Archives for May 2011

Rangers Notes: Martin, Lowe, Webb

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 4, 2011 at 7:35pm CDT

Who knew first place could be this uncomfortable? The Rangers lead the AL West, but they're tied with the Angels, just a game ahead of the A's and just two games ahead of the Mariners. Here's the latest on the defending American League champions…

Some rival scouts told Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that if recently-signed Rangers outfield prospect Leonys Martin were available in the upcoming draft, he'd be one of the most highly-coveted players around.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News hears from Rangers officials that Martin is a "plus defender with a good arm," who is "instinctive" and "has a chance to have an impact on the bases."
The Rangers called up Mark Lowe and optioned Pedro Strop to the minors in an effort to improve their bullpen, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com. I'm guessing we'll hear lots about the Rangers' 'pen at MLBTR this summer unless it gets healthy in a hurry.
Brandon Webb, who is trying to pitch in the majors for the first time in over two years, will throw out of the bullpen and work on his mechanics instead of pitching in a game at extended Spring Training tomorrow, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.

Outrighted: Boggs, Bowker, Alan Johnson

By Tim Dierkes | May 4, 2011 at 6:52pm CDT

Today's notes on recently-outrighted players:

The Brewers sent Brandon Boggs outright to Triple-A to create roster space for Zack Greinke, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (on Twitter). Boggs has three days to choose between Triple-A and free agency.
Pirates outfielder John Bowker cleared waivers and was assigned to the team's Triple-A affiliate, according to their Twitter account. Bowker had been designated to clear a spot for waiver claim Xavier Paul.
Same goes for Rockies' righty Alan Johnson, according to the Pacific Coast League's transactions page. The Rockies had designated Johnson for assignment to create 40-man roster space for Alfredo Amezaga. Johnson made his MLB debut for the Rockies this year, when he started on April 17th.

Draft Notes: Royals, Hultzen, Red Sox

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 4, 2011 at 6:35pm CDT

It takes a while for draft picks – even highly-touted ones – to make an impact in the Major Leagues. For example, only a handful of 2009 first round selections have made it to the majors so far (Stephen Strasburg, Mike Minor, Drew Storen, Aaron Crow, Mike Leake and Alex White). That won't stop us from anticipating the next generation of MLB stars and looking ahead to this June's draft…

Earlier today, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes pointed out a potential hidden gem for the draft: Montana high school outfielder Ben Roberts (Twitter link).
Most scouts assume that the Royals will take local high school standout Bubba Starling if he's available when they select fifth overall, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (on Twitter).
Starling, Virginia left-hander Danny Hultzen or UCLA right-hander Trevor Bauer could be selected within the first two picks of this year's draft, according to Jason A. Churchill of ESPN.com.
Meanwhile, Texas right-hander Taylor Jungmann has seen his stock rise recently, while Connecticut right-hander Matt Barnes has seen his stock fall, according to Churchill.
The Red Sox are showing interest in high school catcher Tyler Marlette, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Marlette is a defensive backstop who could be selected within the first two rounds of the draft.

New York Notes: Ortegano, Hughes, Reyes

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 4, 2011 at 5:35pm CDT

The Yankees and Mets both face off against strikeout artists tonight, as Max Scherzer and Tim Lincecum take the mound against New York's two teams. In the meantime, here are some related links…

Five days after releasing him, the Yankees re-signed left-hander Jose Ortegano to a minor league deal, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (on Twitter).
Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Chad Jennings of the Journal News that Phil Hughes' shoulder is feeling better after a cortisone shot. It appears that it will be at least a couple of weeks before Hughes starts throwing again.
Giants GM Brian Sabean last spoke with Mets GM Sandy Alderson in January, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter). Sabean strongly dismissed Jose Reyes trade rumors, speaking to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Though the Giants have reportedly discussed Reyes, a deal is not at all imminent. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes examined how Reyes could fit on the Giants yesterday.
Grant Brisbee of McCovey Chronicles weighs in on whether the Giants should deal for Reyes and concludes that he's probably not worth what the Mets will want for him.

Transactions History: No-Hitters

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 4, 2011 at 4:33pm CDT

We all know how the Twins acquired Francisco Liriano. Back in 2003, the Giants sent Liriano, Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser to Minnesota for A.J. Pierzynski in what would become one of the most significant trades of the decade. In honor of Liriano’s recent no-hitter, here’s a list of all the pitchers to throw no-hitters since 2005 and an explanation of how their teams acquired them:

Anibal Sanchez – Traded from the Red Sox to the Marlins in 2005 (also in one of the decade’s most memorable deals).
Justin Verlander – Selected by the Tigers in the first round of the 2004 draft.
Clay Buchholz – Selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2005 draft.
Jon Lester – Selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2002 draft.
Carlos Zambrano – Signed by the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1997.
Jonathan Sanchez – Selected by the Giants in the 27th round of the 2004 draft.
Mark Buehrle (2 no-hitters) – Selected by the White Sox in the 38th round of the 1998 draft.
Ubaldo Jimenez – Signed by the Rockies as an amateur free agent in 2002.
Dallas Braden – Selected by the A's in the 24th round of the 2004 draft.
Roy Halladay (2 no-hitters) – Traded from the Blue Jays to the Phillies in 2009
Edwin Jackson – Traded from the Tigers to the D'Backs in 2009.
Matt Garza – Traded from the Twins to the Rays in 2007
Francisco Liriano – Traded from the Giants to the Twins in 2003.

A Detailed Look At The Indians’ Trades

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 4, 2011 at 3:15pm CDT

The Indians acquired many of their current players through trades, as I explained yesterday. In total, 14 of the 29 players to appear in a game for the Indians this year were acquired via trade. Here’s a look at the specific deals that led to the current edition of the team, one that’s 20-8 so far this year:

2002

Grady Sizemore – acqured in the Bartolo Colon trade with the Expos
Travis Hafner – acquired in the Einar Diaz/Ryan Drese trade with the Rangers.

2006

Asdrubal Cabrera – acquired from the Mariners for Eduardo Perez
Shin-Soo Choo – acquired in the Ben Broussard trade with the Mariners

2008

Carlos Santana – acquired in the Casey Blake trade with the Dodgers
Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley – acquired in the C.C. Sabathia trade with the Brewers
Joe Smith – acquired in a three-team deal with the Mets and Mariners.

2009

Chris Perez and Jess Todd – acquired from the Cardinals for Mark DeRosa
Justin Masterson – acquired in the Victor Martinez trade with the Red Sox
Carlos Carrasco and Lou Marson – acquired in the Cliff Lee trade with the Phillies
Mitch Talbot – acquired from the Rays for Kelly Shoppach

NL Central Notes: Reds, Friedman, McCutchen

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 4, 2011 at 2:28pm CDT

Links from the NL Central, before Pirates starter Kevin Correia pitches against his former teammates in San Diego…

The Reds signed left-handed reliever James Adkins and catcher James Skelton to minor league deals, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (on Twitter). Adkins, 25, has a 4.76 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 in parts of five minor league seasons. Skelton, also 25, has a .267/.396/.368 line in parts of seven minor league seasons.
The Reds also activated Fred Lewis from the disabled list and optioned Jeremy Hermida to Triple-A, according to the Associated Press (via the Boston Herald).
The father of Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman is involved with a group that has interest in buying the Astros, but Friedman says those dealings don’t impact his job in Tampa Bay, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
Andrew McCutchen left no doubt that he wants to continue playing for the Pirates when speaking to Jared Macdonald of The Good Point. "I plan on being here, that's the mindset. This is where I want to be, " he said. "I don't want to go anywhere, and I'm going to be here for as long as they want me to be here." The Pirates are discussing an extension with McCutchen, though no agreement appears imminent.

Heyman On Pujols, Reyes, Feliz

By Tim Dierkes | May 4, 2011 at 1:30pm CDT

SI's Jon Heyman leads his latest column with a discussion of Albert Pujols' impending free agency. Three GMs Heyman spoke to speculate that Pujols will re-sign with the Cardinals after the season. One significant factor could be the lack of involvement from the Yankees and Red Sox, big spenders who already have long-term solutions at first base. A Yankees person told Heyman there was "no chance" of a pursuit, while a Red Sox person agreed that his club is unlikely to get involved. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak didn't have much to say on the topic, other than, "Nothing's changed." On to Heyman's other notes…

Mozeliak told Heyman the Cardinals "have a pretty good idea" of what they'll do when Adam Wainwright's two-year, $21MM club option comes up after the season. Heyman takes that to mean that the Cardinals will pick up the option, the expected course of action.
Heyman feels that the Cubs and Orioles could be possibilities for free agent Kevin Millwood, though I heard yesterday that it's doubtful the Cubs get involved.
One Giants person said, "There's nothing to it," regarding the recent Jose Reyes speculation. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News explained today that "If any conversations have happened at all, it’s nothing more than tire kicking." That makes sense, since trading season begins about two months from now. For a look at who the Giants might have to give up to get Reyes at that point, click here.
Heyman finds the Rangers likely to move Neftali Feliz into the rotation next year, despite the righty's recent comments. Heyman feels that a strong free agent closer market is a factor.
The Tigers have decided this will be Joel Zumaya's last year in Detroit, according to Heyman. That was written prior to today's report that Zumaya will have exploratory elbow surgery.

Latest On Dodgers’ Payroll Problems

By Tim Dierkes | May 4, 2011 at 11:46am CDT

The Dodgers lack the funds to meet their second May payroll due at month's end, wrote Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times last night. Last month's $30MM loan from Fox will only carry them through the first May payroll. According to Shaikin, MLB would cover the team's expenses if the Dodgers can't and would have the option to seize the team.

As Shaikin notes, owner Frank McCourt believes MLB has already effectively seized the Dodgers by failing to approve the Fox television contract and appointing Tom Schieffer to be in charge of the team's finances. But this payroll situation could accelerate the MLB-McCourt showdown, says Shaikin. He explains the possibilities:

McCourt [may be forced] to find outside financing to meet the second May payroll, surrender the team or file suit against MLB. It is "very unlikely" that Fox would extend another loan to McCourt, a person familiar with the matter said.

Rangers Sign Leonys Martin

By Tim Dierkes | May 4, 2011 at 10:53am CDT

WEDNESDAY: Martin's five-year Major League deal includes a $5MM signing bonus, tweets Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan confirms that the deal is official, noting that Martin is likely to start at Double-A. By the way, Martin is represented by Praver/Shapiro.

TUESDAY: The Rangers' contract with Cuban outfielder Leonys Martin is official, tweets Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald. The deal is worth $15.5MM over five years. The Rangers currently have a full 40-man roster, so they'll have to clear a spot for Martin.

Martin, 23, defected from Cuba last year and established residency in Mexico. Back in September, Baseball America's John Manuel wrote that Martin's "best tools are his speed and defense." ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. tweeted in March that Martin is "considered an elite prospect." ESPN's Buster Olney talked to three talent evaluators about Martin in April, with one saying he's "similar to Juan Pierre, with a better arm." Another called him a "capable, average major league center fielder," questioning the price paid by Texas.

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