Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for June 2009

Braves Rumors: David O’Brien Discusses

By | at

CMSB Media had David O'Brien from the Atlanta Journal Constitution on their radio show yesterday.

O'Brien suggests despite overpaying for Derek Lowe, the deal has worked out favorably for the Braves. O'Brien finds the Braves not acquiring Jake Peavy to be a blessing in disguise and says if the Braves are going to make a move it won't be one that takes on a whole lot of salary.

A quote from the interview:

Does this team have the wherewithal to make another move?

"It's hard to say because they won't just come out and say, 'We have $7MM to spend.'  … They don't want to go past a certain amount and with attendance down, revenues down, I'd be surprised if they took on another big salary. I think they'd have to do more of trading prospects to get a guy, a younger player, who doesn't have a big salary or a guy who's going to be a free agent that doesn't have much left on his contract…"

O'Brien also discusses the John Smoltz fallout, and the worst walk-out music on the Braves ("These guys have no taste in music really."). Give it a listen.

O’Dowd Quells Hawpe Rumors

By | at

Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd is snuffing out rumors that the Rockies would trade Brad Hawpe if the price is right, according to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Saunders writes,

"'I don't know where any of that came from,' O'Dowd said. 'I don't foresee us doing anything with him. That's something you would only do strategically, for the big picture. That would be something for the offseason, if at all.' … Before the Rockies sizzled their way back into wild-card contention, there was plenty of speculation around baseball that the Rockies would begin unloading players in July. That's no longer the case."

The Rockies have six weeks to evaluate their competitive chances before the non-waiver trade deadline. Baseball Prospectus gives the Rockies a 27.5% chance of making the playoffs. Hawpe said he would void his $10MM 2011 club option and become a free agent if he's dealt.

Angels Sign First-Round Pick Grichuk

By | at

10:22 P.M: The L.A. Times' Mike DiGiovanna reports that the bonus was for $1.225MM.

According to the Miami Herald via the Sports Network, the Angels have come to terms with first-round choice Randal Grichuk.

The 17-year-old Grichuk was chosen 24th overall by the Halos. He had signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Arizona. No word on the money or terms yet, but we'll update you when they become available.

Odds & Ends: Pedro, Ordonez, Holliday

By | at

On this day in MLBTR history: Last year, the Blue Jays fired manager John Gibbons and Matt Holliday talks were still swirling. In '07, we actually cared who was on Eric Gagne's team veto list and saw Michael Barrett get traded to the Padres.

O’s Not In “Salary-Dump Mode”

By | at

The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who says despite the Os' woes the team is not in "salary dump mode":

"People make assumptions about what our activity would be, which is probably not unreasonable, but at the same time, I never thought we're required to be the rest of the league's farm system.

If something makes sense for us where we can help somebody in the short term and we can get better in the long-term, that's one thing. But I really don't have much of an appetite to do something just for the sake of doing it."

Zrebiec notes that this is a stance MacPhail has "reiterated… the past couple years." Despite being the subject of many rumors, the O's haven't made any significant deadline deals since MacPhail was named president in June 2007. Zrebiec reminds that Melvin Mora, Aubrey Huff and Danys Baez are all in the final years of their contracts and that Luke Scott, Felix Pie, Jeremy Guthrie and George Sherrill have all attracted interest.

Keep up with all the latest Orioles rumors here.

Royals Still Scouting Jeff Francoeur

By | at

According to Mark Bowman at MLBlogs, the Royals retain interest in Braves OF Jeff Francoeur and are keeping an eye on him this weekend. However, Bowman notes that if a deal were to happen, the Braves might have to be willing to take on the $12MM owed to Jose Guillen.

Guillen is owed another $12MM in 2010 before his contract expires. The Royals' interest in Francoeur is well-known, though supposedly not everyone in the KC front office is keen on him. It isn't clear if the Braves would be willing to add any payroll, let alone any payroll that would involve a potential headcase like Guillen.

Yankees Will Sign Gary Sanchez

By | at

According to George A. King III at the New York Post, the Yankees have agreed to sign 16-year-old Dominican catching prospect Gary Sanchez. A contract won't be in place until July 2nd when the international signing period kicks off, but Sanchez will reportedly make $2.5MM in the deal.

Last week, Jorge Arangure noted that the Yankees had made it "very clear" Sanchez was their top choice of the international market. One scout in King's article called Sanchez a "big kid with a big arm" and a "good hitter" but claims he doesn't have the bat of fellow Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero. The Yankees still retain interest in Miguel Angel Sano, sources tell King.

Red Sox To Sign Dominican Amateur

By | at

According to Jorge Arangure at ESPN the Magazine, the Red Sox will sign 16-year-old Dominican amateur LHP Victor Payano on July 2nd, when the international signing period begins. He'll receive a $900,000 bonus.

Can't find much information on Payano, but we dug up some video of him here. As Arangure notes, this is the second Sox amateur commitment after learning they reportedly will come to terms with amateur shortstop Jose Vinicio, also of the Dominican Republic.

Did Anyone See Pedro Pitch?

By | at

As MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports, the Brewers sent two scouts to the Dominican Republic Friday to watch Pedro Martinez, but never saw him throw a pitch.

"This was twice [this week]," said Dick Groch, the Brewers' director of pro scouting.  "The second time we sent people there, his publicist was there and the publicist says, 'He's on his way.'  He was already 45 minutes late. … We had other workouts to do.  We can't wait forever.  We [told the scout], 'Go. You can't stay there forever.'"

Groch, who wasn't on site, seems to think the handful of scouts from other teams (Yankees, Cubs, Nationals, Diamondbacks, Indians and Angels included) left at the same time.  We haven't been able to confirm that.  Either way, it's pretty clear the Brewers don't have a strong desire to sign the 37-year-old right-hander.

"He might have worked out at a different time," said Brewers GM Doug Melvin.  "We don't know that.  All I know from our people is he wasn't'there when we were told to be. … I don't know what the demands are, but it doesn't matter what they are.  If you can't watch him throw, it doesn't matter what his demands are.  Would you go put an offer on a house without looking at the house?"

Dice-K Skipped; Penny Off The Block?

By | at

According to Alex Speier of Boston's WEEI, Daisuke Matsuzaka "will be skipped in his next turn through the rotation."  

There is some injury concern — he'll be examined by a team doctor — but this is mostly a performance-based decision.  Dice-K allowed six runs in four innings during his last outing and is now 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA and 2.20 WHIP on the season.  If the Red Sox decide to throw him into the bullpen for the remainder of the '09 campaign, or find some sort of physical issue, Speier suggests they might pull Brad Penny off the trading block.

Even with John Smoltz set to join the club Thursday, it would appear Boston's rotational depth just took a small hit.

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top