Rumors for March, 2011
Twins retain LHP Scott Diamond after trade with Braves
Posted by: | Comments
The Minnesota Twins have kept Rule 5 pick Scott Diamond by working out a trade with the Atlanta Braves, the team announces. The Twins have sent right-handed pitcher Billy Bullock to the Braves in order to keep Diamond on their team.
Players chosen in the Rule 5 draft must be kept on the selecting team’s 25-man roster for the entire season or he has to be offered back to the original team. In this case, the Twins wanted to keep Diamond in their organization, but likely did not want to keep him on the 25-man roster all season. In lieu of sending him back to the Braves, they traded Bullock.
The 24-year-old Diamond has spent three seasons in the Braves Minor League system. The left-hander has a career 28-20 record with a 3.28 ERA in 74 starts and 2 relief appearances.
Bullock was a second-round draft pick of the Twins from the 2009 MLB draft. he has a 6-8 career record with a 3.18 ERA in 91 relief appearances.
Seattle Mariners release INF Josh Wilson
Posted by: | Comments
According to Greg Johns of MLB.com, the Seattle Mariners have released infielder Josh Wilson.
Wilson was cut two days after his 30th birthday (happy birthday!). He played a career high 108 games for the Mariners in 2010 and hit .227/.278/.294 with two home runs and 25 RBIs.
The infielder was promoted in May 2010 right after the team released right-handed pitcher Ricky Orta and outfielder Eric Byrnes.
Pittsburgh Pirates trying to trade Andy Marte
Posted by: | Comments
According to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer, the Pittsburgh Pirates have re-assigned third baseman Andy Marte to their Minor League camp. However, they are trying to trade the veteran infielder.
Marte had been competing for one of limited bench spots on manager Client Hurdle’s roster. Among those fighting for a job were Garrett Atkins, Josh Fields and Steve Pearce.
The 27-year-old Marte has spent most of his career with the Cleveland Indians. He is a lifetime .218/.277/.358 hitter in six big league seasons.
Brewers INF Luis Cruz becomes free agent
Posted by: | Comments
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Luis Cruz has refused his outright assignment to the Minor Leagues and has become a free agent, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel. Haudricourt hears that he’s going to sign with the Texas Rangers.
The final infield spot for the Brewers came down to Cruz and Erick Almonte.
Cruz, hit .235/.235/.588 with 1 RBI in 17 AB’s with the Brewers in 2010. He made his Major League debut in 2008 with the Pirates.
Cleveland Indians release RHP Doug Mathis
Posted by: | Comments
The Cleveland Indians have released right-handed pitcher Doug Mathis, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.
Mathis agreed to a Minor League deal with an invitation to the team’s big league Spring Training camp, back in January. The right-hander has a career record of 3-3 record with a 4.84 ERA in 87 1/3 innings throughout 45 games, 6 starts in three Major League seasons with the Rangers.
Cleveland Indians will try to trade Jayson Nix
Posted by: | Comments
Infielder Jayson Nix, has not made the Indians roster and according to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer, the team will try to trade him before designate him for assignment.
Teams are finalizing their 25-man rosters in preparation this week, so GM’s are trying to salvage the spare parts that they have. Since they cannot send some players directly to the Minor Leagues, clubs will try to get creative with their players before cutting the ties.
Nix is a lifetime .215/.288/.380 hitter with 26 HR’s and 68 RBI’s in 642 AB’s with the Rockies, White Sox and Indians throughout three Major League seasons.
Rays return Cesar Cabral to the Red Sox
Posted by: | Comments
According to Boston Globe’s Pete Abrahams, the Tampa Bay Rays have returned left handed pitcher Cesar Cabral (Rule-5 pick) to the Boston Red Sox.
Cabral has a career record of 13-19 with a 3.73 ERA and 263 SO in 292 innings throughout 96 games, 42 starts, in five Minor League seasons with the Red Sox organization.
Red Sox option Okajima and Aceves to Triple-A
Posted by: | Comments
The Boston Red Sox recently added left handed pitcher Dennys Reyes to their Major League roster, and according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com, right handed pitcher Matt Albers has also made the team.
The team considered trading a pitcher or two before Opening Day, but they decided to option relievers Hideki Okajima and Alfredo Aceves to Triple-A because of the depth created adds Speier.
Both Albers and Reyes can not be sent to the Minors without sending them through waivers because they do not have any options left.
Albers, 27, was 5-3 with a 4.52 ERA in 62 relief appearances for the Orioles in 2010. Reyes, 33, was 3-1 with a 3.55 ERA in 59 relief appearances for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2010.
Baltimore Orioles release OF Randy Winn
Posted by: | Comments
The Baltimore Orioles have released outfielder Randy Winn according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. With that move, Winn’s career may come to an end.
The outfielder remains the active leader in games played without a post-season appearance at 1717 games over 13 Major League seasons. He started the 2010 season with the New York Yankees, but he was designated for assignment in May. The Yankees went on to make the playoffs while Winn’s former team, the San Francisco Giants went on to win the World Series.
Winn hit .239/.307/.356 with 4 HR’s and 25 RBI’s with the Cardinals and Yankees combined in 2010. He has been with the Orioles since signing a Minor League deal with them in February.
The team also announced another roster moves (via Connolly). Clay Rapada, Mark Hendrickson, David Riske, Ryan Drese, Pat Egan and Nick Green were assigned to Minor League camp.
Royals acquire catcher Matt Treanor from the Rangers
Posted by: | Comments
The Kansas City Royals have acquired catcher Matt Treanor from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
The Rangers signed Treanor for $850,000 back in December. Treanor, 34, hit .211/.387/.308 in 82 games with the Texas Rangers in 2010.
