Rumors for June, 2011
Rockies inquiring about starting pitching
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In an article by Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post, he says the Colorado Rockies have begun calling other teams to gauge the market for starting pitching. GM Dan O’Dowd believes that his team could use rotation reinforcement.
“I am sure there will be conversations. It takes two to tango,” manager Jim Tracy said. “But my focus is on making sure we reach the all-star break as a viable contender.”
Renck speculates that the Rockies could add an arm, but it will all come down to how the trade market takes shape over the next few weeks. Everybody is looking for pitching and there are a few teams out of contention. Some candidates that the Rockies could go after include Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers, Carlos Zambrano and Anibal Sanchez.
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Davey Johnson to manage the Nationals
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The Washington Nationals will name Davey Johnson as their new manager reports Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that Johnson’s contract with the Nationals runs through 2013. Yesterday, Jim Riggleman resigned after the game against the Mariners.
The 68-year old Johnson last managed in the Major in 2000 for the Dodgers. He was the Mets manager in 1986 when they won the World Series against the Red Sox.
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Indians sign RHP Matt Curtis
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The Cleveland Indians have signed right handed pitcher Matt Curtis as a non-drafted free agent according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.
Curtis pitched for the University of Central Missouri. In 2011 he was 11-0 with a 3.19 ERA. He is 21-2 over the last four years.
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Ruben Amaro wants to add a reliever
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Last week, we learned that the Phillies were looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder. Today, Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Enquirer wrote that Phillies GM, Ruben Amaro Jr. is more concerned about their pitching than their offense.
“I’m always concerned about our bullpen,” Amaro said. “We have some young kids throwing in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, and it’s hard to rely on them on a daily basis. They’ve never been through it in September, and they’ve never been through it in October, and now Jose Contreras is down, and we don’t have Brad Lidge.”
The kids Amaro is referring to are Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo. Stutes is 2-0 with a 2.38 ERA in 22.2 innings through 24 games this season for the Phillies. Bastardo is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in 28 innings through 31 games this season for the Phillies.
The workload is a concern for both rookies, so it makes sense to add a veteran arm that can work as a setup man while Contreras and Lidge are on the DL. Players that could fit that profile are Mike Adams, Luke Gregerson, Heath Bell or Francisco Rodriguez.
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Rangers GM looking at Yu Darvish
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According to an article by T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, Texas Rangers’ general manager, Jon Daniels, is looking at Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.
One of the stars from the World Baseball Classic for Japan is a potential free agent. He is currently 8-2 with a 1.39 ERA for the Nippon Ham Fighters.
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J.C. Romero gets unconditional release from Phillies
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According to a press release issued by the Philadelphia Phillies, left-handed pitcher J.C. Romero was given his unconditional release.
There were rumors that the St. Louis Cardinals may have an interest in Romero, but as of June 21, Cardinal’s GM John Mozeliak mentioned that they had not had any talks with the Phillies. Now that Romero is a free agent, the Cardinals can freely talk with him without having to send any compensation to the Phillies.
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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Pirates designate LHP Aaron Thompson
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have designated left-handed pitcher Aaron Thompson, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. The move was made to clear room on the 40-man roster for Chase d’Arnaud.
Thompson was claimed off of waivers by the Pirates in December. He previously played in the Washington Nationals’s organization.
The 24-year-old was originally a first-round pick (22nd overall) in the 2005 June MLB Amateur Draft. In 16 games (12 starts) for Double-A Altoona, he was 3-6 with a 4.97 ERA.
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Indians release Jensen Lewis
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The Cleveland Indians have released Jensen Lewis from Triple-A Columbus according to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer.
The movement will create room for right handed pitcher Chen Chang Lee who was promoted from Double-A Akron adds Hoynes.
Lewis was 3-2 with a 5.14 ERA in 28 innings throughout 22 games for the Indians’ Triple-A team in Columbus.
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Pirates acquire RHP Steven Jackson from Reds
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired right handed pitcher Steven Jackson from the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
Jackson had a 5.59 ERA in 9.2 innings throughout 10 games for the Reds’ Triple-A team this season.
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First-Round Contracts: Fulmer, Cron
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Here are a few first-round (including supplemental picks) that have signed (or will sign) recently:
– C.J. Cron will head to Anaheim on Monday to sign with the Los Angeles Angels (Twitter). Cron’s deal is for for $1.467 million adds Jim Callis of Baseball America.
– Supplemental pick Michael Fulmer has agreed to terms with the New York Mets. (Twitter)
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