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Archives for July 2010

Mets Sign Chad Cordero

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The Mets completed their deal with free agent reliever Chad Cordero, who will likely pitch in Triple A Buffalo.  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the agreement and Andy Martino of the New York Daily News noted that the deal had become official (via Twitter).

Cordero had labrum surgery two years ago and battled his way back to the Majors with the Mariners in June.  Optioned back to Triple A on July 15th, Cordero elected free agency.  It appears that Cordero will be arbitration-eligible after the season, as he'll still be short of six years service time. 

Rosenthal points out that Mets GM Omar Minaya originally drafted Cordero 20th overall as Expos GM in 2003.  Cordero went on to save 128 games for the Expos/Nationals before his injury.

Cordero, 28, struggled in his short big league stint but posted a 4.12 ERA, 10.1 K/9, and 1.8 BB/9 in 19.6 Triple A innings this year.  The Mets scouted Kevin Gregg and Scott Downs over the weekend, but Cordero is a more affordable option.

Orioles Release Joey Gathright

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The Orioles released speedy outfielder Joey Gathright this morning, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (via Twitter). The 29-year-old was hitting .185/.255/.222 in 244 plate appearances at Triple A. A three-time 20-steal man in the majors, Gathright was 12 for 18 stealing bases in the minors this season. 

He has played for the Royals, Rays, Red Sox and Cubs in his six-year MLB career and last appeared in the majors in 2009. Gathright appeared in 37 games for the Cubs and Red Sox last year, but didn't do much at the plate. However, he has been an above-average defender in the outfield, according to UZR. Gathright could sign with another organization, but would almost certainly have to return to the minors.

Reds Agree To Sign Isringhausen

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The Reds agreed to sign Jason Isringhausen to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Yesterday, GM Walt Jocketty confirmed to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that the sides were nearing an agreement. The Reds offered the longtime closer a contract Tuesday, after they worked him out and liked what they saw.

The 37-year-old appeared in nine games for the Rays last year and posted a 2.25 ERA. Since 1995, Isringhausen has earned 293 saves, good for 22nd on the all-time list. The righty has posted 7.4 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in his career. He'll help former Cardinals teammates Scott Rolen and Russ Springer try to lead Cincinnati to the playoffs for the first time since 1995. For now, Isringhausen will report to Triple A, where he'll likely spend a couple weeks.

Morosi On Reds, Berkman, Blue Jays

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The Reds have signed Russ Springer and they're close to adding Jason Isringhausen, but that doesn't mean GM Walt Jocketty is content with his team's bullpen. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports has the details on the Reds, plus other notes from around the majors:

  • The Reds have been looking for late-inning relievers aggressively, since they don’t want to tire out Francisco Cordero, Arthur Rhodes and Nick Masset.
  • The Angels are not interested in taking on Lance Berkman’s contract, at this point (Twitter link). Berkman, 34, has a .799 OPS and about $5.8MM remaining on his salary this year. That's not it though – there's also a $2MM buyout for next year's $15MM option.
  • The Tigers, Twins, Phillies, Yankees, and Rockies were checking out the Blue Jays’ relievers and bats this week in Kansas City (Twitter link).

Red Sox Notes: Werth, DeJesus, Snyder

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The Red Sox are unquestionably a good team, but in the AL East, 'good' is rarely good enough. Here's the latest on the Red Sox, who are currently in third place, 4.5 games behind the Rays for the AL Wild Card:

  • The Red Sox are interested in acquiring an outfielder, a catcher and a reliever, according to Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com. The team isn't close to making any deals at the moment.
  • They have "strong interest" in Jayson Werth and are interested in David DeJesus.
  • GM Theo Epstein has continued interest in Chris Snyder and Chris Iannetta, partly because both backstops are under control after 2010.
  • The Red Sox had a scout at the Rockies-Marlins game last night, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The scout was not there to watch Iannetta and Renck suggests the Red Sox were eyeing potential relief help.
  • Rob Bradford of WEEI.com argues that the Red Sox are "worthy of postseason conversation," even if they don't currently hold a playoff spot. The team addressed many of its holes over the winter, as Bradford shows.

Olney On Hart, Bautista, Soria

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The White Sox would love to trade for a big bat, but rival executives don’t see much depth in their system, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. That may make it tough for GM Kenny Williams to create an enticing offer for Prince Fielder without including Gordon Beckham (that kind of offer just doesn’t seem likely). Here are the rest of Olney’s rumors:

  • Lots of teams are interested in Corey Hart.
  • Yesterday Olney reported that some executives thought Jose Bautista could earn an eight-figure salary through arbitration next year. We crunched the numbers and concluded that it would be a surprise to see him make much more than $6MM. Other officials contacted Olney to say that they would be “stunned” if the slugger made more than $5-6MM in 2011.
  • Rival executives say Joakim Soria’s contract is so team-friendly that it would be difficult for the Royals to trade him. The team has affordable options for 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Mets Trying To Trade Jeff Francoeur

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The Mets are trying to trade Jeff Francoeur, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. The right fielder is playing less now that Carlos Beltran is healthy, and a friend told Puma that Francoeur would welcome a trade if he were given the chance to play every day. 

Francoeur has hit .277/.315/.437 with 18 homers since the Mets acquired him for Ryan Church about a year ago. Much of Francoeur's production came in 2009, however; this year his OPS sits at .673. 

Any team looking to add Francoeur will have to consider his $5MM salary (he'll earn about $2MM between now and the end of the season). If Francoeur finishes the season well, his team can retain him for 2011 through arbitration, but he is a non-tender candidate at this point.

Tigers Not Showing Interest In Pudge, Robertson

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The Tigers are not showing interest in re-acquiring Ivan Rodriguez or Nate Robertson for the stretch run, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. 

Tigers catchers have combined to post just a .564 OPS so far in 2010, but manager Jim Leyland told MLB.com’s Jason Beck and Alex DiFilippo that he will mix and match Gerald Laird and Alex Avila for now. There haven't been indications that the Nationals want to trade Pudge, who had a .673 OPS entering the day's action and continues to throw out 42% of would-be base stealers, even at 38.

The Marlins designated Robertson for assignment yesterday, after he allowed seven earned runs against the Rockies. There has been little reported interest in the 32-year-old, but I suggested earlier in the week that he could be a cheap, effective left-handed specialist, especially for a team that doesn't like the thin relief market. The Tigers are interested in relievers, but are apparently eyeing pitchers other than Robertson.

Morosi notes that the Tigers are not pursuing Ryan Theriot, but are keeping tabs on Brandon League, David Aardsma and other relievers.

Odds & Ends: Haren, Cordero, Phillies, Rangers

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Links for Wednesday, as Pedro Alvarez keeps clubbing homers…

Many Interested In Managing Cubs

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It's barely been 24 hours since Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced his intention to retire after the season, but many potential successors have already indicated that they wouldn't mind replacing him. Here's the latest on some of the candidates GM Jim Hendry could consider after the season:

  • Cubs TV announcer and former D'Backs manager Bob Brenly told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune that he would have interest in the gig, should the Cubs want to discuss anything.
  • Cubs bench coach and former Tigers manager Alan Trammell was reluctant to discuss the opening, but told Sullivan that he would revisit it at an "appropriate" time.
  • Nationals third base coach Pat Listach told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he doesn't know "anybody on the planet" who wouldn't be interested in managing the Cubs. Listach managed in the Cubs' system for three seasons.
  • Joe Torre, who is in the final year of his contract, told the AP that he doesn't expect to manage for a team other than the Dodgers in 2011. However, Torre didn't want to "rule anything out."
  • And Ryne Sandberg told ESPN Radio that he is "ready" to manage the Cubs. The Hall of Famer is managing the Cubs' Triple A affiliate.

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