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Rangers Expected To Waive Tejeda

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The Texas Rangers are expected to place Robinson Tejeda on waivers today, reports Evan Grant in the Dallas Morning News.

It would be Tejeda’s second trip through waiver wires this year. He cleared waivers at the end of spring training, and if he does so again, he can refuse an assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma and file for free agency.

The move is contingent on the Rangers not having to place Joaquin Benoit on the DL.

Tejada is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA in four appearances this year. 

By Alejandro A. Leal. Heard a rumor? Email me: alexo05 [at] umpbump [dot] com

Odds And Ends: Flurry of DFAs And GM Contract Talks

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Tying lose ends on a very slow Saturday indeed.

  • In a series of moves, the Jay’s have activated Vernon Wells with less than a month after he broke his wrist in Cleveland and DFA’d Armando Benitez. I guess they’re not going after Bonds.
  • Steinbrenner: "There are no plans to sit down and talk with general manager Brian Cashman about his contract status." The G.M.’s contract expires after the 2008 season.
  • By activating Jayson Werth from the DL, the Phillies were forced to DFA Chris Snelling, but the young outfielder is out of options. He has three days to accept the assignment or become a free agent.
  • In order to make room for the newly-acquired Berroa, the Dodgers DFA’d Terry Tiffee. Dodgers beat writer Tony Jackson thinks he could be more expendable this way if he gets claimed off waivers.
  • Bengie Molina is upset by comments made by Giant’s G.M. Brian Sabean after this week’s draft. Sabean said Buster Posey "is on the fast track and Bengie’s clock is winding down."

Alejandro "the intern" Leal writes for UmpBump.com. You can reach him here.

Have Injuries Knocked Tigers, Indians Out Of Contention?

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Frustration continues to mount as both the Indians and Tigers lost a key starter to injury this week. Jeremy Bonderman is out with a blood clot, and Jake Westbrook will undergo Tommy John surgery; both pitchers are likely out for the season.

Since these two teams where once considered favorites to contend for the AL Central crown, it seems highly implausible that they would forfeit the season in early June. So, dear readers, what options do these two teams have? Do they trade for pitching and hope their offenses carry them through? Do they try to spark their offense via free agency? Do they give up and hope for a better 2009?

For one, as an AL exec told Jayson Stark, the Tigers seem to be out of prospects good enough to trade for big league talent.

And the Indians’ pitching has been good enough, but it’s been their inconsistent offense (with a punch-less Travis Hafner in particular) that has them six games out of first.

Arguably, the Indians seem to be the team with the best shot at a comeback, so what’s the plan? Do the Tribe get another bat to replace Hafner? Do the Tigers trade a couple of big names for an arm?

Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com. You can reach him here.

Odds And Ends: Benitez, David Wells, Delgado

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And for my first trick: My very first Odds and Ends.

  • The Toronto Star’s aptly named Blue Jays blog reports the team placed Vernon Wells on the 15-day DL, and they expect him to be out six to eight weeks after fracturing his left wrist during Friday night’s game. The Jay’s also placed reliever Jeremy Accardo on the 15-day DL with a strained right forearm. As replacements, the Jays will call up infielder Joe Inglett and veteran hurler Armando Benitez. With Wells out, do the Jays re-enter the Barry Bonds speculation market?
  • David Wells in Pinstripes? No deal says Joe Girardi. Wells did look comfy during a recent appearance on the not-aptly-called Best Damn Sports Show Period.
  • Mets manager Willie Randolph had penciled slugger Carlos Delgado in the seventh spot before Friday’s game against the Reds (postponed due to rain), marking the lowest spot he’s been slotted at in 12 years. Delgado didn’t see it as a demotion, but still, in light of the recent talk about his release, it raises eyebrows. For the record, Delgado is 6-20 in the last six games, with two doubles, a home run, and four RBI.

When not being a bitter nostalgic journalist, Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com

With Ramirez Inked, Marlins Looking At Jacque Jones

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On the verge of signing (some say signed) shortstop Hanley Ramirez to a six year, $70MM deal, the Marlins are not standing pat.

Citing three team sources, MLB.com beat writer Joe Frisaro says the Marlins remain interested in Jacque Jones, who was released by the Tigers on Monday. And a "high-ranking team source" told Frisaro the Marlins will entertain moves to upgrade if the team continues its strong start.

If the Fish do sign Jones, the Marlins could shift Alfredo Amezaga to the infield (at least as a backup). Jones could also serve as a leadoff man now that Ramirez has been dropped to the third slot in the batting order.

Say what you will about their "fire sales," the Marlins have been active on the trade front in years past, acquiring via trade key players (Ugueth Urbina, Jeff Conine) that had instrumental roles during their last World Series championship.

When not taking final exams, Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com

Scenarios: Bonds In The American League

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In his latest column, Baltimore Sun writer Peter Schmuck doesn’t buy the collusion talk going around baseball circles regarding one Barry Bonds. He argues that the owners have no need to collude when Bonds’ bad health, bad ’tude, bad rep, and age are doing just fine in keeping bidders at bay.

Like many other baseball pundits, Schmuck thinks Bonds could be of some service to an American League team in need of a DH, but the reality is that only a few teams have a hole at that spot.

He does raise a good point, mentioning the Tigers’ decision to plop Gary Sheffield in left field (and cut Jacque Jones), creating an "apparent" need for a pure DH. For those of us too young to remember, Tigers manager Jim Leyland was instrumental during the early part of Bonds’ carreer in Pittsburgh, and Schmuck believes the 43-year-old slugger helped build Leyland’s reputation in return. (Another former Leyland protegé, Edgar Rentería, was acquired by the Tigers in the off-season).

But don’t add Bonds to your fantasy yeam just yet,  because as Schmuck points out, "it probably wouldn’t be a great idea reuniting Sheffield and Bonds after the BALCO mess."

Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com

With Moss Out, Wilkerson Could Be An Option For Red Sox

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As Nat mentioned in an earlier post today, the Red Sox are suddenly having to figure out how to replace Brandon Moss. And in an update via the Extra Bases blog, Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo brings light to Brad Wilkerson’s situation.

Wilkerson was waived by the Mariners last week, and has since cleared waivers. He has not given his agent, Scott Boras, any indication of his plans.

Boras, however, confirmed that the Red Sox were interested in Wilkerson this off-season.  Cafardo suggests that if they’re looking for a long-term answer to their sudden roster opening, Wilkerson could be an option.

Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com. You can reach him here.

Jerry Owens Blocked By Carlos Quentin’s Surprising Start

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One of the most pressing needs the White Sox addressed this off-season was finding a permanent center fielder, a position that has given the ChiSox headaches ever since they traded Aaaron Rowand to the Phillies in the Jim Thome deal.

By trading for Nick Swisher and Carlos Quentin, as well as with the emergence of rookie Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson’s patently familiar story (highly touted White Sox outfield prospect who doesn’t pan out), White Sox GM Kenny Williams hoped to have that issue put to rest.

The Sox were hoping to give Owens a shot in the outfield this year, but after a strong April (leading his team in four offensive categories), Quentin has effectively blocked what should have been Owens’ season to shine. (Owens did start the year at Triple-A due to injury).

The problem is the Sox offense is not hitting much, with nine of their last home runs being solo jobs (a trend that was common place last year) and even though management knows Owens could be a spark plug, Manager Ozzie Guillen doesn’t want to recall Owens to have him sit on the bench. Unless Quentin cools off, the status quo calls for an uncomfortable log jam in the ChiSox outfield.

Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com. You can reach him here

Joe Nathan Agrees To Extension With Twins

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2:07pm: LEN3 has details.  He says it’s $11.25MM per year for 2008-11.  He’s unsure of the amount of the 2012 option, but it has a $2MM buyout.  Since Nathan was set to earn just $6MM in ’07, it seems that’s been overwritten or increased. 

1:19pm: MLB.com reports the deal as done.  It’s a three-year extension with a club option for a fourth.

MONDAY, 8:22am: La Velle E. Neal III says only minor details remain on Nathan’s extension.  They still need to figure out what to do about a no-trade clause.  Buster Olney says the deal will have "significant no-trade provisions."

SATURDAY: ESPN’s Buster Olney (Insider required) reveals in his blog that the Twins have all but re-signed Joe Nathan to a four-year deal, paying $11-12MM per.

Olney considers this a surprising move for a mid-market team. It’s particularly unusual for the Twins, as they re-signed Justin Morneau earlier in the year (and Joe Mauer last year), but couldn’t hold on to Torii Hunter or Johan Santana.

Alejandro Leal writes for umpbump.com. He can be reached here.

Could Cubs Switch From Roberts To López?

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Nationals infielder Felipe López has been adamant about being their starting second baseman, but word out of National’s camp is that Ronnie Belliard is their guy at second. López has played some short this spring, but Cristian Guzman has that position locked up, which all but ensures López a backup role and a warm seat in the bench.

López isn’t too happy about that, but will he demand a trade? The Nats’ front office says it won’t be forced into making a deal.   However, according to the Washington Post, the Nats are indeed actively shopping López.  The Cubs had scouts in the seats for Friday’s game.

As you’re more than aware, the Cubs have been in constant discussions with the Orioles about Brian Roberts, but both teams are far from reaching a deal.  It’s possible the Cubs are considering Plan B.

Alejandro Leal writes for umpbump.com. He can be reached here.

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