Rumors for August, 2010
1st round pick Barret Loux granted free agency
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According to the official Arizona Diamondbacks’ Twitter account, Diamondbacks’ first-round pick, Barret Loux, will be granted free agency starting September 1. The Diamondbacks will receive a supplemental selection in the 2011 draft.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports said that Loux has a tear in his labrum, a shoulder injury that has ended careers. His elbow also shows signs of eventually needing Tommy John surgery.
Loux, the sixth overall pick and a right-handed pitcher out of Texas A&M, has a four-pitch mix of a fastball, curve, slider and change-up. MLB.com says:
“The big right-hander has four pitches he uses, though it’s his fastball and plus changeup that really stand out. His breaking stuff needs some tightening, but with his command, mound presence and easy delivery, there’s reason to believe he can improve that part of his game as well.”
VIDEO: Houston Astros fan snags foul ball while on cell phone
Posted by: | CommentsSo many future star signings over the last few hours makes you forget that baseball is still a game played on a field and not in the boardroom. While this video isn’t necessarily something that will count in the record books, it’s a good play by an Astros’ fan nonetheless. Check it out:
New York Mets and Pedro Feliciano will wait until offseason to have contract discussions
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The New York Mets most durable reliever over the past three seasons, Pedro Feliciano, is due to be a free agent this offseason and both Feliciano and the Mets will hold off any contract discussions until after the season.
“We’re going to wait,” Feliciano said, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
This year, Feliciano, is 3-6 with a 3.05 ERA in 65 appearances. He set a franchise record for relief appearances in 2008 with 86 and then topped that number with 88 in 2009. He’s on pace for 89 this year.
A Mets official close to Rubin said that because of Feliciano’s workload the Mets did not want to pursue a long-term deal. Rubin adds,
“The logic was that the Mets, as a New York team, would be able to wait to ensure Feliciano remained healthy and productive while not risking being outbid for Feliciano’s services the following year because of their big-market bankroll.”
ESPN’s Mark Simon compiled a list of left-handed comparables:
John Grabow, two years, $7.5 million, Chicago Cubs
Darren Oliver, one year, $3.5 million, Texas Rangers; and one year, $3.655 million, Los Angeles Angels
Damaso Marte, three years, $12 million, New York Yankees
Jeremy Affeldt, two years, $8 million, San Francisco Giants
Alan Embree, one year, $2.25 million, Colorado Rockies
Arthur Rhodes, two years, $4 million, Cincinnati Reds
Joe Beimel, one year, $2 million, Washington Nationals
Update – San Diego Padres did not sign 1st round pick RHP Karsten Whitson
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8/16 22:29: Dan Hayes of the North County Times tweets, “[GM Jed] Hoyer on Whitson: “There was a point after the draft where his worth sky-rocketed and never came back into line.”
8/16 21:35: Baseball America tweets, that the San Diego Padres did not sign their first-round pick (9th overall) right-handed pitcher Karsten Whitson.
Update – Pittsburgh Pirates sign second overall pick Jameson Taillon
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8/16 22:04: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says he hears that the deal is a $6.5 million bonus.
8/16 21:59: Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com says Taillon’s deal is believed to be around $6 million.
8/16 19:22: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the agreement is for a bit more than $5 million.
8/16 17:54: Second overall pick, Jameson Taillon, has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to his father (Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Taillon, 18, has a fastball in the 94-99 mph range. According to MLB.com he has three plus pitches with the changeup giving him the potential to have a four-pitch mix.
For more 2010 Draft coverage, check out PRO Rumors’ 2010 MLB Draft Tracker at http://www.prorumors.com
Update – Bryce Harper signs with the Washington Nationals
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8/16 21:58: Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says Harper gets $9.9 million over five years, including a $6.25 million bonus.
8/16 21:22: Jim Bowden of FOXSports says the deal is for approximately $9.9 million. GM Mike Rizzo confirmed that the deal was slightly under $10 million.
8/16 21:05: According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, first-round pick and first overall selection from the June 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Bryce Harper has agreed to a contract with the Washington Nationals. He adds that it is a Major League deal, so he will be placed on the 40-man roster.
Jim Bowden of FOXSports says that the bonus is approximately for $6.25 million.
Colorado Rockies sign 1st round pick OF Kyle Parker
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According to Jim Callis of Baseball America, the Colorado Rockies have signed first-round pick outfielder Kyle Parker for $1.4 million. Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says that Parker will play football this season and the family took out an insurance policy.
Tampa Bay Rays sign Josh Sale and Drew Vettleson
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According to Conor Glassey of Baseball America, the Tampa Bay Rays have signed first round pick (17th overall) Josh Sale for around $1.62 million and supplemental first-round pick (42nd overall) Drew Vettleson for $845,000.
Update – Mets sign Matt Harvey for a bit over $2.5 million
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8/16 21:42: According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the Mets signed Harvey for a bit over $2.5 million.
8/13 17:03: Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com says the New York Mets and first-round pick (7th overall) Matt Harvey have yet to reach an agreement on a signing bonus. A team official indicated that the negotiations will likely go to the midnight deadline on Monday night/Tuesday morning.
Harvey, a right-handed pitcher from the University of North Carolina is being advised by Scott Boras.
The eight-overall pick, second baseman Delino DeShields Jr., signed a bonus with the Houston Astros for $2.15 million last week.
Toronto Blue Jays sign RHP Deck McGuire
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According to Baseball America, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed first-round pick (11th overall) right-handed pitcher Deck McGuire.
