Headlines

  • 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
  • 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

AL East Notes: Rays, Bard, Snider, Chamberlain

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 26, 2012 at 10:02am CDT

The Tigers released Carlos Pena on this date in 2006. The first baseman spent most of the year in the minors with the Yankees and Red Sox then broke out with a 46-homer season for the Rays the following season. Here are today's AL East-related links…

  • Gustavo Cabrera worked out for the Rays recently, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports. The 16-year-old Dominican outfielder is one of this summer's top eligible amateurs and could command a bonus in the $1.5-2.5MM range, Mayo writes.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wonders if Daniel Bard can successfully transition to Boston's rotation this year and explains that in a perfect world he wouldn't have to become a starter. A number of baseball people are skeptical that the Red Sox right-hander will succeed in the rotation, Rosenthal writes.
  • Executives monitoring the outfield market say the Blue Jays are inclined to keep Travis Snider, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets. The Blue Jays optioned the left-handed hitting 24-year-old to Triple-A over the weekend.
  • Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he's optimistic Joba Chamberlain will pitch in the Major Leagues this year, Jeff Bradley of the Star-Ledger reports. The right-hander dislocated his right ankle last week and will likely wear a cast for six weeks.
  • It doesn't appear that the Yankees have any intention of releasing Chamberlain in an attempt to save money, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com writes.
Share 0 Retweet 12 Send via email0

Boston Red Sox New York Yankees Tampa Bay Rays Toronto Blue Jays Daniel Bard Joba Chamberlain Travis Snider

Latest At RotoAuthority.com
Main
Cubs Sign Shawn Camp
View Comments (37)
Post a Comment

37 Comments

  1. Jason Lafitte

    13 years ago

    His bone went through his skin, I bet we never see him pitch again in the Majors.

    Reply
    • LazerTown

      13 years ago

      He should be back, there have been many players with much worse injuries that have come back.  An ankle injury would seem to be much less minor to a pitcher than a serious shoulder or elbow injury.  Think about tj surgery the tendon is replaced from elsewhere.  Sounds rough, but many players come back.

      Reply
      • Brian Borsheim

        13 years ago

        Roberto Alomar’s bone break was similar….I remember watching the game live…..You could see bone sticking up but not sure if it broke the skin.   He came back eventually….

        Reply
  2. Runtime

    13 years ago

    Poor Lunchbox… hits .400 (not literally) in AAA and can’t hit his weight in the bigs.

    Reply
    • diesel2410

      13 years ago

      Prince Fielder can’t even hit his weight

      Reply
      • Runtime

        13 years ago

        rimshot

        Reply
  3. User 4245925809

    13 years ago

    Am getting a bit worried on Bard. Sure it’s ST but they do have other choices in the rotation not involving Aceves, who would be a disaster.. Cook and Doubront if they are going to use Padilla as a long man or send to Pawtucket.

    bard is just too valuable as a shut down 8th inning man to take chance on ruining and yes.. He looked bad again. Maybe he has not gotten his arm strength up, but his velocity at the 50 pitch mark even in early March WAS at 95 and now it has dropped 2-3mph and that should not be happening.

    It would lead to a BP with Bard, Bailey, melencon, Aceves as middle to late people nobody could match.. something they could use with 2 5-6IP people at the back end of the rotation.

    Reply
  4. hawkny11

    13 years ago

    Have to feel bad any time a young person, with a chance to make a $ 1 million or more but loses out because of an off-the-field injury or error, it is a tragedy.  Chamberlin may indeed not be back but he certainly could have been more careful.  Hopefully, he finds a path back to his job with the Yankees, wiser, and willing to serve as an example of “what not to do to protect one’s career” for other players.  

    As for Daniel Bard, he should be used in a manner that best capitalizes on his enormous talent to benefit his team, rather than to benefit his ego.  He has, and continues to be, a two pitch hurler, who is most effective as a pitcher who never goes through a batting order more than once in a game.  Bobby V. would be smart to put him back into his old  set up role, to shore up the Red Sox’ late inning capabilities.

    Reply
    • notsureifsrs

      13 years ago

      Q. How many MLB starters last year had a plus fastball and two plus
      secondary pitches? (“Plus” based on results, linear weights per pitch,
      and defined as more than 1/2 standard deviation above average.)

      A. 18. (Verlander, Weaver, Hudson and Beckett had 3, Cueto, Sabathia,
      Cain, Price, Pineda, Latos, Hamels, Lee, Romero, Fister, Kershaw,
      Wilson, Kennedy, McCarthy had 2.)

      The evidence is very clear: starters don’t need three good pitches. They
      need two that are good and one that they can show for variety and not
      get killed with, which describes Bard’s changeup. Guys with 3 or 4 plus
      pitches are almost all aces and #2’s.

      Reply
      • User 4245925809

        13 years ago

         J J throws as hard as Verlander, but you probably forgot about him since he is always hurt.

        Reply
        • Brian Borsheim

          13 years ago

          Not sure if too many throw as  hard as Verlander….I remember watching some of his complete games last year and he was pumping 97 – 99 mph in the freaking 9th inning!!!  Dude be sooo sick.  As far as arm strength; IMO, Verlander is kind of in a league by himself.

          Reply
          • User 4245925809

            13 years ago

            In upper 90’s late, like have seen JJ 97-98 in the 7-8th whenever he is on the mound and not hurt.

            Not many who can throw with that kind of gas long though.

            Reply
      • LazerTown

        13 years ago

        But if you read the article: Players are feeling much more comfortable in their ab’s against bard when he is starting because his fb speed is diminished.  At 97 he can get away with mediocre command, but when he is throwing 93-94 his command becomes much more important.  As does having some extra pitches.

        Reply
        • User 4245925809

          13 years ago

           Except look at Bard’s FB command when he was throwing upper 90’s and it was excellent. He threw strikes when he was hitting 98+

          Reply
          • LazerTown

            13 years ago

            But was he hitting the corners?  If you are throwing 98+ you can get away with sending a few down the middle and/or aiming for the middle and having it still end up somewhere in the zone.  If you are throwing down the middle but only hitting 93 you wont get away with nearly as many bad pitches.  Also at 98 many more players will swing at pitches that are not in the zone because they dont fully see it.

            Reply
        • notsureifsrs

          13 years ago

          i for one am amazed that he doesn’t have perfect command in march

          Reply
          • User 4245925809

            13 years ago

             Do you remember if he did the last couple of springs.. That is.. better command of his fb?

            I admit and many here know always go back to being conservative over these things and stick with what worked for players. Converting relievers (short) to starters isn’t always a work out thing either.

            I do hope it will end up well, just dangerous game. health, mental aspect if it failed etc..

            Reply
        • mainesox

          13 years ago

          No, if you read the article it was actually suggested by a rival official that they could experience more comfortable at bats, no where does it say that they are.  And the official was talking about them being more comfortable because of his smooth delivery, which doesn’t even make sense.

          Reply
      • $22264602

        13 years ago

        Halladay doesn’t have a plus fastball and 2 plus secondary pitches!?

        Reply
  5. Eduardo Medina

    13 years ago

    Jays should traded Snider…IMO is the best thing to do right now

    Reply
    • Jaysfan724

      13 years ago

      He is still 24…why would they give up on someone with age still on their side?  Like someone said, the futures for Thames and EE are bleak, therefore continue to impress down in AAA, and perhaps try working on reducing his strikeout rate.

      Reply
  6. vjo23

    13 years ago

    My prediction: They let Thames play in the bigs to drive his value up, pawn him off mid-season for pitching or prospects, then bring up Snider.

    Reply
    • Runtime

      13 years ago

      I don’t think the organization is really too big on either Thames or Snider…

      Remember: AA made a significant offer to Carlos Beltran, but he didn’t want to play on turf.

      Reply
      • Jaysfan724

        13 years ago

        Plus Gose is waiting in the wings too and could be up as early as September this year.  It all depends how well he improves his hitting and decreases his K rate.

        Reply
  7. JacobyWanKenobi

    13 years ago

    I was waiting for somebody to make a Joba the Hurt joke.

    Reply
  8. Lunchbox45

    13 years ago

    In a perfect world Snider would get his 600 AB’s.. he still has far more potential than Thames, no one is disputing that, but he is going to have to really improved his approach & mechanics in order to get him here..

    Reality is Thames didn’t earn a started job until 25, and Snider’s younger, so its not like a 22 y/o came and knocked him off.. Its easier for a player of Thames skillset to hit his peak than a player like Snider.

    Thames is a 7-8-9 hitter in his peak, with average AT BEST defense.. Where as Snider could be a 3-4-5 hitter, with plus defense.  but potential doesn’t earn you a spot, so as big as a fan of Snider as I am, I agree with the decision.  He’ll be up this year, either with an injury or poor performance from Rasmus or Thames (or Lind?) and then it will be up to him to make the necessary adjustments to improve to keep his spot. 

    Reply
    • ice_hawk1002

      13 years ago

      bingo. 
      i’m inclined to think this most recent demotion is about solidifying his swing changes. playing in AAA allows him to focus solely on that without having to worry about justifying his roster spot. i doubt the jays really planned on snider starting the year with the team even as far back as the fall. he had an awful time in the big leagues last year and also threw up some ho hum results in AAA (relative for his talent level and the PCL) amidst injury and mechanical changes. i think they probably know that thames is not the answer in LF long term (plus there’s too many younger OF prospects moving up the ladder). however, he is a decent option until snider gets himself together for another go at the MLB.

      Reply
    • Michael Yu

      13 years ago

      I keep thinking this is actually Snider’s account, but only because he has the same twitter account name… Is it?

      In that case, it would make this very, very awkward.

      Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        13 years ago

         lol I would hope Travis has better things to do with his time then be an armchair gm

        Reply
    • Encarnacion's Parrot

      13 years ago

      Don’t worry, Snider is getting sent down with class.

      Photoshop creds are my own.

      Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        13 years ago

        well done! haha

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    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

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Recent

    MLB Finalizes Home Run Derby Field

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Giants Outright Sergio Alcántara

    Joe Coleman Passes Away

    Dodgers Outright CJ Alexander

    Trade Deadline Outlook: New York Yankees

    Clarke Schmidt To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Atlanta Braves

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Nationals Sign Francisco Mejia To Minor League Deal

    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