Rumors for June, 2010
Houston Astros Rumors: Team not looking for a shortstop
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The Houston Astros starting shortstop, Tommy Manzella, is out for about five more weeks due to a fractured left index finger. In the meantime, the Astros are using rookie Oswaldo Navarro and veteran infielder Geoff Blum. The team has no interest in seeking an external shortstop, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
“Right now we’re not actively looking for a shortstop,” GM Ed Wade said. “That said, if something came along we thought would make sense, we’d pursue it.”
Manzella injured his finger when he dove after a Bengie Molina one-hopper in a game last week against the San Francisco Giants.
Trouble in Dodgerland with Matt Kemp?
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Is it possible that Matt Kemp who many expected to only get better has digressed in his development because he is being distracted? Maybe it’s Rihanna or maybe it’s the “Other” stuff that goes along with dating a mega star like her. Whatever the case is, Kemp is in the midst of an awful slump, batting .161 with one home run over his past 17 games. On the season, he is hitting .258 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs. Not completely horrible numbers, but for someone that hit .297-26-101 and winning a silver slugger award last year, these are not the numbers that are expected. Or maybe its just some tough luck that has fallen on him.
Lets not forget Kemp was recently rumored to possibly being involved in trade talks for Cliff Lee over the weekend.
Whatever the case is, Torre has put Kemp on the bench for two straight games. The second game of his benching, (tonight) he holds a career .457 avg against Barry Zito which adds more fuel to the fire as to why is he on the bench.
Kemp wasn’t aware of manager Joe Torre’s decision until he saw the lineup card on Monday afternoon.
“I didn’t know nothing about it,” he said. “I just come, look at the lineup and see if I’m in it. If I’m not in it, I go about my business in the cage and don’t change anything.”
Torre said he didn’t speak with Kemp about this specific change, but added, “Matt and I have talked a lot.”
Torre didn’t rule out the possibility of keeping Reed Johnson in the lineup beyond Monday. “I’m going to take it a day at a time,” he said. “I’m trying to get on a little bit of a run.”
Maybe Kemp just needs a few days to rest to get his all-star caliber game back on track. Or maybe he is in need of a change of scenery.
Information from Jon Paul Morsi of FOXSports.com was used in this article.
Joe Torre to determine his future by the end of the season
Posted by: | CommentsJoe Torre hasn’t determined whether he’d like to manage the Dodgers again next year, but he did say before Sunday’s game that he doesn’t intend to keep the ball club hanging. He said he’ll make a decision on his future before the end of the season.
“Just so I don’t hamstring this organization,” said Torre, who is coming to the end of the three-year, $13 million contract he signed when he left the Yankees after the 2007 season. “I’m going to wait [to decide] until later in the season. I have to. It’s not fair to them if I don’t do that.” Asked if that decision might be made sometime in September, Torre said: “I would hope so.”
Torre, who will be 70 on July 18, has said that his health is the primary factor regarding whether he will return for another season to manage. He’s a prostate cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with the disease during Spring Training 1999. He had surgery and treatment back then, but hasn’t suffered a recurrence.
Still, cancer is always a lingering shadow.
“I hope I feel good enough next year to want to do it again,” he said.
Another thing that doesn’t help Torre in his decision to keep coaching, is having to many more defeats like the one the Dodgers were dealt in the closing game of the Yankee series.
Information from MLB.com was used in this article.
LHP Fabio Castro desiganted for assignment by Boston Red Sox
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to a Boston Red Sox press release, the team has designated left-handed pitcher Fabio Castro for assignment to make room for infielder/outfielder Eric Patterson. Patterson was acquired from the Oakland Athletics on Saturday in exchange for Minor League left-handed pitcher Fabian Williamson.
Castro was recalled by the Red Sox on Friday for his second stint with the Red Sox this season, but did not appear in a game this season.
Boof Bonser clears waivers – chooses to become free agent
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Boston Red Sox press release, right-handed pitcher Boof Bonser cleared outright waivers and has chosen to become a free agent.
Bonser was designated for assignment by the Red Sox earlier this month. The 28-year-old made two appearances for the Red Sox, allowing four earned runs in two innings of work.
Cleveland Indians Rumors: Austin Kearns, Kerry Wood, Michael Brantley
Posted by: | CommentsThe Cleveland Indians are starting their annual sell off and Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com names a few players to keep an eye on.
Austin Kearns, OF: The Indians are looking into the possibility of trading Kearns. However, the right-handed hitter isn’t doing too well at the plate. He’s hitting .163 (8-for-49) with 2 RBIs in his last 13 games. He’s young (30) and he’ll be a free agent at the end of season.
Kerry Wood: Wood is another player that could be traded, but he has not attracted any interest thus far.
Michael Brantley, OF: No, he’s not being traded, but the center field prospect is getting close to being recalled to the big league club. He’s playing solid defense and using his speed. In the last six games, he’s hitting .464 (13-for-28), one home run and eight RBIs. June has been very good to Brantley with a .352 batting average so far.
Seattle Mariners are open to making trade for Cliff Lee
Posted by: | CommentsIt looks like the Cliff Lee market is now open for business. According to John Hickey of AOL FanHouse, the Seattle Mariners are “open to making a trade — if they get a deal they like” for Lee.
Hickey says the Mariners will be interested in young and extremely talented players from any time who decides to call Mariner’s GM Jack Zduriencik’s number. The player doesn’t necessarily have to make an impact now, but Hickey says a Major League ready player by 2012 should suffice. 2012 will be the year when most of the Mariner’s young talent should be fully developed.
The Mariners aren’t in a bind to move Lee. Lee is relatively affordable at $8 million, so he won’t break the bank.
Earlier today, Ed Price and Jeff Fletcher of AOL FanHouse mentioned the St. Louis Cardinals were interested in Lee, even suggesting 2009 first-round pick, right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller, as a possible trade chip.
Florida Marlins Manager Rumors: Interested in Bo Porter
Posted by: | CommentsJon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the Florida Marlins have turned their managerial search attention to Bo Porter, current third base coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Porter, 37, was in Miami on Friday to interview with the management team. He was the Marlins’ third base coach and outfield instructor from 2007-2009.
It was believed that Bobby Valentine was all but officially selected as the next manager of the Marlins, but the situation “blew up” over the weekend.
FOXSports says there may be an internal conflict with owner Jeffrey Loria and club president David Samon over Valentine.
Shane Lindsay clears waivers – outrighted to Double-A
Posted by: | Comments6/24 15:31: According to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, the Cleveland Indians have designated right-handed pitcher Shane Lindsay for assignment. The move was to make room on the 40-man roster for newly signed Jayson Nix.
Lindsay, 25, was a combined 0-1 with a 5.50 ERA in 18 appearances for Double-A Akron and Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2010.
6/28 13:52: According to Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer, Lindsay cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A Akron.
