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Odds & Ends: Texeira, Orioles, Willis, Fielder, Giants

By Luke Adams 2 | July 4, 2010 at 10:41pm CDT

Links for Sunday, as the baseball world attempts to come to terms with Omar Infante's All-Star nod….

  • Kyle Drabek, who was a part of the Roy Halladay deal, threw a no-hitter for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.  This was the first nine inning no-hitter in the history of Toronto's Double-A affiliate, writes Alex Raskin for MLB.com. 
  • Rob Neyer of ESPN (via Twitter) says that he's usually hyper-critical of the Royals organization, but applauds their pickup of Kanekoa Texeira.  The Royals claimed the pitcher off of waivers from the M's early last month.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter) suggests that Mike Lowell could be an option for the Phillies if he gets healthy.  He points out that the Phils went hard after him last time he was a free agent.
  • The Orioles have made 46 personnel moves since Opening Day, writes Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun.
  • The Marlins had interest in Dontrelle Willis before he was dealt to Arizona, tweets Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.  Frisaro hears that the lefty will take his time before deciding his next move.
  • Kyle Parker, the Rockies' first-round draft pick, visited Coors Field, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding and Joey Nowak.  Colorado hopes to sign the Clemson quarterback, who has three years of football eligibility remaining.
  • SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that the Astros have been telling teams they're willing to absorb some salary in a potential Roy Oswalt trade. We heard a couple weeks ago that Houston was entertaining this possibility if it meant landing better prospects.
  • Heyman and ESPN.com's Buster Olney (both Twitter links) place their bets on the Orioles' managerial search.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says not to be surprised if the White Sox make a play for Prince Fielder.
  • The Giants aren't expected to make a splash on the international free agent market, writes Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
  • Domonic Brown deserves to be labeled "untouchable" by the Phillies, according to this piece at Philly.com.
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Baltimore Orioles Chicago White Sox Houston Astros Kansas City Royals Miami Marlins Milwaukee Brewers Philadelphia Phillies San Francisco Giants Domonic Brown Dontrelle Willis Kanekoa Texeira Prince Fielder Roy Oswalt

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Royals Trade Edwin Bellorin To Astros

By Zachary Links | July 4, 2010 at 6:52pm CDT

The Royals have traded minor league catcher Edwin Bellorin to the Astros for cash considerations, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.  The club promoted backstop Manuel Pina from Double-A to the club's Triple-A affiliate in his place.

After spending the first six years of his professional career in the Dodgers' farm system, Bellorin was with the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate from 2007 through 2009.  During that span he made eight big league appearances with the club.  With Triple-A Omaha in 2010, the 28-year-old hit just .162/.231/.185.

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Houston Astros Kansas City Royals Transactions

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Rosenthal On Phillies’ Infield Options

By Mike Axisa | July 1, 2010 at 7:30pm CDT

7:30pm: According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the Phillies haven't talked to the Nationals about Kennedy.

1:31pm: The Phillies learned today that Chase Utley will be out for several weeks due to thumb surgery, and Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com chimes in with some possible replacement options. He notes that the replacement doesn't necessary have to be a second baseman (Twitter link), because the team can use Placido Polanco at that position once he's healthy. That opens up the possibility of a trade for a third baseman.

Rosenthal says that former Phillie Pedro Feliz is an unlikely target, citing a scout who says his bat speed is "gone." Feliz has hit just .229/.255/.317 in 255 plate appearances this year, and his trademark defense has declined back to a -4.3 UZR this season. The Fox Sports scribe throws the names of Miguel Tejada, Ty Wigginton, Jhonny Peralta, Adam Kennedy, and Jose Lopez into the mix (Twitter links). The Mariners are actively trying to move Lopez, according to Rosenthal. 

For the now, Philadelphia will try to tread water with the combination of Wilson Valdez and Greg Dobbs at second and third, respectively. They've combined to hit just .222/.252/.338 in 222 plate appearances this season, and Jack Moore at FanGraphs chronicled just how big of a downgrade this is for the Phillies.

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Baltimore Orioles Cleveland Guardians Houston Astros Philadelphia Phillies Seattle Mariners Washington Nationals Adam Kennedy Chase Utley Greg Dobbs Jhonny Peralta Jose Lopez Miguel Tejada Pedro Feliz Placido Polanco Ty Wigginton Wilson Valdez

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Kevin Cash Traded From Astros To Red Sox

By Mark Polishuk | July 1, 2010 at 7:06pm CDT

Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports (via Twitter) that the Astros have sent catcher Kevin Cash to Boston in exchange for minor league infielder Angel Sanchez.

This is Cash's second stint with the Red Sox, as he served as the team's backup catcher in 2007 and 2008.  Cash was designated for assignment by Houston last week and ended up in the minors, though it was rumored that Boston could be interested in bringing him back to add depth in the wake of Victor Martinez's thumb injury.  Cash has a .541 OPS in 646 major league plate appearances, but any big hits he provides while backing up Jason Varitek would be considered a bonus for the Sox.

In nine pro seasons, Sanchez has amassed just 31 major league plate appearances, three of which came this year in Boston.  The 26-year-old has a .279/.334/.351 career line in 3575 minor league PAs in the Boston, Toronto and Kansas City systems.  Sanchez gives Houston a bit of infield depth since he has experience playing shortstop, second base and third base. 

Footer tweets that Sanchez will take the place of Yordany Ramirez on the Astros' 40-man roster, as Houston has designated Ramirez for assignment.  The 25-year-old outfielder has a career .642 OPS in 2615 minor league plate appearances.

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Boston Red Sox Houston Astros Transactions Kevin Cash Yordany Ramirez

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Josh Banks Clears Waivers

By Zachary Links | June 30, 2010 at 11:17am CDT

WEDNESDAY: Banks cleared waivers and accepted an assignment at Triple A Round Rock, according to Footer (via Twitter).

SUNDAY: The Astros have designated righthander Josh Banks for assignment, according to Alyson Footer of the Astros (via Twitter).  The move will allow the club to reinstate fellow righty Bud Norris from the disabled list.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old's stint on the Astros' big league roster was brief.  Banks was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday to start against the Rangers on Saturday.  Texas went to town on Banks, scoring six runs and drawing four walks in four innings.

Banks, a former second-round selection of the Blue Jays, found success this year pitching for the Astros' Triple-A affiliate.  In 15 starts, he posted a 2.97 ERA with 2.2 BB/9, though his 3.2 K/9 left much to be desired.

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Houston Astros Transactions Josh Banks

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Astros Sign Ramon Vazquez

By Tim Dierkes | June 29, 2010 at 8:54am CDT

The Astros signed infielder Ramon Vazquez to a minor league deal on Friday, the team confirmed to MLBTR.  Vazquez has already appeared in four games for the Triple A Round Rock Express, playing shortstop and second base.  The Astros' middle infield currently features Jeff Keppinger, Oswaldo Navarro, and Geoff Blum as they wait for Tommy Manzella's broken finger to heal.

The Pirates released Vazquez on April 8th, assuming his $2MM salary in the process.  He was signed to a minor league deal by the Mariners eleven days later.  Vazquez's '09 offensive struggles carried over to his Tacoma stint, and Matt Eddy of Baseball America reported his recent release.

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Houston Astros Transactions Ramon Vazquez

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Minor League Transactions: Worrell, Vazquez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 28, 2010 at 11:05pm CDT

Russell Branyan, Garrett Atkins and Gary Matthews Jr. have been making headlines at the major league level, but some under-the-radar moves have been completed, too. Matt Eddy of Baseball America has the latest minor league transactions for June 14th-21st:

  • The Padres released right-hander Mark Worrell, who had been pitching in Triple A. His 5.45 ERA isn't pretty, but his 9.3 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 suggest that the 27-year-old could contribute on a team whose bullpen is a little thinner than San Diego's.
  • The Mariners released Ramon Vazquez, who appears to have signed with the Astros. The M's picked Vazquez up soon after the Pirates released him this spring, but the infielder wasn't the bargain pickup Jack Zduriencik was hoping for; Vazquez posted a .599 OPS at Triple A.
  • The Mariners signed David Winfree not long after the Yankees released him. The 24-year-old has posted a .700 OPS while playing first base, left and right at Triple A in 2010.
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Houston Astros San Diego Padres Seattle Mariners Transactions Mark Worrell Ramon Vazquez

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Astros Not Looking For Shortstop Help

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 28, 2010 at 10:30pm CDT

The Astros are not looking outside the organization for a shortstop, GM Ed Wade told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Despite Tommy Manzella’s broken finger, the Astros are content to play Geoff Blum and Oswaldo Navarro at short for the next five weeks or so.

"Right now we're not actively looking for a shortstop,” Wade said. “That said, if something came along we thought would make sense, we'd pursue it."

Navarro, 25, was hitting .298/.400/.466 at Triple A when the Astros recalled him. Wade wants to give the Venezuelan infielder the chance to prove that he belongs in the majors instead of relying exclusively on Blum or an outside replacement. Longtime Astro Adam Everett is one free agent shortstop for interested teams to consider, but it seems more likely that he’ll sign with the Red Sox, Angels or Rockies. The 29-47 Astros will presumably be sellers rather than buyers between now and July 31st.

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Houston Astros Adam Everett

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Mets’ Targets Include Cliff Lee, Ted Lilly

By Tim Dierkes | June 28, 2010 at 8:17am CDT

The Mets will be in on Seattle ace Cliff Lee – that appears certain.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Omar Minaya has notified Jack Zduriencik of his interest, and the Mets are scouting Lee's starts.

Contrary to a Kevin Burkhardt report last night, Sherman says the Mets "would not need a negotiating window to sign Lee long-term even if it includes top prospect Jenrry Mejia in a package."  However, between the injuries to potential trade chips Mejia and Angel Pagan and the ownership approval needed to pull the trigger, Minaya faces hurdles in acquiring Lee.

Sherman writes "the Mets have little interest" in Roy Oswalt and Fausto Carmona.  Instead, Cubs southpaw Ted Lilly might head up their list of Lee alternatives.  Lilly has been excellent since signing a four-year, $40MM deal with the Cubs in December of '06.  The contract has about $6.4MM remaining.  Though Lilly profiles as a Type A free agent after the season, an arbitration offer is in question.  I doubt Lilly's limited no-trade provision will be an obstacle, as he's probably eager to return to the playoffs.  The Cubs have about a month to decide whether to cash in their chips, and Lilly is their best one. 

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Chicago Cubs Cleveland Guardians Houston Astros New York Mets Seattle Mariners Cliff Lee Fausto Carmona Jenrry Mejia Roy Oswalt Ted Lilly

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Gardenhire On Twins’ Trade Philosophy

By Steve Adams | June 26, 2010 at 4:26pm CDT

4:26pm: MLB.com's Kelly Thesier has more from Gardenhire, who says that he and GM Bill Smith are aware of who's out there and talk casually about trades up until the All-Star Break, when they typically sit down to discuss potential moves in a more serious manner.

1:57pm: Mired in a four-game losing streak, and having lost six of their last ten games, the Twins find themselves with just a half-game lead on the AL Central as they square off against their former ace Johan Santana in New York today.

Since Santana's trade following the 2007 season, the Twins have lacked a definitive ace atop their rotation. Francisco Liriano has shown flashes of brilliance and looks to have returned to form somewhat in 2010. However, it seems a long shot that he'll ever recapture the dominance he exhibited in his 2006 breakout, which was cut short by Tommy John surgery.

Currently relying on Liriano, Carl Pavano, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, and Nick Blackburn, the Twins' rotation has begun to falter over recent weeks. Slowey and Blackburn in particular have struggled of late, posting ERAs of 5.18 and 9.47 over the last month, respectively.

The combination of need and the presence of blocked catching prospect Wilson Ramos have led many to believe the Twins to be the front-runners to acquire Seattle's Cliff Lee.

Knowing that the Twins are a front-runner for Lee and that they've explored a trade for Houston's Roy Oswalt, Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune spoke with Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire today regarding the club's trade philosophy. If the Twins are pursuing Lee, who is rumored to be available immediately, Gardenhire isn't tipping their hand:

"This organization’s pretty set in its ways about not ever giving up your system for a rental, as they say. We haven’t done that in the past, and I wouldn’t think they would be leaning that way now."

Gardenhire's comments aren't necessarily entirely accurate. While the Twins haven't dealt elite prospects for talent in the past, they did trade for two rentals last season when they acquired Orlando Cabrera from the Athletics and traded the Indians for Pavano's services in August. Pavano remains a Twin after accepting arbitration this past offseason.

Gardenhire does concede that "things happen" and mentions increased revenue from the sellout crowds every game at the Twins' new home, Target Field. He's quick to cover that admission, however:

"But it still goes with the philosophy of the organization and that’s develop and bring these guys to the big leagues — and that’s never going to change here, I don’t believe."

The one hole in Gardenhire's statement? Ramos, ranked as the game's 58th-best prospect by Baseball America in late February, won't supplant AL MVP Joe Mauer, making it impossible to see him being brought to the big leagues as a regular — at least in a Twins uniform.

While those comments may leave the door more open for Oswalt, the Astros recently called up their own elite catching prospect, Jason Castro. There's also the issue of Oswalt's contract. At $16MM in 2011, it will be a considerable burden to any club looking to acquire the Houston ace, making Lee a far more logical target for Minnesota, despite its past philosophy.

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Houston Astros Minnesota Twins Seattle Mariners Cliff Lee Roy Oswalt Wilson Ramos

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