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Archives for June 2011

Phillies Say Adding Offense Is Unlikely

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Though the Phillies are 18th in the Major Leagues with 249 runs scored, their general manager doesn’t expect to make a trade for offense between now and the July 31st trade deadline. Ruben Amaro Jr. told David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News that he’s relying on the existing lineup to start producing more.

"We've got plenty of power," Amaro said. "They haven't hit with power. But we have it. They haven't performed like they can, yet. But they will."

Amaro says the Phillies will “live with it” if the offense doesn’t improve this summer. The Phillies are one of nine teams that are in violation of baseball’s debt service rules, so taking on payroll at the deadline will be trickier than expected for a club that leads the league in attendance. The 37-26 Phillies have allowed the second-fewest runs in the National League.

Free $300 Fantasy Baseball Contest (Sponsored Post)

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Looking to flex your fantasy baseball genius on a single night?  Try DraftStreet, where you can put together a new fantasy team every night and compete against other users for real money.

Right now DraftStreet has a freeroll for MLB Trade Rumors readers, meaning you can take a shot at a chunk of the $300 prize pool for free, with no strings attached.  Here's how it works.

The MLBTR freeroll is for Friday night's games, so you have until then to create your team.  You're given a $100K salary cap, and each player is assigned a price by DraftStreet.  For Friday, Roy Halladay is considered the most valuable player since he starts against the Cubs, but he'll cost you over $17K.  Your roster will cover these positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OF, 2 utility, 2 SP, 1 RP, 1 P and 2 Reserves (14 starters).  You get points based on how your team performs Friday.  For example, you'll get 0.75 points for each strikeout Doc racks up and 1.5 points if he gets the win.    The teams with the most points get the prize money.  You can apply all kinds of strategy in building your roster – for example, check out the chance of rain at U.S. Cellular Friday before you decide to add A's and White Sox players.  Below I've taken a screenshot of a roster in progress: 

Draftstreet
 
If you're interested, sign up and create a roster prior to Friday's night games (6:05pm central time).  It's quick, easy, fun, and the MLBTR league gives you a free chance to win some of the $300 prize pool.  If you enjoy the competition you can try other leagues for free and earn credits, or deposit real money.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Gibbons, Castro, Vasquez

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Let's keep track of all of today's outright assignments right here …

Mets Designate Nick Evans For Assignment

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The Mets have designated Nick Evans for assignment according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York (on Twitter). The team will announce the corresponding call-up tomorrow.

Evans, 25, did not have a hit in a dozen at-bats with the Mets this year, drawing five walks instead. He hit .248/.285/.383 in 151 plate appearances with their Triple-A affiliate this season, which is pretty close to his .243/.298/.387 batting line in 242 trips to the plate as a big leaguer. Evans can play the outfield corners as well as first base, and this is the second time he's been removed from the roster this season.

Orioles, Nationals Interested In Bill Hall

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For a player that hit .224/.272/.340 before being released by the Astros, Bill Hall is drawing quite a bit of interest. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that both the Orioles and Nationals have interest in Hall, and he mentions that the Yankees could get in the mix as well.

Baltimore's interest stems from Brian Roberts' injury and uncertain status while Washington sees him as a super-utility player. It's unclear how that would work, since Jerry Hairston Jr. figures to return to that role once Ryan Zimmerman comes off the disabled list. Rosenthal says New York's level of interest is unclear, but they would presumably use him off the bench.

Hall, 31, will be collecting checks for the rest of his $3MM salary from Houston, less the pro-rated portion of the league minimum that his new team (whoever that ends up being) will pay him. Despite his ugly showing with the Astros, Hall did hit .247/.316/.456 with 18 homers for the Red Sox just last year, and he can play pretty much any position on the field.

Quick Hits: Spangenberg, A’s, Beltran, Cubs, Twins

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First Eric Hosmer, now Mike Moustakas. The Royals are calling up their other super-prospect according to Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star (on Twitter), optioning Mike Aviles to Triple-A to make room on the roster. Moustakas hit .287/.347/.498 for Triple-A Omaha in 250 plate appearances, and congrats to him for reaching the show.

Here's the latest from around the league…

  • Padres assistant GM Jason McLeod told Dan Hayes of The North County Times that first round pick Cory Spangenberg will be in San Diego tomorrow to take his physical, indicating that a deal is all but done (Twitter link).
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says that the Padres and Athletics are unlikely to start selling pieces anytime soon (Twitter link). The call-up of Anthony Rizzo and firing of Bob Geren gives both clubs a new look that they'll first take a chance with.
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says that Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran is willing to waive his no-trade clause to join a team with a chance at a championship.
  • Although calls are being made for a fire sale, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Chicago Sun-Times says it won't be easy for the Cubs to move some of their bloated contracts.
  • MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince explains why there is no quick fix for what ails the Twins.
  • Big money contracts for relievers like Rafael Soriano, Pedro Feliciano, and Hisanori Takahashi haven't worked so far, and MLB.com's Tom Singer says that could change the way teams build bullpens in the future.
  • The Diamondbacks have come to terms with 23 draft picks according to a team press release. The highest pick of the group is fourth rounder Evan Marshall.
  • Derrick Goold of The St. Louis-Post Dispatch reports that the Cardinals have inked tenth round pick Lance Jeffries (Twitter link).

Pirates Looking For Catching Help, Fox Claim Unlikely

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As if Ryan Doumit's fractured ankle wasn't enough, today the Pirates learned that catcher Chris Snyder will need surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. Dusty Brown and Wyatt Toregas are holding down the fort down right now, and Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the team is searching around for some help behind the plate (on Twitter).

The recently waived Jake Fox is not a fit according to Biertempfel simply because he is too much of a defensive liability. Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun reiterates that such a claim is unlikely. The Angels are carrying three catchers (Hank Conger, Jeff Mathis, Bobby Wilson) and could match up as a trade partner, ditto the Padres (Nick Hundley, Rob Johnson, Kyle Phillips). Ivan Rodriguez's name has been popping up in rumors as well, though it's unclear if Pittsburgh is looking for a long-term solution or just a short term fix until Doumit returns. 

Marlins Sign Jose Lopez

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The Marlins have signed Jose Lopez to a minor league contract reports MLB.com's Greg Johns (on Twitter). He had been released by the Rockies earlier this week.

Lopez, 27, hit just .208/.233/.288 in 129 plate appearances for Colorado, which is why they designated him for assignment late last month. The Marlins would only owe Lopez the pro-rated portion of the league minimum if they called him up; the Rockies are on the hook for the rest of his $3.6MM salary.

Astros Links: Beltran, Reed, Draft Picks

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Here's the latest from Houston, as the Astros prepare to take on the Cardinals at home…

  • The Astros have released right-hander Francis Beltran, reports MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (on Twitter). The 31-year-old reliever pitched to a 19.89 ERA in 6 1/3 innings for Houston's Triple-A team this year. He has not appeared in the big leagues since 2008.
  • Assistant GM Bobby Heck told Stephen Goff of Examiner.com that rumors of the team pursuing a pre-draft deal with lefty Chris Reed were a "misinterpretation on the part of numerous scouts with strong media connections." Reed went 16th overall to the Dodgers, five picks after the Astros chose George Springer.
  • Steve Campbell of The Houston Chronicle lists five draft picks the Astros have signed, including fifth rounder Nick Tropiano.

Padres Designate Eric Patterson For Assignment

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The Padres have designated Eric Patterson for assignment, reports Marty Caswell of XX1090 Sports Radio (Twitter links). Will Venable has been called up to take his spot on the roster, and is expected to serve as a fourth outfielder.

Patterson, 28, was the player to be named later in the Adrian Gonzalez trade. He started the season on the disabled list, but returned in April and has hit just .180/.272/.292 in 103 plate appearances. Patterson played all over the field for San Diego, seeing time at all three outfield spots as well as at second base.

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