Rumors for March, 2010
Milwaukee Brewers release RHP Mike Burns
Posted by: | CommentsTom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal says that the Brewers have released right-handed pitcher Mike Burns.
Burns was 3-5 with a 5.75 ERA in 15 games (8 starts) for the Brewers in 2009. Haudricourt adds that Burns had shoulder issues toward the end of last season. You can see Burns’ statistics here.
Lance Berkman Rumors: Will Start Year on Disabled List
Posted by: | CommentsBrian McTaggart of MLB.com is reporting that the Houston Astros will place first baseman Lance Berkman on the disabled list to start the season. The move will be retroactive to March 26th, which should only cause Berkman to miss four games. Berkman had arthroscopic knee surgery on March 13 and had said on Tuesday that there was a 70 percent chance that he would play on Opening Day but plans changed when Berkman experienced swelling after batting practice and infield drills.
“It’s cranky,” Berkman said. “It’s sore and it’s swollen, but yesterday was the most I had done on it yet so I don’t think that’s entirely unexpected it would react that way. It’s disappointing. I was hoping it wouldn’t swell back up but it did. That’s part of what I told them. We have five days before the opener and it’s still really swollen. It’s not rocket science. The thing’s got to calm down before I can play.”
Berman a career .299 hitter played in 136 games last year and has been an All-Star 5 times. Berkmans replacement will likely be Geoff Blum.
Shin-Soo Choo Contract Rumors: Indians would like five or six year deal
Posted by: | CommentsIt was reported earlier in March that the Cleveland Indians and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo were going back and forth over several multi-year contracts with agent Scott Boras. Both sides were hoping to have the deal completed before the season begins. With less than a week before Opening Day, the contract talks are at a standstill.
Choo is entering is final pre-arbitration season and both sides are hoping to secure a long-term deal. GM Mark Shapiro would like to ink the South Korean slugger to a five-year deal with a team option for a sixth. This would buy out all of his arbitration-eligible years and one or two free agent years. The traditional thinking is that players will receive a lower than average salary in the upcoming years in exchange for long-term security. If the Indians wait until after the season, Choo will be arbitration eligible and should get a large raise given that he’s the only player in the American League who hit .300 with 20 homers and 21 steals in 2009.
“It’s up to Boras and the Indians to figure that out,” Choo said Tuesday. “That’s not my job. My job is to worry about the team.”
Choo, 27, is a lifetime .296/.386/.491 in 5 seasons with the Mariners and Indians. You can see Choo’s contract history and statistics here.
Information from Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com was used in this article.
Kevin Millar Rumors: Could the SF Giants go after first baseman?
Posted by: | CommentsAndrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury believes that Travis Ishikawa will make the team out of camp, but he speculates that if the Giants want a right-handed hitting first baseman that can also play left field the team may look at the recently released Kevin Millar. San Francisco may want Millar’s experience to come off the bench and platoon with Aubrey Huff.
Millar was released by the Chicago Cubs today. As recently as mid-March, Millar was in a good position to get a bench spot. Millar had been tearing up Spring Training by hitting .385 with an on-base percentage of .600.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com said earlier that the Texas Rangers have no interest in Millar. The Rangers had been looking for a right-handed hitting first baseman.
Millar, 38, hit .223 with 7 home runs and 29 RBIs in 78 games with the Blue Jays in 2009. You can see Millar’s contract history and statistics here.
PRO Rumors: Minor League Assignments
Posted by: | Comments-Reds general manager Walt Jocketty indicated on Tuesday morning that the race for the 5th starter did not include Aroldis Chapman. Chapman developed back spasms and missed a week during spring training. “The injury set him back to the point where it’s going to be tough for him to be ready to start the season as one of our five starters,” Jocketty said.
Had Chapman not been injured, it was very possible he’d be in the race, too. In his four games, including one start, he posted a 1.04 ERA over 8 2/3 innings with four walks and 12 strikeouts. This is only a minor speed for Chapman as he will most likely be pitching for the Reds before the all-star break. Information from Mark Sheldon of MLB.com was used in this article.
- Catcher Paul Lo Duca has accepted a minor league assignment from the Rockies as he did not break camp with the big boys. Eric Young Jr. (who has options) was also sent down to Triple-A. Tony Renck of the Denver Post reported these moves.
-Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News is reporting that Buster Posey is more than likely to start the season off at Triple-A. Posey had an impressive spring. Look for him to be called about around the beginning of summer.
-Craig Kimbrel will begin the season as a closer at the Braves Triple-A club. Projected as the future closer, Kimbrel allowed only three hits in seven scoreless appearances this spring, with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.
Kimbrel won the Phil Niekro Award as the top pitcher in the farm system in 2009, when he pitched for four Braves affiliates and had 18 saves, a 2.85 ERA and 103 strikeouts with 45 walks in 49 appearances. Information from David O Brien of Atlanta Journal-Constitution was used in this article.
Oakland Athletics re-assign Jason Jennings to minors
Posted by: | CommentsThe Oakland Athletics downsized their bullpen by one Tuesday by reassigning right-handed pitcher, and former Rookie of the Year, Jason Jennings to the Minors.
Jennings, 31, posted a 10.45 ERA in his two starts for the Athletics after signing a Minor League contract Feb. 28. He allowed 18 hits in 10 1/3 innings.
PRO Rumors iPhone app version 3.0
Posted by: | CommentsApple has approved the PRO Rumors iPhone app version 3.0. It should be available by this evening through iTunes. You can always buy PRO Rumors version 3.0 in the app store today by clicking here or click on the App Store logo below:
In the meantime, here are a few pictures of the app:
Preset your favorite team. |
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Browse the rumors by team |
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Push notifications |
REAL-TIME league leaders |
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Get scores in REAL TIME |
Boxscores, linescores and more |
Mets claim RHP Manny Acosta from waivers
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the New York Mets have claimed right-handed pitcher Manny Acosta from waivers. The Braves earlier placed the pitcher on waivers.
Acosta, has a career 5-7 record with a 3.55 ERA in 103 appearances over 3 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Acosta made $412,500 with Atlanta last year. You can see Acosta’s contract history and statistics here.
