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Onto tonight’s links from around the league!
- New Padres GM A.J. Preller is impressed with the rotation that he’s inheriting in his new post, writes MLB.com’s Corey Brock. Preller’s new team boasts a rotation fronted by Andrew Cashner, Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross and Jesse Hahn, and Brock wonders if the team will make a second run at extending Cashner with a new GM in place. Of his new club, Preller said to Padres fans: “I want Padres fans to understand that it’s not going to be smooth sailing from Day 1, But I can promise you we’re going to have the hungriest, hard-working group of employees in the game.”
- A theoretical return to the Red Sox for Jon Lester could follow the same path as Mike Lowell’s return following the 2007 season, writes WEEI’s Rob Bradford. Lowell spoke with Bradford at length about his decision to reject a four-year, $48MM offer from the Phillies in favor of a three-year, $38MM offer to return to Boston. Lowell feels that Lester might not feel the need to take something like $150MM over seven years, but he adds that the Red Sox can’t simply offer a four-year deal if the rest of the market is willing to offer five or more years.
- Uncertainty surrounding Josh Beckett’s health for the remainder of the season and an unwillingness to part with their top three prospects led to the Dodgers’ acquisition of Roberto Hernandez earlier today, writes Tim Brow n of Yahoo Sports. Brown feels the decision to hang onto Corey Seager, Joc Pederson and Julio Urias was defensible and notes that a team source told him that Beckett could need season-ending surgery.
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki that the team felt it made sense to flip Hernandez, as they had no plans to make a qualifying offer following the season (Twitter link). While that’s hardly a surprise, the philosophy behind the move could be applied to other current Phillies such as Kyle Kendrick, although that’s just my own speculation.
- Cubs prospects Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara both offer high praise for Triple-A player/coach Manny Ramirez and the help they received on their swing mechanics from the former MVP candidate, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. “He helped my approach to right-center, [following] his routine every day, going to the cage, the way he works,” said Baez. “He’s always got a bat in his hand doing something, either swinging the bat or just hitting in the cage. He talked to a lot of the guys. A lot of people learned from him.” In his most recent chat with readers, ESPN’s Keith Law wrote that he was a believer in Ramirez’s positive influence on Baez.
can’t wait for Manny to make it to the bigs. They need to get some offense from somewhere
If for nothing else, just call him up for the entertainment factor
His OPS is .626 and he’s in the PCL. Wouldn’t count on anything from him.
Padres also have Luebke coming back, Casey Kelly, Joe Wieland, Burch Smith and Robbie Erlin. It’s probably time to trade some of this depth for some bats.
What’s up with Luebke? Seems as though he’s been out for years now.
From what I remember, he had to get TJ surgery 2 seasons ago. Then while he was rehabbing prior to this season, he got re-injured and required another surgery (I think).
One of those cases where the first TJ surgery didn’t attach correctly.
Luebke had his second Tommy John surgery this spring — same thing that happened to Daniel Hudson, more or less. Got about 80 to 90 percent of the way to recovery, then tore his UCL again. Hard not to feel for the guy. Hopefully this next one sticks… he’s a talented pitcher.
Probably should just hope Cashner gets healthy so they can trade him before his next arm injury. Not sure he can ever stay healthy.
“the philosophy behind the move could be applied to other current Phillies such as Kyle Kendrick”
It could…if anybody actually wanted him.
If only Lowell decided to go to Philly following 2007, he would have had back-to-back championships and another world series ring. Not many players can say they have three world series rings.
Plus with that extra year offered, who knows how he would have played in 2011 given he looked about done the year before.
Considering Lowell was turning 34 in the first year of his new Boston contract, I’m shocked people were willing to throw a multi-year deal at someone who had such a dramatic home split for a career year.
The man had a .373/.418/.575 slashline at home that year versus a .276/.339/.428 slashline on the road.
Those splits are pretty drastic (almost Coors Field drastic), but given the situation that the Phillies drastically needed a 3rd baseman, I can see why they were so aggressive. I’m sure the Phillies also liked his defense and clubhouse presence, as well as having postseason experience. They probably only meant to offer him a three year deal, but given how much he enjoyed Boston and was coming off winning a world series there, I imagine the Phillies felt as though offering a fourth year would really make their offer stand out.
That being said, it’s good for the Phillies that Lowell didn’t accept.
Lowell barely played in the 08 postseason and Boston was one game away from the World Series.
I know Boston was very close to another world series appearance (that ALCS was pretty close right to the end.) I’m just saying a world series ring is just a bit better.
Though I did not know about Lowell missing the playoffs due to injury. Did he get to participate in the on the field celebrations for when the Red Sox advanced?
A World Series ring is better, but putting Lowell on the 08 Phillies doesn’t necessarily get them the ring. If Lowell had been healthy, Boston could have made the WS. I get what you’re saying, but it just doesn’t really work in this case.
I have no idea if he got to participate in on the field celebrations. I remember him being there, but he was inactive by the end of the ALCS.
In Manny’s debut, Jerry Dipoto earned the save.
I see absolutely no similarities between Lowell’s situation and Lester’s beyond the potential for a hometown discount. Very odd comparison.
The Lowell comparison is odd. He was older and if I recall had physical issues. Lester can really hit the lottery, and while he could offer a home town discount, it would be a small one. I’m also a little surprised that Lowell would think that way given how rough his exit was.
It’s kind of refreshing to hear of Manny being a good influence. I’m genuinely happy for him.
yeah. just because he was a weirdo doesn’t mean he can’t help others from his experience and knowledge. Probably refreshing for the players to have non conventional personality to learn from that isn’t just another stuffy baseball guy.
Congrats on the record. I know I clicked on the page at least 50 times myself.