May 2008

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Odds and Ends: Posada, Uribe, Wise, Red Sox

Today's links... Jorge Posada could rejoin the Yankees as early as Wednesday (a few reports suggested Tuesday). Kat O'Brien of Newsday says the Yanks will hold on to both Jose Molina and Chad Moeller for "a while" after Posada returns, but as Peter Abraham points out on the LoHud Yankees blog, the Yankees have a real need for a set-up man now that Joba Chamberlain is starting. Juan Uribe has been activated from the 15-day DL, and although Ozzie Guillen said he wasn't guaranteed playing time, they had to make room on the roster nonetheless. DeWayne Wise was designated for...   Continue Reading

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Speculating on Sexson, Hatteberg

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times writes of "mounting speculation" about Richie Sexson's situation with the Mariners and "a growing call among fans" for Seattle to acquire recently DFA'd Scott Hatteberg from the Reds to replace him. The Mets are reportedly also in the mix for Hatteberg, who was designated on May 27. Hatteberg is 38 and hitting .173. He did, however, hit .310 last year. Sexson, only 33, is struggling to clear the Mendoza line at present. The struggle began last year when he hit .205 in 121 games. However, of his 31 hits this year, nine have been...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Duncan, Mather, Huntington, Trachsel, Rusch

A few notes to wrap up what I've come across this Saturday: The Hardball Times has an interview with Pirates GM Neal Huntington. It's plenty long. He talks about the dynamics in dealing with his former team, the Cleveland Indians. Steve Trachsel might be on his way out with the Orioles. Tough to argue against that move. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the O's are in the cellar, and might not climb out for the rest of 2008. Chris Duncan down, Joe Mather up. Could Mather be the piece that rounds out a powerful outfield? Or could he...   Continue Reading

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Possible Sellers: Detroit Tigers

Once again, we're only two months into the season, and a lot can change between now and July. Using a familiar anecdote, the Yankees were 22-29 last May 31, and ended up being the best team in baseball in the second half. So while they looked like possible sellers on May 31, when July rolled around that would no longer be the case. The Detroit Tigers have a similar possibility this year. Touted by a to-be-unnamed ESPN analyst as having the best offense in baseball history, the Tigers have faltered in 2008. They're 23-31, good for fourth place in the...   Continue Reading

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Possible Buyers: St. Louis Cardinals

Viva El Birdos has a piece up about the Cardinals' surprise rise to contention this season. A potent question is raised within: Should the Cards be content with merely contending, or should they be gearing up for a real shot at the Cubs? It's not the easiest of decisions. They're just 1.5 games back of the Cubs on the day we wrap up the season's second month. But there are plenty of places this could go wrong. For instance, Ryan Ludwick is currently the team's second best hitter. There is little in the outfielder's past that suggests he can maintain...   Continue Reading

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Transaction Roundup: Athletics, Medders, Pena, German, Brower

I woke up to a ton of small transactions this morning, so let's lead with them. In MLBTR-friendly transactions, the A's designated Lenny DiNardo and Kevin Melillo for assignment. The team made a bevy of other moves, though, recalling Travis Buck, Brad Ziegler, and Carlos Gonzalez, placing Joey Devine, Mike Sweeney, and Ryan Sweeney on the 15-day DL, and activating Kiko Calero and Eric Chavez from the DL. Brandon Medders, recently DFA by the Diamondbacks, has cleared waivers and has been assigned to AAA. Brayan Pena, recently DFA by the Braves, has been claimed by the Royals. Rangers RHP Franklyn...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Weaver, Mulder, Pena, Giambi

Here are a few random notes from the MLBiverse... Paul Hagen is reporting that the Mets are interested in acquiring a first baseman and/or a corner outfielder. Hagen says that Omar Minaya is rumored to be interested in Kevin Millar, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. Hagen must share a source with Dan Graziano, who mentions the same trio. Might Aaron Heilman be used as bait? According to the minor league deal that Jeff Weaver signed with the Brewers, if he was not called up by this Sunday he could ask for his release. The Brewers and Weaver's agent, Scott Boras,...   Continue Reading

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Draft Roundup

More draft action for you today. ESPN's Keith Law has an excellent draft overview, and it's not behind the subscriber wall. I wonder what kind of traffic ESPN would get if they freed up all their content. Law also has his top 30 projections, if you're a subscriber. Is Rick Porcello a problem? Matthew Futterman implies that teams like the Brewers couldn't possibly afford him. But the Crew spent $42MM on Jeff Suppan.   Continue Reading

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Heyman On the Rockies and Holliday

The idea of the Rockies trading Matt Holliday this summer is not a new one. Ken Rosenthal speculated on the possibility two weeks ago. Today, Jon Heyman goes a little deeper. While he feels trading Holliday is certainly possible, there are at least a couple of executives who think it is unlikely. To sum up: The Rockies are tied for the worst record in baseball and several executives are now wondering if they will be willing to trade Garrett Atkins and/or Holliday. Willy Taveras and Brian Fuentes will almost certainly be made available. One GM thinks that last year's mid-season...   Continue Reading

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Several Giants Relievers Available

Earlier this morning we saw a report that indicated that Erick Threets may be available for the right price. Now, according to Andrew Baggarly, the Giants have made most of their middle relievers available as well as a couple of pitchers in Triple A. The Giants have informed other clubs that relievers Tyler Walker, Jack Taschner and Vinnie Chulk are available in fair-value deals. The club also is soliciting offers for Erick Threets and Brad Hennessey, who is starting for Triple-A Fresno. Walker, Chulk and Hennessey are all arbitration-eligible at the end of the season. Chulk is having the best...   Continue Reading

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