MLBPA chief Tony Clark addressed today the situation of Ben Wetzler, the Phillies' draft choice who was recently suspended by the NCAA for having an agent present while he negotiated with the club, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports. "What we're doing in the short-term is trying to make sure we understand exactly what happened and what led to what happened with that young man in college," said Clark. "Rest assured it's a concern, it's something that we're paying attention to, but outside what's been bantered about through the media, we don't know much else at this point." For their part, the Phillies have yet to offer any comment other than acknowledging that they "did participate in the NCAA investigation." One agent tells Nicholson-Smith that, if the team did report Wetzler's use of an agent, "it was extremely short-sighted and impulsive on the part of the team."
Here are a few more links to round out the evening:
- The Rockies have recently made contact with free agent starter Ervin Santana, reports CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman. The team's interest may be dependent upon the status of Jhoulys Chacin, whose shoulder issues are still being assessed. A Rockies official denied interest in Santana, however, reports MLB.com's Thomas Harding.
- Though the Dodgers needed a roster spot to make room for new signee Erisbel Arruebarrena, the club elected to designate Justin Sellers for assignment rather than putting Chad Billingsley on the 60-day DL, writes Chris Gabel for MLB.com. That constitutes something of a vote of confidence in Billingsley's ability to return from Tommy John rehab in a relatively short time frame. The 29-year-old is entering the final year of a three-year, $35MM pact, with the club holding a $14MM option ($3MM buyout) on his 2015 season.
- While Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada has reportedly shed some pounds, the club is nevertheless reportedly less than happy with his athletic form, reports Kevin Kernan of the New York Post. If that translates to an underwhelming start to camp, Kernan implies, there could be increasing impetus to sign Stephen Drew. "I would not be surprised if we signed Drew," an official said, "but at the same time, I don't expect it to happen."
- Across town, the Yankees are keeping tabs on reliever Joel Hanrahan after inking another rehabbing former closer in Andrew Bailey, reports Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. As Martino explains, interest in arms like Bailey and Hanrahan shows that the club has some concern with its pen depth.
- The Twins are a very unlikely landing spot for Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Diaz is looking to land a deal like the five-year, $25MM contract given Arruebarrena, says Wolfson, but Minnesota does not believe he is as good as his countrymate.
Wondering why the Wetzler case has anything to do with Clark and the MLBPA. They represent only MLB players.
Because it’s pretty much a given in the baseball industry that prospective draftees are going to be represented by agents on a wink-wink, nod-nod basis, and the fact that the Phillies chose to pursue what they have pursued just because they weren’t able to sign the player is something that the players’ union doesn’t want to see happen.
Has implications for the earning potential of future major leaguers, so it’s something the MLBPA would want to monitor.
I can only imagine how hard Santana would get rocked pitching in Coors field…
I had the same line of thought. Colorado seems like the wrong environment for Santana. When he flattens out up in the zone that’d definitely be the wrong park to be in.
Bailey isn’t expected to be even close to helping the Yankees until August or September according to reports and according to other reports the Yankees are keeping an eye on Hanrahan. How is the world does Martino of the NYDN come to the conclusion that either of those situations “shows that the club (Yankees) has some concern with its pen depth.” That’s an incredible leap.
Madson is still on the market remember
I read that. I also read where he is looking for a Major League deal NOT a minor league deal and he’s asking for to much money. After not pitching for 2 years his demands are going to have to come down I think before anyone signs him.
I think Bailey can bounce back. If he does that bullpen could be better than that of the Red Socks.
Secret Mets Official: “I would not be surprised if we signed Drew,” an official said, “but at the same time, I don’t expect it to happen.”
That is like saying, yes the situation is ‘tense,’ but it’s calm at the same time.
Wait, what? =P
I see it more as this: say the Weather Channel gives it a 30% chance of rain tomorrow. I don’t expect it to rain, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did.
That is a nice analogy. I think it nails it.
I hope the Mets don’t sign Drew i think he is one of the best defenders SS in the league but his hitting is the problem.
How is it that Terry Collins remarked just a few days ago how impressed he was about Ruben Tejada coming into ST in great shape, but now they’re not impressed with his “athletic form”? This confirms what I’ve figured all this time: the Mets wants nothing to do with Tejada as far as being their starting SS & all that talk about them being content about Tejada being their starter was a bunch of hot air. As far as this being an increasing impetus for them going after Drew…bad idea. Drew & Boras are still sticking to their guns on their high demands, which aren’t worth it and the Mets need a young SS. It may be a big risk, but I’d rather see Flores get the shot before remotely looking at Drew.
I think it’s all part of a bizarre (and, imo, misguided) motivational attempt. However, I don’t think it’s working at all, and it’s similar to what the Knicks have done to Iman Shumpert. Mike Woodson calls him out publicly all the time and it’s pretty much destroyed the kid.
It isn’t similar at all. Iman Shumpert is a better player than Ruben Tejida. When you look at Ruben he is a career minor leaguer. Also please don’t get anyone started on the Kincks they are going to be bad for another 10-100 years.
You are incorrect. Both players showed promise in their first and second seasons, both players have been publicly criticized by management, both players have wilted in their third seasons. How is that not similar?
Seriously, go look at Shumpert’s stats. He’s been as bad at basketball this season as Tejada was at baseball last season. He’s shooting 37.7% and has a 9.6 PER. That’s ghastly.
You might be right about the woodsen situation but as far as i can see total two different sport here.
Sure is. That’s why I’m saying ‘similar’ and not ‘identical’. I’m drawing a parallel.
Phillies just look bad. 1st team to rat out a player… not once, but twice.
Neither Bailey nor Hanrahan offer much in terms of depth. I had surgery on my labrum a few years ago and find it hard to believe that Bailey will be back before August even with an attentive physical training staff monitoring his progress.
Bullpens are particularly volitale from year to year, but the Yankees should be considered about their pen, especially down the stretch given Sabathia and Kuroda’s late season woes and Tanaka’s inexperience on the grinds of a major league season.
This is going to turn around and bite Philly. BAD-BAD move.
where can i watch the fsu-yankees game ?
You can’t. First televised game is Thursday on YES.
Colletti said last week that the Dodgers weren’t prepared to go beyond 60 days for Billingsley, which already set his timetable up to possibly early June. It was news then, not so much now.
I figure it’s less about confidence in Billingsley than it is they were ready to say buh-bye to Sellers anyway. Out of options, never gonna hit, and a disciplinary
problem on top of it. Seems a bit overrated as a fielder too for that matter. He’s a fringe player at best, and I think he’s already topped out.
I think if Billingsley was more than 60 days away from a return that the Dodgers would have kept Sellers on the roster and tried to trade him out of camp. No penalty for trying.