Rumors for June, 2010
Kerry Wood Trade Rumors: Could closer end up with the Phillies?
Posted by: | CommentsCleveland Indians pitcher Kerry Wood was in Philadelphia yesterday. For a physical – no. For an interview – maybe. For Interleague play – yes. He blew the save in the bottom of the ninth when he gave up two earned runs on a walk-off home run to Jimmy Rollins. He did fair better against the Phillies on Tuesday night by pitching a scoreless ninth.
Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer says the Phillies bullpen has not been consistent this year and Wood could help as a set-up man or a backup closer to Brad Lidge. The Indians and Phillies have a cordial relationship with each other since they made a trade involving Cliff Lee last July.
Wood, 33, is 1-2 with a 6.91 ERA and 5 saves with the Indians this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers sign RHP Jesus Colome – assigns him to Triple-A
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According to the Triple-A transactions page, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed right-handed pitcher Jesus Colome and assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque.
Colome was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners on June 2. The 32-year-old right-hander was 0-1 with a 5.29 ERA with the Mariners this season.
Alex Rodriguez not looking forward to seeing ex-manager Joe Torre this weekend?
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When several Yankees talked about their warm feelings for former manager Joe Torre, Alex Rodriguez dodged the questions.
“No more of those questions,” Rodriguez said. “Any more questions about anything else. I’m not going to get into that.”
Erik Boland of Newsdays says,
“In Torre’s 2009 book “The Yankee Years” he described Rodriguez as nearly obsessive in all matters relating to Derek Jeter, along with disclosing that some teammates often referred to the third baseman as A-Fraud.”
Additionally, Torre embarrassed Rodriguez when he dropped him to eight in the lineup during the 2006 Division Series against the Detroit Tigers.
Rodriguez was pleased to talk about former coaches Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa.
“Donnie, you can’t say enough great things about Donnie,” A-Rod said. “He’s a class act and he was always really, really good to me. And Bowa obviously left a mark in me as a player. I had him in Seattle, then I had him back in New York. He’s taught me a lot about the game and I know Robby feels the same way. So I’m definitely looking forward to seeing those guys.”
The Yankees visit the Dodgers for a three-game series this weekend in Los Angeles.
Update 6/27 17:33: Rodriguez and Torre finally chatted and hugged on Sunday, according to Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com. The interaction lasted than a minute.
As Rodriguez approached Torre, Torre playfully put up his fists up and took a few steps back.
“It went fine. I knew it was going to go fine,” Torre said. “I think it was just a convenience thing before that. He came over and he was who he always is as far as I’m concerned. I was never uncomfortable with Alex.
“He’s a good kid, and to me, I think too much is always made of this stuff. I think in our hearts, we know what’s going on.”
Potential Trade Moves for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Posted by: | CommentsFOX Sports did a piece on potential moves for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here’s the skinny:
Adam Dunn, 1B: The Texas Rangers could use a more experienced first baseman than rookie Justin Smoak.
Kelly Johnson, 2B: He could be a super-utility man for a contender. The Mets could be a destination for Johnson if the price drops.
Stephen Drew, SS: He’s the kind of player that GM’s dream about. He won’t be a free agent until 2012 and will be affordable until then. The Detroit Tigers could use Drew as their everyday shortstop.
Mark Reynolds, 3B: Reynolds could play DH and both infield corners for the Chicago White Sox.
Chris Snyder, C: FOX Sports suggests that Snyder could go to St. Louis and give Yadier Molina some rest before the pennant drive.
Miguel Montero, C: The Angels need left-handed power hitting, and the Angels have enough flexibility in their current roster to get playing time for Montero behind the plate.
Chad Qualls, RHP: The Cinncinnati Reds’ biggest weakness is their bullpen and Qualls could benefit from a change in scenery.
Aaron Heilman, RHP: Heilman recently inherited the closer role which will up his value. The Angels’ bullpen could benefit from Heilman.
Edwin Jackson, RHP: The right pitching coach could make a difference for Jackson. Could Dave Duncan of the St. Louis Cardinals be Jackson’s answer.
Dan Haren, RHP: Haren could prove to be the most difficult to trade because he isn’t pitching well enough to justify his big salary and the high cost of prospects. The Texas Rangers could be a good fit for Haren if they can get over the bankruptcy/change of ownership issues before July 31.
Update – Toronto Blue Jays outright 3B Edwin Encarnacion to Triple-A Las Vegas
Posted by: | Comments6/23 20:35: The National Post says the Blue Jays third baseman Edwin Encarnacion has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas.
6/21 12:43: According to the Toronto Blue Jays official Twitter page, the team has designated third baseman, Edwin Encarnacion, for assignment.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports suggests Encarnacion could help a team that his in need of a corner infielder. He wonders if the Minnesota Twins or Los Angeles Angels have interest.
Bryce Harper contract Rumors: Nationals confident about signing number one pick
Posted by: | CommentsAdam Kilgore of the Washington Post says principal owner Mark Lerner is confident that the Nationals will sign first overall pick Bryce Harper.
“I’m confident we’ll get a deal worked out,” Lerner said. “I think the kid wants to play.”
GM Mike Rizzo and Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, have had initial “conversation”, but the negotiations are unlikely to begin until the mid-August deadline.
“It’s going to go its normal progression,” Lerner said.
Rizzo and Boras have a strong working relationship and history has dictated that. Boras was also the agent for phenom pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the 2009 number one overall pick.
Ty Wigginton Rumors: Baltimore Orioles want young shortstop in exchange for Wigginton
Posted by: | CommentsKen Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Baltimore Orioles won’t move Ty Wigginton unless they can get a young shortstop in return. Rosenthal says that no team will trade a young shortstop for Wigginton.
There have been several rumors regarding Wigginton over the past few weeks. Wigginton could fit with the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers or Colorado Rockies. The Rockies lost starting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki until August due to a broken left hand, and the team has considered trading for outside help as a stop gap until Tulowitzki returns.
Update – Florida Marlins outright Jorge Sosa to Triple-A
Posted by: | Comments6/23 15:10: Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel says the marlins have outrighted Sosa to Triple-A New Orleans.
6/20 14:16: According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the Florida Marlins have designated right-handed pitcher Jorge Sosa for assignment.
Sosa, 32, was 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 8 games for the Marlins this season.
Update – Florida Marlins release Renyel Pinto
Posted by: | Comments6/23 15:07: Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald says the Marlins have released Pinto.
6/16 20:48: According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Florida Marlins have designated left-handed pitcher Renyel Pinto. In Pinto’s place, the team has recalled right-handed pitcher Tim Wood from Triple-A New Orleans.
Pinto posted a 2.70 ERA with 16 strikeouts and nine walks in 20 games this season. He pitched the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers tonight and gave up a home run to Josh Hamilton.
6/23 15:05: Alyson Footer of MLB.com says Sullivan has elected free agency and Cash and Daigle have accepted Minor League assignments.
6/20 15:36: According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the Houston Astros have designated Kevin Cash, Casey Daigle and Cory Sullivan for assignment.
In their place, the team has recalled Jason Castro, Jason Bourgeois, and Chris Johnson from Triple-A Round Rock.
