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Braves Notes: Weber, Allard, Maroth

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Braves righty Ryan Weber is one of several recent call-ups with an under-the-radar minor league career, John Manuel of Baseball America writes. Weber was a standout in high school, starring for USA Baseball national teams as a teenager despite his small frame. He wound up at junior college, though, and then was selected in the late rounds in 2009. He made his way through the Braves’ minor league system slowly, posting unspectacular statistics and not reaching Double-A until last season. But he pitched well in the high minors this year, posting a 2.35 ERA, 5.3 K/9 and a terrific 0.9 BB/9 over 99 2/3 innings split between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, and he’s now started three games for a rebuilding Braves club. Here’s more out of Atlanta.

  • The Braves focused on high school talent in last year’s draft, MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo notes. They used their first four picks on youngsters Kolby Allard, Mike Soroka, Austin Riley and Lucas Herbert. “We’re getting back to the Braves way,” says assistant GM John Coppolella. “When you build a skyscraper, you build it from the bottom up, you don’t build it from the top. We wanted to get the most impact talent we could. We got away from that and we’re paying for it now with a bit of a talent drain at the upper levels.” All four top draftees are now in instructional league play, although Coppolella notes that No. 14 overall pick Allard won’t pitch much — the Braves are taking it slow with him because of the stress reaction in his back that he suffered in high school. (Allard pitched just six innings in his first pro season, but as Mayo notes, they were terrific — he struck out 12 of the 20 batters he faced in six innings in the GCL.) Allard should be “good to go” next season, Coppalella says.
  • The Braves have hired Mike Maroth as their minor league rehab pitching coordinator, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution tweets. Maroth will replace Dan Meyer, who will remain with the organization in a role that has yet to be determined. Maroth pitched parts of six seasons with the Tigers and Cardinals, and he spent the last four seasons working as a pitching coach in the Tigers system.

Quick Hits: Maine, Minaya, Meche, Maroth, Kim

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The Yankees signed Andy Pettitte on this date in 2009. The Bronx Bombers added an accomplished pitcher today, but it wasn't Pettitte; they're still waiting to hear from the left-hander. Here are some links for Wednesday…

  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that free agent starter John Maine is throwing bullpen sessions and is auditioning for teams (Twitter link). The 29-year-old right-hander had his shoulder cleaned up last summer.
  • Mets GM Sandy Alderson has not had any contact with former GM Omar Minaya since early January according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. Alderson indicated that there was a position available for his predecessor, assuming he wants it. 
  • Tyler Kepner of The New York Times wrote about the legacy of Gil Meche.
  • Former Tiger Mike Maroth told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he's retiring. Maroth started 100 games for the Tigers from 2003-05, but the left-hander's elbow has caused problems since. He last pitched in 2007 for the Cardinals and Tigers.
  • The Rakuten Golden Eagles have announced the signing of Byung-Hyun Kim, according to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker. The 32-year-old spent nine seasons with the D'Backs, Rockies, Red Sox and Marlins, posting a 4.42 ERA with 8.6 K/9 as a starter, closer and reliever. He allowed memorable home runs to Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez in the 2001 World Series.
  • Alex Speier of WEEI.com hears that the Red Sox aren't likely to sign any more pitchers to major league deals this offseason.
  • The Royals edged out the Rays, Braves, Blue Jays and Phillies in Keith Law's organizational rankings at ESPN.com.
  • Royals GM Dayton Moore explains to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that he intends to turn the Royals into a "consistent, solid, thriving organization" by continuing to develop young players.
  • Mets GM Sandy Alderson told ESPN.com's Adam Rubin that he would like to avoid arbitration with R.A. Dickey and remains open to a multiyear deal with the knuckleballer.

Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Damon, Boras, Padres

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Some links for Friday…

  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com reports that the Red Sox considered dealing Jason Varitek and Shea Hillenbrand for Adrian Beltre and Paul LoDuca before the 2003 season.
  • The Twins invited Mike Maroth and 13 other non-roster players to Spring Training, according to a team press release.
  • Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski tells MLB.com's Jason Beck (via Twitter) that the Tigers have no intention of adding a DH.
  • Giants GM Brian Sabean told Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle that the team is focusing on adding an outfielder, not a catcher or a starter. Sabean, who would prefer to add a left-handed hitter, did not confirm or deny interest in Johnny Damon.
  • Scott Boras would let Adrian Beltre baby-sit his kids, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
  • Boras says he approached the Red Sox about the idea of signing Adrian Beltre to a "pillow contract," according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Boras likes that Beltre will likely attract lots of attention in Boston.
  • Boras tells Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he's starting to have "a lot of conversation" about Rick Ankiel. He also suggests Joe Crede could be a fit for the Cards.
  • Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times tweets that the Franklin Gutierrez extension should become official today.
  • ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick tweets that Hideki Matsui's one-year $6MM deal with the Angels set the market for other DH-types like Vladimir Guerrero.
  • As MLB.com's Corey Brock notes (via Twitter), the Royals' pending deal with Scott Podsednik could influence the offers the Padres make to Jerry Hairston Jr. and Randy Winn.
  • The Nippon Ham Fighters acquired former Blue Jay reliever Brian Wolfe, according to the Kyodo News.
  • Carlos Delgado hit a homer in the Puerto Rican Winter League yesterday, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.
  • Jason Giambi is open to returning to the Rockies if he doesn't find a DH job, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
  • The St. Louis Post-Dispatch totals up the Cardinals' payroll and finds that the club has $7.4MM to spend on four players – an outfielder, an infielder, a reliever and a starter.

Minor Moves

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Robert MacLeod of the Globe and Mail has additional Blue Jays moves, beyond their trade of Curtis Thigpen to the A's.  MacLeod says pitchers Mike Maroth and Rick Bauer have been released, and Matt Clement agreed to report to Triple A.

Meanwhile, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says lefty reliever Royce Ring accepted his Triple A assignment.

Odds and Ends: Maddux, Krivsky, Maroth

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Links for Wednesday…

Rangers Rumors: Guardado, Cameron, Hamilton

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MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan has all the latest hot stove buzz around the Rangers.

  • The Rangers are nearing a deal with Eddie Guardado.  Everyday Eddie might be a dark horse to close, if he can flash his late season form again.  The Reds decided in October that he was not worth $3.5MM, and declined his option.  Guardado is 37.
  • The Rangers hope to add some kind of veteran starter.  Bartolo Colon and Jason Jennings are still options, but Mark Prior and Freddy Garcia pretty much are not.  Sullivan names Mike Maroth, Mark Hendrickson, and Josh Towers as pitchers of interest.
  • Mike Cameron could be an option for center field if he’ll take a one-year deal.  A multiyear demand would also take the Rangers out of the running for Corey Patterson.
  • Sullivan notes that the Reds want Edinson Volzquez for Josh Hamilton, a possibility he first mentioned three weeks ago.  Jamey Newberg doesn’t think Volquez would cut it.  Other trade options could include Andre Ethier, Coco Crisp, and Juan Pierre.
  • The Rangers will pass on a Kevin Mench reunion.

Marlins Interested In Torrealba, Barrett, Maroth

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Joe Capozzi checks in with a look at the Marlins’ approach toward free agency this winter.

It sounds like the Fish are willing to spend a few bucks to upgrade on Miguel Olivo in the catcher spot.  Do they go for the defensive-minded Yorvit Torrealba, or the typically offensive-minded Michael Barrett?  So far the Marlins are leaning toward Torrealba, but would have to beat the Rockies’ two-year, $6MM offer.  And the Mets’ level of interest probably just increased with Jorge Posada staying with the Yankees. 

Barrett has a Jeffrey Loria connection, but might seek a two-year deal for $8MM or so.  The Padres might roll the dice and offer him arbitration.  If they do he declines then the price for another team to sign him increases signficantly – a first or second round draft pick.  The Marlins #6 overall pick is protected, as is the Devil Rays’ #1 overall pick.  In contrast, teams like the Brewers, Blue Jays, Mets, and Rockies risk losing first round picks if they sign Type A free agents who declined arbitration.  Another way to lose those picks would be to sign Type A guys before December 2nd.

Capozzi says the Fish could also look at Paul Lo Duca, Damian Miller, or Rod Barajas if the first two choices fall through. 

The Marlins will surf the bargain bin for one veteran starter, and they’re currently targeting Mike Maroth.  I like it.  He’s an Orlando native who could bounce back and win ten games in ’08.  Capozzi also says the Marlins are in touch with Aaron Boone’s agent, but will have competition from the Nationals.

Latest Cardinals Hot Stove: Antonetti, Eckstein, Maroth

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Let’s take a look at what’s going on with the Cardinals.

  • Viva El Birdos has a hunch that Chris Antonetti will be the team’s next GM.
  • According to RotoWorld, the team has released Mike Maroth.  The 30 year-old lefty was terrible with St. Louis, but will probably hook on somewhere for $2-3MM.  He would’ve been non-tendered anyway.
  • Interim GM John Mozeliak recently talked about his dealings with David Eckstein.  No deal is imminent, and he may test the free agent waters.  I don’t see the team going with Brendan Ryan, so look for some trade activity this winter if Eckstein departs. 

Cardinals Acquire Mike Maroth

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According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cardinals have traded for Tigers lefty Mike Maroth.  Maroth, a 30 year-old southpaw, is most famous for his 21 loss season in 2003.

Maroth has always been hittable, but his normally fine control has been off this year.  He seems to be healthy following surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow over a year ago.  Maroth makes $2.95MM this year and won’t be a free agent until after 2008.  It’s a smart move by Walt Jocketty, who, by the way, could be looking to leave the Cardinals after this season or 2008.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the deal was finalized today and it’s for a player to be named later.

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