Johnny Estrada Rumors
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [May 8, 2009 at 11:27am CST]
3:11pm: It's official now; as MLB.com's B.J. Rains reports, Molina's headed to the DL. 11:27am: When the Yankees lost Jorge Posada to the DL for two to three weeks, Jose Molina became their starter. Now, Molina's quad is injured and, as Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News reports, Joe Girardi isn't optimistic about the injury. This leaves the Yankees with Francisco Cervelli behind the plate, a 23-year-old with a solid minor league resume, but only 41 games played above A ball and seven big league plate appearances. So what should the Yankees do if Molina has to spend...
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By Steve Adams [July 27, 2008 at 8:57pm CST]
This one will be a bit lengthy, which can be expected as the deadline approaches. Here's a review of some of the major moves and rumors of the last week: The Yankees acquired Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates for OF Jose Tabata, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Dan McCutchen and RHP Jeff Karstens . I agree with Tim that Ian Kennedy would've been a better centerpiece, but Tabata is pretty highly-touted himself. Kennedy would have made a more immediate impact, while Tabata is only 19 years old. The Dodgers acquired Casey Blake for minor league RHP Jon Meloan...
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By Tim Dierkes [July 25, 2008 at 8:35am CST]
To make room for Lastings Milledge, the Nationals designated catcher Johnny Estrada for assignment yesterday. Estrada, 32, signed a one-year $1.25MM deal with the Nats in January. He hit .170/.200/.170 in 55 plate appearances, hobbled by a right elbow injury much of the season. Estrada doesn't want to go to the minors, and talked about being ready to go home. It seems unlikely that a contender will pick him up.
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By Tim Dierkes [January 30, 2008 at 10:11am CST]
I am going to toss today's non-Santana odds and ends into this post. Paul Hagen runs through some possibilities for the likely-to-be-traded Wes Helms: Marlins, Rays, Twins, Giants, and A's. Any teams you'd like to add to his speculation? The Pirates have moved on from Johnny Estrada to Paul Bako. He'd battle to back up Ronny Paulino. OK this is Santana-related. Gordon Edes says the Red Sox will listen to offers for Coco Crisp, but are fine with keeping him around as perhaps the game's best fourth outfielder. See any good fits for Crisp
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By Tim Dierkes [January 29, 2008 at 8:23am CST]
According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the Nationals signed catcher Johnny Estrada to a one-year, $1.25MM deal. Estrada had been close to a deal with the Pirates. Ladson's source says the signing is not a reaction to Paul Lo Duca's knee injury (torn meniscus). Lo Duca isn't expected to miss too much of the regular season anyway. Jim Bowden seems to have created a veteran surplus on his club at multiple positions
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By Tim Dierkes [January 7, 2008 at 8:19am CST]
John Perrotto had some new Pirates' rumblings in yesterday morning's column. Don't be so quick to dismiss the Ian Snell to Seattle rumor. Perrotto acknowledges it, noting that the Mariners would offer Jeff Clement but the Pirates would probably require Adam Jones. Perrotto believes the Pirates have backed off their pursuit of Johnny Estrada, though Dejan Kovacevic hasn't heard this. I never thought Estrada made much sense for them. Perrotto says the Pirates have an eye on free agent lefty Ron Villone, who pitched for them back in '02
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By Tim Dierkes [January 3, 2008 at 4:44pm CST]
Random rumors from the day... The Bucs are set with their starting five, unless they can trade Matt Morris. Dejan Kovacevic adds that the Pirates and Johnny Estrada have mutual interest but haven't spoken in a while. Roch Kubatko expects the Orioles to shop Jay Payton now that they've acquired Chris Roberson. Really, all of their vets should be fully available. Bobby Kielty has interest from three or four teams, but his first choice is Boston. The likelihood of that increases if Coco Crisp is sent elsewhere. Kielty is willing to give up switch-hitting if his new team so desires...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 18, 2007 at 9:35am CST]
Ronny Paulino. The Pirates' backstop turns 27 in April and sports a career OPS of .730 (NL average for the position in '07 was .712). Paulino nailed 26.7% of baserunners in '07 and 36.2% in '06. For his gamecalling skills I'll defer to devoted Pirate fans, but he's got to be improving after two years behind the dish. In short, there's no reason to spend money at the catcher position for 2008. That is exactly what the Pirates are planning, however. The names on the radar: Johnny Estrada - free agent with few remaining skills, will cost between $3.5-4MM Miguel..
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By Tim Dierkes [December 12, 2007 at 11:48pm CST]
Tim's out for the night, so we've got a fresh post started for the non-tenders. MLB.com has a running list as well. These guys are the officials as of now: As expected, the Marlins non-tendered catcher Miguel Olivo. Johnny Estrada was another casualty; these two make up the market for starting catchers. The Blue Jays non-tendered Josh Towers, a surprising move. Some NL team could offer him two years and get league average work out of him. Mark Prior has been non-tendered. Honestly if I were the Cubs, I would've tossed the $3.5MM his way just to see. Aaron Miles..
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By Tim Dierkes [December 4, 2007 at 11:16pm CST]
MLB.com's Bill Ladson has a handful of Nationals rumors tonight. As you know, Damian Miller, Johnny Estrada, and Miguel Montero have been targeted at the catcher position. The Nats want to sign Bartolo Colon to a one-year deal, but it appears he craves multiple years. As mentioned earlier, the Nats like Kazuo Fukumori. What we didn't mention earlier was the idea that Fukumori could start. The notion seems questionable, as the 31 year-old hasn't started a game since 2002. The Nationals have no interest in David Eckstein or Kenny Lofton, despite their desire for a leadoff hitter. They certainly don't..
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