Rumors for June, 2011
A song endorsed by Pete Rose?
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In about a month, the name Pete Rose will once again come up for debate. Should he be in? Or did Major League Baseball do the right thing and ban him for life? You can argue either way, but until the issue is resolved enjoy this snippit of song that was sent to me by Evergreen Records, “Love Oughta Be Perfect”, where Pete Rose is quoted saying, “Hi, this is Pete Rose and I approve of this message”
Love Oughta Be Perfect
Evergreen Records
By Brad Wolf featuring Pete Rose
Used with permission from Robert Lewis of Evergreen Records, Nashville, TN
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San Diego Padres designate Jorge Cantu for assignment
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In a Tweet by Ted Mendenhall II of ESPN Radio 1700 San Diego, he reports that the Padres have designated infielder Jorge Cantu for assignment. The Padres now have an open spot on the 40-man roster.
The Padres signed Cantu to a one-year, $850,000 contract on January 24, 2011. He was a free agent last winter after spending the 2010 season with the Florida Marlins and the Texas Rangers.
In 57 games with the Padres this season, Cantu was hitting .194/.232/.285 with three home runs and 16 RBI’s.
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Florida Marlins sign OF Dewayne Wise
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The Florida Marlins have signed outfielder Dewayne Wise, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports. Wise will be assigned to the team’s Triple-A affiliate in New Orleans.
Wise was released on June 9 from the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not fit in the Blue Jays plans despite hitting .338 at Triple-A Las Vegas.
The outfielder may be best remembered for his perfect game saving catch for Mark Buehrle in 2009 while with the Chicago White Sox. In eight Major League seasons, he has hit .222/.260/.382.
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Angels request waivers on Kazmir for release
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According to Victor Rojas, the Los Angeles Angels have announced that they have requested waivers on Scott Kazmir for purpose of giving him his unconditional release.
Earlier today we heard that Kazmir was in serious jeopardy of being released. In 15 1/3 innings of Minor League ball, Kazmir has a 17.02 ERA with 29 earned runs, 22 hits and 20 walks. Kazmir is contracted to make $14.5 million this season in addition to a $2.5 million buyout for a 2012 team option.
Kazmir was 9-15 with a 5.94 ERA and 93 strike outs over 150 innings and 28 starts in 2010.
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Chicago Cubs release RHP Thomas Diamond
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The Chicago Cubs have released right-handed pitcher Thomas Diamond, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald. Diamond was outrighted from the team’s 40-man roster on May 14 when they added 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).
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Texas Rangers release catcher Michael Thomas
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In a tweet by Matt Eddy of Baseball America, he reports that the Texas Rangers have released catcher Michael Thomas. Eddy reminds us that Thomas was apart of the trade that included Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Thomas was a 12th round pick by the Sox in the 2009 draft out of Southern University A&M. He is a huge target (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) who was described as a solid receiver with a strong arm (he’s thrown out 30 percent of would-be base stealers in his two pro seasons) but with limited offensive skills.
Eddy says that the Rangers talked about converting Thomas to a pitcher.
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Florida Marlins designate Brad Davis for assignment
Posted by: | CommentsThe Florida Marlins have designated catcher Brad Davis for assignment, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports.
In 33 career games for the Marlins (all in 2010), the 29-year-old Davis hit .211/.270/.376 with three home runs and 16 RBIs.
Image by Sue Elias used under the Creative Commons License.
Prince Fielder has not ruled out playing for Cubs
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In an article by Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, he reports that Brewers’ first baseman Prince Fielder has not ruled out the Chicago Cubs as a possible future home when he’s a free agent this winter. However, the feeling may not be mutual. A source close to Wittenmyer and the Sun-Times says the team cannot handle such a high-valued deal for another two or three years.
However, it’s hard to believe that the Cubs aren’t up to something especially in the wake up signing Carlos Pena to a one-year, $10 million deal in December. Chicago is keeping the option open of a possible big name first baseman such as Fielder or Albert Pujols.
When Fielder was asked about his thoughts, “Not right now,’’ he said, “because I play for the Brewers, and that would be selfish of me to think about next year, because I’m signed here, and I have a job to do here.’’
“I don’t have any problems with any team,’’ Fielder said. ‘‘But just right now I’m a Brewer still.’’
Pujols caused a storm in May when he was seen hugging Cubs’ GM Jim Hendry. Many speculated that it was a signal of a mutual desire for the sides to work together in the near future.
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Wil Nieves outrighted to Triple-A Nashville
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According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Milwaukee Brewers’ backup catcher, Wil Nieves, was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville. In his place the team selected George Kottaras‘ contract.
The 33-year-old Nieves was hitting .140/.189/.180 with 3 home runs and 16 RBIs in 20 games for the Brewers this season.
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Scott Kazmir’s poor performance could lead to release
Posted by: | CommentsThe Los Angeles Angels were hoping that left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir would benefit from extended Spring Training and a month in the Minor Leagues, but apparently that may not be enough for him to salvage his career for the Southern California team, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. In 15 1/3 innings, Kazmir has a 17.02 ERA with 29 earned runs, 22 hits and 20 walks, and he could be released with the prorated amount of $14.5 million left on his 2011 contract in addition to a $2.5 million buyout for a 2012 team option.
There had been speculation since the season began that Kazmir’s job with the Angels was in jeopardy.
“The guys we need to throw the ball well, who are going to be important to us, are not throwing the ball well right now,” Scioscia said at the beginning of the season. “And we’re going to have to look at that.”
Kazmir was 9-15 with a 5.94 ERA and 93 strike outs over 150 innings and 28 starts in 2010.
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