Rumors for Tampa Bay Rays
List of six GM candidates for Arizona Diamondbacks is taking shape
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FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi says the Arizona Diamondbacks’ list of potential general manager candidates is starting to take shape. According to sources close to Morosi, the Diamondbacks plan to speak with the following six people:
- Jerry Dipoto, Diamondbacks interim GM
- Peter Woodfork, Diamondbacks assistant GM
- Kevin Towers, former Padres GM and current Yankees adviser
- Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees vice president of amateur scouting
- De Jon Watson, Dodgers assistant GM for player development
- Logan White, Dodgers assistant GM for amateur and international scouting
Sources says that the Diamondbacks’ superiors were happy with the job that Dipoto did at the July 31st trade deadline. Among Dipoto’s accomplishments this season are: Dan Haren trade with the Los Angeles Angels, Edwin Jackson trade with the Chicago White Sox, Chad Qualls trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chris Snyder trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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.
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
Update – Manny Ramirez claimed on waivers by Chicago White Sox
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8/27 13:35: Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said, “Not inclined to move anyone so long as we have a chance,” according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
8/27 12:02: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets, “at least 3 teams decided manny was worth $4.1 mil (w/ some deferred) for 1 month. will be interesting to see what he gets as FA”
8/27 11:34: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets, “i think theyll have a trade. cant see white sox paying whole $4.1 mil. so perhaps there was a prearranged trade. tho dodgers winning now”
8/27 11:28: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the White Sox were awarded the claim. The White Sox and Dodgers now have until Tuesday to negotiate a deal.
8/27 11:26: MLB.com’s T.R. Sulivan says the Rangers put in a claim, but lost him to another team. An industry source close to Sullivan says it was the White Sox.
8/27 11:05: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the Texas Rangers did not win the claim.
8/27 11:02: Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says the Tampa Bay Rays nor the New York Yankees have claimed Ramirez.
8/27 10:29: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that multiple teams have placed a claim in on Ramirez. Now it will come down to who has the highest priority to determine who is awarded the claim.
8/27 10:19: The St. Petersburg Times’ Marc Topkin says on Twitter that an unknown team has claimed Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez on waivers. Whomever the team is, they will have until Tuesday to negotiate exclusively with the Dodgers. Both parties can work out a deal, the Dodgers can revoke Ramirez from waivers or Los Angeles can just give Ramirez away.
The Chicago White Sox have previously made their intentions to place a claim on Ramriez public.
Tampa Bay Rays sign Brad Hawpe
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The Tampa Bay Rays have signed free-agent outfielder Brad Hawpe to a Minor League contract, and has been assigned to Single-A Charlotte, according to a team press release. FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal was the first to report that the Rays were going to sign Hawpe. This morning Rosenthal said via Twitter, “Rays offer Hawpe best opp. He was looking for playing time. Streaky guy. If he gets hot, Rays have something. If not, little risk.”
Hawpe reportedly had 6-7 teams interested in him including the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.
The Rays will pay Hawpe the prorated portion of the Major League minimum. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the expectations are to activate Hawpe in a few days (likely when the rosters expand on September 1). He was officially designated for assignment by the Rockies on Thursday, August 19, and he became a free-agent this week. The 31-year-old outfielder .255 with with seven home runs and 37 RBIs this season.
Update – White Sox talk to Dodgers about Manny Ramirez but another team may be lurking
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8/27 09:05: FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal says, “About Manny’s desire for 1-yr ext. He has told some people he wants one to waive no-trade, others that he does not. Manny being Manny!”
8/26 19:30: The Chicago White Sox will know by Friday afternoon where they stand in their chase to get Manny Ramirez, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
8/26 03:10: Major League sources close to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports say the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers have spoken about a trade for Manny Ramirez.
FOXSports also says that the Dodgers have spoken with at least one other team about Ramirez, and the team may not trade him if the team continues to gain in the Wild Card standings. The team is currently 5 1/2 games back for the Wild Card spot.
The White Sox plan to claim Ramirez in order to negotiate exclusively with the Dodgers. However, they may not be alone. The Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers are side to be interested in the slugger. The deadline for teams to make a waiver claim is Friday afternoon.
There may be another twist to the story. Ramirez wants a one-year extension in order to waive his no-trade clause.
Ramirez has only played in 64 games this season due to three stints on the disabled list. Ramirez, 38, is a free agent after this season and heading into Wednesday’s game, he was hitting .306/.396/.497 with 8 home runs and 39 RBIs.
I know it’s only August, and nobody has officially clinched a playoff spot, but part-owner of the New York Yankees, Hank Steinbrenner, has already declared the Yankees to be playing in October, according to Matt Ehalt of the New York Daily News.
“I think were doing great considering Andy’s (Pettitte) out and a couple of other problems,” Steinbrenner said. “Obviously, were in the toughest division by far in baseball. So its going to be a struggle down to the wire. We’d like to win the division, but I think we can be rest assured were going to get the playoffs, then its a matter of what we do from there.”
The Yankees are currently tied for first place in the AL East with the Tampa Bay Rays and according to the Baseball Prospectus’ postseason odds, the team has a 89% chance of making the playoffs. Should they not clinch the AL East, the team is 5 1/2 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox in the race for the AL Wild Card.
8/26 11:30: Former Rays’ teammate and now Los Angeles Angels pitcher Scott Kazmir may help in the recruiting efforts. According to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com Kazmir said he would be happy to reach out to Crawford this winter.
“If they’re really serious about him, yeah,” Kazmir said. “I’d love to have him on the team. I don’t think there’s anyone in the league who has the skills he has, who brings so much to the table. He creates stuff, he’s an excellent outfielder and he has power. He pretty much has it all. I think everyone would love to have him.”
8/25 11:45: Free-agent-to-be Carl Crawford could be headed to Southern California if the rumors of Torii Hunter’s recruiting efforts are true. Despite the rumors, Hunter is denying any attempts at luring his friend to the Los Angeles Angels.
“Everybody and their mama’s going to want Carl Crawford,” Hunter said according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. “So you never know what can happen.”
“People forget he’s my friend, he’s one of my best buddies in the game,” Hunter said. “People are making it out like I’m trying to recruit him and everything. I’m just his friend, like always. But since he’s a free agent they think I’m trying to recruit him. I’m not.
“I was a free agent once, so if he asks me about free agency I’m going to help him out, whether he joins the Angels or not. He’s my friend first.”
Crawford will draw heavy interest from those that could afford him. It’s expected that he could command a contract over $70 million that breaks down to the $12-14 million per season range. The Rays are unlikely to have him back since the team’s payroll will be under $60 million next year. The Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have previously expressed interest in Crawford. At the time when Crawford was told that the Yankees were interested in him, Crawford said, “I don’t think about other teams. I’m only concerned with what goes on with the Rays.”
“I’m pretty sure he would love to stay with the Rays,” Hunter said. “But I’m pretty sure he has to think about that turf and that dome, and you have to think about your future first. Baseball is No. 1, and if you can’t play it because you’re sore every day, you learn that.”
Manny Ramirez placed on waivers by Los Angeles Dodgers
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According to sources close to ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers have placed outfielder Manny Ramirez on waivers. Teams will have until Friday afternoon to put a claim on Ramirez.
Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports said Ramirez will not clear waivers because the Chicago White Sox will claim him with the intention of acquiring him.
Per Major League waiver rules, National League teams will get the first shot at claiming Ramirez. However, Rosenthal says none are expected to do so. The Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers are interested in Ramirez, but the White Sox would have priority over them.
Ramirez is owned approximately $4.25 million for the rest of the season, with most of it deferred. He would need to waive his no-trade clause to go to the White Sox, but it would be in his best interest to do so, since he would have the opportunity to showcase his hitting skills as a designated hitter in the American League without having to deal with the liability of playing the outfield.
