Rumors for July, 2010
Cleveland Indians infielder Wes Hodges designated for assignment
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Cleveland Indians Twitter account, the team has designated infielder Wes Hodges for assignment.
Hodges, 25, has not played in the Major Leagues. He was originally drafted by the Indians in the 2nd round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft.
Boston Red Sox have Oakland Athletics RHP Michael Wuertz on their wish list
Posted by: | Comments7/27 10:46: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “#A’s, barring knockout offer, will not trade RHR Michael Wuertz. 2 more yrs of control after this one. Team trying to build continuity.”
7/27 10:38: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox have Oakland A’s right-handed pitcher Michael Wuertz on their wish list.
The Red Sox are in search of relief pitching. Their latest target is Toronto Blue Jays’ left-handed pitcher Scott Downs, but they are in a “nose-to-nose” competition with the New York Yankees on the left-hander.
A’s GM Billy Beane has said the team is under no pressure to dump payroll, but if the right prospect is put on the table, you can expect Beane to pull the trigger.
Minnesota Twins have interest in Washington Nationals closer Matt Capps
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A source close to ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian said the Minnesota Twins have interest in Washington Nationals closer Matt Capps. However, ESPN Insider adds that the chances are, Capps will not be going anywhere since the Nationals do not have a suitable replacement. The Nationals asking price from the Twins is likely rookie catcher Wilson Ramos, and the Twins will unlikely want to do that.
Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says Capps is expendable with Drew Storen taking over the closer duties in the bullpen.
Capps is making $3.5 million this season, and he’ll likely get a raise in arbitration after the season, so the Nats may be better off trading him now. Storen can close for a fraction of what the would pay Capps next season.
However, the way the team finishes the season could be important enough for GM Mike Rizzo to keep Capps. If Rizzo wants to establish some success and momentum for next year, he may want to hang onto Capps.
Colorado Rockies preparing for the possibility of becoming Trade Deadline sellers
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The Colorado Rockies are currently in fourth place in the National League West, eight games back and in fifth place in the wild-card standings, five games back, and according to a source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the team is preparing for the possibility of becoming a seller.
Until that becomes official, the Rockies are very interested in trading for Florida Marlins infielder Jorge Cantu. They could trade players such as outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, infielder Melvin Mora and outfielder/first baseman Brad Hawpe no matter which route they pursue.
If the Rockies continue to falter, they could also trade right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt, left-handed reliever Joe Beimel and possibly a starting pitcher – either right-hander Aaron Cook, who is under contract for $9.25 million next season, or left- hander Jorge de la Rosa, who is a potential free agent.
The Chicago White Sox could be a candidate for Hawpe if they do not land Milwaukee Brewers’ Prince Fielder or Washington Nationals’ Adam Dunn.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com says the Florida Marlins want to keep second baseman Dan Uggla not only for the short term but for the long run. The team is strongly considering signing the two-time All Start to a multi-year contract after the season.
“If it’s true, it feels good,” Uggla said of the chance to sign for several seasons. “I think everybody knows that I’d love to stay in South Florida. It’s my second home. I love the people down there. I love everything it has to offer. It would make me a very happy man.”
Uggla will be in his final year of salary arbitration after the season, and it’s been expected that he would receive a salary in the $10 million range. If the Marlins sign him to a long-term deal, they’ll buy out that year of arbitration eligibility and sign him several years into his free agency eligibility.
Uggla has been mentioned in trade rumors with teams that desperately need infield help such as the Colorado Rockies.
Carl Crawford Rumors: Rays outfielder at ease as Trade Deadline approaches
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Tampa Bay Rays All-Star left fielder, Carl Crawford, has heard his name come up in trade rumors all year mostly due to his impending free agency. Adam Berry of MLB.com says that Crawford and the rest of the Tampa Bay clubhouse has been relatively at ease as the July 31st non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches because of the team’s success.
“I don’t think that our club gets caught up in that. I haven’t really gotten that vibe from them,” manager Joe Maddon said. “We haven’t had a bunch of our names bandied about as far as trades leaving us. There’s not a whole lot of worry from us going away. We’ve played to a pretty good record at this point, so the guys have done a nice job. Of course you’re always looking to make yourself better, but we also have guys in the Minor Leagues that we like, too. I haven’t gotten a real sense of concern or a sense that we need something from the group. I think they’ve been pretty good with the whole moment right now.”
Berry says that Maddon is happy with the his current team although he would obviously be in favor of a move that gave the Rays a better chance to win.
“I don’t think we’re about to turn down help,” Crawford said. “Everybody needs help. But we have a good team here. We feel like we can do it either way, but a little extra help never hurt anybody.”
As far as the front office goes, they will aggressively seek out a deal that will benefit the club, but they won’t make a trade for the sake of making a trade. Read More→
Florida Marlins not compelled to make changes before July 31st Trade Deadline
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It’s possible the Florida Marlins could make a trade by the July 31st non-waiver Trade Deadline, but they don’t feel compelled to make one for change’s sake.
“If there is something that makes sense, we’ll do it,” president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Monday. “Will we force anything? I wouldn’t say so. Are we driven by the need to move money? That’s a no.”
“We’ve played better. We’ve come out on the winning end, and that’s a good sign,” Beinfest said. “In the first half, we were struggling in those games when we made mistakes, and we didn’t win them.
On Saturday, we heard the Marlins are taking a wait-and-see approach to the Trade Deadline. It was their previous 10-game homestand that was going to determine whether the team was going to be buyers or sellers. The team is now over .500 and they think they may be able to make a run. Read More→
White Sox frustrated with other teams high asking prices
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White Sox GM Ken Williams says the team may not make any moves prior to the trade line.”Prices are still too high as far as I’m concerned,” said general manager Ken Williams, speaking to the media for close to 20 minutes prior to Monday’s series opener with the Mariners. “You know, we have a plan and that plan resulted in this team being constructed the way it is.
“This plan also has contingencies based on somebody going down for injury and being able to bring up Minor Leaguers to fill those needs. And next year, we’ve got guys that come up and fill much bigger roles. So you have to be cognizant of making a move that is a little too shortsighted and jeopardizes your future.
However, Williams also noted that if a team lowered its asking price and the right deal presented itself, he would pull the trigger. Williams has been attempting to obtain a bat and has most notably been linked to Adam Dunn and possibly obtaining him in a three-way-deal.
One reason why Chicago might have problems with a trade this year is that teams are asking for pitching prospects in return. The White Sox don’t have any true pitching prospects to deal aside from Daniel Hudson. If the White Sox decide to trade Hudson, the move also leaves them thin in the starting rotation without a corresponding move. Read More→
Scott Podsednik Rumors: Royals bombarded with sudden interest from NL West contenders
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7/26 21:44: Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star confirms that Podsednik is drawing interest from the Giants, Padres and Dodgers.
7/26 20:43: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “Source: Royals getting bombarded with sudden interest in Podsednik from NL West contenders.” Rosenthal adds that Podsednik would be a good fit for the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Podsednik has previously said that he wants to stay with the Royals despite his name being mentioned in trade rumors.
The left-handed hitting Podsednik is hitting .309/.353/.399 with 5 home runs this season.
BTW: Podsednik is married to Lisa Podsednik, July 1998 Playboy Playmate of the Month. (SFW link to Wikipedia – you’re on your own from there)
VIDEO: Dan Haren gets struck in the right forearm in Angels debut
Posted by: | CommentsThe Angels wasted no time in getting their newly acquired pitcher, Dan Haren, on the mound. Haren was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon for left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders, Patrick Corbin, Rafael Rodriguez and Tyler Skaggs. Maybe the Angels should have waited, or at least bought the extended warranty. Haren was struck by linedrive off the bat of Boston Red Sox Kevin Youkilis. Check out the video:
After an examination by team doctor Craig Milhouse, the Angels said Haren has a contusion, or bruise, of the right forearm.
Haren pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and seven hits and striking out eight batters.
