Joe Nelson Rumors

Odds & Ends: Johnson, Peavy, Nelson

Links for Thursday... Pitching prospect Steve Johnson, part of the trade that sent George Sherrill to the Dodgers, found out about the deal via MLB Trade Rumors. Very cool! Tom Sedlacek of the Bowie Baysox did the interview with Johnson. MLB.com's Scott Merkin has comments from Jake Peavy about the failed Cubs trade and the two White Sox trades. Rays reliever Joe Nelson cleared waivers and accepted a minor league assignment, according to Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune. The Phillies designated pitcher Steven Register and catcher Joel Naughton for assignment, according to David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.   Continue Reading

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Rays DFA Joe Nelson

According to Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have designated reliever Joe Nelson for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for the recently acquired Sean Rodriguez. GM Andrew Friedman said the move was made out of "respect" for Nelson after the team decided not to call him up this month, giving him a chance to catch on in another team. Nelson, 34, had a 4.02 ERA in 40.1 IP for the Rays, but he put nearly three men on base every two innings. His performance in Triple-A was no better: 5.87 ERA, 1.89 WHIP in...   Continue Reading

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Rays, Red Sox Talking Blockbusters With Tribe

4:33pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hear that the Rays may be shying away from a blockbuster deal. They're 5.0 games behind Boston in the Wild Card race, so their next two games against the Yankees could determine the team's direction. If the Rays are discouraged after the Yankees series, they could make Dan Wheeler, Chad Bradford, Grant Balfour, Joe Nelson and Lance Cormier available, according to the FOX Sports source. 12:59pm: The Rays have shopped Scott Kazmir to the Mets and Rangers, according to Joel Sherman. The Rangers turned down an offer from the Rays...   Continue Reading

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Bullpen Roundup: Who Should Rays Get; Is Rauch Out In Arizona?

While Tampa Bay is still reeling from another loss due to a faulty bullpen, R.J. Anderson of DRaysBay.com has some suggested additions to the beleaguered group. Winston Abreu, currently dominating at Triple-A Durham, could simply be called up. Jason Grilli, recently designated for assignment by the Rockies, could be had for nothing. Joel Hanrahan, recently taken out of the closer's role by Washington, would require a trade. Considering that Grant Balfour, Joe Nelson and Dan Wheeler all have ERAs of 5.50 or higher, some fresh arms in the Tampa Bay bullpen would certainly be welcome. Meanwhile, a less-treasured member of...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Smoltz, Cubs, Melky, Lima

Links for Monday... Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle writes about the Giants' lack of interest in Adam Melhuse and considers other players who could help. Alex Speier of WEEI looks back at the Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz trade of 1987. According to former Tigers GM Bill Lajoie, the Braves would have taken Steve Searcy instead of Smoltz. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs "appear to be getting some trade feelers" on out of options relievers Chad Gaudin and Angel Guzman. Moving one could create space for Rule 5 pick David Patton. Tyler Hissey of...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Nelson, Quentin, Penny

Links for Tuesday... Baseball America has the recent minor league transactions. A few I hadn't seen before - Reggie Abercrombie back to the Astros, Jesse Foppert re-signed with the Giants, the Rangers signed Casey Daigle. Nothing is imminent in the Rays' discussions with free agent hitters, but they did finalize their deal with reliever Joe Nelson. Carlos Quentin in the third round of a fantasy draft: good idea? Fred Claire talks about the 2009-10 free agent class, and we got a mention. Keith Law likes Boston's Brad Penny signing, but wonders why they weren't able to get a 2010 option....   Continue Reading

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Rays Sign Joe Nelson

4:18pm: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times has a post up about the signing. He writes that Nelson gives the Rays another closer option, just in case Troy Percival isn't ready to go following his back surgery. Topkin, who states about 20 teams had interest in Nelson, adds the deal is pending a physical. 2:36pm: Right-handed reliever Joe Nelson has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald is reporting. It's a one-year deal worth $1.3MM. Nelson, 34, was with the Marlins last season.   Continue Reading

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Rays In Joe Nelson's Top Five

According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays are among the top five choices of free agent reliever Joe Nelson. Since being non-tendered by the Marlins, 19 teams inquired on Nelson. Among them: the Rays, Indians, Royals, Cardinals, Red Sox, Braves, and Mets. Nelson hopes to sign before Christmas. The Indians are known to be in Nelson's "fave four" and have made an offer.   Continue Reading

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Indians Offer Nelson A Contract

According to Branson Wright of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians have offered Joe Nelson a contract. The contract's terms aren't yet known. Nelson's agent confirmed that the righty is interested in playing for Cleveland, saying that the Indians are in his client's "fave four" teams. Nelson, whose ERA was 2.00 last year in 54 innings with the Marlins, has had 19 teams interested in him.   Continue Reading

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19 Teams Interested In Joe Nelson

There's a good chance your favorite team has inquired on free agent reliever Joe Nelson. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro learned that Nelson's agent has received inquiries from 19 teams. A few teams have topped a $1MM in their offer. The known suitors: the Royals, Cardinals, Red Sox, Braves, Rays, and Mets. Nelson is hoping to sign before Christmas. On Friday, the Marlins made the thrifty decision to non-tender Nelson, a positive development for the 34 year-old reliever. He hasn't ruled out the Marlins, but a return doesn't seem likely.   Continue Reading

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