Rumors for June, 2011
GM says no fire sale expected by Chicago Cubs
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General manager Jim Hendry told Carrie Muskat of MLB.com that the Chicago Cubs will not give up on the team and have fire sale. “”We’re not interested in trading people at all who will be valuable to us moving forward.” He added via Muskat, “”If we make moves, it will be designed to make us better for the future.”
Hendry’s statement is in line with what baseball sources told Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com last week. Sources said that the team is bringing together their top scouts to set up the team’s strategy for the July trade deadline. Hendry was to give the scouts the marching orders based on the team’s needs and which teams the Cubs might match up in trade talks.
Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez and Kosuke Fukudome are four Cubs’ players that could be on the trading block if they are willing to waive their no-trade or partial no-trade clauses. None of the aforementioned players are ecstatic to be on the move, but at least Zambrano and Soriano are open-minded about being traded.
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Ryan Franklin released by St. Louis Cardinals
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The St. Louis Cardinals have released right-handed pitcher Ryan Franklin, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
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Cubs give Doug Davis his unconditional release
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The Chicago Cubs have given pitcher Doug Davis his unconditional release, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
The 35-year-old pitched 4 1/3 innings while giving up 12 hits and 10 earned runs in his last outing versus the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.
Davis was signed by the Cubs to a Minor League deal on April 12. He was on track to make $900,000 with up to $2 million in incentives while on the Major League roster. The left-hander was 1-7 with a 6.50 ERA in nine games with Chicago.
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Mariners designate LHP Edward Paredes for assignment
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According to a release by the team, the Seattle Mariners have designated left-handed pitcher Edward Paredes for assignment.
The 24-year-old played for Triple-A Tacoma and Double-A Jackson in 2011. He went 3-1 with a 7.71 ERA.
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Seattle Mariners designate Chaz Roe for assignment
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In a release by the Seattle Mariners, the team announced that they have designated Chaz Roe for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster for catcher Jose Yepez.
Roe, 24, was originally a first-round pick (32nd overall) of the Colorado Rockies in the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft. Roe has yet to make his Major Leageu debut, but in seven professional seasons, he is 42-43 with a 4.64 ERA in 144 appearances (136 starts).
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Astros claim OF Luis Durango off waivers from Padres
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The Houston Astros have claimed outfielder Luis Durango off waivers from the San Diego Padres, according to Alyson Footer. Durango was then optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He previously was designated for assignment by the Padres on June 21.
The 25-year-old Durango last played in the Major Leagues in 2010. He has a career .305/.369/.305 in 37 big league games.
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Nationals sign LHP J.C. Romero to Minor League deal
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The Washington Nationals have signed left-handed pitcher JC Romero to a Minor League contract and have assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse, according to a source close to Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com. Romero was given his unconditional release by the Philadelphia Phillies on June 24.
There were rumors that the St. Louis Cardinals may have an interest in Romero, but nothing ever developed.
Romero was 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 relief appearances for the Phillies this season. The 35-year-old was designated for assignment on June 16.
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Miguel Cairo is the only active player from the 1998 Rays
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Earlier today, I stumbled across an article that caught my attention. Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times wrote about Miguel Cairo being the last active player from the 1998 Rays. I must confess, this is actually really random news as most of you are probably asking yourselves, who the hell is Miguel Cairo?
Cairo, as Smith points out, is a “classic survivor”. The guy has played 16 Major League seasons with nine different teams, but probably most of baseball fans doesn’t know him.
As a Venezuelan, I’m familiar with his work. Although he’s not an offensive threat, he can play pretty much every position on the field. In my opinion, he’s the definition of a “platoon player”, and can come off the bench as well.
Cairo returned to Tropicana Field on Monday and was honored to be the last remaining active player from the original 1998 Devil Rays team.
“I’m very thankful and grateful for what I have and for what I’ve accomplished all these years,” Cairo said. “To be the last man standing from that ‘98 season, it feels good that I’m still playing and that I can do it and I can still help a Major League team. I’ve still got that fire. I still love it.”
In his 16 Major League career, he has a career hitting line of .267/.317/.362 with 35 HR’s and 362 RBI’s in 3676 AB’s.
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Carlos Beltran willing to waive no-trade clause
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Since the beginning of the season, it has been rumored that the Mets could be looking to deal outfielder Carlos Beltran The Rangers have shown interest to acquire Beltran although it is to early where could he land in a trade.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post Beltran would be willing to waive his no-trade clause, so the Mets could deal him wherever they find the best value in return. “This is a business,” said Beltran. “The team is always going to do what is best for the team, and as a player you have to make a decision if the trade makes sense or not.”
Beltran also acknoledge he would like to play for a contender, so the Rangers could be a good fir for the outfielder. In 2011 for the Mets, Beltran is hitting .282/.373/.489 with 11 HR’s and 53 RBI’s.
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White Sox to sign Keenyn Walker
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White Sox’s suplemental round draft pick Keenyn Walker tweeted earlier today he’ll be signing with the team. Walker is a 65 runner that can stay in center field and profiles as a potential leadoff hiter.
Here’s Walker’s tweet: “Ya buddy! Finally becoming a part of the Chicago White Sox family!! #Bossin.”
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