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Pondering Robertson’s Future With The Tigers

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As it stands, Jim Leyland’s decision to drop Nate Robertson from the Tigers’ rotation and send him to the bullpen is a strategic move to help the club now, but its impossible to look at the situation without an eye on 2009.

Robertson acknowledged to reporters that his offseason plans will have to accommodate some kind of adjustment to his mechanics, pitching repertoire, or workout regimen. The slider is his signature pitch, but it hasn’t been as effective this year, causing his ERA to hover around 6.04, the highest its been since his rookie season with Florida.

The Tigers also have to consider the financial repercussions of having a multi-million dollar reliever if he’s unable to rebound to form and reclaim his spot on the rotation. Robertson is scheduled to make $7MM (before incentives) in 2009, the second year of his 3-year contract with the Tigs, $10MM in 2010.

Its possible the club decides to trade Robertson in the offseason as a salary dump.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? Email me: alexo (at) umpbump (dot) com.

El Duque May Retire

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According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, Orlando Hernandez is opting to have surgery on his right big toe to remove a bunion, meaning his career is all but over.

El Duque has resisted this procedure in the past because it may take more than a season to fully heal.

Hernandez left his last outing on July 18th for Mets Double A affiliate Binghamton after only one inning citing discomfort on his foot.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? Email me: alexo (at) umpbump (dot) com.

More Washburn Non-Trade Notes

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Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune has a pretty good round-up of press reports out of Seattle on the Mariners-Twins negotiations for Jarrod Washburn and the eventual non-trade:

  • Washburn thought it "ideal" to pitch for the Twins.
  • Contrary to what he heard, the Mariners did not turn down Boof Bonser for Washburn, confirming what we heard and contradicting what had originally been reported.
  • Apparently, the Mariners were willing to pay part of Washburn’s salary as part of a deal that netted them a better player.

He concludes: "Bottom line: By placing that waiver claim this week, the Twins were willing to take on Washburn’s entire contract — $13 million through the end of 2009 for a 34-year-old lefty who is 5-12 with a 4.58 ERA — and the M’s walked away from the chance."

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Rumors? Comments? alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Odds And Ends: Hunter, Hissey, Westmoreland, Minaya

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Some links on a post-signing-draft-picks-deadline Saturday:

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Rumors? Comments? alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Rockies Intensify Search For Fifth Starter

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The Rockies and Pirates were in discussions about starter Ian Snell before the non-waiver trade deadline, but Pittsburgh’s asking price of Franklin Morales was to high for the Rox to match, effectively killing the deal.

After another bad outing from one of their starters this week, however, and knowing they will look for a fifth starter via the waiver wire, the Rockies may have to revisit the Snell talks, as Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post thinks he would’ve been a "tantalizing option;" Renck also mentions Josh Fogg as an alternative for the Rox.

Fogg pitched for the Rockies in 2006 and Snell drew some interest from the Mets before the deadline.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Post-deadline rumors? Comments? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.

Keith Law’s Latest: Players On The Move

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Keith Law drops some science on some big name players that could still be on the move if they clear waivers. To wit:

Paul Byrd: Law argues that Byrd would be better served pitching in the National League where a "finesse" hurler like him would have an easier time. Byrd was a Type B free agent in 2007, which means he could slip to non-compensation status this year, an incentive for the Indians to try and trade him if he clears waivers.

Greg Maddux: The Bulldog will only waive his no-trade clause for a team on the West Coast, meaning it’s the Dodgers or the Dodgers. The Padres tried to make a deal with L.A. prior to the deadline, but it fell through.

Andruw Jones/Juan Pierre: Speaking of the Dodgers, Law thinks that both Pierre and Jones would sail through waivers due to their hefty salaries and bad performance at the plate.

Aubrey Huff: Ditto for Huff, who’s owed more than $10MM between now and the end of his contract in 2009.

Law makes the case that Brian Fuentes and Adam Dunn would not clear waivers. It’s no secret Fuentes was one of the most coveted relievers before the deadline, but the Rockies were holding out for the perfect offer that never came (never mind that they’re showing signs of life in a mediocre NL West).

Dunn should still draw interest from teams looking for a corner outfielder that can hit .385/.550, argues Law, and a direct rival could place a claim on Dunn to make sure other contending teams don’t.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Post-deadline rumors? Comments? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.

Odds And Ends: Royals, Rockies, Rhodes, Braves

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Let’s round up some remaining links in this lazy Saturday afternoon:

  • The Royals DFA’d Yasuhiko Yabuta. The White Sox had tried to sign the Japanese reliever last winter but were unsuccessful. Yabuta was 1-3 with a 5.46 ERA and had signed a two-year, $6MM deal with Kansas City.
  • The Rockies tried desperately to acquire a fifth starter before the non-waiver deadline but couldn’t match-up with the Mariners for Jarrod Washburn or the Nationals for Tim Redding; and Paul Byrd had Colorado on his no-trade list. The Rockies will continue to look for a starter via waiver wire claims.
  • Arthur Rhodes was shocked when he learned he had been traded to the Marlins. ”There had been a lot of talk about me being traded to a couple of other teams, but I guess Florida wanted me more."
  • The Braves DFA’d back-up catcher Corky Miller yesterday, and Royce Ring today.
  • Also today (and in that Ring link), the Astros DFA’d Chad Paronto.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Post-deadline rumors? Comments? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.

Manny Wanted To Stay?

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The never-ending soap opera that was Manny Ramirez in a Red Sox uniform has one final gasp this morning. Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe is reporting that an hour after the trade had been completed and the veteran had been informed he was L.A.-bound, Manny’s agent, Scott Boras, called the Sox with one final offering:

"If the Sox dropped the option years on his contract – which they had agreed to do if they traded him – Boras said Ramírez would not be a problem the rest of the season."

We now know (obviously) that the response from the Red Sox front office was negative, and there’s no question that this move was, at the very least, instigated by Boras. Keep in mind that Manny’s contract with the Sox was not of Boras’ design as he was hired by the slugger in February.

For the record, Boras denied pulling strings in the Manny deal.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Post-deadline rumors? Comments? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.

Odds and Ends: Mets, Tigers, Rays, Nats

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Tying up loose ends before lunch:

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.

Dodgers Acquire Blake From Indians

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Update 1:23 pm: The AP is reporting the deal is done pending approval by the commissioner’s office.

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A source close to the deal is telling Jayson Stark that the Dodgers are on the verge of acquiring Casey Blake from the Indians.

The Indians would get minor-league catcher Carlos Santana, right-handed pitcher Jon Meloan and cash in return.

Blake became one of the most coveted players that can play the outfield after the Yankees traded for Xavier Nady. Other teams that were rumored to be in the mix to land Blake were the Mets, Rays and Phillies.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.

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