Headlines

  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Astros To Promote Brice Matthews
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for 2011

Wren Talks Payroll, Shortstop

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 8, 2011 at 6:20pm CDT

GM Frank Wren told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that the Braves will increase their payroll in 2012, but that doesn’t mean they’ll pursue top free agent shortstops (all Twitter links). Wren indirectly ruled free agents Jimmy Rollins and Jose Reyes out by expressing a strong preference for one-year deals.

Though the Braves remain open-minded regarding possible trades, Wren explained that a free agent signing is more likely. Shortstop prospect Tyler Pastornicky is not ready for full-time MLB duty, according to Wren. Alex Gonzalez, Atlanta's shortstop since July 2010, hits free agency with a Type B ranking (Reyes and Rollins are Type As).

Heading into the offseason, it appeared Wren would have as little as $7MM to work with. The Braves spent $91MM on payroll in 2011, when they won 89 games and narrowly missed the playoffs. I recently examined the trade and free agent market for shortstops.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Atlanta Braves Jimmy Rollins Jose Reyes

1 comment

Cardinals Rumors: Matheny, Francona, Sandberg

By Tim Dierkes | November 8, 2011 at 6:16pm CDT

The latest on the Cardinals…

  • Francona and Oquendo seem to be favorites for the managerial opening, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter links).  However, Heyman hears Matheny is beloved by Cardinals people and has a "real shot" at the position.
  • Ryne Sandberg and Jose Oquendo are on deck for managerial interviews tomorrow, report Joe Strauss and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Terry Francona interviewed today.
  • GM John Mozeliak is hopeful the Cardinals will have a manager chosen by next week, though he won't artifically hasten the process, writes Goold.  Last week the Cardinals interviewed Chris Maloney, Joe McEwing, and Mike Matheny.
  • Rafael Furcal is willing to wait to negotiate a contract with the Cardinals until after their manager search concludes, according to Goold.
  • Albert Pujols is interested to hear the Cardinals' choice, writes Goold.  "Albert would stay if Oquendo got the job," former teammate David Eckstein told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports earlier this month.  
Share 2 Retweet 43 Send via email0

St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols Rafael Furcal

0 comments

Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers Interested In Buehrle

By Tim Dierkes | November 8, 2011 at 6:05pm CDT

6:05pm: It's highly unlikely that the Yankees will make a serious run for Buehrle, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).

1:54pm: The Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers are interested in free agent lefty Mark Buehrle, report Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, and the Marlins are meeting with him today.  Buehrle, 32, posted a 3.59 ERA, 4.8 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 0.92 HR/9, and 44.9% groundball rate in 205 1/3 innings this year.  The long time White Sox starter has pitched 200+ innings in every season since 2001.

The Marlins and Blue Jays are the teams most aggressively pursuing trades for starting pitchers, add Rosenthal and Morosi.  One GM said of the Jays' Alex Anthopoulos, "You can’t pin him down. He has interest in every one of your players."

James Shields, Wade Davis, Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill, Jair Jurrjens, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Chad Billingsley, and Wandy Rodriguez are the pitchers "known or thought to be available in trades," according to the FOX writers.  Cahill and Billingsley are the new names here, but it's unclear whether they fall under "known" or "thought."  The availability of Rodriguez will depend on whether Jim Crane is approved as new Astros owner next week, as Crane does not share Drayton McLane's reluctance to move the 32-year-old.

Share 4 Retweet 55 Send via email0

Atlanta Braves Boston Red Sox Chicago White Sox Houston Astros Los Angeles Dodgers Miami Marlins New York Yankees Oakland Athletics Tampa Bay Rays Texas Rangers Toronto Blue Jays Chad Billingsley Gavin Floyd Gio Gonzalez Jair Jurrjens James Shields John Danks Mark Buehrle Trevor Cahill Wade Davis Wandy Rodriguez

1 comment

Minor Moves: McPherson, Jones, Orioles

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 8, 2011 at 5:24pm CDT

Here’s where we’ll keep track of today’s minor moves…

  • The White Sox re-signed Dallas McPherson, according to Sosnick Cobbe Sports (on Twitter). The former top prospect appeared in 11 games with the White Sox in 2011, spending most of the season at Triple-A. The 31-year-old posted a .283/.334/.505 line with 20 homers in Charlotte.
  • The Marlins signed Beau Jones, according to Sosnick Cobbe Sports, the left-hander’s agency, on Twitter. The former first round draft pick spent most of the 2011 season with the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate, where he posted a 3.62 ERA, 7.8 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 62 innings of relief.
  • Orioles manager Buck Showalter says the team signed a minor league free agent yesterday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (on Twitter).
Share 0 Retweet 15 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Chicago White Sox Miami Marlins Transactions Beau Jones Dallas McPherson

0 comments

Diamondbacks Sign Chris Jakubauskas

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 8, 2011 at 5:15pm CDT

The Diamondbacks signed right-hander Chris Jakubauskas to a minor league deal, MLBTR has learned. Earlier today, the 32-year-old himself hinted at the agreement on his Twitter account. 

In 72 1/3 innings this past season, Jakubauskas posted a 5.72 ERA with 6.5 K/9, 3.6 BB/9 and a 43% ground ball rate for the Orioles. He has a career ERA of 5.58 with 5.4 K/9, 3.0 BB/9 and a 43.9% ground ball rate in parts of three seasons for the Orioles, Pirates and Mariners. Baltimore outrighted Jakubauskas off of its 40-man roster in October and he elected free agency.

Share 6 Retweet 33 Send via email0

Arizona Diamondbacks Transactions Chris Jakubauskas

0 comments

Royals Interested In Carlos Zambrano

By Tim Dierkes | November 8, 2011 at 5:02pm CDT

5:02pm: Moore clarified his remarks to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel and said he shouldn't have publicly discussed a player under contract with another team (link on Carrie Muskat's blog). 

“It’s our job as a baseball operations department to listen and explore every potential opportunity that would improve our team,” Moore said. “We spend countless hours doing so and we invite everybody’s opinion as to how it pertains to how we could improve our team. And if one of our people brought up Carlos Zambrano, I would listen and ask questions about why they believe that. That’s all that was and I responded in that spirit.”

12:05pm: The Royals have interest in Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano, Mark Carman at 610 Sports Radio learned from talking with GM Dayton Moore yesterday (CSNChicago.com's David Kaplan has Moore's quotes).  Moore's comments on Zambrano when asked:

"We would have to be interested. We would have to explore it because that's what you should do. You should explore every opportunity. Carlos Zambrano is a heckuva competitor.  Carlos Zambrano has had a lot of success in the major leagues. Carlos Zambrano is actually a very pleasant, easy going, classy person off the field. Sometimes, as with all of us the competitiveness takes over and brings out qualities in us that we are not proud of. Obviously the Cubs grew tired of some of his outbursts but I believe in our coaching staff and we'll always take a chance and a risk on certain players. We'll see how that particular situation unfolds."

Zambrano is owed $18MM in 2012, and has a $19.25MM option that vests for 2013 if he finishes in the top four of the 2012 Cy Young vote.  The option seems highly unlikely to vest, but if Zambrano is somehow that good in 2012, perhaps his team wouldn't mind another year.  Moore's comments on Z's contract:

"He has a no-trade clause for 29 other teams so he is going to have to be comfortable wherever he goes and there is a lot of money attached to his deal. There is a vesting option that is a part of that worth $18 or 19 million going forward. We certainly wouldn't want to put ourselves in a position where we have to honor a contract of that nature."

The Cubs expect to address the Zambrano situation this week, writes ESPN's Buster Olney.  As I wrote in August, the 30-year-old righty has major negative trade value.  As a pitcher he's worth a few million dollars, so maybe the Cubs could trade Zambrano for a low-level prospect while assuming $15MM.  That assumes Zambrano would approve a trade without requiring compensation.  Jed Hoyer told Kaplan he has the ability to eat any contract he feels is necessary to improve the club.   It'd probably be better for the Cubs to instead take on a similar bad contract and hope for some value out of that player.

Share 12 Retweet 98 Send via email0

Chicago Cubs Kansas City Royals Carlos Zambrano

0 comments

Heyman On Posada, Dodgers, Beltran, Morrison

By Tim Dierkes | November 8, 2011 at 4:02pm CDT

The latest rumors tweeted from SI's Jon Heyman…

  • The Yankees haven't been in touch with free agent Jorge Posada so far this offseason, according to Heyman.
  • A person with knowledge of the Dodgers sale says bidding will definitely go over $1 billion, and Frank McCourt may well reach his $1.2 billion target.
  • The Phillies and Ryan Madson are now engaged in serious discussions, and Heyman expects the two sides to reach an agreement soon.  This fits with what was written about Madson and the Phillies yesterday.
  • The Red Sox are interested in free agent right fielder Carlos Beltran.  I ranked Beltran ninth on my top 50 free agents list, predicting Boston as his destination. 
  • One executive who spoke to the Marlins tells Heyman 24-year-old left fielder Logan Morrison is off-limits.  The executive could see the Fish making an exception for James Shields, however.
  • The Brewers believe they have almost no hope to re-sign Prince Fielder and are now targeting free agent shortstop Jose Reyes.  The Marlins will meet with Reyes in South Florida tomorrow, tweeted Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  The Brewers would have to give the Mets the 28th overall pick in next year's draft to sign Reyes, while the Marlins would only have to surrender a second-round pick.
  • The Yankees were disappointed Jonathan Sanchez went to the Royals, as they believed they had more to offer to the Giants.  The Royals acquired Sanchez and a minor leaguer from the Giants for Melky Cabrera yesterday.
  • The Yankees are impressed by what they've seen so far of Cuban center fielder Yoenis Cespedes, though it's mainly limited to video.  Cespedes' bizarre showcase video mostly shows off the player's athleticism and style.  For a rundown of Cespedes' suitors, click here, and for a scout's view of him, check out the latest from MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.
  • Yankees executive Billy Eppler grew up with free agent lefty C.J. Wilson, for what it's worth.  The Yankees will talk to Wilson, who GM Brian Cashman acknowledged is the "best pitcher on the marketplace right now."
Share 6 Retweet 73 Send via email0

Boston Red Sox Los Angeles Dodgers Miami Marlins Milwaukee Brewers New York Yankees Philadelphia Phillies C.J. Wilson Carlos Beltran Jorge Posada Jose Reyes Logan Morrison Prince Fielder Ryan Madson Yoenis Cespedes

0 comments

Latest On Boston’s Managerial Search

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 8, 2011 at 3:40pm CDT

The Cardinals interviewed former Red Sox manager Terry Francona for their opening today, and Red Sox GM Ben Cherington is still looking for Boston's next skipper. Here's the latest on the search:

  • The Red Sox will interview Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo on Friday, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe (on Twitter). Lovullo managed Boston's Triple-A affiliate before joining the Blue Jays.
  • Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont will interview with the Red Sox on Saturday, according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier (on Twitter). Lamont managed the White Sox from 1992-95 and the Pirates from 1997-2000.
  • The Red Sox are interviewing Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. tomorrow and they've already interviewed Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum. Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux withdrew from consideration.
Share 2 Retweet 13 Send via email0

Boston Red Sox

0 comments

Twins Rumors: Ryan, Payroll

By Tim Dierkes | November 8, 2011 at 2:38pm CDT

Terry Ryan returned to the role of Twins GM yesterday; here's the latest on the club.

  • Ryan will be the GM for as long as he wants to be, a member of the Twins organization told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  "I don't know if it'll be for one year or 10 years," Ryan said yesterday, noting that if he likes the job he expects owner Jim Pohlad to let him stay.
  • Ryan alluded to a $100MM payroll for 2012 yesterday, down from the $113-118MM range the Twins had in 2011.  However, Twins president David St. Peter told Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "Terry and I, frankly, have not had one discussion about our payroll for next year.  He’s been privy to it because nothing has changed from what we had been telling Bill [Smith]…I think it can be a fluid number. I’m hoping we can find a way to inch it forward."  Christensen guesses the Twins will ultimately have a payroll in the $110MM range.
  • If Kevin Slowey and Jose Mijares are not retained, I'd estimate the Twins' commitments in the $74MM range for 2012 before accounting for minimum salary players.  That could mean as much as $30MM to spend on 2012 salaries.
  • Ryan's said his first priority is to reach out to the agents for the team's own free agents: Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Joe Nathan, and Matt Capps.  
Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Minnesota Twins Jason Kubel Joe Nathan Matt Capps Michael Cuddyer Terry Ryan

0 comments

Rockies Interested In Millwood, Harden, Chen

By Tim Dierkes | November 8, 2011 at 1:04pm CDT

The Rockies have expressed interest in free agent starters Kevin Millwood, Rich Harden, and Bruce Chen, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.  They'll also be exploring the trade market.

Millwood, 37 in December, finished the season with Colorado, making nine starts with a 3.98 ERA.  The Scott Boras client seeks a Major League deal, which Renck says makes this a "slow-developing situation."  Renck notes that the Rockies were among the finalists to sign Harden last year, though they viewed him as a reliever.

As for their second base opening, the Rockies have had internal conversations about free agent Aaron Hill, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.  Hill is also of interest to the Tigers, writes Lynn Henning of the Detroit News.  The Rockies also have interest in Jamey Carroll, Mark Ellis, and others, reported Renck previously.

For more on the Rockies' needs and finances, check out my offseason outlook.

Share 1 Retweet 27 Send via email0

Colorado Rockies Detroit Tigers Aaron Hill Bruce Chen Kevin Millwood Rich Harden

0 comments
AJAX Loader
Load More Posts
  • Top Stories
  • Recent

Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Bobby Jenks Passes Away

Braves Release Alex Verdugo

Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

Rangers Option Josh Jung

Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

Trade Deadline Outlook: Los Angeles Angels

Michael Chavis Signs With NPB’s Chunichi Dragons

Which Other Draft Picks Are Eligible To Be Traded Before Sunday?

Mets To Designate Rico Garcia For Assignment

J.D. Davis Signs With NPB’s Seibu Lions

The Opener: 2025 Draft, Pitchers’ Duel, Mets

Trade Deadline Outlook: New York Yankees

Trade Deadline Outlook: Atlanta Braves

Which Other Relievers Might The Orioles Shop?

Lee Elia Passes Away

MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

Latest Rumors & News

Latest Rumors & News

  • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
  • Luis Robert Rumors
  • Alex Bregman Rumors

 

Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

MLBTR Features

MLBTR Features

  • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
  • Front Office Originals
  • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
  • MLBTR Podcast
  • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
  • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
  • Contract Tracker
  • Transaction Tracker
  • Extension Tracker
  • Agency Database
  • MLBTR On Twitter
  • MLBTR On Facebook
  • Team Facebook Pages
  • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

Rumors By Team

  • Angels Rumors
  • Astros Rumors
  • Athletics Rumors
  • Blue Jays Rumors
  • Braves Rumors
  • Brewers Rumors
  • Cardinals Rumors
  • Cubs Rumors
  • Diamondbacks Rumors
  • Dodgers Rumors
  • Giants Rumors
  • Guardians Rumors
  • Mariners Rumors
  • Marlins Rumors
  • Mets Rumors
  • Nationals Rumors
  • Orioles Rumors
  • Padres Rumors
  • Phillies Rumors
  • Pirates Rumors
  • Rangers Rumors
  • Rays Rumors
  • Red Sox Rumors
  • Reds Rumors
  • Rockies Rumors
  • Royals Rumors
  • Tigers Rumors
  • Twins Rumors
  • White Sox Rumors
  • Yankees Rumors

Navigation

  • Sitemap
  • Archives
  • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

MLBTR INFO

  • Advertise
  • About
  • Commenting Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top

Register

Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version