Minor Moves: Jake Fox, Scott Patterson
Today's minor moves..
- The Phillies have signed catcher/outfielder Jake Fox to a minor league contract, according to Ryan Dunleavy of NJ Press Media (via Twitter). Fox, 30, will report to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate after posting strong numbers for the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League.
- The Mets announced that they have signed right-hander Scott Patterson to a Triple-A deal. The 33-year-old was previously with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate and last appeared in the majors in 2008 with the Padres.
Phillies Release Mike Fontenot
The Phillies announced that they have released infielder Mike Fontenot. The club designated Fontenot for assignment on August 1.
Fontenot, 32, hit .289/.343/.340 in 105 plate appearances this year for the Phillies. The veteran signed a minor league deal with the Phillies in April and split time between second and third base in 2012. For his career, Fontenot owns a .265/.332/.401 slash line in seven seasons with the Cubs, Giants, and Phillies.
Tigers Acquire Jeff Baker From Cubs
The Tigers announced that they have acquired Jeff Baker from the Cubs in exchange for two players to be named later. The Cubs will receive the two PTBNLs either on or before October 31st.
Baker, 31, has a .269/.306/.448 slash line in 144 plate appearances on the year. The veteran has seen time at first base, second base, and the corner outfield positions this season and also has experience at third.
As for the Cubs, they will presumably bolster their farm system with this trade as they look to 2013 and beyond. Theo Epstein & Co. continued the youth movement today with the promotions of Josh Vitters and Brett Jackson.
Quick Hits: Lee, Dodgers, Gonzalez, Twins
Yesterday, I asked if the Phillies should let Cliff Lee and his hefty contract to go to the Dodgers after they were awarded claiming rights on him and nearly 68% of MLBTR readers voted yes. In today's column, Buster Olney of ESPN.com talks with a high-ranking rival official who calls the decision a "no-brainer". Even though Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has until 12pm CDT to move Lee, he maintains that the left-hander is staying put. Here's more from around baseball..
- The Dodgers' interest in Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez didn't advance very far as they weren't interested in giving up notable prospects or impact major leaguers, tweets Peter Gammons of MLB.com.
- Twins assistant GM Rob Antony doesn't anticipate the club making a waiver deal in August, writes Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune. The Twins were active this time last year as they traded Delmon Young to Detroit and Jim Thome to Cleveland.
- If Chris Parmelee is capable of posting a reasonable .270/.340/.430 slash line next year, Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter) suggests that the Twins should consider moving Justin Morneau for a starter.
Red Sox Notes: Gonzalez, Dodgers, Ellsbury
Here's a look at the latest out of Fenway as the Red Sox get set to take on the Twins this afternoon..
- The Dodgers inquired on first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and offered players that could help the Red Sox build for the future, but were ultimately rebuffed, according to Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe. Shaughnessy believes that the Red Sox should have been more open to the idea of moving Gonzalez, who is hitting .301/.345/.443 with ten homers on the year.
- Rather than focus on major offseason additions, John Tomase of the Boston Herald would like to see the Red Sox make wholesale changes to their roster. Tomase points to the talks of a deal involving Jacoby Ellsbury and Josh Beckett with the Rangers as the type of trade that would make a dent.
- David Ortiz is working to come back from a strained right Achilles injury but the slugger says that he won't rush back and put his career in jeopardy, writes Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Ortiz will be eligible for free agency at the end of the year.
- The Red Sox are in need of a serious turnaround but both Kelly Shoppach and Nick Punto saw their respective clubs pull it off in 2011, writes Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com. Shoppach was a member of the Rays while Punto was with the Cardinals last season.
Cafardo On Bourn, Red Sox, Ellsbury, Youkilis
In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe looks at players who are candidates to be put on waivers. Big names (and contracts) such as Jayson Werth, Alfonso Soriano, and Vernon Wells top the list but, of course, being put on waivers hardly guarantees a player's exit from his respective team. Here's more from Cafardo..
- Michael Bourn could be a free agent target of the Phillies after dealing Shane Victorino. Other likely targets could be Jacoby Ellsbury of the Red Sox, Denard Span of the Twins, or the Angels’ Peter Bourjos. John Mayberry Jr. is getting a chance but the Phillies seek a dynamic player.
- Ellsbury was upset that his name was included in trade rumors with the Rangers, according to a source. Ellsbury is said to like playing for Bobby Valentine and the feeling is that he'd like to remain with the Red Sox.
- The White Sox like Kevin Youkilis, but probably not enough to pick up his $13MM option for 2013, according to one club official. The White Sox are content with him as a rental as they didn’t give up much to get him.
- The Red Sox and Rangers discussed Ellsbury and others before the deadline but Josh Hamilton's name never came up in talks.
- The Brewers' interest in catcher Kelly Shoppach was considerable after they had designated George Kottaras for assignment. The Red Sox pushed fellow catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and will offer him around again if Ryan Lavarnway shows he can handle the staff and hits well.
- The Astros could be the one and only managerial opening for the coming season, unless the Phillies part ways with Charlie Manuel.
Quick Hits: Lowe, Cubs, Antonini, Rangers, Indians
Links from around baseball as Saturday becomes Sunday..
- The Cubs are not interested in pitcher Derek Lowe, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter), who spoke with a major league source. Last night it was reported that the Cubs were "looking into" what it would take to acquire the veteran, who was designated for assignment by the Indians earlier this week.
- Dodgers pitcher Michael Antonini cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com (via Twitter). Antonini was designated for assignment to make roster space after the acquisitions of Brandon League and Shane Victorino.
- Rangers General Manager refused to succumb to outside pressure and held on to his most prized prospects through the trade deadline, writes Tyler Kepner of the New York Times. While third baseman Christian Villanueva and right-hander Kyle Hendricks were shipped out, infielders Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar and pitcher Martin Perez stayed with the organization.
- Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer would like to see the Indians take a page out of the White Sox's book and rebuild while keeping the focus on winning.
Indians Designate Jeremy Accardo For Assignment
The Indians have designated Jeremy Accardo for assignment, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (via Twitter). The move will allow Cleveland to recall left-hander Chris Seddon who last appeared in the majors in 2010 with the Mariners. Seddon will take the hill for the Tribe tomorrow against the Tigers.
Accardo, 30, has a 4.58 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 26 appearances this year for the Indians. For his career, the right-hander has a 4.27 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in eight seasons with the Giants, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Indians.
Giants To Sign Xavier Nady
The Giants and veteran Xavier Nady have agreed to a minor league contract, club officials told Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (via Twitter) first reported that the two sides were close to a deal.
Nady is taking batting practice with the club's Triple-A affiliate tonight and is likely to be activated tomorrow. The Nationals designated Nady for assignment in late July before granting him his unconditional release on Sunday.
The 33-year-old has been out of action since mid-June due to a wrist injury. Before that, Nady had a .157/.211/.275 slash line with three homers in 109 plate appearances for Washington. The veteran had interest from San Francisco over the winter but wound up inking a minor league deal with the Nats in March.
Beltway Notes: Orioles, Chavez, McLouth, Nats
Here's a quick look at items on the Nationals and Orioles..
- Endy Chavez was designated for assignment earlier today but Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't expect him to stay idle for long, tweets Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. "Endy will end up on his feet shortly. I know Dan's going to explore some things with him," the manager said. The outfielder was DFA'd in order allow for the promotion of Nate McLouth.
- Showalter went on to note that McLouth had to be promoted due to his impending opt-out date, Kubatko tweets. According to the manager, other teams asked about McLouth's ability but the O's opted to promote him instead.
- Even though the Nationals are welcoming Kurt Suzuki with open arms, the catcher's arrival will have a significant impact on the club's depth chart beyond this year, writes Amanda Comak of The Washington Times. Jesus Flores told reporters that he was "shocked" by the news but is now on the same page with the club after meeting with manager Davey Johnson.