Jason Botts Rumors

Jason Botts Acquired By Nippon Ham

According to Sanspo.com, the Nippon Ham Fighters have acquired Jason Botts from the Rangers. Botts, 27, is hitting .242/.342/.515 in Triple A. He wasn't able to figure it out in 282 career ABs with the Rangers. Thanks to Patrick Newman for the tip.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Botts, Red Sox, McLouth

Roundup of links! According to Jamey Newberg, Jason Botts has cleared waivers. He probably won't get another chance with the Rangers though. Gordon Edes notes that the Red Sox have five picks in the first three rounds of the June draft. Even though they don't start until the 30th pick, the Sox have had much success in recent years. No extension talks have begun with Nate McLouth, but Dejan Kovacevic does expect it to happen. I updated the fantasy baseball closers depth chart over at RotoAuthority. SI.com's Jon Heyman says Freddy Garcia is "progressing nicely" in rehab and will throw...   Continue Reading

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Jason Botts Designated

WEDNESDAY: Botts wants out of Texas; he'd like a fresh start with another team. GM Jon Daniels will attempt to find a taker, but otherwise Botts will have to go to Triple A. TUESDAY: The Rangers have given up on Jason Botts, designating him for assignment. Botts, 27, played first base and various other roles in 15 games for the Rangers this year. I can see him passing through waivers unclaimed. Botts may have earned the dreaded Quad-A label. He's failed to produce in 282 big league ABs but has raked Triple A pitching.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Braves, Cruz, Breslow

Some nuggets from today... The Braves look to be the market for a bat off the bench and according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution it's not likely to be a minor name. O'Brien asked Wren if the Braves "had money to add a player of significant salary to their payroll," throwing out an accompanying figure of $3-4MM, to which Wren said yes "without hesitation." Let's use this to set the stage for what should be an interesting late spring Reed Johnson sweepstakes. Evan Grant of the The Dallas Morning News believes that Jason Botts 2 for 5 performance...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Rumblings: Barmes, Sullivan, Podsednik

While talking to reporters Saturday, Rockies General manager Dan O'Dowd tried to make it clear he has no plans to trade infielder Clint Barmes. His name recently surfaced in rumors with the Angels and Orioles. However, according to the Denver Post, O'Dowd's reaction was decidedly less definitive regarding the possibility of dealing reserve outfielder Cory Sullivan. Why? It's likely due to the torrid spring of Scott Podsednik, who on Saturday made a "full tilt, horizontal to the ground, fully extended" diving catch (this according to manager Clint Hurdle) to rob Rangers' DH Jason Botts of an hit. This spring Podsednik...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: El Duque, Rays, Botts, Cruz

Today's linkage... RotoAuthority tries to decide what to do with the fourth pick in a fantasy draft. The rumor about the Royals moving to the NL seems unfounded. Sean McAdam says the Red Sox will keep an eye on the free agent pitching market, but don't intend to spend much. El Duque has all sorts of problems, which I won't go into. Maybe he's just down on his luck, but he indicated a 50/50 chance of this being his last season. He'll earn $6.5MM, and PECOTA calls for a 4.08 ERA in 98 innings. DRays Bay talked to team owner...   Continue Reading

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Cubs' Talks For Byrd Reach Impasse

The Cubs have been interested in Rangers' center fielder Marlon Byrd for some time now, apparently offering Matt Murton. However, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says the Rangers' insistence on good young pitching in the deal has caused a stalemate. The Cubs like Byrd, but not at that price. Evan Grant wrote recently that one of Jason Botts, Nelson Cruz, or David Murphy is likely to be dealt before Opening Day. A Byrd trade might allow the Rangers to keep all three.   Continue Reading

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