Just announced on YES: Yankees signed Victor Zambrano to a minor-league deal today. The hard-throwing righty, best known for being included in the trade that brought Scott Kazmir to Tampa Bay, had been scouted earlier this month by New York, when he was playing for the AAA Colorado Sky Sox.

The Sky Sox released him on June 7, after he racked up an unimpressive 0-6, 9.45 ERA for the Rockies’ affiliate. He’s had TJ surgery twice, and the Yankees are obviously hoping the Pinstripe Magic will work for him and transform him into a workable starter.

This, along with the Sidney Ponson signing earlier this season, shows not only the scarcity of quality starters in the majors, but also the Yankees’ desperation to collect more staring pitching.

The Pirates media relations department offers up some information on the prospects going to Pittsburgh in today’s blockbuster deal…

Craig Hansen began the year with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, where he was 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA (16.2ip/3er), 17 strikeouts and a .107 batting average against in 11 relief appearances. The 24-year-old righthander was recalled by Boston on May 5 and posted a 1-2 record and two saves in 32 relief appearances. Hansen was Boston’s first round selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and became the first player in Red Sox history to reach the majors in the year he was drafted. He has gone 3-5 with two saves in 74 career relief appearances in the big leagues.
 
Andy LaRoche, who is the younger brother of Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche, was rated as the Dodgers’ second-best prospect by Baseball America entering the 2008 season. He began this year with Double-A Jacksonville, where he hit .318 (7-for-22) in six games while on a rehab assignment. He also hit .293 (36-for-123) with three doubles, five home runs and 28 RBI in 39 games with Triple-A Las Vegas. The 24-year-old third baseman also spent 27 games this year with the Dodgers, where he hit .203 (12-for-59) with a double, two home runs and six RBI in 27 games.

Brandon Moss split the season between Triple-A Pawtucket and Boston. In 34 games with the Red Sox he hit .295 (23-for-78) with five doubles, two home runs and seven runs scored while making 14 appearances (eight starts) in right field, 11 appearances (eight starts) in left field and two appearances (one start) at first base. He also hit .282 (46-for-163) with eight doubles, eight home runs and 30 RBI in 43 games with Pawtucket. The 24-year-old Moss was selected by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2002 June Draft and was named Boston’s Minor League Player-of-the-Year two years later after hitting .353 with 27 doubles, seven triples, 15 home runs and 111 RBI in 132 games between Single-A Augusta and Sarasota. Last year he took home Triple-A Pawtucket’s team MVP honors while being named to the International League midseason All-Star team after leading the league with 41 doubles and 59 extra base hits.

Righthanded pitcher Bryan Morris posted a 2-4 record and 3.20 ERA (81.2ip/29er) along with 72 strikeouts this year for Single-A Great Lakes of the Midwest League. The 21-year-old righthander was charged with three earned runs or less in 15 of his 17 starts with Great Lakes. He also went 1-1 with a 2.06 ERA (39.1ip/9er) in his six starts this month for the Loons. Morris was selected by Los Angeles in the first round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft as a compensation pick. During his first professional season in 2006 he was tabbed by Baseball America as having the “Best Breaking Ball” and “Best Fastball” in the Dodgers’ 2006 draft class.

The Boston Red Sox have traded Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers late Thursday afternoon. Jason Bay is headed to Boston as part of the deal, and the Pirates will get four minor leaguers in the three-way trade.

Here are the details…

Red Sox get Jason Bay

Dodgers get Manny Ramirez

Pirates receive Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris from the Dodgers and outfielder Brandon Moss and  reliever Craig Hansen

 Whew!!

According to MLB.com’s Bill Chastain, the Rays will acquire Jason Bay from the Pirates before the deadline.  The trade is unconfirmed by the Rays but the deal sends prospects to Pittsburgh.  The two names known are shortstop Reid Brignac and right-handed pitcher Jeff Neimann.

The question now is did the Pirates enter the three-way deal with the Marlins and Red Sox to increase the value of Bay?  The way the rumors played out, there might be something there.  As soon as the Rays said they had no interest in Bay, the three-way trade dissolved.  Then, talks between the Pirates and Rays heated up again.

Still waiting for confirmation.  Look for more soon. 

UPDATE — Conflicting reports out of Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.  There are about 10 minutes left before the deadline and no one knows what the status is here.  Tick tock… tick tock!

UPDATE — The deadline has passed and there is no announcement.  It is possible this will not be reported right away but with each passing minute, it looks like this deal did not go down.  Pirates GM Neal Huntington is scheduled to meet the press at 5:25 PM.  At that point, the official word on this trade will be known.  But, it looks dead.

As we discussed yesterday, the Blue Jays have lost 15 games in which the opposing team has scored three or fewer runs.

Did the Jays have many chances in those games where a key hit might have made the difference?

Well, all totaled in those contests, 23 times they had a man on third and less than two out–five other times they had the leadoff man on second with none out and 27 times (a single had a baserunner go from second to third) they failed to get a base hit. In only three games did they not have a man on third/less than two out situation but in two of them they weren’t necessary since the Jays lost 1-0 and no base runners would be required to tie the score.

The Jays had a pair of chances for a walkoff with a man on third and less than two out and couldn’t score–even though a hit wasn’t necessarily needed for the win.

In those 15 games, the Jays had 119 separate opportunities with runners in scoring position and they managed just 11 hits for a .092 BA w/RISP. They actually hit into more twin-killings (17) than hits with RISP in those contests.

Obviously, in games you lose where the other team scores three of fewer it is to be expected that the Jays either (1) were completely shut down by the opposing pitcher or (2) simply missed capitalizing on their opportunities.

As we see by looking at the results–there were many missed chances to win ballgames that were done in by lousy hitting.

It makes one wonder what the Jays’ record might be had J.P. Ricciardi been more aggressive in trying to pick up a legit bat rather than wasting scoring chances to well below league average hitters. For that matter, how many extra games may have been won had there been a bona fide home run threat added to the lineup. On June 20, the Blue Jay had about 45 chances to knock a ball over the fence against a club that’s currently last in MLB in ERA and third most generous in surrendering the long ball–the Pittsburgh Pirates … and failed.

Barry Bonds was out there as is Adam Dunn–there are options in the minors yet none of these were explored in 2008.

I’ll say this much–if it’s discovered that MLB colluded against Barry Bonds, I will go on record as stating the Toronto Blue Jays front office deliberately threw the season to forward the agenda of Bud Selig and any talk about Ricciardi not being willing to sell his soul will be exposed as blatant hypocrisy–he sold out every person that spent a penny on the Blue Jays hoping that 2008 might have been a year that featured October baseball.

As it is–I feel pretty confident in saying one of two things about this season: One, J.P. Ricciardi has not done everything in his power to make the Jays a competitive club in 2008; or two, Ricciardi is incompetent as a general manager since he was unable to discern the shocking lack of production he’s been getting from players getting a lot of at bats.

Adam Lind’s success is due to Cito Gaston’s insistence that he be called up–had John Gibbons still been managing, would we even have seen him in Toronto before September 1? Ricciardi needed somebody to solve the left field dilemma for him but as of yet, hasn’t done anything about the DH or Brad Wilkerson’s continued existence on the 25 man roster. The DH has one job and that’s to hit and to J.P. Ricciardi, he’s content with what he’s getting. The worst team in the AL released Richie Sexson for producing a .218/.315/.381 line at first base while Jays’ DH are hitting .214/.321/.373.

This shouldn’t surprise us since Ricciardi thought another batter who couldn’t cut it with the league’s limpest offense would be nice addition to the Jays’ roster where he remains to this day. At least Sexson could hit on the road and mash lefties this year whereas Wilkerson couldn’t hit anyone anywhere but that didn‘t deter Ricciardi.

I think a reasonably competent, or for that matter, reasonably sentient or conscious general manager may have been able to rescue this season–at the very least, he would have promoted from within realizing that it would be difficult to produce less than certain players getting significant playing time. There would not have been so many missed opportunities because of replacement-level talent being given All Star playing time.

As long as I am privileged to write about this great game, I will remember and remind folks that 2008 was the year the team’s LVP was the general manager. He didn’t even try this season–he fiddled while Roger Centre playoff hopes burned.

I remember celebrating when the news came down the Gord Ash was let go–expect a much more vigorous happy dance when J.P. is axed. It’s funny that so many didn’t want Barry Bonds because he’d be a cancer on the organization–there is a far worse one in the front office. For all of Bonds’ faults, at least he’s been in the post season seven more times than Ricciardi.

I hear that you’ve been looking at Raul Ibanez and Jason Bay–it’s something, but it would have been more helpful were something done when more of the season were available to come back; while these players may not have been available until now but the guys in the minors have always been there.

Best Regards

John

…Cleveland Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach tied a Major League record with five extra base hits, which included a game tying homer. Even though he tied the record, he wasn’t really in the mood to celebrate and here’s why.

“I don’t know about any records and I’m too tired to think about it,” Shoppach said after the grueling game that went 5 hours, 33 minutes, used 16 dozen baseballs and had 526 total pitches.

Somebody give that guy some ice for those knees.

…Speaking of long games, according to the Society for American Baseball Research the Indians/Tigers game, is game #567 in baseball history to exceed 5 hours. The Indians surprisingly enough have played in 21 of those games which ties them with the Oakland A’s for the Major League Lead. (hat tip to the SABR-L mailing list)

…Cubs closer Kerry Wood, had another set back (anyone else surprised?). He was scheduled to throw a simulated game yesterday before the Cubs took on the Brew Crew - but the blister that put him on the DL in the first place got in the way.

Quoth, Sweet Lou:

“Initially we had talked about a simulated game, bringing a few hitters here and let them get some work in with a little pad on his finger, but it didn’t happen because he’s really not close to coming back,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “So why risk it?”

…It seems to be the season for Minor Leaguers getting popped for drug violations (what is this, the Tour de France?). LAA Angels Minor Leaguer Thomas Mendoza (who had been playing in the California League) has been suspended for 50 games. He tested positive for amphetamines, and his suspension starts immediately.

…Former 2006 First Round Draft pick for the Seattle Mariners Brandon Morrow, who’s been a set up man for most of his short Major League career, could be headed to the rotation - soon.

“If we’re going to do something down the road with Morrow as a starter, we have to get the transitions started,” manager Jim Riggleman said Wednesday afternoon. “There is enough time to do it between here and Tacoma, but we probably would have to do start it in the next couple of weeks.”

The thinking is, there’s about four weeks of Triple A baseball left and that he could be stretched out enough to throw 80 or so pitches and then could be inserted into the rotation.

…Jayson Stark of ESPN.com is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have thrown their hat into the ring for Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jason Bay.

…Speaking of ESPN.com, Buster Olney is reporting that the Oakland A’s have pretty much done all the wheeling and dealing they’re going to do as the deadline approaches. Olney’s sources say there a 1% chance the A’s pull another deal. That means it pretty much looks like Huston Street and Justin Duchscherer will remain A’s.

According to ESPN’s Peter Gammons, the Florida Marlins acquired the first left-handed reliever of the day.  The Marlins picked up reliever Arthur Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for 22-year old pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez.

Rhodes, 38, is 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 22 innings with the Mariners but historically has seen an inflated ERA in August and September.

Hernandez is 2-8 with a 7.24 since his promotion to Triple-A Albuquerque.  Before his promotion, Hernandez was 3-0 with a 4.30 ERA in four starts at Double-A Carolina. 

Fox’s Ken Rosenthal has confirmed that Ken Griffey, Jr. accepted the trade to the ChiSox.  The Reds will receive Danny Richar and Nick Masset in return. 

Let deadline day begin!

Out of nowhere!  According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Ken Griffey Jr. has been traded to the Chicago White Sox… pending approval.  This is nowhere else.  Until then, this should be treated as a rumor. 

Griffey needs to accept the deal and there are no details on what comes back to the Reds in return.  Where does Griffey play if it happens?  Where did this deal come from?  (The Reds have been consistent in their stance that Griffey would not be traded and the White Sox continually tipped their hand that they would stand pat at the deadline.)  Check back for more details.

Wednesday was just weird.  While it was only a mild surprise that the Detroit Tigers decided to deal catcher Ivan Rodriguez, his destination and return was stunning.  The Tigers sent their 36-year old catcher to the New York Yankees for reliever Kyle Farnsworth and, well, that’s it.  In 82 games this season, Rodriguez is hitting .295 with five homers and 32 RBI and is a rented replacement for Jorge Posada who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.  Farnsworth played for the Tigers for half of a season in 2005 before being dealt at the deadline to Atlanta for Zach Miner and Roman Colon.  Then, the Astros traded 22-year old prospect Matt Cusick to the Yankees for reliever LaTroy Hawkins which prompted me to schedule an eye exam.

The rumor mill was active, too.  Here’s a look at some of the juicier ones:

• Manny Ramirez talk heated up to a boil on Wednesday night.  Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus declared a three-way deal between Florida, Boston and Pittsburgh as nearly done.  If Carroll is right, the trade sends Ramirez, a Boston prospect and cash to Florida, Jeremy Hermida and two Florida prospects and a Boston prospect to Pittsburgh and Jason Bay and John Grabow to Boston.  Carroll had a Santana deal to Boston in the offseason “all but done” so take this for what it is worth.  He did say the deal was filed with the Commissioner’s office while others inside say there is not a done deal yet.  Carroll also admitted that the deal could fall apart due to disagreements over the prospects involved between the three teams.
•  In other Manny news, NESN reported a non-story of Ramirez leaving the park in street clothes before the clubhouse was open.  Here’s why this is such a non-story.  On May 31, I covered an Orioles-Red Sox game at Camden Yards and headed to the Boston clubhouse after the game.  Guess who passed me in street clothes on my way there?  Ramirez.  Unless the NESN report was focused on Manny’s ability to dress quickly, this is a whole lot of nothing.
• Florida’s Mike Jacobs was pulled from the game after the sixth inning sending those desperate for a rumor to report the early exit might be due to a Jacobs trade to the Giants for Bengie Molina.  A quick look at Jacobs’ game log reveals that it was the 41^st time in 82 starts that Jacobs was removed before the game ended.  
• Tuesday’s rumors of the Padres request of Greg Maddux to open up the teams he would be willing to go to was shot down by Maddux with many speculating Philadelphia as a possible destination.  Instead, the options were limited to west coast teams and Buster Olney reported the Dodgers have interest so a Maddux trade possibility refuses to die.
• Somebody might want Paul Byrd.  Why?
• Arthur Rhodes remained the front-runner in the group of relievers to be traded.  Wednesday also saw Scott Schoeneweis, Eddie Guardado and Will Ohman featured prominently in rumors.  George Sherrill and Brian Fuentes are all of a sudden off the radar and Sherrill was rumored to be off the market.
• Late Wednesday night put Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn into the rumor mill only hours after GM Walt Jocketty said he talked to no one about Dunn.  Late interest from the Rays was reported from ESPN’s Jayson Stark as a Plan B if Bay is not attainable.

In Part Six of Six, we look at the National League West teams, where their needs lie and how they might change the make-up of their teams prior to the July 31 Non-Waiver Trade Deadline:

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

On May 18, Arizona had the best record in baseball.  Since then, the D-backs are 27-36 — the 25^th best record in baseball during that period.  Fortunately for them, they play in the least dangerous division in the Majors and hold a one game lead over the Dodgers in the West.  This race might hinge on the decisions made before 4 P.M. ET today.

STARTING PITCHING – The D-backs arguably have the best one-two punch in the game with Brandon Webb (14-4, 3.14 ERA) and Dan Haren (11-5, 2.62 ERA).  The three-four is not bad either with Doug Davis and a hot Randy Johnson.  The “Big Unit” is 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA in his last four starts.  The D-backs sent down Micah Owings which handed the fifth spot in the rotation to Yusmeiro Petit.

RELIEF PITCHING – Arizona already went out and added Jon Rauch from the Nationals to the bullpen.  Trivia time!  Who is the left-handed option out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks?  If you said Doug Slaten, you would be incorrect.  Slaten is on the disabled list until at least next week.  Give up?  They do not have one, actually.

NON-PITCHING – The D-backs own the lowest runs per game of all teams in the National League with a winning record.  They added Tony Clark (3-for-21 since joining Arizona) from San Diego and lack pop.  An upgrade in the outfield is a glaring need.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – The Dunn rumors late Wednesday make a lot of sense for Arizona but their offer of Chad Tracy to the Reds might not match Cincinnati’s needs.  The D-backs were apparently serious about Mark Teixeira (unless you ask them) but the Braves went with the Angels’ offer instead.  An upgrade at outfield would help as would another left-handed option other than Slaten.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

The Dodgers are above .500 for the first time since they were 26-25 back on May 27.  Injuries have plagued the first year of the Torre Era in Los Angeles but thanks to the stumbling of the Diamondbacks, they are not out of it.  Currently, there are nine players on the DL for the Dodgers and Nomar Garciaparra could be headed back there.  Either way, the team needs a healthy solution at shortstop and might consider an upgrade in the bullpen.  Oh yeah, there’s that Maddux rumor, too.  There are more questions than answers in Los Angeles at the moment.

STARTING PITCHING – Is Maddux headed to Los Angeles?  Can Brad Penny return from the DL and pitch effectively?  Will Hiroki Kuroda snap out of his recent slump? 

RELIEF PITCHING – Will Jonathan Broxton continue to dominate in the closer role?  Does Broxton’s move to closer diminish the effectiveness of the rest of the bullpen?

NON-PITCHING – Can the Dodgers upgrade without giving up Matt Kemp?  How serious is Garciaparra’s latest injury?  Is Andruw Jones ever going to snap out of his season long slump?  Will Rafael Furcal return this season?  Will the Dodgers do something about their shortstop situation?

WHAT MAKES SENSE – Let’s try to answer the easy one — Broxton is the real deal.  In five games since the Dodgers lost Takashi Saito, Broxton has five saves in 5 2/3 innings with just one hit allowed and eight strikeouts.  The shortstop situation needs to be addressed because it just won’t go away.  Maddux definitely increases their chances but mortgaging prospective talent for a 42-year old rental is risky but so is overvaluing prospects.  The Dodgers might go after Cleveland’s Byrd instead.  Sorry if that happens, Dodger fans.

COLORADO ROCKIES

I get it!  They made an amazing comeback last year.  Now, it is tough for the Rockies to commit to being “sellers” because they are only seven games out in the NL West.  According to Jayson Stark, the Rockies told all teams interested in reliever Fuentes to send their best offer and they will get back to them on Thursday if they decide to trade him.  That’s how unsure the Rockies are of their direction.  At this point last year, the Rockies were 53-51 and just 3 ½ games out.  They were seven games out as late as September 10 but the Rockies had to win 13 out of 14 to close out the year and win a one-game playoff against the Padres. 

STARTING PITCHING – Aaron Cook (14-6, 3.53 ERA) is having a career year.  Ubaldo Jimenez is heating up — he is 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA in July.  The team should get Jeff Francis (3-7, 5.67 ERA) back from the DL soon but is struggling.  Beyond Cook, Jimenez and Francis, the Rockies’ starters are 13-20 with a 6.68 ERA.  It is no surprise they have inquired about a number of starters around the league.

RELIEF PITCHING – What happens with Fuentes before the Deadline answers the question of whether the Rockies think they are in contention.  If the Rockies trade Fuentes that basically symbolizes the wave of the white flag by Colorado.  If Colorado is really serious about a run, they might take a run at a left-handed reliever. 

NON-PITCHING – At one point, it looked like Matt Holliday might get traded but the Rockies will not fall out of the race and nothing matched up.  Other players rumored about possibly being moved are Willy Taveras and Yorvit Torrealba.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – The Rockies are 11 games under .500.  They were never 11 games under .500 last year.  It is hard to imagine that both the Diamondbacks and Dodgers won’t upgrade tomorrow and that both teams will continue to struggle.  Currently, the Rockies are 11 ½ games out of the Wild Card.  It is time to sell.  Fuentes is at peak value and for some reason, at least half of the teams in the playoff chase need a left-handed reliever.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

The Giants were never over .500 this year.  Anyone surprised?  Ray Durham was already sent packing.  Any player on the roster over 26 might be on the move tomorrow.  One interesting turn of events on Wednesday was a report that GM Brian Sabean might make a move to buy a player for 2009.

STARTING PITCHING – The only starter on the roster they would be willing to trade is probably Barry Zito.  If the Giants were able to trade Zito, I will walk from Philadelphia to San Francisco to shake the hand of their GM myself (or, at the very least, go back and edit that sentence out of this article when no one is looking). 

RELIEF PITCHING – Guess what the Giants have?  If you said a left-handed reliever on everyone’s radar, you win!  Jack Taschner is his name and retiring left-handed batters is his game — lefty opponents hit just .179 against Taschner.

NON-PITCHING – Bengie Molina, Randy Winn, Rich Aurilia and Dave Roberts have all made the rounds in the rumor mill.  One interesting twist is the possibility of the Giants attempting to acquire a player like Adrian Beltre.  They were somewhat interested in Hank Blalock of the Rangers before he went on the DL.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – Until I saw a rumor about the Giants wanting to upgrade, I never considered it.  However, after thinking it through, a three-way deal with a contender and Seattle to get Beltre to the Giants would be interesting.  This is still a “seller” move because the Giants are looking at 2009 but with Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain making up 60% of their rotation in ‘09, this team can get good with one more starter and a little offensive firepower. 

SAN DIEGO PADRES

The Padres lost their 67^th game on Wednesday.  San Diego didn’t lose their 67^th game until September 13^th in 2007.  What a difference a year makes.  Maddux and Brian Giles are both possible free agents at the end of the season but Maddux likes his proximity to his Las Vegas home.  Josh Bard also has sprinkled the rumor notes.

STARTING PITCHING – The Padres already parted ways with Randy Wolf to save about $1.5 million this year.  Now, the question is will Maddux stay or will he go? 

RELIEF PITCHING – Trevor Hoffman is also a free agent but GM Kevin Towers wants him to finish his career in San Diego.  Maybe Heath Bell will get something in return.  He is only a right-handed reliever though.

NON-PITCHING – The club has a $9 million option on Giles next year and would have to pay a $3 million buyout if they choose to part ways with the outfielder.  According to Towers, teams have inquired about third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. 

WHAT MAKES SENSE – Renting out Maddux for two months is a definite maybe.  It makes a lot of sense because if Maddux decides to return to play in 2009, San Diego’s close proximity to his Las Vegas home makes a return to the Padres a possibility.  Giles will be 38 in 2009 but might be worth retaining even at his $9 million price tag for next season.  After Towers looks at his 2009 vision, whichever players do not fit that vision should be shopped tomorrow.