Cardinals Release Ryan Franklin
The Cardinals have released right-handed reliever Ryan Franklin, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals considered "creative" alternatives such as putting Franklin on the disabled list and designating him for assignment.
The 12-year veteran posted an 8.46 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 27 2/3 innings this year. The results were much better in 2010, when Franklin posted a 3.46 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 to go along with 27 saves. Franklin's average fastball velocity (91 mph) stayed strong this year, though his ground ball rate (37.9%) dropped. He earns $3.25MM in 2011 and the Cardinals will be responsible for all of that less a pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum salary if their former closer signs with a different club.
Cubs Release Doug Davis
The Giants have had a lot of trouble scoring this year, so giving up ten runs to them looks especially bad, even though they're defending World Series champions. Doug Davis did just that yesterday and today he has lost his roster spot. The Cubs have given him his unconditional release, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
Chicago needed to create space on the active roster for second baseman Darwin Barney, who is returning from the 15-day disabled list. The move creates a spot on the Cubs' 40-man roster, which now stands at 39.
The Cubs signed Davis to a minor league deal in April after he worked out for a number of interested teams. The left-hander started nine games for the Cubs and posted a 6.50 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 45 2/3 innings.
Mariners Designate Chaz Roe For Assignment
The Mariners announced that they designated right-hander Chaz Roe for assignment to create 40-man roster space for catcher Jose Yepez. The backstop takes the 25-man roster spot of Erik Bedard, who is going on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained knee.
Roe, 24, has a 6.41 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 for the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate. The former first rounder had a respectable 115K/53BB ratio in 2010, but ended up with a similarly high ERA (5.98). The Mariners acquired Roe from the Rockies for Jose Lopez last offseason at the deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players.
Astros Claim Luis Durango
The Astros announced that they have claimed outfielder Luis Durango from the Padres and optioned him to Triple-A. They transferred right-hander Alberto Arias to the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster. The Padres had designated Durango for assignment eight days ago.
Durango appeared in 28 games as a backup center fielder last year, but has yet to appear in a Padres game in 2011. The 25-year-old has a .243/.328/.294 line with 10 stolen bases at Triple-A Tucson as a center and left fielder this year.
Nationals Sign J.C. Romero
The Nationals signed lefty reliever J.C. Romero to a minor league deal, reports Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider. The 35-year-old had been released on Friday.
Romero posted a 3.86 ERA, 5.5 K/9, and 6.6 BB/9 with no home runs allowed in 16 1/3 innings for the Phillies this year, missing time with a calf injury.
The Nationals have one lefty reliever on the active roster in Sean Burnett, and he's struggled. Doug Slaten is on the DL for an elbow injury.
Mariners Designate Edward Paredes For Assignment
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
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
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
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
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.