Rumors for May, 2011
Mets roster moves: Hu, Igarashi, Beato and Tejeda
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Yesterday, we learned that third baseman David Wright suffered a back injury which landed him on the DL. The New York Mets have made numerous roster moves this morning in order to accommodate a new infielder.
According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the team has outrighted Chin-Lung Hu and optioned reliever Ryota Igarashi to Triple-A Buffalo earlier today.
The Mets also reactivated Pdero Beato from the disabled list and recalled infielder Ruben Tejada from Buffalo to replace the injured Wright.
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Bryan Stow moved closer to family
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Seven weeks ago on opening day, Giants’ fan Bryan Stow was left in a coma after a brutal beating by two unidentified Dodger fans. The shameless beating occurred in the parking lot of Dodger stadium after the game. Stow was targeted by the Dodger thugs as he was wearing a Giants jersey.
Doctors in LA were able to stabilize Stow enough that they were able to transport him up north, closer to his family where he will now be cared for by top neurosurgeons from San Francisco General Hospital. “We have to make our own assessments, be able to go through the information and do everything we can to ensure he can have the best outcome possible,” said Dr. Geoff Manley, who oversees neurosurgery at San Francisco General Hospital. The hospital’s internationally renowned trauma center specializes in brain injuries, Manley said, and Stow will be monitored by a team of doctors who focus in neurocritical care.
“It’s just so nice to have him closer,” John Stow, Bryan’s cousin, told ESPNLosAngeles.com. “So nice to know that I can spend the day with him and be with my family in the evening. It’s really been hard on everyone to be away so long. Ann and Dave [Stow's mother and father] were in L.A. every day except two days, the last seven weeks. Erin and Bonnie [his sisters] were there almost the whole time.
Stow has opened his eyes and made small movements with his arms and legs but his recovery could take a year or longer, according to doctors.
The LAPD has scheduled a news conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday to update the progress of the investigation and assess how effective the new security procedures at Dodger Stadium have been.
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Injury updates: Lackey, Cashner, Wright, Chapman and Casilla
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Red Sox starter John Lackey have been placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a strained right elbow according to Matthew Pouliot of NBCSports.com.
– According to CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney, Andrew Cashner experienced tightness in his right shoulder and will undergo an MRI. Cashner was expected to pitch in an extended spring training game today as part of his rehab.
– Third baseman David Wright had an MRI on his back and it revealed a stress fracture in his lower back reports Amy K. Nelson of ESPN.com. The team will look for a second opinion regarding Wright.
– Aroldis Chapman has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List with left shoulder inflammation according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Chapman has been dealing with control issues lately. In his last four appearances he has allowed nine earned runs and issued 12 walks.
– According to Chris Haft of MLB.com, Giants reliever Santiago Casilla will probably not be ready for the Giants May 20-26 homestand against Oakland and Florida as expected. The right hander will probably need more time to regain arm strength.
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Blue Jays designate RHP Robert Ray for assignment
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According to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, the Toronto Blue Jays have designated right handed pitcher Robert Ray for assignment. The roster move will create room for Eric Thames on the 40-man roster.
In two Major League seasons, Ray has a 1-2 record with a 4.18 ERA in 28 innings throughout seven games, four starts.
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Atlanta Braves not interested in trading Derek Lowe
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In a Tweet by ESPN’s Buster Olney, he mentions that the Atlanta Braves have no intention on trading starting pitcher Derek Lowe.
There was speculation at the beginning of May that the New York Yankees could be a possible destination for the right-hander given the Yankees need for a veteran pitcher for the stretch run.
If the Braves decide to trade Lowe, they could be trading him because they are out of the race come July and are looking to dump salary or because it’s a position of strength and are looking for a bat in exchange. The Braves not only have a deep rotation but also have veteran Rodrigo Lopez and youngsters Mike Minor and Julio Teheran down at Triple-A who are pitching very well.
In 2008-2009 offseason when Lowe was a free-agent after finishing a four-year deal with the Dodgers, the Yankees negotiated with Lowe before deciding to sign A.J. Burnett, to a five-year $82.5mm deal.
So far in nine games for the Braves this season, the 37-year-old is 3-3 with a 3.73 ERA.
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Do the Braves need a dynamic leadoff hitter?
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The Atlanta Braves are currently 3.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East even though Dan Uggla, Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman haven’t reached their expected offensive levels.
Their leadoff hitter, Martin Prado, is currently tied with Chipper Jonesin RBI’s for the Braves with (27). FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthalsuggests that the team should try to get a “dynamic leadoff hitter” and drop Prado to the number two spot.
Although the Braves don’t have anybody who fits that profile, Rosenthal believes they could get one via trade or free agency. Yesterday, we learned that the Braves could use their starting pitching depth to solve their needs at the trade deadline.
Rosenthal says that Jose Reyes, Denard Span, Grady Sizemore and David DeJesusfit the leadoff hitter profile the Braves need.
Reyes seems to be on his way out of the Mets, so the Braves could be added to the possible destinations for the switch hitter. Though it is unknown if the Mets are willing to trade Reyes within their division, or if the Braves will have to increase the package because they are in the same division.
Span seems likely given the fact that the Twins appear to be sellers this year and the Braves current center fielder Nate McLouth could be a free agent if the team declines his $10.65 million option at the end of the season.
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Astros officially announce sale of franchise to Jim Crane
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The Houston Astros franchise has officially been sold to Jim Crane for $680 million according to the Associated Press (Via ESPN). Last week, we learnedthat the Astros owner Drayton McLane had an agreement in place to sell the team to a group led by Houston businessman Jim Crane.
The deal is expected to take four-to-six weeks to be approved by Major League Baseball, and if it does it will be the second-highest purchase price in Major League history trailing only the Chicago Cubs purchase two years ago of $845 million.
“We have an understanding, and Jim’s an honorable person, and I am, too,” McLane said. “We have an overall agreement, but things come up. Lawyers draw up complicated contracts, and we have to get all those portions of it done.”
Crane fits McLane’s desire to sell to an entity with local ties to the city of Houston.
Former Houston Rocket’s CE, George Postolos, is reportedly going to take over as CEO of the Astros when the sale is complete. McLane has encouraged Crane to consider keeping the current management team in place.
McLane purchased the Astros for $117 million in 1992.
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St. Louis Cardinals claim RHP Jess Todd off waivers
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According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the St. Louis Cardinals have claimed former New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Jess Todd off of waivers.
The Yankees designated Todd for assignment on May 12 to make room on the 40-man roster for Amaury Sanit.
The 25-year-old Todd, has a career 0-1 record with the Indians and St. Louis Cardinals with a 7.62 ERA in 25 relief appearances.
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Detroit Tigers may be looking at hitter in trade
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The Detroit Tigers will consider either an outfielder or third baseman in a trade, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reports via Twitter. He adds that David Wright of the New York Mets is an unlikely target because of his $15 million ($14 million according to our database) salary.
There was speculation last week that the Tigers could make an offer to lure the Mets to trade Wright – an upgrade over the slumping Brandon Inge. If the team acquires Wright, the Tigers could ship Inge to another team pending a waiver of his 5-and-10 status.
“To me [leaving] is not a decision I want to make,” Wright said last week. “In a perfect world, we get things turned around, we start winning and the decision is made easy for me. There is no question I want to win. But just as important is I want to win here.”
If the Tigers pull off the trade, their lineup could be a nightmare for any opposing team’s pitching staff with Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera and Wright one behind the other.
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Mariners officially release Milton Bradley
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The Seattle Mariners have officially released Milton Bradley according to Ryan Divish of the News Tribune. The Mariners designated Bradley for assignment earlier this month.
The 33-year-old Bradley, was hitting .218/.313/.356 in 28 games for the Mariners in 2011. He was in the final year of a three-year contract where he was making $12 million this season.
As for last week, nobody showed any interest to give Bradley another shot at the Majors. “I think he’s had enough chances,” said an executive. “He’s a fun sucker. He sucks the fun out of everything.”
Another executive with one of Bradley’s recent teams said. “Everyone walks around on tippy toes because nobody wants to offend him … He has enough money. He should use it to get some help.”
Back in January, Bradley was arrested by the LAPD for making “criminal threats” to a woman. Though he was not arrested, it was just another black mark on Bradley’s record which includes run-ins with every manager or coach for the team he has been on and fights with the fans.
Bradley is a lifetime .270/.364/.440 with 125 HR’s and 481 RBI’s in 3605 AB’s throughout 12 Major League seasons.
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