Divisional Chats
MLBTR's writing team recently hosted division themed chats. Here are the chat transcripts in case you missed the chat for your team's division:
- Sunday, November 25th: Mike Axisa discussed the AL East.
- Monday, November 26th: Mark Polishuk discussed the NL East.
- Tuesday, November 27th: Steve Adams discussed the AL Central.
- Wednesday, November 28th: Ben Nicholson-Smith discussed the NL West.
- Thursday, November 29th: Mike Axisa discussed the AL West.
- Friday, November 30th: Tim Dierkes discussed the NL Central.
Catching Rumors: Napoli, Pierzynski, Rockies
The Pirates recently agreed to sign Russell Martin to a two-year, $17MM contract. Here's the latest on some other MLB catchers…
- The Yankees don't sound very interested in Mike Napoli or Pierzynski, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter).
- The Mariners aren’t seriously interested in A.J. Pierzynski and the Yankees weren’t looking too closely at the free agent catcher before Martin agreed to sign in Pittsburgh, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (all Twitter links). Heyman hears Pierzynski to the Dodgers is “not happening.” Heyman suggested yesterday that the Dodgers could have interest in Pierzynski.
- The Rockies seem confident that Ramon Hernandez will rebound in 2013, so they might not have interest in pursuing veteran catching depth, Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes (on Twitter).
Minor Moves: Cory Wade, Fernando Nieve
We'll keep track of the latest minor moves here…
- Cory Wade elected free agency, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports (on Twitter). Wade, 29, appeared in 39 games for the Yankees in 2012, posting a 6.46 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9. The Blue Jays had claimed him off of waivers last month.
- The Indians signed right-hander Fernando Nieve and invited him to big league Spring Training, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). The 30-year-old spent the 2012 season with the Dodgers' Triple-A team, posting a 5.96 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 119 1/3 innings. He has MLB experience with the Mets and Astros, most recently in 2010.
Indians Claim Mike McDade, Designate Seddon
The Indians claimed infielder Mike McDade off of waivers from the Blue Jays, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). The Indians designated left-hander Chris Seddon for assignment in a related move.
McDade, 23, posted a .285/.360/.445 with 17 home runs in the upper minors of Toronto's system this past season. Toronto designated him for assignment ten days ago.
Marlins Claim Joe Mahoney
The Marlins claimed first baseman/outfielder Joe Mahoney off of waivers from the Orioles, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports (on Twitter). The Orioles designated Mahoney for assignment two days ago to create roster space for Danny Valencia. The Marlins now have 38 players on their 40-man roster.
Mahoney debuted with the Orioles this past season, appearing in two games. In 536 plate appearances at Triple-A, the 25-year-old posted a .265/.319/.389 batting line.
Braves Claim David Carpenter
The Braves claimed right-hander David Carpenter off of waivers from the Red Sox, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). The Red Sox had designated Carpenter for assignment ten days ago.
In 32 1/3 innings for the Astros and Blue Jays this past season, Carpenter posted a 8.07 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9. The 27-year-old was tougher to hit in 2011, when he posted a 2.93 ERA in 27 2/3 innings for Houston.
Nationals Could Trade Michael Morse
The Nationals’ trade for Denard Span will impact the entire Washington roster, not only in the outfield, but on the infield. The Nationals are “definitely shopping” first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse a little bit, an American League executive told Jayson Stark of ESPN.com (Twitter link). If the Nationals trade Morse, they could re-sign free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche and rely more on Tyler Moore.
The Nationals have considerable leverage, as ESPN.com’s Buster Olney explains (on Twitter). Speaking of the Span trade, some executives believe the Twins didn’t get enough in the deal, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). Though pitching prospect Alex Meyer is highly regarded, Span had three years of team control remaining.
Zack Greinke Rumors: Friday
Dodgers executives met with Zack Greinke in Los Angeles yesterday, Yahoo's Tim Brown reported last night. Here’s the latest on Greinke, who is also drawing interest from the Angels, Nationals and Rangers, according to the most recent rumors…
- The Nationals could pose a major threat to the Dodgers in the sweepstakes for Greinke, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com writes. One GM wonders if both the Dodgers and the Nationals could bid “at all costs.” One friend of Greinke’s said the right-hander will consider winning, comfort and money.
- The Angels remain in on Greinke after acquiringTommy Hanson, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports (on Twitter).
- The Rangers can only sign one of Greinke and Josh Hamilton, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).
- Greinke will also meet with the Angels, Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports (on Twitter).
- The Dodgers view Greinke as critical to their pitching staff, Brown reports. Greinke is believed to have enjoyed pitching for the Angels during the second half of the 2012 season, which could increase his interest in staying in the Los Angeles area. It’s not known if Greinke has met with the Angels, Nationals or Rangers, Brown writes.
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Bergesen, Chunichi Dragons Nearing Deal
Free agent right-hander Brad Bergesen is nearing a one-year deal with the Chunichi Dragons, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). The Diamondbacks released Bergesen to allow him to pursue this opportunity in Japan.
Bergesen, a client of Paragon Sports International, pitched 29 2/3 innings for the Diamondbacks this past season, posting a 3.64 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9. The 27-year-old would have been arbitration eligible for the second time, but had been a non-tender candidate with a projected salary of $1MM.