Dodgers Asking About Available Position Players
The Dodgers have been making calls in regards to acquiring position players, but thus far haven't had much success, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (Twitter links). The Dodgers have found "no real match" in what is thus far an "extremely limited market," writes Olney, who notes that the team had been exploring trade opportunities even before Matt Kemp's latest hamstring injury.
With the Dodgers in first place and the Magic Johnson-led ownership group willing to spend, the team has been expected to be active before the trade deadline. Only right field (Andre Ethier) and catcher (A.J. Ellis) seem like set positions for the Dodgers at this point, as they have been hamstrung by injuries and under-performance almost everywhere else on the diamond. The Dodgers signed Bobby Abreu earlier this month and called up prospect Alex Castellanos to help fill the void left by Kemp, but GM Ned Colletti is still probably looking for extra outfield depth. James Loney and Dee Gordon have respectively struggled at first and shortstop, second baseman Mark Ellis is out until August with a sprained MCL and while Jerry Hairston Jr. has played well in limited action at third base, that's probably also a position of need.
The Dodgers also made an offer to Roy Oswalt, though with Ted Lilly's DL stint expected to last not much longer than the minimum 15 days, pitching doesn't appear to be a major concern for the team.
Quick Hits: Dodgers, Reds, Greinke
On this date two years ago Roy Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history. The Phillies placed Halladay on the disabled list with a right lat strain today and he could miss up to two months. Here are today's links…
- The Dodgers don’t appear to have interest in recently-released right-hander Jason Marquis, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick tweets. The Dodgers don’t expect Ted Lilly to miss more than a few starts, according to Crasnick.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer suggests the Reds are likely looking for a left-handed bench bat.
- Extension talks between Zack Greinke and the Brewers are relatively quiet, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets. Greinke is on track to hit free agency after the season and could draw trade interest midseason if the Brewers are out of contention.
Dodgers Have Made Offer To Roy Oswalt
TUESDAY: While the Dodgers did make Oswalt an offer, it came a while ago and the sides were far apart, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. The Rangers are seen as the favorite to land the right-hander.
MONDAY: The Dodgers have made an offer to Roy Oswalt, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). The Rangers, who are likely Oswalt's preferred team, are still in mix among other clubs.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Dodgers inquired on the veteran at one point but didn't appear to be involved any longer. The Brewers also checked in on Oswalt but didn't feel that his salary could fit into their budget. A major league source told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that Oswalt's preferred destinations are Texas and St. Louis, just as they were during the offseason.
NL West Notes: Abreu, Dodgers, Padres, Giants
The Dodgers are sitting atop the National League West with a 32-15 record but have reason to worry with Ted Lilly sidelined due a shoulder injury. Just as the left-hander hit the 15-day disabled list, we heard tonight that the club has put an offer out to Roy Oswalt. Here's more out of the NL West..
- Newly-acquired Bobby Abreu may not have been a great locker room influence with the Angels, but the veteran has provided tremendous veteran leadership with the Dodgers, write Ken Gurnick of Alex Angert of MLB.com. Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly noted that the club was excited about picking up Abreu but didn't anticipate him playing as much as he has been.
- Three years after resisting the ownership overtures of Jeff Moorad, Phil Mickelson is joining forces with the O'Malley family in an effort to buy the Padres, writes Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune. If the group is successful, second-leading money-winner in professional golf history says that he hopes to get Tony Gwynn involved.
- Barry Bonds hopes to return to the Giants in some coaching capacity, writes MLB.com's Chris Haft. Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that the club plans to bring him back into the organization once his legal proceedings are through.
Roy Oswalt Rumors: Sunday
Earlier today, we learned Roy Oswalt would still prefer to play for the Rangers or Cardinals. Here is the latest:
- Oswalt's asking price has gradually decreased over the course of the season, but still may need to be reassessed if the right-hander wants to return the big leagues any time soon, reports CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman. Oswalt may not meet his asking price of $7.5MM prorated, predicts an executive of an interested team, who says the former Astros ace should eclipse Andy Pettitte's $2.5MM contract.
- Heyman says the Phillies could be more in play for Oswalt considering Roy Halladay's shoulder issue (Twitter link). Halladay left his start today after only two innings as a precaution due to right shoulder stiffness.
- Peter Gammons of the MLB Network tweets Oswalt's agent is telling teams his client worked out for the Dodgers on Friday. This morning, Heyman reported via Twitter that the Dodgers inquired about Oswalt at one point, but don't appear involved now.
- Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the possibility of Oswalt returning in June is diminishing. According to Rosenthal, Major League executives say it's his asking price. One source tells Rosenthal Oswalt wants a pro-rated $7.5MM in base salary. Another said that Oswalt’s desired salary is a moving target, “but always high.”
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via Twitter) says the Brewers checked in on Oswalt but apparently he wanted more money than they have in budget for half a season.
Quick Hits: Oswalt, Dempster, Diamondbacks, Jones
Sunday afternoon linkage..
- The Dodgers inquired on Roy Oswalt at one point but don't appear involved now, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). This morning we learned that Oswalt would still rather play for the Rangers or Cardinals than the Red Sox.
- Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster hopes to stay in Chicago even though he knows that he could be trade bait, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. "I want to be here and be part of what’s going to be a bright future," Dempster said. "Sometimes you have to endure some of the tough times in the present to get to that. We’ll just see how it goes."
- At certain points, Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers put out feelers with other teams to see what another catcher might cost in trade and didn't like what he heard, writes Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Arizona realized what they have in catcher Miguel Montero and locked him up to a five-year extension over the weekend.
- Orioles center fielder Adam Jones told reporters that securing a no-trade clause in his six-year, $85.5MM contract was important to him, tweets Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
- The Nationals could be interested in bringing back Erik Komatsu, who was DFA'd by the Twins earlier today, tweets Amanda Comak of the Washington Times.
Minor Moves: Maine, Hernandez, Lindsay
The latest minor moves…
- The Yankees will sign right-hander John Maine to a minor league deal, Evan Drellich of MLB.com tweets. The Red Sox recently released the 31-year-old, who has missed considerable time with shoulder injuries. He posted a 7.43 ERA in 46 innings with the Rockies' top affiliate in 2011 before signing with the Red Sox this January.
- The Cubs signed infielder Diory Hernandez, Matt Eddy of Baseball America tweets. The Astros had released Hernandez earlier in the week.
- The Diamondbacks signed right-hander Gaby Hernandez from the independent Frontier League, Eddy tweets. The 26-year-old pitched at Triple-A for the Diamondbacks and White Sox last year.
- The Dodgers released right-hander Shane Lindsay, Eddy tweets. The reliever had walked more than one batter per inning at Triple-A this year.
Minor Moves: Gathright, Dodgers, Phillips, Benitez
The latest minor moves from around MLB…
- The Reds have signed Joey Gathright to a minor league deal according to the CBSSports.com transactions page. The 31-year-old outfielder was hitting .240/.348/.365 in an independent league. He appeared in seven games for the Red Sox last season.
- The Dodgers announced that they have signed or are in the process of signing more than 20 Latin American players. The group includes at least 10 position players and 10 pitchers and reflects a new approach to the international market from the one adopted under the ownership of Frank McCourt. “With our renewed resources in that area and the upcoming first-year player draft next month, we look forward to adding many talented young players to the Dodger family,” GM Ned Colletti said.
- The Blue Jays acquired catcher Paul Phillips from the Brewers for cash, according to Mike Vassallo of the Brewers (on Twitter). Phillips had been playing at Triple-A Nashville and owns a .269/.317/.369 batting line in 13 minor league seasons.
- The Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League signed former MLB closer Armando Benitez, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The 39-year-old has 289 career saves in 15 MLB seasons. He last appeared in the Major Leagues with the 2008 Blue Jays.
Los Angeles Notes: Angels, Hunter, Ethier
Shawn Green of the Dodgers hit four home runs in one game on this date in 2002. Green picked up 19 total bases against the Brewers in Milwaukee, setting an MLB record. Here are the latest links from Los Angeles:
- Though the Angels have not been required to pay Torii Hunter during his absence, he is receiving his full salary, a person familiar with the situation told Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Assuming Hunter returns for Monday night's game against the Yankees, he will have been away for two weeks which works out to $1.5MM for that span with his $18MM salary.
- Andre Ethier said he doesn’t plan to set a deadline for extension talks with the Dodgers, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times writes. Ethier, who is on track to hit free agency this coming offseason, said he doesn’t expect to put extension talks on hold at any point this season. "We'll take a look at whatever they bring to us," Ethier said. "I don't look at it any other way. I'm not going to sit here and play what-ifs and what-nots."
- Manager Mike Scioscia said Hunter will "likely" re-join the Angels early next week, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times tweets. The Angels placed Hunter on the restricted list due to personal reasons last week.
Quick Hits: Blue Jays, Lind, Ellis, Indians, Damon
Sunday night linkage..
- Blue Jays manager John Farrell would not comment on last night's news that Adam Lind was placed on outright waivers and spoke as though the slugger will remain with the organization, writes Chris Toman of MLB.com. The skipper believes that Lind can find his way back to Toronto with a "controlled aggressiveness" at the plate.
- The Indians plan to stick by Johnny Damon despite his struggles so far with the team, writes MLB.com's Justin Albers. Damon has a clause in his contract which would allow him to be released if he isn't getting enough playing time or isn't a good fit for the team.
- Offseason acquisition Mark Ellis has been a tremendous clubhouse influence and will be sorely missed by the Dodgers after undergoing emergency surgery on Saturday, writes Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times. Had the surgery been put off for six or seven hours, the veteran could have potentially lost his left leg, Dilbeck writes.