Some links pertaining to baseball's two Central Divisions, which are currently led by the White Sox and Reds…
- The Reds aren't interested in Lyle Overbay, general manager Walt Jocketty told reporters including John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). Jocketty mentions Overbay's defensive limitation and says his team likes Xavier Paul. Overbay was released by the D-backs earlier today.
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti is exploring the trade market for both Johnny Damon and Derek Lowe, tweets MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Antonetti feels there's a chance that he can complete trades within their respective 10-day windows. Cleveland recently designated Damon and Lowe for assignment.
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that Antonetti is happy with the job Manny Acta has done and expects him to be the Indians' manager in 2013. Antonetti did concede that the front office and coaching staff may have over-evaluated the roster's talent in Spring Training.
- Pirates GM Neal Huntington says he is actively monitoring the waiver wire and will make claims to improve his team or block others from improving theirs, writes Karen Price of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- The Pirates haven't explored an extension with A.J. Burnett as of yet, Huntington told reporters including the Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel (Sulia link). Huntington says the team's focus is currently on making the playoffs.
No reason to explore an extension with a mid 30s pitcher who’s signed through 2013.
As strong as he’s been this year, he’s still 35. Its something that could definitely wait until next year. As for the waiver wire, they should take a look at Mike Fontenot. Definitely could be a good bench option.
Can Fontenot play SS?
Yes
Now, I know spring training isn’t an indicator or how things will go during the regular season, but the Indians gave up the largest negative run differential and had the worst record by quite a bit in spring training. The looked awful. How was it possible to over-evaluate the talent when they looked that bad during March?
Why would we be interested in Overbay with Abreu out there? Pick that guy up, veteran presence and a good bat off the bench…
Neal Huntington was being a bit disingenuous there. His actual quote was, “You’re looking to add to your team and prevent teams behind you from adding to theirs,” but the way the waiver wire works right now, every NL team *behind* the Pirates in the standings can block the Pirates with a waiver claim, not the other way around.
Clearly, he meant they would try to block the Reds from waiver claims.
…prevent teams behind you (in the waiver order) from adding to theirs.
ah, that makes a lot more sense.
Three team trade involving Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and the Indians would work out well if the Indians are interested in acquiring in Justin Upton. Seattle Mariners should acquire outfielder Johnny Damon w/ player to be named from the Indians, and a minor league player from the Diamondbacks. Finally, Diamondbacks should get infielder Chone Figgins and pitcher Derek Lowe for a change of scenery for each of those players.
What? How often do you see 3-team trades work? Especially after the waiver-wire and especially with so little in return for Upton? I mean, I’m an Indians fan and I love this idea, but never going to happen.