Baseball Rumor News

Jonathan Mayo now has his predictions for the upcoming draft for picks 1-30. Some have changed, but for those of you that haven’t been keeping up with the predictions here is a list:

1. Tampa Bay Rays: Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS, Griffin, Ga.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
3. Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.
4. Baltimore Orioles: Aaron Crow, RHP, University of Missouri
5. San Francisco Giants: Buster Posey, C, Florida State
6. Florida Marlins: Brian Matusz, LHP, University of San Diego
7. Cincinnati Reds: Yonder Alonso, 1B, University of Miami
8. Chicago White Sox: Gordon Beckham, SS, University of Georgia
9. Washington Nationals: Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot HS, Riverside, Calif.
10. Houston Astros: Justin Smoak, 1B, University of South Carolina
11. Texas Rangers: Andrew Cashner, RHP, Texas Christian
12. Oakland A’s: Aaron Hicks, OF/RHP, Woodrow Wilson HS, Long Beach, Calif.
13. St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Perry, RHP, University of Arizona
14. Minnesota Twins: Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kentucky
15. Los Angeles Dodgers: Zach Collier, OF, Chino Hills HS, Calif.
16. Milwaukee Brewers: Brett Lawrie, C/3B, Brookswood SS, Langley, B.C.
17. Toronto Blue Jays: Brett Wallace, 1B/3B, Arizona State
18. New York Mets: Ike Davis, OF, Arizona State
19. Chicago Cubs: Casey Kelly, SS, Sarasota HS, Fla.
20. Seattle Mariners: Shooter Hunt, RHP, Tulane
21. Detroit Tigers: Ethan Martin, RHP, Stephens County HS, Toccoa, Ga.
22. New York Mets: Jason Castro, C, Stanford
23. San Diego Padres: Daniel Schlereth, LHP, University of Arizona
24. Philadelphia Phillies: Anthony Hewitt, SS, Salisbury School, Conn
25. Colorado Rockies: Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Highland HS, Ill.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks: Josh Fields, RHP, University of Georgia
27. Minnesota Twins: Brett DeVall, LHP, Niceville HS, Fla.
28. New York Yankees: Brett Hunter, RHP, Pepperdine University
29. Cleveland Indians: Jemile Weeks, 2B, University of Miami
30. Boston Red Sox: Lance Lynn, RHP, University of Mississippi

Those are the predictions, but we’ll find out for sure in two days.

Just a little disclaimer, these standout picks are a little bit behind schedule so they are really ‘April+the beginning of may’ standouts.

The Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks and ace Brandon Webb are once again talking contract extension. It now appears that the two sides are getting close to working out a deal.

“Yeah, some progress has been made,” Webb said. “We’ve been talking a little bit more. We’ve made some headway. We’ll see where it goes.”

The team has an option for 2010, but it makes sense that they want to lock up one of the best pitchers in the game. The Diamondbacks had made him an offer for a three year extension over the off-season, but Webb didn’t think it was enough so he called off the negotiations. With his dominating start to this year, maybe the Diamondbacks have finally decided to pony up the cash required to keep Webb around. The only problem I see with this is the timing. At this point, Webb’s value is at an all-time high. If they have him under their control for two more years, it might be a better idea to wait until he cools off a little bit. Some time in the middle of next seaon might be a more affordable way of adding years to his deal with Arizona.

- The Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have designated Bryan Corey for assignment. The move was necessary to make room for Mike Lowell who will be activated from the DL.

- The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have designated Greg Aquino for assignment and optioned Brandon Fahey to Triple-A. Garrett Olson will be called up as a starter and Bob McCrory will be brought up to be used in relief.

- Max Scherzer has been called up by the Diamondbacks and will be used as a reliever. “It’s good that we’re developing him as a starter,” Melvin said. “It keeps our options open.” Watch this kid because he could definitely find himself in the rotation this season if necessity dictates.

As of right now, the Diamondbacks have not approached Justin Upton about the possibility of signing a long term extension. Even with that being the case, it is not far from their minds. The question is, what will it take to lock up the budding star? Would Upton even be interested in an extension. I believe that for the right price he would have to listen.

The Arizona Republic pointed out a few reasons why Upton is due for a big payday, but it doesn’t seem like Upton is in any hurry to make a deal. If he follows his brother’s path, he may opt to wait it out until free agency. While Arizona executives could see Upton as the face of the franchise for some time, if he makes it to free agency they will probably lose him. His monster start to this season is assumed to be just the tip of the iceberg. He already got a $6.1 million signing bonus when he was the first overall pick in the 2005 draft so he isn’t hurting for money. While it seems his agent is willing to work out a deal, even now Upton won’t come cheap. It is expected that he would be able to pull down considerably more than what Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki got ($31million).

My thinking is that Arizona needs to make a move soon before the younger Upton brother gets even more expensive. The best situation that I see for the Diamondbacks would be to lock up Upton with a long term deal that gives them options on the first few years of his free agency. If they could get him to agree to a deal of that nature, they would at least be able to keep him around. They can not commit too much guaranteed money to him at this point though, because they still have him at a very affordable price for a while. That being said, if they raise his salary now, they could greatly reduce what they have to pay him at the end of a long term extension.

According to The East Valley Tribune, the Arizona Diamondbacks and their All-Star 2B Orlando Hudson are at an impasse. It seems that they have had intermittent talks with Hudson’s camp since early 2007, but the two sides are so far apart on numbers that someone would have to give in a substantial amount. When Hudson becomes a free agent after this season, it is thought that he will be seeking a salary similar to that of fellow 2B Chase Utley’s $15 million a year.

In my opinion, it seems that Hudson is greatly overvaluing himself. I think the DBacks are probably in agreement with me. Over the last couple of years, Hudson has been outspoken to the fact that he thought he was a higher caliber of player than those surrounding him in Arizona. That simply isn’t the case anymore and I think the teams management realizes it. They are not the type of team to waste their money, so this is almost a guarantee that Hudson will walk, if he isn’t traded at the deadline that is. While I am not blind to the fact that Arizona is a legitimate contender in the NL this season, I still think that the team may want to get something in exchange for Hudson rather than just letting him sign with another team. The core of the Diamondbacks is young enough that I don’t think that they are completely done building that team for its championship run.

Chris Young and the Diamondbacks have finished working out a contract extension. It is for 5 years, worth $28 million with a club option for a sixth year that would bring the total value up to $37.5 million. It was originally believed to be about the same as what the Rockies gave SS Troy Tulowitzki (6 years, $31 million) but it is actually worth a little bit more. Even still, it seems like a good deal for both sides involved. The Diamondbacks now control Young for 3 years of arbitration and 2 years of free agency. He was going to get payed in those three years of arbitration anyway, so you have to figure they are getting a discount by adding 2 more years. With a team full of up-and-coming young players, the Diamondbacks are on the right path. They now need to move on and lock up as many other young guys as they can.

The International Herald Tribune reports that the Cincinnati Reds have traded Jon Coutlangas to the Diamondbacks. The lefty reliever went 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA in 64 appearances as a rookie last season. He failed to make the Reds major league team this spring. In exchange, the Reds will receive Daniel Perales. Perales batted .282 for Class A South Bend last season and drove in 92 runs. The Reds assigned him to their Sarasota team in the Florida State League.

The Arizona Republic is reporting that the Arizona Diamondbacks and OF Chris Young are close to a deal that is expected to be around six years in length. I can’t find any reason you wouldn’t do this if you are Arizona. It isn’t everyday you come across a 30 HR, 30 SB guy, so even if he has low OBP, that will get better with experience.

While his .237 BA last year is low, if they wait until it goes up he will get very expensive. This is the same thinking that has been going on recently, with signings like Troy Tulowitzki to the Rockies. It actually makes more sense to me then signing a ridiculously priced free agent at age 30. Look at the Cubs signing of Alfonzo Soriano for 8 years. The payed about $136 million, for a player that is past his prime. When you sign one of your own rising stars, his best years are not behind him and you know exactly where he is in his development. It also adds more value to your team’s farm system because you can afford to keep the players around for a while.

The Arizona Republic reports that Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis has thyroid cancer. Davis is going to make his next few starts, extending into the season, but at some point he will have to miss time for surgery. He is only 32 so hopefully everything will be alright for him…it’s a scary thing as this is not something that you expect to happen, but I’m sure the DBacks are being very supportive. Thoughts and prayers to Doug Davis and his family.