August 2008
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By Cork Gaines [August 31, 2008 at 9:43pm CST]
Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Padres released Brett Tomko and Tadahito Iguchi following today's game. The move was made to make room on the 40-man roster for prospects Matt Antonelli and Wade LeBlanc. Tomko was 2-7 with a 6.30 ERA in 22 appearances (10 starts) this season. Iguchi was hitting .231/.292/.304 in 81 games this season. Tomko signed a 1-year deal prior to the season that paid him $3MM. Iguchi was given a 1-year extension that paid him $3.85MM this season. Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
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By Steve Adams [August 31, 2008 at 5:32pm CST]
Ken Rosenthal over at FOX Sports has up a new Full Count video up: The Phillies want Pat Burrell back, and they feel they have a better than 50-50 chance of re-signing him because Burrell has mutual interest. Rosenthal thinks Burrell should command somewhere between $14MM and $17MM per season. Rosenthal discusses the Rockies' offseason, throwing out the usual suspects (Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Todd Helton) as possible trade pieces. Rosenthal points out Helton's salary makes him difficult, and also proposes a scenario in which the Rockies trade both Atkins and Holliday, sign Burrell to play left field, and...
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By Steve Adams [August 31, 2008 at 5:18pm CST]
Sunday afternoon is here again... let's have a look back at some of the moves and rumors since last time: The injury-plagued Red Sox acquired Mark Kotsay to help compensate for their injuries. In exchange, the Braves received minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza. Nice acquisition by the Red Sox; Kotsay has been swinging a solid bat this season. The Twins acquired Eddie Guardado from Texas in exchange for minor league pitcher Mark Hamburger. Guardado has spent the majority of his career with Minnesota and provides a solid arm to the bullpen. To make room for him, they DFA'd Mike Lamb....
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By Steve Adams [August 31, 2008 at 3:33pm CST]
It's official: The Diamondbacks have acquired Blue Jays shortstop David Eckstein in exchange for minor league pitcher Chad Beck, according to MLB.com. Eckstein has posted a respectable line of .273/.352/.355 this season over 75 games with Toronto. Rotoworld sees Beck, 23, as a long shot to make it to the majors as starter, but feels he can reach the big-league level as a reliever. Beck has had success at both Class-A levels this season. He posted a 2.04 ERA with South Bend, and after being promoted to High-A Visalia, struggled as a starter but has posted a very nice 1.37...
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By Steve Adams [August 31, 2008 at 2:42pm CST]
Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Miguel Tejada is planning to skip winter ball this year, and will look to sign an extension to keep him wearing an Astros uniform for several years to come. Tejada is a rare case - a star player who plays Winter Ball every season. This winter, however, Tejada plans to relax and spend time with his family as he looks ahead to 2009: “I want to have a super season,” he said. “I want to see if after next year I can stay here.” Given the weak shortstop market...
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By Cork Gaines [August 31, 2008 at 12:40pm CST]
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a source that claims the Player's Association will only focus on the status of Pedro Alvarez' contract and not on the contract of Eric Hosmer. Kovacevic says the MLBPA will argue that Hosmer's contract was only delayed so the Pirates could have more time to negotiate with Alvarez. However, Jonathan Mayo obtained a copy of the grievance filed by the union which suggests that Alvarez' contract will not be the sole focus (emphasis Mayo's). The Commissioner's Office, without notice to the MLBPA, unilaterally determined to permit Clubs to negotiate with drafted players after...
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By Cork Gaines [August 31, 2008 at 11:45am CST]
Jim Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting that the Mariners and their top pick, Josh Fields, remain about $500K apart in their negotiations. As a player that has completed his college eligibility, Fields was not subject to the August 15 deadline for picks to sign. Fields' agent, Scott Boras is demanding $2MM while the Mariners are said to be offering $1.5MM, which is in line with the MLB's slotting recommendations. Hickey feels it is unlikely that Boras and Fields will move from their asking price and seem willing to let Fields pitch for an independent league team this year...
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By Cork Gaines [August 31, 2008 at 11:03am CST]
Earlier this week Hank Steinbrenner promised changes this off-season for the Yankees. Today Joel Sherman of the New York Post speculates on what those changes could look like... Sources tell Sherman that Steinbrenner wants to make CC Sabathia the highest paid pitcher ever. Sherman thinks Shane Victorino would be a nice fit for the Yankees in center field. Some Yankees officials are toying with the idea of trading some of their young pitching if the Yankees do land Sabathia and another veteran such as AJ Burnett. Sherman thinks a player like Phil Hughes could be used to land a young...
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By Cork Gaines [August 31, 2008 at 10:05am CST]
A few notes from around the MLBiverse... Troy E. Renck says Willy Taveras prefers to stay with the Rockies, despite being claimed off waivers. Taveras speculates that he was claimed by either the Yankees or the Nationals. Renck says it is unlikely that Taveras will be traded during the season. Tom Haudricourt is reporting that the Brewers don't expect to make any deals prior to tonight's deadline to acquire players that would be eligible for the post-season. Tony Jackson of the LA Daily News is reporting that Jeff Kent's knee injury could be career-ending. Kent is contemplating retirement following the...
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By Cork Gaines [August 31, 2008 at 9:38am CST]
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the D-Backs are the favorite to land David Eckstein from the Blue Jays, prior to tonight's deadline for players to be eligible for the post-season. Previously we heard that both the D-Backs and the Angels were in pursuit of Eckstein. Eckstein, 33, is almost certain to be traded before the deadline for setting postseason rosters at midnight Sunday. While talks are fluid, the Jays currently are more inclined to trade with the D-backs, sources say. Rosenthal says the Angels are now considering other options, including Omar Vizquel of the Giants and Juan Castro of the...
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