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Roy Oswalt Rumors: Sunday

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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.

NL Central Notes: Berkman, Cubs, Lucroy, Astros

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The light-hitting Pirates again didn't generate much offense on Friday, scoring just one run against the Cubs.  Fortunately for the Bucs, that lone run was all they needed — five Pittsburgh hurlers (started off by A.J. Burnett's scoreless 5 1/3 frames) combined to shut out Chicago in a 1-0 result.  The Cubs have now suffered 10 consecutive losses.

Here's the latest from around the division…

Minor Moves: Gathright, Dodgers, Phillips, Benitez

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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.

Brewers Claim Cody Ransom

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The Brewers have claimed infielder Cody Ransom off of waivers from the Diamondbacks, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. Ransom has played 100 MLB games at shortstop, so he provides the Brewers with depth alongside Cesar Izturis. The Brewers confirmed the claim, announcing that they've optioned Edwin Maysonet to the minors and moved Alex Gonzalez to the 60-day disabled list in corresponding moves.

Ransom posted a .269/.345/.577 batting line in 58 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks this year, but they removed him from the 40-man roster earlier this week by designating him for assignment.  The 36-year-old played third base and shortstop, the same two positions he appeared at in 2011. Haudricourt reported earlier today that the Brewers were interested in adding shortstop help and Ransom's a fit since he has played more games at shortstop than at any other position. He has a .226/.310/.409 batting line in parts of ten seasons at the MLB level.

Brewers Appear To Seek Shortstop Help

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The Brewers appear to be seeking shortstop help, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (Twitter links). Manager Ron Roenicke, president of baseball operations Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash had a lengthy meeting this morning. 

The Brewers lost starting shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a right knee injury earlier this month and they’re now relying on Cesar Izturis and Edwin Maysonet at the position. The trio has combined for a .223/.274/.344 batting line, so there’s definite room for improvement on offense.

Roenicke said any move would be minor for now, according to Haudricourt. That’s not surprising given the apparent shortage of shortstops available in trades. Marco Scutaro and Jamey Carroll could become available in trades this summer, though that’s my own speculation.

NL Central Notes: Pirates, Rizzo, Lucroy

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The Cubs traded Kyle Lohse to the Twins in a four-player trade on this date in 1999. Lohse, now a member of the Cardinals' rotation, is putting together a strong season as he approaches free agency. Here's the latest from the NL Central…

  • The Pirates are "laughably overdue" for some offense, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. Though few trades are completed in May and more teams than ever are in the playoff race thanks to the additional Wild Card berths, Kovacevic says the Pirates must find a way to add offense. No team in baseball has scored fewer runs than the Pirates, who are averaging just 2.9 runs per game.
  • Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that the Cubs will be patient with Anthony Rizzo and that a promotion isn’t likely this month (Twitter link). The Cubs acquired the first base prospect from the Padres for Andrew Cashner last offseason, but first baseman Bryan LaHair is hitting well at the MLB level.
  • The Brewers' decision to lock Jonathan Lucroy to an extension looks wise, Heyman writes. The 25-year-old catcher has a .342/.389/.550 batting line in 132 plate appearances this year.

Rosenthal On Saunders, Guthrie, Indians, Blue Jays

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Highlights from the latest edition of Full Count from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports..

  • The Diamondbacks are deep in starters and won't wait to see if they fall out of contention before exploring a trade involving one of their arms.  Don't be surprised if Arizona entertains offers for Joe Saunders before the trade deadline, regardless of where they are in the standings.
  • Rockies right-hander Jeremy Guthrie is also likely to be in play.  The club is looking at their younger pitchers and they've got Jorge De La Rosa set to come back soon.  Teams thinking of trading potential free agents might want to act sooner rather than later in order to save a bit more money and get a better return. 
  • The Indians need a right-handed hitter and another starting pitcher, as they still don't know if they'll see Roberto Hernandez (formerly Fausto Carmona) this season.  The problem for the Tribe is that they rank last in attendance in the majors and likely can't increase payroll significantly.  They'll have to ask for cash in deals and that means giving up better prospects in return.
  • The Blue Jays are deep in prospects and could be a major player at the deadline.  They could be in on the Brewers' Zack Greinke and could even be involved with Matt Garza of the Cubs if his contract talks break down.

Brewers Designate Vinnie Chulk For Assignment

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The Brewers have designated Vinnie Chulk for assignment, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. The move clears a spot on the roster for left-hander Juan Perez.

Chulk, 33, allowed 21 baserunners and ten runs in nine innings for Milwaukee this season, his first big league action since 2009. He pitched to a 3.18 ERA in 11 1/3 innings for their Triple-A affiliate before being recalled.

Heyman On Greinke, Red Sox, Wright

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Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has the latest from a handful of MLB owners…

  • Brewers owner Mark Attanasio told Heyman he wants to sign Zack Greinke to a long-term deal. "Sure, why not? We'd like to keep him,” Attanasio said. Greinke, a free agent this offseason, said he likes playing in Milwaukee. "Good owner. Good guys in management. Good guys in the clubhouse. Really good, really good,'' Greinke said. It’s likely Greinke will ask for a $100MM contract this offseason, and that would be a lot for the small-market Brewers to commit.
  • Red Sox owner Tom Werner told Heyman that manager Bobby Valentine is "absolutely" doing fine (Twitter link).
  • Mets owner Fred Wilpon told Heyman that he hopes to retain David Wright long-term (Twitter links). Wilpon says his third baseman is "a great kid and a great player."

Brewers Sign Claudio Vargas

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The Brewers have signed right-hander Claudio Vargas to a minor league deal, according to his agency, Metis Sports Management. The eight-year MLB veteran will report to Triple-A Nashville, where he'll start. 

Vargas, 33, retired last summer then signed with the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League in time for the 2012 season. He posted a 7.32 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 in 17 relief appearances for the Brewers in 2010, his most recent campaign in the Major Leagues. He has since pitched in the minor leagues for the Dodgers and Rockies. 

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