Minor Moves: Jhonny Nunez
We'll keep track of Monday's minor moves from around the league right here…
- The Rays released right-hander Jhonny Nunez from Triple-A Durham, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). The 26-year-old Nunez, who was part of the package the Yankees sent to the White Sox to acquire Nick Swisher, had pitched to a 6.57 ERA in 37 innings for the Bulls. He struck out 29 but also walked 26 batters, hit one, and threw three wild pitches.
Zack Greinke Rumors: Monday
If the Brewers end up selling this season, Zack Greinke could be the prize of the trade market. The 28-year-old right-hander has been electric in 2012, entering play tonight with a 2.82 ERA, 9.0 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 and 52.3% groundball rate. His FIP (2.21) suggests he's been even better than his ERA indicates. Here are Monday's rumors surrounding the Milwaukee ace…
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Braves are "definitely" interested in Greinke and that they're willing to trade their young arms to facilitate a deal.
- The Braves have sent one of their top scouts to attend Greinke's start tonight, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter). Atlanta recently lost Brandon Beachy to Tommy John surgery. It's been reported that Atlanta is only interested in Greinke if an extension can be reached.
- Brewers manager Ron Roenicke told reporters (including Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) that the team will make another run at extending Greinke prior to the deadline. If Greinke remains with the team beyond the deadline, the Brew Crew will revisit extension talks this offseason, though Roenicke feels that Greinke will want to "know what's out there for him" in free agency.
Phillies Gauging Trade Interest In Cole Hamels
Monday: Olney adds that the Phillies are focused on acquiring help at third base and in the outfield in any trade for Hamels (Twitter link).
Sunday, 2:30 pm: The Phillies' asking price for Hamels is said to be a package of four to five prospects, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com. Olney adds rival executives believe such a package could be hard to come by with the new rule preventing teams from offering arbitration to potential free agents acquired in trade (via Twitter).
12:22 pm: The Phillies have begun calling teams to see about trade interest in Cole Hamels, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The left-hander will be eligible for free agency after earning $15MM in his walk year. Heyman writes there has been no progress made in contract negotiations.
It's possible that the Phillies are just scoping out early interest in Hamels just in case, Heyman tweets, but the calls make the odds of a trade seem real at this point. Less than a week ago, it was reported that the club was not ready to put Hamels or outfielder Shane Victorino on the block.
There should be no shortage of interest in the 28-year-old and the Rangers could be one of the more aggressive suitors for him. Texas is said to be scouting Hamels as well as Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
Dontrelle Willis To Retire
3:50pm: The Orioles confirmed that Willis is retiring, tweets Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.
2:36pm: Pitcher Dontrelle Willis is considering retirement and is not expected to make next start for the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). The left-hander has been in the O’s system since signing a minor league deal in March.
Willis was placed on the restricted list by Baltimore in late April after a difference of opinions between him and the organization. The 30-year-old left Triple-A Norfolk believing that he was going to be granted his release but instead was placed on the restricted list because GM Dan Duquette did not authorize the move. Willis planned on filing a grievance against the Orioles but instead returned to the club’s farm system.
The southpaw wound up making just three relief appearances and one start for Triple-A Norfolk after all was said and done. Willis originally signed a one-year, $1MM deal with the Phillies in December of last year but was released in March.
Willis owns a career 4.17 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 for his career and has earned nearly $41MM over the course of his career, according to Baseball-Reference. The pitcher known as D-Train burst on to the scene as a 21-year-old with the Marlins and captured the National League Rookie of the Year award with a brilliant campaign. Two years later, Willis finished second in Cy Young voting to Chris Carpenter, posting 2.63 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9.
Rays Sign Jose Mujica
The Rays agreed to sign right-handed pitcher Jose Mujica for $1MM, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. Mujica is trained by Carlos Guillen at his academy in Venezuela.
The right-hander just celebrated his 16th birthday on June 29th and is rated by Baseball America as the best pitching prospect this year in Latin America. Mujica had a strong showing in the MLB prospect showcase alongside top talent from Venezuela and Dominican Republic last February. Guillen has said that Mujica's aggressiveness reminds him of Felix Hernandez and a young Freddy Garcia, writes Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com.
Phillies Notes: Hamels, Howard, Halladay
Yesterday we learned that the Phillies have begun calling teams to see about trade interest in Cole Hamels. Here's the latest on the left-hander..
- An executive who spoke with the Phillies says he can't see them unloading Cole Hamels and other pieces until after Ryan Howard and Roy Halladay return in mid-July, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denounced rumors of the club shopping Hamels and told reporters, including Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, that he plans to keep the pitcher in Philly in the "short term and long term." When asked if he believes re-signing Hamels is realistic, he answered in the affirmative. Meanwhile, a baseball source says contact between the GM and Hamels' agent, John Boggs, has been almost nonexistent.
- The Phillies will not be trading any major piece anytime soon, opines Gelb. Gelb believes that Amaro has simply been gauging interest in his top pieces and won't necessarily move anyone.
Yankees Sign Luis Torrens
The Yankees have signed Venezuelan catcher Luis Torrens for $1.3MM, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America. Torrens is ranked as the second-best international prospect in this July 2nd class.
The 16-year-old is a former shortstop and third baseman who converted to catcher in February. Staying behind the plate would obviously enhance Torrens' value but Badler writes that teams have been drawn to him for his bat. The Yankees have a connection with Torrens as he trained with the club's international scouting director Carlos Rios.
Twins Sign Amaurys Minier
The Twins have signed Amaurys Minier for $1.4MM, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America. The infielder, ranked as the No. 12 international prospect, is currently at shortstop but is likely to transition to third base soon.
The Dominican has plus power from both sides of the plate but scouts hope that he can improve on his pitch recognition skills. Sources told Badler (sub. req'd) that has a chance to land one of the top three bonuses from the island among this year's group and so far Minter is second only to Amed Rosario, who signed for $1.75MM with the Mets.
Mets Sign Amed Rosario
The Mets have signed Dominican shortstop Amed Rosario for $1.75MM, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. The figure might mark the largest bonus given to a Dominican player during this signing period, Badler tweets.
Badler writes that Rosario might be the most divisive player in Latin America. Those who like him say that he has strong fielding instincts, hands, and arm strength. Other scouts fear that he is prone to strikeouts with his uppercut stroke. The Astros and White Sox are in the former camp as they were also interested in the shortstop.
Giants Sign Gustavo Cabrera
The Giants have signed Dominican center fielder Gustavo Cabrera for $1.3MM, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. The 16-year-old right-handed hitter has received high praise for his tools and athleticism.
Several scouts believe Cabrera has the best tools in Latin America, though his bat is the main question mark. The 16-year-old was Baseball America's fifth-ranked international prospect in this signing period. Some scouts believe that Cabrera will end up in either left or right field but others think he will stick in center field.