Nats, MacDougal Agree To Minor League Deal
According to the Associated Press, via the Miami Herald, the Nationals have agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed minor league contract with right-hander Mike MacDougal.
Shell, M’s Agree To Minor League Deal
Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune reports that the Mariners have signed right-hander Steven Shell to a minor league contract.
Owens Opts For Free Agency
According to the Chicago Tribune, outfielder Jerry Owens has opted for free agency rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A Charlotte.
The Asking Price For Doc Halladay
Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told Jon Heyman of SI.com on Saturday that his club isn't actively shopping Roy Halladay and would need a "boatload" in return if a deal was made.
Graffanino Designated For Assignment
According to an MLB.com press release, the Indians have designated infielder Tony Graffanino for assignment.
The move essentially cleared roster space for highly touted outfield prospect Matt LaPorta, who was acquried from the Brewers in last year's CC Sabathia trade. Graffanino, 37 in June, was 3-for-23 in seven games with the Indians this season. He could get a shot elsewhere as a utility infielder.
Astros Sign Brendan Donnelly
The Astros signed Brendan Donnelly and assigned him to Triple-A, a month after the Rangers released him. He joined Round Rock earlier in the week, but it was an under-the-radar signing found on the team's transactions page so it didn't surface right away (Hat Tip to this blog). Donnelly, now 37, debuted as a 30-year-old rookie on the World Champion Angels team in 2002.
Olney On Strasburg
ESPN.com's Buster Olney heard that the Nationals "fully intend to draft and sign" Stephen Strasburg. Former Nats GM Jim Bowden made similar comments earlier in the week. Some rival talent evaluators expect the Nationals would shut Strasburg down if they can't sign him early. He has pitched 78.1 innings so far this year and no team would want to risk overusing an arm that valuable.
Yankees Sign Casey Fossum
According to Chad Jennings of the Scranton Times Tribune the Yankees signed Casey Fossum; he will start for AAA Scranton today. Fossum pitched in three games for the Mets this year before they designated him for assignment. The 31-year-old veteran of 237 major league games pitched well in the minors this April, striking out 12 in 11 innings and allowing ten baserunners.
Odds And Ends: Yankees, Pedro, Mets
Links for Saturday morning…
- Some Yankees fans are frustrated by the first month C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira spent in pinstripes, but Torii Hunter would be happy to add them to the Angels, according to Matt Gagne's article in the New York Daily News.
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun writes that the Orioles continue to deny interest in Pedro Martinez.
- MLB.com's Marty Noble reports that Omar Minaya now says the Mets have an "edge".
- Noble adds that Oliver Perez could conceivably be asked to accept a minor league assignment if he pitches poorly today.
- ESPN.com's Peter Gammons discusses teams' recent appreciation for a strong defense.
- Gammons spoke with on GM who suggested we're in a golden era of second basemen in which players like Dustin Pedroia, Ian Kinsler, Chase Utley, Robinson Cano and Aaron Hill hit well at a "defensive" position.
- ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian asks why the Rangers have always been offense-first.
- Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun reports that the Blue Jays are scouting high school pitcher Shelby Miller.
No Contract Talks For Jason Bay
According to Amalie Benjamin and Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe, Jason Bay's agent Joe Urbon says contract talks have not resumed with the Red Sox. Urbon said he hasn't even talked to Bay.
WEEI's Alex Speier talked extensively with Bay on April 23rd; check that out here.