Rumors for May, 2011
Chicago Cubs outright Thomas Diamond
Posted by: | Comments
The Chicago Cubs have outrighted Thomas Diamond from the team’s 40-man roster, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports. The move was done in order to add Doug Davis to the roster.
The 28-year-old right-handed pitcher last played with the Cubs in 2010 when he went 1-3 with a 6.83 ERA in 16 appearances (3 starts).
Davis takes the mound for the first time today since being sidelined last July with elbow tendon surgery.
Image by Matt Watts under the Creative Commons License.
Nationals designate Brian Broderick for assignment
Posted by: | Comments
According to a team press release, the Washington Nationals have designated right handed pitcher Brian Broderick for assignment.
The move will clear room for right handed pitcher Cole Kimball who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
Broderick had a 6.57 ERA in 12.1 innings throughout 11 games for the Nationals this season. Kimball was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 13.2 innings throughout 12 games for Syracuse this season.
Kimball will be making the trip to the big leagues for the first time. He was ranked by Baseball America as the Nationals seventh best prospect. In five minor league seasons, Kimball combined for a 4.50 era and heavily relies on his fastball which tops out a 98mph and a splitter. He also has recently developed a curveball that he throws in the low-80s.
Image by MissChatter under the Creative Commons License.
Mariners claim Jeff Gray, option Dan Cortes to Triple-A
Posted by: | Comments
The Seattle Mariners have claimed Jeff Gray off waivers from the White Sox, reports Larry Stone of the Seattle Times. Gray was designated earlier this week to make room on the roster for Jake Peavy.
The Mariners optioned Dan Cortes to Triple-A to make room for Gray reports Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.
Cortes had only made 1 appearance so far this season and had a base hit. In 2010 he threw 5 1/3 innings and allowed two earned runs.
Gray posted a 2.79 ERA with 7 SO in 13.1 innings with the White Sox this season.
Image by Chase N. under the Creative Commons license.
Has Ian Stewart played his last game in Colorado?
Posted by: | Comments
A few days ago, we heard that Ian Stewart, of the Rockies was walking a fine line as he was looking at being demoted to Triple-A. According to Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post, Stewart has been optioned to Triple-A for the second time this year.
This time, Stewart realizes that his demotion may result in him never playing for the Rockies again. “I know I’m at a crossroads with the team,” Stewart said. “Hopefully it goes the right way because I don’t want to go anywhere else. This is where all my friends are. It’s everything I know.”
Stewart was sent down in April to work on his swing but never really got things going when he came back as he went 1-21. On the season, he is hitting .064 with one extra base-hit.
The issues the Rockies are facing is trading him now will bring in nothing of value. So in the meantime, Stewart will probably provide organizational depth until he raises his value enough to trade him or until someone on the major league roster gets hurt.
Image by jkronath under the Creative Commons License.
Pedro Feliz signs with the Camden Riversharks
Posted by: | Comments
Veteran third baseman Pedro Feliz has agreed to a deal with the Camden Riversharks according to Mike Ashmore of the Hunterdon County Democrat.
Feliz agreed to a Minor League deal with the Royals back in February, but he was released late in March. He was set to earn $800,000 plus $200,000 in incentives if he made the Major League roster.
The 35-year old Feliz, hit .218/.240/.293 with 5 HR’s and 40 RBI’s with the Cardinals and Astros combined in 2010.
Image by furnstein under the Creative Commons License.
Mets sign Luis Figueroa, acquire Bubba Bell from Indians
Posted by: | Comments
The New York Mets have agreed to a Minor league deal with infielder Luis Figueroa according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Eddy also adds that the Mets acquired outfielder Bubba Bell from the Indians for cash considerations.
Bell was hitting .292/.346/.375 with 2 RBI’s in 24 AB’s for the Indians’ Triple-A team. Figueroa last played in the Majors in 2007 with the San Francisco Giants. That year he hit .200/.200/.200 in 5 AB’s.
Image by ElCapitanBSC under the Creative Commons License.
Brewers release Demetrius McKelvie
Posted by: | Comments
According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, the Milwaukee Brewers have released Demetrius McKelvie. He was the Brewers’ 25th round pick in 2009.
In two seasons with the Brewers’ Rookie League team, he hit .192/.265/.289 with 2 HR’s and 16 RBI’s in 239 AB’s in 65 games.
Astros have agreement in place to sell to Jim Crane
Posted by: | Comments
In an article by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane has confirmed that he has an agreement in place to sell the team to a group led by Houston businessman Jim Crane. McLane hopes to have a sales-purchase agreement signed by the middle of next week.
The deal is expected to take four-to-six weeks to be approved by Major League Baseball.
“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.
“We hope to do it next week,” McLane said. “It’s complicated. Selling a team seems awfully simple, but when you get a new buyer and he has a number of partners, and you get their banks involved and Major League Baseball has to approve all that … it just takes time. So hopefully the mid part of next week something could be announced.”
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.
Diamondbacks release Ron Mahay
Posted by: | Comments
According to Matt Eddy of Baseball America Ron Mahay’s stay in the Arizona has quickly come-and-gone as he has been released. The Diamondbacks had signed Mahay to a minor league deal back in April. While pitching for Triple-A Reno, he posted a 9.58 era in 10 1/3 innings.
Mahay may be looking at the end of a long career as he was only offered various minor league deals going into Spring Training. He originally signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers. In 7.1 innings this Spring, Mahay gave up 11 hits, 4 walks, 3 home runs and 8 runs (9.82 era) which resulted in the Dodgers releasing him.
Mahay in 14 seasons has put up a 3.83 ERA. Mahay may receive another opportunity to continue his career but will have to take a minor league deal and pitch down in the minors before he would get the chance to pitch in the bigs again.
Cardinals name Eduardo Sanchez head of the closer committee
Posted by: | Comments
Cardinals closer, Ryan Franklin, was off to an awful start this season and the Cardinals decided to remove him as the team’s closer. He is 0-3 with a 9.49 ERA in 12.1 innings with just one save.
The Cardinals then decided go to a “closer by committee.” According to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, Eduardo Sanchez has emerged as the chair of that committee. He’s recorded four saves in four opportunities.
When Sanchez is not available, pitching coach Dave Duncan says they will probably use Mitchell Boggs or Fernando Salas in the ninth inning.
Right handed reliever Jason Motte will stay in his current role as the man who puts out fires, says Leach. The team likes how he can come in during an inning with runners on base. In 16 innings, Motte has a 1.69 era with 15 strikeouts and only walks.
“Last year he was very successful doing that, coming in in the middle of an inning and pitching out of it,” Duncan said. “You have to kind of remember what he did there. Because there is a need for a guy like that.”
The 22-year old Sanchez is 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA and 4 saves in 14 innings throughout 12 games. If the Venezuelan native continues to deliver for the Cardinals, it wouldn’t be crazy to think he could get the full-time closer job maybe in a month or two.
Image by mwlguide under the Creative Commons License.
