Hanley Ramirez was once among the very best players in the game. He hit for average, power, swiped 30-plus bases and improved his defense at shortstop enough to be passable. He signed a six-year deal with the Marlins back in 2008, but that contract is set to expire after next season. Considering his recent run of injuries -- he missed 70 games in 2011 and has played in just 13 thus far in 2013 -- his long-term future is very much up in the air.
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After a five-game losing streak last week served as the potential start of the Philadelphia Phillies' final stretch to get back into contention, the club has won four of six and is now tied for second place in the National League East, and sit 7 1/2 games out in the Wild Card race. As of today, the Phillies have to be considered buyers, as GM Ruben Amaro told CSNPhilly.com last month.
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The Chicago White Sox are now 9 1/2 games back in the American League Central. If the club can't climb the standings some in the next five weeks, GM Rick Hahn may look to flip some veterans for young talent. If such a scenario transpires, wrote Dan Hayes earlier this month, Chris Sale may be the lone untouchable.
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Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza was lit up last week versus the Cincinnati Reds, yielding nine earned runs in five innings thanks to three long balls. He rebounded this past weekend, tossing seven scoreless frames at the New York Mets and adding some momentum to the right-hander's chances to be moved to a contender this summer.
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In recent days, Anthony Rendon, Zack Wheeler, Wil Myers, Mike Zunino and Gerrit Cole have each been called up to the big leagues. The next wave of candidates for similar treatment are seasoning in the minors right now and may include the following premium talents. The first two were suggested and discussed by ESPN Insider's Keith Law:
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Among a few other clubs, the New York Yankees could be in the market for help at first base and/or third base. With Mark Teixeria back on the disabled list with more wrist problems, Kevin Youkilis out 10-12 weeks and Alex Rodriguez's return still up in the air, GM Brian Cashman could check the league for an everyday option at one of the two positions, and if it's one over the other, third base may be the bigger need with Lyle Overbay on the roster to man first base.
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The National League Rookie of the Year race is shaping up rather well, what with Shelby Miller, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Julio Teheran and Jose Fernandez, among others, on the pitching side, and Yasiel Puig, Jedd Gyorko, Evan Gattis, Nolan Arenado and Didi Gregorius on the hitting side. The American League ROY, on the other hand? Not such a pretty picture.
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In December, 2006, the San Francisco Giants signed left-hander Barry Zito to a 7-year, $126 million contract, the largest of all-time for a pitcher at the time. Nearly seven years later Zito could hit the open market again after the 2013 season, barring an unforeseen piling up of innings over the final three-plus months that would automatically trigger an option for 2014.
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Right-hander Josh Johnson's injury history doesn't help his free agent value, a scenario that will present itself after this season, nor does the trips to the disabled list assist the Toronto Blue Jays in retrieving as much in return as possible should they deal him before the July 31 trade deadline. Johnson, however, is doing his part since returning from the DL two weeks ago.
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No, Mike Moustakas isn't headed for the College World Series, but he could be headed for Omaha, where the Kansas City Royals' Triple-A affiliate develops players. The third baseman is just 8-for-44 in June and hasn't logged an extra-base hit in more than three weeks. It may be time to send down the former first-round pick .
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Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the offices of the Miami Marlins as the trade deadline approaches this summer. The club that traded away all but one of their bigger-money players over the offseason -- right-hander Ricky Nolasco remains, but may be the most likely Marlins player to be moved between now and July 31 -- could consider trading their most valuable commodity.
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The Texas Rangers' solution to the conundrum concerning top prospect Jurickson Profar and veterans Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus is to use the youngster in left field, reports Anthony Andro.
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The New York Yankees' future outfield, in the short term, is unclear. Curtis Granderson, now on the disabled list, is a free agent at season's end, and Ichiro's modest performances over the past few years, suggest he's best suited for a part-time role. Vernon Wells' strong start has subsided.
Brett Gardner seems set to hang onto the center field job, but who might flank him in 2014 isn't likely to be settled until the winter. The club has a multitude of options for the long-term future, however.
Brett Gardner seems set to hang onto the center field job, but who might flank him in 2014 isn't likely to be settled until the winter. The club has a multitude of options for the long-term future, however.
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