Baltimore Orioles Rumors

Jameson Taillon, a 6'6" RHP from The Woodlands High School in Texas, figures to be a high pick in June's draft.  Most early rankings of amateur players have him either #2 behind CSN's Bryce Harper or #3 behind Harper and LSUs Anthony Ranaudo.

Historically, espn.com's Jason Churchill points out, drafting a high school pitcher with the #1 or #2 pick is rare and often does not work out.  The only high school pitchers to be selected first overall were David Clyde by the Texas Rangers in 1973 and Brien Taylor by the New York Yankees in 1991.  Clyde did make his way to the major league club, but never amounted to much while Taylor's career never made it to the big leagues because of injuries. 

Of the seven high school pitchers taken with the #2 overall pick, only two, JR Richard and Josh Beckett, have ever made an All-Star team.

Could Jameson Taillon overtake Bryce Harper as the #1 pick?

On a more practical level, espn.com's Keith Law notes that due to drafting styles, it's unlikely that Taillon will be a Top 2 pick.  The Nationals, owner of the #1 overall pick, are headed by general manager Mike Rizzo, who typically favored college players when he was in charge of the Arizona Diamondbacks' drafts.  The Pirates have the second pick and last year passed on the top high school pitcher, Tyler Matzek, when he was available to them with the #4 pick. 

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Recently, a number of respected baseball media outlets have released their respective lists of the top number of prospects heading into the 2010 season.  These lists include Keith Law of espn.com's Top 100, Jonathan Mayo's collection of top prospects starting with Scouting the Sally's Top 30, Oriolesprospects.com Top 20, Propects Paradise's Top 30, Camden Crazies Top 25, Dave Barr's Hot Corner Top 20, Prospect Junkie's Top 20, The Cardinal Nation's Top 40, Seth Stohs from sethspeaks.net's Top 20, and Mayo's Top 50.

Obviously this all represents opinion, but to get a better idea of the overall feel of the group Baseball Rumor Mill averaged the Top 20 rankings from all of the lists to come up with an aggregate ranking of the Top 20 prospects heading into 2010. 

The rankings were tabulated only evaluating the Top 20 of each list and a point value was assigned to each rank.  #1 = 20 points, #2 = 19 points, so on down to #20 = 1 point.  If a player was not listed in the Top 20 a NR indication was given and no points were awarded.  The rankings are based on aggregate point totals, though we also did an evaluation of point totals after dropping the highest ranking and lowest ranking.  For instance, Desmond Jennings finished fifth overall in aggregate, but would be tied for 3rd with Buster Posey after dropping each player's highest and lowest ranking.

To view the raw data, click here.

Not surprisingly, Jason Heyward and Stephen Strasburg were significantly ahead of the field at the #1 and #2 spot, respectively.  There seems to be a considerable drop in consensus after either Dustin Ackley at #12 or Madison Bumgarner at #13.  Only ten players received Top 20 votes in all ten rankings.

Without further ado, the aggregate rankings

1. Jason Heyward, OF Atlanta
2. Stephen Strasburg, P Washington
3. Buster Posey, C San Francisco
4. Brian Matsuz, P Baltimore
5. Desmond Jennings, OF Tampa Bay
6. Carlos Santana, C Cleveland
7. Jesus Montero, C New York Yankees
8. Neftali Feliz, P Texas
9. Mike Stanton, OF Florida
10. Pedro Alvarez, 3B Pittsburgh
11. Justin Smoak, 1B Texas
12. Dustin Ackley, OF Seattle
13. Madison Bumgarner, P San Francisco
14. Aroldis Chapman, P Cincinnati
15. Domonic Brown, OF Philadelphia
16. Jeremy Hellickson, P Tampa Bay
17. Martin Perez, P Texas
18. Alcides Escobar, SS Brewers
19. Wade Davis, P Tampa Bay
20. Chris Carter, 1B Oakland

Less than a year after being the #1 draft pick, Strasburg rates as the #2 prospect in baseball

With Jason Bay off the market after being signed by the Mets, the last remaining big name free agent is Matt Holliday.  Let's take a look at the rumors surrounding where he's going to land.

• Buster Olney of espn.com tweets that the Cardinals latest offer to Holliday is over $100M guaranteed.  Remember, the Jason Bay contract was only $66M guaranteed, but with reasonable incentive clauses to get the deal to $80M.
• Tracy Ringolsby of Fox Sports writes that the Cardinals offer could be as high as eight years and $140M.  
• Ringolsby also writes that the Orioles made a eight-year, $130M offer, but Jeff Zrebic of the Baltimore Sun writes that Orioles president Andy MacPhail denied the report.
• Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated write that Holliday reportedly turned down an offer from the Cardinals in excess of six-years and $100M as recently as the past few weeks.  As such, Holliday is rumored to still be talking with many teams.  

Where will the prize of the 2010 free agent class, Matt Holliday, land?

The Rule 5 Draft was held today.  Here are the first round picks. Draft picks are listed by the team making the selection, player name and the team he was selected from.

As a reminder, players selected in the Rule 5 draft must remain on the 25-man roster the entire subsequent season or they are returned to the team from which they were taken.

1. New York Yankees* (from Washington): Jamie Hoffmann, Dodgers
2. Pittsburgh: John Raynor, Marlins
3. Texas^ (from Baltimore): Benjamin Snyder, Giants
4. Kansas City: Edgar Osuna, Braves
5. Cleveland: Hector Ambriz, Diamondbacks
6. Arizona: Zach Kroenke, Yankees
7. New York Mets: Carlos Monasterios, Phillies
8. Florida# (from Houston): Jorge Jiminez, Red Sox
9. San Diego: pass
10. Oakland: Bobby Cassevah, Angels
11. Toronto: Zech Zinicola, Nationals
12. Chicago White Sox: pass
13. Milwaukee: Chuck Lofgren, Indians
14. Chicago Cubs: Mike Parisi, Cardinals
15. Tampa Bay: Armando Zerpa, Red Sox
16. Seattle: Kanekoa Texeira, Yankees
17. Texas: pass
18. Florida: pass
19. San Francisco: Steve Johnson, Orioles
20. St. Louis: Ben Jukich, Reds
21. Colorado: pass
22. Philadelphia: Ken Herndon, Angels
23. Los Angeles Dodgers: pass
24. Boston: pass
25. Los Angeles Angels: pass
26. New York Yankees: pass

* Acquired from Nationals as part of Brian Bruney trade
^ Acquired from Baltimore as part of Kevin Millwood trade
# Acquired from Houston as part of Matt Lindstrom trade

The Tigers, Twins, Braves and Reds did not have picks because their 40 man roster was full.

The number 1 pick of the 2009 Rule 5 Draft, Jamie Hoffmann will now play all of 2010 on the Yankees 25-man roster

The Orioles and Rangers have a tentative agreement to send Kevin Millwood to Baltimore while Texas will receive Chris Ray according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.  Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports verified Zrebiec's report.  Despite Zrebiec's report, Jayson Stark of espn.com heard from a Rangers official that the team has not signed off on the deal as of yet. Ray, however, has not heard anything indicating a trade has been consummated. 

Millwood's $12M option for 2010 vested in September of last year and Rosenthal hears that the Rangers will kick in $3M as part of the deal.

Is Kevin Millwood Heading To Baltimore?

What exactly is a "Super 2?"  Players with three years of major league service are eligible for a salary arbitration through six years of major league service when they are granted free agency if they have not agreed to a long-term deal.  However, every year there are a number of players with less than three years, but more than two years of major league service who also quality for arbitration.  These players are known as "Super 2s".

Under the 1990 labor agreement between owners and players, the top 17 percent of players (by service time) with at least two and less than three years of service time are eligible for arbitration - along with players with at least three years but less than six. 

For the 2010 off season, the following players qualify for "Super 2" status: pitcher Tim Lincecum of the Giants, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza, Cubs pitcher Tom Gorzelanny, third baseman Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jeff Karstens, Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence, Texas Rangers pitcher Dustin Nippert, recently traded Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez and Cubs infielder Mike Fontenot. 

Fontenot tied with Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Micah Owings with 2 years and 139 days of major league service.  Fontenot won a tie breaker with Jones and Owings by virtue of service time in each immediately preceding season. 

Arizona third baseman Mark Reynolds likely lost out on a multi-million dollar raise by falling one day short of qualifying as a "Super 2" amassing 2 years and 138 days of major league service.

Tim Lincecum will expect a big raise from arbitration

Below is a list of middle relievers that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent closers

Luis Ayala, 32, Marlins - 09:$1.3M
Danys Baez, 32, Orioles - 07:$4M, 08:$4.5M, 09:$5.5M
Joe Beimel, 32, Rockies - 09:$2M (Type B)
Joaquin Benoit, 32, Rangers - 08:$2M, 09:$3.5M
Rafael Betancourt, 35, Rockies - 08:$2.05M, 09:$3.35M, 10:$5.4M club option (Type A)
Chad Bradford, 35, Rays - 07:$3M, 08:$3.5M, 09:$3.5M
Doug Brocail, 43, Astros - 09:$2.5M (Type B)
Kiko Calero, 35, Marlins - 09:$500K (Type B)
Buddy Carlyle, 32, Braves - 09:$425K
Chad Cordero, 28, Mariners - 09:$750K
Elmer Dessens, 38, Mets - 09:$600K
R.A. Dickey, 35, Twins - 09:$525K
Brendan Donnelly, 38, Marlins - 09:$950K
Octavio Dotel, 36, White Sox - 08:$5M, 09:$6M (Type A)
Alan Embree, 40, Rockies - 09:$2M
Kelvim Escobar, 33, Angels - 07:$8.5M, 08:$9M, 09:$9.5M
Scott Eyre, 38, Phillies - 09:$2M (Type B)
Eric Gagne, 34, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Geoff Geary, 33, Astros - 09:$1.7M
Dan Giese, 33, Athletics - 09:$422K
Edgar Gonzalez, 27, Padres - 09:$407K
Tom Gordon, 42, Diamondbacks - 09:$500K
John Grabow, 31, Cubs - 09:$2.3M (Type A)
Jason Grilli, 33, Rangers - 09:$800K
Eddie Guardado, 39, Rangers - 09:$1M
LaTroy Hawkins, 37, Astros - 09:$3.5M (Type A)
Mark Hendrickson, 36, Orioles - 09:$1.5M
Matt Herges, 40, Rockies - 09:minor league contract
Bobby Howry, 36, Giants - 09:$2.75M (Type B)
Jason Isringhausen, 37, Rays - 09:$750K
Masa Kobayashi, 36, Indians - 08:$3M, 09:$3M
Shane Loux, 30, Angels - 09:$405K
Brandon Lyon, 30, Tigers - 09:$4.25M (Type B)
Ron Mahay, 39, Twins - 08:$4M, 09:$4M
Gary Majewski, 30, Phillies - 09:minor league contract
Guillermo Mota, 36, Dodgers - 09:$2.35M (Type B)
Joe Nelson, 35, Rays - 09:$1.3M
Will Ohman, 31, Dodgers - 09:$1.35M (Type B)
Darren Oliver, 39, Angles - 09:$3.665M (Type A)
Chan Ho Park, 37, Phillies - 09:$2.5M (Type B)
Tony Pena Jr., 29, Royals - 09:$425K
Joel Peralta, 34, Rockies - 09:$640K
Troy Percival, 40, Rays - 08:$4M, 09:$4.445M
Scott Proctor, 33, Marlins - 09:$750K
JJ Putz, 33, Mets - 07:$2.2M, 08:$3.4M, 09:$5M
Horacio Ramirez, 30, Nationals - 09:$1.8M
Juan Rincon, 31, Rockies - 09:$750K
Glendon Rusch, 35, Rockies - 09:$750K
Takashi Saito, 40, Red Sox - 09:$4M, 10:$4M club option
Duaner Sanchez, 30, Padres - 09:$1.6875M
Scott Schoeneweis, 36, Diamondbacks - 07:$3.6M, 08:$3.6M, 09:$3.6M
Rudy Seanez, 41, Angels - 09:minor league contract
Brian Shouse, 41, Rays - 09:$1.55M (Type B)
Justin Speier, 36, Angels - 07:$3.75M, 08:$4.25M, 09:$4.75M
Russ Springer, 41, Rays - 09:$3.3M (Type B)
Ken Takahashi, 41, Mets - 09:minor league contract
Jack Taschner, 32, Phillies - 09:$835K
Julian Tavarez, 37, Nationals - 09:$500K
Ron Villone, 40, Nationals - 09:minor league contract
Luis Vizcaino, 35, Indians - 08:$3.5M, 09:$3.5M
Jamie Walker, 38, Orioles - 07:$3M, 08:$4.5M, 09:$4.5M
David Weathers, 40, Brewers - 09:$3.5M (Type B)
Jamey Wright, 35, Royals - 09:$800K
Yasuhiko Yabuta, 37, Royals - 08:$2.5M, 09:$3M
Tyler Yates, 32, Pirates - 09:$1.3M

Below is a list of starting pitchers that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Brandon Backe, 32, Astros - 09:$1.55M
Miguel Batista, 39, Mariners - 07:$5.5M, 08:$9M, 09:$9M
Erik Bedard, 31, Mariners - 09:$7.75M (Type B)
Kris Benson, 34, Rangers - 09:$750K
Daniel Cabrera, 29, Diamondbacks - 09:$2.6M
Chris Capuano, 31, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Aroldis Chapman, 22, No Team - No professional contracts
Bartolo Colon, 37, White Sox - 09:$1M
Jose Contreras, 38, Rockies - 07:$9M, 08:$10M, 09:$10M
Doug Davis, 34, Diamondbacks - 07:$5.5M, 08:$7.75M, 09:$8.75M (Type B)
Justin Duchscherer, 32, Athletics - (Type B)
Adam Eaton, 32, Rockies - 07:$6.875M, 08:$7.635M, 09:$8.5M, 10:$9M mutual option ($0.5M buyout)
Josh Fogg, 33, Rockies - 09:minor league contract
Jon Garland, 30, Dodgers - 09:$6.25M, 10:$10M mutual option ($2.5M buyout if club declines, $1M buyout if player declines) (Type B)
Tom Glavine, 44, Braves - 09:$1M
Mike Hampton, 37, Astros - 09:$2M
Rich Harden, 28, Cubs - 05:$0.5M, 06:$1M, 07:$2M 08:$4.5M, 09:$7M (Type B)
Mark Hendrickson, 36, Orioles - 09:$1.5M
Livan Hernandez, 35, Nationals - 09:minor league contract
Shawn Hill, 29, Nationals - 09:$775K
Jason Jennings, 31, Rangers - 09:$800K
Randy Johnson, 46, Giants - 09:$8M (Type B)
John Lackey, 31, Angels - 06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M (Type A)
Cliff Lee, 31, Phillies - 06:$0.75M, 07:$2.75M, 08:$3.75M, 09:$5.75M, 10:$8M club option ($1M buyout) (Type A)
Braden Looper, 35, Brewers - 09:$4.75M, 10:$6.5M option ($1M buyout) (Type B)
Rodrigo Lopez, 34, Phillies - 09:minor league contract
Jason Marquis, 31, Rockies - 07:$4.75M, 08:$6.375M, 09:$9.875M (Type B)
Brett Myers, 29, Phillies - 07:$5M, 08:$8.5M, 09:$12M
Vicente Padilla, 32, Dodgers - 07:$9M, 08:$11M, 09:$12M (Type B)
Carl Pavano, 34, Twins - 09:$1.5M (Type B)
Brad Penny, 32, Giants - 09:$5M
Odalis Perez, 33, Nationals - 09:$850K
Andy Pettitte, 38, Yankees - 09:$5.5M (Type B)
Joel Pineiro, 31, Cardinals - 08:$5M, 09:$7.5M (Type B)
Sidney Ponson, 33, Royals - 09:$600K
Mark Prior, 28, Padres - 09:minor league contract
Horacio Ramirez, 30, Nationals - 09:$1.8M
Jason Schmidt, 37, Dodgers - 07:$12.5M, 08:$12M, 09:$12M
Ben Sheets, 31, No Team - 05:$4.5M, 06:$8.5M, 07:$10M, 08:$11M
John Smoltz, 43, Cardinals - 09:$400K
Brett Tomko, 37, Athletics - 09:minor league contract
Tim Wakefield, 43, Red Sox - 09:$4M, 10:$4M club option (Type B)
Jarrod Washburn, 35, Tigers - 06:$7.45M, 07:$9.85M, 08:$9.85M, 09:$10.35M
Todd Wellemeyer, 31, Cardinals - 09:$4.05M
Kip Wells, 33, Reds - 09:$500K
Randy Wolf, 33, Dodgers - 09:$5M (Type A)

Below is a list of center fielders that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Rick Ankiel, 30, Cardinals - 09:$2.825M
Rocco Baldelli, 28, Red Sox - 09:$500K
Marlon Byrd, 32, Rangers - 09:$3.06M (Type B)
Mike Cameron, 37, Brewers - 08:$5M, 09:$10M club option ($0.75M buyout) (Type B)
Endy Chavez, 32, Mariners - 08:$1.8M, 09:$2.05M
Coco Crisp, 30, Royals - 07:$3.5M, 08:$4.75M, 09:$5.75M
Darin Erstad, 36, Astros - 09:$1.75M
Ryan Freel, 34, Orioles - 08:$3M, 09:$4M
Reed Johnson, 33, Cubs - 09:$3M
Andruw Jones, 33, Rangers - 09:$500K
Gabe Kapler, 34, Rays - Signed a one year, $1.05M contract for 2010
Mark Kotsay, 34, White Sox - 09:$1.5M
Corey Patterson, 30, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Scott Podsednik, 34, White Sox - 09:minor league contract
DeWayne Wise, 32, White Sox - 09:$550K

Rick Ankiel of the St. Louis Cardinals

Below is a list of shortstops that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent starting pitchers
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Orlando Cabrera, 35, Twins - 09:$4M (Type A)
Alex Cora, 34, Mets - 09:$2M
Bobby Crosby, 30, Athletics - 05:$0.5M, 06:$0.75M, 07:$2.5M, 08:$3.5M, 09:$5.25M
Adam Everett, 33, Tigers - 09:$1M
Chris Gomez, 39, Orioles - 09:minor league contract
Alex Gonzalez, 32, Red Sox - 07:$3.5M, 08:$4.625M, 09:$5.375M, 10:$6M club option ($0.5M buyout)
Khalil Greene, 30, Cardinals - 08:$4.5M, 09:$6.5M
Jerry Hairston Jr., 34, Yankees - 09:$2M (Type B)
John McDonald, 35, Blue Jays - 08:$1.9M, 09:$1.9M
Marco Scutaro, 34, Blue Jays - 08:$1.55M, 09:$1.1M (Type A)
Miguel Tejada, 36, Astros - 04:$3M, 05:$9M, 06:$10M, 07:$12M, 08:$13M, 09:$13M (Type A)