Rumors for August, 2011
B.J. Upton claimed on waivers by unknown team
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In a Tweet by Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, he reports that Tampa Bay Rays’ center fielder B.J. Upton was claimed on waivers by an unknown team. The Rays now have until Monday afternoon to work out a deal or pull him back. Topkin suspects that a trade is unlikely, but also notes that the Washington Nationals are considered the most interested team.
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Matt Kemp becomes newest member of the 30/30 Club
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Last night in the bottom of the seventh, Matt Kemp crushed a solo home run to deep center, something he has been doing all season.
This was no ordinary home run though, as it was his 30th of the season to go along with 33 steals which made him the newest member of the 30/30 club.
Kemp became only the second Dodger ever to accomplish this feat. The only other Dodger was Raul Mondesi, who accomplished it twice in 1997 and ‘99. Though no Dodger has ever reached the 40/40 club.
“I’m just happy I got to do it here in L.A.,” Kemp said after the game. “The fans have always supported me. We still got a long way to go.”
On the season, Kemp is hitting .323 with 98 RBIs. He is in the top four in both of these categories along with top four in home runs and stolen bases.
The last Major Leaguer to reach the 30-30 club was Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler,, in 2009.
Information and quotes used in this article were obtained from MLB.com.
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Barry Bonds conviction upheld by federal judge
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The obstruction of justice conviction of Barry Bonds was upheld by federal judge, Susan Illston, on Friday so no new trial or an acquittal will take place, according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press.
Bonds was convicted of giving an evasive reply to a grand jury while under oath when asked whether he received drugs that required a syringe.
“Viewed in the light most favorable to the government, the record supports a finding, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the question was material to the grand jury’s investigation of BALCO and Greg Anderson for unlawfully distributing performance enhancing drugs, and that defendant endeavored to obstruct the grand jury by not answering it when it was first asked,” Illston wrote. “The conviction can be upheld if (the) defendant endeavored to obstruct justice, even if he did not succeed.”
Blum adds that Bonds is likely going to appeal Illston’s decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
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Cardinals to pick up Adam Wainwright’s option
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The St. Louis Cardinals will pick up the two-year, $21 million option on starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, according to GM John Mozeliak, as reported by Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
“There is no reason for us not to assume it,” Mozeliak said.
The deal isn’t official until both sides sign-off, but will likely take place shortly after the season ends. Wainwright has been out due to ligament replacement surgery that was performed in February. He’s expected to return to the mound before mid-September.
Wainwright will make $9 million in 2012 and $12 million 2013.
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Heath Bell previously claimed by Giants but will remain with Padres
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In a Tweet by Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, he reports that Heath Bell will remain with the San Diego Padres.
On Wednesday, August 24, Bell was claimed by the San Francisco Giants, but no deal was in place to send the Padres’ closer to their division rivals.
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Blue Jays claim Dewayne Wise
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In an announcement by the Toronto Blue Jays, the team has claimed Dewayne Wise off of waivers from the Florida Marlins. Wise is scheduled to report to Toronto on Saturday.
Wise was designated for assignment by the Marlins on August 24.
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Twins trade Jim Thome to the Indians
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The Cleveland Indians have acquired Jim Thome from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for a player to be named later, according to official sources close to Scott Miller of CBS Sports.
Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 first reported earlier today via Twitter that the side were close to completing a deal with Thome joining the Tribe as soon as Friday night.
The only hold up in the waiver deal was Thome approving the deal because of his no trade clause. Thome will be having a sort of home coming as he played for the Indians from 1991-2002.
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Injury update: Rasmus, Hanson and Liriano
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major Leagues:
– Outfielder Colby Rasmus could be headed to the Disabled List if the soreness in his right wrist doesn’t improve during the weekend reports Shi Davidi of Canada’s Sportsnet.
– Right handed pitcher Tommy Hanson returned to Atlanta to have his shoulder checked again according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was diagnosed with shoulder tendinitis earlier this month, but the MRI showed no structural damage.
– The Minnesota Twins have placed left handed pitcher Francisco Liriano on the Disabled List with a strained shoulder according to Aaron Gleeman of NBCSports.com.
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Thome close to being traded back to Indians
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The Minnesota Twins’ Jim Thome may be headed back to his former club – the Cleveland Indians. In a Tweet by Nick Camino of WTAM 1100, he reports that the Tribe and the Twins are close to completing a deal, and Thome could be in an Indians’ uniform by Friday night.
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Joe Nathan open-minded about trade
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Minnesota Twins’ relief pitcher Joe Nathan is open-minded about a trade if the right scenario comes up.
“It’s something I would consider,” said Nathan, as reported by Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN.com. “It’s not something I would rule out.”
Nathan recently accumulated enough service time this season to become a “10-and-five” player. This means that Nathan has 10 years of Major League service with the last 5 years on the same team which allows him to veto any trade.
The pitcher added that he’ll look at possible waiver claims or trade scenarios on a “case-by-case” basis.
Nathan has a base salary of $11.25 million this season with a team option of $12.5 million with a $2 million buyout for next season.
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