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Odds And Ends: Belliard, Atkins, Ayala

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Some links to peruse as we await the baseball equivalent of the Shaq trade…

Pirates Interested In Luis Ayala

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9:28pm: John Perrotto has another article up, saying the Pirates are only interested in Ayala at a "greatly reduced cost," i.e. the "vast majority" of the $700k still owed to him would need to be picked up by the Twins.

8:22am: The Pirates are interested in trading for reliever Luis Ayala, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. John Perrotto of PiratesReport.com confirms the Pirates' interest in the 31-year-old righty, who was designated for assignment by the Twins on Monday. 

Ayala requested a trade weeks ago because he wanted a bigger role in the Twins' bullpen. He makes $1.3MM this year.

Twins DFA Luis Ayala

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TUESDAY, 8:34pm: According to MLB.com's Kelly Thesier, Ayala requested a trade from the Twins three weeks ago.

"He asked for this, and when you ask out of here, you will get out of here," said manager Ron Gardenhire.  "It's simple."  The right-hander apparently wanted a setup role, but "wasn't pitching well enough to be an eighth-inning guy," according to Gardenhire, the Twins' ultimate decision-maker.

MONDAY, 4:22pm:  ESPN relays an AP report that says the Twins designated reliever Luis Ayala for assignment to make room for right-hander Bobby Keppel.

Ayala signed with Minnesota for $1.3MM this winter, but he didn't pitch as well as the Twins had hoped. He allowed eight walks and 38 hits in just over 32 innings, striking out 21. He allowed four home runs this season, most recently to Lance Berkman on Saturday during the Astros' come-from-behind win.

Twins Release Henry Sanchez

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LaVelle E. Neal III of The Star Tribune reports that the Twins have released first baseman Henry Sanchez. Sanchez was the club's supplemental first round pick in 2005, taken three picks before Clay Buchholz. Sanchez hit just .216-.297-.358 in 91 minor league games, missing considerable time with various injuries. He was suspended 50-games for violating baseball's drug policy earlier this year.

MLB Investigating Miguel Angel Sano’s Age

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ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. reports that MLB investigators are looking into Miguel Angel Sano's age after the Twins requested more detail on the top Dominican prospect's background. Sano says he's 16, but some believe he's older because of his physique. The investigation will include a DNA test and could prevent a quick signing when the international signing period begins on July 2nd. Any player caught lying about his age receives a one-year suspension from MLB. 

Arangure reports that Sano's expected to sign with the Twins or Pirates as long as he's not suspended.

Stark On Deadline Deals

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ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that, with only five teams more than six games under .500, it's a tough time to be a buyer. Here are the details from his latest Rumblings and Grumblings:

  • There are many trade candidates in Washingon, but free agent-to-be Nick Johnson is the likeliest to move of them all.
  • Adam Dunn's price would be "astronomical" according to one executive.
  • One of Danys Baez and George Sherrill will likely be dealt, and it seems more likely that Baez will move. As one official says, "he's throwing great, but he's still Danys Baez."
  • The D'Backs would prefer to move prospective free agents, like Doug Davis and Chad Tracy. Stark writes that Davis could fit on the Mets.
  • One executive believes Brian Giles "should get released."
  • Cla Meredith could bring a decent return for the Padres, who could also move Chris Young and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
  • The Royals could move reliever Ron Mahay.
  • At this point the Astros still aren't likely to sell. No one expects them to move Roy Oswalt, but Ivan Rodriguez, LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde could be dealt if the Astros decide to sell.
  • One official says the Pirates would "love to move Jack Wilson."
  • Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee aren't going anywhere, but Mark DeRosa is becoming "more marketable by the minute."
  • Matt Holliday will hit the market if the A's don't play very well for the next few weeks. The A's will want the equivalent of a first rounder and a sandwich pick and, because few elite bats are available, at least one exec thinks they'll get a good return.
  • The A's are worried he'll accept arbitration if they offer it, but Stark hears that Scott Boras would likely direct Holliday towards a better hitter's park, even if it was for less money.
  • The Red Sox aren't in a hurry to deal Brad Penny. If they go for a shortstop, they'd want a short-term fix only.
  • The Rockies- definitely not sellers right now- could eventually look to add a setup man.
  • Delmon Young is "exceptionally available."
  • The Brewers won't discuss dealing Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar.
  • The Rays would like to add a reliever, but they're one of many teams that can't add much payroll.

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Brewers, Twins

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Some notes from around the horn as another top potential trade piece, Erik Bedard, hits the DL:

Jesse Crain Optioned To Triple A

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Joe Christensen reports Jesse Crain has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester to make room for Glen Perkins, back from the DL. Crain carries a cumbersome 8.15 ERA and is returning to the minors for the first time since 2004.

Christensen notes that should Denard Span need to go on the DL, "it sounded like the team would promote an outfielder." So Crain may not soon be back. In 2009, he is making $1.7MM in the final year of his 3 year, $3.5MM deal, with one year of arbitration remaining.

Minor League Transactions

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Baseball America released this week's set of minor league transactions, and there was plenty of interesting movement. Let's break it down.

  • The Indians signed reliever Mike Gosling to a minor league pact. The Twins released Gosling earlier this month. He last pitched in the big leagues for the Reds in 2007.
  • The Tigers released Jason Tyner. You probably remember that the Brewers traded Tyner to the Tigers back in April for literally nothing.
  • Marlins youngster Cameron Maybin was suspended for "aggressively arguing a call and bumping an umpire."
  • The Astros removed Geoff Geary from the 40-man roster and outrighted him to Triple-A.
  • The Angels signed former Orioles wunderkind Val Majewski to a minor league pact.
  • Chris Burke was granted free agency by the Padres. He fashioned just a .207-.270-.305 batting line in 89 plate appearances this season.
  • The Giants released Jesse Foppert, who was once the best pitching prospect in the game. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005.

Yankees In On Sano?

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You've heard the name plenty around these parts over the past few weeks.  Miguel Angel Sano, a 16-year-old infield prospect from the Dominican Republic, has been linked to the Pirates, Indians, Orioles and Twins.  

Now it appears the Yankees have jumped into the bidding.  As ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure reported through his Twitter account this afternoon, Brian Cashman and Co. believe they have a "50/50" chance of landing the phenom.  

It all comes down to dollars and cents, however, and the Yanks are actually practicing fiscal responsibility.  That may come as a surprise, but keep in mind that throwing millions of dollars at a kid who just hit the legal driving age is a monstrous gamble. The Pirates are reportedly preparing an offer around $4MM, and it doesn't sound like the Yankees are willing to go that high.  As Arangure continued in his "tweet," if the price was $3MM, "then yes."

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