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Archives for June 2011

Mariners Designate Edward Paredes For Assignment

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The Mariners designated lefty reliever Edward Paredes for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster roster for catcher Josh Bard, announced the team.

Paredes, 24, posted a 7.71 ERA, 8.0 K/9, 6.4 BB/9, and 1.3 HR/9 with 41 hits allowed across 28 Double and Triple-A innings this year.  Baseball America ranked him 25th among Mariners prospects prior to the 2009 season, at which point there was hope that he'd become "a Felix Heredia-type reliever."

Heyman On Padres, Athletics, Twins

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The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…

  • The Padres are being aggressive in engaging in trade discussions, say executives who have spoken to them.  They're even willing to discuss dominant set-up man Mike Adams, who is under team control for next year.  Many teams prefer Adams over closer Heath Bell, who Heyman says is "very likely" to be dealt.  There are a couple of surprise suitors for Bell, but one exec told Heyman the righty "won't bring as much as you think."
  • The impending returns of Rich Harden, Brandon McCarthy, and Tyson Ross are delaying the Athletics' decision on whether to sell.  If they do sell, here's a look at who might be available.
  • A rival executive believes the Mets would have to be bowled over to trade Jose Reyes, though teams seem convinced Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez will be traded.  Teams haven't even called the Mets yet about Reyes' availability, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
  • Heyman says that the Dodgers have not received any calls on Matt Kemp.
  • Though they are nine games out, Heyman says there is no evidence the Twins will start shopping soon.  A competing exec thinks they'll stand pat.  While Michael Cuddyer would be coveted, his value in the clubhouse might compel the Twins to keep him.
  • The Giants don't have much interest in Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera, writes Heyman.
  • The Reds "seem reluctant" to trade catcher Ramon Hernandez.  For more on Hernandez, click here.
  • The Rockies are in wait-and-see mode, but if they sell they'll look to move closer Huston Street.  Street is signed through 2012 with a club option for '13.

Contenders In Need Of A Center Field Upgrade

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As many as five contenders might be seeking a center fielder by the trade deadline:

  • White Sox:  Alex Rios, who is signed through 2014, is hitting .221/.272/.329 on the season after a fine bounceback 2010.  He was pulled from last night's game because manager Ozzie Guillen didn't like the way Rios was running the bases.  His replacement Brent Lillibridge could start taking away at-bats, though Lillibridge's own negligence might have cost Chicago that particular game.  The Sox have Jordan Danks (.259/.335/.461) at Triple-A.
  • Rangers:  Their games played leader Julio Borbon is in Triple-A, leaving Endy Chavez, Craig Gentry, and occasionally Josh Hamilton or David Murphy.  Chavez has played well in a small sample, and Leonys Martin could be a factor in September.
  • Mariners:  They're committed to Franklin Gutierrez, but the well-regarded defender is having a very rough year with the bat.  If the lack of production continues for, say, four weeks, the Ms could think about renting a center fielder.
  • Braves:  Jordan Schafer earned the center field job, pushing Nate McLouth to left.  Schafer hasn't done much with the bat though, so the Braves could look to upgrade.
  • Nationals:  The Nats have reportedly been looking for a long-term center fielder for a while now, with B.J. Upton's name coming up often.  Roger Bernadina's recent play may give them pause, however. 

The Braves and Nationals seem most likely to make a move, though the Nats probably won't seek a rental.  The market may include Borbon, Michael Bourn, Coco Crisp, Dexter Fowler, Chris Coghlan, Reed Johnson, Mitch Maier, Marlon Byrd, Melky Cabrera, Aaron Rowand, Rajai Davis, and Corey Patterson in my estimation.  Kosuke Fukudome could play center for someone, while Carlos Beltran played there last year.  I have a hard time seeing the Rays move Upton in the middle of a pennant race, but stranger things have happened.

White Sox Close To Signing Keenyn Walker

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The White Sox are close to signing supplemental round draft pick Keenyn Walker.  The outfielder tweeted earlier today, "Ya buddy! Finally becoming a part of the Chicago White Sox family!!"  The amount of Walker's apparent agreement is unknown, but slot would be about $740K. 

Walker was drafted 47th overall out of Central Arizona Junior College as compensation for the loss of reliever J.J. Putz.  The switch-hitter was Chicago's first pick in the draft, as they had to give the #23 pick to Washington to sign Adam Dunn.

Baseball America describes Walker as "mostly a gap hitter with above-average speed," who "profiles as a good defensive center fielder."

iPhone App Beta Test Full

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10:11am: The beta test is full, thanks for your interest.

9:39am: Our Baseball Trade Rumors iPhone app allows you to get push notifications for every new rumor for all of your favorite players and teams.  The second version of the app is coming out soon, with new features such as team and transaction filters on the news page and an improved refresh button.

We are looking for 25 people to test the new version of the app thoroughly for about a week. 

Beta testing on our new Android app will begin soon.

Decision Expected Soon On Ryan Franklin

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The Cardinals "may be closer to a decision regarding relief pitcher Ryan Franklin," writes Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Strauss quotes manager Tony La Russa as considering "creative" alternatives for the beleaguered former closer.  Strauss believes options include a DL stint or designating Franklin for assignment to take him off the 40-man roster and have him pitch in the minors while drawing his big league salary.  Strauss says a resolution is expected before the Cardinals leave Thursday for Tampa Bay.

Franklin, 38, has a 8.46 ERA, 5.5 K/9, and 2.3 BB/9, with nine home runs and 44 hits allowed in 27 2/3 innings.  His groundball rate is down significantly, but his struggles are largely due to a whopping 23.7% of his flyballs leaving the yard and 35% of balls in play dropping for hits.  Franklin is earning $3.25MM this year.

Beltran Willing To Waive No-Trade Clause

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Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran indicated he's willing to waive his no-trade clause in the right deal to a contender, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.  Puma believes the Mets would wait for David Wright to return from the disabled list before trading Beltran.

Beltran

Winners of three in a row, the Mets are five games back in the wild card.  They have a little over a month until the July 31st trade deadline to determine whether they're buyers, sellers, or something in-between.  But as Puma points out, the August 31st deadline is more applicable to Beltran, because his $18.5MM salary could pass through waivers.  Putting him on waivers would create the possibility of a pure salary dump as the Dodgers did with Manny Ramirez last year.  The Mets might like to clear the $3MM or so that will remain on Beltran's contract in late August, or maybe they'd prefer to take on some salary and get actual players back.

Contractually, Beltran's team cannot offer arbitration after the season, so draft pick compensation is not a factor.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

NL East Notes: Rollins, Nationals, Johnson

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The Mets ended their grand slam drought in style tonight. Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran both went deep with the bases loaded, giving the Mets their first grand slams since 2009. Here’s the latest on their division… 

  • Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins told John Gonzalez of the Philadelphia Inquirer that his contract status will take care of itself after the season, when he hits free agency. "If I have a good season, more than likely I'll be here,” Rollins said. “If I have a bad season, that will definitely make for some hard decisions."
  • Nationals manager Davey Johnson named Pat Corrales the team's bench coach, according to Quinn Roberts of MLB.com. Corrales served as Washington's bench coach from 2007-08 and for part of the 2009 season.
  • Dr. James Andrews will examine Josh Johnson's injured pitching shoulder tomorrow, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Johnson's right shoulder doesn't feel fully healthy, so the team wanted to check it out before deciding what to do next, according to Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest.

Brewers Notes: Braun, Fielder, Gamel, Mitre

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The latest on the Brewers on a night that owner Mark Attanasio, a native of the Bronx, watched his hometown team beat up on the club he owns… 

  • Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Jack Curry of the YES Network that Ryan Braun could be the Brewers' answer to Cal Ripken Jr. or Derek Jeter (Twitter link). Braun, who is signed through 2020, has a .308/.390/.554 line with 16 homers this year. 
  • Braun has been among the most productive hitters in the league, but he told Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that Prince Fielder "has probably been the MVP in the National League" so far. Fielder has a .305/.426/.611 line with 21 homers and a league-leading 68 RBI.
  • Melvin told Knobler that Fielder has had a "great attitude" this year. The GM isn't going to distract Fielder, a prospective free agent, with extension discussions any time soon.
  • Mat Gamel, who may take over at first base if Fielder leaves as a free agent, told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he remains focused on 2011, not Fielder's possible departure.
  • The Cardinals have minimal interest in Sergio Mitre, who was designated for assignment by Milwaukee yesterday, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (on Twitter).
  • The Brewers would like to strengthen their bench, potentially with a right-handed hitter, according to Knobler.

AL Central Notes: Raburn, Twins, Indians

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The Tigers lost Joel Zumaya to a season-ending elbow injury on this date last year, the same day they took over first place with a win against the Twins. A year later, Zumaya hasn't made it back to the big leagues, but the Tigers have returned to first place, at least for now. Here’s the latest from their division… 

  • The Tigers offered outfielder Ryan Raburn to the Mets for reliever Brian Stokes a couple of years ago, according to ESPNNewYork’s Adam Rubin (on Twitter). The Mets eventually acquired Gary Matthews Jr. for Stokes. 
  • Longtime Twins executive Howard Fox died at the age of 90 earlier today, the team announced. Our condolences to the family and friends of Minnesota's former club president.
  • The Twins signed fourth round pick Matt Summers, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The 21-year-old right-hander will report to Rookie League.
  • Indians GM Chris Antonetti told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he doesn’t necessarily prefer right-handed hitters to left-handed hitters (Twitter link).

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