Rangers Sign Willie Eyre
The Rangers signed right-hander Willie Eyre to a minor league deal, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned. Jason Cole, who first reported the signing, notes that the Rangers are assigning Eyre to Triple-A Round Rock (Twitter link).
The Orioles recently released Eyre, who had been pitching for their Triple-A affiliate. The 33-year-old has a 4.95 ERA with 4.7 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 163 2/3 MLB innings over the course of four seasons with the Twins, Rangers and Orioles. He pitched in the Rangers' organization from 2007-10.
Sugar Land Skeeters Expected To Sign Scott Kazmir
The independent Sugar Land Skeeters are expected to sign left-hander Scott Kazmir, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). The Skeeters are based out of Houston, Kazmir's hometown.
A number of teams, including the Mets, showed interest in Kazmir this past winter, when he worked out in front of MLB scouts. The 28-year-old had a disappointing 2011 season that included time on the disabled list, one appearance for the Angels and a 17.02 ERA with more walks than strikeouts at Triple-A. He last pitched at an All-Star level in 2008, when he posted a 3.49 ERA with 9.8 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9.
Former Astros outfielder Jason Lane is also a member of the Skeeters' pitching staff.
Nationals Sign Koyie Hill
The Nationals announced that they signed catcher Koyie Hill and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse (Twitter link). Hill elected free agency this past weekend after the Cubs designated him for assignment and outrighted him to Triple-A.
Hill appeared in 11 games for the Cubs this year, collecting six singles and a double in 39 plate appearances. The 33-year-old has experience in nine MLB seasons, but most of his professional career has been spent at the minor league level, where he has a .278 /.344/.410 batting line. Sandy Leon, Carlos Maldonado and Wilson Ramos are all on the disabled list, so the Nationals don't have much catching depth right now.
Brewers Designate Brooks Conrad For Assignment
The Brewers designated infielder Brooks Conrad for assignment, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The move creates roster space for Tyler Thornburg, who's being called on to start tonight's game against the Blue Jays.
Conrad, 32, has appeared in 25 games for the Brewers this year, playing all four infield positions. He has just three hits and three walks in 44 plate appearances, however. His career numbers — a .212/.287/.406 line in five seasons with the A's, Braves and Brewers — are much better.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp To Sign Brad Eldred
The Tigers announced that they released Brad Eldred from their Triple-A roster and that he has elected to sign with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan (Twitter link). Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net first reported the deal three days ago (Twitter link).
Eldred, 31, appeared in five games for the Tigers this year and also has MLB experience with the Pirates and Rockies. The 6'6" first baseman has a .268/.336/.546 batting line with 251 home runs in 11 minor league seasons. He already has 24 home runs at Triple-A Toledo this year.
Kevin Youkilis Rumors: Tuesday
The Red Sox have intensified their efforts to trade Kevin Youkilis, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported last night. It appears that the Red Sox are willing to take on salary in a deal and that the Diamondbacks, White Sox, Dodgers, Indians, and Pirates have some interest. Here’s the latest on Youkilis…
- Red Sox GM Ben Cherington won't comment on specific talks he's had regarding Youkilis, but he's not denying that they've occurred, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports (on Twitter).
- Youkilis is not a fit for the Angels despite pedestrian offense from Alberto Callaspo and Maicer Izturis, Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports.
Rockies Notes: Giambi, O’Dowd, Rotation
The Rockies lead the National League in runs scored, but they've allowed more runs than any NL team and they have a disappointing 25-40 record. Rockies starters have combined for a 6.28 ERA and have allowed a .319/.384/.532 slash line this year. Or to put it another way, facing the Rockies’ rotation turns an ordinary hitter into Matt Holliday (career .313/.386/.538 line). Here are some notes on the Rockies…
- A Jason Giambi trade can't be ruled out even though the veteran slugger likes playing in Denver and has become a clubhouse leader, Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes.
- Renck notes that it may be time for the Rockies to start thinking of creative ways of preventing runs at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Perhaps an expanded pitching staff for homestands would help the team limit scoring, Renck writes.
- Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post writes that Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd has "wasted ownership's money on a horrendous team" this year. Jeremy Guthrie needs to go and signing Michael Cuddyer "was a totally unnecessary move," Kiszla writes.
- Click here for the latest Guthrie rumors.
Rosenthal On Royals, A’s, Barney, Orioles
Many baseball people expect the Padres to trade Carlos Quentin, but the team is in a fluid situation, so that assumption is not safe, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. The Padres should have some payroll flexibility this offseason, so they could keep the outfielder despite their modest budget. Here are Rosenthal’s latest rumors:
- Jeff Francoeur has played through ailments and injuries this year and the Royals like his leadership, so they aren’t necessarily looking to trade him.
- Last August the Royals offered Melky Cabrera the same two-year, $13.5MM contract Francoeur eventually signed, but Cabrera declined the offer and the Royals traded him a few months later.
- Rosenthal suggests the A’s aren’t eager to trade veterans for marginal returns. The team is hovering around .500 and plays 18 of its next 28 games at home. The A’s would probably love to trade Kurt Suzuki, Rosenthal writes.
- One exec predicts the Phillies don’t have enough confidence in their outfield depth to trade Hunter Pence this summer.
- An agent predicts Cole Hamels will sign a monster free agent contract this coming offseason and Rosenthal says the Phillies won’t go near $150MM for six years or $175MM for seven years.
- Rival teams frequently ask about Darwin Barney and it’s possible the Cubs will trade the second baseman.
- The Orioles seem to have the most interest in trading for Diamondbacks left-hander Joe Saunders, Rosenthal reports.
- The Orioles’ Triple-A team, which includes Miguel Tejada, Jamie Moyer and Dontrelle Willis, tops the Orioles’ MLB team in career earnings, Rosenthal notes.
- One executive suggested a growing number of teams could request 72-hour windows to negotiate extensions with trade targets this summer because of the provision in the new collective bargaining agreement that prevents teams from obtaining draft pick compensation for players acquired midseason. However, players wouldn’t necessarily be interested in signing and it’d cost teams time and leverage.
Braves Release Livan Hernandez
The Braves released veteran right-hander Livan Hernandez, according to the team's website. Hernandez, who was designated for assignment last week, has said he intends to continue playing.
The Braves removed the 37-year-old from their roster on Friday after calling other teams about possible trade scenarios. Hernandez signed a Major League deal with the Braves in March, not long after the Astros released him. The Praver/Shapiro client posted a 4.94 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 31 innings out of the bullpen for Atlanta.
Quick Hits: Padres, Phillies, Drabek, Vlad
Teams interested in acquiring starting pitching help surely noticed when the Cubs placed right-hander Ryan Dempster on the disabled list with right lat tightness today. Dempster, 35, is one of the top starters known to be available in trades. Here are today’s links…
- A quick sale of the Padres may not be possible at this point, writes Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. The three apparent finalists are all leading bid groups with multiple investors, which will require extensive background work once a sale is announced.
- Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com examines the trade stock of some of the Phillies biggest names in the event that their slide continues into late July.
- Blue Jays righty Kyle Drabek is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow, tweets Barry Davis of Sportsnet.ca. This will be the second time Drabek has been through Tommy John.
- Free agent designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero isn't close to signing, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter).
- There's no indication the Tigers are interested in Jim Thome, John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports. Thome, a "longtime tormentor" of the Tigers, bats left-handed, which means he’s not a perfect fit in Detroit. The Tigers are interested in acquiring a bat before the July 31st trade deadline and they'd prefer to add a right-handed hitter, Morosi reported yesterday.
- GM Brian Cashman told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio that the Yankees haven't pursued contract extensions for Robinson Cano or Curtis Granderson, but aim to keep both players long-term (Twitter link).
- Maury Brown explains that TV deals are boosting franchise values across MLB in a piece at Baseball Prospectus.