Rumors
Indians DFA Matt Herges
Dennis Manoloff of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians designated veteran reliever Matt Herges for assignment following tonight's game. The move freed up a roster spot for the recently acquired Winston Abreu.
Herges had been effective for the Tribe, pitching to a 3.55 ERA in 25.1 innings, allowing fewer hits than innings pitched.
Aroldis Chapman May Be 26 Years Old
Jack Curry of the New York Times reports that Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman may be 26 years old rather than the 21 he was believed to be.
"[Chapman's] age was reported Thursday as 21, but reports in March at the World Baseball Classic said he was 26."
Chapman defected on Wednesday while in the Netherlands, and is considered the best lefthanded pitcher in the world not pitching in the Major Leagues. Obviously the age issue could affect Chapman's payday. But he still figures to draw plenty of interest, as did Jose Contreras at age 30.
Discussion: Players On One Year Contracts
Last offseason we watched as many established veterans, some former All-Stars, settled for one year contracts in the tough economic climate. Some players were just holding on for one last year, others were looking to earn themselves a multi-year deal after proving their worth in 2009.
Let's discuss how these players have performed, and whether or not they've put themselves in position to land that big contract after the season. Here's some players who fit the bill:
- Bobby Abreu: .299-.399-.441 in 308 plate appearances. The Angels are paying him just $5MM this year, but he'll turn 36 in Spring Training.
- Rocco Baldelli: .289-.349-.487 in just 83 plate appearances. Still just 27, Rocco's guaranteed only $500k but has an incentive laden contract.
- Jon Garland: 4.81 ERA in 16 starts. After making $7.25MM this year he has a mutual option worth $10MM in the offseason. He'll turn 30 in September.
- Orlando Hudson: .294-.362-.425 in 357 plate appearances. He's making $3.38MM this year with bonuses, and will turn 32 in the offseason.
- Felipe Lopez: .303-.359-.411 in 326 plate appearances. He'll earn $3.5MM in 2009, and is still just 29 years old.
- Carl Pavano: 5.56 ERA in 16 starts. He's guaranteed $1.5M but has over $5MM in incentives in his contract. He'll turn 34 this winter.
- Brad Penny: 4.79 ERA in 15 starts.At age 31, he's making $5MM.
So what do you guys think, have any of these players earned themselves a multi-year contract?
Padres To Extend Bud Black
Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports reports that the Padres intend to extend manager Bud Black's contract in the coming weeks. Black is in the final year of a three year contract he signed prior to the 2007 season. Details of the extension aren't known yet.
The Padres are 34-44 on the season coming in to tonight, and are 186-217 under Black since '07.
Odds & Ends: Boras, Nationals, Bedard, White Sox, Giants, Astros
Some evening links for those of you who haven't checked out for the long holiday weekend yet.
- Billy Witz of the NY Times wrote about the relationship between the Dodgers and superagent Scott Boras.
- The Nationals have agreed to terms with five international players according to Bill Ladson. A formal announcement of the signings will come in a few days.
- Pete McElroy of MASNsports.com notes that the Nats have signed a pair of draft picks, including fourth rounder AJ Morris.
- Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times notes that Erik Bedard threw a 54-pitch simulated game today and will start on Tuesday. Teams will have just enough time to evaluate him before the trade deadline.
- Will Carroll tweets that the Giants and White Sox "want to make a deal quick." He later backs off a bit and says that the two teams won't necessarily made a trade with each other, but both are looking for good deals.
- Kiley McDaniel has a list of four international players the Astros have signed.
- Remember, you can get all your rumors instantly via MLBTR's Twitter feed.
Baseball's back and all the writers have blogs
Thanks to everyone who has helped make Hot Stove Report the No. 1 baseball blog in page views over the past offseason. It accounted for more than 80 percent of all MLBlogs Network traffic for most of the winter, and the good news is that (a) baseball is back and (b) all 30 of your favorite MLB.com beat writers now have their own MLBlogs. Here is where to find them, or just refer to the side panel of MLBlogosphere or Jen Langosch's blog. They also are all indexed in the PRO BLOGS drop-down menu on the MLBlogs homepage.
Royals sign Jacobs, avoid arbitration
First baseman Mike Jacobs agreed to a one-year, $3.275-million contract with the Royals on Tuesday night.
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Jacobs asked for $3.8 million, the Royals offered $2.75 million and they agreed on the exact midpoint. An arbitration hearing was scheduled for Wednesday.
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The signing continued a streak for general manager Dayton Moore, who has never had an arbitration case advance to a hearing in his Royals tenure. Jacobs was the last remaining case for the Royals.
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This was the first shot at a multi-million dollar salary for Jacobs, who was traded by the Florida Marlins to the Royals this winter with that in mind. The Marlins paid him $395,000 last year.
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The Royals previously signed the three other players who exchanged figures in the arbitration process: Pitcher Zack Greinke to a four-year, $38-million contract; infielder-outfielder Mark Teahen to a one-year, $3.575 million contract, and pitcher Brian Bannister to a one-year, $1.7375-million deal.
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Five others who were eligible for arbitration also signed one-year contracts: Catcher John Buck, $2.9 million; pitcher Jimmy Gobble, $1.35 million; pitcher Kyle Davies, $1.3 million; infielder Esteban German, $1.2 million, and pitcher Joel Peralta, $640,000.-- Dick Kaegel
Ankiel, Cardinals settle
The Cardinals avoided what would have been their first arbitration hearing since 1999 when they reached a last-minute settlement on a one-year contract with outfielder Rick Ankiel on Thursday. Cardinals assistant general manager John Abbamondi confirmed that an agreement had been reached.
The deal is worth a reported $2.825 million, which is the exact midpoint of the figures submitted by Ankiel and the club last month. Ankiel requested $3.3 million in the last season before he is eligible for free agency, while the club countered with an offer of $2.35 million.
Ankiel and the Cardinals were literally down to a couple of hours to get a contract done. Their hearing was scheduled for 3 p.m. CT, and the involved parties had all made their way to Arizona to take part.
St. Louis still has one remaining arbitration-eligible player who has not signed. Ryan Ludwick would have a hearing on Tuesday if no deal can be reached before that time. Ludwick has asked for $4.25 million, while the club has offered $2.8 million.
--Matthew Leach
Brewers claim Angels pitcher
The Brewers continued to stockpile starting pitchers on Thursday, claiming right-hander Nick Green off waivers from the Angels on the same day club officials expected to finalize a deal with free agent pick-up Braden Looper.
Green, 24, who was placed on waivers by the Angels on Tuesday to make room for free agent addition Bobby Abreu, was once considered a top Angels pitching prospect but is coming off a so-so season at Triple-A Salt Lake. He was 8-8 with a 5.32 ERA in 28 starts and surrendered 31 home runs in 158 innings.
He was better in 2007, going 10-8 with a 3.68 ERA in 178 innings for Double-A Arkansas and earning a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster. With Milwaukee, Green, who has Minor League options remaining, will probably join the starting rotation at Triple-A Nashville along with recently-acquired left-hander Chase Wright.
The Brewers needed a 40-man roster spot for Green so they designated right-handed reliever Luis Pena for assignment. Pena, a power pitcher who struggled in 2008 (6.93 ERA in 52 games at Nashville), had been a Brewers farmhand since 1999, when he signed out of Venezuela.
The Brewers will have to make another move to clear a spot for Looper, whose one-year contract should be finalized by the end of the day Thursday.
-- Adam McCalvy
Uggla wins arbitration case
Even before reporting to Spring Training, Dan Uggla has collected a big hit. On Thursday, the Marlins' two-time All-Star second baseman won his arbitration case, meaning he will earn $5.35 million in 2009.
On Wednesday, Uggla and the Marlins enduring a hearing that lasted between four and five hours.
Because neither side could agree on a salary figure by the Jan. 20 exchange of numbers deadline, Uggla's salary went to a hearing before three arbitrators in Arizona. Uggla was seeking $5.35 million, while the Marlins countered at $4.4 million. The three arbitrators had to decide which of those two figures the two-time All-Star would make.
Technically, the Marlins could have kept negotiation with Uggla's agent, Jeff Borris, up until the hearings began. But the team has a policy where they stop contract talks if an agreement isn't be reached by the exchange deadline.
"You never want to go to a hearing, win or lose," Borris said. "You try to settle, but the Marlins have a policy. ... Bottom line is the team is trying to make the best deal for them, and you can't fault them for that. And the player is looking for the best deal for him, and you can't fault him for that."
Uggla was still in Arizona on Thursday. Marlins position players are slated to report to Jupiter, Fla., for Spring Training on Feb. 17.-- Joe Frisaro
Blogs
lenNY's Yankees: A Bronx Bombers Blog :: Yankees following Chad Qualls
Fox Sports writer Jon Paul Morosi is reporting that the Yankees are monitoring Diamondbacks closer Chad Qualls. The DâBacks are currently 13 games out of first in the NL West, and look like they will be sellers at the trade deadline this year. Qualls is currently the closer in Arizona and has converted 13 of 17 saves this season wit...Bronx Baseball Daily :: Yanks Following Chad Qualls
The Tenth Inning Stretch :: Happy and safe 4th of July to everyone
I am taking a week long vacation to the Caribbean. No TV, no Radio no American baseball. But... the only technology I am bringing with me is my iphone; and I am going to a very interesting part of the Caribbean as far as international free agents go, so expect some updates from me about the Sano situation. I will be mostly beach bound, but... I will use Twitter to update developments (those posts will be here on the left of this post) Enjoy the holiday!BravesBuzz :: Braves 9, Nationals 8
FIVE straight. This is a game the Braves would have lost earlier in the season. They aren't giving up right now and they're winning because of it. Picking up in the fourth with the score tied at four, Yunel Escobar doubled in a run to take a one-run lead. The Nationals answered in the home half on an RBI groundout by Josh Bard to tie it at five. The big blow came in the seventh on a three-run home run by Brooks Conrad, who was just called up today to take Kelly Johnson's spot.Flushing9.com :: Flushing Flashback: Today in Mets History (July 4)
Flushing 9 Flashbacks provide news and information on New York Mets history. From trades and transactions, to historic games and amateur drafts, Flushing9.com is compiling key moments throughout the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]For The Padres, It's Time To Move On Without Jake Peavy
Just over a month ago, the San Diego Padres tried to send their ace Jake Peavy to the Chicago White Sox for a list of young players that included a few high pitching prospects.
Peavy took his time deciding on whether to take it. Part of that time was spent talking to former teammate Scott Linebrink, a current member of the White Sox.
Eventually, Peavy decided to stay in San Diego.
Since then, Peavy has pitched a game in which he had the flu and another game where he had a severely sprained ankle. That ankle injury eventually landed him on the disabled list, where he will remain until possibly early August.
With the Padres long out of the playoff race, the front office should be looking towards 2010 and they need to make some drastic changes to put this team back into contention.
The first decision this front office needs to make is about the future of their ace. They've already attempted to trade him three times since this past offseason, including to teams like the White Sox, Cubs, and possibly the Atlanta Braves.
Peavy made no qualms about wanting to go to the Cubs, but according to sources in Chicago, the Padres were asking too much in return and the deal fell apart.
Well now, the Padres need to trade him. I didn't say they had to, I didn't say that they should—I say it's time for them to make a deal.
The Padres can get top pitching prospects in return—pitching prospects that can make more of an impact than Peavy is making on this team in 2009.
I know that is not a popular opinion among other Padre fans, but I've seen enough of Peavy being this so called "warrior"—pitching with some sort of injury and giving his team no shot of winning the game that night.
It's only afterwards that fans and the team learned that he tried to pitch through an injury that rendered him incapable of pitching like the typical Jake Peavy.
That being said, this can't wait for the offseason. This move needs to be made prior to the trade deadline, and the Padres need to bring in prospects or get major league talent in return that will impact this team next season.
This front office absolutely CANNOT make a deal for lower level prospects or players that won't be seen for several years. This team needs help and they need it immediately.
Can the Padres win with Jake Peavy? My honest answer—and a lot of fans may not like it, or may not agree with it—is: No, they can not.
The Padres have won a few National League Western Divison Championships, but have subsequently been bounced out in the first round of the playoffs. That's no longer enough for this franchise.
Jake is just one player, that much I understand. And I know you can blame a lot on the Padres' offense. But Jake has been given his shot to be a leader and has not lived up to that mantra. He's had a shot to lead his team in the playoffs and has not gotten them out of said first round.
It's no longer enough for the San Diego Padres.
With Jeff Moorad going into his first offseason as the new owner and CEO of the Padres, it's on his shoulders to turn this team back into a contender.
There's no more room for "it's a long process," or "we're building for the future." That's something that's been said time and time again. Fans are no longer believing that attitude or that saying.
He has a tough offseason ahead of him and there are decisions that need to be made—decisions that I don't know if I could make. But, for the betterment of this team and this franchise, it's time to cut bait and end the days of Jake Peavy in a Padres uniform.
They can survive without him, I can promise you that. And if they get the right prospects and the right players in return, this team can be a lot more successful than they ever will be if they hang on to a player making $15 million for sitting on the disabled list.
Sorry Jake, but this team needs to move on and they need to do so without you.
Milwaukee Brewers: Who is the Real Carlos Villanueva?
When Trevor Hoffman was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers in the winter, the biggest benefactor was thought to be their pitcher Carlos Villanueva.
Villanueva is a similar pitcher to Hoffman and many thought he would turn into a future closer under Hoffman's tutelage. Up to this point in the season, Villanueva has shown both signs of a great future and moments that make him look like a starry-eyed rookie.
This is his fourth season with the Brewers, and everyone is still waiting for him to show signs on either side of the spectrum. Just who is the real Carlos Villanueva?
To be fair to Villanueva, he has been bounced back and forth between being a starter and a reliever during his first three seasons with the Brewers. 2009 is the first season that he is being used as a full-time reliever and there needs to be time to adjust to a new, defined role.
Villanueva has had two horrible months and one amazing month so far in 2009.
With Trevor Hoffman starting the season on the disabled list, Villanueva started the season as the Brewers' closer. Although he saved two games, he blew three other opportunities and finished April with a 6.17 ERA.
He showed very little control walking six batters in 11 and two-thirds innings. At times, he looked to have no confidence on the mound and appeared to let any adversity overwhelm him.
The month of May was a polar opposite for Villanueva—He was literally unhittable. In 12 and a third innings pitched in May, he allowed only four hits and walked just three batters, while striking out 17.
He did a great job getting ahead of hitters and sent them back to the dugout with a devastating changeup. He showed the kind of talent and confidence which led many to believe Villanueva is a future closer.
Villanueva reverted to his April form when the calendar turned to June. He pitched a full inning less in June than May, but allowed 18 hits and 10 runs for a June ERA of 7.94.
He did a good job cutting down on the walks, but giving up multiple hits in an outing can be just as devastating as walks for a relief pitcher. In 11 June appearances, he gave up multiple hits in five of those outings—and four of those resulted in multiple runs for the opposition.
Although July has just begun, it appears Villanueva is showing more of his May form. In two appearances, he has allowed only one walk and one hit in one and two-thirds innings.
Great relief pitchers like Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera don't worry too much about their confidence. They can endure a rough outing and bounce back the next day to shut down the same lineup that defeated them only a day earlier.
Pitchers like Villanueva need to build their confidence over a long period of time in order to become a valuable member of a bullpen.
Everyone knows he has the talent and ability to be a future closer.
But Brewer fans are hoping Villanueva has the heart and guts to become the complete package—and a mainstay at the back end of the Brewers' bullpen for years to come.
Colorado Rockies' Month of June Full of Historic Numbers
At the beginning of June, the Colorado Rockies were in the basement of the NL West, a comfortable place for them, sitting at 20 and 29, 13.5 games out of first.
At the end of June, the Rockies were only 7.5 games back of first, and only 1.5 games out of the NL wild card.
Many things were positive for the Rockies in the month, so let's take a look into some specific numbers that helped Colorado climb the mountain in the standings.
The Rockies fired manager Clint Hurdle on May 29th, and the same day named Jim Tracy the new leader of the club house. Since then, Colorado has gone 23-and-eight overall under Tracy, including 11 interleague wins, tops in the NL.
The wins were a combination of hitting, pitching, and defense, as the Rockies performed all three facets of the game well.
Aaron Cook hit his 59th win in a Rockies' uniform, a new team record, and went five and one with an amazing 2.36 ERA, and 24 Ks.
The middle of the infield hit well in June, as the young duo of Tulowitzki and Barmes' playing is top-notch. Troy Tulowitzki had a break out month in June, as he hit .305 with seven home runs. In all, his 12 homers are good for second most by a short stop in the MLB. Clint Barmes, the Rockies second baseman, had 36 hits in June, second most in the NL.
The Rockies also had two NL Player of the Week Award winners, in Ian Stewart and Huston Street. Stewart hit four home runs in the week of June 1-7, and Street went five-for-five in saves the next week.
In all, the Rockies won 11 games in a row, including eight road wins on the streak. Both numbers tied Rockies' records. Colorado went 21-and-seven in the month of June, best in all of baseball, and also a Rockies' record for most wins in a month.
With all these great numbers, there are three Colorado Rockies that deserve to at least be looked at for the All-Star game. While I acknowledge that Colorado is "a small market" team, they still need to get national attention, starting here.
Jason Marquis has gone 10 and five this season so far with a 3.87 ERA, with 51 strikeouts. He has been great for the Rockies this year, as his 10 wins, are the most in the NL, tied for the MLB lead.
Brad Hawpe is hitting .333, with 13 homers and 56 RBIs. Overall, Hawpe leads all NL right fielders in batting avg, doubles, slugging, and RBI. He also hit his 100th HR in the Rockies pinstripes, eighth to do so.
Todd Helton, hitting .311 with nine HRs and 53 RBI. At age 35, Todd Helton hit his 318th HR, pushing him into the top 100 all time, something big for a player that has never been rumored of taking steroids. Helton is showing he is still one of the great 1st basemen of our time, and deserves at least a reserve roll on the squad.
Overall, if the Rockies can continue these winning ways, these good attitudes and loose play, they should at least challenge for the NL West, and likely grab the NL wildcard.
Now, for a closing bit of poetry...
Walt Whitman wrote, "I see great things in baseball. It's our game...The American game."
Is Ryan Church the New York Mets' Unsung Hero?
It’s funny how things have changed. A little over two months ago Mets skipper Jerry Manuel had all but officially denounced Ryan Church as an everyday player. There were rumblings that Church would eventually be traded. For the next month or so Church fell out of the limelight, rarely earning a start in right field.
However, the team began to drop like flies to the injury bug. First it was Carlos Delgado. And then others, including outfielders Carlos Beltran and reserve Angel Pagan that went onto the disabled list as well. At first Jerry tried to install rookie phenom Fernando Martinez in center field.
When Martinez showed he was not yet ready for the task of everyday center fielder Manuel had no choice but to put Ryan Church in the lineup everyday. Rather than, dwell on his lack of playing time earlier in the season, Church has proved Manuel wrong on the field.
Since June 22nd, which is the day Carlos Beltran went down with a knee injury Church has a .359 average (14 hits in 39 AB) and has driven in six runs. This includes two game winning hits in the past two games against the Pirates and Brewers respectively.
As a matter of fact, excluding his dreadful campaign in May where he hit .224, Ryan has hit well over .300 in both April and June.
For a team that has struggled recently offensively these numbers are very impressive.
In the field Church has been no slouch defensively either. In his natural position, right field, Church has a solid 0.990 fielding percentage.
Recently, in order to accommodate the club’s needs, Church has moved into the more challenging center field. Although he has only played a handful of games there, Church looks rather comfortable.While only sporting a .292 average and 21 RBIs, Church may not be the glamorous hitter, like Matt Holliday or Aubrey Huff that fans have been seeking, however he is getting the job done and deserves a little bit of recognition.
Casey at the Bat | Pimentel Signing a Good One For M's
News
Dig deep: Tigers need 16 innings to edge Twins
ESPN.com has launched many new baseball widgets that offer scores, stats, and news
Dodgers win in Manny's return
Manny's back with the Dodgers, but he has little to do with L.A. beating the Padres on Friday night. Jon Paul Morosi explains why.Manny 0 for 3 in return as Dodgers beat Padres
Returning from his suspension for violating baseball's drug policy, Los Angeles slugger Manny Ramirez barely hit the ball out of the infield in the Dodgers' 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night.Tigers get by Twins after 5-hour, 16-inning epic
Placido Polanco hit a pair of extra-inning RBI singles, the second giving the Detroit Tigers the lead for good in an 11-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins in 16 innings Friday night.Manny hitless in return, but Dodgers beat Pads
Tigers pull out 16-inning win over Twins
What had been a blown six-run lead for the Tigers became a victory after Placido Polanco's 16th-inning single pulled Detroit back up for good, sending the Tigers to an 11-9 win over the Twins on Friday night.De La Rosa turns in gem for Rockies
The Rockies began a 10-game homestand leading into the All-Star break on the right track as they blanked the D-backs, 5-0, at Coors Field Friday in front of a sellout crowd of 49,026.Manny held hitless as Dodgers prevail
With a five-run first inning, the Dodgers went on to a 6-3 win over the Padres in Manny Ramirez's first game back from a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's Drug Policy.Manny deflects PED questions
Manny Ramirez deflected questions about his use of performance-enhancing drugs during a news conference before Friday night's game in San Diego.Next homer king? Pujols hits 350th in Cards win
Hernandez right at home in victory
Welcome home, David Hernandez. Baltimore's rookie starter pitched in front of a friendly crowd at Angel Stadium on Friday, an assemblage that even chanted "Let's go David," at various points of the game.Pujols' slam, 3-run ninth lead Cards past Reds
Albert Pujols hit his club-record fourth grand slam of the season, and Jarrett Hoffpauir drove in the go-ahead runs in the ninth inning with his first career hit as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-4 on Friday night.Rafael Palmeiro continues to deny knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs
Rafael Palmeiro spent some time reflecting before he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Friday in Lubbock, Texas on Friday.Phillies blitz Mets early to claim key NL East win