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Bullpen Roundup: Who Should Rays Get; Is Rauch Out In Arizona?

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While Tampa Bay is still reeling from another loss due to a faulty bullpen, R.J. Anderson of DRaysBay.com has some suggested additions to the beleaguered group.

  • Winston Abreu, currently dominating at Triple-A Durham, could simply be called up.
  • Jason Grilli, recently designated for assignment by the Rockies, could be had for nothing.
  • Joel Hanrahan, recently taken out of the closer's role by Washington, would require a trade.

Considering that Grant Balfour, Joe Nelson and Dan Wheeler all have ERAs of 5.50 or higher, some fresh arms in the Tampa Bay bullpen would certainly be welcome.

Meanwhile, a less-treasured member of a major-league bullpen is Jon Rauch, who had a closed-door meeting with manager A.J. Hinch after Saturday night's game.

Rauch is still only utilized in low-leverage situations, and it seems he's worn out his welcome in Arizona. But his ERA dropped from 9.31 in April to 3.46 in May, and he's pitched two scoreless innings so far in June.

Whether the Rays, desperately seeking saves, and Rauch, America's tallest reliever, get together remains to be seen. No smoke here yet, let alone fire, but this seems like a natural connection to make.

Ortiz Taking Sox Out Of Hitter Sweepstakes?

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Don't look now, but reports of David Ortiz's demise may be exaggerated. As Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal reports, Ortiz is hitting .280 over his six-game hitting streak, including a home run, two doubles, and four RBI.

Remember that when it comes to Ortiz, the Red Sox, due to the enormous contract Ortiz carries, will likely be like Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber. If the numbers point to a one in a million chance of an Ortiz recovery, GM Theo Epstein may take a look at the $12.5MM owed to Ortiz in 2009, the $12.5MM in 2010, and say, "So you're saying there's a chance? Yeah!"

Glavine May File Grievance

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A report coming from the Associated Press says that Tom Glavine may file a grievance against the Atlanta Braves for releasing him on Wednesday.

There are a number of factors here, of course. The combination of money saved by releasing Glavine matches up well with the salary owed newly-acquired Nate McLouth.

Also, the Braves wanted room for Tommy Hanson, their top pitching prospect, in the rotation.

But left unsaid is what effect this may have on Glavine's ability to sign with another team. To the extent that baseball protects its own, will owners want to give Glavine a job?

Marlins Have No Interest In Glavine

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According to Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel, the Marlins are at budget, and therefore have no interest in adding Tom Glavine to the rotation mix.

Instead, Florida will look to solve its rotation issues from within, starting with a promotion to the majors for Ricky Nolasco.

Money aside, can you blame Florida? Nolasco is 26, and pitched 212 1/3 innings of 3.52 ERA baseball last season. Tom Glavine is 43, and pitched 63 1/3 innings with a 5.54 ERA last season.

Sure seems like Nolasco is the better bet, regardless of money.

Valverde Closer To Return; Hawkins Expendable?

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With the news Friday that Jose Valverde pitched in a simulated game, pain-free, the Astros should be getting their closer back soon. He's set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week.

That means that LaTroy Howkins, who has been terrific for Houston this year, will return to a non-closer role for the Astros. He's certainly excelled in the role, with a 2.38 ERA, seven saves and 22 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.

With the Astros looking up at everyone, even the Pirates, in the NL Central, does it make sense for Houston to hold onto Hawkins if a contender comes calling? Hawkins makes $3.5MM this season, and if the Astros can turn him into a prospect or two, it is hard to imagine that they won't.

Are Indians About To Become Sellers?

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According to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince, the Indians may be coming to the conclusion that 2009 just isn't their year. Writes Castrovince, "As much as the Indians have been through this season, they entered tonight a reasonable seven games back in the AL Central. But when you factor in the injuries, the inconsistencies and the general snake-bitten nature of this club, it's hard to imagine a comeback."

But it isn't Castrovince that will make this call, it's GM Mark Shapiro. And he seems to be coming to the same conclusion. As Castrovince puts it, "I got the sense that he's coming around to that concept, too. He didn't repeat the mantra that the Indians are 'one good week away' from being back in contention. Rather, with regard to the still-developing trade market, he said the Tribe is 'one the sideline' right now, 'keeping a pulse' of what's going on. Stay tuned."

With obvious targets like Mark DeRosa, not to mention potentially highly-sought Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee, many teams are hoping Cleveland loses ground over the next week or two, forcing Shapiro's hand.

Who Goes In A Pittsburgh Firesale?

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With Nate McLouth now playing in Atlanta, a number of still-Pirates vented about the decision. Coincidentally, the two players quoted, Freddy Sanchez and Adam LaRoche, are likely to be prime targets for Pittsburgh to deal.

Sanchez is a middle infielder having a typical Freddy Sanchez season: .321/.359/.488, with below-average defense at second base. A number of teams should be interested in Sanchez, and in his age-31 season, Sanchez isn't likely to be part of the next great Pirates' team. He's scheduled to make $6.1MM in 2009, with an $8MM option for 2010 that vests if he reaches 635 plate appearances.

As for LaRoche, a 29-year-old who can hit pretty well and play first base, he's also likely to be shown the door. LaRoche is making $7.05MM in 2009, and teams that acquire him have the advantage of getting the second-half LaRoche. LaRoche is a career .776 OPS hitter in the first half, but .907 OPS in the second half.

While he didn't vent in the linked article, Jack Wilson could also be on the move. Not only does he make $7.25MM, he's also in his age-31 season. However, his .264/.291/.380 line — even with solid defense at shortstop — means the haul Pittsburgh gets for Wilson could be limited.

A Penny For Phillies’ Staff?

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MLB.com's Todd Zolecki is reporting that the Phillies have been following Boston's Brad Penny, and have been told the price for Penny is Jason Donald. Buster Olney had reported this as well.

Donald has struggled early, but it is hard to believe the Phillies would make such a deal. If they see the guy who pitched 208 innings of 3.03 ERA baseball for the Dodgers in 2007, maybe. But Penny is at 6.04 ERA in 149 innings ever since, and it is hard to see Penny as enough of an upgrade to warrant dealing one of your best middle infield prospects.

Zolecki also reports that the Phils don't seem to view Tom Glavine or Vicente Padilla as options. Hard to believe the Phils would take on another Jamie Moyer-like pitcher in Glavine, or deal for a pitcher, Padilla, they dealt away for very little a few years ago.

Realistically, none of these pitchers is likely to pitch better than Antonio Bastardo, who was dominant at Double-A Reading.

Are Mets Too Injured To Deal?

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It is a given that with the news today that J.J. Putz will miss upwards of the next three months, Jose Reyes out an undetermined length of time, and Carlos Delgado still far from resuming baseball activity, that the Mets will be at the center of any number of rumors. But what is unclear at this point is just how New York can make deals, with the depth an organization would trade now missing from the Mets.

After all, it was assumed that any deal the Mets would make for either Nick Johnson of the Nationals or Aubrey Huff of the Orioles would include hard-throwing Bobby Parnell. That's right, the same Bobby Parnell who is taking over the eighth inning for Putz. He's no longer an extra arm.

The same is true of minor-league shortstop Ruben Tejeda, batting .281/.381/.377 as a 19-year-old at Double-A. The Mets can't afford to deal him, with Reyes, Ramon Martinez and Argenis Reyes all on the shelf. He's next in line to play shortstop.

So who would go? Jonathon Niese and his 8.05 Triple-A ERA? Nick Evans, hitting .200 at Double-A Binghamton after an .093 start at Triple-A Buffalo got him demoted? The Mets have holes, but they may have an even harder time cobbling together a package to fix those holes.

First Baseman? Mets Need a Shortstop

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With Carlos Delgado out until at least late July, the rumors have swirled around the Mets and first basemen throughout the league.

But what the Mets may really need is a shortstop. Jose Reyes left Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers with what looked to be an aggravation of the calf injury that kept him out for five games. With backup Alex Cora out indefinitely with a thumb injury, the Mets are now left with a pair of shortstops: Ramon Martinez, who had two errors in his start on Monday night, and Fernando Tatis, who is a "break glass in case of emergency" kind of shortstop.

Even if Reyes returns quickly, the Mets need a credible backup. In house, the Mets have last season's backup middle infielder Argenis Reyes at shortstop, a decent glove who simply cannot hit. Jose Coranado is struggling so much with the bat, a .141 average at Triple-A, that he is an unlikely recall.

As previously reported, the Indians are fielding offers for Mark DeRosa. But DeRosa hasn't played more than 20 games at shortstop in a season since 2001-and over his last three seasons, he played a total of nine games there.

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