Mike Axisa | MLB Trade Rumors

Orioles Designate Brad Bergesen For Assignment

By Mike Axisa | May 12, 2012 at 5:24pm CDT

The Orioles have designated Brad Bergesen for assignment, reports Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). The move clears a 40-man roster spot for Bill Hall, who was called up from Triple-A.

Bergesen, 26, had pitched to a 5.13 ERA with 4.6 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 for the team's Triple-A affiliate this season. He's made 59 starts and 24 relief appearances for the Orioles over the last three seasons and owns a 4.68 ERA in 394 1/3 career innings. Bergesen appears to be a candidate for a waiver claim given his age, flexibility, and the fact that he has a minor league option remaining.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hamels, Jones, Bourjos, Padres

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

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has new Full Count video up, so let's dive in…

Rosenthal says it's interesting that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro declined comment after Nationals GM Mike Rizzo criticized Cole Hamels for intentionally hitting Bryce Harper. It may be an indication that the relationship between the club and the free agent-to-be left-hander is touchier than it has been in the past.
Hot starts by the Orioles and Adam Jones should reduce the chances that the center fielder is traded this summer and could create momentum for a long-term deal. Jones has emerged as a leader in the clubhouse and is a piece they could build around going forward, along with prospects Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado.
The Nationals have been trying to acquire Peter Bourjos since last offseason, but the Angels view the center fielder as a long-term asset and possible replacement for Torii Hunter. Hunter will become a free agent after the season, but that does not mean Bourjos is untouchable.
The Padres have Huston Street, Carlos Quentin, and four starting pitchers on the disabled list, and Rosenthal says they could infuse some young talent into the roster by trading some of their back-end starters. They need Tim Stauffer (elbow) to get healthy and for Clayton Richard (5.32) to pitch better first.

O’s Acquire Mike Belfiore To Complete Josh Bell Trade

By Mike Axisa | May 12, 2012 at 11:38am CDT

The Orioles have acquired minor league lefty Mike Belfiore from the Diamondbacks to complete the Josh Bell trade, the team announced. Arizona acquired Bell for a player to be named later last month.

Belfiore, 23, was the 45th overall pick of the 2009 draft but has yet to develop as hoped. He owns a 4.05 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 282 1/3 minor league innings, but has experienced some success after moving to the bullpen full-time last year. Baseball America did not rank him among Arizona's top 30 prospects in their 2012 Prospect Handbook.

Belfiore may be best known for throwing 9 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for Boston College during an NCAA postseason game in 2009, the longest game in college baseball history.

AL East Links: Hall, Zduriencik, Robertson

By Mike Axisa | May 12, 2012 at 10:14am CDT

Four of the six best AL teams by winning percentage (and run differential) reside in the AL East at the moment. Here's the latest from what again appears to be the toughest division in baseball…

Utility man Bill Hall tweeted that he has been called up by the Orioles. He signed a minor league contract with Baltimore last month, and the team will need to clear both a 25-man and 40-man roster spot for him.
"I feel very bad for the Yankees," said Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik to Ken Davidoff of The New York Post when asked about the Jesus Montero–Michael Pineda trade. Pineda is out for the season with a torn labrum and Montero homered against his former team last night. “I don’t think you enter a deal thinking that you’re going to win a deal," he added. "I think what you do is, you have common sense and respect for all parties involved and say, ‘I hope this helps all organizations.’"
David Robertson's route to the Yankees started with a letter from a high school coach to George Steinbrenner about a minor league utility infielder more than a decade ago, according to the AP. Robertson is currently closing for New York following Mariano Rivera's season-ending knee injury.

Dodgers Sign Aaron Miles

By Mike Axisa | May 12, 2012 at 8:51am CDT

The Dodgers have signed infielder Aaron Miles to a minor league contract, reports Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times. He is currently working out at the team's Spring Training complex in Arizona. Eric Stephen of True Blue LA first reported the signing (on Twitter).

Miles, 35, hit .275/.314/.346 in 490 plate appearances for the Dodgers last year. Last month we learned that the David Schwartz client aimed to play this season. Miles is a .281/.320/.352 career hitter who has played primarily second base, though he has experience at several other positions as well. The Dodgers are currently without utility man Jerry Hairston Jr., who is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.

Angels, Nationals Have Discussed Peter Bourjos

By Mike Axisa | May 11, 2012 at 1:49pm CDT

FRIDAY: MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez hears there's no more truth to the Bourjos-Nationals rumor now than there was this offseason (Twitter link).

THURSDAY: The Angels and Nationals have had preliminary discussions about a trade involving Peter Bourjos, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Royals, Diamondbacks, and Blue Jays also checked in on the outfielder's availability.

It's unclear how far along the talks are, but Bourjos would give Washington the long-term center field solution they've been seeking. Anaheim could use their outfield surplus to shore up the bullpen, a priority according to Morosi. The Nationals are currently without Drew Storen (elbow) and Brad Lidge (hernia) but could be more open to a trade involving a reliever once one or both guys get healthy.

The Angels could also be in the market for a catcher following Chris Iannetta's injury, mentions Morosi. Iannetta will miss up to eight weeks following wrist surgery, the team announced today.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Hamilton, Twins, Reggie

By Mike Axisa | May 11, 2012 at 11:51am CDT

On this date in 1998, Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood struck out 13 Diamondbacks to set the Major League record for most strikeouts in consecutive games at 33. Wood struck out 20 Astros in his previous start. The previous record was 32 strikeouts held by Luis Tiant, Nolan Ryan, Doc Gooden, and Randy Johnson. Here's the latest baseball talk from around the web…

Yankees Fans Unite interviewed Yankees' prospect Tyler Austin.
Baseball Hot Corner interviewed Cubs' prospect Trevor Gretzky, son of Wayne.
Baseball Nation examined the worst trade of the last five years.
Baseball Time In Arlington wrote about Josh Hamilton's contract in the wake of his four-homer game.
Full Spectrum Baseball isn't sure if the Rangers should re-sign Hamilton.
Rays Colored Glasses wonders how different Rays history would be if Hamilton never had his off-the-field problems.
Through the Fence Baseball thinks Evan Gattis may be the next Hamilton.
NatsGM says the Nationals should try to acquire Seth Smith.
Chicken Friars put together a list of players the Padres shouldn't trade as they rebuild.
Puckett's Pond assessed the Twins' trade bait.
Twins Fan From Afar wonders if we can start to question Joe Mauer's health.
Twins Baseball Clubhouse revisited the Johan Santana trade.
The Brewers Bar analyzed Alex Gonzalez's injury.
Lookout Landing wrote about the Chone Figgins problem.
Wahoo's On First said goodbye to Casey Blake following his retirement.
Lasorda's Lair looks at how the Dodgers could fill some of their roster holes.
Sports of Boston wonders if Daisuke Matsuzaka was worth the hype and money.
Talkin' Sox with Dan looked at Kevin Youkilis and Will Middlebrooks.
BoSox Banter examines why the Red Sox have been so awful this year.
Cleveland Indians Perspective looks back at what went wrong with the Indians' 2010 draft.
Swingin' A's wrote about the East Bay businesses hoping to keep the Athletics in Oakland.
Bronx Banter re-published Robert Ward's celebrated "Reggie Jackson in No Man's Land" article from the June 1977 issue of Sport magazine. It's the first time the infamous "I'm the straw that stirs the drink" article has been posted online in its entirely.

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

Quick Hits: Youkilis, Wang, Twins, Wheeler

By Mike Axisa | May 10, 2012 at 11:24pm CDT

Expanded instant replay was included in the new collective bargaining agreement, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that the league is no rush to implement a new system. MLB executive vice president Joe Torre told Morosi they want to "make the game better without dragging it on."

Here's the latest from the around the league as Thursday turns into Friday…

"I have no idea," said Kevin Youkilis to ESPN's Gordon Edes when asked what the arrival of Will Middlebrooks means for his future with the Red Sox. Youkilis can become a free agent after this season and is in the middle of a make or break year.
The Nationals may have a better chance of trading Chien-Ming Wang than John Lannan, writes Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Wang is currently on the DL with a hamstring issue, but Lannan has a 6.10 ERA in Triple-A.
"This is just something that we've got to do right now," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire to LaVelle E. Neal III of The Star Tribune following last night's roster shakeup. "We need to make some changes. We need some hits. We need some new life in here, the whole package."
Dan Wheeler declined to comment when asked if he though about accepting the Red Sox's offer of arbitration last offseason, writes Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal. Wheeler would have received a guaranteed big league contract had he accepted arbitration, but he instead settled for a minor league deal with the Indians.

Dodgers Links: Ethier, Magic, Parking Lots

By Mike Axisa | May 10, 2012 at 9:23pm CDT

The Dodgers are off to a 20-11 start and lead the NL West by five games over the Giants. The new ownership group officially took control of the team earlier this month, so things are looking good in Chavez Ravine right now. Here's the latest from SoCal…

The Dodgers are internally discussing how they'll try to keep Andre Ethier, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Ethier has indicating the willingness to remain with the team long-term following the ownership change.
Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times reports that Magic Johnson has the power to veto any developments proposed by Frank McCourt for the Dodger Stadium parking lots. The veto power is extended to "any other action that would have an adverse effect on the fan experience at Dodger Stadium or otherwise be inconsistent with the preferences of a Guggenheim Baseball Management member."
MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith recently broke down the Dodgers' 2013 contract issues.

Make Or Break Year: Kevin Youkilis

By Mike Axisa | May 10, 2012 at 7:55pm CDT

The Red Sox are among baseball's most disappointing teams so far this season, due in part to injury. Closer Andrew Bailey, outfielders Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury, and starters John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka are among the players the team has lost for a significant length of time already in 2012. Boston also lost Kevin Youkilis, an important right-handed bat in their lefty heavy lineup.

Youkilis, 33, is currently on the disabled list with a lower back strain. It's his fifth trip to the DL in the last four years, part of a laundry list of injuries that includes an oblique strain (2009), thumb surgery (2010), back tightness (2011), and a sports hernia (2011). Since the start of the 2010 season, Youkilis has played in just 240 of 352 possible games (68.2%).

Prior to being placed on the DL, Youkilis had a .219/.292/.344 batting line in 72 plate appearances. Dating back to last year's All-Star break, he's produced a .205/.307/.345 batting line in 231 plate appearances. His performance during his peak years – .308/.404/.560 from 2008-2010 – appears to be very much a thing of the past right now. A player with injury concerns and declining performance as he approaches his mid-30s usually isn't someone a team tries to keep around.

To make matters worse for Youkilis, the Red Sox have a ready-made third base replacement already in-house. Top prospect Will Middlebrooks has burst onto the scene with three homers and four doubles in his six games with Boston, continuing the hot streak that saw him hit nine homers in 24 games in Triple-A games before being recalled. Baseball America ranked Middlebrooks as the 51st best prospect in the game before the season, and the 23-year-old is doing his best to show the team he deserves to play the hot corner on the full-time basis.

The Red Sox owe Youkilis $12MM this season and hold a $13MM club option for his services next year ($1MM buyout). It's seems very unlikely that they'll exercise the option at this point, though the decision still isn't due for another seven months or so. A lot can change between now and then. Youkilis is in a difficult position as an injury-prone and declining player with a young hotshot rookie ready to take his job. If the Red Sox decline to bring him back in 2013, his stock as a free agent will be poor without a strong return from this latest back ailment.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

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