Rumors for August, 2010
Atlanta Braves interested in Rockies Clint Barmes
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According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Atlanta Braves are considering Clint Barmes of the Colorado Rockies as a potential replacement for injured third baseman Chipper Jones. Rosenthal says that Barmes could play second base for the Braves and the team could move Martin Prado to third base. Barmes has yet to be placed on waivers by the Rockies.
Another player that could be moved from the Colorado Rockies is outfielder/first baseman Brad Hawpe. A Major League source close to Rosenthal says the Rockies have placed Hawpe on trade waivers. He went on waivers on Monday, so teams will have 48 hours to make a claim on him. He is owned nearly $2 million for the rest of the season. There is a 2011 club option on Hawpe for $10 million or a $500,000 buyout.
New York Mets plan to pick up Jose Reyes’ club option this winter
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According to a person familiar with the New York Mets’ thinking, told the New York Post (via Mark Hale) that the team plans to pick up Jose Reyes‘ club option this winter.
He has an $11 million club option for 2011, and the team wants to explore another long-term deal.
Reyes is more concentrated on now versus next year. “Right now I don’t think about that,” he said.
Los Angeles Dodgers Trade Rumors: Ramirez, Padilla, Lilly and Podsednik
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Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Los Angeles Dodgers look like they’re done for the year, but don’t expect GM Ned Colletti to start dumping contracts before the August 31st deadline.
Rosenthal says that right-handed pitcher Vicente Padilla would be attractive to a contender in a waiver as would Ted Lilly or Scott Podsednik. However, the financial benefits of such deals would not be terribly significant nor would the prospect return.
Manny Ramirez, currently recovering from a calf strain, would be a different story. The Dodgers would likely let him go if a team claims him via waivers. The claiming club would be responsible for the pro-rated portion of the $20 million salary he is owed. Rosenthal says it would be wise for Ramirez to find his way to an American League club that would allow him to DH and build his value for free agency this off-season. Ramirez cannot be placed on waivers until the team activates him from the disable list.
Luke Scott claimed on trade waivers – pulled back by Orioles
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A source close to FOXSports.com (via Jon Paul Morosi) says Baltimore Orioles slugger Luke Scott was claimed on trade waivers earlier this month and pulled back.
He would have been a hot name in trade conversations had he cleared waivers. Since the July 31st trade deadline, Scott has been hitting .365 with five home runs and 11 RBIs. Among those that may be interested could have been the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox.
Scott, isn’t a free agent until the 2012 season. He is earning $4.05 million this year.
VIDEO: Jose Canseco signs with Loredo Broncos
Posted by: | CommentsFormer Major League player, Jose Canseco, has signed a deal a deal with the Loredo Broncos of the independent United League Baseball to be the team’s bench coach and designated hitter. Check out the newscast from Patrick Nelson of Pro 8 News:
This isn’t the first time Canseco tried independent ball. According to the Wikipedia, Canseco signed a deal in June 2006 with the Golden Baseball League to play with the San Diego Surf Dawgs. He was traded less than a week later to the Long Beach Armada due to “family obligations’.
Last week, it was reported that Canseco was evicted and was living in somebody’s garage. His Twitter account said, “I have lost everything. Makes you wanna cry but there’s no crying in baseball.and my dad said men don’t cry but he was wrong”
VIDEO: Orlando Cabrera – the $2.02 million batboy
Posted by: | Comments35-year-old Orlando Cabrera of the Cincinnati Reds may be looking at possible careers when he retires, or he may be bored from sitting on the disabled list due to an oblique strain. On Sunday, Cabrera donned a “BB” jersey and was the team’s batboy during the day. Check out the video:
Los Angeles Angels sign 1st round pick Kaleb Cowart
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According to a tweet by Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the Los Angeles Angels have signed 3B/RHP Kaleb Cowart. Cowart, from Cook High School in Georgia was the 18th overall selection in the 2010 June Amateur Draft.
Cowart, 18, as a hitter has power potential. According to MLB.com, as a pitcher he has an outstanding fastball with plus movement and decent fastball command. He has good athleticism and a chance to throw three pitches.
St. Louis Cardinals still have interest in Brandon Inge
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According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals GM John Mozeliak has tried to lower expectations for a trade, but the club has retained interest in Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge.
Inge was placed on waivers earlier this month, but was pulled back when another team claimed him. The Tigers have the option to place Inge on waivers again, but they will not have the option to revoke him. (The waiver process doesn’t make sense? No worries. We have a write-up that explains how players can be traded in August. Check it out here.)
The Cards are in need of a third baseman due to the recent injury to David Freese and the poor performance of Felipe Lopez as of late.
Inge, 33, is hitting .255/.330/.400 in 97 games for the Tigers this season. He is making $6.6 million in the final-year of his four-year contract.
Ichiro lobbying Mariners to hire Bobby Valentine?
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According to a Mariners person close to Peter Gammons of MLB.com, Ichiro Suzuki has talked to the team’s ownership about hiring Bobby Valentine.
Last week, it was said by friends of Valentine (via Larry Stone of the Seattle Times), the former big league manager and now ESPN analyst would be interested in the vacant Seattle Mariners’ managerial job. Valentine did not comment on the situation.
Valentine managed the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, so he could be a cultural fit for the Japanese-owned (Nintendo of America) Mariners.
The Mariners are currently being managed by interim skipper Daren Brown. “At the end of the year, we will open this job up and seek the best candidate possible,” GM Jack Zduriencik said. “In baseball and any sport or walk of life, there’s always an evaluation process going on. Daren will be evaluated as we move forward.”
Would the Nationals be better off with Carlos Pena than Adam Dunn?
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Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post wonders if the Nationls should re-sign free-agent-to-be Adam Dunn. Supposedly the rumors going around in Boswell’s circle says that agent Scott Boras thinks that the Nats would be better off with Carlos Pena of the Tampa Bay rays over Dunn.
The problem with Pena is that he is two years older than Dunn, and he is only hitting .212/.332/.441 compared to Dunn who is hitting .271/.359/.571.
Boswell says that if Dunn isn’t re-signed, Pena would be perhaps the most logical replacement.
As recently as last week, the Nationals have been in negotiations with Dunn, and the team wants to keep him. Not only is he solid at the plate, but his intangibles of clubhouse presence and charity work are reasons the Nats are willing to commit money to him.
