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Archives for July 2011

NL West Notes: Giambi, D’Backs, Ubaldo, Kuroda

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The Padres sent Anthony Rizzo back to Triple-A today after he hit just .143/.282/.265 in a 117 plate appearance cameo. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes reports (on Twitter) that Kyle Blanks will get called up to take Rizzo's place after hitting a stout .351/.421/.716 in Triple-A. Let's recap the rest of the news out of the NL West…

  • "I'd be shocked if we didn’t make some trades," said Padres GM Jed Hoyer to Marty Caswell of XX1090 Sports Radio (Twitter link). "It'd be foolish not to get some prospects … we’re not in a position to have untouchables."
  • "There's not a lot of starting pitching depth in the trade market that is really appealing to us," said Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert (Twitter links). They are still focused on acquiring bullpen help.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Rockies are drawing interest in Jason Giambi (Twitter link). Giambi's preference is to stay with Colorado, and they will consult him before making a move.
  • The Diamondbacks intend to replace Stephen Drew from within with the likes of Willie Bloomquist, Geoff Blum, and Cody Ransom according Rosenthal (Twitter links). Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that Arizona isn't targeting Jack Wilson of the Mariners.
  • ESPN's Buster Olney says (on Twitter) that any move the D'Backs make will be geared towards 2012 as well as 2011. They won't trade prime pieces for rental players.
  • Teams are convinced that the availability of Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez is just a Justin Upton-esque "trial balloon," according to SI.com's Jon Heyman (on Twitter). That makes Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers the best pitcher on the market, but he may invoke his no-trade clause.
  • Meanwhile, Rosenthal tweets that Kuroda will decide whether or not to waive his no-trade clause on a case-by-case basis. He won't give the Dodgers a list of teams he'd accept/decline a trade to. MLB.com's Ken Gurnick wrote more on the right-hander's situation.

Cubs Willing To Eat High Percentage Of Soriano’s Deal

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Alfonso Soriano's contract may be the most untradeable contract in baseball, but a source tells Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago that the Cubs would be "willing to absorb a high percentage" of the money left on his deal if the right trade offer came along. There is more than $60M left on his eight-year, $136MM contract.

Soriano's deal includes a full no-trade clause, but we recently heard that he'd waive it to go to a contender. The 35-year-old is hitting .249/.291/.445 with 14 homers this year, and an American League team could also hide his suspect outfield defense by using him as a DH. Soriano's contract calls for an $18MM salary this year and every year through 2014.

Levine also mentions that there is interest in Kosuke Fukudome, John Grabow, and Marlon Byrd. The Indians are among those interested in Fukudome.

Braves Want Bullpen Help, Still Interested In Gomes

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A heavy workload on their relievers have the Braves looking for bullpen help according to ESPN's Buster Olney (Twitter links). The team is also continuing to discuss Jonny Gomes with the Reds according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

Atlanta's relievers have thrown 306 innings this season, the sixth most in all of baseball. The late-game trio of Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbrel, and Eric O'Flaherty have each appeared in at least 49 games and thrown at least 45 1/3 innings. As for Gomes, we first heard about the Braves interest in him yesterday. Today we heard that they fully intend to acquire a hitter.

Hunter Pence Rumors: Thursday

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There are a number of teams looking for a bat before the trade deadline, and Hunter Pence of the Astros is one of the best available. The outfielder is hitting .316/.361/.484 with 11 homers this season. Let's round up all the day's rumors involving him right here…

  • SI.com's Jon Heyman hears that Houston's asking price for Pence is so prohibitive that teams are sure he'll remain with the Astros (Twitter link).
  • A source tells Mike Silverman of The Boston Herald that Pence "won't be moved." (Twitter link)
  • Earlier today we heard that the Phillies would like to frame any potential trade for Pence around right-hander Vance Worley.

Phillies Sign Aaron Heilman

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The Phillies have signed Aaron Heilman to a minor league deal, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter). He will report to Triple-A.

Arizona released the 32-year-old Heilman earlier this week after he'd posted a 6.88 ERA with 8.4 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 and a 38.5% ground ball rate in 35 1/3 innings of work this year. Bad luck may have contributed to an ugly ERA that was twice Heilman's xFIP of 3.44. He allowed a career-high .360 batting average on balls in play and a career-high 20% of fly balls against him left the yard. His average fastball velocity dipped from 92.3 mph in 2010 to 90.6 mph in 2011.

Indians Designate Jared Goedert For Assignment

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The Indians have designated Jared Goedert for assignment, reports MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (on Twitter). In corresponding moves, the team optioned Luis Valbuena to Triple-A and called up top prospect Jason Kipnis.

Goedert, 26, hit just .211/.284/.383 in 202 plate appearances with Cleveland's Double and Triple-A affiliates this season. He has never played in the big leagues, and spends most of his defensive time at first, third, and left field.

Marlins Have Interest In Brandon Inge

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The Marlins are said to be seeking a veteran third baseman, and MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says they have their eyes on Brandon Inge. Inge was designated for assignment after the Tigers acquired Wilson Betemit yesterday, but he said he would accept an assignment to Triple-A if he clears waivers.

The 34-year-old Inge has hit just .177/.242/.242 this season and there's approximately $8.5MM left on his contract through 2012, assuming his 2013 option is bought out. That salary almost guarantees that he will go through waivers unclaimed. Marlins' third basemen have hit just .267/.333/.347 this season.

Carlos Beltran Rumors: Thursday

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Carlos Beltran homered last night, which should help the Mets convince their rivals that Beltran is the difference-making bat teams are looking for. He'll cost a lot in terms of prospects, can block any trade and earns $18.5MM, but that didn't stop the rumors from swirling yesterday and it won't stop them from continuing today. The latest updates are up top:

  • The Indians interest in Beltran has cooled according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
  • The Mets aren't concerned about obtaining Beltran's permission for a deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who reports that GM Sandy Alderson has had at least one conversation with agent Scott Boras on the topic.
  • The Phillies have been scouting Beltran and the Mets have been scouting the Braves’ system in anticipation of possible trades, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets may try to obtain Randall Delgado or Arodys Vizcaino from the Braves, Rubin reports. 
  • Though the Tigers are interested, they’re focused on starting pitching, according to Rubin.
  • The Rangers are interested in Beltran, but their priority is improving their bullpen, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Other clubs likely need and value Beltran more than Texas.
  • Carlos Gomez broke his collarbone last night, and SI.com's Jon Heyman says (on Twitter) it'll be interesting to see if the injury increased Milwaukee's interest in Beltran. He lists the Phillies, Giants, Braves, and Brewers as the top suitors at the moment.
  • Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports is hearing that the Giants still intend to make a hard run at Beltran despite the report that the two sides do not match up well for a trade (Twitter link).
  • The Mets and Giants are having trouble matching up for a trade, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. San Francisco is willing to take on most or all of the $6MM or so remaining on the outfielder's contract, but won't part with a high-end prospect. The Mets are willing to absorb salary, but are insisting on high-end talent in return for Beltran.
  • Alderson and Beltran told Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal that they'd be open to signing a deal after the season, when Beltran hits free agency. 
  • The Brewers will acquire Beltran if they can scrape together a package for him, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter links). Olney, who repeats that the Mets are still insisting on a high-end prospect for Beltran, likens the Brewers' pursuit to "searching for nickels under couch cushions."
  • Mets GM Sandy Alderson is narrowing the field of possible trade partners, according to Yahoo’s Tim Brown. Beltran, who received a list of possible destinations from Alderson Tuesday, does not appear to have ruled out trades to the Phillies, Red Sox, Braves, Giants and Brewers. The Yankees may also be in the mix.

Latest On Mike Adams

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THURSDAY, 1:24pm: Adams told Marty Caswell of XX1090 that Moorad has not told him he won't be traded (Twitter link).

WEDNESDAY, 10:17pm: At least 12 teams have inquired on Adams, according to Passan. Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com hears that the Padres are asking for two top 100 prospects for Adams (Twitter link).

9:13pm: One of the most intriguing trade candidates out there may not be available after all. Padres owner Jeff Moorad told setup man Mike Adams "you're not going anywhere," according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan (on Twitter). Though Adams is drawing more interest than closer Heath Bell, he appears to be staying in San Diego for now.

As MLBTR's Tim Dierkes explained two days ago, the Padres appear to be asking for a top prospect for Adams. The 32-year-old is under team control through 2012 and since he earns just $2.535MM this season and doesn't pick up saves, he figures to earn less than $5MM through arbitration next year.

Adams has a 1.23 ERA with 8.8 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and a 44.5% ground ball rate in 44 innings this season. He has been effective against left-handers and right-handers, both in 2011 and for his career.

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