Odds & Ends: Bray, Fox, Manny, Crow
Links for Wednesday…
- Today's chat will be at 3pm CST.
- According to Andy Martino, the Phillies claimed righty Steven Register off waivers from the Rockies today and sent him to Triple A.
- Reds reliever Bill Bray will miss the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon yesterday.
- Dave Cameron at FanGraphs says Jake Fox belongs in the Majors, given his ridiculous Triple A numbers (.431/.513/.954 in 130 ABs with 17 HR and 50 RBI). The Cubs, though, are already trying to find ways to get Micah Hoffpauir into the lineup.
- ESPN's Buster Olney pictures what would've unfolded if Manny Ramirez hadn't used PEDs.
- Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle on the Noah Lowry situation.
- Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe speculates on possible moves for the Red Sox.
- Baseball America's Jim Callis says Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has been talking to Randy Hendricks about getting Aaron Crow's consent in the event the Nationals want to draft him again.
Rosenthal On Blue Jays, Maddon, Nix
The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…
- Rosenthal praises Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi for all the successful home-grown pitching this year. Surprisingly, the Jays are second in the AL with a 3.85 ERA despite losing most of last year's rotation.
- Why no extension for Rays manager Joe Maddon? He's unsigned beyond this year.
- Rosenthal gives props to Reds left fielder Laynce Nix, one of the best minor league signees so far.
- The Around The Horn section of the column is packed with amusing tidbits; be sure to check it out.
Terrell Young Returned To Reds
According to Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times, the Nationals have returned Rule 5 pick Terrell Young to the Reds' organization.
Reds Assistant GM On Trades, Minors, Draft
Bob Miller, the Assistant GM for the Reds, chatted with fans this afternoon on MLB.com. Here are some of the highlights:
- This year the Reds would consider dealing for a right-handed power bat, but they'll "play it by ear and see if the deal will help" the team.
- Of the trades he's been a part of, Miller's proudest of dealing Karim Garcia for Luis Gonzalez with the D'Backs.
- He metioned the Brandon Phillips and Bronson Arroyo deals as the best ones the Reds have made recently.
- The deal Miller's least proud of? Trading six players for Richie Sexson.
- Miller believes the Reds have a strong minor league system because of its depth. He specifically mentioned Yonder Alonso, who's hitting well lately.
- Miller compared the draft to "the biggest board game you can possibly imagine" in terms of the strategy it demands.
Odds & Ends: Hunter, Keppinger, Swisher
Links for Monday…
- Become a fan of MLB Trade Rumors on Facebook! We're up to 9,828 fans.
- Jed Lowrie will have wrist surgery, and Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe learned that he could return by the All-Star break. Julio Lugo, recovering from knee surgery, should be ready to take over soon.
- ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. says "negotiations between the New York Yankees and Cuban exile prospect Felix Perez have broken down because of the outfielder's problem in obtaining a visa." Perez was set for a bonus north of $3MM, but questions have been raised about his age. The Yanks may have interest in a couple of other Cuban players, Noel Arguelles and Jose Iglesias, once they're declared free agents.
- According to Phil Miller of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Torii Hunter would seemingly like to finish his career with the Twins.
- MLB.com's Alyson Footer says sending Drew Sutton to the Reds for Jeff Keppinger was "a great, great deal for the Astros." Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle explains why the move was made.
- Aaron Gleeman weighs in on the Twins' decision to swap out Philip Humber for Juan Morillo.
- David Pinto of Baseball Musings gives his opinion of the Ryan Zimmerman extension.
- South Side Sox and Sox Machine discuss the minor tiff between Ozzie Guillen and Nick Swisher.
- Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News says the Dodgers signed pitcher Chuck Tiffany to a minor league deal. They'd traded him to the Rays in '06 as part of the Danys Baez deal, and the Rays released him in March of this year.
Reds To Announce PTBNL This Week
Reds Rumors: Gomes, Jenkins, Catalanotto
4:15pm: MLB.com's Mark Sheldon says Gomes accepted the minor league assignment. Meanwhile, Jacque Jones was released.
8:31am: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer has a few Reds notes.
- Jonny Gomes still hasn't decided whether to accept his Triple A demotion or become a free agent. Walt Jocketty will call Gomes' agent today.
- The Reds are not currently in on Geoff Jenkins or Frank Catalanotto. They prefer to add a righthanded bench bat, plus Jocketty said Catalanotto doesn't have a position.
Reds Cut Jonny Gomes
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports the Reds have cut Jonny Gomes and offered him a spot in Triple-A. Fay says Gomes is a little surprised and unsure what to do next.
Gomes hit .250 in 44 at bats this spring, and led the Reds with 4 homeruns while knocking in 12 runs.
Mark Sheldon of MLB.com is "totally shocked" by this move. He notes that Paul Janish and lefty Daniel Herrera have made the team.
Odds & Ends: Fogg, Payrolls, Padres, Nady
Links for Friday…
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Orioles have "mild interest" in Josh Fogg. If Fogg can't find an appealing job elsewhere he'll report to Triple A Colorado Springs for the Rockies.
- Via the Twitter feed of John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer…the Reds have talked about Geoff Jenkins and Frank Catalanotto but nothing is close.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker has a Sports Hochi report saying recently released pitcher Ken Kadokura is reaching out to the Cardinals and Orioles.
- Ryan Shealy cleared waivers and was sent to Triple A, clearing up the Royals' first base/DH logjam.
- The website FINalternatives.com says Rangers owner Tom Hicks defaulted on more than $500MM in loans.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post looks at the payrolls for the Mets and Yankees.
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says Hal Steinbrenner "told close friends he plans on hiring Lou Piniella as a consultant when his managerial contract with the Cubs runs out after the 2010 season."
- According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres GM Kevin Towers said he still might add another starting pitcher.
- Albert Chen of Sports Illustrated writes about the advanced defensive metrics that are becoming prevalent in the game.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs writes about the ethics of service time manipulation.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman noted yesterday that "The Giants like Xavier Nady and wouldn't mind bringing the University of California product home at some point."
Gary Sheffield Rumors: Thursday
9:13pm: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer has an update. Jocketty spoke to Sheffield's agent and Baker spoke to Sheffield, both over the phone. The Reds can only offer platoon at-bats in left field. Sheffield will play for the minimum and is talking to two or three other clubs.
12:26pm: FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal spoke with Sheffield's agent Thursday, who said he and his client plan to "rush slowly" once Sheff clears waivers at 1pm EST. In other words, they want to strike a deal quickly, but will take their time and explore all avenues.
"We're not challenged by the absolute need to be on an Opening Day roster," said the agent, Rufus Williams. "We're challenged by whether it's the right fit for Gary."
11:05am: Baker and Jocketty are expected to meet face-to-face with Sheffield once he clears waivers. "For now, it's just a conversation," writes MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.
9:23am: After speaking with Reds manager Dusty Baker, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer no longer thinks the club will land Sheffield.
“I’m sure he has some offers," Baker said Thursday. "I called Walt (Jocketty) for permission to make the call. I made the call. Walt talked to Mr. Castellini. I talked to Jim Leyland because (Sheffield) hasn’t played outfield in a long time. His teammates liked him. He’s straightforward and says what he wants. That’s what he gets publicity for. But he told me he’s quiet and off to himself on the clubhouse… I don’t know if we’re in the running or not. He wants playing time.”
9:02am: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki believes the Phillies "very much want to sign" Gary Sheffield when he clears waivers at 1pm today. They'll be bidding primarily against the Reds, it appears.
For a refresher on the Sheffield talks, check out the MLBTR archive.