Mets Sign Angel Berroa
1:58pm: Bart Hubbuch of The NY Post clarifies: Berroa was signed to a minor league contract. He was released by the Yankees on Tuesday.
1:55pm: According to Adam Rubin of The NY Daily News, the Mets have claimed infielder Angel Berroa off waivers and assigned him to Triple-A Buffalo. The Yankees designated Berroa for assignment recently to make room on the roster for Cody Ransom. Berroa hit .136-.174-.182 in just 24 plate appearances for the Yanks.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Church, Francoeur, Betancourt
Had enough of yesterday's trades yet? Good, because here are some reactions from around the blogosphere…
- Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog says he's not sure the Ryan Church–Jeff Francoeur swap makes total sense, and he's not sure if the move will have an impact for either team.
- Sam Page at Amazin' Avenue says that he's convinced the trade makes no sense, and all of the "talk about potential, shake-ups and athleticism is just noise."
- Talking Chops' "gondeee" likes the Church pickup, even if it cost the once-face of the franchise. Admittedly, it's been a while since Francoeur was viewed in that light.
- Jay Yencich at USS Mariner says the Mariners came out pretty good in the Yuniesky Betancourt deal, even if they had to send some cash Kansas City's way.
- D.W. at Tangled Up In (Royal) Blue doesn't understand how the move fits into the big picture for the Royals.
- Keith at The Royals Tower is taking a hiatus from blogging out of frustration caused by the deal.
Odds & Ends: Betancourt, Halladay, Managers
A few more links for this morning…
- Joe Posnanski chimes in with his thoughts on the Yuniesky Betancourt deal. As with all of J-Poz's stuff, it's a must read.
- Phil Rogers of The Chicago Tribune says to keep an eye on the White Sox in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. He speculates that they could build a package around Gavin Floyd, but Gordon Beckham or Alexei Ramirez would be dealbreakers.
- Even though it's worked for the Rockies this year, in-season managerial changes rarely work as MLB.com's Thomas Harding points out.
Discussion: Jonathan Sanchez
Giants southpaw Jonathan Sanchez is no stranger to the trade rumor circuit, having been dangling for a big bat since last season. Just over three weeks ago we heard that Sanchez's stock was declining sharply because of his struggles as a starter.
However it's safe to say after last night's no-hit effort that Sanchez's stock is back up, but just how much? One game shouldn't be weighed so heavily, but what should be done isn't always what is done. Could Sanchez get the Gigantes that big bat now? Is he enough to land a Nick Johnson or Adam LaRoche? What do you guys think?
Freddy Sanchez Rumors: Saturday
Yesterday we learned that the Pirates are "pushing hard" to trade All Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez before this year's trade deadline, but nothing appears imminent right now. Here's the latest roundup of Sanchez rumors courtesy of Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Gordon Edes of Yahoo! Sports.
- Kovacevic says the Mariners and Twins remain interested in Sanchez.
- The Rockies' interest has cooled off of late, and they're now focused on acquiring bullpen help.
- Biertempfel adds a new team to the mix: Tampa Bay.
- Edes reports that a NL Central team is involved, and speculates that it could be the Cubs.
- Sanchez's $8MM vesting option based on plate appearances is an obstacle in any trade.
Odds & Ends: Betancourt, Francoeur, Halladay, Angels
We managed to find some rumors in between all of the Jonathan Sanchez no-hitter coverage this morning. Congrats to Jonathan, hopefully Juan Uribe will be buying him a very big and expensive steak dinner. Or ten. On to the links…
- ESPN's Keith Law doesn't like the Yuniesky Betancourt trade for the Royals, saying he might be the worst everyday player in the big leagues.
- David Lennon of Newsday says that Mets GM Omar Minaya wanted to send a message by acquiring Jeff Francoeur, but it's "more like a gentle poke than a full-blown shake-up."
- SI's Jon Heyman tweets that he'd include the struggling Joba Chamberlain in a package for Roy Halladay "no problem."
- ESPN's Jorge Arangure writes that the Angels efforts on the international market stalled this year after the firing of international scouting supervisor Clay Daniels, who is under investigation by Major League Baseball for his part in the bonus-skimming scandal. Arangure also has notes on several other big name international signees, including Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias, who received $8.2MM from the Red Sox.
- MLBTR's own Ben Nicholson-Smith will be on 940 ESPN Radio at 10am CST this morning talking rumors. Click the link to give a listen.
Discussion: What Should The Indians Do?
Earlier tonight we noted that the Indians were looking to "cut corners because of the economy" when setting next year's payroll, not something you'd like to hear from the team with worst record in the American League and second worst overall. The Indians have already moved Mark DeRosa, and they have several other desirable pieces in closer Kerry Wood and infielder Jamey Carroll.
However, the Tribe's two best trade chips are reigning Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee and All Star backstop Victor Martinez, but the club hasn't made it known that either player is available just yet. The team holds options on both players for 2010, totalling $15MM combined.
Given their financial situation for next year, do you think the Indians should deal Lee and V-Mart now and maximize the return, or hold on to them and try to contend next year? Both players would bring significant young and cost controlled piece back, and if GM Mark Shapiro plays his cards right, he could be looking at not one, but two Mark Teixeira-esque hauls here. So, what do you think?
Odds & Ends: Halladay, Rays, Indians, Rockies, Draft
With another round of deals today, we're reminded that the trade deadline is just three weeks away. Here's some evening linkage…
- Joe Haggerty rounds up Peter Gammons' weekly appearance on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike this morning. Among many other topics, Gammons touched on Roy Halladay, saying that he believes "there’s about a 20 percent chance that Halladay gets traded."
- MLB.com's Zach Schonbrun writes that Rays owner Stuart Sternberg says the team is unlikely to cut payroll during the season, assuming they stay in the hunt of course.
- The Indians aren't so lucky. Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer says that when "it comes to setting next year's payroll, the Indians are going to be looking to cut corners because of the economy." He mentions Rafael Betancourt and Kelly Shoppach as candidates to be moved because of their salaries.
- The Denver Post's Troy Renck says the Rockies are unlikely to move Ryan Spilborghs and "aren't in a hurry" to trade Garrett Atkins.
- Team president Frank Coonelly refuted a report saying that the Pirates had "essentially completed a deal" with fourth round pick Zack Dodson, according to Dejan Kovacevic.
- Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports that the Orioles have signed four more draft picks.
Padres Sign Russ Adams
MLB.com's Corey Brock tweets that the Padres have signed Russ Adams to a minor league deal. The Blue Jays designated the former first round pick for assignment last week. Adams has been assigned to Triple-A Portland.
Dodgers Looking For A Reliever
Diamond Leung notes that during an interview with Seth Everett and Jim Duquette on Sirius XM Radio, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said that his top priority is adding a bullpen piece.
“If we’re assuming that everybody’s healthy from here on out, I would say that our top priority would be a bullpen piece, especially somebody with veteran stature. I think that would be No. 1. If we can find a starter that’s obviously better than who we have starting now, that would be No. 2. The number of names that have been tossed around out there that we’ve made contact with clubs that would definitively make our starting rotation better…it’s a very, very short list. It might be a longer list in the bullpen. We’re concentrating on both, and hopefully will be able to do one if not both between now and July 31.”
Colletti also said that the price for Roy Halladay may be too high, but didn't rule out potentially pursuing the righthander. Speaking on Sportscenter earlier this evening, ESPN's Buster Olney noted that the Dodgers had two scouts watch Halladay's start in Tampa yesterday.