Here's the latest from the AL East…
- The Rays' success with low-budget acquisitions stands out in contrast to other teams' lack of return on expensive free agents, writes Gary Shelton of the Tampa Bay Times. The Rays had a modest offseason and have baseball's second-best record, while Shelton notes the Marlins have only a .500 record after spending big last winter.
- Rays ownership's patience with the Andrew Friedman/Matt Silverman/Joe Maddon management team is a big reason why Tampa Bay has become a consistent contender, writes MLB.com's Bill Chastain.
- The Blue Jays offered David Pauley a minor league contract in March, tweets MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez. Pauley decided to sign with the Angels instead since "there was an opportunity to come and play" in Los Angeles.
- Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos "deserves a lot of credit" for Edwin Encarnacion's success in 2012, manager John Farrell tells MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm. "[Anthopoulos] is the one that has talked about him repeatedly, and consistently, with the belief that there is an above-average offensive player in there," Farrell said.
- Tsuyoshi Wada has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list, the Orioles announced today. The move creates space on the 40-man roster for right-hander Stu Pomeranz (brother of Rockies' hurler Drew Pomeranz), who had his contract selected from Triple-A. Wada is set to undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the 2012 season.
- Fangraphs' Matt Klaassen looks at J.J. Hardy as "an excellent trade chip," though the Orioles' decision to move Hardy or any other veterans has been impacted by the club's surprising rise to the top of the standings.
- The Yankees might be wise to retain impending free agent Nick Swisher, opines Mike Axisa of the River Ave Blues blog, though signing him could be difficult given the Yankees' plan to fit their payroll under the luxury tax threshold by 2014.
- For more on the Bronx Bombers, check out this collection of Yankees notes compiled earlier today by MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith.
lol but seriously, Stu and Drew Pomeranz? Are they really named after the dads in Rugrats?
maybe they did even though both brothers probably predate the show
They totally do, still same initials and everything.
You can also add that the Orioles sent down Paulino to AAA.
As to why, I have no idea. Best back-up catcher the O’s had in years and Showalter doesn’t like him. Yippee!
As for Hardy being a trade chip, when he signed the 3 year extension last year I think he was fairly clear he didn’t want to be traded and has a limited no trade clause.
Lastly, Swisher should retire a Yankee, he’s a perfect fit for them plus he kills the Orioles.
They demoted him because he can’t catch, so hes essentially a DH.. and they already have Nick Johnson to do that.
HE was sent down to learn how to catch
Expo can catch.. and throw I might add.. Something Paulino isn’t able to do.. Now hitting has not exactly been a strong suit of Expo’s since advancing above high A ball, but defense and an absolute gun for an arm are 2 things Expo possesses and maybe Showalter is after that for a backup.
Expo had almost no chance with Boston since they had Lavarnway in the wings as the future catcher, though wish they would have found someone else anyway to remove from the 40 man roster.. McDonald always is my 1st choice…
AA deserves much credit for Edwin because I don’t think any other GM would be so patient with him.
No joke! The Reds gave him forever!
No, the Reds didn’t like him.
King Griffey Jr and Adam “one tool” Dunn could hit a ground ball to an infielder and loaf to First Base and things were fine. When EE did that, he was yelled at.
There was ALWAYS two standards on the Reds; one for EE and one for everybody else. I watched game after game after game and EE would do the SAME things as other players yet HE was the one singled out for punishment and ridicule.
In 2009, EE hurt his wrist in Spring Training and what happens. The Reds’ medical staff OK’s him to play. Whether they misdiagnosed him or purposely glossed over something, I don’t know. That medical staff has a history of being wrong about injuries. Anyway, EE goes out and plays and he stinks.
This was a convenient excuse to trade him away.
After he was given time to rest, EE came back and put up BETTER offensive numbers than Scot Rolen and did so in a tougher division and in a park that isn’t as conducive to hitting.
If the Reds were smart, they could have kept EE and moved him to Left Field (if they didn’t like his defense) instead of getting rid of him and then signing scrubs like Jonny Gomes, Fred Lewis and Ryan Ludwick. I mean, if they cna put up with the atrocious defense of Adam Dunn for so long they could have put up with EE in Left Field……
The Orioles would be absolutely insane to do a firesale now. Their fans finally have some hope after 15 straight losing seasons, and destroying those hopes would basically kill the very last of the fan loyalty they have.
It might not be the best decision from a personnel standpoint, but fan morale and attendance is important to… more important than getting a prospect for Hardy.