Chris Burke Rumors

Braves Sign Chris Burke

Talking Chop reports that the Braves signed utilityman Chris Burke to a minor league deal. Burke, 29, has played every position but pitcher and catcher in the major leagues. In 32 games with the Padres this year, Burke's OPS was .575. More recently, he played in Triple A Tacoma in the Mariners' organization. Burke was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett, and struck out in a pinch hitting appearance tonight.   Continue Reading

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Minor League Transactions

Baseball America released this week's set of minor league transactions, and there was plenty of interesting movement. Let's break it down. The Indians signed reliever Mike Gosling to a minor league pact. The Twins released Gosling earlier this month. He last pitched in the big leagues for the Reds in 2007. The Tigers released Jason Tyner. You probably remember that the Brewers traded Tyner to the Tigers back in April for literally nothing. Marlins youngster Cameron Maybin was suspended for "aggressively arguing a call and bumping an umpire." The Astros removed Geoff Geary from the 40-man roster and outrighted him...   Continue Reading

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Padres Acquire Chris Burke

8:31pm: Dan Hayes of the North County Times says the Padres have arranged to reacquire Chris Burke. The Padres signed Burke to a minor league deal this offseason but traded him to Seattle on March 25th. MLB.com's Corey Brock has the story as well. 1:37pm: According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres rookie shortstop Everth Cabrera may be out for two months due to a hand injury suffered Sunday. The Padres snagged Cabrera from the Rockies in the Rule 5 draft back in December. Krasovic talked to Padres GM Kevin Towers, who "said he probably will look...   Continue Reading

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Mariners Acquire Chris Burke

Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that Chris Burke, who was told by the Padres on Saturday that he wouldn't make the team, has been traded to the Mariners for cash or a player to be named later. Burke, 29, hit just .194/.310/.273 last season in 86 games for Arizona. He saw time at all four infield positions and both outfield corners for the D'Backs in 2008.   Continue Reading

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Padres Invite 20 To Spring Training

MLB.com's Corey Brock has compiled a list of the Padres' non-roster spring training invitees: Right-handers Kevin Correia, Chris Britton, Greg Burke, Matt Buschmann, Gabe DeHoyos, Will Inman, Mat Latos, Edwin Moreno, Oneli Perez and Mark Prior; left-handers Arturo Lopez and Nick Schmidt; catchers Eliezer Alfonzo, Mitch Canham and Colt Morton; infielders Peter Ciofrone, Chris Burke and Kyle Blanks, and outfielders Chad Huffman and Cedric Hunter. Padres GM Kevin Towers has said that Correia and Britton have a good chance of making the squad. Burke's versatility might also get him a nod.   Continue Reading

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Padres Sign Prior, Burke

The San Diego Padres have signed Mark Prior and Chris Burke to one-year, minor league deals. The signings include invitations to Spring Training, according to Scout.com. Buster Olney has contract info: "If Prior pitches in the major leagues, he'll earn $1 million, and Burke -- who will go into spring training with a strong chance of winning the Padres' everyday job at second -- will earn $650,000." Paul DePodesta has more on the signings, along with info on another minor league acquisition, Virgil Vasquez.   Continue Reading

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Non-Tendered Players

2:01am: MLB.com has the official list. 10:05pm: Here is a list of players who were non-tendered today, and therefore became free agents. Aquilino Lopez Joey Gathright, John Bale Jamie Burke Joe Nelson Aaron Miles, Randy Flores, Tyler Johnson Norris Hopper, Gary Majewski, Matt Belisle Doug Mathis Daniel Cabrera, Lance Cormier Denny Bautista Ty Wigginton, Reggie Abercrombie Jonny Gomes Willy Taveras Takashi Saito, Scott Proctor, Yhency Brazoban, Angel Berroa Clay Hensley and Charlie Haeger Chris Britton and Justin Christian Tim Redding Chris Capuano Kevin Cash Chuck James Chris Burke, Robby Hammock, Wil Ledezma, Jeff Salazar   Continue Reading

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Stark's Non-Tender Candidates

With midnight on Friday being the deadline to tender a contract to an arbitration-eligible player, ESPN's Jayson Stark has some predictions on who could be added to the free agent market... Pitchers: Daniel Cabrera, Chad Gaudin, Jimmy Gobble, Brandon Backe, Takashi Saito, Tyler Yates, Wil Ledezma Hitters: Marcus Thames, Gabe Gross, John Buck, Jose Bautista, Chris Burke, Willy Taveras, Jonny Gomes What does everyone out there think? Any other non-tender possibilities? MLBTR posted a speculative list a week ago.   Continue Reading

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Dissecting The Jose Valverde Trade

Regular MLBTR readers know I have mostly been a harsh critic of Ed Wade's short tenure as the Astros' GM. Well, not this time. He made an excellent deal in acquiring Jose Valverde for Chris Burke, Chad Qualls, and Juan Gutierrez. Valverde, 27, is a nasty shut-down closer with two seasons before free agency. He gets strikeouts by the bushel and can handle the ninth in a tough hitter's ballpark. Burke was once the 10th overall pick in the 2001 draft, but he turns 27 in March. His best year was a .765 OPS in 2006. The D'Backs hope he..   Continue Reading

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Dan Haren Traded To Diamondbacks

It looks like Billy Beane has pulled the trigger on a trade for Dan Haren, sending him to the Diamondbacks for a package of prospects. The departed: Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Chris Carter, and Aaron Cunningham. The A's also sent right Connor Robertson to the D'Backs. The D'Backs also completed another deal, sending closer Jose Valverde to the Astros for Chris Burke, Chad Qualls, and Juan Gutierrez. Tim will be around later to share his views on the trade. -Jo   Continue Reading

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