman? A guy who looks great in a uniform and in center field but can’t hit? The Brewers don’t need MORE guys like that.
If your team is so desperate for infield help that you’re considering Willie Bloomquist, why not just give the bat boy a shot?
IMO if your after quality pitching and your the Phillies and by quality I’m talking guys like Haren / Oswalt / Lee and secondary pitcher who are under team control for 3 plus years like Carmona for the Indians expect to have to give up a guy like Dominic Brown or if I’m the GM on the other side of the table and you told me he is untouchable I walk away from the table until he is available.
I would think a pitcher like Happ or Bastardo and Brown for sure would have to be part of the package to get any of the above pitchers.
You never have to give up a guy like Brown. If you’re uninspired by the rest of the Phillies system and want to shop elsewhere, that’s another story. But Brown might be the best prospect in the minors and is on path to be ready for the majors next year. Guys like that don’t get traded. And when you’re trading a guy who’s a rental (Lee), an aging guy with a huge financial commitment attached (Oswalt), or a guy with a sketchy track record and the upside of a 3 (Carmona), you can’t possibly expect someone like Brown in return.
I agree with a portion of your comment. You don’t ever give up a guy like Brown FOR less than half a season of ANY player. Now, if you could control Lee at $10m for the next 3 years then I make that deal. But Brown will be far more valuable to the Phillies over the next 6 years vs what Lee would have given them in 15-20 starts.
As for the previous post … Oswalt is either valued at break even or carries slight negative equity. If the Astros want talent in return they will have to buy it by paying a portion of Oswalt’s contract. No way you get Brown unless you pay a HUGE portion of the contract. Haren has some positive equity but I’m not sure teams are seeing him as a big difference maker this year. And he’s not cheap. He’s guaranteed 2/29 (after this year) with a chance at 3/41. If Haren continues to pitch like he has in the first half he could be an Oswalt type guy. Another player that earns close to his performance. That really minimizes his value.
Well, yeah, if an ace was locked up at half his market value you’d have to think about it. But short of extreme situations, you can’t trade him. Again, we’re talking best prospect in baseball. Lee is a pitcher about to turn 32. Brown will very likely be more valuable than Lee 2011-2016 even if their salaries were the same.
Obviously the Carmona idea is just silly. If the Phillies offered Brown for Carmona, Shapiro would drive Carmona to Philadelphia himself, along with his first born daughter.
Also before knocking Carmona to bad, remember when Lee was trying to get his act together Carmona was winning 19 games and pitching in the playoffs 1 really good performance in the playoffs and one bad. Plus like I said the Indians are the worst defensive team in baseball.
Also The Indians haven’t had a good manager or pitching coach for the last 5 years, just look at all the problem minor league pitchers and pitchers that come from other teams have performed after getting here. Sowers, Laffey, Huff, Carmona ( on and off and his problem is the harder he throws the more wicked movement his ball has, when he backs off alittle he is almost unhittable ) Kerry Wood, Joe Smith, Perez. And several guys who are doing ten times better since being released the last 3 to 4 years.
Carmona had one great year, and is now having a pretty good year after two bad years. Calm down. He’s not comparable to the other pitchers.
Carmona had one great year, and is now having a pretty good year after two bad years. Calm down. He’s not comparable to the other pitchers.
Also before knocking Carmona to bad, remember when Lee was trying to get his act together Carmona was winning 19 games and pitching in the playoffs 1 really good performance in the playoffs and one bad. Plus like I said the Indians are the worst defensive team in baseball.
Also The Indians haven’t had a good manager or pitching coach for the last 5 years, just look at all the problem minor league pitchers and pitchers that come from other teams have performed after getting here. Sowers, Laffey, Huff, Carmona ( on and off and his problem is the harder he throws the more wicked movement his ball has, when he backs off alittle he is almost unhittable ) Kerry Wood, Joe Smith, Perez. And several guys who are doing ten times better since being released the last 3 to 4 years.
Are you saying guys like Carlos Santana don’t get traded. Who was at the time as top of a prospect as you can get. Law / Gammons / Olney/ Rosenthal all said he was untouchable.
So please if the Phillies think for a minute that one of those pitchers are the difference in winning it all and going home Not The World Series Champions I would find it hard to believe that there was anyone not on the 25 man roster that was untouchable.
Like the old saying goes you have to trade something to get something.
When Santana was traded, he was not one of the ten best prospects in the minors. Brown might be THE best. You don’t trade that for any of the pitchers you mentioned at this stage.
When Santana was traded, he was not one of the ten best prospects in the minors. Brown might be THE best. You don’t trade that for any of the pitchers you mentioned at this stage.
“Are you saying guys like Carlos Santana don’t get traded?”
Not unless your name is Ned Coletti. (Or maybe Brian Sabean.)
Are you saying guys like Carlos Santana don’t get traded. Who was at the time as top of a prospect as you can get. Law / Gammons / Olney/ Rosenthal all said he was untouchable.
So please if the Phillies think for a minute that one of those pitchers are the difference in winning it all and going home Not The World Series Champions I would find it hard to believe that there was anyone not on the 25 man roster that was untouchable.
Like the old saying goes you have to trade something to get something.
I hope that wasn’t a stab at Infante. He’s a damn good player, and I didn’t even dream about him being an All-Star either, but he is the type of player you want on your bench. Great clutch, .300 hitter, can play RF, LF, CF, 3B, 2B, SS. Awesome player.
Nothing against Infante — just don’t think he’s an All-Star. It’s been a favorite topic of the writers on Twitter today:
twitter.com/StoneLarry/status/17734635919
twitter.com/TylerKepner/status/17734389223
twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/17734266119
twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/17734189440
etc.
yeah, but Jeff Passan is an absolute moron who thinks he knows everything about anything. His writing is incredibly biased and just comes off as childish. I cant believe he has a job, but then again it is Yahoo sports, they all suck.
There are three other writers though. One absolute moron doesn’t make it an invalid point if three other moderately intelligent human beings agree with him.
yeah, but Jeff Passan is an absolute moron who thinks he knows everything about anything. His writing is incredibly biased and just comes off as childish. I cant believe he has a job, but then again it is Yahoo sports, they all suck.
Is he deserving of it? No, but I’m glad for Infante. I think they should add a roster spot for super utility type guys. I remember a few years back when Bill Hall was consistently putting up great offensive numbers but never made a team do to playing like 5 different spots. Also there could be some nice headlines in the off-season. TeamX signs reigning all star SS….no not that guy Omar Infante!
they did add that type of roster spot. That’s why he’s on the team.
No, there is no super utility roster spot.
“To be precise, Infante is going to Anaheim for the Midsummer Classic because he doesn’t have a position. Baseball changed its rules this season, allowing each All-Star manager to designate one player who can re-enter the game after leaving, which essentially means “utility man” is now an All-Star slot. But it says something that the designated designee is a Brave. It says this roster — which frankly didn’t look all that impressive a couple of months ago — has impressed the heck out of the National League.”
That’s an excerpt from the AJC website that explains it a little better
No, there is no super utility roster spot.
they did add that type of roster spot. That’s why he’s on the team.
Anyone think Manuel is doing this to try to make a relationship with Infante, so he can pick him up when he’s a free-agent? Just a thought. Phillies really need a super-utility guy.
I’m a Braves fan but the fact that Infante made the all-star squad and guys like Joey Votto, Ryan Zimmerman, and Andrew McCutcheon, Carlos Gonzalez did not is a total joke. Another joke is Manuel selecting Ryan Howard over Votto for the back-up 1B base slot. These bad decisions by him could end up costing the NL the all-star game.
you make that sound as if Howard is a bad player. While I too think Votto should of made it, thats the benefit of having your manager be the NL All star manager. He is going to take his guy when there is a pile of guys with similar numbers like there was at first base, every manager will do that.
….Manuel picked Howard? I would have bet a lot of money that he was picked through the players ballot. *shrugs* I don’t really know how that all works yet…
And I’m sorry, I’m still shocked Manuel would have the balls to pick Howard over Votto. Howard is having a down year by his standards, while Votto is playing like he is Albert Pujols. I see your reasoning, and I agree with your post. I just hate Charlie Manuel for it now 😛 Hah. I still can’t believe Votto didn’t get in….I don’t see any possible explanation for that.
actually Howard is having one of his best years. His HR and RBI total arent enormous yet, but they never are at this time of the year. He hits just about all of his HR’s in July, August, and September. For him to have his average in the .290’s this late into the season is an improvement.
and when I say one of his best, I am obviously excluding his MVP year. I dont know if were going to see anyone ever have a year like that again for a long time, his numbers were off the charts.
Who cares about HR, RBI’s, or batting average?
The casual fans at the all star game I guess.
you make that sound as if Howard is a bad player. While I too think Votto should of made it, thats the benefit of having your manager be the NL All star manager. He is going to take his guy when there is a pile of guys with similar numbers like there was at first base, every manager will do that.
As a Mets fan, I was perplexed that Infante made the team, but not as confused as to why Howard of all players made the team before Votto… Seriously… However, the addition of the Pirates player makes perfect sense having a middle reliever pitch in a middle relief situation instead of having a starting pitcher come in or a closer come in during a situation that they aren’t used to.
As a Mets fan, I was perplexed that Infante made the team, but not as confused as to why Howard of all players made the team before Votto… Seriously… However, the addition of the Pirates player makes perfect sense having a middle reliever pitch in a middle relief situation instead of having a starting pitcher come in or a closer come in during a situation that they aren’t used to.
His name is Evan Meek, and he’ll rock your world.
His name is Evan Meek, and he’ll rock your world.
Who would the White Sox have that the Brewers would trade Fielder for (especially considering the two compensatory draft picks who his team will get)? The Brewers would want cost controlled, young starting pitching. I doubt they would want Flowers, given the recent success of Lucroy at the MLB level and Salome toiling in AAA.
Yeah, the Brewers don’t really need to be looking for position players at all. They need young (quality) starting pitching badly. I don’t see the White Sox being a fit, unless maybe a third team can be brought in to work something out.
Yeah, the Brewers don’t really need to be looking for position players at all. They need young (quality) starting pitching badly. I don’t see the White Sox being a fit, unless maybe a third team can be brought in to work something out.
Who would the White Sox have that the Brewers would trade Fielder for (especially considering the two compensatory draft picks who his team will get)? The Brewers would want cost controlled, young starting pitching. I doubt they would want Flowers, given the recent success of Lucroy at the MLB level and Salome toiling in AAA.
How can anyone make a statement about Infante starting while saying nothing about McCann getting snubbed for the starting C job for 5 years?
Because Molina is the best defensive catcher in the league, and catching is a defensive postion. Sure McCann can hit, but I’d take Molina every time.
Which is why McCann should start and Molina should finish the game…
Which is why McCann should start and Molina should finish the game…
“catching is a defensive postion”
aren’t they all?
Not DH.
if you consider that a position
if you consider that a position
That’s a position in the lineup, not the field.
Not DH.
Yes, but some more than others. I just mean that I’d rather see a great defensive catcher that can call a good game and hit a bit lighter than someone that hits more. Look at the Angels’ scenario, why do you think Mathis took over catching duties? He’s much better behind the plate than Napoli, even though Napoli hits better.
I’d rather have players who can hit. It’s not as though McCann is a bad defensive catcher. Also, Mathis shouldn’t be anyone’s starting catcher.
As an Angels fan I can tell you that it pisses me off EVERY time Mathis is behind the plate and Napoli sits.
It’s not like Molina is just a lighter hitting version of McCann – they aren’t in the same ballpark. McCann is a stud hitter while Molina is a sub par hitter – even for the catcher position (68 OPS+).
“catching is a defensive postion”
aren’t they all?
I’m sorry, but that is the dumbest thing I’ve read all day. Ever heard of a defensive substitution? You know, the things managers do all the time? Molina is garbage, at least this year.
You said “the starting C job”. I have no problem with McCann as a defensive sub.
But McCann is a downgrade from Molina in defense. The importance of offense early makes McCann the logical starter over Molina. McCann in a A+ hitting catcher with B- defense. Molina is like a C+ hitter with A+ defense. Defense means more when you’re late in the game.
Olivo, according to his stats, is a better defensive catcher than Molina… the only thing that Molina has on Olivo is cERA (catchers ERA), only because STL has better pitchers.
he catches ubaldo jimenez, who at one point had an era less than 1.00
That makes even less sense than your previous post. Your argument for Molina is that he’s the best DEFENSIVE catcher in the majors, while McCann can only hit. Why then, would you prefer to see Molina start and have McCann enter the game as a DEFENSIVE replacement? If you know your going to use a starting catcher and a backup catcher in the game, you want the guy who’s playing the later innings to be the defensive whiz who can make sure you don’t give up a cheap run. For simple baseball logic, it would make no sense whatsoever to start Molina and bring in McCann later. And thus,that is why McCann should be starting.
Because Molina is the best defensive catcher in the league, and catching is a defensive postion. Sure McCann can hit, but I’d take Molina every time.
Well, I didn’t take it as quite as serious a snub, simply because McCann has been having a bit of a down year. He’s still better than Molina, I agree…but to defeat bandwagon fans such as the St. Louis crowd, you need to really impress, and McCann “only” played above-average. To me, its not so much the Infante pick, because he’s a good choice for that kind of roster slot, but the fact that HE was able to make the roster and not Joey Votto or Andrew McCutchen. They both didn’t make the team, while Ryan Howard and Jason Heyward make the team, and then as insult to injury, Omar Infante has no problem becoming an All-Star. 😛
How can anyone make a statement about Infante starting while saying nothing about McCann getting snubbed for the starting C job for 5 years?
sorry i’d have to be overwhelmed to give up Brown. And NOT for a rental
Brown– 3 HR’s (one tonight–a line shot vs Pawtucket) in about 10 days and ANOTHER outfield assist. He’s a 5 tool machine and our best field prospect since Utley/Howard.
the Mike Lowell idea makes sense, the Red Sox would have to be willing to eat part of that contract though.
Drabek is coming baby!!! Halladay throws a perfect game which I wasn’t able to watch and Drabek throws a no-hitter which I also wasn’t able to watch. It sucks but I hope Drabek is for real.
Marlins fans would love to see D-Train back in Florida. Yes, he needs work, but the comfort level and the response he’d get from fans could def be a positive. It couldn’t get any worse for Willis or the fish. Go Marlins!!!
Jonathan Sanchez for Prince Fielder. I can see it done. Not to mention, Dan Uggla would have been a Giant if Sanchez was traded. Prince is what the Giants need.