Luke Adams 2 | MLB Trade Rumors

Dodgers Designate Justin Miller For Assignment

By Luke Adams 2 | July 23, 2010 at 5:33pm CDT

The Dodgers have designated Justin Miller for assignment to clear a spot on their roster for Kenley Jansen, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

Miller, who signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers over the winter, had been pitching out of the bullpen since taking Ramon Ortiz's place on the roster in May. Although Miller's numbers for Los Angeles were respectable, including a 4.44 ERA and 11.1 K/9, the club has to be excited to see what Jansen can do at the major league level. The 22-year-old has posted a 2.22 ERA and 15.4 K/9 in 45 minor league appearances since being converted from catcher last season.

Royals Designate Anthony Lerew For Assignment

By Luke Adams 2 | July 23, 2010 at 5:08pm CDT

A day after the Royals acquired Sean O'Sullivan from the Angels in exchange for Alberto Callaspo, Kansas City has added O'Sullivan to their active roster. To make room for the right-hander, the team designated Anthony Lerew for assignment, according to a press release.

Lerew started six games for the Royals this year, compiling a 3.63 ERA in his first three starts before getting hit hard (18.00 ERA) in his next three. Lerew's 26.1 IP represent a career high for the former Brave, who was ranked as a top-100 prospect by Baseball America in both 2005 and 2006.

This is the second time this season that the Royals have designated the 27-year-old for assignment.

D’Backs’ First-Rounder Fails Physical

By Luke Adams 2 | July 12, 2010 at 7:33am CDT

MONDAY, 7:33am: Loux's physical exam revealed a shoulder issue, reports Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com.

SATURDAY, 10:52pm: Barret Loux, Arizona's first-round pick in this year's draft, has failed his physical exam, reports Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports. According to Ringolsby, the Diamondbacks have broken off negotiations with Loux, who they picked sixth overall last month.

When the D'Backs selected the Texas A&M right-hander, John Manuel wrote that it was the first pick of the draft Baseball America didn't like. Manuel noted that Loux wasn't considered a consensus first-rounder and that the right-hander had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow at A&M. Loux also received a heavy workload leading up to the draft, throwing 123+ pitches on four different occasions between May 6th and June 4th.

Considering slot money for the sixth overall pick is approximately $2.6MM, the D'Backs seem unlikely to reach an agreement with Loux if his health is a concern. Ringolsby indicates that the decision to draft Loux was made by Josh Byrnes, and that the move may have played a part in the Arizona GM losing his job.

If the D'Backs do not sign Loux, they'll receive the seventh overall pick in next year's draft as compensation.

Odds & Ends: Rolen, Yankees, Astros, Jeter

By Luke Adams 2 | July 11, 2010 at 7:07pm CDT

Links for Sunday, as the celebration continues in Spain….

Since acquiring Scott Rolen from Toronto roughly one year ago, the Reds are 70-42 when he starts and 12-26 when he doesn't, tweets John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday (via Twitter) talked to Yankees catcher Austin Romine, who admitted that a trade of Jesus Montero to the Mariners would have benefited him.
Looking to improve their NL-worst OBP (.295) and SLG (.348), the Astros have replaced hitting coach Sean Berry with Jeff Bagwell, per a team release. Sean Berry was surprised by his dismissal from the Astros, writes MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
Last winter, Bob Klapisch of FOX Sports suggested that the Yankees offer Derek Jeter a four-year, $100MM extension. Today, the New York Post's Joel Sherman says that Jeter "hardly looks like a player deserving" of such a contract, except for the fact that he's Derek Jeter. Sherman expects Jeter to be a Yankee past this season, of course, but suggests that the second half of 2010 may be a "salary drive" for the 36-year-old.
Brian Sabean has no regrets about not promoting Buster Posey or trading Bengie Molina earlier, writes Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer thinks the Indians would like to keep Jake Westbrook, so they have at least one veteran starter in their 2011 rotation.
Noting that Albert Pujols could have his own "Decision" to make next year, Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hopes the slugger doesn't do to St. Louis what LeBron James did to Cleveland.
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio is reluctant to become a seller because he believes his team can contend next year, if not this year, says Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. Within the same piece, Shaikin indicates the Dodgers could still be in "payroll limbo" this offseason if the McCourts' divorce goes to trial.
Minor league free agents have come through this year for the Phillies, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Poll: Cleveland’s Next Trade

By Luke Adams 2 | July 11, 2010 at 12:29pm CDT

The Indians got a head start on trading season last month, when they dealt Russell Branyan to the Mariners. However, that may not be the last move the Indians make before July 31st, as trade rumors have continued to follow a handful of their veterans. Today's poll question:

Who will the Indians trade next?

Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.

Arroyo Won’t Consider Restructuring Contract

By Luke Adams 2 | July 11, 2010 at 11:50am CDT

Bronson Arroyo will not consider redoing his contract even if it means staying with the Reds past this season, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Arroyo is in the final year of his two-year deal and has a club option for $11MM ($2MM buyout) next season. If the team hopes to keep the right-hander in Cincinnati next year, it looks as if they'll have to exercise that $11MM option.

As Arroyo told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the 33-year-old hopes to remain in Cincinnati, but is also looking ahead to what might be his last chance at a big deal on the open market. He indicated to Fay that he wouldn't restructure his contract and accept a discounted rate, like Scott Rolen did:

"Not in a million years," Arroyo said. "Scott's in a different position than I'm in. He's in a position where he feels like he's only got a couple years left in the game. He wanted to retire in this uniform…. He restructured because he’s made $150 million in the game or whatever it is…. I'm not in the same boat."

Fay suggests that it's unclear whether the Reds intend to exercise their 2011 option to retain Arroyo. If Arroyo is not in their future plans, the club might consider exploring his trade value before the deadline. The right-hander would be a "hot commodity" on the trade market, and with Edinson Volquez, Aaron Harang, and Homer Bailey on their way back from the disabled list, the Reds could have the pitching depth to make a move worthwhile.

The bet here though is that the Reds hold onto one of their most reliable arms. As long as they remain in first place, the team may be better off shelving the issue of Arroyo's option until after the season.

Ortiz Would Like To Remain In Boston

By Luke Adams 2 | July 11, 2010 at 10:37am CDT

David Ortiz envisions himself wearing a Red Sox uniform past this season, and hopes the team feels the same way, writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Ortiz is in the final year of a $52MM contract, with the Sox holding an $12.5MM option for 2011.

"I want to stay here in Boston and always have a home here, go back and forth when I do retire," said Ortiz. "The people here have been good to me and I’ve tried to be good to them."

Ortiz's $12.5MM option for next season looks a little pricey when taking into account the present-day value of designated hitters. Hideki Matsui ($6.5MM) and Vladimir Guerrero ($5MM) are among the DHs that received one-year contracts last winter for approximately half of Ortiz's 2011 price tag. And while Ortiz has recovered from a slow start to put up impressive numbers (.262/.382/.552), the free agent market this winter will be flush with similar players, including Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Derrek Lee, Adam LaRoche, and Carlos Pena.

Still, even if the club declines his option, Ortiz is optimistic that he and the Sox can work something out: "Hopefully, it gets done…. I think I will be here. I may look crazy, but I'm not stupid. I don't see myself playing nowhere else and that's important to me."

The 34-year-old said earlier this year that he'd like to play for two or three more years, so if the Red Sox are interested in bringing him back, Ortiz will likely look to finish his career in Boston.

Cafardo’s Latest: Arroyo, Carmona, Garza, Lilly

By Luke Adams 2 | July 11, 2010 at 8:45am CDT

In this week's installment of his Baseball Notes feature, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe discusses the 2006 deal that sent Bronson Arroyo to Cincinnati for Wily Mo Pena. "I'm sure it's not one [trade] that Theo has on his mantle at home," Arroyo jokes, before going on to say that he'd love to stay with the Reds past this season. The team holds an $11MM 2011 option ($2MM buyout) for Arroyo. Here are Cafardo's other notes of interest:

The Brewers and the Rangers, before they acquired Cliff Lee, were among the teams "sniffing around" Fausto Carmona.
Cafardo wouldn't be shocked if the Rays were willing to discuss trading Matt Garza, with Jeremy Hellickson waiting in the wings (2.21 ERA in 105.2 Triple-A innings). In exchange for an impact bat, the Rays appear more inclined to deal major league players than prospects. A National League scout tells Cafardo that the team has been "very willing to include B.J. Upton in trade talks" and may even think about moving Wade Davis, if the price was right.
The Rays also have some interest in Ted Lilly, who could be a fit for the Twins and Tigers as well.
Cafardo thinks the Red Sox should pursue Evan Meek if the Pirates make him available.
Lou Piniella's agent Alan Nero says that the Cubs' skipper will definitely finish out the season, but isn't sure about Piniella's future past this year.

Odds & Ends: Dunn, Dodgers, Lee, Tigers

By Luke Adams 2 | July 10, 2010 at 9:32pm CDT

Links for Saturday night, after Roy Halladay and Travis Wood traded zeros for nine innings….

Bill Ladson of MLB.com writes that Mike Rizzo isn't looking to deal Adam Dunn. Rizzo repeated what's becoming a favorite phrase lately, telling Washington broadcaster Bob Carpenter that it'd be "very painful" to move Dunn, both for the Nationals and for the team acquiring him.
The Dodgers were involved in talks with the Mariners for Cliff Lee, but wouldn't part with Chad Billingsley or James Loney, according to MLB.com's Evan Drellich.
Jamey Newberg provides his detailed take on the Rangers' acquisition at The Newberg Report.
In light of the Lee trade, Larry Stone of the Seattle Times takes a look at how some past blockbuster deals between division rivals worked out.
Jim Leyland reiterates to MLB.com's Jason Beck that the Tigers could use some bullpen help.
Ricky Nolasco knows that he might be on the trade block this month, writes Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com wonders (via Twitter) if the Yankees' scout in Arizona yesterday had an eye on Nolasco, noting that Joe Girardi managed the right-hander in 2006.
River Ave. Blues passes along a story from El Universal (Spanish link) in which Ernesto Armenteros reports that the Yankees signed 18-year-old Colombian catcher Alfredo Castellon Jr.

Brewers Listening On Prince Fielder, Corey Hart

By Luke Adams 2 | July 10, 2010 at 7:55pm CDT

The Brewers are listening to offers on Prince Fielder and Corey Hart, tweets ESPN.com's Buster Olney. The tweet echoes a similar report by Jeff Fletcher of AOL FanHouse, though Olney suggests that the Brewers have no interest in moving Rickie Weeks.

Fletcher reported that the Brewers were entertaining offers for Fielder because they don't expect to be able to re-sign him when he hits free agency in 2011. Olney offers similar thoughts in two more tweets, indicating there's a very slim chance Milwaukee could afford to lock up the Scott Boras client to an extension. Boras figures to be looking for a contract larger, in both years and dollars, than Ryan Howard's five-year, $125MM deal. Earlier this season, Fielder and Boras turned down an extension offer similar to Howard's, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link).

Meanwhile, the Giants have been the team most frequently linked to Hart, though the last rumor we heard had the Brewers asking for more than San Francisco was willing to pay. Hart will earn $4.8MM this year, while Fielder is making $10.5MM. Each player will be eligible for arbitration for the last time in 2011 before becoming free agents.

In a final tweet, Olney adds that David Bush could also be an interesting trade chip for the Brew Crew if they go into sell mode. Bush, who will be eligible for free agency this winter, has a 4.23 ERA in 17 outings this year, including a 2.74 mark since his seven-run blow-up in Minnesota on May 21st.

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