Rumors for June, 2011
Rangers sign LHP Kevin Matthews and OF Zach Cone
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The Texas Rangers have agreed to terms with their top two picks: left-handed pitcher Kevin Matthews and outfielder Zach Cone, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Matthews, their first-rounder, signed at the slot price of $936,000 while Cone, their supplemental pick, signed for $873,000. Both bonuses were at the recommended slot price.
Matthews, the 33rd overall pick, has been viewed as a great athlete. He has touched 94-95MPH with his fastball, though he’s usually in the 87-90MPH range. His tight curveball gives him a solid-average secondary pitch.
Cone, the 37th overall pick, also is viewed as a great athlete with strength but has struggled to hit this season.
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Owner of Dodgers announce divorce settlement
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According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, Frank and Jamie McCourt announced a divorce settlement on Friday that will ensure his continued ownership if he wins approval from Major League Baseball on a long-term television contract with FOX. The decision on the contract is pending Commissioner Bud Selig, and should he reject the agreement the divorce settlement would be voided and the parties would continue their divorce proceedings.
A one-day trial will also occur where Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon could make a determination on whether the Dodgers belong solely to Frank McCourt or whether it’s community property. If the team is community property then Frank and Jamie would split it 50/50 and likely result in a sale of the team. If the team belongs to Frank, then Jamie would get $100 million and keep the couple’s homes and receiving indemnity from tax liability.
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Florida Marlins designate Dustin Richardson for assignment
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According to the Florida Marlins, the team has designated left-handed pitcher Dustin Richardson in order to make room for recently signed outfielder Dewayne Wise. In order to make room on the 25-man roster for Wise, the team optioned outfielder Chris Coghlan to Triple-A New Orleans.
The Marlins signed Wise on June 15. He was released on June 9 from the Toronto Blue Jays. Wise did not fit in the Blue Jays plans despite hitting .338 at Triple-A Las Vegas.
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Astros release Max Ramirez and Brian Dopirak
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The Houston Astros have released Max Ramirez and Brian Dopirak according to Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle. The Astros signed Ramirez back in May.
He was released by the Cubs early in May. Chicago claimed Ramirez off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox in early January 2011. He was previously designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers on January 3.
The 26-year-old has a lifetime .217/.343/.357 in 115 career at bats for the Rangers over the 2008 and 2010 seasons.
Dopirak was hitting .252/.287/.429 with 6 HR’s and 17 RBI’s for the Astros’ Triple-A team.
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Cardinals may have interest in J.C. Romero
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The St. Louis Cardinals may have an interest in the recently designated left-handed pitcher, J.C. Romero, a source tells Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Phillies have 10 days to other release, outright or trade Romero. The 35-year-old currently has a contract for $1.35 this season, and if the Cardinals manage to get him as a free agent then they will only be responsible for the pro-rated portion of the Major League minimum salary (approximately $200,000 since we’re at the halfway point in the season).
Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak recently said he’s searching for bullpen help, but he added that the availability is tight at this time of the season. Romero’s recent situation may what the Cardinals have been looking for.
Romero was 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 relief appearances for the Phillies this season. This was Romero’s fifth season with Philadelphia.
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Angels will not spend more money this season
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Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno has told general manager Tony Reagins to not spend any more of his month this season, a baseball source close to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com said. The Angels will not get a midseason boost for the first time in four seasons, and there isn’t much in the Minor Leagues that could assist them in getting the American League West title.
The payroll of the Angels is $139 million for 2011 and Saxon believes that if the Angels are active before the July 31 trading deadline, the pick-up will be cash-neutral or cash-positive. Some contracts that could come off the books include Joel Pineiro’s $8 million and Fernando Rodney’s $5.5 million.
One player that could make an immediate impact is 19-year-old prospect Mike Trout. He’s currently at Double-A Arkansas, but Saxon doesn’t believe that Los Angeles will make the call unless it’s for a brief stint in September.
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Philadelphia Phillies designate J.C. Romero for assignment
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According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Philadelphia Phillies have designated J.C. Romero for assignment.
Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer adds that the left-hander will be paid his full $1.35 million that is owed to him regardless if he accepts a Minor League assignment or not.
The 35-year-old was 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 relief appearances for the Phillies this season. This was Romero’s fifth season with Philadelphia.
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New York Yankees release RHP Amaury Sanit
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To make room for the recently called up right-handed pitcher Brian Gordon, the New York Yankees have released right-handed pitcher Amaury Sanit, Ken Davidson of Newsday reports. The team also optioned right-handed pitcher Lance Pendleton to Triple-A Scranton.
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Rangers let other teams know they need bullpen help
Posted by: | CommentsIn an article by T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, he reports that Texas Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels spoke with manager Ron Washington about the team’s bullpen needs. Daniels is looking for ways to improve the team’s relief corp and has let other teams know what they’re looking for.
“It’s something that we’re open to, but it’s easier said than done,” Daniels said. “There are not a lot of clubs eager to move quality arms right now. We’ve got to be able to address it right now.”
Sullivan says the Baltimore Orioles are willing to talk about Koji Uehara and possibly Jim Johnson and/or Kevin Gregg. The Kansas City Royals are willing to talk about Joakim Soria – the struggling former closer. Other candidates that the Rangers could go after include Todd Coffey, Tyler Clippard, Burke Badenhop, Edward Mujica, Brian Sanches, Randy Choate, Heath Bell or Kerry Wood.
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Red Sox have not spoken with Ortiz about contract
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Despite hitting .325 with 17 home runs and 43 RBI’s, the Boston Red Sox have yet to contact their designated hitter, David Ortiz, about his future employment status. Big Papi is set to become a free agent after the season, and it’s unknown if he’ll be in a Red Sox uniform in 2012 or beyond.
“Nobody from the team’s front office has talked to me about a contract or about the future,” Ortiz told ESPNdeportes.com, as reported by Enrique Rojas. “And to be honest, I don’t expect them to do so.”
Ortiz is open to speaking with the team about contract during the season, but he doubts that such a negotiation tactic will happen.
“At this point we have a good streak going. We are all focused on bringing back the championship to Boston. We don’t need any particular distractions, from me or anybody else,” Ortiz said.
“They can talk about my contract in April, May, June or whenever they want,” Ortiz told ESPNdeportes.com during spring training. “I don’t like controversy. And if they make an offer during the season it’s because they have an interest in me. If they talk to me in August, June, or whenever, I’ll be available for anything.
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“None of that has changed, but I think it would be somewhat improper to get into this kind of thing now that we are playing so well,” Ortiz said Tuesday. “I would like to stay in Boston for the rest of my career, but it’s something that is out of my control. … All I can do is get ready each day to do the only thing I do … hit.”
