Rumors for Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins send RHP Loek Van Mil to Angels
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To complete the trade for left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes, the Minnesota Twins have sent right-handed pitcher Loek Van Mil to the Los Angeles Angels, according to Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune.
Van Mil, 25, is best known for being the tallest pitcher in the Minor Leagues at 7′1″. He was designated for assignment by the Twins on August 28.
He has not played in the Major Leagues, but was added to the Twins 40-man roster last November. In High-A and Double-A in 2010, Van Mill is 1-3 with a 6.15 ERA in 26 games. He has a 1.960 WHIP and 1.23 SO/BB ratio.
| Team | Acquires |
| Los Angeles Angels | RHP Loek Van Mil (PTBNL) |
| Minnesota Twins | LHP Brian Fuentes |
Florida Marlins make three-year offer to RHP Ricky Nolasco
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Despite not being eligible for free agency until 2012, the Florida Marlins have made a three-year offer to right-handed pitcher Ricky Nolasco. However, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the two teams are still $10 million apart. Jackson reminds us that the Marlins had a bigger gap before agreeing to a deal with Josh Johnson.
Johnson agreed to a four-year, $39 million contract last January. Other pitchers that signed similar deals at this stage of their career include Johan Santana’s four-year, $40 million deal with the Minnesota Twins (2005-2008) and Zach Greinke’s four-year, $38 million deal with the Kansas City Royals (2009-2012).
Nolasco, 27, is 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA in 26 starts this season.
Update – Atlanta Braves holding onto Troy Glaus – will recall INF on Wednesday
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8/31 23:16: FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal says the Braves are not trading Glaus. Rather the team is recalling him Wednesday.
8/29 10:05: Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says a trade of Atlanta Braves’ infielder Troy Glaus is possible. One Major League source close to Morosi says multiple teams have shown interest in Glaus and he could fit in for teams with needs at first base and/or designated hitter. Candidates for such as need include the Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers.
There are approximately two days left before the August 31st deadline to set post season rosters and many of the contenders are trying to round out their rosters in preparation for a World Series run.
Glaus was placed on the disabled list earlier this month, and is currently on a Minor League rehabilitation assignment where he’s hitting .391 with two home runs and 8 RBIs in six games. He’s hitting .239 with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs with the big league club in 115 games this season. He carries a balance of about $300,000 should a team pick him up for September.
Update – No deal to trade Mike Napoli from Angels to Red Sox
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8/29 14:14: According to a source close to Alex Speier of WEEI says the Red Sox and the Angels did not reach an agreement to trade catcher Mike Napoli despite the Sox being awarded a waiver claim.
A second source close to Speier said the Angels were “not really looking to move” Napoli right now.
8/29 17:21: The Angels will likely pull Napoli back as they can create more of a trade market for him over the winter, a league source told John Tomase of the Boston Herald. The Red Sox had interest in Napoli but also needed to put a claim in to block the Rays from obtaining him.
8/29 14:50: According to ESPN’s Joe McDonald, the Boston Red Sox have claimed Mike Napoli. McDonald adds that is is unlikely the Red Sox will complete a deal.
8/28 23:01: Major League sources close to FOXSports.com say that Los Angeles Angels catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli was claimed on trade waivers by an unknown team. The Angels and the claiming team now have until Monday afternoon to work out a deal.
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says the team is probably another American League club. Possible candidates include the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers. All of those teams could use help at catcher, first base and/or designated hitter.
Since the return of catcher Jeff Mathis from the disabled list in June, Napoli has spent more time at first base.
Napoli is earning $3.6 million this season and is on track to be a free agent after the 2012 season. He is hitting .249 with 21 home runs and 60 RBIs in 112 games.
Colorado Rockies sign RHP Luis Ayala to Minor League contract
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According to the Pacific Coast League transaction page, the Colorado Rockies have signed right-handed pitcher Luis Ayala to a Minor League contract and assigned him to the Colorado Spring Sky Sox.
Ayala was with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization earlier this season when he signed a Minor League deal in May, but he never made it to the big league club.
The right-handed relief pitcher, 32, has not pitched in the Major Leagues in 2010. He has a career 29-39 record with a 3.67 ERA in 6 seasons with the Expos, Nationals, Mets, Twins and Marlins.
Jim Thome to trigger $100,000 at-bat bonus with 21 more at-bats
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Jim Thome could trigger a $100,000 bonus in time for his 40th birthday by registering his 250th at-bat of the season. According to the Pioneer Press, Thome who has a one-year, $1.5 million contract for 2010 with the Minnesota Twins can make another $100,000 if he gets 21 more at-bats. The left-handed hitting slugger is currently sitting at 229 at-bats.
Agents often have incentive bonuses placed in contracts where both the team and the team will gain mutual benefit. Thome, now in the twilight of his career, can still continue his career with a low base salary which appeases the team who may be reluctant to sign him, but he can earn an upside bonus should he exceed expectations. These incentive bonuses are not limited to the players at the end of their career. Some players get bonuses based on winning MVP or Cy Young Awards, or finishing games as a pitcher or accumulating certain number of plate appearances as a hitter. The Twins could also be stingy and not play Thome for the rest of the year, but that’s unlikely unless he gets hurt.
Thome is currently .266/.391/.585 with 18 home runs and 45 RBIs in his only season with the Twins. The future Hall-of-Famer has publicly said that he would like to be back with the Twins in the future.
“I would love to stay,” he said in May. “It’s a great place, the people, the organization, the guys, the clubhouse. It’s been wonderful. I’ve had a blast.”
Minnesota Twins designate Loek Van Mil for assignment
Posted by: | CommentsIn order to make room for the recently acquired Brian Fuentes, the Minnesota Twins have designated Loek Van Mil for assignment, according to La Velle E. Neal of the Star Tribune.
Van Mil, 25, is best known for being the tallest pitcher in the Minor Leagues at 7′1″.
He has not played in the Major Leagues, but was added to the Twins 40-man roster last November. In High-A and Double-A in 2010, Van Mill is 1-3 with a 6.15 ERA in 26 games. He has a 1.960 WHIP and 1.23 SO/BB ratio.
Ken Rosenthal on Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Here’s the latest from FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal via his Full Count Video:
The addition of relief pitcher Brian Fuentes to the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen via trade from the Los Angeles Angels adds almost $2 million more to the Twins’ payroll, but it could be well worth it. Fuentes gives the Twins another closing option, but he fits best in left-on-left situations. Fuentes has held left-handed hitters to a .132 batting average. Left-hander Jose Mijares could come back to Minnesota in the last few weeks of the season – giving the Twins three left-handed options out of the bullpen.
Part of the reason the Texas Rangers made a claim on Manny Ramirez this week was to keep him away from two potential playoff opponents – the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. It’s probably best that the Rangers did not win the claim due to Ramirez’s defensive liability. Rosenthal says the Rangers should be fine with Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler expected to come off the DL shortly. The Rangers had been looking into acquiring a fourth outfielder – somebody like the Dodgers’ Reed Johnson.
If the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to part with Ramirez comes down to the outcome of their next three games, then Rosenthal says the pitching matchups will be critical. Rosenthal points out that Monday’s matchup will be between Hiroki Kuroda versus the Philadelphia Phillies Roy Halladay. The Dodgers could let Ramirez go regardless of the outcome of their next three games because he hasn’t really been a factor for the Dodgers’ this season.
With three teams making a claim on Ramirez this week, and the possibility of inheriting the $4 million that he’s due, Rosenthal points out that teams are more robust financial than what we are led to believe.
Join PRO Rumors on ESPN 1420am with The Sports Animals
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Join PRO Rumors on ESPN 1420 AM Honolulu, Hawaii tonight at 8:35pm PST (5:35pm Hawaii Time) with The Sports Animals Chris Hart and Gary Dickman. You can listen live at http://www.espn1420am.com
Minnesota Twins acquire Brian Fuentes from Angels
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FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal says the Minnesota Twins have acquire left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes from the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later.
| Team | Acquires |
| Los Angeles Angels | Player to be named later |
| Minnesota Twins | LHP Brian Fuentes |
Rosenthal adds that Fuentes will give the Twins another option to close with Matt Capps.
There were questions earlier this month if the Angels were going to re-sign the free-agent-to-be Fuentes.
Fuentes is in the final year of his two-year, $17.5 million deal that he signed before the 2009 season. There is a $9 million option for 2011 that will automatically vest if he finishes 55 games this season. He’s currently at 33 games finished, so it’s unlikely that the option will vest.
Fuentes, was 4-1 with a 3.52 ERA and 23 saves this season for the Angels.
