NL East Notes: Sheets, Bourn, Schwinden
Ben Sheets, who last pitched for the 2010 Athletics, will start for the Braves this Sunday, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The right-hander started two games at Double-A and posted a 5.06 ERA with a 10K/1BB ratio after signing with Atlanta. Here are today's NL East links…
- Braves center fielder Michael Bourn believes the Nationals were interested in him last summer, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports. The Nationals, who continue to seek a long-term answer in center field, are expected to pursue Bourn when he hits free agency this coming offseason. Bourn told Kilgore he’ll take his time deciding on where to sign his next contract. “Right now, I’m focused on this season right now,” he said. “I think I’m on a good team right now in the Atlanta Braves.”
- Chris Schwinden cleared waivers after being claimed four times in the span of five weeks, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports (on Twitter). The right-hander’s playing in the Mets’ minor league system, but he’s no longer on their 40-man roster.
J.C. Romero Elects Free Agency
Left-hander J.C. Romero opted out of his deal with the Orioles and elected free agency, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The Orioles signed the 14-year MLB veteran a month ago and assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate.
The Cardinals signed Romero to a one-year deal worth $750K plus incentives back in December only to release him six weeks into the season. After signing on with the Orioles the 35-year-old MDR Sports Management client posted a 2.51 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 14 1/3 innings (17 appearances) at Norfolk. He has a 4.15 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 657 1/3 career innings.
Regular MLBTR Features
If you're a regular MLBTR reader, you'll be familiar with our chats, our Week In Review posts and Mike Axisa's Baseball Blogs Weigh In feature. Here's some more detail on when you'll see our weekly features and exactly what to expect from them:
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Dodgers Acquire Osvaldo Martinez
The latest minor moves from around MLB…
- The Dodgers acquired minor league infielder Osvaldo Martinez from the White Sox for cash considerations, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times tweets. Martinez, 24, had a .178/.221/.229 batting line in 230 plate appearances for Chicago's top affiliate this year. The White Sox acquired him last fall in the deal that sent manager Ozzie Guillen to Miami.
Potentially Available Outfielders
Teams willing to trade everyday outfielders this summer won’t have a shortage of interest. The Reds, Pirates, Indians, Dodgers, Tigers and Yankees are among the contenders with possible openings in the outfield. Here’s a look at some potentially available outfielders:
AL East Notes: Orioles, Longoria, Perez
Though fourth overall selection Kevin Gausman recently said he’s leaning toward returning to LSU, Orioles executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports the team intends to reach a deal with its top pick. Duquette says the sides have made progress toward an agreement and Morosi reports that the Orioles have already offered Gausman "close" to MLB's recommended $4.2MM bonus. Here’s the latest from the AL East…
- There’s lots of concern about Evan Longoria’s absence in Tampa Bay and no guarantee the Rays third baseman will return in 2012, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets. Longoria has been sidelined since the beginning of May with a partially torn hamstring.
- Commissioner Bud Selig says it’s “inexcusable” to see the Rays ranked 29th in attendance, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times (on Twitter). “Nobody can defend that," Selig said. The commissioner added that he'll continue "discussions" with Rays ownership, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times notes (on Twitter).
- Blue Jays left-hander Luis Perez will miss the remainder of the season after tearing a ligament in his left pitching elbow, Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star writes.
Padres Notes: Street, Ownership
The Padres are tied for last place in the NL West with a 34-53 record, but there's lots of intrigue for Padres fans this summer. Carlos Quentin, Chase Headley and Huston Street are among the players who figure to draw interest from rival teams as the July 31st trade deadline approaches. Here's the latest on the Padres…
- The Padres have scouted the Cardinals and will watch one of St. Louis’ top minor league affiliates this week, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. Street, San Diego’s closer, could be targeted by the Cardinals in trade talks. He says he prefers to continue closing if he’s traded.
- Commissioner Bud Selig told reporters, including Scott Miller of CBSSports.com, that he doesn’t know if the Padres’ sale will be completed by the owners meetings scheduled for next month (Twitter link). "I understand they [still] have two or three weeks of work," the commissioner said.
Red Sox Notes: Sweeney, Bard, Aviles, Ross
The Red Sox head into the All-Star break 2.5 games out of the Wild Card race with a 43-43 record. Here are the latest notes and rumors surrounding the team:
- Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald hears the Red Sox could be discussing a deal involving Ryan Sweeney. The Cubs are one possible destination, Silverman writes. Boston GM Ben Cherington may consider deals for Sweeney once Jacoby Ellsbury returns from the disabled list.
- Longtime Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that Daniel Bard will rebound from his early-season struggles. “He’s going to be fine. I really do think he’s going to be fine,” Papelbon said. “He’s taking some bumps and bruises right now but who doesn’t."
- The Red Sox should be sellers this month, John Tomase of the Herald writes. Cherington should strongly consider trading players such as Mike Aviles, Cody Ross and Kelly Shoppach, Tomase suggests.
- The Red Sox sent just one All-Star to Kansas City (David Ortiz) and until their best players start performing at an elite level, it's hard to imagine the team emerging from its current state of mediocrity, Alex Speier of WEEI.com writes.
Hamels, Phillies Continue Discussing Extension
Lines of communication between the Phillies and the agent for Cole Hamels are open and the negotiations are reaching a critical stage, Jim Salisbury at CSNPhilly.com reports. Hamels, a free agent after the 2012 season, is expected to become a trade chip if the Phillies don’t sign him long-term.
Not much has changed since Spring Training, Salisbury reports. The Phillies appear to be comfortable paying Hamels close to $24MM per season (the same range as Cliff Lee), but the sides haven’t agreed on the length of the potential extension. Initially the Phillies wanted to complete a four-year deal, but it’s likely the team is now willing to offer more years. However, John Boggs, the agent for Hamels, could target a six or seven-year contract.
Royals To Seek Pitching Next Offseason
The Royals are determined to sign a significant free agent starting pitcher for 2013 this coming offseason, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. After a difficult first half that included a number of serious injuries, the Royals' rotation ranks 28th in baseball with a 5.16 ERA.
A Royals person told Knobler the team won’t settle for back-of-the-rotation types. "Not a fifth starter, but a real starting pitcher," the person said. Knobler suggests Missouri native Shaun Marcum could be a fit given the Royals’ past interest in the right-hander.
The Royals rotation currently consists of Bruce Chen, Luke Hochevar, Luis Mendoza, Jonathan Sanchez and Everett Teaford. With the exception of Sanchez, the entire rotation is under control through 2013 or beyond. Royals pitchers Felipe Paulino, Danny Duffy, Blake Wood and Joakim Soria all had their seasons cut short to undergo Tommy John surgery this year.
Former Royals ace Zack Greinke headlines a class of free agent starting pitchers that figures to include Cole Hamels, Anibal Sanchez, Edwin Jackson, Ryan Dempster, Hiroki Kuroda and Marcum.