Orioles Rumors

Olney’s Latest: Zambrano, Starting Pitchers, Indians

By Mike Axisa | June 26, 2010 at 10:20am CDT

In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney writes about how Diamondbacks' manager A.J. Hinch went against the grain by leaving Edwin Jackson in to throw 149 pitches as he no-hit the Rays last night. One unnamed manager blamed the media for the pitch count craze, but I want to add that much of it has to do with teams protecting investments. With the rise of salaries throughout the game even from just ten years ago, teams don't want to unnecessarily put a pitcher in the line of danger, so to speak.

Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…

The Cubs may wish they could get rid of Carlos Zambrano following his latest tirade, but Olney points out that there's still $45MM left on his contract. Chicago would have to eat a huge chunk of that money to unload him.
The trade market doesn't figure to be very robust this summer because there just isn't a lot of money available around the league. The starting pitching market probably won't budge until Cliff Lee is dealt, at which point second tier fodder like Ben Sheets and Kevin Millwood would draw more attention.
The Indians' two most marketable players are Austin Kearns and Russell Branyan because neither is making big money. Kearns is owed approximately $417K the rest of the season, Branyan $1.11MM, and both will become free agents as season's end.

Odds & Ends: Bumgarner, Tracy, Oswalt, Atkins

By Luke Adams 2 | June 25, 2010 at 8:47pm CDT

Links for Friday night, as Edwin Jackson tosses a 149-pitch no-hitter against his former team….

Madison Bumgarner was scratched from tonight's Triple-A start, fueling speculation that the Giants would call him up to start tomorrow's game. However, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets that the team still plans to start Joe Martinez tomorrow, with Bumgarner as the backup option.
In his weekly appearance on WEEI's Big Show, Peter Gammons discusses the Red Sox' bullpen issues and the best one-year signing of this past offseason.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com wonders if the Nationals will be interested in the recently DFA'd Chad Tracy, given Tracy's connection to Nats GM Mike Rizzo.
Although it looks as if the Rangers won't be able to afford Roy Oswalt, you can add Texas to the list of teams the pitcher would be willing to play for, according to the Dallas Morning News. Oswalt has previously said he'd accept a trade to anywhere he could contend.
Garrett Atkins tells MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (Twitter link) that being released by the Orioles would be a "welcome opportunity." It appears as though Atkins will soon be designated for assignment.
Following a blow-up during today's game, Carlos Zambrano has been suspended indefinitely by the Cubs, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. When Zambrano returned to the Cubs' rotation, we discussed Tom Gorzelanny as a trade chip, but as long as Zambrano remains suspended, that possibility looks less likely.
The Astros signed their second-round pick, right-hander Vincent Velasquez, per a team release.
Dusty Baker says Gary Matthews Jr. "has got to get his act together" before the outfielder earns a shot at the Reds' big league lineup, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.

Padres Interested In Starting Pitching

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 25, 2010 at 3:23pm CDT

The Padres have allowed the fewest runs in the majors thanks to a strong rotation and a phenomenal bullpen, but they could pursue starting pitching next month, according to Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse. Krasovic hears that the 42-30 Padres are “extra interested” in potential free agents, since they’re confident those pitchers would want to re-sign in San Diego.

Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie isn’t a potential free agent until after 2012, but he’s open to playing for the Padres.

"Yes, I'd love to play in San Diego," Guthrie, said, before saying that he won’t ask the Orioles for a trade. Guthrie says he loves Baltimore, but wouldn’t mind if Padres GM Jed Hoyer traded for him. The Padres front office wants to be careful with young starters Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc and Clayton Richard, so they're interested in adding pitching depth. Veterans Kevin Correia and Jon Garland are also part of a Padres rotation that has combined for a 3.36 ERA in 2010.

Odds & Ends: Pomeranz, Marlins, Everett, Valentine

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 23, 2010 at 9:44pm CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that fifth overall pick Drew Pomeranz is scheduled to go to Cleveland on Monday to take a physical and "hear the Indians' sales pitch." Hoynes says there have been no negotiations to date.
Marlins' president David Samson told Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald that they're "not ready to say for certain that trade didn't work," referring to the Miguel Cabrera blockbuster (Twitter link). Both Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin, the two centerpieces of the deal for Florida, have struggled in the big leagues and are currently in the minors.
Upon hearing about Boston's interest in his services, Adam Everett said "I haven't heard that, but great team, great city, and it sounds interesting," according to FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi (via Twitter).
Ken Davidoff of Newsday tweets the leaders in wins above replacement, or WAR, from last year's free agent class. Andy Pettitte tops the list, followed closely by Livan Hernandez and Aubrey Huff.
Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post notes (via Twitter) that the Marlins spoke with Bobby Valentine this morning. The Marlins' opening interests Valentine.
Prince Fielder and Corey Hart tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that they realize they could be traded. Morosi says the Brewers should trade Hart for pitching, but Hart would prefer to stay in Milwaukee.
Kenny Williams told Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune that the White Sox could become buyers.
Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Blue Jays could trade pitching away this trade deadline (Twitter link).
Chris Iannetta told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that he did his best to ignore rumors that the Red Sox were interested in him.
At this point, Pedro Martinez doesn't want to think about whether he'll play this year. He told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald that he doesn't know anything right now.
Steve Gould of the Baltimore Sun reminds us that 2009 first rounder Matt Hobgood is still a teenager and says Orioles fans should be more patient with the tall righty.
MLB.com's Fred Claire shows that the Orioles are looking for the kind of stability that was once found in Baltimore and that the Angels now have.

The Latest On The Orioles’ Managerial Search

By Mike Axisa | June 23, 2010 at 6:33pm CDT

Earlier today we updated you on the Marlins' managerial search following their dismissal of Fredi Gonzalez, so now let's do the same for Baltimore. We already know that Bobby Valentine has withdrawn his name from consideration for the job.

President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirmed to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli that he and owner Peter Angelos met with current ESPN analyst and long-time big league manager Buck Showalter for several hours today about the team's managerial job (Twitter link). Showalter has a strong track record of helping turn young teams into contenders, specifically his stints with the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers.

Former Indians' manager Eric Wedge is expected to receive a second interview according to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun, though it has not yet been scheduled. He adds that MASN broadcaster and former Orioles player Rick Dempsey is expected to interview for the job as well. He has interviewed for the job twice in the past.

The Orioles are currently under the watch of interim manager Juan Samuel, who replaced Dave Trembley after he was fired earlier this month.

Orioles Want Young Shortstop For Wigginton

By Mike Axisa | June 23, 2010 at 5:18pm CDT

The Orioles figure to be major players on the trade market this summer, though Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweets that the team will not move Ty Wigginton unless they receive a young shortstop in return. Rosenthal calls it a "self-defeating stance," because no team will meet that demand.

Baseball America rated Baltimore's farm system as the ninth best in the game coming into the season, but basically all of their top shortstop prospects are in Single-A. They hope to have their shortstop of the future in Manny Machado, who they selected with the third overall pick in the draft a few weeks ago.

As for Wigginton, the 32-year-old is enjoying a fine season for the last place O's, hitting .274/.359/.487 with 13 homers while playing every day at primarily second base. He offers power and extreme versatility, capable of playing anywhere on the field except short, center, pitcher, and catcher. Every team in the league could use a guy like him.

Wigginton is just one of several Orioles' veterans that could be on the block, joining Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Cesar Izturis, Will Ohman, and Luke Scott. Reports indicate that the team is not looking to shed payroll, however.

Valentine Interested In Managing Marlins; Not O’s

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 23, 2010 at 1:32pm CDT

Bobby Valentine has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Orioles' managerial opening and confirmed that he has interest in managing the Marlins. Valentine, who had been a candidate to take over in Baltimore, told ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian that he is no longer interested in managing the Orioles.

"At this time in my career, I feel I should direct my energies in another direction," Valentine said.

The former Mets skipper confirmed to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel that he is interested in managing the Marlins, who have yet to formally contact Valentine. Kurkjian notes that Valentine has been a friend of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria for decades. Edwin Rodriguez will now take over for Fredi Gonzalez in Florida, but Valentine figures to interview for the permanent job.

The Orioles, who now must move on without Valentine, are interviewing Buck Showalter today and have already interviewed Eric Wedge. Click here for reactions to the Marlins' decision to fire Gonzalez.

Olney On Rangers, Sheets, Gonzalez, Orioles

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 23, 2010 at 12:37pm CDT

Lawyers in the game say the Rangers don’t have a good chance of completing their ownership transfer by the July 31st trade deadline, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. That means Roy Oswalt won’t likely play for the Rangers this year. But GM Jon Daniels, who would like to add a veteran starter, could acquire Cliff Lee if he gets creative. Taking on salary would be a challenge, since the Rangers have borrowed $20MM or more from MLB to operate. Here are the rest of Olney’s rumors:

The A’s can afford to cover some of the $5.5MM remaining on Ben Sheets’ contract in a trade if it means they acquire better prospects. Since few teams want to take on payroll, the A’s, who paid part of Matt Holliday’s salary after trading him to the Cardinals last year, could improve the return they get for Sheets by absorbing money again.
Olney says recently-fired manager Fredi Gonzalez has been “a dead man walking” since the end of the 2009 season.
The Orioles aren’t in a rush to trade their veterans, partly because the team is struggling so much.

Odds & Ends: Millwood, Mariners, A’s, Dunn

By Mark Polishuk | June 22, 2010 at 8:53pm CDT

As we settle in for a Tim Lincecum/Roy Oswalt pitching matchup in Houston tonight, here are some news items…

According to Fangraphs' Dave Cameron, Kevin Millwood is what Carl Pavano was at last year's trade deadline — a veteran starter whose high ERA hides some good peripheral numbers.
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times thinks the Mariners' hitting problems aren't to be blamed on Safeco Field.
CSNBayArea.com's Mychael Urban has some hot-stove speculation about the Giants and A's, including hinting at "a major shakeup" coming to the Oakland roster.
Adam Dunn tells MLB.com's Bill Ladson that he doesn't want to be traded.
Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com calls the Orioles' trade for Jake Fox "pretty much the nail in the coffin" for Garrett Atkins' playing time and possibly his tenure in Baltimore altogether. Ghiroli guesses that Atkins could be designated for assignment by as soon as Saturday when Brad Bergesen is ready to return to the majors.
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Giants utilityman Mark DeRosa will undergo wrist surgery and will miss the rest of the season (Twitter link). San Francisco signed DeRosa to a two-year, $12MM contract in December that was criticized as too costly given DeRosa's age (35) and the fact that he underwent wrist surgery last November. DeRosa has since said that the first surgery didn't solve his wrist problems, thus accounting for his .537 OPS this season.
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer thinks the Reds will pick up a reliever before the trade deadline (via Twitter).
Outfielder/first baseman David Winfree has signed a minor-league deal with Seattle, tweets Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times-Tribune. Winfree was playing for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Scranton before being released last week.
The Sports Bank blog looks at some of Chicago's options if the White Sox indeed try to acquire a left-handed hitter.

Orioles Acquire Jake Fox For Ross Wolf

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 22, 2010 at 10:40am CDT

The Orioles acquired Jake Fox from the A's for minor league pitcher Ross Wolf, according to Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The Orioles could option Chris Tillman to the minors or designate Garrett Atkins for assignment to make room for the utilityman.

Soon after the A's designated Fox for assignment, it became apparent that the O's were interested. The 27-year-old is hitting .214/.264/.327 in 106 major league plate appearances this year. Fox, who can catch and play left, right and third, has 122 homers and a .528 slugging percentage in 2636 minor league plate appearances.

Wolf, a 27-year-old righty, has a 2.11 ERA in 38.1 innings at Triple A this year with 6.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9. As Connolly notes (via Twitter), the O's have pulled off the first animal surname for animal surname trade in a while.

« Previous Page

Load More Posts

Show all

Headlines

Orioles Rumors

Navigation

MLBTR INFO

Connect