Rumors for June, 2010
Seattle Mariners sign RHP Joe Nelson
Posted by: | CommentsDan Hoard, voice of the Pawtucket Red Sox, says right-handed reliever Joe Nelson has signed with the Seattle Mariners and has joined their Triple-A team in Tacoma.
Nelson was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox on June 11. He contemplated retirement at the time.
Nelson, 35, has a 7-2 career record with 157 appearances and a 4.38 ERA in 152 innings pitched.
Cincinnati Reds sign Gary Matthews Jr
Posted by: | CommentsThe Cincinnati Reds official Twitter page says the team has signed Gary Matthews Jr. to a Minor League deal and sent him to Triple -A Louisville. The Reds are only responsible for the pro-rated portion of the Major League minimum if Matthews gets called up to the big league club this season.
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports first reported the possibility of the signing earlier this week. At the time both sides were talking.
Matthews was designated for assignment earlier this month and then was officially released on June 15. The outfielder was hitting .190 in 58 at-bats this season.
The Mets acquired Matthews this past winter from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brian Stokes. The Angels also provided $21.5 million in cash to offset the contract of Matthews.
Florida Marlins to sign reliever Armando Benitez and assign him to Triple-A
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald, the Florida Marlins are expected to sign reliever Armando Benitez. Benitez is expected to be in uniform tonight for Triple-A New Orleans.
Benitez, 37, last pitched with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008 where he went 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in 8 games with the Blue Jays.
Kurt Suzuki Contract Rumors: Oakland Athletics discussing multi-year deal
Posted by: | CommentsSusan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle says the Oakland A’s and the agent of catcher Kurt Suzuki, Dan Horwits, are discussing a multi-year deal. A’s GM Billy Beane says nothing is imminent, but the team is optimistic that something is done at some point.
Earlier this month, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe said the Red Sox will likely target Suzuki in the off-season.
Suzuki is eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season and could fetch a deal similar to Colorado Rockies’ catcher Chris Iannetta’s three-year, $8.35 million contract that he signed earlier this year. The A’s have opened discussions with Suzuki regarding an extension, but nothing beyond talks have taken place.
Phillies Phanatic mascot getting Phreaky with Indians Slider the mascot
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s a little break from all of the PRO Rumors. Check out this funny clip of the Phillies Phanatic getting sexual with Cleveland Indians mascot Slider. Happy Thursday!
Source: The Fightins
Logan Morrison Trade Rumors: Florida Marlins not trading their prized prospect
Posted by: | CommentsThe Florida Marlins are in serious need of a bullpen upgrade, and they have been throwing out feelers to teams. According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, whenever an inquiry is made, the other team usually wants Logan Morrison, the Marlins’ 22-year-old left-handed hitting first baseman, and the team does not want to trade him for a quick fix.
Morrison is batting .325 with 4 home runs, 27 RBIs and a .951 OPS.
The Marlins have made it clear that they want to get back into the race when they fired manager Fredi Gonzalez on Wednesday. Frisaro speculates that if the team is five or so games above .500 by the All-Star Break, and looking like they can compete, the front office may sell off a piece of their future to make some now. Until then, the team willing to mortgage their future.
Update – Kansas City Royals agree to terms with 1st round pick Christian Colon
Posted by: | Comments6/24 13:10: Peter Gammons of MLB.com tweets, “Christian Colon will be the highest draft pick signed when he passes today’s physical and makes it official in KC. Pure player.”
6/23 17:48: Royals GM Dayton Moore denied that the club has signed its first-round draft pick, Christian Colon, according to Dick Kaegel of MLB.com. Moore adds the two sides “were getting closer.”
6/23 14:47: ESPN Insider says the Kansas City Royals have agreed to terms with shortstop Christian Colon, the fourth overall pick of the 2010 MLB draft. The bonus is somewhere around $2.8 million. Colon is expected to report to High-A ball in about 10 tens.
Earlier this month, Buster Olney of ESPN said Colon could be in the big leagues as soon as 2011.
Colorado Rockies Rumors: Owner believes solutions are on current roster
Posted by: | Comments
Rockies Owner Dick Monfort believes the solutions to the team are on the current roster and all but ruled out a trade for Baltimore Orioles’ Ty Wigginton or Florida Marlins’ Dan Uggla.. Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post said yesterday that the Rockies were keeping an eye on Wigginton and Uggla especially since starting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki out until August due to a broken left hand.
“I don’t think we can add a bat. I mean, who’s going to trade you something you want? It’s especially hard to get a (big) right-handed bat. We have plenty of left-handed bats,” Monfort said Wednesday.
“I think we would be better off weathering the storm. We haven’t hit like I expected. And Tulo being out hurts. But you hope that the bats get going like they have in the past.”
It’s possible that the Rockies could have the financial resources available to add another arm, but Monfort did not commit to any specific pitching target.
Information from Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post was used in this article.
Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors: Are Pedro Martinez or Jarrod Washburn the answer?
Posted by: | Comments
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times says the Dodgers need the best pitcher they can get, and they need to get him now. Shaikin suggests that pitcher be former Dodger Pedro Martinez.
“Each day that passes by makes it more difficult for me to come back,” Martinez said about a pitching again. “I was hoping to go to the World Series and spend one more season in the big leagues.
“Not getting the right team, not getting the right offer, not getting the right position for me to go and play is making it really difficult.”
The Dodgers are stuck since they may not have the available financial resources or prospects to get a pitcher like Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee or Danny Haren. Martinez could be available on the cheap and the team will not have to sacrifice Minor Leaguers.
Jarrod Washburn is another alternative, but he may be harder to pry away from his T-ball coaching duties. When asked if he was retired, Washburn said, “I guess I am.”
Washburn said he would consider offers to return this season.
Cleveland Indians claim Jayson Nix off waivers
Posted by: | Comments
According to Chicago White Sox VP Scott Reifert (via his Twitter page), the Cleveland Indians have claimed Jayson Nix off of waivers.
Nix was designated for assignment by the White Sox on June 17. The 28-year-old was hitting .163/.263/.245 in 24 games for the White Sox this season.
