Quick Hits: Maholm, Royals, Shields, Martin
2013/04/odds-ends-2-2.htmlRoyals General Manager Dayton Moore spoke with ESPN's Buster Olney (audio link) on his latest podcast about his moves this winter. … The list begins with Paul Maholm of the Braves and Bowden notes that he wound up there only after Ryan Dempster used his no-trade clause to block a deal to Atlanta.
Quick Hits: Boras, Draft, Cubs, Dietrich
2013/05/quick-hits-boras-draft-cubs-dietrich.htmlBlue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos characterizes this year's draft as "a down year" in a podcast interview with ESPN's Buster Olney. … To be looking at what the future holds in June or July is worthless to me." Gregg says he still hopes the Cubs will wind up in contention, although that possibility seems remote, given that the team is 13 games back in the NL Central and that the three teams ahead of them all have one of the best records in baseball so far this year.
Hoyer On Bullpen, Walks, Feldman, Soriano, Draft
2013/06/hoyer-on.htmlCubs GM Jed Hoyer was on Buster Olney's podcast for ESPN today; here are some highlights. … Regarding the Cubs' inability to draw walks, Hoyer said, "We've got to change up the whole culture.
Central Notes: Liriano, Carpenter, Berry, Kazmir
2013/06/central-notes-liriano-carpenter-berry-kazmir-royals.htmlFrom earlier today in the two Central divisions, Cubs GM Jed Hoyer sat down for a podcast with ESPN's Buster…… Kazmir has a 5.13 ERA in eight starts with the Indians this season but his secondary numbers are good enough that MLBTR's Steve Adams believes he could earn a decent free agent contract this winter.
AL Central Notes: Peavy, Perkins, McDonald, Indians
2013/06/al-central-notes-peavy-perkins-mcdonald-indians.htmlIndians general manager Chris Antonetti spoke with Olney as a guest on today's Baseball Tonight Podcast (Antonetti joins around the 30-minute mark) and spoke at length about the trade deadline. … Antonetti side-stepped a question about what the Tribe would be looking for in July, saying their focus for the time being is getting healthy.
Olney’s Latest: Biogenesis, Utley, Wilson, Garza
2013/07/olneys-latest-biogenesis-utley-wilson-garza.htmlOlney also spoke with his colleague Jayson Stark on today's Baseball Tonight podcast, and they discussed the impact of Biogenesis on pennant races in addition to discussing the upcoming trade deadline (Biogenesis talk begins immediately; trade discussions begin shortly after the 11:00 mark). … Olney said he'd be "shocked" if Garza was still on the Cubs by the All-Star break, but Stark hears that the Cubs may prefer to wait for a team to meet their price, even if it means waiting until the end of July.
Matt Garza Rumors: Friday
2013/07/matt-garza-rumors-friday.htmlEarlier today, ESPN's Buster Olney said on the Baseball Tonight podcast with Jayson Stark that he'd be "shocked" if Matt Garza was on the Cubs by the All-Star break. … Here's the latest on the right-hander...
NL East Notes: Nationals, Zimmerman, Halladay, Abreu
2013/08/nl-east-notes-nationals-zimmerman-halladay-abreu.html(For a detailed discussion of Abreu's prospect value, check out this recent podcast from Baseball America's Ben Badler and John Manuel.) As an "early guess," Bowden places the Marlins atop the list of Abreu pursuers. … In addition to raising the question of what would happen with first baseman Adam LaRoche, who is under contract for next season, the team would have to move rookie Anthony Rendon back to his natural position at third.
West Notes: Hoffman, Giants, Abreu, Garza
2013/09/west-notes-hoffman-giants-abreu-garza.htmlMatt Garza has been a disappointment for the Rangers since they traded for him, but that's consistent with the rest of his career, ESPN's Jayson Stark says on ESPN Dallas' Fitzsimmons and Durrett podcast. … Garza's peripherals with Texas (8.5 K/9, 2.3 BB/9) remain above average, but it's likely a 4.46 ERA isn't what the Rangers were hoping for when they acquired him.
NL West Notes: Kemp, Price, CarGo, Tulo, Gray
2013/10/nl-west-notes-kemp-cargo-tulo.htmlOn yesterday's Baseball Tonight Podcast, ESPN's Buster Olney told colleague Tim Kurkjian that the Dodgers are expected to be the most aggressive team in pursuing a trade for David Price this offseason. … And my plan is to always keep them," Monfort said.
Quick Hits: Jimenez, Ellsbury, Cubs, 2014 Draft
2013/10/quick-hits-jimenez-ellsbury-cubs-2014-draft.htmlThe Indians "would love" having Ubaldo Jimenez back on a one-year, $14.1MM qualifying offer contract (with an option for 2015)…… NC State left-hander Carlos Rodon headlines the list of the top 30 prospects of the 2014 amateur draft, according…
Boras On Ellsbury, Choo, Drew, Morales
2013/11/boras-on.htmlAgent Scott Boras joined ESPN's Keith Law on his latest Behind the Dish podcast. … The agent explained that people running into Ellsbury, which caused his two major injuries, has nothing to do with his durability.
Rangers Notes: Globe Life, Bard, Cubs, Bonuses
2014/02/rangers-notes-globe-life-bard-bonuses.htmlDurrett also notes that the naming rights deal is the latest example of how the Rangers have one of baseball's…… It just felt like a good fit," Bard said.
AL Notes: Iwakuma, Goins, Trout
2014/03/al-notes-iwakuma-goins-trout.htmlIn his podcast yesterday (audio link), ESPN.com's Buster Olney talked with colleague Jayson Stark about a possible extension for Mike Trout of the Angels (among many other topics). … His record $1MM pre-arbitration deal is already in the bag, but what's next? Olney says that executives around the league tell him that, if Trout agrees to anything less than a monster ten-year (or greater) deal, their take would be that he hopes to have a chance to make a triumphant return to his native east coast with a large-market team.
Quick Hits: Pineda, Lester, Rangers, Beede, Burnett
2014/03/quick-hits-pineda-rangers-beede-burnett.htmlIn a podcast, Tim Britton and Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal try to determine what a Lester extension might look like, and they arrive somewhere in the neighborhood of five years and $110MM guaranteed, perhaps with an option of some kind. … As Ryan Lawrence of the Daily News noted earlier today, the back of the Phillies' rotation is uncertain -- Cole Hamels, Jonathan Pettibone and Ethan Martin are all dealing with injuries, and it's not clear what they have in Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.