Rumors for July, 2011
Nick Cafardo on Jimenez, Bell, Beltran, Burrell and more
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Here’s the latest from Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe:
– The Reds are seeking a starting pitcher and have made “overtures” for the Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez.
– The Cardinals would like to have a starting pitcher and they’re reportedly dangling Colby Rasmus.
– Heath Bell remains a target of the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and possibly St. Louis Cardinals.
– The Angels have Carlos Beltran and Aramis Ramirez on the radar.
– Edwin Jackson of the Chicago White Sox is available.
– Nobody on the Houston Astros roster is off-limits.
– There’s speculation that Pat Burrell of the San Francisco Giants could be gone if the Giants acquire another hitter. San Francisco is reportedly going after Beltran and may be dangling Jonathan Sanchez.
– Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur of the Kansas City Royals could be available.
– The Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds have interest in Ryan Ludwick of the Padres.
– The Red Sox would entertain a deal for Dan Wheeler if they could get prospects in return.
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Minnesota Twins release Steve Singleton
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In an article by LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune, he reports that the Minnesota Twins have released infielder Steve Singleton. Singleton was hitting .295 in 41 games at Double-A New Britain and was hitting .246 in 40 games for Triple-A Rochester. Neal adds that Singleton had off the field issues that played a role in the decision to release him.
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10 percent chance the Rockies could trade Jimenez
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According to the Colorado Rockies, as reported by Peter Gammons of MLB.com, there is a 10 percent chance the club could trade starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez if the Rockies continue to trail the San Francisco Giants in the NL West.
However, the Rockies have spoken with the New York Yankees and probably the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds and others. (Source: Jon Heyman, Sports Illustrated)
It was rumored last week that the Rockies could be willing to move the right-hander, but there’s little the Rockies could acquire that would justify trading him. Things could change if somebody is willing to give them a front-of-the rotation starter, a top Major League ready arm and a slugging outfielder.
Jimenez, is under contract through 2014 if both club options are exercised, and over the next three years he’s set to make $17.95 million. That’s quite affordable for an ace, even though this season he has struggled from time to time.
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Yankees call up Dickerson, send down Golson
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According to the Associated Press, the New York Yankees have called up Chris Dickerson. To make this move they sent down outfielder Greg Golson. Golson was called up last Thursday when Alex Rodriguez went on the DL.
Golson, 25, had 0 at bats during his stint with the Major League Club. For AAA he is hitting .295/.350/.432 with 5 home runs in 61 games. Dickerson, is with the Major League Club for the third time this season. Through his first two stints he is hitting .300/.364/.400 in 31 games.
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New York Mets to sign Gustavo Chacin
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The New York Mets have signed left-handed pitcher Gustavo Chacin to a minor-league deal, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports (via Minorleaguetransactions.com).
The Houston Astros released Chacin on July 14. The lefty was at Triple-A at the time of his release and went 3-6 with a 5.13 ERA in 27 appearances.
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Detroit Tigers interested in Derek Lowe
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The Detroit Tigers are in need of starting pitching and are reportedly interested in acquiring right-handed pitcher Derek Lowe from the Atlanta Braves, sources close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports report.
The sources says the sides have not had serious talks and Lowe’s salary ($6 million for the rest of this season and $15 million for next season) could be a barrier for Detroit.
Morosi reminds us that Lowe is a Michigan native and has had previous success in Comerica Park.
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Rosenthal on Ubaldo, Nolasco and the Rays
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Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports via his Full Count Video.
–Most in the Rockies organization have said that Ubaldo Jimenez is not available. Though if he becomes available, the Yankees, Tigers and Reds would all be interested and would have the prospects to potentially meet the Rockies expected high asking price.
Though there is some concern that Jimenez is not yet back to his pre All-Star 2010 form, where his fastball average was 96 MPH compared to 94 MPH this season. In his last 9 starts however, Jimenez has posted a 2.56ERA.
–If the Marlins fail to get back into the playoff picture, they could make Ricky Nolasco available. If they did, the Marlins would not be looking for a salary dump trade (they are expected to increase payroll with the new ball park opening) as they would be expecting a significant return for him. The Rangers have had interest in Nolasco since last winter and have the prospects that would be needed to acquire the right hander. The Yankees could also be interested, as Joe Girardi and Nolasco have history with each other, back when Girardi was the manager of the Marlins in 2006.
–The Rays could still end of being sellers come the end of the month. Though they did try to acquire Francisco Rodriguez to bolster the back end of their bullpen just prior to the Brewers acquiring him. If they do become sellers, Rosenthal notes that the Rays will not trade any of their starting pitchers. Center fielder B.J. Upton though could be on his way out. Upton is an attractive option to teams in need of a center fielder who has power (15 home runs), speed (21 stolen bases) and is an average defender (.987% vs .991% league average).
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Red Sox designate Tommy Hottovy for assignment
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The Boston Red Sox have designated Tommy Hottovy for assignment, Rob Bradford of WEEI reports. The move was done to open a spot on the 40-man roster for left-handed pitcher Randy Williams.
The 30-year-old left-hander appeared in eight games for the Red Sox in 2011. He was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA over four innings of work.
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Orioles agree to a 3-year deal with J.J. Hardy
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The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a three-year deal with short stop J.J. Hardy sources close to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun report.
Dan Connoly of the Baltimore Sun adds that the extension will be worth between $22 and $22.5 million (between $7-$8mm per season), it includes an eight team no-trade clause, and he has also been assured that he will not be traded this year.
Zrebiec wrote yesterday they were trying to add some type of no-trade clause.
“Yes, I’d like [some] no-trade. I know how they have done it in the past with Markakis and Brian Roberts. It’s not a whole lot of teams,” Hardy said. “Yeah, that’s a big part of it. Money a little bit. The fact I’d know where I’d be somewhere for a little while. I think there are a lot of things that play a factor. If something doesn’t get done, then I would have that choice in the offseason to make something like that happen.”
Hardy is hitting .275/.333/.490 with 13 HR’s and 33 RBI’s in 247 AB’s for the Orioles this season
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Olney on: Tigers, Diamondbacks, Mariners and Pirates
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Here’s the latest from Buster Olney of ESPN:
– The Tigers had two scouts at Ubaldo Jimenez’s start on Thursday and GM, Dave Dombrowski, is known as an “aggressive deal-maker who is not afraid of aiming high and moving fast.” The Tigers have been asking about pitching, but Olney says they “don’t seem to be targeting the third- and fourth-tier guys that make up the bulk of this trade market.”
– The Diamondbacks are looking for relievers, but they’re looking at less expensive hurlers, like Brad Ziegler of the A’s and Jason Isringhausen of the Mets.
– The Mariners, who have a truck-load of good young pitchers are willing to listen to offers. Left hander Erik Bedard has been recovering from a knee injury and he could get a couple of starts in, before the deadline. Olney says this could serve as an audition for other teams, or for the Mariners if they want to keep him in 2012.
– The Pittsburgh Pirates won’t be sellers says manager, Clint Hurdle, and they have been inquiring about veteran hitters who could give them an offensive boost in the second half.
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