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Indians Designate Jamey Wright For Assignment

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The Indians designated Jamey Wright for assignment to make room for Frank Herrmann, according to the team. Wright, 35, had a 5.48 ERA with 3.8 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 18 appearances this season. The righty has been a workhorse in recent years, averaging 70 appearances in 2008-09 with the Rangers and Royals.

Herrmann, a 26-year-old right-hander with an economics degree from Harvard, could be the middle reliever that manager Manny Acta is looking for. Indians relievers have combined to post a 5.58 ERA this year so Acta would like a more reliable bridge to Tony Sipp, Chris Perez and Kerry Wood. In 19 Triple A appearances this year, Herrmann has a 0.31 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9.

Rays Sign Jose Julio Ruiz

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The Rays signed Jose Julio Ruiz to a minor league deal, according to Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald. Ruiz will make $20K per month and the Rays will have the option to sign the Cuban first baseman to a four-year $4MM major league deal on November 15th (all Twitter links). The minor league deal guarantees Ruiz much less than he was seeking last offseason.

Ruiz became a free agent in the fall and immediately attracted interest from multiple teams. In February, his trainer claimed to have received "concrete proposals" worth more than $1MM from three major league clubs. The Blue Jays and Red Sox appeared interested, but reports of disastrous tryouts emerged, teams started backing off and Ruiz changed agents. 

The Rays may have found themselves a bargain and Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com suggests (via Twitter) that Ruiz could become a candidate to replace Carlos Pena. The Rays signed another Cuban first baseman – Leslie Anderson – in March. Anderson, 28, is hitting .266/.310/.418 in high A ball, so he doesn't appear ready to play in the majors.

Stark On Orioles, Lee, Padres, Stanton, Angels

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Major league executives told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark which starters they would most want to have for the next ten years. Zack Greinke and Tim Lincecum didn't make the cut, but Felix Hernandez, Josh Johnson, Ubaldo Jimenez, David Price, Brett Anderson and Jon Lester did. Here are Stark's latest rumors, as the trade market starts taking shape:

  • Two teams say that the Orioles would listen on Kevin Millwood right now.
  • A rival executive says the Orioles are "sniffing around for a shortstop." Stark hears rumors that they have interest in Twins prospect Trevor Plouffe. 
  • The Mariners won't seriously consider trading Cliff Lee before they're sure they can't salvage their season.
  • There's increasing pessimism that the Astros will be able to obtain salary relief and prospects for Roy Oswalt.
  • Teams are giving up on acquiring Adrian Gonzalez this summer, since the Padres continue to win.
  • Two officials believe Heath Bell could be traded even if the Padres stay in contention. Check out this post from earlier in the week for more on Bell's trade value.
  • Tom Gorzelanny could be on the market in a couple weeks when John Grabow comes off the DL.
  • Stark hears that the Marlins will call Mike Stanton up next week. The Marlins are being cautious, since they want to prevent Stanton from obtaining super two status and teams believe the cut-off will be later than ever this year.
  • Stark's sources don't expect the Angels to start searching for a bat to replace Kendry Morales for a few weeks. When they begin looking for offense, they're expected to look for someone who is about to hit free agency or a versatile player who can defend around the diamond. Kendry Morales is under team control through 2013, so Prince Fielder wouldn't be a fit for the Angels.

Orioles Fire Dave Trembley

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The Orioles officially fired Dave Trembley last night, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Juan Samuel will become the team's interim manager and Triple A manager Gary Allenson will replace Samuel as the club's third base coach. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun explains the move and notes that the Orioles have asked Trembley to remain in the organization in some capacity.

Trembley says he understands the team's decision, even though it means the end of his tenure as O's manager.

"While I am disappointed at the outcome, I feel it was a privilege to wear the Orioles uniform each day and I thank all the fans for their tremendous support," Trembley said in a prepared statement released by the team.

The 15-39 Orioles have lost eight consecutive games. In parts of four seasons, the team was 187-283 under Trembley. Trembley has been on the hot seat for weeks and speculation that he would be fired kept building until last night. Trembley becomes the second manager fired this season; the Royals replaced Trey Hillman with Ned Yost last month and are 10-10 since.

Orioles May Fire Trembley Soon

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10:48pm: The Orioles may already have fired Trembley, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter). Olney's source says the change was "inevitable."

9:36pm: Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun passes on word from Connolly that "it's not normal for [MacPhail] to meet the club when it returns home from a road trip," but that's MacPhail did this evening.

1:35pm: The Orioles may fire manager Dave Trembley soon, though nothing is official. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail will likely meet with Trembley before tomorrow night. A source familiar with MacPhail's thinking told Connolly that a meeting between MacPhail and Trembley could take place tomorrow morning or even tonight, when the Orioles return from Yankee Stadium.

Connolly hears that the O’s will hire from within the organization if they make a change, so Juan Samuel and Jeff Datz are options. Connolly expects the interim manager to be “a placeholder” to steer the team while MacPhail looks to hire someone permanently.

The Orioles are 15-39 under Trembley this year and they have lost eight consecutive games. In parts of four seasons, the team is 187-283 under Trembley. This afternoon the Orioles lost to the Yankees in New York, so it's not getting any easier for the 58-year-old Orioles skipper.

Odds & Ends: Nationals, Chapman, Duffy, Veal

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Not even one no-hitter, perfect game or near-perfect game in the majors today?  How unusual.  These news items will have to do in the meantime…

The David DeJesus Trade Market

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We heard from ESPN.com's Jayson Stark back on May 20 that the Royals were telling teams interested in making a trade to "get back to them in a month."  There's still a couple of weeks to go before that supposed deadline, but really, it should never be too early for Kansas City to continue their rebuilding process by trying to move some of their veterans.  Scott Podsednik has had a solid year but is somewhat of a one-dimensional speed threat, and Jose Guillen, as Stark noted, is hard to move given his big contract.

The most attractive overall bit of trade bait seems to be David DeJesus.  The career Royal is having another solid season, posting an .846 OPS over 228 plate appearances going into today's play.  That OPS would be a career-best mark over a full season for DeJesus if he can keep it up.  Defensively, he has been above average in right field this year but could be a real asset in left field given his 18.9 lifetime UZR/150 rating at the position.

Contract-wise, DeJesus has about $3.14MM left on the $4.7MM salary he's slated to earn in 2010.  The final year of his current deal is a club option worth $6MM for 2011, with a $500K buyout.  For a team in need of outfield help, a $3.64MM minimum for two-plus months of DeJesus is pretty reasonable, and that $6MM option might not be a bad pickup either given the circumstance.

With his good play in 2010, DeJesus might have generated the trade market for himself that the Royals hoped would be there last winter.  What contenders could be possible destinations for DeJesus?

  • San Diego.  It's still odd to think of the Padres adding salary at the deadline, but if they're still near first place in July, DeJesus could fill holes at either corner outfield spot.
  • San Francisco.  Pat Burrell has been signed but he's a major defensive liability in the outfield and may be also be used at first base and as a pinch-hitter.  The Giants may not have the money for DeJesus and have a lot of options in LF and RF already, but DeJesus is certainly a more proven contributor than the likes of Andres Torres and Nate Schierholtz.  San Fran's need could grow if Mark DeRosa ends up spending more time on the disabled list.
  • Tampa Bay.  Adding DeJesus would allow the Rays to move Ben Zobrist out of right and back to second base if Sean Rodriguez continues to struggle.  DeJesus' contract is modest enough for the Rays to absorb and they certainly have enough good prospects to spare in a swap with K.C.
  • Texas.  Nelson Cruz's hamstring problems, plus the hitting woes of Julio Borbon and David Murphy, leave the Rangers in need of some outfield reinforcements.  With the uncertainty surrounding the club's ownership situation, though, the Rangers might not be able to afford any decently-priced help at the trade deadline. 
  • Washington.  It might be a stretch to consider the Nationals as contenders given their 6-14 mark over their last 20 games, but if the Nats can ride the Stephen Strasburg momentum and get back in the race, DeJesus would be a big help to their right field problems.  DeJesus' presence would eliminate the need to put Cristian Guzman in right as a defensive replacement, thus preventing critical errors like the one that cost Washington this afternoon.

How Posada As DH Impacts The Yankees

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The Yankees have dealt with a number of injuries in the first two months of the season, most notably to Nick Johnson and Jorge Posada.  Johnson underwent wrist surgery that will keep him out until July at the earliest, while Posada has dealt with calf and foot injuries that have limited him to just 105 plate appearances.

Johnson was signed in the offseason to give New York some depth at DH while still keeping the position semi-open so veterans like Posada and Alex Rodriguez could take a day off from the field but remain in the lineup.  While A-Rod has played in 52 of New York's 54 games, Posada's injury woes have convinced Rob Parker of ESPNNewYork.com that the longtime catcher should become the Bronx Bombers' full-time designated hitter.  Parker argues that Francisco Cervelli's defense and surprising bat (a .302/.379/.377 line going into today's action) makes him a solid replacement behind the plate.

There appears to be little downside to this move, at least for now.  Posada has been a dangerous hitter when he's been able to play this season so there's no sign that the 38-year-old is on an overall decline.  When (or if) Johnson is healthy, he can spell Posada at DH and perhaps allow Posada to take the occasional start behind the plate.  Cervelli's minor league numbers suggest that his hot hitting won't last, so the Yankees will have to decide if having a rare weak spot in their lineup is worth the trade-off of Cervelli's defense and ability to keep Posada fresh.  In case you're wondering about New York catching prospect Jesus Montero, he has struggled (.648 OPS) at Triple-A Scranton this season so the Yanks aren't likely to call him up to the majors anytime soon.

Draft Notes: O’s, Harper, Pomeranz, Grandal

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The countdown is on for MLB scouting directors. The draft is just days away, so it's time for them to rank hundreds of players. Here are the latest links on the 2010 draft:

  • The Rangers' ownership problems means the team will be focusing on easily-signable players, reports Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com.
  • Steve Gilbert of MLB.com thinks the Diamondbacks will look to add pitching after spending most of their early picks in the 2009 draft on position players.  He also doesn't think Arizona will pay above slot to sign a player.  
  • Lou Montanez, Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis tell MLB.com's Spencer Fordin what they remember about being drafted.
  • Bryce Harper may have played his last amateur game and it's not just because the draft is approaching. He received a two-game suspension after being ejected, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale (Twitter link). MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has video of the ejection.
  • ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill hears that the Mets are high on Drew Pomeranz and Josh Sale. The Mets' decision could come down to players' asking prices, however.
  • ESPN.com's Keith Law says the Mets could have a shot at Manny Machado, since the clubs picking between Pittsburgh and New York haven't shown clear interest in the high school shortstop.
  • Rival scouts and executives expect the Red Sox and Blue Jays to be big spenders in the draft this year, according to Law.
  • Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian that the Jays will not shy away from tough signs.
  • An MLB executive told Law that catcher Yasmani Grandal is looking for "Buster Posey money." Posey received a $6.2MM bonus from the Giants.
  • If you're wondering who your team might select, check out this mock draft by three Baseball America writers.

Danny Valencia Called Up By Minnesota

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With Michael Cuddyer on the bereavement list, the Twins called up top prospect Danny Valencia from Triple-A Rochester.  MLB.com's Kelly Thesier tweets that Valencia will make his major league debut tonight at third base when the Twins play the Mariners. 

A 19th-round pick in the 2006 draft, Valencia has a .298/.353/.469 line in 2005 minor league at-bats, though just a .742 OPS in 483 PA at the Triple-A level.  Baseball America's John Manuel described Valencia as one of the "untouchable" prospects at last year's trade deadline, and the Twins hope the 25-year-old can develop into an everyday third baseman.

Valencia is the third notable Twins prospect to get a cup of coffee with the big club this season, as Trevor Plouffe (their first-round pick in the 2004 amateur draft) and catcher Wilson Ramos ("one of the better trade chips in baseball") made their debuts earlier this season to fill holes in the banged-up Minnesota lineup.  While Ramos was never going to displace Joe Mauer behind the plate and Plouffe hasn't hit well enough in the minors to be considered a blue chipper, every opportunity exists for Valencia to stick around in the majors.  As Manuel noted in his story, "third base has been a black hole" for the Twins since the days of Corey Koskie.  Nick Punto (.574 OPS this season) and Brendan Harris (.478 OPS) could both be easily displaced if Valencia gets off to a hot start.

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