Ponson Released By Rangers
The Dallas Morning-News is reporting that the Rangers were unable to trade Sidney Ponson and have now placed him on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.
On June 6, the Rangers DFA’d Ponson for "disrespectful and adverse reactions to situations unbecoming of teammates." The Rangers had 10 days to work a deal for the pitcher with a 4-1 record and 3.88 ERA.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Odds And Ends: Lo Duca, Cabrera, Nady, Bay
A few more minor notes from the MLBiverse…
- Jay Gibbons joins the Long Island Ducks.
- The Giants may have to trade for a long-reliever. Bruce Bochy admits that his team is without a long-reliever and will work to find extra innings from his middle relievers.
- With Paul Lo Duca coming off the DL, the Nationals will now have three catchers. Chico Harlan feels the Nats will hope that Lo Duca plays well in his return to increase his trade value.
- Nick Cafardo believes that the White Sox will let Orlando Cabrera walk at the end of the season as a free agent, feeling that their double-play combination of the future is in the system and not far away.
- Bob Smizik doesn’t see the Pirates landing any top prospects for Xavier Nady or Jason Bay, should they be dealt.
Odds and Ends: Astros, Reds, Mariners, Mets
Light day for baseball today, with only five games on the docket. Perhaps these links can fill the void.
- Despite the recent MLB.com article about the Astros’ hunt for starting pitching, two Houston Chronicle writers (Richard Justice and Brian McTaggart) are wondering whether the ‘Stros should wave the white flag.
- Interesting post from Larry Stone – he quotes John McLaren calling Erik Bedard a "100-pitch pitcher."
- Tim Lincecum on his birthday dinner plans: "Give me McDonald’s or Pizza Hut." Both fine choices.
- Joel Sherman busts out a few speculative paragraphs on potential trades for the Mets if they become sellers.
- Walt Jocketty denies Sherman’s report that he wants to clean house.
- RotoAuthority discusses expected win totals for starting pitchers.
C.C. Sabathia Rumors
This topic isn’t going anywhere. Let’s take a look at today’s C.C. Sabathia rumors.
- Scouts were in Cleveland yesterday to watch him pitch, though Paul Hoynes doesn’t identify the teams.
- With Chien-Ming Wang‘s season in peril, the Yankees’ interest in Sabathia has increased according to Tyler Kepner.
- In his Mock Blockbuster series, Dayn Perry suggests the Cardinals should trade Colby Rasmus and Bryan Anderson for Sabathia.
- Nick Cafardo talked to an AL GM who is skeptical that Sabathia will be dealt.
Cubs Eyeing Giants or A’s?
Cubs Special Assistant to the General Manager Gary Hughes attended an A’s-Giants game recently, according to Henry Schulman. Could be nothing, since Hughes is based in the Bay Area. But here at MLBTR I like to put all the info in front of you.
Schulman’s source indicated that the Cubs have not asked about the apparently available Randy Winn.
More On Burnett
Jeff Blair notes today that any team acquiring A.J. Burnett would be getting a hired gun. He says the Blue Jays will not allow a window for the acquiring team to potentially renegotiate Burnett’s out clause. In a way, Burnett’s out clause makes him less valuable than a normal impending free agent. If Burnett is injured or awful in August and September, the team could be stuck with him for 2009-10. Is there any chance Burnett pitches well from here on out but doesn’t exercise the clause?
Garth Woolsey didn’t like Burnett’s comments, considering it a slap in the face to Jays fans. Here’s a look back at Burnett’s history of injuries and incidents (innings totals include minor and Major Leagues):
- 1999: Made Major League debut. 162 innings.
- 2000: Penciled in for Marlins’ rotation, but ruptured thumb ligament pushes season debut to late July. 95 innings.
- 2001: Broken foot pushes season debut to May. Pitches nine-walk no-hitter in second start. 182.6 innings.
- 2002: Ranks second in baseball in Pitcher Abuse Points per start (thanks to Jeff Torborg). Threw 122 or more pitches nine times. Late in year, has DL stint for an elbow bruise. 204.3 innings.
- 2003: Burnett goes to arbitration with Marlins and loses. Forearm tightness leads to a cortisone shot in the elbow in March; starts season on DL. Has Tommy John surgery April 29th. In November, Larry Beinfest says the Marlins will be able to afford to retain Burnett after shedding Derrek Lee. 23 innings.
- 2004: A setback pushes his season debut to June 3rd. Says arm is stronger than it was before surgery, but elbow inflammation surfaces by September. Included in December trade talks with Yankees, D’Backs. 127.3 innings.
- 2005: Burnett’s last year before free agency. He sought a three-year, $21MM deal, but the Marlins offered $16MM and no agreement was reached. Has laser eye surgery in offseason. Elbow inflammation in May, misses one turn. In June-July, trade rumors link him to Orioles, Jays, and White Sox. Burnett’s unwillingness to sign an extension and the Marlins’ insistence on packaging him with Mike Lowell nixes all deals. September: Burnett rips team and Jack McKeon and is asked to leave the team. 209 innings.
- 2006: Pursued as free agent by Rangers, Tigers, Mets, Cardinals, Nationals, and five other teams. Signs widely panned five-year, $55MM deal with Jays. Starts season on DL with elbow soreness. Makes a few starts and is placed back on DL. Returns in June. 154.6 innings.
- 2007: DL stint for shoulder strain in June. Makes one start and returns to DL. 170.6 innings.
- 2008: Broken fingernail prevents curveballs in spring, but it doesn’t become an issue. Mockingly doffs cap while Jays fan boo after poor start. Admits he wouldn’t mind playing for Cubs.
Gammons’ Latest: Sabathia, Dunn, Harden
ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog post up.
- The Indians are "thoroughly scouting" eight teams that may be interested in C.C. Sabathia, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers (the Mets may be another). Gammons agrees with Ken Rosenthal that Mark Shapiro may trade Sabathia soon to maximize his value. Gammons does not see the Yanks jumping in with Phil Hughes or a multi-prospect offer, unless Chien-Ming Wang‘s injury forces their hand. He does not think the Cubs or Phillies have the goods, but suggests the Rangers as a dark horse.
- If the Cubs don’t have enough for Sabathia, Plan B could be Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, or even Erik Bedard. The Padres and Mariners have been informed of the Cubs’ interest.
- Gammons seems to indicate that Mark Teixeira could be available if the Braves fall out of the race (although Tex is not mentioned by name).
- The Dodgers may have been open to trading Brad Penny, but his shoulder injury puts the kibosh on that.
- Adam Dunn‘s whifftastic ways scare the Red Sox, who might pass even if David Ortiz needs surgery. Gammons suggests Josh Willingham would be a better fit.
- Rich Harden could be a huge acquisition, one of the game’s most dominating pitchers. It’s the same story though – will any team be willing to meet Billy Beane’s asking price given Harden’s injury history?
Burnett Wouldn’t Mind Playing For Cubs
SUNDAY, 9:09pm: Burnett clarified his comments, explaining that his focus and loyalty still lies with the Jays. Burnett also pointed out that it’s no lock that he’ll opt out of his contract at year’s end.
SUNDAY, 10:30am: Wittenmyer continues working the Burnett angle today, getting quotes from the player indicating that he’d welcome a trade to the Cubs. The Jays are six games out of the wild card, though, so they’ll probably want to hang on to Burnett for now.
SATURDAY: Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the Cubs might want to take a second look at A.J. Burnett as the Jays are expected to shop him all throughout the next several weeks until the trade deadline.
Last night’s Cubs-Jays game served as a bittersweet "scouting foray" as Burnett pitched five effective innings, striking out seven. Pitching for the Cubs was Sean Gallagher, who according to Wittenmeyer, wasn’t on anyone’s radar to be the club’s fifth starter in June.
After Rich Hill‘s struggles and demotion, the first-place Cubs are increasingly being mentioned in trade speculation.
Burnett is slated to make $12MM in ’09 and ’10; and can opt out of his contract at the end of the season.
By Alejandro A. Leal and Tim Dierkes
Wade Looking To Add Pitching
MLB.com’s Jim Molony tells us that Astros GM Ed Wade has been working the phones to get a feel for the "general lay of the land." After a busy offseason for Wade, most notably adding Miguel Tejada and Jose Valverde, Wade will likely be in the market for pitching upgrades.
The Astros rank 21st in baseball with a team ERA of 4.50, and their rotation is a combined 20-25 with a 4.77 ERA, and a league-worst 65 home runs allowed.
As Wade himself points out though, starting pitching won’t be easy to come by this year. As usual, there are far more clubs looking to add starting pitching than sell it.
Personal speculation here, but with the Padres nearing a fire sale and Randy Wolf going through a particularly strong stretch, he could make sense for Houston and come at a reasonable price. Wolf is 5-4 this season with a 3.83 ERA through 84.2 innings, and has posted a very nice 75:26 K:BB ratio so far. Even more appealing for the home-run prone Astros, Wolf has allowed a sparkling 0.74 HR per nine innings. His numbers away from Petco, however, are far from impressive, having posted a 5.31 ERA through 40.2 innings. Surprisingly, more of his home runs (4) have been allowed at Petco than on the road. Any other possible thoughts?
Posted by Steve Adams
Indians Sign First Round Pick Chisenhall
According to Justice B. Hill of MLB.com, the Indians signed their first round pick Lonnie Chisenhall for $1.2MM. Chisenhall, a left-handed hitter, played mostly shortstop in college but the Indians view him as a third baseman.
Chisenhall may have dropped to #29 partially because of a burglary incident last year. On draft day, only 17% of MLBTR readers polled thought the Indians made the right choice. That may just be because Chisenhall was not a household name.