Rumors for June, 2011
Nick Cafardo on the Cubs, Capps, Cabrera and Clippard
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Here’s the latest form the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
– As originally reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, because of owner Tom Rickett’s debt structure, the Cubs can’t be major players in free agency and will have to emphasize on player development. However, commissioner Bud Selig said he has zero concern over the team’s debt.
– Right-handed pitcher Matt Capps could be highly sought after if the Twins can’t get back into the race.
– Cleveland Indians second baseman Orlando Cabrera could be available now via trade.
– Right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals could be trade bait.
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Tampa Bay Rays Designate Felipe Lopez For Assignment
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The Tampa Bay Rays have designated Felipe Lopez for assignment, Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports. The move was done to accommodate infielder Elliot Johnson who was activated from the disabled list.
This is the second time that the Rays designated Lopez for assignment this season. In May, Lopez was designated, but he cleared waivers and eventually was sent to the Minor Leagues.
In 32 games this season for the Rays, Lopez had been hitting .216/.248/.320.
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Padres agree to terms with Jace Peterson
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The San Diego Padres have agreed to terms with supplementary and 58th overall pick Jace Peterson, according to a team press release.
A preliminary scouting report on Peterson indicates that he’s a two sport athlete with exceptional speed and a good approach at the plate.
The Padres signed their first-round pick Corey Spangenberg on Friday.
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Realignment being discussed between union and MLB
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Four sources close to Buster Olney of ESPN say that Major League Baseball and the player’s union are discussing a realignment that will include two leagues of 15 teams.
One scenario eliminates the divisions, so the 15 teams of each league would vie for five playoff spots.
“I’d still say the odds of it happening are less than 50-50,” one source said.
The two leagues of 15 teams would require one team from the National League to switch to the American League. Two highly ranked executives believe that the Houston Astros would be a possible candidate to switch leagues.
“There are still a lot of details that would have to be discussed,” one source said.
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Pitchers notes: Camberlain, Gee, Santana and Anderson
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Here are a few notes regarding some Major League pitchers:
– Right hander Joba Chamberlain will undergo Tommy John surgery next week according to Mike Fitzpatrick of the Associated Press (via NBCSports.com). Chamberlain has a torn ligament in his right elbow and will miss at least a year.
– Dillon Gee, who yesterday won against the Pirates and improved his overall record to 7-0. He has a 3.05 ERA in 62 innings for the season, and without his three appearances as a reliever, his ERA is just 2.67. The Mets are 9-0 every time Gee has started.
– Mets manager, Terry Collins, says that Johan Santana could be back by late July according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Collins was asked if Santana could be in the rotation after the All-Star break on July 15.
“Is it realistic? Yeah. That would be realistic. Should we plan on it? I don’t know if we should. In a perfect world, if everything continues at the pace it is right now, it’s a realistic goal. But I’m probably looking more toward the end of July than the All-Star break.”
– Left hander Brett Anderson will visit Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion regarding his elbow reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Anderson underwent an MRI yesterday, but the team is waiting for Andrews’ opinion before making an announcement.
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Rosenthal on the Twins, Athletics and Rays
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Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports via his full count video.
–The Twins are not sellers….yet, as GM Bill Smith believes the team can still compete in the AL Central. In the upcoming weeks, they will get Jason Kubel, Jim Thome, Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Joe Mauer back from the DL list.
–The A’s have already fired their coach and look like sellers, just without the official title. Their three best hitters, David DeJesus, Coco Crisp and Josh Willingham all make $6mm or less and could be very attractive to another team in need of a bat . The A’s though would have to be satisfied with their return in any trade as they can elect to keep the trio and offer them arbitration at the end of the season and collect the draft picks. Willingham is the only one at the moment that projects as a Type-A free agent.
–The Rays may trade certain players now while still trying to compete. One player that teams would be interested in is B.J. Upton. He is likely to make more than $6mm next season in arbitration. Rosenthal speculates that the Rays could receive a better return for Upton if they trade him during the season compared to waiting til the offseason. The only concern is that the top prospect Desmond Jennings may not be able to hit for average.
Chicago Cubs designate Brad Snyder for assignment
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The Chicago Cubs have designated Brad Snyder for assignment, according to Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune. The move was required after Chicago called up Casey Coleman.
In nine at-bats in eight games for the Cubs this season, Snyder hit .111/.111/.111.
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Giants sign first-round pick Joe Panik
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According to a team press release, the San Francisco Giants have signed their first-round pick (29th overall) shortstop Joe Panik.
Here are Panik’s stats from the press release:
“The 6-2, 195-pound shortstop from Hopewell Junction, New York lead the Big East Conference with 60 runs scored, a .509 on-base percentage, while being tied for the highest batting average with a .398 clip (90-for-226). Overall, Panik had 19 doubles, three triples and 57 RBI, while leading the Red Storm with 10 home runs and 21 stolen bases during the 2011 season. The left-handed hitter lead St. John’s in walks for three consecutive seasons with a team-high 44 this year, which was the second most in the Big East. The middle infielder was named to the 2011 All-Big East First-Team as well the 2011 Big East All-Tournament Team.”
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Injury updates: Hughes, Mauer, Nishioka, Cashner and Webb
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Phil Hughes pitched two simulated innings a couple of days ago in Tampa and the team is hopeful he can begin a Minor League rehab assignment Tuesday reports George A. King III and Brian Costello of the New York Post.
– Twins catcher Joe Mauer could be back in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox according to Joe Christensen of the Star-Tribune. Ron Gardenhire said Mauer will be activated from the disabled list only when the team is convinced he has caught enough during his rehab from bilateral leg weakness adds Christensen.
– Tsuyoshi Nishioka has been rehabbing his broken left fibula with the Twins’ Class-A team, but Gardenhire would like to see him play three or four games for Triple-A before activating him from the Disabled List reports Christensen.
– Cubs starter Andrew Cashner still hasn’t begun a throwing program since suffering a setback in his rehab three weeks ago reports Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The team said they’re “doubling the time and effort they’re taking with each step of the process this time through” adds Wittenmeyer.
– Brandon Webb has been diagnosed with rotator cuff inflammation and has been taken off the rehab schedule for about at week reports Anthony Andro of the Star-Telegram. He will continue to throw while he’s down adds Andro.
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Are the Giants considering moving Pablo Sandoval to catcher?
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It’s been more than two weeks since the Giants lost Buster Posey to a season-ending injury and the search for his replacement continues.
Late last month, former Giants’ catcher Bengie Molina said that he is open to joining his former team if they called. Ivan Rodriguez’s name has been also mentioned, although many believes he may not be the best fit for the Giants despite the energy that he brings to the position.
Earlier this week, we learned that the team is actively looking for at least one catcher, maybe two. Today, Carl Steward of Extra Baggs writes that the team could consider catching Pablo Sandoval. “I think he’d be fine behind the plate too,” said manager Bruce Bochy.”And don’t think we haven’t discussed that.”
“It’s come up,” Bochy said. “It’s not something we’ve ruled out, and we may discuss it further. But for right now, the plan is to play him at third base for the most part.”
Sandoval last caught in the Majors in 2009. That year he started three games behind the plate and caught 27 innings.
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