Tampa Bay Rays Rumors

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Kouzmanoff, Marlins

A tasty handful of Monday evening links... Chris DeLuca of the Chicago Sun-Times gathered a quote from Cubs GM Jim Hendry on the possibility of his club making a move: "We have a pretty good team,and if our guys all play like their capable ... you don’t have to do a whole lot." MLB.com's Corey Brock reports the Padres aren't "getting many hits" from other teams on Kevin Kouzmanoff, but believes that might change soon. According to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, the Reds have signed four Venezuelan amateurs. Baseball America's Matt Eddy has a rundown of team-by-team minor league transactions from...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Rays, Hairston, Escobar

Even more links for your Monday afternoon... Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Rays signed Venezuelan third baseman Cesar Perez for $1MM. The "kid can play," according to Heyman. Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that the Indians agreed to terms with two players: a shortstop and Angel Berroa's cousin, who's a pitcher. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer doesn't see Scott Hairston in the lineup of the next A's playoff team. MLB.com's Mark Bowman says he doesn't get the sense the Braves have any desire to deal Yunel Escobar.   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Street, Indians, Pedro, Davis

Jon Heyman of SI.com lists his mid-season award winners, led by Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer. Here are Heyman's latest rumors: Huston Street alone is worth more on the trade market than Matt Holliday. Dan O'Dowd must be happy with his return, which also included Carlos Gonzalez. Jhonny Peralta, Kerry Wood and Carl Pavano are all available. Indians GM Mark Shapiro believes he can still get a fair return for Cliff Lee if he deals him a year from now, a few months before the lefty is scheduled to become free agent. One executive says the Royals are "pushing" Brian...   Continue Reading

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Indians Acquire Winston Abreu

The Indians acquired Winston Abreu from the Rays for minor league righty John Meloan and cash, according to an Indians press release. Abreu will be added to the Indians' major league roster. Abreu, 32, pitched in just two games for the Rays this year, but he excelled in Triple A, striking out 49 and allowing just 24 baserunners in 32 innings for an ERA of 1.41. Meloan, who turns 25 next weekend, pitched briefly in two seasons for the Indians. His Triple A numbers are less impressive than Abreu's this year, as he's struck out 37 and allowed 69 baserunners...   Continue Reading

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Rays DFA Winston Abreu

Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays have designated reliever Winston Abreu for assignment. He also notes that starter Andy Sonnanstine has been demoted to Triple-A Durham, and that Scott Kazmir and Chad Bradford were activated off the disabled list. Abreu was tremendous in the minors earlier this year, striking out 49 and allowing just 24 baserunners in 32 IP. He appeared in only two games with the big league club after his call up two weeks ago.   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Sano, Rays, Mateo

More links for your Friday afternoon... The Orioles' director of player development told Steve Melewski of MASN.com that Miguel Angel Sano is the best Dominican prospect he's ever seen. The Orioles haven't begun negotiating with Sano, as there are some lingering questions about his age. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says he'd find room for David Price in the crowded Rays 'pen instead of bumping Andy Sonnanstine from the rotation. White Sox scouting director Doug Laumann says Josh Phegley and Kyle Bellamy could move quickly through the minors. ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure believes the $3.1MM Wagner Mateo agreed to is impressive in this...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Lee, DeRosa, Phillies, Rays, Beltre

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com calls this one of the slowest-moving trade markets in a while, but provides lots of rumors anyways: Teams are making introductory calls now to set the tone for the next five weeks. One official looking to add a reliever says no one is available. With so few teams willing to part with players, sellers are asking for a lot. The Brewers, Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are among the teams to call about Cliff Lee. The Indians would still have to be overwhelmed to part with him. The Cubs have considered trying to reacquire Mark DeRosa. They've...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Strasburg, Pedro, DeRosa

Jon Heyman of SI.com lists some of the best and worst starts to the season. Justin Upton and Marco Scutaro are two of the players to make the first list. Heyman's also got some rumors to pass along; here they are: It is believed that Stephen Strasburg's people don't want him to pitch in the majors this year. Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, is believed to have mentioned Jose Contreras, who signed for $32MM, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, who signed for $52MM, as comparable players. It doesn't sound like former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker will end up as the Nationals' next GM,...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Strasburg, Arroyo, Zobrist

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says most believe the Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg to a record deal of about $15-18MM this summer. Here are the details: Rosenthal describes doomsday scenarios for the Nationals and Strasburg to show that the two sides need to come to an agreement. The Reds can't even consider dealing Bronson Arroyo until Edinson Volquez returns. If Homer Bailey comes up and pitches well, it would be easier for the Reds to part with a starter. If Akinori Iwamura can return this year, Ben Zobrist may become a super utilityman again. Rosenthal wonders if the AL...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Ransom, Dice-K, O's

MLBTR's own Eddie Schmid started posting this special little feature a couple weeks ago and it drew a nice response. I'm just a thief. This day in MLBTR history: On June 23, 2008, the bidding war was heating up for 16-year-old pitching phenom Michael Inoa. He, of course, eventually signed with the Oakland A's. A couple more links for Tuesday evening... Marc Craig of the Newark Star-Ledger notes that Cody Ransom's 60-day stay on the disabled list will end Wednesday. At that point, the Yankees either have to add him to the 25-man roster or designate him for assignment and...   Continue Reading

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