Vinnie Chulk Rumors

Odds and Ends: Bonds, Davis, Chulk, Ichiro

Time for some random linkage. I'll be on XM Radio today at about 5pm CST - channels 176-189 with Mike Ferrin. The Dodgers signed Jerome Williams - remember him? Viva El Birdos runs through starting pitchers who might be on the Cardinals' radar. Sam Mellinger of the KC Star takes a look at Dayton Moore's trade record. Meanwhile, Joe Posnanski explains why the Royals should sign Barry Bonds. Ken Rosenthal doesn't want to let Ed Wade off the hook in the Shawn Chacon dustup. Red Reporter thinks the Reds are winning the Edinson Volquez-Josh Hamilton swap. Rangers first base prospect...   Continue Reading

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Giants Designate Vinnie Chulk

According to MLB.com's Chris Haft, the Giants designated reliever Vinnie Chulk for assignment today. Chulk, 29, pitches to contact but has solid control. He's been scored upon in four of his six appearances this month.   Continue Reading

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Several Giants Relievers Available

Earlier this morning we saw a report that indicated that Erick Threets may be available for the right price. Now, according to Andrew Baggarly, the Giants have made most of their middle relievers available as well as a couple of pitchers in Triple A. The Giants have informed other clubs that relievers Tyler Walker, Jack Taschner and Vinnie Chulk are available in fair-value deals. The club also is soliciting offers for Erick Threets and Brad Hennessey, who is starting for Triple-A Fresno. Walker, Chulk and Hennessey are all arbitration-eligible at the end of the season. Chulk is having the best...   Continue Reading

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Giants Acquire Shea Hillenbrand

Many teams were interested, but Brian Sabean and the Giants prevailed in the Shea Hillenbrand sweepstakes late Friday night. The deal marks Sabean's first of the year and first ever with J.P. Ricciardi (as far as I can tell). The average National League first baseman has hit .286/.366/.504 this season, while Hillenbrand is at .301/.342/.480. While he's a below average fix at first, it sure as hell beats the .714 OPS the Giants have gotten out of the position thus far. Hillenbrand moves from a ballpark that inflates home runs by about 18% and batting average about 5% for right-handed..   Continue Reading

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