Rosenthal’s Latest: Rangers, Rays, Mulder
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column up with plenty of rumors:
- The Rangers think they can trade Frank Catalanotto if they pick up a considerable portion of the $6MM he's owed or if they accept a similar sized contract in return. They just aren't sure it's worth making room for Andruw Jones, who's making progress with his swing.
- Ian Stewart's emergence means Jeff Baker's become expendable for the Rockies.
- Rosenthal doesn't expect the A's to sign a free agent starter even though Justin Duchscherer needs surgery and will likely miss six weeks. Instead Rosenthal suggests the A's could trade for Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann, both of whom are out of options.
- The A's can't afford Mark Mulder.
- Kris Benson could claim a spot in the Texas rotation and Rosenthal wouldn't be surprised to see Neftali Feliz or Derek Holland there before the All-Star break.
- They signed Cesar Izturis for now, but the Orioles hope to find a long-term solution at short.
Marlins Roster Spots
- The Marlins appear to be looking for a left-handed bench player who can pinch hit and spot start. Sounds like Luis Gonzalez could be a fit.
- They're also interested in lefty relief help.
- Frisaro mentions Adam Melhuse as a backup catching option, but Florida has since acquired Ronny Paulino.
Nationals Rumors: Pena, Rotation, Valentin
Chico Harlan of the Washington Post offers up a number of Nationals rumors.
- Wily Mo Pena was placed on waivers, meaning that any team can claim him and take on his $2MM salary. As Harlan points out, no team will claim him so Pena will have to choose between free agency and a minor league assignment. Apparently Pena declined to comment this morning, but shook hands with many in the Washington clubhouse before heading out (leaving a full locker behind).
- Collin Balester was optioned to AAA so Shairon Martis and Jordan Zimmermann are the team's 4th and 5th starters.
- Catcher Javier Valentin declined a minor league assignment and became a free agent.
- Yesterday, Harlan spoke with Austin Kearns and Josh Willingham about the possibility of reduced playing time and both players said they want to play out the spring first.
Taschner To Phils; Paulino To Fish; Correa To SF
SATURDAY, 2:01am: The Giants quickly turned Paulino around in a trade to the Florida Marlins for right-handed pitcher Hector Correa, MLB.com reports.
Correa, 21, has a career 8-10 record with a 4.52 ERA in 34 games (29 starts) in the minor leagues.
Paulino will likely be the backup catcher to John Baker. Paulino, 27, hit .278 in 304 games with Pittsburgh from 2005 to 2008.
FRIDAY, 9:08am: According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Phillies acquired lefty reliever Jack Taschner today for catcher Ronny Paulino. The Phils had acquired Paulino from the Pirates on December 10th.
Taschner, 31 in April, allowed lefties to hit .279/.339/.394 line last year. They knocked him around in '07 even worse, so he's not the perfect fill-in for J.C. Romero.
Melhuse Won’t Make Rangers
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers have informed catcher Adam Melhuse he won't make the team. Melhuse has no interest in Triple A, so he's considering retirement if he can't hook on with another team. He's 12 for 19 this spring.
The Rangers' plan is to use Jarrod Saltalamacchia as the starter and Taylor Teagarden as the backup at the catcher position.
Mets Release Ron Villone, Jose Valentin
According to Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog, the Mets released lefty reliever Ron Villone today. Villone, 39, allowed eight hits and six runs in five spring innings. Cerrone guesses Pedro Feliciano will be the team's only southpaw reliever when they break camp.
Cerrone also reports via SNY that the Mets released infielder Jose Valentin. He hit .267/.320/.378 in 48 spring plate appearances. In February, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News learned that Omar Minaya wants Valentin to be a player and unofficial coach at Triple A Buffalo.
Minor Moves
Robert MacLeod of the Globe and Mail has additional Blue Jays moves, beyond their trade of Curtis Thigpen to the A's. MacLeod says pitchers Mike Maroth and Rick Bauer have been released, and Matt Clement agreed to report to Triple A.
Meanwhile, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says lefty reliever Royce Ring accepted his Triple A assignment.
Orioles Face Hayden Penn Decision
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, 24 year-old Hayden Penn is one of five candidates for three open rotation spots on the Orioles (Adam Eaton and Mark Hendrickson may secure two of those). The O's may also consider putting Penn in the bullpen. The problem is that Penn is out of options and has had a lousy spring. Zrebiec notes that the Padres have expressed interest in Penn in the past, so the Orioles probably can't slip him through waivers.
On Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list, Penn ranked 94th in '05 and 81st in '06. Back in '06 BA said Penn threw three plus pitches for strikes and touched 96 with his fastball.
Eric Gagne Hopes To Throw For Scouts
According to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick, free agent reliever Eric Gagne is rehabbing a slight rotator cuff tear and plans to throw for scouts once he's healthy. He hopes to begin throwing within the next two weeks. Gagne was released by the Brewers earlier this month. Gurnick says Gagne made an appearance today at the Dodgers' Arizona camp, but he only came to check out the new complex.
A’s Acquire Curtis Thigpen
According to a press release, the A's acquired catcher Curtis Thigpen from the Blue Jays today for a player to be named later or cash considerations. They also signed catcher Eric Munson to a minor league deal.
Thigpen, 26 in April, hit .222/.267/.310 at Triple A last year. Baseball America describes him as adequate defensively. The Jays designated Thigpen for assignment on February 4th to make room for Brian Burres. Thigpen was the Jays' heir apparent at catcher three years ago, according to John Lott of the National Post. Thigpen took the place of Guillermo Quiroz, the previous "catcher of the future."
Munson, 31, spent time with the Brewers' Triple A club last year but dealt with hip and shoulder injuries. He's shown good pop in the past and was a can't-miss prospect himself a decade ago, when the Tigers picked him third overall and gave him a four-year, $6.75MM deal. Munson can also play a little bit at the infield corners.