Juan Rincon Rumors

Indians Sign Rincon, Graffanino

According to Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com, the Indians have signed reliever Juan Rincon and infielder Tony Graffanino to minor league deals. Rincon, 29, lost effectiveness in August of '06 and pretty much never recovered. It's easy to try to tie his decline to his May '05 performance enhancing drug suspension, but he was solid for the rest of that season. Graffanino, 35, is trying to work his way back from knee and ACL surgeries.   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Baldelli, Rincon, Clemens

The Tampa Tribune is reporting that Rays OF Rocco Baldelli (60-day DL, mitochondrial disorder) is close to joining a minor-league team for a 20-day rehabilitation assignment. Baldelli thinks he can return to the Rays this season, but he has yet to hold any workouts in the outfield and hinted he could return as a DH. "Obviously, I'd like to be playing the field," Baldelli said. "But realistically, I'm trying not to look too far ahead." Juan Rincon has declined the Twins' offer of an assignment to Class AAA Rochester, and the team formally designated him for assignment. In all likelihood,...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Bradley, Floyd, Threets

Let's round up some links. Juan Rincon rejected the Twins' Triple A assignment. Anyone want him? The Reds received a 23 year-old righty named Henry Arias from the Royals to conclude the March Brad Salmon deal. I had forgotten about this...the Royals almost acquired Milton Bradley a year ago for Leo Nunez but the deal was voided. Paul Hagen offers some pitching ideas for the Phillies. David Cameron explains why the Mariners are so bad. The international signing period begins on July 2nd; pitcher Michel Inoa heads the class. It's been suggested the A's could offer him $4MM. Jon Heyman...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Viciedo, Broussard, Rincon, Threets

Time to round 'em up. The A's are leading the charge for international free agent pitcher Michael Inoa; they could offer him $4MM. All teams have scouted him. MLB.com's Jim Molony names the Astros, Yankees, Cardinals, Angels, Mets, and Pirates as teams considering Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo (assuming he becomes a free agent). The Orioles would like to sign Ben Broussard, if he'll accept a minor league assignment. Broussard if mulling his options and should sign within 24 hours. He could step in if the Orioles trade Kevin Millar. Jeff Weaver has been released by the Brewers. Weaver's lost it;...   Continue Reading

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Rincon On His Way Out?

Long time Twin reliever Juan Rincon may be the odd man out when the Twins reduce their pitching staff from 13 to 12 - this from Kelsie Smith of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Rincon is sporting a 5.19 ERA through 23 games, comparable to last years 5.13 ERA and a far cry from his career 3.63. Rincon could still finish strong and hit his PECOTA projected ERA of 3.92. After being busted for steroids in 2006, Rincon went on to post a 2.91 ERA; however, he became hittable in 2007 and that trend continues. His H/9, BB/9, and K/9...   Continue Reading

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Twins Pursued Garrett Atkins

According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins went after Rockies' third baseman Garrett Atkins with a package that included Juan Rincon. Given the way Rincon has pitched this year, I would guess he has little trade value. The Twins would've had to offer a good young player like Scott Baker to be taken seriously   Continue Reading

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Mets Hunting For Reliever, Second Baseman

Pretty much the same old story with the Mets, though Joel Sherman and Mark Hale of the New York Post do have some new tidbits. The authors name Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel, and Eric Gagne as relievers on the radar. However it seems the asking price is too high for Gagne and the Indians have become the frontrunner for Dotel (they may have passed the Dodgers). Shawn Chacon doesn't catch the Mets' eye, and they don't want Chad Bradford's three-year commitment. They had that option with Bradford this winter. I think that logic is silly - Bradford's pitched..   Continue Reading

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Astros, Rockies Interested In Juan Rincon

Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press writes that the Astros and Rockies are talking to the Twins about righty reliever Juan Rincon. The Venezuelan will be 28 this January. Rincon has always shown good command and kept the ball in the park; he's seemingly a lock for 75 innings and an ERA around 3. Struggling with a groin injury, Rincon posted a 1.60 WHIP in the second half and lost his job as the eighth inning setup man in September. Also, he had surgery to remove bone chips in his pitching elbow in October of 2005 and soreness lingered..   Continue Reading

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