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Nationals Have Interest In B.J. Upton

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The Nationals' search for a center fielder has the team eyeing B.J. Upton, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson. According to Ladson's source, Nats GM Mike Rizzo believes that a change of scenery could help the Rays outfielder, whose 2011 slash line of .228/.324/.389 ranks below his career rates.

We heard in April that the Nationals were scouting Upton, but weren't considering a trade at the time. Since then, center field has become a more glaring need for the club. For the season, their internal options have combined to post a .591 OPS in 253 plate appearances at the position.

With the Rays in the thick of the AL East race, it's not known whether Upton will be available this summer. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote that the Rays could consider an Upton trade even if they're contending, while Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports said the team would have to fall out of the playoff hunt before exploring deals involving the 26-year-old. Ladson reported last week that the Nationals are "willing to overpay" to acquire a center fielder, in which case the Rays would at least have to listen.

Quick Hits: Pirates, Reyes, Mariners, Galarraga

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Links for Sunday, after John Danks was unable to get his first win of 2011 this afternoon….

  • It seems likely that the Pirates will place Ryan Doumit on the disabled list after he injured his ankle today, and Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh-Tribune Review says (on Twitter) that Dusty Brown would get called up to replace him since Jason Jaramillo is also hurt. Pittsburgh's 40-man roster is full, so a move will have to be made to accommodate Brown.
  • Andy McCullough of The Star-Ledger reports (on Twitter) that Mets shortstop Jose Reyes was again asked about his contract following today's game. "I've told you like a million times already," said Reyes, an impending free agent. "If [an extension] comes, it comes. If not, I'm going to continue to play."
  • Larry Stone of The Seattle Times spoke to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik about the upcoming draft, who indicated that he will not draft based on team need and that they have a group of about five players they're specifically targeting for the second overall pick.
  • Bob Cohn of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote about the importance that decision-making plays into the success of small market teams.
  • Armando Galarraga wasn't pleased about his demotion to Triple-A, writes Chris Gabel of the Reno Gazette-Journal. The right-hander was blunt about why he stayed in the Diamondbacks' organization and accepted his minor league assignment: "The money. They have to pay me $2.3MM to come here."
  • The trade pulled off by the Yankees, Tigers, and Diamondbacks in 2009 was the rare three-way deal that worked out for each team, says Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
  • Asked whether the Indians could pursue Jim Thome this summer, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer points out that if the Twins make him available, it likely won't be until after he hits his 600th home run. Hoynes doubts that the veteran slugger is a fit for the Tribe anyway.
  • While the Red Sox committed over $300MM to Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez this year, their smaller investments are also paying dividends, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
  • P.J. Walters was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster and cleared waivers earlier this weekend, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Rockies Designate Alfredo Amezaga For Assignment

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The Rockies have designated Alfredo Amezega for assignment and recalled Chris Nelson from Triple-A, according to the team's Twitter feed. Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports first tweeted that Nelson would replace Amezaga on Colorado's roster.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported on Thursday that the Rockies were looking to shake up their bench, with Amezaga and Jose Lopez in jeopardy of losing their roster spots. Lopez was DFA'd later that night.

Amezaga, 33, has hit .242/.297/.273 in 38 plate appearances for the Rockies in 2011. The utility player, who signed a minor league deal with Colorado in January, played in 20 games for the team, seeing time at second base, shortstop, third base, and right field.

Cafardo On Indians, Young, Guthrie, Reddick

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In his column today for the Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo argues against potential rule changes, discusses injuries around the league, and looks back at the 2009 trade that sent Justin Masterson to Cleveland and Victor Martinez to the Red Sox. He also dedicates some space to sharing a few hot stove notes. Let's check out the highlights….

  • Indians GM Mark Shapiro on whether his team could be buyers at the trade deadline: "It’s not a matter of money. It’s a matter of not giving away any of our prospects. We’re not going to do that."
  • Although the Twins won't say as much, they could move Delmon Young before the trade deadline in the right deal, according to Cafardo. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes recently looked at other players who might be available if the last-place Twins become sellers.
  • The Orioles say Jeremy Guthrie won't be moved, but as one NL scout asks, "If you put together a package they can’t say no to, will they still say no?"
  • Josh Reddick, recently recalled by the Red Sox, is "on a few teams' wish lists." Cafardo previously reported that Reddick was generating chatter among scouts, and says today that scouts for two NL teams are looking forward to evaluating the outfielder in the bigs.

New York Notes: Reyes, Felix, Hughes, Jeter

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Even before reports of David Einhorn's $200MM investment in the Mets surfaced, things could've been worse in Queens, writes Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post. Vaccaro points out that New York's baseball history includes plenty of stretches more dismal than the one endured by the present-day Mets, and breaks down his top five. Here are some other Sunday morning notes on the Mets and Yankees:

Rangers Have Inquired On Joel Hanrahan

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The Rangers' search for pitching help has led them to make "low-level inquiries" on Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. According to Rosenthal, if the Pirates decided to part with the right-hander, it would be for "a significant price."

While Neftali Feliz is one of the game's top closers, Texas doesn't have a clear ninth inning alternative should the 23-year-old miss any more time. The Rangers also may be more inclined to eventually move Feliz into the rotation if they have another viable closing option. As Rosenthal notes, Hanrahan, who is under team control through 2013, would be a perfect fit as a pitcher who could set up for Feliz this season and take over as the closer in 2012.

In recent years, the Pirates have frequently played the role of sellers as the trade deadline approaches. However, they currently sit only one game below .500 and four games out of first place, so it's likely too early to tell whether Hanrahan or other players will be available this summer. Last week, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes examined what we can expect if the Pirates become sellers.

Phillies Notes: Madson, Trade Targets, Lidge, Oswalt

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Let's round up the latest links on the National League's top team….

  • Ruben Amaro Jr. told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that, before the season, the Phillies expressed a desire to "continue the relationship" with Ryan Madson. An extension before season's end is probably unlikely though. Madson's stock is improving with his ninth inning success, and agent Scott Boras figures to want to test the open market.
  • Even with Chase Utley on his way back, the Phillies may need to acquire a bat to help jump-start their offense, writes Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer. As MLBTR's Tim Dierkes did last month, Brookover takes a look at a few potential targets for the Phils, who could be facing luxury taxes if they make a midseason move.
  • Within the previously linked FOX Sports piece, Rosenthal speculates that a healthy Brad Lidge could become a trade chip for the Phillies, to make room for an offensive acquisition.
  • In a separate Inquirer column, Brookover explains why Cody Overbeck is considered a better prospect than Double-A Reading teammate Matt Rizzotti.
  • Newsday's Ken Davidoff is betting on Roy Oswalt turning down his 2012 mutual option if he enjoys a successful 2011 season. Davidoff thinks the right-hander, who has previously discussed the possibility of early retirement, "probably won't be in position to get a five-year contract but should get significant dollars" on the open market.

New York Notes: Montero, Colon, Alderson

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Here are today's Yankees- and Mets-related links, as Ivan Nova and Mike Pelfrey prepare to square off in the rubber match of this weekend's Subway Series….

Cafardo On Reyes, Soriano, Braves, Myers

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In his Baseball Notes column for the Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo says baseball stadiums should dial back the between-innings entertainment, arguing that the on-field action is engaging enough. He also has a few hot stove notes to share:

  • An American League scout says if the Mets hear an offer they like for Jose Reyes, they'll take it: "They can’t afford not to and let him leave as a free agent and not get value for him."
  • Cafardo points out that Rafael Soriano seems unhappy in a setup role and does have an opt-out clause at season's end. However, as Cafardo suggests, it seems extremely unlikely the right-hander would leave $25MM on the table when no other team would match that.
  • The Braves would like to add some offensive insurance in case Chipper Jones' knee doesn't hold up all season.
  • Brett Myers "seems to have Yankees written all over him," Cafardo says. Once Jim Crane's ownership group officially takes over, the Astros' trade deadline intentions will become clearer. At this point though, it's hard to imagine the team, whose 16-30 record is the National League's worst, not being sellers.

Quick Hits: Morales, Padres, Cardinals, Hamels

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Links for Sunday, as players around the league break out the pink bats. Happy Mother's Day!

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