Injury Updates On Impending Free Agent Starters
2013/06/injury-updates-on-impending-free-agent-starters.htmlBeyond that, the loss of one of their best starters this season could place the Halos in a deeper hole and push them toward selling at this year's deadline. … Roy Halladay told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that he's feeling good and has been tossing from 60 feet for the past few days.
NL Notes: Dodgers, Phillies, Zambrano, Marmol
2013/06/nl-notes-dodgers-phillies-zambrano-marmol.htmlHe says that the Dodgers cannot depend on a mix of Chris Capuano, Stephen Fife, Ted Lilly, and Matt Magill…… If you're looking for some good reading over your Saturday morning coffee, here are a few nice leftovers from yesterday: Writing for Fangraphs, MLBTR contributor Marc Hulet broke down the position players who will participate in the MLB Futures Game.
NL West Links: Puig, Feldman, Rockies, Francoeur
2013/06/nl-west-links-puig-feldman-rockies-francoeur.htmlThough the Dodgers are still just 38-43 on the season and in last place in the NL West, they're only…… MLBTR's Steve Adams noted that Feldman's solid ground-ball rate (50.7%) would make him a good fit at Coors Field as…
Terry Ryan On Gardenhire, Diaz, Buxton, Correia
2013/07/terry-ryan-on-gardenhire-diaz-buxton-trades-correia.htmlIn a wide-ranging interview with 1500ESPN.com's Darren Wolfson, Twins GM Terry Ryan talked about a team that is currently "going in the wrong direction." Here are some of the most notable points covered: At the halfway point, Ryan acknowledged that his team is "struggling." Ryan declined to place the blame at the feet of manager Ron Gardenhire, saying that "I just now need to get him players he can succeed with." Ryan said that he "take[s] the responsibility" for the team's record. … "He's done a good job and he's made up right," said Ryan, referring to Buxton.
NL Notes: Francoeur, Rockies, Giants
2013/07/nl-notes-francoeur-rockies-giants.htmlWhile the Rockies are still technically in the playoff race, though, they're five games below .500 and in third place, so it's fair to wonder whether they'll be as motivated to pay heavily for shorter-term upgrades as other teams might be. … "These guys have done a lot of good things here.
NL Notes: Pirates, Nationals, Giants, Rockies, Cubs
2013/07/nl-notes-pirates-giants-rockies-cubs.htmlThe Cubs are still 14 games out of first place. … Ladson notes, however, that the Nationals are more likely to acquire a pitcher, since Ross Detwiler is hurt and Dan Haren has not gotten good results.
Reactions To The Thornton Trade
2013/07/reactions-to-the-thornton-trade.html(The Rockies did snag Mitchell Boggs from the Cardinals, but that deal shapes up as more of a roll of the dice given that Boggs has spent most of the year toiling in Triple-A.) Let's take a look at some of the initial reactions to Boston's move to replace the injured Andrew Miller: Looking at the deal from a broader perspective, MLB Network's Peter Gammons tweets that it carries lessons about the trade market. … it may just be really good stuff now.
All-Star Notes: Scherzer, Harvey, Davis
2013/07/all-star-notes.htmlTonight's American League All-Star starter Max Scherzer knows the best place for MLB players to find out if they're on the move. … Another good read is the harrowing story of Marlins All-Star Jose Fernandez, who also defected from Cuba.
AL East Links: Yankees, Cashman, Red Sox, O’s
2013/07/al-east-links-yankees.html"The phone calls are taking place, but nothing to show for it,” Cashman said… Knobler opines that a recent comment from GM Brian Cashman ("These guys are trying, but...") is an admission that the current Yankees' lineup may not be good enough to carry the team to the playoffs.
AL East Notes: Morrow, Red Sox, Rays, Yankees
2013/07/al-east-notes-1-5.html"There's no glaring place to be doing anything," Rays owner Stuart Sternberg told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times in regard to his club's needs. … Adding Soriano would be a "good first step" for the Yankees, writes Mike Axisa of River Ave.
Braves Acquire Scott Downs
2013/07/braves-acquire-scott-downs.htmlThe first-place Braves were known to be in the hunt for a lefty reliever after losing Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters for the season, with the Cubs' James Russell high on their wish list along with Downs. … The 12-year veteran has split his time fairly evenly against righties and lefties, but has been quite good in facing left-handed hitters 55 times this year.
Angels, Padres Eyeing Ian Kennedy
2013/07/angels-padres-eyeing-ian-kennedy.htmlSteve Gilbert of MLB.com adds that the Padres are also interested in Kennedy (Twitter link), and Buster Olney of ESPN lists the Cubs as a potential landing place as well (on Twitter). … MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez spoke with a scout from an NL West team who said that Kennedy's stuff is still good.
NL East Notes: Braves, Marlins, Papelbon, Utley
2013/08/nl-east-notes-braves-marlins-papelbon-utley.htmlNo team in baseball holds a bigger lead on first place in its division than the Braves' 11.5 game advantage on the second-place Nationals. … The Braves still want to add another infielder and a left-handed bat to their bench, and GM Frank Wren told Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that there's a good chance of an August trade for Atlanta to address those needs.
Could MLB Teams Sue PED Offenders? Part II
2013/08/could-mlb-teams-sue-ped-offenders-part-ii.htmlThe paper is the place to start. … That clause permits clubs to terminate a contract if a player should fail to “conform his personal conduct to the standards of good citizenship” or “render his services hereunder or in any other manner materially breach this contract.” As McCann explored in depth in an earlier piece, however, teams have struggled to apply these clauses successfully in MLB’s arbitration system.
Three Teams Vying For Cuban Shortstop Guerrero
2013/08/three-teams-vying-for-cuban-shortstop-guerrero.htmlThree teams are still in the mix for Guerrero, who has yet to be unblocked by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control, and no agreement is in place with any of the interested parties. … Guerrero reportedly possesses good power but profiles more as a second baseman at the big league level, according to Baseball America (subscription required).
This Date In Transactions History: Alex Rios
2013/08/this-date-in-transactions-history-alex-rios.htmlWhile the Blue Jays weren't having a dismal season, their 54-57 mark at the time was good for fourth in the American League East and had them 14.5 games behind the first place Yankees. … Ever get the sense of deja vu? It's a feeling that Alex Rios probably experienced this week.
Red Sox Notes: Crawford, Ramirez, Beckett, Ellsbury
2013/08/red-sox-notes.htmlAlex Speier of WEEI.com has a fascinating article today on the trade that altered the direction of the club and the possible alternatives that could have also taken place. … Back when we were good, that's what we did." Up until the Dodgers deal happened, Cherington says that he wasn't planning on making any significant moves in August.
Cafardo On Kuroda, Zduriencik, Choo, Arroyo
2013/08/cafardo-on-3-2.htmlKuroda has pondered retirement but a sizable deal like that could keep him in place. … The feeling is the M's have some good young talent on the way and if Zduriencik can retain Kendrys Morales, Raul Ibanez, and Mike Morse, he has a chance to really make some progress.
AL Central Notes: Iglesias, Peralta, Flowers, Jimenez, Santana
2013/09/al-central-notes-iglesias-peralta-flowers-jimenez-santana.htmlHe’s going to be our shortstop for years to come.” Of course, as MLBTR's Charlie Wilmoth recently explained, the fate of suspended Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta is tied inextricably to that of Iglesias, who was acquired to replace him. … We have a lot of good pitchers, and some of them live with the ground ball, and so his range helps us appreciably — so quick out there." While defense was never the question with Iglesias, Dombrowski says that he does enough well in the rest of the game to stick as a starter.
Arroyo Wants Multiyear Deal To Remain With Reds
2013/09/arroyo-wants-multiyear-deal-to-remain-with-reds.htmlJohnny Cueto was a perfect 33-for-33 in 2012 but has made multiple trips to the DL this season, opening the…… The mid-market Reds already have $79MM committed to the 2014 payroll, and that's before counting arbitration raises to Bailey and…
East Links: Jeter, Drew, CarGo, Gonzalez, Lester
2013/09/east-links.htmlWhile Drew has posted a solid .249/.331/.436 line this season and would be a good fit for Yankee Stadium, signing with the Yanks would place him in a delicate situation. … "If you’re the GM, it’s your responsibility to make the tough decision for the good of the ballclub.” Here's more notes from around the majors' eastern divisions...
Quick Hits: Rangers, Angels, Carter, Baker
2013/09/al-west-notes-2.html"I think it's a wonderful place to play," Baker said. … Though manager Mike Scioscia indicated the club merely wanted to get a look at Shoemaker, DiGiovanna says there's a good chance that Blanton will be released before the 2014 season, while Hanson is a non-tender candidate.
Mets Sign Terry Collins To Two-Year Extension
2013/09/terry-collins-to-return-as-mets-manager.htmlThe Mets are 73-87, good for third place in the NL East, but the club appears confident that Collins is the man to help guide them going forward. … MONDAY: The Mets have officially announced a two-year extension for Collins (via Twitter).
Mariners Will Make Qualifying Offer To Morales
2013/10/mariners-will-make-qualifying-offer-to-morales.htmlThat limits his market to American League teams in the first place, and forcing a team to forfeit a first- or second-round pick to sign him will likely give a GM pause. … The list of teams looking to surrender a top pick for a good, but not great DH doesn't figure to be particularly long.
Offseason Outlook: Colorado Rockies
2013/10/offseason-outlook-colorado-rockies.htmlThings eventually petered out from there - the Rockies finished in fifth place at 74-88 - but it was a taste of what could be for the Rockies when they're firing on all cylinders. … The Rockies aren't just keeping their fingers crossed for good health though.