Rumors for July, 2011
Minnesota Twins interested in RHP Koji Uehara
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The Minnesota Twins are looking for late inning relief help and have sent top scout Bob Hegman to watch the Baltimore Orioles, Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun reports. It’s likely that he’s there to watch right-handed relief pitcher Koji Uehara. The Baltimore Orioles in turn have sent professional scouting director Lee MacPhail to Minnesota. The Orioles could be eyeing one of the Twins’ extra outfielders.
The 36-year-old Uehara is 1-1 in 40 appearances this season. He has an absurd WHIP of 0.705 over 44 innings pitched in addition to 58 strikeouts.
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Cubs haven’t ruled out return of Carlos Pena for 2012
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The Chicago Cubs internally have not ruled out the idea of re-signing Carlos Pena to a new contract after his current deal expires after this season, Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com reports. Mooney speculates that the team could offer Pena arbitration, and should he sign elsewhere the Cubs are likely entitled to draft-picks as compensation.
Pena’s one-year deal this past winter had many speculating that he was going to be used as a buffer for the team’s likely chase of Albert Pujols next winter.
Mooney also believes that Aramis Ramirez may be with the Cubs for the rest of this season, and he possibly could be in the team’s long-term plans.
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Boston Red Sox inquire about Rich Harden
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In a Tweet by Peter Gammons, he says that the Boston Red Sox have inquired about Oakland A’s pitcher Rich Harden.
Harden has spent much of the season on the disabled list. In three starts this season, he is 1-1 with 17 strikeouts over 18 innings of work. He was signed for $1.5 million plus incentives this past winter.
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Hiroki Kuroda is keeping all of his options open
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Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports via his Full Count Video:
– The Atlanta Braves are trying to add Carlos Beltran, but Rosenthal remind us that they also need a right handed reliever. Their bullpen has been overworked and Peter Moylan is at least a month away from returning from the DL. The team is receiving trade interest in their young studs like Anthony Varvaro, Jairo Asencio and Juan Abreu.
– The Cleveland Indians are among the teams interested in B.J. Upton. According to Rosenthal, given the Indians’ injuries in the outfield this is not a bad idea for them. Rosenthal also compares Upton to Ryan Ludwick and Josh Willingham. He says that although their offensive numbers aren’t that impressive this season, he’s a better defender and is a better baserunner.
– The Chicago White Sox could still become sellers at the deadline. Two names that may be mentioned in trade talks could be starter Edwin Jackson and outfielder Carlos Quentin. Rosenthal believes that Quentin could be a great trade chip if the White Sox start to dangle him. Rosenthal also adds that the White Sox already have a six man rotation, and that Dayan Viciedo could replace Quentin, so dealing them won’t affect the roster that much.
Rosenthal later added more information in a follow-up video:
– Although the Braves are interested in Carlos Beltran, don’t expect them to pony up their top pitching prospects to rent the outfielder.
– Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Hiroki Kuroda is “keeping all of his options open.” He’s willing to waive his no-trade clause.
– Rosenthal adds that B.J. Upton “will be traded.”
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Injury updates: Jones, Uggla, Bruce, Buchholz and Posey
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Braves third baseman, Chipper Jones, is planing to play third base with the Braves’ Class-A affiliate, today and tomorrow reports David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. O’Brien adds that if all goes well he could be reactivated on Monday from the DL.
– O’Brien also reports that Dan Uggla is OK after testing out his calf today and plans to be in the Braves lineup tonight.
– Jay Bruce is experiencing some inner ear issues so he’ll be out of today’s lineup for the Reds according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
– Right handed pitcher, Clay Buchholz, suffered a setback during his rehab process according to Michael Vega of the Boston Globe. He was supposed to throw off a mound yesterday, but instead he had a long-toss session adds Vega.
– Buster Posey underwent a procedure yesterday to remove the screws from his surgically repaired left ankle reports the Associated Press (via the San Francisco Chronicle). Bruce Bochy, Giants manager, said Posey is still weeks away from being able to put weight on the leg.
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Rosenthal on B.J. Upton – He will be traded
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According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the interest in B.J. Upton is growing with a couple of more teams calling the Rays to ask about the outfielder. Olney says that this could be a part of Hunter Pence/ Carlos Beltran price-shopping and comparison.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports adds that Upton “will be traded. Trust me on that.”
Back in April, the Nationals expressed interest in acquiring Upton, but the rumors quickly faded away after that.
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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Cardinals not looking to deal Rasmus, but will listen to offers
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The St. Louis Cardinals are not looking to deal outfielder Colby Rasmus, but according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, they will explore every possible way to improve and will listen to offers regarding him.
Last week, we learned that the Nationals, Red Sox and other teams had called the Cardinals regarding Rasmus. By that time, GM, John Mozeliak, said that it is highly unlikely they’ll trade him.
Rasmus is hitting .241/.327/.402 with 9 HR’s and 36 RBI’s in 328 AB’s for the Cardinals this season.
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Rangers remain in play to land Carlos Beltran
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The New York Mets have ramped up the scouting of Rangers’ prospects, sources close to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com report. Mets scout, Bryan Lambe is watching the Rangers’ Low-A Class team at Hickory adds Rubin.
Carlos Beltran and Heath Bell are apparently the Rangers’ primary targets adds a source close to Rubin. Yesterday, we learned that five teams were considered finalists to land Beltran. The Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and the Texas Rangers.
In related Beltran’s news, Buster Olney of ESPN adds that in some corners of the Mets’ organization, there is a belief that they won’t eat all of Beltran’s salary.
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Mike Adams to the Yankees highly unlikely
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The San Diego Padres have been shopping some of their bullpen assets for a couple of month now. Last week, we learned that the Padres might keep Mike Adams around.
Adams, Heath Bell, Luke Gregerson and Chad Qualls are some of the names that have been buzzing lately, but it appears the Padres’ asking price for Adams is even higher than the one for Bell.
Buster Olney of ESPN tweeted earlier today that there’s a big gap between what the Padres are asking the Yankees in return for Adams and what the Yankees are willing to part with, so a deal there appears highly unlikely.
Adams is 3-1 with a 1.20 ERA in 45 innings throughout 45 relief appearances for the Padres in 2011.
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Blue Jays designate Jo-Jo Reyes for assignment
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The Toronto Blue Jays have designated left handed pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes for assignment according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. This roster move will make room for Wilfredo Ledezma who was called up from Triple-A.
Reyes was 5-8 with a 5.40ERA in 110 innings throughout 20 starts for the Blue Jays this season.
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