Rumors for June, 2011
Athletics trade Mark Ellis to Rockies
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The Oakland Athletics have announced that they have traded Mark Ellis and cash considerations to the Colorado Rockies for right-handed pitcher Bruce Billings and a player to be named later.
Ellis, 34, has been with the A’s since his rookie season in 2002. In 62 games this year for Oakland he has hit .217/.253/.290 with one home run and 16 RBIs.
Billings, 25, pitched in one game for the Rockies this season (and in his career) and gave up five hits and one earned run over two innings of work.
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Injury updates: Youkilis, Jeter, Colon and Buchholz
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Kevin Youkilis received precautionary X-rays on his left foot after fouling off a pitch last night reportsScott Lauber of the Boston Herald. The results were negative addsCraig Calcaterra of NBCSports.com.
– Short stop Derek Jeter is scheduled to rejoin the Yankees next Monday according to the Associated Press (via NBCSports.com). He said on Thursday that he will play rehab games at Double-A Trenton Saturday and Sunday. “I feel good now,” Jeter said. “I feel a lot better. I’m ready to get out of here.”
– There’s a chances that Bartolo Colonwill pitch for the Yankees on Saturday according to the Yankees GM, Brian Cashman (via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.). Earlier this week, we mentioned that Colon could be ready for the Sub Way series.
– There’s a strong possiblity that Clay Buchholz won’t pitch until after the All-Star break reports Ian Browne and Evan Drellich of MLB.com. Buchholz hasn’t pitched since June 16 due to a back strain.
“[I'm] probably set back a little bit,” Buchholz said. “I’d rather come back after the All-Star break and be healthy, if that’s the case, unless something happens that what we’re doing is going to make it feel better in the next three or four days and then I could look at pitching when we get back home. I want to make sure I’m ready for August and September. If something happens and I go out and pitch and feel 80 percent, then this happens again and I have to go back on the DL, that’s not what I, or I don’t think the team wants. That’s where we’re at right now.”
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Red Sox designate Mike Cameron for assignment
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The Boston Red Sox announced earlier today that they have designated outfielder Mike Cameron for assignment. This movement will create room for Yamaico Navarro who was called up by the team.
Cameron was hitting just .149/.212/.266 with 3 HR’s and 9 RBI’s in 94 AB’s for the Red Sox in 2011.
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Brewers trade Sergio Mitre to the Yankees
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The Milwaukee Brewers have traded right handed pitcher Sergio Mitre to the New York Yankees for cash considerations according to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel.
The right hander was designated for assignment on Monday by the Brewers. In order to create room for Mitre on the roster, the Yankees have designated Buddy Carlyle for assignment reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Mitre was 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA in 33 innings throughout 22 games for the Brewers in 2011.
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David Eckstein Choosing Not to Play
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David Eckstein is not retiring he’s just choosing not to play, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. It has not been lack of offers for Eckstein who received more offers than ever before over the past off-season rather he has simply chosen not to play right now. When asked if he will ever return, Eckstein stated that “It totally has to be the right situation, but when you say that, it’s like you’re disrespecting the clubs that have talked to you.” The 36 year old Eckstein who is only 5′6″ 170lbs is best known for his scrappy play and hustle. He could be seen as an asset to nearly every team in the Major League not just for his ability but for the heart he brings to the clubhouse.
Eckstein has played ten Major League seasons with the Angels, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks and Padres. He is a lifetime .280/.345/.355 hitter with 35 HR’s and 392 RBI’s. He also has two World Series rings, one with the Angels in 2002 and one with the Cardinals in 2006, where he won the World Series MVP Award.
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Should the Yankees Consider Prince Fielder This Fall?
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The New York Yankees already have power hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira, but according to John Harper of New York Daily News, the Yankees should consider adding Prince Fielder this off-season seeing as Fielder will be a free agent . A scout viewing batting practice before Tuesday night’s game stated, “Man, I’d hate to see how many he could hit in this bandbox.” With Fielder being a left handed hitter this stadium was made for him. With the short porch in right just imagine the home run totals he could end up with.
Since the Yankees already have Mark Teixeira at first base I would imagine that if signed, Fielder would fill the lackluster DH hole which is currently filled by 39 year old Jorge Posada who is hitting .234/.324/.406. Fielder is hitting .306/.425/.608 with 21 home runs which is 2nd in the NL and just 11 short of his total from last season. If the Yankees are able to sign him they may form the modern day Murderer’s Row.
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Tampa Bay Rays notes: Attendance, stadium issues and trade deadline
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Tampa Bay Rays owner, Stuart Sternberg addressed the media before yesterday’s game. Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times provides us with a few highlights:
– Even though attendance has been “below expectations” this season, that’s not necessarily surprising says Sternberg. “You prepare for everything you can, but we’ve dealt with it … I’ve seen this movie before. We’ve seen it, we know what we have to do. It’s fell short of expectations; it’s not the first time.”
– Sternberg is “very pleased” that a coalition of business leaders from St. Petersburg and Tampa will look at the stadium issue. “Any movement is good movement, any discussion is good and I’m very pleased and happy that people care enough that they’re willing to chat about it. … It’s great to see.”
– Sternberg talked about the possibility of possible trades during the deadline to remain a contender, even though it would increase their $41 million payroll. “I can not imagine a time we wouldn’t be in position to do that. Winning is still paramount to everything we do. Doing what’s best for this organization is paramount to everything we do. … That will always be an option. But obviously we weigh that for what it means for future years, both what we’re able to spend in future years and players that we’ll have in future years.”
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Orioles begin extension talks with J.J. Hardy
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Short stop J.J. Hardy will be a free agent after this season, but the Baltimore Orioles would like to keep him around. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says that Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail reached out to Hardy’s agent this week to begin talks about a potential contract extension for him.
Zrebiec adds that talks haven’t reached the serious level to this point, but that should change as the Orioles get closer to the July 31 trade deadline. Hardy is hitting .303/.367/.548 with 11 HR’s and 30 RBI’s in 188 AB’s for the Orioles this season.
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Padres will sell, Athletics and Twins not yet
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According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the San Diego Padres are already engaging in early and serious trade discussions. They have three relievers that could be attractive to a lot of teams in Heath Bell, Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams.
Executives who have spoken to the Padres say they are being “very aggressive”. They would like to keep Adams, but they could trade both Gregerson and Bell, especially if they can find offense in return.
The Padres could also trade veteran right handed pitcher Aaron Harang, who has a $5 million option for 2012 along with Chad Qualls and Ryan Ludwick,who has drawn interest from the Phillies and Reds.
The Oakland Athletics could also be sellers. They lost Dallas Braden to a season-ending injury, but they expect Brandon McCarthy, Tyson Ross and Rich Harden back soon, thus delaying the decision whether they’ll become sellers or not.
The Twins were off to an awful start, but after a couple of good weeks they cut their deficit with the Indians and Tigers in half. Now they are struggling again although there is no evidence they will start shopping soon. It has been rumored that Michael Cuddyer could be dealt, but a Major League executive says that Cuddyer is “the glue” to the clubhouse, so a trade may not happen as fast as people originally expected.
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Arizona Diamondbacks release Melvin Mora
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In a Tweet by Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes, he reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks have released infielder Melvin Mora.
Mora signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks during the 2010 Winter Meetings. He was signed as a replacement for Mark Reynolds.
In 41 games with the Diamondbacks this season, Mora was hitting 230/.246/.278 with 0 home runs and 16 RBIs.
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