Devil Rays Interested In Fernando Cabrera
According to Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune, the Devil Rays are interested in recently released 25 year-old reliever Fernando Cabrera. In the past, it was revealed that the Orioles inquired on him.
Since he was released, Cabrera is eligible to sign with any team. According to R.J. Anderson of Drays Bay:
"Cabrera throws a 92-95 fastball with a good hard splitter and a slider that produces a load of swings and misses."
Odds and Ends: Wells, Piazza, Dunn
Here are some miscellaneous happenings around baseball that weren’t worthy of individual posts…
- The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres might release starter David Wells this week. Boomer earns about $175K per additional start, which needn’t continue the way he’s pitching. He’s tossed up a lot of seven earned run performances lately. Wells would probably retire if released, though it would be fun to see him hook on with the Dodgers.
- The Yankees designated ageless LOOGY Mike Myers for assignment on Monday. That leaves Ron Villone as the only southpaw currently in the bullpen. Phenom pitcher Joba Chamberlain might join the team today; the Yankees hope he’ll be their K-Rod. But they have to make the playoffs first (Baseball Prospectus puts their playoff odds at 55-65% currently).
- The Indians signed Russell Branyan to a minor-league contract. He still might be able to provide some pop off the bench against righties.
- Yes, Mike Piazza passed through waivers. But he also has a gentleman’s agreement with Billy Beane about accomodating his wishes if Beane trades him. And one of those wishes might be to avoid Minnesota.
- The Reds plan to either exercise Adam Dunn‘s option and then trade him in the offseason, or else just not exercise the option. Dunn might command a Carlos Lee-sized free agent deal. One added wrinkle: Dunn would gain full no-trade protection until June 15th if the Reds pick up the option.
Orioles Interested In Fernando Cabrera
The Indians have ten days to waive, trade, or release 25 year-old reliever Fernando Cabrera. By my count they’ll need to do something by Friday. The best option would be to work out a trade, and the Orioles called to inquire.
The O’s would have to put Cabrera on the 25-man roster, or else try to pass Cabrera through waivers themselves. It would make more sense to carry Cabrera than Paul Shuey, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
Minor Moves: Cirillo, Elarton, Clayton
Some minor moves occurred recently. Let’s catch up.
- The Diamondbacks claimed 37 year-old infielder Jeff Cirillo off waivers from the Twins. I still remember when Cirillo was a perennial .320 hitter and regular third baseman for the Brewers and Rockies. This looks like a salary dump, with the Twins not wanting to pay the $550,000 or so due to Cirillo for the remainder of the season.
- The Indians signed Scott Elarton to a minor league contract. Elarton was last semi-useful in Cleveland back in ’05, when he posted a 4.61 ERA in 181 innings. Currently, southpaw groundballer Aaron Laffey is looking to secure the fifth starter job.
- The Blue Jays designated Royce Clayton for assignment. Looking for an aging backup shortstop with no discernible talents? Clayton is your man.
Fernando Cabrera Designated For Assignment
A news item I missed on the hectic trade deadline day – the Indians designated 25 year-old reliever Fernando Cabrera for assignment. He’ll be claimed on waivers. As far as I can figure, Cabrera might as well start looking for an apartment in Tampa Bay – they should have first dibs on him and would have no reason to pass him up. They can stick him in the Major League bullpen, another advantage.
Cabrera throws in the mid to high-90s and complements that with a nasty splitter. He was once considered the Indians’ "Closer Of The Future." That tag seems like a curse – see Craig Hansen, Travis Bowyer, and a host of others. We’ll see if the D-Rays, Rangers, or some other team can pick him up and teach him some control.
Tim Brown’s Latest: Cordero, Quentin
UPDATE: You can throw Conor Jackson into the mix along with Quentin.
Yahoo’s Tim Brown has some new rumors and info:
- Plan B if the Red Sox can’t get Eric Gagne: Washington’s Chad Cordero. It seems Wily Mo Pena would be a part of that, but I imagine Jim Bowden would want a top prospect as well.
- The Diamondbacks are shopping Carlos Quentin for a starting pitcher; the Indians and Nationals have interest. Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Indians are willing to deal Cliff Lee, so maybe there’s a match there. And keep in mind that former Diamondbacks Director of Scouting Mike Rizzo now works as the Nationals’ Assistant GM and VP of Baseball Operations. Rizzo still has a lot of Arizona connections, and he definitely loves Quentin.
- Interestingly, Will Carroll indicates that Justin Upton may be on the verge of a callup.
The Market For Eric Gagne
Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog has the latest regarding Texas closer Eric Gagne. It seems the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Indians, Mariners, and Dodgers may all be in on him depending on who you listen to. We’ve heard the Tigers in on him previously but not so much anymore. We’ve heard the Diamondbacks and Cubs connected to Gagne in the past but not as much lately.
There still seems to be some confusion about which teams Gagne can be dealt to without his consent. To review what’s been published:
Gagne can be traded to the Yankees, Mets, Angels, and nine other clubs without his consent.
If Gagne is to be traded to the Tigers, Indians, Phillies, Red Sox, or thirteen other unknown clubs, he must consent. That means additional concessions on the part of the acquiring team.
So, we don’t know where the Mariners, Dodgers, Cubs, or Diamondbacks fall. But I don’t know why the Yankees would have to worry about Gagne missing his incentives if they acquire him. Being on the first list is a big plus for the Yanks.
Indians Interested In Percival?
Remember when the hottest rumor centered around which team would sign Troy Percival? Percival ultimately signed with St. Louis, but the Indians were one of many teams rumored to be in on him.
Now comes word via MLB.com’s Jim Molony that the Indians might "try to make a pitch" to acquire Percival from the Cardinals. Percival has pitched 14.2 innings for the Cardinals, and he’s been very sharp with a 3.75 K/BB. I’m sure he’d be open to a role in the back of Cleveland’s pen.
The Tribe would probably have even more interest in Jason Isringhausen, but he’s said to be unavailable.
Rosenthal’s Latest Videos: Teixeira, Dye, Garland
Ken Rosenthal has a couple of recent videos up at FOXSports. Check ’em out. Some highlights:
- The Mark Teixeira talks are at a standstill; the Braves and Angels are reluctant to improve their offers. The Dodgers are said to be out of the picture. Daniels, Schuerholz, Stoneman – which one blinks first? I’ll say Daniels; he’ll go with Atlanta’s best offer.
- Jermaine Dye is Plan B for the Angels, but as you know the Red Sox still have interest.
- Jon Garland can be had, but Kenny Williams’ price is sky-high. The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mets, and Braves all have interest. The Braves had offered not only Edgar Renteria but a top pitching prospect, and still were rejected. Rosenthal expects Garland to stay put because as the asking price is not met.
- The Dodgers are still the leaders on Octavio Dotel, but the Tribe could jump in if they part with Ben Francisco. Would Francisco really be missed?
- The Cubs are looking at role players like Jay Payton and Jeff Conine. Many Cubs fans have written me looking for some good rumors – anything I would hear would go on the site. My gut feeling is that they do nothing major.
- The Orioles asked about Kei Igawa, but were told he’s not available.
- Rosenthal can see Adam Dunn and Eric Gagne staying put at the deadline. The need to deal Gagne is a bit more pressing, in my opinion.
Indians Trade For Kenny Lofton
According to Dennis Manoloff, the Indians are close to acquiring outfielder Kenny Lofton. The Rangers will receive catcher Max Ramirez, who the Indians got for Bob Wickman last year.
Ramirez, 22, has a nice .923 OPS in 77 High A games. However, Baseball Prospectus’s Nate Silver is skeptical. This acquisition certainly wouldn’t stop the Rangers from getting Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
It’s great to see Lofton back in Cleveland, even if he won’t be in center field. He’s been around forever, but still knows how to get on base and swipe ’em with a high success rate. Probably not someone you want to start against southpaws, but he makes the perfect platoon partner for Jason Michaels.
Interestingly, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus reports that the Indians and Rangers didn’t just discuss Lofton – Mark Teixeira‘s name came up as well.