Rumors for June, 2010
Lance Berkman to the Chicago White Sox?
Posted by: | CommentsThere were rumors yesterday that the Chicago White Sox are targeting Washington Nationals’ first baseman Adam Dunn. Reports have come out since then that the rumors are likely false, but there’s a month left before the trading deadline so it’s possible the White Sox could make a move on Dunn.
If Dunn doesn’t end up going to Chicago, ESPN Insider says that Houston Astros’ Lance Berkman could serve as a “plan B” for GM Ken Williams.
Berkman has drawn interest from teams in search of a first baseman or power bat, such as the Los Angeles Angels. He has a no-trade clause, but he would be willing to waive the clause if were offered a trade to a contender.
Houston Astros Josh Banks clears waivers – accepts assignment to Triple-A
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6/30 15:39: Josh Banks has cleared waivers according to Alyson Footer of MLB.com. He has accepted his assignment to Triple-A Round Rock.
6/27 17:25: According to Alyson Footer of MLB.com, the Houston Astros have designated right-handed pitcher Josh Banks for assignment.
Banks, 27, was 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in one start with the Astros this year.
James Houser of Florida Marlins clears waivers – outrighted to Triple-A
Posted by: | Comments6/30 15:37: James House has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans. (Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun-Sentinel)
6/25 11:54: Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com says the Florida Marlins have designated left-handed pitcher James Houser for assignment. In Houser’s place, the team has selected the contract of Jose Veras from Triple-A.
Houser, 26, made his Major League debut with the Marlins this year. He pitched 1 1/3 innings in one appearance. He gave up three earned runs and has an ERA of 20.25.
Veras, 29, was with the Marlins earlier this season before he was designated for assignment. He was 1-0 in 4 appearances this season.
Update – Chicago White Sox NOT targeting Adam Dunn
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6/30 13:50: Bill Ladson of MLB.com tweets, “I was also inforned that #Nats GM Mike Rizzo never talked to #Whitesox GM Kenny Williams about Adam Dunn.”
GM Mike Rizzo (via Scott Merkin of MLB.com) says, “”For us to move him will be very painful and it will probably be very very painful for the team that wants to acquire him.”
6/29 22:37: Kelly Johnson of Comcast Sportsnet tweets:
In response 2 report the White Sox R interested in Adam Dunn & Nats are willing to deal him, a team official tells me theres “nothing to it”
6/29 11:27: According to multiple sources of Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago White Sox are targeting Washington Nationals’ first baseman Adam Dunn.
”Names have been talked about by both sides,” one source said. ”[Williams] might want to act quickly, though.”
The competition is going to be tough to acquire Dunn. The Los Angeles Angels are looking for a first baseman and have been mentioned as a possible destination for Dunn.
The problem for the White Sox is their lack of talent in the Minor Leagues. Much of their farm system was depleted in previous trades for Jake Peavy and Juan Pierre. The team however has no problem adding the payroll. If the team adds Dunn, they will only be responsible for about half of his 2010 $12 million salary.
If the White Sox cannot get Dunn, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the team may taget the Baltimore Orioles Luke Scott.
Dunn is on the last year of his two-year, $20 million contract. He has been optimistic that an extension would occur with Washington. Both parties have discussed a contract extension, but nothing formal has been submitted.
Philadelphia Phillies Rumors: Interested in Ty Wigginton?
Posted by: | CommentsA Major League scout said the Philadelphia Phillies may be willing to part with a second-tier prospect to get someone like Baltimore Orioles’ Ty Wigginton. Wigginton, 32, will be a free agent at the end of the season and can play second or third base.
Two second-tier prospects include Double-A shortstop Freddy Galvins and Triple-A Lehigh Valley outfielder John Mayberry Jr. Other trade candidates include Triple-A closer Scott Mathieson and Phillies reliever Mike Zagurski.
Another infielder that could be traded is Florida Marlins’ third baseman Jorge Cantu, but Bob Brookover of The Philadelphia Inquirer says it will take more than a second-tier player to acquire Cantu.
The Phillies are in need of infield depth due to injuries to Placido Polanco (sore elbow) and Chase Utley (sprained ligament in right thumb). Both were placed on the disabled list on Tuesday.
San Francisco Giants Rumors: Won’t rent players
Posted by: | CommentsThe San Francisco Giants desperately need to find offensive pop, but they won’t mortgage the farm if it means the player they get is only good for a couple of months.
“We are not interested in free agents,” Sabean told Jeff Fletcher of FanHouse. “We don’t want to rent players. That doesn’t make sense for us. We’ve got to find someone we can control, much like the Freddy Sanchez deal, and hope that presents itself.”
The Giants acquired Sanchez last July from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for prospect Tim Alderson. At the time Sanchez was signed through 2010. The Giants later extended the deal through 2011.
The Giants have the scouts and the money to make something happen in July as long as they are still in the race in the weak NL West. Fletcher suggests the Giants could go after outfielders like Corey Hart, David DeJesus or Josh Willingham. Prince Fielder would be a good fit, but first base is a crowded position in San Francisco.
Players such as Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen, Derrek Lee, Paul Konerko and Ty Wigginton are unlikely because they are free agent after the season.
The Giants also need to add a setup man and possibly a starting pitcher. However, they are in pretty good shape with the latter, but Sabean says, “I don’t know you ever have enough starting pitching.”
Lenny Dykstra admits to using steroids while in the Major Leagues
Posted by: | Comments“I was like a pioneer for that stuff … The juice. I was like the very first to do that. Me and [Jose] Canseco,” former Major League outfielder Lenny Dykstra says in the book “The Zeroes: My Misadventures in the Decade Wall Street Went Insane,” written by Randall Lane.
Dykstra admits in the book that he used performance enhancing drugs during this time with the Phillies.
“At first it wasn’t even illegal. Then, after a few years, I had to go to a doctor, and get a prescription,” Dykstra says in a book excerpt. “You know how I got my stuff? Just walking into a pharmacy, bro. It was as simple as that.”
Here’s another quote backing up his reasons for taking PEDs:
“You gotta understand, there were only 28 people who had my job in the whole world.” He was referring to the fact that there were only 28 Major League Baseball teams (there are now 30), and that each only had one starting centerfielder. “And thousands of people wanted those jobs, and every year, there were guys trying to take my job.
“So I needed to do anything I could to protect my job, take care of my family. Do you have any idea how much money was at stake? Do you?”
Lane eventually concluded that Dykstra stole $25 million from the Phillies since he could never live up to the four-year contract that he signed with the club before the 1995 season.
Information from Paul Hagen of Philly.com was used in this article.
St. Louis Cardinals looking for starting pitching help
Posted by: | CommentsThe St.. Louis Cardinals are in need of starting pitching, and they are keeping their ears open for potential trade candidates.
Starting pitchers Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse are on the disabled list and do not plan to return until after the All-Star Break, so given their uncertainty the Cardinals will need to acquire rotation depth.
“We’ve got two starters missing,” manager Tony La Russa said. “So even if we’ve got a guarantee that Penny’s coming back in top form, you’re still going to be looking for help. You don’t know what Lohse is going to be.”
The club is extremely reluctant to take on a contract beyond one-year, so pitchers like Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren are all but eliminated. Cliff Lee could be a good fit, and there have been rumors that the Cardinals are interested in the left-hander, but at what cost?
On Monday, Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse suggested 2009 first-round pitcher, Shelby Miller, has a possible trade chip.
If the Cardinals cannot meet the Mariners’ demands, then a second-tier pitcher such as the Cleveland Indians Jake Westbrook or the Baltimore Orioles Kevin Millwood could work.
Matthew Leach of MLB.com says that the Cardinals will be waiting and watching for for – their own players and those around league.
Oakland Athletics getting ready for Dallas Braden and Alex Rodriguez rematch?
Posted by: | CommentsThe Oakland Athletics fashion department are getting ready for the Dallas Braden and Alex Rodriguez rematch with new “Get Off My Mound” T-shirts. Check it out here:
Back in April, Rodriguez “broke baseball etiquette” by running across Braden’s pitching mound. In case you need to refresh your memory, check this video:
The Yankees return to Oakland from July 5-7, but Braden is scheduled to pitch on Saturday, July 3, so he likely will miss a rematch against A-Rod.
