Julian Tavarez Designated
Julian Tavarez‘s time in Milwaukee is up; he was designated for assignment to make room for David Riske. He pitched in seven games for the Brewers and was knocked around in three of those outings.
Sherman’s Latest: Sabathia, Fielder, Marte
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman has a host of rumors in his new column.
- Sherman believes the Indians are leaning toward trading C.C. Sabathia. He names the usual suspects (Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs) but also throws the Brewers into the mix based on the opinion of an "AL talent evaluator."
- Speaking of the Brewers, Sherman believes Prince Fielder will be available "almost definitely in the offseason" and perhaps even this summer. Doug Melvin says he’s not exploring it but never rules out anything. The presence of Mat Gamel and Matt LaPorta plus Fielder’s unwillingness to sign long-term could lead to a deal. Fielder figures to jump up to at least $7-8MM upon reaching arbitration for the first time.
- The Yankees have Damaso Marte atop their list, but the Pirates want something better than two draft picks in return. He’s looking like a Type A free agent.
- Walt Jocketty wants to "clean house." The usual players are named, but Sherman also mentions Bronson Arroyo as a possibility.
Odds and Ends: Viciedo, Broussard, Rincon, Threets
Time to round ’em up.
- The A’s are leading the charge for international free agent pitcher Michael Inoa; they could offer him $4MM. All teams have scouted him.
- MLB.com’s Jim Molony names the Astros, Yankees, Cardinals, Angels, Mets, and Pirates as teams considering Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo (assuming he becomes a free agent).
- The Orioles would like to sign Ben Broussard, if he’ll accept a minor league assignment. Broussard if mulling his options and should sign within 24 hours. He could step in if the Orioles trade Kevin Millar.
- Jeff Weaver has been released by the Brewers. Weaver’s lost it; he has a 6.22 ERA in nine Triple A starts.
- The Twins have asked Juan Rincon to accept a minor league assignment. If he refuses, the Twins will be on the hook for his salary and he’ll become a free agent. Rincon’s last decent year was 2006.
- No team was willing to keep lefty reliever Erick Threets in the Majors. He cleared waivers and will head to Triple A as a member of the Giants organization.
- Andy Pettitte wouldn’t commit, but admitted it’d be a "joy and an honor" to pitch at the new Yankee Stadium next year.
- Tigers backup catcher Vance Wilson may retire after a setback in his elbow recovery.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Kemp, Bradley, Fuentes, Street
New Rosenthal. Seems like he just put a column out a few days ago.
- Rosenthal believes the Dodgers would consider trading a young player (especially Matt Kemp) for a slugger. He discusses what it would take to get Jason Bay, Magglio Ordonez, Adam Dunn, or Matt Holliday. This all seems like a bad idea for the Dodgers.
- There are certainly arguments for the Rangers to keep or even extend Milton Bradley. But Rosenthal thinks he could net "multiple high-end prospects" if Jon Daniels goes the trade route. He says the Rangers could shop some of their veterans while also trying to acquire a controllable reliever.
- Rosenthal’s best guess is that the Pirates will trade Xavier Nady or Jason Bay but not both. He says Neal Huntington is not under pressure to clear salary.
- The Cubs are interested in Brian Fuentes, which is a new one. Rosenthal adds that Jim Hendry plans to pursue the best available starter.
- The Brewers have many quality minor league trade chips, and they may be looking for a starter.
- Minimal trade interest in Huston Street, and the A’s have backed off the extension idea.
- The Yankees are "aggressively" trying to move LaTroy Hawkins.
- The Dodgers wanted to do an Esteban Loaiza–Juan Uribe swap, but the Sox just waited them out and signed Loaiza.
- Rosenthal says the Phillies "lack the prospect inventory" to get an impact starting pitcher, which I don’t agree with. He says they may look for another lefty reliever or bench bat.
Brewers Not Interested In Brian Roberts
According to Ken Rosenthal today:
Here’s a deal that makes sense: Brian Roberts for Rickie Weeks. The Brewers, who recently had two scouts watching the Orioles, are interested in Roberts, but it remains to be seen whether they are ready to give up on Weeks.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin denies the report, stating that his scouts "were watching the Orioles as part of their normal assignments." The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Tom Haudricourt has mentioned before that Melvin has always been frank and honest with him, and this is no exception. Melvin even revealed that the Orioles tried to get the Brewers involved during the spring as competition for the Cubs.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Bonds, Dunn
Ken Rosenthal has a new column; let’s discuss.
- Rosenthal notes that many contenders will need relief help come July. We’ve got a list of available relievers here.
- The Brewers are interested in second baseman Brian Roberts. Rosenthal suggests they offer Rickie Weeks for Roberts and another player. Rosenthal notes that the various rumored springtime Cubs offers are now off the table.
- Barry Bonds is not a consideration for Boston even if David Ortiz‘s injury becomes long-term. Rosenthal believes Adam Dunn could be on the radar under that scenario.
Draft Day Roundup
The draft is just four hours away. We’ll be live-blogging it here at MLBTR. Here are today’s draft links.
- Baseball America’s brand new top 30 projections.
- According to Keith Law, Mariners doctors gave the thumbs up on Tanner Scheppers and the team could take him at #20.
- Law says the Nationals seem to be debating between Kyle Skipworth and Aaron Crow at #9.
- Law adds that first baseman Yonder Alonso has an $8MM rumored asking price, which could cause him to drop. Alonso is roughly the 11th-best player in the draft, combining various expert rankings.
- Speaking of huge demands, Buster Posey‘s people are floating $12MM. Perhaps for that reason, the Rays will go with Tim Beckham.
- The Pirates seem a near-lock to take Pedro Alvarez at #2.
- Jonathan Mayo is "fairly certain" the Reds will take Gordon Beckham at #7.
- Nick Piecoro tosses out some possibilities for the D’Backs at #26.
- Tom Haudricourt has three names for the Brewers at #16.
Bill Hall Hopes For Trade
WEDNESDAY: Doug Melvin says he’s "not really motivated" to trade Hall at this time. Makes sense, since trading him now would mostly be a salary dump.
TUESDAY: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, third baseman Bill Hall would prefer to be traded. He’s unhappy about losing playing time to Russell Branyan, and believes his willingness to switch positions in each of the last two seasons should’ve bought him more latitude.
Hall, 28, is hitting .225/.295/.418 in 201 plate appearances. He’s a year removed from his last .800+ OPS month. Would positional stability help Hall return to his 35 home run form? Will any team have the patience to find out?
Hall earns $4.8MM this year, $6.8MM in ’09, and $8.4MM in ’10 (with a $9.25MM option for ’11). I can’t imagine much of a trade market for him given his recent hitting. Can you think of a team with a need at third or short that would make sense for Hall?
Odds And Ends: Weaver, Mulder, Pena, Giambi
Here are a few random notes from the MLBiverse…
- Paul Hagen is reporting that the Mets are interested in acquiring a first baseman and/or a corner outfielder. Hagen says that Omar Minaya is rumored to be interested in Kevin Millar, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. Hagen must share a source with Dan Graziano, who mentions the same trio. Might Aaron Heilman be used as bait?
- According to the minor league deal that Jeff Weaver signed with the Brewers, if he was not called up by this Sunday he could ask for his release. The Brewers and Weaver’s agent, Scott Boras, have agreed to extend that deadline to June 15.
- Mark Mulder, who has made three starts since 2006, announced that he would retire if a third surgery became necessary on his ailing shoulder.
- The Royals snagged catcher Brayan Pena off waivers from the Braves.
- Rany Jazayerli proposes a Cubs-Royals trade.
- Joel Sherman wonders if the Yankees could buy out Jason Giambi for $5MM and then re-sign him.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.
Odds and Ends: Bruce, Ensberg, Boone, Weaver
Plenty of links for today.
- Indians top prospect Adam Miller is pretty much done for the season.
- ’09 free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera and manager Ozzie Guillen are not getting along.
- Peter Bendix explains the savings the Reds get by waiting to promote Jay Bruce.
- Morgan Ensberg is a DFA candidate, while LaTroy Hawkins may be getting there.
- Bret Boone‘s comeback attempt has ended.
- Jeff Weaver (6.69 ERA in Triple A) can ask for his release if not called up by June 15th.
- Hank Blalock may not be in the Rangers’ long-term plans.
- The Indians designated Jorge Julio for assignment.