Mike Axisa | MLB Trade Rumors

Indians Sign Johnny Damon

By Mike Axisa | April 17, 2012 at 12:08pm CDT

Johnny Damon's long stint on the free agent market has officially come to an end. The outfielder's minor league deal with the Indians is complete, the team announced. Damon will earn a $1.25MM salary in the Major Leagues plus another possible $1.4MM in bonuses, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports (via Twitter).

The deal will include a full no-trade clause and allow Damon to explore other opportunities should he lose playing time once Grady Sizemore returns. Sizemore is expected to miss 8-12 weeks due to back surgery.

Damon, 38, figures to step into Cleveland's left field situation as soon as he's ready to join the team. Shelley Duncan has started all five of the Indians' games in left, but he's best deployed as the right-handed half of a platoon. A fit between the Tribe and Damon seemed natural for most of the offseason.

Just 277 hits away from 3,000 for his career, Damon hit .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers and 19 steals for the Rays last season. He has played fewer than 400 total innings in the outfield over the last two years, but he has appeared in at least 140 games in each of the past 16 years.

The Indians tried to acquire Bobby Abreu a few weeks ago, presumably for the same role Damon will fill. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported that Damon would sign with the Indians (all Twitter links).

Red Sox Mulling Options After Jacoby Ellsbury Injury

By Mike Axisa | April 14, 2012 at 9:23pm CDT

The Red Sox are mulling over options after losing Jacoby Ellsbury for an unknown amount of time with a sublexed right shoulder, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). He notes that it is tough to make an impact trade in April, so a lesser move is more likely. Earlier today Rosenthal speculated that guys like Scott Podsednik, Clete Thomas, and Brett Carroll could be fits.

As well, the Red Sox could enter into talks with the Cubs to acquire center fielder Marlon Byrd, according to Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The North Siders have been trying to trade Byrd "for months," Wittenmeyer reports, and the front offices remain relatively close due to the presence of former Boston executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer in Chicago.

With Ellsbury and Carl Crawford (wrist, elbow) on the shelf, the Red Sox will use Cody Ross, Ryan Sweeney, and Darnell McDonald as their primary outfield for the time being. Defensive specialist Che-Hsuan Lin has been called up to fill Ellsbury's spot, but he owns a .230/.322/.296 batting line in 402 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. Red Sox ownership indicated a willingness to add payroll under the right circumstances earlier this month, and an injury to the MVP runner-up likely qualifies.

Twins Claim Clete Thomas

By Mike Axisa | April 14, 2012 at 12:13pm CDT

The Twins have claimed Clete Thomas off waivers from the Tigers, reports MLB.com's Jason Beck (on Twitter). The team confirmed the move and announced that they've placed Scott Baker on the 60-day DL to open a 40-man roster spot. Detroit designated Thomas for assignment earlier this week.

Thomas, 28, has appeared in three games this season. He has a .253/.336/.391 line in 443 MLB plate appearances, most of which came during the 2008-09 campaigns. Thomas played for Triple-A Toledo last year, posting a .251/.314/.401 line in 406 plate appearances while playing all three outfield positions.

East Links: Podsednik, Carroll, Thomas, Izzy, A-Rod

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

AL MVP runner-up Jacoby Ellsbury sublexed his shoulder in yesterday's game and there is no timetable for his return (Twitter link). The Red Sox will call up Che-Hsuan Lin to take his roster spot. Here's the latest from baseball's two East divisions…

Scott Podsednik could be an option for the Red Sox following Ellsbury's injury, says Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The Phillies would let Podsednik out of his minor league deal for a big league job, and Rosenthal says they could also trade for a Marlon Byrd or Coco Crisp type later in the season.
With some help from a reader, Rosenthal speculates that the recently DFA'd Brett Carroll and Clete Thomas could also be fits for the Red Sox following Ellsbury's injury (Twitter links).
"I’m still thankful they gave me the chance," said Angels reliever Jason Isringhausen to Dan Martin of The New York Post, referring to his time with the Mets last season. Izzy said he spoke to the Mets about a return this offseason.
Alex Rodriguez hit his 630th career home run yesterday, tying him with Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth on the all-time list. Joel Sherman of The New York Post says his homer bonuses will become an issue for the Yankees if they intend to get under the $189MM luxury tax threshold by 2014. A-Rod will get $6MM each for his 660th, 714th, 755th, 762nd, and 763rd career homers.

Angels Designate Rich Thompson For Assignment

By Mike Axisa | April 14, 2012 at 8:29am CDT

The Angels have designated Rich Thompson for assignment, reports MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (on Twitter). The move creates roster space for Brad Mills.

Thompson, 27, has allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings this year. The Australian-born right-hander pitched to a 3.00 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 54 innings for the Halos last summer. He is out of options and could not be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers, and there's a chance Thompson will be claimed given his strong 2011 performance.

The Angels acquired Mills from the Blue Jays in exchange for Jeff Mathis back in December.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Kinsler, Baker, Trout, Loney

By Mike Axisa | April 13, 2012 at 11:53am CDT

Eight years ago today, Barry Bonds passed Willie Mays on the all-time home run list by taking Ben Ford of the Brewers deep. His 661st career blast put him in third place all-time. The ball was caught by the same fan in McCovey Cove who caught Bonds' 660th career homer the night before. Here's the latest from around the baseball corner of the web…

Big Train Insider interviewed former big league closer Chad Cordero.
MLB Reports interviewed Gregg Olsen, another ex-closer.
The True Fan's Sports Blog wrote about Ian Kinsler's extension and Danny Espinosa.
The Rays Way wonders if the Rays have been too hesitant to trade their pitchers.
Twins Baseball Clubhouse wrote about the Scott Baker dilemma.
Rising Apple says it's time for the Mets to platoon Jason Bay.
The Shea Faithful believes manager Terry Collins is the right man for the Mets.
Through The Fence Baseball wonders when the Angels will make room for Mike Trout.
Call to the Pen chimed in on the Red Sox's closer conundrum.
BoSox Injection thinks the feud with Terry Francona might be good for the Sox.
Yankees Fans Unite says Derek Jeter still sets the tone for the Yankees.
Puckett's Pond thinks Trevor Plouffe might be the next Ben Zobrist.
Lasorda's Lair is worried about James Loney.
The Futurists wrote about Mark Prior, Joe Mauer, and the 2001 draft.
Know Hitter breaks down the Indians chances.
The Beanball analyzed million dollar arms with ten cent heads.
Shutdown Inning broke down the sacrifice bunt.
MLB Draft Insider published their latest mock draft.

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

Poll: The Phillies And Cole Hamels

By Mike Axisa | April 11, 2012 at 9:26pm CDT

The Phillies and Cole Hamels haven’t made any progress in contract extension talks for more than a month now, leaving roughly eight months for the two sides to work out a potential deal. Hamels will be the best free agent starter on the market next winter now that Matt Cain has re-signed, and there will be plenty of suitors for the left-handed, in his prime ace.

A problem on the team’s end could be the other pitchers on the payroll. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee will make $40MM+ combined for the next few years, and there simply might not be room for another $20MM-a-year hurler in the budget. Shane Victorino will be a free agent after the season as well, plus Jonathan Papelbon, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard will remain on the books. It’s not a question of if the Phillies want the Hamels back, but whether or not they can make it happen.

Will the Phillies sign Cole Hamels to an extension?

No 50.84% (4,867 votes)

Yes 49.16% (4,707 votes)

Total Votes: 9,574

No Movement In Cole Hamels Talks

By Mike Axisa | April 11, 2012 at 7:53pm CDT

There has been no movement on the Phillies' part to restart contract extension talks with Cole Hamels, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). It's unclear if they're loading up to make a big offer or have been spooked by his asking price.

Last week we heard that the two sides hadn't had talks in 30 days. The Phillies offered their 28-year-old left-hander Jered Weaver money (five years, $85MM), but Matt Cain's extension with the Giants (five years, $112.5MM) raised the bar. With Cain locked up, Hamels will be the premier free agent pitcher if the hits the open market after the season.

Rangers Extend Ian Kinsler

By Mike Axisa | April 11, 2012 at 12:26pm CDT

The Rangers and Ian Kinsler have officially agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep the second baseman in place through 2017. The deal is worth $75MM and includes an option for a sixth year.

Kinsler obtains $70MM in salary plus a $5MM buyout for the club option. The BBI Sports Group client doesn't obtain additional no-trade protection, though his ten and five rights will take effect midway through the deal, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.

The two sides were first said to be discussing an extension earlier in the offseason, but talks appeared to pick up steam over the last few weeks. The 29-year-old said he would prefer not to negotiate during the season, but the sides eventually resumed talks. The Rangers held a $10MM option for Kinsler's services next season, which is when the extension will kick in. The deal will keep him in Texas through 2017 and possibly 2018.

Kinsler is a .276/.356/.470 career hitter, though he put together his second 30-30 season in 2011. He also walked (89) more than he struck out (71) and finished 11th in the MVP voting. Kinsler is a two-time All-Star and has thrice finished in the top 26 of the MVP voting. UZR says his defense at second has been among the best at the position over the last three seasons. It's worth noting that 2011 was the first time Kinsler managed to avoid the disabled list in his six full big league seasons.

The contract easily surpasses Dan Uggla's five-year, $62MM with the Braves and may have impacted extension talks between the Reds and Brandon Phillips. Cincinnati recently locked Phillips up to a six-year, $72.5MM contract. Kinsler's deal could also serve as framework for an extension between the Yankees and Robinson Cano. At $14MM per year, Kinsler's contract is largest ever for a second baseman in terms of average annual value, at least until the Yankees exercise Cano's $15MM option for 2013. Chase Utley's seven-year, $85MM contract is still the richest total deal at the position.

Jeff Wilson of The Fort-Worth Star Telegram first reported the agreement (on Twitter) and Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News added the terms of the deal. Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.

Quick Hits: Phillips, Dodgers, Dipoto

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

The Athletics announced that right-hander Joey Devine will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery. It's his second time having the procedure, and he will have some other repairs made to his elbow as well. Here's the latest from around the league as Tuesday turns into Wednesday…

"I thought I was gone … I really didn't think this was going to happen," said Brandon Phillips to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon after signing his new extension. He was concerned that Joey Votto's deal meant his days with the Reds were numbered.
MLB and FOX expressed relatively minor concerns about the sale of the Dodgers, "virtually assuring" that the deal will receive court approval on Friday according to Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times.
Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register spoke to Angels GM Jerry Dipoto about his use of statistics. "I like to believe myself to be balanced and I think in making any balanced decision you want to be as objective as you can in making that decision," said Dipoto. "What statistical analysis does is allow you to be as objective as you can be."

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