Rumors for June, 2011
Pitchers notes: Lackey, Soria and Volquez
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Here are a few notes regarding some Major League pitchers:
– The Boston Red Sox have activated right handed pitcher John Lackey from the 15-day Disabled List according to Drew Silva of NBCSports.com. Lackey pitched today against the Athletics. He pitched 5.2 innings allowing three runs and three hits.
– Joakim Soria is close to reclaiming his closer role according to Terez A. Paylor and Jayson Jenks of the Kansas City Star. Manager Ned Yost said today he has been impressed with Soria. The right hander has pitched two scoreless innings after he lost the closer gig.
– Right handed pitcher Edinson Volquez will return from Triple-A and will probably start on Tuesday, when the Reds take on the Cubs reports Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Dusty Baker said he talked Saturday with Mario Soto (special assistant to GM Walt Jocketty), who saw Volquez throw in Louisville. “Mario said he threw the ball excellent down there,” Baker said. Volquez is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA in two rehab starts at Triple-A.
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White Sox designate Jeff Marquez for assignment
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According to a team announcement, the Chicago White Sox have designated right handed pitcher Jeff Marquez for assignment.
Marquez debuted in the Majors in 2010 with the White Sox. He pitched one inning and had a 18.00 ERA. This season, he was 3-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 47.2 innings throughout nine starts for the White Sox’s Triple-A team.
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A’s designate Andy LaRoche for assignment
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According to Jane Lee of MLB.com, the A’s have designated Andy LaRoche for assignment. The move creates a roster spot for Grant Balfour who is returning from the paternity list.
LaRoche had played all four infield positions this season where he hit .247 in 107 plate appearances.
Balfour returns to an Oakland bullpen that has been taxed during the Boston series having to use 13 different pitchers to throw 12 innings.
Balfour on the season is 3-1 with a 2.92 era with 28 strikeouts in 24.2 innings.
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PRO Rumors: Power Rankings
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As players and teams begin to find their grooves, we at PRO Rumors have also found our groove as we bring to you the first Power Rankings of the season. Let us know if you have any suggestions!
| TEAM | CHANGE | COMMENTS |
| 1. Red Sox | +1 | Winners of 9 in a row while outscoring the Blue Jays 35-6 in a three game series. |
| 2. Phillies | -1 | Winners of their last two series, they didn't do much to drop but they haven't won 9 in a row. |
| 3. Yankees | +2 | After being swept by the Sox, they go and take 3 of 4 from the Central leading Indians. They are now faced with replacing Colon who is on the DL. |
| 4. Brewers | +7 | Fresh off a sweep of the division rival Cards, they lose to the Cubs. Rotation and bullpen are rounding into form as the team sports a 3.60era. |
| 5. Cardinals | +1 | Prior to being swept by the Brewers, the Cards went 6-4 and have been able to keep a share of first the entire team. |
| 6. Braves | +1 | Winners of 6 in a row prior to Monday, the rotation received a boost when Tommy Hanson struck out 14 while their entire starting outfield is on the DL. |
| 7. Indians | -5 | 2-8 in their last 10 against the Rangers, Twins and Yankees. Are the wheels falling off the Cleveland wagon? |
| 8. Giants | -1 | The offensively challenged Giants have already lost Posey and appear to have lost Freddy Sanchez for the season will rely heavily on Panda when he returns and bench players turned starters like Nick Schierholtz. It also doesn't help when you have minor league contract guy in Ryan Vogelsong going 4-1 with a 1.81 ERA in 59.2 innings while filling in the rotation for injured Zito. |
| 9. Rangers | +2 | After being almost no-hit by the Twins' Liriano and scoring only two-runs the last two games, the Rangers head to the Bronx for a big series. |
| 10. D'backs | -- | They do not have a hitter hitting over .300 but have a team ERA of 3.86. They experienced their first three-game losing streak in almost a month but quickly rebounded to win three of four from the Marlins. |
| 11. Tigers | +3 | The now first place Tigers seem to be finding their groove with MIA Austin Jackson now hitting .370 in June. |
| 12. Rays | -3 | With rumors starting to surface about Upton's future with the team, Johnny Damon continues to provide offense for the team tying a club record for reaching base in 37 staright games. |
| 13. Mariners | +4 | Six series victories in a row with a team average of .230? Having a rotation ERA of 3.21 doesn't hurt. |
| 14. Reds | ||
| 15. Angels | Torii Hunter is hitting .242 while Vernon Wells is hitting .183 and on the DL. Combined, both players are making $41mm. | |
| 16. Blue Jays | Yunel Escobar may be the best everyday shortstop and Jose Bautista the best overall hitter. Jays starter Jo Jo Reyes finally won his first game since 2008. | |
| 17. Mariners | 1 1/2 games out of first, really? This is especially good considering prolonged slumps from Ichiro, Chone Figgins and Justin Smoak. | |
| 18. A's | Andrew Bailey is back from the DL which means Brian Fuentes now knows his role.....set-up man | |
| 19. Royals | Highly touted prospect Aaron Crow 2-0, 1.33 ERA in 22 games takes over the closing duties. | |
| 20. Pirates | The Pirates may not be sellers this year at the trade deadline for the first time since Jesus was born as they fight to finish .500 or better. | |
| 21. Orioles | Orioles have one problem. They play in the AL East. | |
| 22. Rockies | Having lost De La Rosa for the season, Jimenez will be relied on even more as well as Cook when he returns. | |
| 23. White Sox | Big offseason acquisition Adam Dunn is on pace to hit 15 home runs. Need I say more? | |
| 24. Dodgers | 13 players have visited the DL so far this season. Hearing the players will wear bubble wrap from now on. | |
| 25. Nationals | Nationals need to start worrying about what prospect from what team they want in return for Ivan Rodriguez | |
| 26. Mets | Fred Wilpon says the team sucks and so does his deal to sell a minority share of the team. | |
| 27. Cubs | Things have gotten so bad for the Cubs that Zambrano is now their best hitter as he went 4-4 last week and was used as a pinch hitter. | |
| 28. Padres | How long can you keep Adrian Gonzalez Jr., Anthony Rizzo down at Triple-A? | |
| 29. Twins | Ace Pavano has a 5+ ERA and Liriano is on the DL and the offense went over a week without hitting a homerun. | |
| 30. Astros | Big money Carlos Lee only has four home runs. On the brightside, you're right there isn't a bright side |
Nick Cafardo on Guerrero, Beltran, Marquis and Soria
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Here’s the latest from The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
– A couple of teams are evaluating Valdimir Guerrero as a trade-deadline pickup. However, he could be a liability if forced to play in the field.
– An NL talent evaluator said, “A contending team is going to get (Carlos) Beltran at the trading deadline, and they’re going to be very happy with him. He can still hit. He can be an emotional guy, but put him in a place where it counts, and he’ll produce for you.’
– The Washington Nationals would make right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis available if they could get good talent back.
– Sources close to Cafardo say that the Kansas City Royals would not deal Joakim Soria despite him losing the closer’s job.
– David Wright’s $16 million 2013 option is Mets-specific, so if a team deals for him, they don’t have to worry about that part of the deal.
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Injury updates: Belt, Furcal, Garland, Schafer and Konerko
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Giants rookie Brandon Belt was placed on the Disabled List with a hairline fracture in left wrist according to the team’s official Twitter account.
– The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed short stop Rafael Furcal on the Disabled List according to the team’s official Twitter account. Furcal was pulled out of yesterday’s game after suffering an injury to his left side during a rundown play.
– Jon Garland was placed on the Disabled List with a shoulder injury according to the team’s official Twitter account.
– Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer suffered a small non-displaced sinus fracture after taking a ball to his face reports David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
– Paul Konerko had a loose fragment removed from his left wrist yesterday reports Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Today, he was kept out of the lineup, but he hasn’t been placed on the Disabled List yet.
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Ken Rosenthal on Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers and Rays
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Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports:
– Kerry Wood is likely to be in high demand at the trade deadline because his salary this season is only $1.5 million. However, in exchange for the low salary, Wood has a no-trade clause in his contract to be with his family in Chicago. He also took the job to lay the groundwork for a future job with the Cubs’ organization.
– If the Los Angeles Dodgers get healthy, Ken Rosenthal expects the team to go after a power bat for left field or third base.
– The Chicago White Sox expect teams to call about their surplus of starting pitching with Edwin Jackson being the most obvious trade candidate. The White Sox would likely want to get a right-handed reliever or prospects in return.
– The Tampa Bay Rays will consider themselves buyers as long as they are in contention. Shortstop and catcher are the team’s biggest need, so expect the team to inquire about the New York Mets’ Jose Reyes.
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Astros release Bill Hall
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After Friday night’s game, the Astros released struggling second basemen Bill Hall, reports, Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle. If no team claims Hall, then he would become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
Astros manager Brad Mills said he hoped Hall found a new home where he would be able to get playing time. “I don’t know that he’s going to be able to get that opportunity here; we hope that this is an opportunity to go out and get some time and play someplace.”
Hall hit .224 in 158 plate appearances this season. In 2006, Hall ate his Wheaties as he had a career year with 35 home runs, 85 RBI all while hitting .270 for the Brewers.
The Hall move was made as Jason Bourgeois will return from his rehab assignment early to take the roster spot. Bourgeois went 5-for-9 in two games for Class AAA Oklahoma City.
The Astros will have to pay Hall the remaining money left of his $3mm deal (little over $1.5mm) as well as his $250,000 buyout for his $4mm mutual option for next season.
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Dodgers and Mets not the only teams in violation of the MLB debt service rules
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Much has been said about the Dodgers and Mets and their respective financial troubles. Yes, both clubs are major headaches for MLB, but according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, a total of nine teams are in violation of the MLB debt service rules. Besides the Dodgers and the Mets, the Orioles, Phillies, Nationals, Marlins, Rangers, Tiger and Cubs are the other clubs currently violating the debt service rules.
The debt service rules are intended to ensure clubs have the resources to support their financial obligations. The rules generally limit a team’s debt to 10 times its annual earnings, though the commissioner does have control over what situation to enforce the rule.
Rob Manfred, baseball’s executive vice president of labor relations, would not confirm the number of teams in violation of the debt rule or identify any of them. “To take a snapshot of the number of non-compliant clubs at a point in time can be very misleading,” Manfred said. “We are not concerned about the overall economic condition of the industry.”
I think what Manfred meant when he said, “We are not concerned about the overall economic condition of the industry” was baseball is not concerned about any of the other franchises EXCEPT the Dodgers.
Erick Almonte outrighted to Triple-A
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The Milwaukee Brewers have outrighted utility-man Erick Almonte according to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel. Almonte has accepted his assignment instead of becoming a free agent adds Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com.
Almonte was hitting .103/.103/.207 with 1 HR and 3 RBI’s in 29 AB’s for the Brewers this season. Back in April, Almonte became the first MLB player to be placed Major Leaguer to be placed on the seven-day Disabled List for concussions.
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