Rumors for March, 2010
Heath Bell Trade Rumors: Heath Bells Thoughts on a Possible Trade
Posted by: | CommentsUSA Today is keeping the Heath Bell rumors alive with Bell’s thoughts on the possibility of becoming a member of the Minnesota Twins.
“I’m probably one of the candidates to go to Minnesota,” San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell said. “Kerry Wood and some of the other candidates have gone down, and I’m healthy. I want to stay here, but it would be kind of cool to go up to (Twins catcher) Joe Mauer since he’s on the cover of my PlayStation, and say, “Hey, can you sign my game?’”
Bell, 32, was 6-4 with a 2.71 ERA with 42 saves with the Padres in 2009. You can see Bell’s contract history and statistics here.
The article also suggests that the Twins could be looking at Toronto Blue Jays’ Jason Frasor or Scott Downs.
Nationals sign RHP Mike MacDougal to a Minor League deal
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Washington Nationals (via Twitter), the team has signed right-handed pitcher Mike MacDougal to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training.
MacDougal was released by the Florida Marlins on Tuesday morning.
MacDougal, 33, was 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA and had 20 saves for the Washington Nationals in 2009. You can see MacDougal’s contract details and statistics here.
MLB Spring Trade Rumors: According to Morosi of FOXSports
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com lists his predictions of trade candidates:
- Luke Gregerson, RHP, San Diego Padres: The reliever could go to the Phillies who are short on late inning relief.
Jason Frasor, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: The Cubs and Angels could benefit from the right-hander.
Scott Downs, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays: The pending free-agent could fit the Mets since the team is short on setup men.
Augie Ojeda, 2B/SS/3B, Arizona Diamondbacks: The Red Sox are short on infield reserves and Dustin Pedroia injured his left wrist on Tuesday night.
Omir Santos, C, New York Mets: He’s at least third on the depth chart in New York and the Dodgers are in need of an experienced catcher.
Heath Bell, RHP, San Diego Padres: San Diego is rebuilding and the Twins are gunning for a championship.
Sean Burnett, LHP, Washington Nationals: Burnett could be the best option to replace J.P. Howell.
Manny Parra, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers have a surplus of pitchers and the Diamondbacks need starting pitching depth nor do they have a left-handed starter.
Brandon McCarthy, RHP, Texas Rangers: The pitcher does not have a clear role with the Rangers. He could be a candidate for the Washington Nationals.
Mike Lowell, 3B/1B, Boston Red Sox: The Rangers could use a veteran bat, but he has a high price tag of $12 million owed to him this season.
Twins sign Ron Mahay to a Minor League contract
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Associated Press, the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a Minor League contract with left-handed pitcher Ron Mahay.
If Mahay makes the team, he will provide depth to the Twins’ bullpen.
In 14 Major League season, Mahay has a 26-11 record with a 3.86 ERA. You can see Mahay’s contract details and statistics here.
Fred Lewis Trade Rumors: Any takers for Giants outfielder?
Posted by: | Comments3/24 13:12: Henry Shculman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets tha the Giants are not trying to “dump” Fred Lewis. Rather they are hoping to deal him for “an experienced” backup middle infielder who can play shortstop and second base.
3/23 15:39: Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle adds that the San Francisco Giants are shopping outfielder Fred Lewis, but there have been “no nibbles.”
Schulman earlier said that the Giants have been trying to trade infielder Kevin Frandsen.
Lewis does not have any Minor League options left and he has a full outfield of competition with Mark DeRosa, Aaron Rowand and Nate Schierholtz. Last month, manager Bruce Bochy had full intentions to use Lewis throughout the season. “Freddy is part of this club,” Bochey says, “I’ll do all I can to get him all the playing time he needs.”
Lewis, 29, hit .258 with 4 home runs and 20 RBIS in 122 games with the Giants in 2009. You can see Lewis’ contract history and statistics here.
Brewers trade INF Edgar Trejo to Mariners
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel, the Milwaukee Brewers have traded Minor League infielder Edgar Trejo to the Seattle Mariners for a player to named later or cash considerations.
| Team | Acquires |
| Brewers | Player to be named later or cash |
| Mariners | INF Edgar Trejo |
According to Baseball America, Trejo, 20, hit .255 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs with the Helena Rookie League in 45 games.
Chris Snyder Trade Rumors: Diamondbacks are shopping catcher
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Daily Republic, the Arizona Diamondbacks are shopping catcher Chris Snyder. The Diamondbacks are set with Miguel Montero as their starting catcher.
Snyder had back surgery last year, but is looking healthy now. According to Piecoro, Snyder is owed $4.75 million this year, $5.75 million in 2011 and has a $6.75 million option for 2012 with a $750,000 buyout.
Snyder was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Blue Jays in early November, but it was called off due to concerns over his back. Milwaukee could be an option for Snyder.
The 29-year-old catcher is a career .233/.333/.398 hitter over 6 seasons with the Diamondbacks. You can see Snyder’s contract details and statistics here.
Oakland Athletics Trade INF Gregorio Petit for Rangers RHP Edwar Ramirez
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle the Oakland Athletics have traded INF Gregorio Petit for Rangers’ RHP Edwar Ramirez.
| Team | Acquires |
| Athletics | RHP Edwar Ramirez |
| Rangers | INF Gregorio Petit |
Ramirez, 29 next week, has a career 6-2 record with a 5.22 ERA in 96 relief appearances over three years with the New York Yankees. You can see Ramirez’s contract details and statistics here. Ramirez was acquired by the Rangers from the Yankees in exchange for cash in early March.
Petit, over 25 career games in 2 seasons with the Athletics, has hit .278/.304/.333. You can see Petit’s contract details and statistics here.
Here are your Wednesday morning coffee and donuts PRO Rumors:
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner thinks Kevin Frandsen of the San Francisco Giants would be a good fit for the Seattle Mariners while Jack Hannahan is on the shelf. Cameron says Frandsen’s “a middle infielder who has played everywhere, including the outfield, and can handle himself defensively all around the diamond.” He’s also says that he’s a “high contract hitter who has flashed some potential in the minors.”
- Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury says that Frandsen has another Minor League option left, but he may benefit from a change of scenery rather than sit the bench at Triple-A.
- Aaron Gleeman reminds us that Joe Nathan’s recovery from Tommy John Surgery could take longer than the oft-quoted 8-12 month. He brings up Francisco Liriano and Pat Neshek, two pitchers who had Tommy John surgery in the past, who have not returned to their past selves.
- Ike Davis of the Mets is headed back to the Minor League camp despite hitting hitting .480 with three homers and 10 RBIs this spring.
- According to Amalie Benjamin of The Boston Globe, Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox, left last night’s game after suffering a mild left wrist spring. He will be X-rayed in the morning, but manager Terry Francona does not believe there’s a problem.
PRO Rumors: Giants Madison Bumgarner optioned to Triple-A
Posted by: | Comments-Madison Bumgarner’s amazing jump through the Giants’ system slowed to a more conventional pace Tuesday as he was optioned to Triple-A Fresno reported Chris Haft of MLB.com. Bumgarner complied a 27-5 record with a 1.65 ERA in 49 Minor League appearances since 2008, all Double-A ball and lower. Bumgarner lacked control and velocity while posting a 6.43 ERA (five runs in seven innings) in three Cactus League outings. He also suffered the sudden death of his half sister in February which potentially could have had a huge impact on the 20 year old and his performance this spring. Bumgarner was drafted in the 10th slot in 2007, which was the same spot just one year later that the Giants drafted Tim Lincecum.
The 5th starting spot for the Giants is now down to Todd Wellemeyer 1.20 ERA and Kevin Pucetas 0.64 ERA with Wellemeyer probably getting the node due to his 6 years of experience (Pucetas is a rookie).
