Rosenthal On Giants, Dye, Lopez, Kennedy
Diamond Leung passes along a clip in which Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggests potential trade targets for the Giants. Here are a few possibilities:
- The Astros, now 5.0 games back in the NL Central, aren't about to trade Miguel Tejada away, so don't expect him to end up on the Giants.
- Rosenthal says Jermaine Dye is a potential fit for the Giants, even though they aren't desperate for outfielders. If the Giants are willing to take on his $11.5MM salary, they wouldn't have to give up as much in return for Dye. The White Sox are just 5.0 games back themselves, however.
- Rosenthal also mentions Felipe Lopez and Adam Kennedy as cheaper options that could help the Giants out.
Glaus Could Appeal To Teams At First Or DH
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Troy Glaus could appeal to teams looking for a first baseman or DH. The Cardinals may not have room for Glaus when he returns from his injury, since his hitting is progressing better than his throwing. With Albert Pujols at first and no DH, the Cardinals may decide to trade Glaus if he can't play third.
Discussion: Which Contract Would You Get Rid Of?
In his Hardball column yesterday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post says that MLB should allow a "one-time, one-contract reprieve for all 30 teams." Similar to what the NBA did in 2005, Sherman basically says each team should be allowed to rid themselves of one contract, with MLB's central fund absorbing the money owed to the players. Those 30 players would then become free agents.
My question to you is this: which contract would you like to see your favorite team get rid of? Some are fairly obvious (coughTravisHafnerBarryZitocough), but others not so much. Let's see what you got.
Odds & Ends: Orioles, White Sox, Nady, Indians
Some links to check out while watching game one of the College World Series …
- MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko spoke to Orioles mastermind Andy MacPhail about plenty of topics, including the scuffling Felix Pie and fifth overall pick Matt Hobgood.
- South Side Sox breaks down the White Sox players who won't (or can't) be traded.
- Xavier Nady is set to begin a rehab assignment, however Buster Olney recently said the Yankees will not look to trade one of their spare outfielders once he returns.
- Indians president Paul Dolan says he is concerned about the team's direction, but will not make any "rash decisions" according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It certainly sounds like Eric Wedge's days are numbered, and his number is coming up.
- The Dallas Morning News' Kevin Sherrington writes that even though they're in first place, the Rangers aren't in a position to go all out and need to keep focusing on the future.
Mets DFA Connor Robertson
How about another Mets transaction? This time they designated reliever Connor Robertson for assignment, according to a team press release. He had a 5.10 ERA in 30 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A this year after being acquired in exchange for Scott Schoeneweis this offseason.
You can keep track of all the moves the Mets made today here.
Diamondbacks Ready To Start Selling?
MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes sounds "like someone who had come face to face with reality" regarding his team's current state.
"It's the middle of June and we're 10 games under .500, so I think there's a reality as far as the types of discussions we have had and will have with other clubs," Byrnes said.
This was before the D-backs went on to lose three straight to a Mariners team that had some key players out with injuries.
Gilbert says that Byrnes hasn't indicated that a major overhaul is in the works, and to instead expect smaller moves involving veterans in the final year of their contracts. He mentions pitchers Doug Davis and Jon Garland, as well as second baseman Felipe Lopez and the injured Chad Tracy as candidates to find a new address.
Mets Release Bobby Kielty
Lots of roster moves for the Amazin's today. Bart Hubbuch tweets that in addition to Wily Mo Pena and Javier Valentin, the Mets have also released outfielder Bobby Kielty. The former Oakland cult hero was hitting .231-.394-.346 in just 33 plate appearances for Triple-A Buffalo.
Fehr Stepping Down As MLBPA Director
5:53pm: Maury Brown has the Players Association's statement.
1:55pm: ESPN.com reports that Donald Fehr is stepping down as executive director of the MLB Players' Association. ESPN's source says Michael Weiner will replace Fehr, who has led the MLBPA since 1983. Fehr said today he will retire by the end of March 2010.
As MLB.com's Bobbie Dittmeier points out, Fehr began working for the MLBPA in 1977 after working on behalf of the association as a lawyer. Over the course of his leadership, the average major league salary rose from $289k to $2.9MM, according to the AP. However, Fehr has been criticized for waiting until 2002 to allow drug testing in baseball.
Pirates Sign Supplemental First Round Pick
John Perrotto tweets that the Pirates have signed righthander Victor Black, their supplemental first round pick. Coming out of Dallas Baptist, Black was taken with the pick the Pirates received for failing to sign Tanner Scheppers last year. Terms of the deal aren't known, but MLB's recommended slot bonus for the 49th overall pick is expected to be around $720,000.
Mets DFA Wilson Valdez
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that the Mets designated Wilson Valdez for assignment to make room for pitchers Elmer Dessens and Pat Misch. The roster shuffle comes partially because Carlos Beltran is headed for the DL.
In 26 plate appearances for the Mets, Valdez hit .208/.269/.333. The 31-year-old played both middle infield positions.