Mike Axisa | MLB Trade Rumors

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Hamels, Holland, Garza, Lee

By Mike Axisa | July 6, 2012 at 12:43pm CDT

On this date in 2005, five Marlins pitchers combined to retire the final 28 Brewers they faced in a 12-inning win over Milwaukee. The combined "hidden" perfect game featured 22 total strikeouts (45 batters faced) by Florida, including a career-high 14 by A.J. Burnett. Here are this week's links from the baseball corner of the blogosphere…

MLB Reports interviewed former All-Star Dmitri Young.
Brotherly Glove says trading Cole Hamels makes sense for the Phillies.
Over The Monster doesn't think the Red Sox should trade for Hamels.
Amazin' Avenue wrote about a potential Francisco Rodriguez-Mets reunion.
Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness provides a trade deadline primer for Dodgers fans.
Bleacher Nation broke down the Cubs and their trade fodder.
Yanks Go Yard wrote about the Yankees and Matt Garza.
Through the Fence Baseball says the Rangers should trade Derek Holland.
Rays Colored Glasses looked at Nick Hundley as a trade target for the Rays.
Tomahawk Take listed some bench trade targets for the Braves.
Pirates Prospects isn't sure that the Pirates need to make a trade.
Cleveland Indians Perspective says the Indians should stand pat.
AL Eastbound & Down says the Blue Jays need to add pitching no matter what.
Lasorda's Lair wrote about the Dodgers' failed attempt to acquire Carlos Lee.
85% Sports broke down the worst contract in baseball.
The Hardball Times analyzed this year's Home Run Derby participants.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

Quick Hits: Howard, Prospects, McCarthy, Rodriguez

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 10:54pm CDT

The Phillies are likely to activate Ryan Howard in time for tomorrow’s game according to multiple reports. Howard has yet to play this season after injuring his Achilles on the final play of last year’s NLDS. As Philadelphia awaits the return of its slugging first baseman, here are some links from around the league…

Right-hander Dylan Bundy of the Orioles tops Baseball America’s updated list of the game’s 50 best prospects. Shortstop Jurickson Profar of the Rangers and outfielder Wil Myers of the Royals round out the top three.
“It’s something I’m not at all opposed to,” said Brandon McCarthy to Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle when asked about the possibility of signing a long-term deal with the Athletics. “But it’s got to be something that makes sense for both sides.”
The Dodgers have signed second round pick Paco Rodriguez for a straight slot $611K bonus, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). He says the left-hander out of Florida eats hitters up with his cut-fastball.

Cubs Agree To Sign Duane Underwood

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 10:21pm CDT

The Cubs have agreed to sign second round pick Duane Underwood for $1.05MM, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America. Slot money for the 67th overall pick was $770K. He'll take his physical on Monday.

Underwood, a high school right-hander from Georgia, is said to run his fastball up to 98. Callis notes (on Twitter) that Chicago is $276K under their draft pool and can afford to pay sixth overall pick Albert Almora up to $3.9MM without forfeiting next year's first round pick.

Blue Jays Release Jamie Moyer

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 10:03pm CDT

The Blue Jays have released Jamie Moyer, reports MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm (on Twitter). Toronto signed the veteran left-hander to a two-start minor league contract late last month.

Moyer, 49, allowed ten runs in 11 inning during his two Triple-A starts with the Blue Jays. The Orioles signed and released him after three minor league starts last month as well. Moyer started the season with the Rockies but was cut loose after pitching to a 5.70 ERA in 52 2/3 innings.

Central Notes: Greinke, Cardinals, Garza, Royals

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 9:43pm CDT

Here is the latest from baseball's two Central divisions, which house two of three worst teams in baseball (Cubs and Astros) by winning percentage…

There have been lots of recent rumors linking Zack Greinke to the Cardinals, but Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch would be “stunned” if they acquired the right-hander (Twitter link).
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com surveyed various GMs who said that Matt Garza of the Cubs is a more valuable trade commodity than either Greinke or Cole Hamels. The extra year of control and potential draft pick compensation swayed the vote towards Garza.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick wrote about Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas of the Royals, specifically the learning process and their growing pains.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin spoke about his team and the upcoming trade deadline earlier today.

East Links: Phillies, Ortiz, Shields, Holm

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 8:24pm CDT

Ten years ago today, the Yankees swung a three-team trade with the Athletics and Tigers. Jeff Weaver went to New York, Jeremy Bonderman and Carlos Pena went to Detroit, and Ted Lilly went to Oakland as the primary pieces. Here's the latest from baseball's two East divisions…

"We plan on being contenders in ’13, ’14, ’15 and ’16," said Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. to reporters (including Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer) when asked about selling at the deadline (Sulia link). "So we’re not blowing this team up. That’s not going to happen, regardless of what happens over the next couple of weeks."
"I'm going to be open to anything. My mentality is not going to be, 'I like it here.' It's going to be, 'Bring it to the table, and we'll see what happens," said David Ortiz of the Red Sox to Jorge Ortiz of USA Today while expressing his displeasure with going through the arbitration process over the winter. "It was humiliating. There's no reason a guy like me should go through that."
The 2013 ($9MM) and 2014 ($14MM) club options in James Shields' contract will remain intact if the Rays trade their ace right-hander, confirmed ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
The Marlins have released catcher Steve Holm, reports Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). The 32-year-old hit .135/.256/.270 in 43 plate appearances for their Triple-A affiliate.

Royals Open To Moving Jonathan Broxton

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 7:34pm CDT

The Royals have indicated to other teams that they are willing to trade closer Jonathan Broxton, reports Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. They list the bullpen-challenged Mets as one potential suitor.

Broxton, 28, is owed approximately $2MM for the rest of the season and will become a free agent this winter. The burly right-hander has pitched to a 2.05 ERA with 20 saves in 23 chances, though his strikeout rate (6.8 K/9) is way down compared to his glory years with the Dodgers. Broxton took over as closer after Tommy John surgery shelved Joakim Soria.

Brewers Notes: Trade Deadline, Greinke, Marcum

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 6:47pm CDT

The Brewers were shut out by the Marlins today, dropping them to 38-44 on the season. Last year's NL Central champs are currently 6.5 games out of a wild card spot. Here's the latest from Milwaukee, courtesy of ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (all Twitter links)…

"We're just trying to win games and get back in the hunt,'' said GM Doug Melvin. The Brewers play nine games against NL Central competition after the All-Star break, and Melvin says he'll probably wait until the end of that stretch to determine the team's course of action for the trade deadline.
There is nothing happening with Zack Greinke at the moment, ditto the injured Shaun Marcum. Last week we heard that the Brewers are prepared to trade Greinke if the two sides are unable to work out a contract extension prior to the deadline.

Josh Byrnes Talks Trade Deadline, Extensions

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 5:49pm CDT

Padres GM Josh Byrnes made an appearance on XX 1090's Darren Smith Show earlier today. Here's the audio and here's a recap…

"We've been on the phone a lot," said the GM when asked about ongoing trade talks, "… (but) we don't need to trade anyone."
Because of the team's ownership situation, Byrnes said he does not have the ability to offer extensions. "Not at this moment," he said, talking specifically about Carlos Quentin and Huston Street. They have not talked dollars with either player yet.
"All those guys are going to contribute," said Byrnes when asked if he was pleased with the Mat Latos trade. "It's one of those deals where both sides got what they wanted."
He also spoke about Petco Park, Andrew Cashner and injuries in general, Nick Hundley's demotion, and more during the interview.
Byrnes told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez that the team signed Dominican third baseman Carlos Belen for $1MM (Twitter link). The Padres inked Belen earlier this week.

Reds Release Michael Wuertz

By Mike Axisa | July 5, 2012 at 4:51pm CDT

The Reds have released Michael Wuertz according to Baseball America's Matt Eddy (on Twitter). Cincinnati signed the veteran right-hander to a minor league contract back in May.

Wuertz, 33, has not pitched this year due to continued injury problems. He posted a 6.68 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 7.0 BB/9 in 33 2/3 innings for the A's in 2011, just two seasons after emerging as one of the league's dominant setup men. He battled hamstring and thumb injuries in 2011.

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