Team And Transaction-Only Feeds
If you'd like to filter MLBTR's information by team or limit it to transactions only, we've got you covered.
In the navigation bar, check out the Feeds By Team dropdown. Clicking on the name of a team returns all the posts that reference that club. For example, this page displays only posts with Braves-related rumors. The newest will always be on top.
Next to the word "Braves" you'll see an RSS button and a Twitter button. The RSS button leads here, to the URL you'd put into your RSS reader to receive only our Braves rumors. The Twitter button takes you to @mlbtrbraves, which shows all posts involving the team. The MLBTR team Twitter pages are also a place to quickly receive info from team press releases, even if that info is not used on the main site.
If you'd prefer to monitor only actual transactions, we've got several options. Our Transactions page shows only posts marked as transactions, such as signings, trades, DFAs, and releases. You can also get this same info on Twitter and RSS.
Multiple Teams Interested In D.J. Carrasco
At least five teams have inquired about Pirates reliever D.J. Carrasco, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter). The 33-year-old makes $950K this season and is under team control through 2012. We have seen recent indications that it's a hostile market for teams looking to add relievers, though there are some options available.
The righty has posted a 4.14 ERA in 50 innings, so it's not surprising that teams are asking the Pirates about him. The White Sox non-tendered Carrasco last winter and he has responded with 7.0 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9. His $950K salary makes him one of the cheaper relievers available.
Reds Offer Isringhausen Contract
Walt Jocketty can't resist those former Cardinals. The Reds have offered Jason Isringhausen a contract and expect resolution soon, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Jocketty told Fay that he expects to hear from Isringhausen within a day or two.
The Reds watched Isringhausen throw today and manager Dusty Baker told Fay that he liked what he saw. If the Reds do sign the 37-year-old, he'll help former Cards teammates Scott Rolen and Russ Springer try to lead Cincinnati back to the playoffs.
Angels Focused On Alberto Callaspo
The Angels don’t have the resources to trade for a big-name slugger, so they have turned their attention to Alberto Callaspo. GM Tony Reagins is targeting the former Angels minor leaguer, according to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Saxon reports that the Angels “are believed to have offered” Sean O'Sullivan and a fringe prospect for Callaspo, only to have Royals GM Dayton Moore turn the offer down. Callaspo, 27, has a .276/.310/.413 line this season and could play second or (more likely) third for the Angels.
Reagins considered pursuing Adam Dunn, but backed off when he realized that other teams only have “marginal interest” in the pitchers the Angels have in the upper minors. Top prospect Mike Trout is not going anywhere, though teams do have interest in him.
Gustavo Molina Clears Waivers
TUESDAY: Molina cleared waivers, according to the Boston Globe.
SUNDAY: The Red Sox have designated catcher Gustavo Molina for assignment, according to a team press release. The move was made in order to promote reliever Michael Bowden who will try to help turn around Boston's bullpen.
Molina, 28, was called up to the big league squad on June 29th. The catcher made two starts for the club and appeared in four games total. His promotion to Boston marked his first major league cameo since 2008, when he played in two games for the Mets.
The Nate Robertson Market
Nate Robertson’s numbers don’t scream ‘deadline difference maker,’ but he could be just that in the right situation. His ERA is 5.10, his WHIP is 1.49 and he is only striking out 5.3 batters per nine, but Robertson could still appeal to contenders. Here’s why:
Contract
Robertson makes $10MM this year, but the Tigers are paying all but $400K of it. The Marlins only owe the lefty $163K before the end of the season, at which point Robertson's contract expires. Salary-wise, he is as cheap as it gets.
Robertson is not close to Type B status, so free agent compensation is not currently a factor. His team will not offer arbitration even if he shoots into Type B territory.
Performance
Robertson's ERA has been better than the league average in only one season, but against lefties, he has actually been quite effective. For his career, the 32-year-old has 7.1 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. Robertson allows fewer hits against lefties and induces more ground balls (55% ground ball rate vs. LHB, 44% vs. RHB). Like most pitchers, Robertson fares better against batters the first time they hit against him in a game.
These splits suggest that Robertson could be an effective left-handed specialist in a contender’s ‘pen. There aren't many quality left-handers available and given the high asking price for Scott Downs, Robertson could become a cheap, outside-the-box alternative for teams seeking a lefty reliever.
Asking Price/Availability
The Marlins made Robertson available earlier in the month, according to this tweet from ESPN.com’s Buster Olney.
Interested Teams
- No teams have been directly linked to Robertson, but the Yankees and Red Sox are known to have interest in left-handed reliever Scott Downs.
- The Dodgers are interested in pitching and lefty George Sherrill has been a disappointment this season.
- The Rangers are looking for a left-handed reliever.
- The Angels could add a second lefty to complement Brian Fuentes.
Odds & Ends: Piniella, Uggla, Oswalt
Links for Tuesday, as we wonder if Dave Bush and Nate Robertson are making their last starts for their respective teams…
- Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced today that he'll retire after the season. Is Ryne Sandberg next in line?
- The Marlins are talking internally about extending second baseman Dan Uggla after the season, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports explains why a Roy Oswalt trade seems unlikely: his salary, his no-trade clause, and Ed Wade's demands.
- Before Brandon Inge's injury last night, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports was told the Tigers "have been more aggressive in looking for relievers than starters" (Twitter link). Here's a reminder on the trade markets for relievers and starters.
- Two of Morosi's big league sources forecast a 50% chance of the Braves acquiring an outfielder. As Morosi notes, the Braves have a strong inventory of pitching prospects.
- One more from Morosi: he says the Rays are "checking around for possible upgrades" at center field, right field, first base, or catcher (Twitter link). They've been loosely connected to Corey Hart and Jayson Werth this summer.
Nationals Reluctant To Trade Dunn, Willingham, Capps
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo is keeping other front office members in the dark about what's happening, reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, but one thing is clear: Rizzo would need to be overwhelmed to trade Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham, or Matt Capps.
Extension talks with Dunn are at an impasse. Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington says Dunn is seeking at least four years and more than $15MM per year. There seems to be an assumption that as a Type A free agent, Dunn's club will offer arbitration and the slugger will reject it. Granted Dunn was coming off a worse season, but it should be noted that the Diamondbacks did not offer him arbitration after '08. The White Sox appear to be Dunn's most aggressive suitor, as they're reportedly willing to include Daniel Hudson or Dayan Viciedo in a deal.
Meanwhile, Willingham and Capps are under team control for 2011. Both figure to receive handsome raises as arbitration-eligible players.
The Jake Westbrook Market
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of 2008, Indians righty Jake Westbrook is finally healthy again. It'd be reasonable for the last-place Tribe to move the veteran, so let's take a closer look.
Contract
Westbrook signed a three-year, $33MM extension in April of 2007, and he has $4.54MM in base salary remaining. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Westbrook also gets a $2MM lump sum and a pro-rated $1MM salary increase if traded. If dealt today, Westbrook would be owed about $6.95MM. This is clearly a major impediment to a deal. As far as draft pick compensation, forget about it – Westbrook is nowhere close to Type B status.
Performance
Westbrook, 33 in September, has a 4.67 ERA, 5.3 K/9, and 2.9 BB/9 in 113.6 innings this year. His 52.2% groundball rate ranks sixth in the American League among those with 80 innings, according to FanGraphs. Interestingly, Westbrook's teammates Justin Masterson and Fausto Carmona are among the five hurlers ranked ahead of him. The Indians rank 25th in baseball in defensive efficiency according to Baseball Prospectus, so any potential trade partner will probably be good for Westbrook.
Asking Price/Availability
The Indians "would trade Westbrook in a minute for a mid-level prospect if the Mets would pick up most of what's left on his contract this season," wrote John Harper of the New York Daily News. Indians writers have presented a different view. On July 4th, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote that the Indians "are sending out messages that they don't simply intend to dump Westbrook's salary," and will have to be compelled to move him. In June, Pluto's colleague Paul Hoynes wrote that Westbrook is "one of the least likely to be moved" on the team. Hoynes said the Indians have a good relationship with Westbrook and may try to re-sign him after the season. The fact that Westbrook had significant trade incentives built into his contract shows his inclination to stay put.
Interested Teams
- Mets: Harper says Mets officials are divided on whether to acquire Westbrook. Indeed, reports over the last month have conflicted over the team's level of interest.
- Dodgers: They've inquired, reports Yahoo's Tim Brown. You may recall the Casey Blake trade of two years ago, where the Indians paid the freight and were able to acquire Carlos Santana as a result.
- Padres: They've discussed him, reports Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse. The Padres are known to be prioritizing starting pitching.
- Yankees: The idea of a reunion has been broached by beat writers in a more speculative sense. However, GM Brian Cashman told Peter Botte of the New York Daily News yesterday that "Cliff Lee was a special case" and Sergio Mitre would be in most teams' rotations.
- We haven't seen the Tigers, Twins, Angels, Phillies, Cardinals, or Rockies linked to Westbrook, but those contenders may be looking for pitching.
Dodgers Interested In Paul Maholm
The Dodgers are interested in Pirates lefty Paul Maholm, reports Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Yahoo's Tim Brown wrote yesterday that the Dodgers "have been very aggressive in their pursuit of pitching."
Maholm, 28, has a 4.03 ERA, 4.5 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9 in 114 innings, with nine home runs allowed. With so few strikeouts, it's likely that Maholm's ERA will be higher from here on out. On the plus side, his 50.3% groundball rate ranks 12th in the National League according to FanGraphs. That rate has been higher in previous seasons.
Maholm signed a three-year, $14.5MM extension in January of 2009. He's got only $1.86MM remaining this year, $5.75MM in 2011, and a $9.75MM club option for '12 with a $750K buyout. That's $8.36MM guaranteed through '11, which has to be enticing for the Dodgers given their financial constraints.