Rumors for July, 2011
White Sox and Blue Jays close to a deal that involves Jackson, Teahen and Frasor
Posted by: | Comments
According to sources close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports (via Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports), the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays are close to a deal that will ship Edwin Jackson to Toronto.
The Blue Jays along with Jackson will also receive Mark Teahen.
The White Sox will receive Jason Frasor and another player not specified by Rosenthal. He adds that money could be part of the deal also.
It is also possible that Toronto may spin Jackson to another team right away. Toronto has shown interest in Colby Rasmus in recent days, though it is not known if the teams are talking.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Controversial call to end Braves and Pirates game
Posted by: | Comments
Let’s take a break from all the rumors regarding trades and take a look at a video of the controversial game ending call to Tuesday nights’ Braves and Pirates game. Here’s the link from MLB.com.:
http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2011/07/26/mlbtv_pitatl_17335095_1200K.mp4
Atlanta won the game 4-3. If the Pirates’ season is decided by a game, then I’ll bet you’ll see highlights of this play over and over come end of September.
Image by David Berkowitz under the Creative Commons License.
Brian McCann Headed to the disabled list
Posted by: | Comments
Brian McCann strained his left oblique during tonight’s game against the Pirates, according to Chris Cox of MLB.com. He is expected to be put on the DL on Wednesday.
McCann, 27, is hitting .305/.375/.515 with 18 home runs this season.
Image By Keith Allison Under the Creative Commons License
Tuesday Rumor Mill: Giambi to DL – could impact trade
Posted by: | Comments
The final week before the non-waiver deadline hits is heating up. Stay with PRO Rumors all day for the latest trade rumors:
– Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post reports that the Rockies have placed Jason Giambi on the disabled list and he speculates that it could impact his involvement in a trade.
– Cardinals GM, John Mozeliak, said that they’re focused on getting pitching, although he didn’t specify if they were focused on bullpen or rotation help (via Matthew Leach of MLB.com). “We’re still exploring both [starters and relievers],” he said. “But when it comes down to it, I think the reliever market’s got more opportunities.”
– According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Philadelphia Phillies have been the most aggressive team on Hunter Pence. Rosenthal adds that the Red Sox have inquired although they are having a tough time finding a match with the Astros. The Braves are not currently involved.
– Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets that there are seven teams interested in Ubaldo Jimenez. The Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays.
– The Washington Nationals are still looking for a center fielder, and Bill Ladson of MLB.com says the team has shown interest in Peter Bourjos. Ladson adds that the Nationals have also been scouting Denard Span, Colby Rasmus, Justin Upton and Michael Bourn.
– Rival executives believe that the Rockies want to trade for Ubaldo Jimenez reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He says that the Yankees, Red Sox and Reds have been calling. The Blue Jays have been kicking the tires on Jimenez too. Sherman points out that because Jimenez is under team control through 2013 non-contenders could be interested as well.
– A scout who has seen Jason Vargas believes the Mariners won’t receive a big return for him (via Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports).
– The Yankees are looking for left-handed relievers with Wil Ohman and Randy Choate as possible targets. (New York Post via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch)
– The Mariners are among many teams that have inquired about Colby Rasmus. (Jon Paul Morosi, FOX Sports)
– The Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and other teams are among those that are interested in Erik Bedard. (Jon Heyman, Sports Illustrated)
– Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports tweets that he’s hearing mixed opinions on whether the Nationals will move right handed pitcher Jason Marquis.
– The Detroit Tigers have apparently pushed for Hiroki Kurada, but one source close to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated doubts Kuroda would move from Los Angeles to Detroit.
– According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, there are five teams in play for Rays outfielder B.J. Upton.
– Outfielder Colby Rasmus has become a goal for the Chicago White Sox according to Joes Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated). Heyman points out that the Cardinals “may not be there.”
– According to a rival evaluator, the Minnesota Twins are planning to re-sign Michael Cuddyer, and he is convinced the Twins won’t trade him (via Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports).
– Danny Knobler of CBSSports tweets that the Los Angeles Angels are also interested in Micheal Cuddyer.
– The Philadelphia Phillies (via Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Enquirer) and Boston Red Sox (via Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated) are not afraid to add payroll even though that will push them above baseball’s luxury-tax threshold of $178 million.
– The Milwaukee Brewers have been kicking the tires on Jamey Carroll and Clint Barmes according to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel.
– According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the San Francisco Giants like Michael Cuddyer, and that could hurt Beltran’s value.
– The Minnesota Twins are apparently looking to deal left handed pitcher Jose Mijares according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
– The Texas Rangers have Heath Bell as their number one target with Carlos Beltran as their number two. Jim Bowden of ESPN says that the reigning AL Champions have enough prospects in their inventory and the “will” to trade for both players.
– The Boston Red Sox are unwilling to put Will Middlebrooks in any trade because they see him as a successor to Kevin Youkilis. (Jim Bowden, ESPN)
Reds trade Jonny Gomes to Nationals
Posted by: | Comments
The Cincinnati Reds have traded Jonny Gomes to the Washington Nationals for outfielder Bill Rhinehart, left-handed pitcher Chris Manno and cash, according to both the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals‘ Twitter accounts.
Mets continue to scout Rangers farm system in preparation for possible Beltran trade
Posted by: | Comments
It appears that the best offer the Mets have received so far for Carlos Beltran has come from the Rangers (Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated). Heyman points out though that Beltran would prefer to stay in the National League.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday says that the Mets continue to scout the Rangers farm system in preparation for possible Beltran trade.
Heyman adds that the Boston Red Sox are interested in Ryan Spilborghs. He could be the fourth outfielder behind Josh Reddick. They seem off the Beltran race for now.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are talking about two and three prospects deal with the Rangers, Red Sox, Giants, Braves and Phillies. He adds that the Brewers keep calling them.
The Mets believe they can get a very good deal for Beltran even though they will not get any A-list prospects (via Sherman).
A person close to the Carlos Beltran talks expects them to intensify within the next 48 hours reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, there are no clear front runners for Beltran as for today.
Earlier today, Olney tweeted that the Atlanta Braves needed Beltran more than the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies or Boston Red Sox do. He believes that if they get Beltran, he will greatly enhance their lineup.
Olney also points out that up to this point, the Cincinnati Reds are not involved in the Beltran talks.
We also heard today that the Rangers have Heath Bell as their number one target with Beltran as their number two. The Rangers have enough prospects in their inventory and the “will” to trade for both players.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Milwaukee Brewers not interested in B.J. Upton
Posted by: | Comments
Earlier today, we learned that five teams “in play” for Rays outfielder B.J. Upton. Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports added later that the Milwaukee Brewers are not among those teams.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says that the Tampa Bay Rays are “very serious” about dealing Upton, and because he’s under team control until 2012, even non-contenders are calling the Rays regarding him.
Not only have the Nationals called the Rays about Upton, the Kansas City Royals also “checked in” says Sherman. The Braves, Pirates, Reds and Cardinals also are very serious on Upton.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Monday’s Rumor Mill: Rays willing to talk about Niemman and Davis
Posted by: | Comments
With the trade deadline less than a week away, we at PRO Rumors want to make sure you are up-to-date with all the trade rumors. For that reason, we present to you the “Rumor Mill.” This article will include all the rumors and speculations around the Major League. So make sure you check our Twitter feed and website constantly to make sure you are up-to-date with the “trade deadline madness.”
Here’s a list of today’s rumors:
– The Tampa Bay Rays are willing to talk about Jeff Niemman and Wade Davis according to sources close to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
– Right handed pitcher Brandon League is unlikely to be traded according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports. Mariners president Chuck Armstrong said that a trade of League is “not likely at all – at this point.”
– The Philadelphia Phillies are interested in Jason Giambi according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports. He adds that this could be an August deal for the Phillies.
– A lot of teams have inquired about Heath Bell, but GM Jed Hoyer said that the Padres are “not close” to dealing him. Hoyer also said that the team will make a move at the trade deadline.
– The Cincinnati Reds have received interest from multiple teams on Edinson Volquez reports a source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.
– A source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says that the Washington Nationals and the Minnesota Twins have spoken about a trade involving Denard Span. Other potential trade candidates from Washington such as Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard are supposedly off the table.
– David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds Reed Johnson of the Cubs and Jonny Gomes of the Reds as possible Braves’ targets. Additionally, O’Brien opines that Mike Adams, Tyler Clippard or Koji Uehara could be of great value to Atlanta.
– Tigers’ wish list according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports: Ubaldo Jimenez, Hiroki Kuroda, Aaron Harang, Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Marquis. He adds though, that Jimenez’s price is too high for the Tigers.
– Left fielder Jonny Gomes has started only four of the last 12 games for the Reds and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports suggests that he could be expendable for Cincinnati.
– According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Oakland Athletics are still refusing to talk about Gio Gonzalez even though they’re “falling out of the race.” He says that the Yankees would pay big in order to get him.
– A rival executive believes that the New York Yankees will add a left handed reliever according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports. Joel Sherman of the New York Post adds that the Yankees will not move Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Jesus Montero or Austin Romine.
– Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports tweets that Heath Bell is exactly what the Cardinals need. He adds that if the Rangers want to keep Neftali Feliz as their closer, it would make more sense for them to acquire Mike Adams than Bell.
– The teams that saw Ubaldo Jimenez pitch in his last outing according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated were the Red Sox, Rangers, Tigers, Blue Jays, Yankees and Reds.
– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports believes the Houston Astros could offer Clint Barmes to the Arizona Diamondbacks. They need a short stop after they lost Stephen Drew last week.
– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports said earlier today that the New York Yankees are among the teams interested in Hiroki Kuroda. Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports adds that the Yankees had a scout in Cleveland on Sunday, where Edwin Jackson was pitching.
– The Tampa Bay Rays are apparently willing to part ways with their closer Kyle Farnsworth according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
– According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins have expressed interest in Koji Uehara.
– The San Francisco Giants remain intrigued by Michael Cuddyer according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com. If the Twins decide to become sellers, he could be dealt at the deadline. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports adds that the Twins could also move potential free agents Jason Kubel, Jim Thome and Matt Capps.
– Buster Olney of ESPN speculates that veteran Jason Giambi could be a perfect fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is a great clubhouse guy who can provide power and experience to the team. Yesterday, we learned that the Pirates are still looking for a bat, although no deal is imminent so far.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Mets not lowering their price on Beltran
Posted by: | Comments
The New York Mets are not lowering their asking price Carlos Beltran according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. They believe he’s the best guy on the market and a “legitimate difference maker.”
Earlier today, sources close to Buster Olney of ESPN said that the New York Mets are expected to finish their evaluation of rival farm systems in the next day or two. This is in preparation for a possible Beltran deal. Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says that Padres and Mets scouts are still scouting Rangers prospects.
Jayson Stark of ESPN (via Jen Royle) says that Beltran doesn’t want to go to the American League, but would consider the Red Sox or the Rangers. She adds that the Giants are still the favorites to land the Mets outfielder.
Olney adds that the Braves, are refusing to part ways with any one of their four core pitching prospects for Beltran. Their four core pitching prospects are Julio Teheran, Arodys Vizcaino, Mike Minor and Randall Delgado.
In related Beltran news, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSportswrote some interesting notes in his column. Rosenthal says that the Mets are asking a lot in return because he’s the best available hitter and some suitors have indicated a willingness to part with good prospects.
Beltran’s contract stipulates that a team cannot offer him arbitration, eliminating the potential for draft-pick compensation in case he decides to become a free agent and sign with another team at the end of the season. Rosenthal adds that the Mets could address that concern by attaching young players or even Major Leaguers to a Beltran deal.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Arizona Diamondbacks sign Trevor Bauer
Posted by: | Comments
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that they have signed first-round pick Trevor Bauer (third overall) to a Major League contract. The contract adds Bauer to the team’s 40-man roster.
The 20-year-old right-handed pitcher recently won the Golden Spike Award. The award is given annually to the best amateur baseball player.
Image by Ken Lund under the Creative Commons License.
