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Archives for July 2012

Discussions Pick Up For Hamels, Phillies

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The Phillies and the agent for Cole Hamels have recently picked up the pace of discussions regarding a possible extension for the left-hander, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports. The discussions indicate that the Phillies intend to make a major push to sign Hamels to a long-term contract before the July 31st trade deadline.

The Phillies are now willing to offer Hamels a six-year deal — a first for any starter in Phillies history — Stark writes. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms that the Phililes are willing to offer six years. The Phillies are sending signals that they're planning to make an initial six-year offer for $130MM or so, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported yesterday. John Boggs, who represents Hamels, will weigh Philadelphia’s offers against the possibility of a lucrative multiyear contract in free agency a few months from now.

Teams that have spoken to the Phillies say the club has put trade talks involving Hamels on hold, according to Stark. Those teams say they’ve been more interested in discussing deals involving other players. However, the Phillies have prepared for the possibility of trading Hamels by scouting the prospects of rival teams.

Mets Notes: Francisco Rodriguez, Brett Myers

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The Mets are interested in right-handed relievers Jonathan Broxton and Grant Balfour, but they aren't close on any deals, according to reports yesterday. Here are the latest Mets-related rumors, as GM Sandy Alderson considers ways of adding to his bullpen:

  • Andy Martino of the New York Daily News hears that Brewers president of baseball operations Doug Melvin told Alderson that Milwaukee isn’t selling yet (Twitter link). Martino suggests Francisco Rodriguez — the former Mets closer who continues to intrigue the team — would already be on the Mets if the Brewers had a worse record.
  • The Mets haven’t been very aggressive in pursuing Brett Myers, Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger reports (on Twitter). The trade candidate has 19 saves and a 3.52 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 30 2/3 innings with the Astros this year.
  • Assistant GM John Ricco told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com that the team won't overpay for help.

Brown On Nationals, Rangers, Marlins

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The Nationals will consider adding a veteran starter to bolster their rotation down the stretch, Yahoo’s Tim Brown writes. Kevin Millwood and Francisco Liriano could be possibilities for Washington unless the asking price on the top available pitchers drops. But the Nationals don’t need to rush to make a move and could even wait until August, when players have to clear waivers before being traded. Here’s the latest from Brown, starting with a note on Washington’s most talked-about pitcher:

  • Agent Scott Boras said Stephen Strasburg the pitcher is worth $30MM per season “in free agent value.” Ostensibly, Boras was commenting on the Nationals’ decision to cap the right-hander’s innings, but it’s interesting to see how Boras values Strasburg. In case you’re wondering, the Nationals control his rights through 2016.
  • Though the Rangers are “staying on top of” the pitching market and prepared to discuss deals for top starters, they’re more likely to upgrade their bench this summer.
  • Rival teams are curious about what the Marlins have in mind with just 12 days remaining before the trade deadline. Here are the latest rumors regarding the 44-47 Marlins.

Braves, Martin Prado Have Not Discussed Extension

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Earlier this week we heard that the Braves will attempt to sign Martin Prado to a contract extension since they view him as their long-term third base replacement for Chipper Jones. The two sides have yet to have any discussions about a deal however, and Prado told MLB.com's Mark Bowman and Teddy Cahill that it's not on his mind at the moment.

"That is not something I want to think about right now," Prado said. "I just want to focus on this season."

Prado, 28, will earn $4.75MM this season before becoming arbitration-eligible for the third and final time this offseason. He's scheduled to become a free agent after 2013. A .296/.345/.435 career hitter with a .311/.369/.441 batting line this year, Prado has quietly become one of the game's most versatile and effective players. He's spent significant time at second base, third base, and in left field throughout his career.

It's tough to find similar players to use as contract comparisions given how many times Prado has changed positions through the years. Yesterday at FanGraphs I wrote that a four-year pact in the $40MM range could work for both sides, though Prado's representatives at Peter E. Greenberg & Associates could push for a deal in line with Alex Gordon's four-year, $50MM contract with the Royals.

East Notes: Rays, Infante, Ankiel, Moyer

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On average, the ten teams in baseball's two East divisions are four games over .500. Here’s the latest from the two divisions…

  • Rays president Matt Silverman says MLB needs to make significant changes to its economic structure, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. “We have advocated for meaningful change, especially when it comes to addressing the dramatic imbalances in our game,” Silverman said. “Meaningful change has not occurred.” The Rays were one of two eligible teams that didn’t obtain an additional draft pick in yesterday’s competitive balance lottery. Silverman called the picks “trifling.”
  • The Tigers have barely obtained any offensive production from second base this year, so John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press discusses the possibility of a reunion with Omar Infante in light of yesterday's report linking the Tigers to the Marlins infielder.
  • The Nationals recently asked a Mets person if they'd have interest in Rick Ankiel, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports (on Twitter). The Nationals believe the recently-designated Ankiel is a Major League caliber player and they expect him to be picked up by another club, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports (on Twitter). Peter Gammons of MLB Network suggests on Twitter that Ankiel would be a "great fit" for the Yankees.
  • Jamie Moyer intends to continue pitching, Tom Mahon of the Philadelphia Daily News reports. "I'm not retired," Moyer said, adding that his agent is working to find a fit for him. Moyer, 49, has been a free agent since the Blue Jays released him two weeks ago.

Nationals Designate Rick Ankiel For Assignment

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The Nationals will designate Rick Ankiel for assignment to create roster space for Drew Storen, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). The move creates 25 and 40-man roster space for Storen, who's being activated from the disabled list after battling elbow soreness.

Ankiel, 33, signed a one-year, $1.25MM contract with Washington this past offseason. He appeared in 68 games as the Nationals' center fielder and posted a .228/.282/.411 batting line with five home runs in 171 plate appearances.

Olney On Royals, Red Sox, Dempster

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The Royals' rotation has a 5.42 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 this year, and they're averaging barely five innings per start. As ESPN.com’s Buster Olney explains, the Royals are perusing the market for starting pitchers who could help now and in the future. Here are the details:

  • The Royals have indicated to other teams that they believe they’re about two years away from being serious contenders. They’re looking for starters who could be obtained now and kept for a couple more seasons.
  • The Red Sox are also more interested in adding long-term pieces than two-month rentals, Olney writes. While there’s no indication the Red Sox are willing to trade Jon Lester, some wonder whether the left-hander would benefit from a change of scenery.
  • One GM suggested Ryan Dempster would be better off avoiding trades to American League teams this summer. Dempster, a lifelong National Leaguer, can veto any trade. An agent agreed that Dempster would be better off in a pitcher-friendly environment. "If he gets hit hard, it'll cost him," the agent told Olney. The Dodgers are viewed as the favorites to acquire Dempster, who will hit free agency after the season.
  • Olney suggests Nate Schierholtz could be a nice addition for the Yankees. The Giants outfielder has said he’d be open to a trade.

Minor Moves: Crowe, McSwain

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The latest minor moves from around MLB…

  • The Angels signed former first round pick Trevor Crowe to a minor league contract, according to the transactions page at CBSSports.com. The Indians recently released Crowe, who has a .245/.295/.329 batting line in parts of three MLB seasons (2009-11). The 28-year-old has a minor league batting line of .272/.358/.391 since being drafted with the 14th overall selection in 2005.
  • The Athletics signed right-hander Matt McSwain, according to his agency, Oak Sports Management, on Twitter. The 26-year-old spent the first half of the season with Pittsburgh's Double-A affiliate and posted a 4.88 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 55 1/3 innings.

Quick Hits: Greinke, Hunter, Ruggiano, Marlins

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Here's the latest from around the league as Wednesday turns into Thursday…

  • There doesn't appear to have been much contract dialogue between the Brewers and Zack Greinke, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. As of today, there is no evidence that a formal offer has been made even though we heard last week that the team was prepared to make one.
  • Torii Hunter told Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times that he's willing to take a big paycut to return to the Angels next season. Hunter is in the final year of his five-year, $90MM deal. If things don't work out with the Halos, the outfielder said he would consider playing for the Yankees, Rangers, or Dodgers. Retirement would be an option as well.
  • The Marlins have no intention of trading Justin Ruggiano, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (on Twitter). The 30-year-old outfielder is hitting .368/.440/.705 in 111 plate appearances for Miami this season.
  • Frisaro also notes (on Twitter) that the Marlins are not dangling Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Reyes, or Mark Buehrle. Yesterday we heard that the team could become sellers if they don't turn things around in the coming weeks.
  • The Yankees, Tigers, and Royals were all on hand to watch Wandy Rodriguez get knocked around by the Padres this afternoon according to Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. The left-hander remains available before the trade deadline.

West Links: Angels, Schierholtz, Rangers, Quentin

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Here is the latest from baseball's two West divisions…

  • "We have nothing significant or imminent at this time. We're just doing our due diligence," said Angels GM Jerry Dipoto to reporters (including Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times) today (Twitter link). Check out today's Angels rumors right here.
  • Although he has not officially requested a trade, Nate Schierholtz indicated to Hank Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle that he is ready to move on to a team with that can offer a greater opportunity. "There's not one thing I can't say I love about this place, but I think I've come to the realization that maybe I'm not their guy. I'm not in the cards having a future here," said the Giants outfielder.
  • The Rangers are focused on Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke, but Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com hears that the team's long-shot backup plan involves trading for Cliff Lee again. Lee's contract is an obstacle, plus the Phillies indicated that they're not looking to move their veteran lefty ace.
  • Scott Miller of CBSSports.com hears that the Padres may keep Carlos Quentin and try to re-sign him after the season. The Reds, Indians, Pirates, and Marlins have all inquired about his availability.

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