Gang of 20 fitting in with rebuilding A's

Gang of 20 fitting in with rebuilding A's:

"Chris Carter, who was part of the Haren deal, saw action at third and in the outfield at Class A Stockton because Sean Doolittle, a compensation-round pick in 2007, was at first base. Doolittle was moved up to Midland this month - and Matt Spencer, from the Blanton trade, is now getting some action at first. Carter's doing just fine, though - the 21-year-old is leading the California League with 27 homers, and the A's are hoping to get him to winter ball after the season to continue his maturation."

As the only non-4A amongst the top five minor league HR hitters, he is one to watch. If he can actually play either OF or 3B, then he will be a top rpospect at this time next season.

Jamie D'Antona: The Next Great 4A To Break Through?

From Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus (free for all through the 28th!):

More Than Just A Four-A Guy: Jamie D'Antona, a 26-year-old corner infielder, has had an explosive .367/.407/.612 season at Triple-A Tucson, but he's been written off by many as just a minor league performer, although at least one scout is convinced that D'Antona has big-league value as a bench player. "You know, I always thought he was overrated back when he was grouped with [Carlos] Quentin and [Conor] Jackson back in the day, but now I'm convinced that guy could help somebody off the bench," explained the scout. "He's developed some feel for hitting, and somehow his swing plane is much shorter this year. There's no doubt in my mind that he'd torch left-handers in the big leagues right now—maybe he could be a Wes Helms kind of guy who will always hit southpaws but come up short everyday against righties—that might be a career."

Chan Ho Park: Back-Up Closer

Dodgers' Kershaw to be recalled and start tonight - Los Angeles Times:

"Torre said the decision to call up Kershaw was made before the Dodgers went into the All-Star break. The move would let Chan Ho Park be the Dodgers' setup man and backup closer, something he thought necessary when Takashi Saito was hurt."

Too bad for Kuo.

Grant Balfour: Closer-In-Waiting

Rays' Percival returns to closing, grooming - St. Petersburg Times:

"Though Grant Balfour will relinquish most of his closing opportunities to Percival, both Maddon and Percival believe the hard-throwing Aussie has the stuff to be groomed as the team's future closer."

So much for Dan Wheeler.

Adrian Cardenas: The Next Who?

FOX Sports on MSN - Ken Rosenthal - Aging Manny may be expendable for Red Sox:

"The Blanton trade had barely been announced when teams started calling the A's on Adrian Cardenas, the second baseman they acquired from the Phillies. Cardenas, 20, is a Carlos Baerga-type offensive player whose long-term position is in question."

New Closers

Since Matt Capps went to the D.L., the Pirates have cooperated by winning some close games and providing good fantasy info on the new closer. it is Damaso Marte who has save dboth games.

The picture isn't too clear in Cleveland though. Joe Borowski waived DFA'd last week, and the team has yet to win. My guess is Masahide Kobayashi, but the bullpen has been so bad that I'd like verifiable proof to cement that belief.

In Chicago, Bobby Jenks hit the D.L. In the mean time, Scott Linebrink, Matt Thorton and Octavio Dotel have saved games. A committee seems obvious, no?

MLB Trade Rumor: What Is Matt Holliday's Price?

Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus told Jeff Erickson on Fantasy Focus of the worst trade rumor he heard. The Colorado Rockies asked the Tampa Bay Rays for David Price and two other players for Matt Holliday.

There is no chance the Rays do that. As a matter of fact, one might think Chuck LaMar was in control of the Rockies.

Penciling In LaPorta in LF

After the Indians' blockbuster bail trade, most have penciled Matt LaPorta into the LF spot in Cleveland's 2009 outfield, but don't forget about Nick Weglarz. He is a walk machine in High A and could be the reason we see LaPorta moved to 1B in 2010.

Here is what Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus said about Weglarz in this week's Ten Pack:

Nick Weglarz, LF, High-A Kinston (Indians)
In a recent conversation with a scouting official, I was told that he believed Weglarz was on the brink of really taking off. He saw an exaggerated trigger in Weglarz’ swing early in the year, and that trigger has slowly been reduced of late. Over the weekend, his tremendous raw power made some in-game appearances, when he hit his eighth home run of the year on Saturday, and went into double-digits with two more yesterday. Now at .270/.396/.448 as a 20-year-old in High-A, Weglarz remains well ahead of schedule, with more than enough time to continue making adjustments.

C.C. Sabathia Trade Rumors

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports the Brewers are waiting on the Indians response to their offer of Matt LaPortsa, Taylor Green and OF Lorenzo Cain. It also speculates the signing of SP Jeff Weaver to a minor league deal is a precursor to the possible trade of Sabathia or SP Paul Byrd.

The Cleveland Plains Dealer agrees. It also reports the Philadelphia Phillies ar epushign hard with a package of lower level prospects including 2B Adrian Cardenas. The Los Angeles Dodgers are also involved the the CPD speculating 3B Blake DeWitt or Andy LaRoche at the ehad of the offer.

With C.C. scheduled to pitch Tuesday, expect something to happen within 36 hours or the rumors will continue until his next scheduled start on Saturday July 12th. And every fifth day after until the 31st.

MLB Trade Rumors: Boston Red Sox

From John Perrotto at Baseball Prospectus:

"The Red Sox are considering looking for bullpen help before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline and the left-handed Fuentes is among the relievers they will likely try to deal for."

What do the Rockies need that the Red Sox can offer? jed Lowrie fits the bill but that seems incredibly high for a middle reliever.

WTF?!?! Brett Myers To AAA

I wasn't expecting this when I checked the MLB transactions. The Phillies have sent Brett Myers to AAA. He is safe to cut now.


ESPN - MLB Baseball Transactions - Major League Baseball: "Optioned pitcher Brett Myers to Lehigh Valley of the International League (AAA); agreed to terms with shortstop Anthony Hewitt."