Mike Axisa | MLB Trade Rumors

Nolan Ryan Expects Hamilton To Test Free Agency

By Mike Axisa | May 18, 2012 at 7:12pm CDT

Rangers president Nolan Ryan spoke to reporters (including MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan) today, saying that he expects Josh Hamilton to test free agency after the season. Ryan said the team will “put their best foot forward” during contract talks, but he expects the situation to drag out until “either at the end of November or December.”

Hamilton, 30, currently leads the American League in batting average (.399), OBP (.452), SLG (.826), homers (18), and RBI (45). Contract talks between the two sides were a hot topic following the outfielder's four-homer game last month, but Hamilton said he would not negotiate during the season this past winter.

Colletti Expects To Have Flexibility At Deadline

By Mike Axisa | May 18, 2012 at 5:54pm CDT

The Dodgers have the best record in baseball at 25-13 and they currently lead the NL West by six games over the Giants. GM Ned Colletti told Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times that if he needs to make a move to improve his club at the trade deadline, he expects to have the financial flexibility to do so.

"If we have a chance to improve our club, [ownership is] open-minded to doing it and everything that it entails," said the GM.

Guggenheim Baseball Management's first major expenditure could involve retaining one of their own, however. Colletti acknowledged that he's spoken to the ownership about parameters for an Andre Ethier contract extension, and in fact the two sides have been talking since last month.

"I'm not going to get into where it is, but we've discussed it," he said.

Los Angeles has already picked up Bobby Abreu on the cheap, but Colletti could look for reinforcements at first base, third base, and as always, on the mound. Although the GM acknowledged that they will have to deal with Dee Gordon's growing pains – .207/.247/.264 this year – the club could potentially look for an upgrade at shortstop as well.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Hudson, Orioles, Draft

By Mike Axisa | May 18, 2012 at 12:35pm CDT

On this date in 2004, 40-year-old Randy Johnson threw a perfect game against the Braves. He joined Cy Young, Jim Bunning, Hideo Nomo, and Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers to throw a no-hitter in each league. Here's the latest from the baseball blogosphere…

A's Farm interviewed Athletics assistant GM David Forst (part one, part two).
The Daily Statesman spoke to Cardinals manager Mike Matheny about his team.
The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan interviewed Jerry Blevins.
SF Giants Rumors interviewed Giants prospect Joe Panik.
Bay City Ball thinks the Giants should take a chance on Orlando Hudson.
Giants Nirvana also believes the Giants should give Hudson a call.
MLB Reports wrote about Cole Hamels and his future with the Phillies.
Bunt Double wonders where Josh Hamilton will play next season.
More Hardball put together a team of the best minor league contract signees.
Camden Crazies tries to figure out if the Orioles are for real (part one, part two).
FanSpeak believes Chase Headley is a perfect fit for the Orioles.
M.C. Antil wrote about Chris Davis' night on the mound.
House of the Bluebird wrote about Adam Lind's demotion.
U.S.S. Mariner looked at how the Mariners could reshape their roster.
Redleg Nation lists five things they would change if they ran the Reds.
Blog Red Machine wrote about tweaking Cincinnati's lineup.
MLB on Deck wonders if Mike Scioscia's job is in jeopardy.
Rising Apple wrote about Omar Minaya and his impact on the current Mets.
Capitol Avenue Club analyzed the Braves' pitching staff.
Pirates Prospects explains why teams do not draft for need.
Call to the Pen wrote about high school right-hander Lucas Giolito, a top prospect for this year's draft.
Dr. Strangeglove mused about the Pirates and Arizona State shortstop Deven Marrero.
Rays Colored Glasses wonders if the Rays take advantage of their locale in the draft.
Puckett's Pond thinks the Twins should target a college player in the draft.

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

Quick Hits: Lind, Gomes, Chapman, Votto

By Mike Axisa | May 17, 2012 at 10:00pm CDT

The Blue Jays optioned the struggling Adam Lind to Triple-A earlier today. The 28-year-old has hit just .238/.289/.420 in nearly 1,300 plate appearances since signing his four-year, $18MM contract extension in April of 2010. Toronto recalled Yan Gomes to take Lind's roster spot, and tonight he became the first first Brazilian-born player in baseball history. Here's the latest from around the league…

Richard Griffin of The Toronto Star notes (on Twitter) that the Blue Jays would not have been able to option Lind after June 29th, when he would have accrued enough service time (five years) to decline an optional assignment.
“The longer we go, it will be harder to stretch (Aroldis Chapman) to start,” said Reds GM Walt Jocketty to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Chapman has not allowed a run in 20 1/3 innings this season with 34 strikeouts and seven walks. “We may be resigned to the fact that he will have to pitch in the bullpen all year," adde the GM.
Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com spoke to Reds manager Dusty Baker about the difference between signing a huge contract with a new team (like Albert Pujols) and signing a huge deal with your current team (like Joey Votto). "You get more tolerance," he said, referring to the slow starts each player has endured.

NL Links: Giants, Diamondbacks, Mets, DeWitt

By Mike Axisa | May 17, 2012 at 8:56pm CDT

The Padres placed Orlando Hudson on release waivers earlier today, and the veteran second baseman figures to draw some interest once he clears and becomes a free agent. Here's the latest from around the so-called Senior Circuit…

Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com hears from a source that available infield options are "not great" and the Giants must remain patient with Charlie Culberson (Twitter link). Hudson could make sense for San Francisco, though that is just my speculation.
Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers has spent the last few days with his staff looking over ways to improve his club, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. "I can't tell you if there's going to a move or not," said the GM. "Maybe none, but we just kind of want to re-evaluate where we're at, and if there are any other options out there that might make us better and kind of spark the club a little bit."
"The bullpen has been a frustration. There's no question about that," said Mets GM Sandy Alderson to reporters (including MLB.com's Spencer Fordin and Ethan Asofsky) after designating D.J. Carrasco for assignment last night. "At some point, you have to start making changes, and [this] was a step in that direction. It's not that we have outstanding candidates in the minor league system at this point. We've got some good candidates, but like a number of our other prospects, perhaps they're not ready to pitch at this level."
Blake DeWitt accepted his outright assignment and will head to Triple-A tomorrow, reports Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago. The Cubs designated DeWitt for assignment then outrighted him off the 40-man roster, but he could have refused the assignment and elected free agency.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Brad Bergesen

By Mike Axisa | May 17, 2012 at 5:19pm CDT

Let’s keep track of the day’s outright assignments right here…

The Orioles have outrighted Brad Bergesen to Triple-A, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. The 26-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment last weekend after pitching to a 5.13 ERA with 4.6 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 33 1/3 innings for Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate this season.

Phillies, Rays Swap Rich Thompson For Kyle Hudson

By Mike Axisa | May 16, 2012 at 11:48am CDT

The Phillies have traded outfielder Rich Thompson to the Rays for outfielder Kyle Hudson, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter). Both players have been playing in Triple-A this season.

Thompson, 33, has hit .307/.390/.398 in 101 plate appearances for Philadelphia's top minor league affiliate this season. He's a .276/.349/.383 career hitter in over 3,400 plate appearances at Triple-A, where he's spent the last five years with the Phillies' organization. Thompson has one big league plate appearances to his credit, coming with the Royals back in 2004.

Hudson, 25, has hit .291/.378/.318 in 133 Triple-A plate appearances this season. He had four singles in 29 plate appearances for the Orioles last year, resulting in a .143/.143/.143 batting line. The Rays originally acquired him from the Rangers at the end of Spring Training.

Quick Hits: Garza, Eveland, Wright, Beckett, Brewers

By Mike Axisa | May 12, 2012 at 10:40pm CDT

Here's the latest from around the league as Saturday turns into Sunday…

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.com (video link) says talks between the Cubs and Matt Garza about a potential contract extension are going "very well." Jeff Samardzija's emergence has the club excited about possibly having two power righties in the rotation long-term.
The Orioles are expected to designate Dana Eveland for assignment tomorrow, reports Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter). Eveland made a spot start earlier this week and the move would create room on the roster for outfield prospect Xavier Avery, who will be called up.
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York explains why the Mets must sign David Wright to a long-term extension. The team holds a $16MM club option for their third baseman for 2013 and he'll become a free agent after that season.
MLB.com's Mike Bauman says the Red Sox have not gotten what they've paid for out of Josh Beckett. The right-hander signed a four-year, $68MM contract early in 2010.
“Stable management with good leadership is what you look for in companies,” said Brewers owner Mark Attanasio to Tyler Kepner of The New York Times about his front office. GM Doug Melvin and manager Ron Roenicke recently received contract extensions.

Dodgers Links: MacDougal, Kasten, Dodger Stadium

By Mike Axisa | May 12, 2012 at 9:15pm CDT

Earlier today we learned that the Dodgers signed infielder Aaron Miles to a minor league contract, and tonight Anthony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles reports (on Twitter) that he can opt-out of the deal on June 30th. Here's the latest from Chavez Ravine…

The Dodgers have requested unconditional release waivers on Mike MacDougal, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. The right-hander rejected his minor league assignment and will be released tomorrow if he clears waivers. He was designated for assignment on Thursday.
Team president and CEO Stan Kasten held a team meeting yesterday to assure players that the new ownership group is committed to "building a first-class organization," writes Gurnick. Kasten said they aim to acquire players that will improve the club, among other things.
“It’s on the list of one million first things,” said Kasten to Tyler Kepner of The New York Times regarding improvements to Dodger Stadium. Ownership wants to upgrade the 50-year-old stadium and recently renovated the team's family room during a road trip.

Braves Sign Felix Pie

By Mike Axisa | May 12, 2012 at 7:58pm CDT

The Braves have signed Felix Pie to a minor league contract, reports Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter). The ACES client has been assigned to their Triple-A affiliate.

Pie, 27, had been playing with the independent Camden River Sharks this spring. He hit .360/.393/.620 with three homers in 56 plate appearances before landing back in affiliated ball. Pie hit .220/.264/.280 in part-time duty with the Orioles last season and is a .249/.298/.374 career hitter in the big leagues.

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