Colorado A Possible Destination For Snell
John Perrotto of Inside Pittsburgh Sports reports "indications" that the Pirates are willing to trade Ian Snell and says the Rockies are becoming their most likely trade parter. Multiple people in the team clubhouse appeared convinced that Snell was about to be traded yesterday.
Pirates, Red Sox Discussed Jack Wilson
Going back at least a week, there has been word that the Red Sox inquired on Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more on those talks.
The short version: there does not appear to be a match. Kovacevic says the Sox have done research on Wilson, but the Pirates seem to want more than Boston would give up. The Pirates' beat writer implies that the unpopular Nate McLouth trade may cause the Pirates to tread lightly with Wilson. Still, he says the Pirates have also had less intense trade talks with other clubs about their shortstop.
Kovacevic says nothing is cooking in terms of keeping Wilson in a Pirates uniform in 2010, whether in terms of an affordable extension or Wilson's $8.4MM club option. Wilson still has $5MM coming to him on his current extension - $4.4MM of his '09 salary, plus a $600K buyout on the option.
As for the Red Sox, they're using Nick Green and Julio Lugo at shortstop while Jed Lowrie recovers from wrist surgery. Lowrie will take live batting practice Monday as he aims for a late June/early July return.
Cashman On Trade Market
Talking to Newsday's Arthur Staple, Yankees GM Brian Cashman discussed the team's approach toward the trade market. Cashman said that if the team fixes itself by getting Brian Bruney healthy and Chien-Ming Wang right, there may not be a need to make a deal. Bruney returns from the DL Tuesday, while Wang's last-chance start comes Wednesday against John Lannan and the Nationals. Seems odd to me to place so much emphasis on a single start.
Staple also learned that Cashman intends to talk to Hal Steinbrenner if he seeks approval to add to the payroll. I'd be surprised to see money become an impediment for a deadline acquisition.
What are the team's needs? The Yankees' rotation currently ranks 12th in the AL with a 4.98 ERA. The question is whether Cashman could come up with a starter who'd be definitively better than Phil Hughes. As for the pen, Ken Rosenthal wrote Friday that the Yanks have already expressed interest in Colorado closer Huston Street and "eventually will target the best available late-inning relievers." The Angels are also known to be eyeing Street, having lost Scot Shields for the season.
Discussion: Which Injury Hurts The Most?
As always, a slew of players have suffered serious injuries this year. My question to you: which one will ultimately hurt the player's team the most? Leaving Manny Ramirez aside, examples include Carlos Quentin, Josh Hamilton, Aramis Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Mauer, Jose Reyes, Rickie Weeks, Carlos Delgado, Jake Peavy, Brett Myers, Ervin Santana, Brandon Webb, Jose Valverde, and John Lackey. Who's your pick?
Arguellez, Iglesias Declared Free Agents
SUNDAY, 4:52pm: Baseball Prospectus' Kiley McDaniel explains the situation at greater length. The two Cubans are free to sign with any club, but not before thorough background checks are administered.
FRIDAY, 5:02pm: According to John Manuel of Baseball America, Cuban defectors Noel Arguellez and Jose Iglesias have been declared free agents by Major League Baseball after clearing the unblocking process. Both players defected while in Canada last July for the World Junior Championships.
Arguellez is a 19-yr old lefthanded pitcher that Manuel says has drawn Francisco Liriano comparisons. Iglesias, also 19, is said to be a shortstop in the Orlando Cabrera mold. Jamie Torrez, the agent for both players, says he has been contacted by several teams already, but did not speculate on any bonus demands.
Marlins Rumors: Hermida, Francoeur, Ross
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald has a couple of baseball-related updates in his most recent "Florida Sports Buzz" column:
- The Marlins have received several calls about Jeremy Hermida, but the offers "haven't been enticing." Sounds like it'll take a good chunk of talent to land the 25-year-old outfielder, who is hitting .276/.373/.421 with eight home runs and 29 RBI in 228 at-bats this season.
- Altanta offered Jeff Francoeur straight up for Cody Ross last week, but the Marlins quickly declined. For reference, Francoeur, 25, is batting .250/.282/.345 this season with four home runs and 29 RBI. Ross, 28, is batting .270/.320/.482 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI.
If the Braves are truly shopping Francoeur, what other clubs make sense? A change of scenery would probably serve him well.
Phillies Sign Top Draft Pick
According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Phillies have reached a deal with second-round draft pick Kelly Dugan.
Izzy To Hang Up His Spikes?
Rays right-hander Jason Isringhausen was placed on the 60-day disabled list Sunday morning with an injury to his surgically-repaired right elbow, leading some in the media, including the St. Petersburg Times' Joe Smith, to speculate that the 36-year-old former closer may soon call it a career.
Brad Penny Drawing Interest
A major league source informed the Boston Globe's Nick Carfado Sunday that the Red Sox "have fielded multiple calls and some offers" for Brad Penny. As Carfado writes,
Eric Chavez To Retire?
Athletics manager Bob Geren informed the San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman this afternoon that Eric Chavez is headed for back surgery. The Oakland third baseman told the Chronicle's Susan Slusser last month that another procedure "would spell the end to his career," leaving his body "too unstable for baseball."