Mets DFA Jon Switzer
According to David Lennon at Newsday, the Mets have designated LHP Jon Switzer for assignment. He'll be replaced by infielder Argenis Reyes on the roster.
The 29-year-old Switzer had been signed to a minor-league deal this past winter. He posted an 8.11 ERA in 3.1 innings for the Mets, but had a solid 2.13 ERA and 29/9 K/BB ratio for Triple-A Buffalo. He could latch on a team looking for minor-league depth.
Knobler On Cardinals, Phillies, Giants
Danny Knobler of CBS Sports identifies the five neediest teams in baseball. No team will be able to acquire big names easily, however, as officials around the league agree that impact arms and bats aren't available with so many teams in the race. Here's a closer look at Knobler's rumors:
- The Cardinals have had less production out of the cleanup spot than just about any NL team and GM John Mozeliak says he's "not ignoring" the issue.
- As one official points out, "thirty teams in baseball could use Mark DeRosa" and the Cardinals could use him most of all.
- Knobler expects the Phillies to continue looking for a starting pitcher. He doesn't rule out Erik Bedard and says the Phils have considered Zach Duke and Paul Maholm.
- The Giants could use a hitter and Knobler hears that Brian Sabean's facing pressure from his superiors to make a move.
- The Brewers could use an arm, as we know.
- Omar Minaya seems more intense than usual, but the many injuries to his players could make it harder for him to justify making one big move. As one Mets official said, the team is in a "bad position."
Heyman On Strasburg, Pedro, DeRosa
Jon Heyman of SI.com lists some of the best and worst starts to the season. Justin Upton and Marco Scutaro are two of the players to make the first list. Heyman's also got some rumors to pass along; here they are:
- It is believed that Stephen Strasburg's people don't want him to pitch in the majors this year.
- Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, is believed to have mentioned Jose Contreras, who signed for $32MM, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, who signed for $52MM, as comparable players.
- It doesn't sound like former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker will end up as the Nationals' next GM, though the Nats are said to be considering names other than Mike Rizzo's for the permanent job.
- Heyman says a Doug Davis return to Milwaukee could make sense.
- The Rays would like to add a closer without adding payroll, which will be a challenge.
- Rays GM Andrew Friedman hasn't ruled out Pedro Martinez, but says he's a long shot.
- Heyman hears that the Cardinals and Mets are two of the teams calling the Indians about Mark DeRosa.
Odds And Ends: Brewers, Magglio, White Sox
More links for Tuesday…
- ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. hears the Royals are a likely destination for Cheslor Cuthbert, a Nicaraguan prospect who would command a bonus of about $1MM.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com hears from a Mets official that the team "will not mortgage [their] future" this summer in any trades.
- Bud Shaw of the Cleveland Plain Dealer continues to argue that firing Eric Wedge won't solve the Indians' problems even though Mike Hargrove, who some would like to see back in Cleveland, is a skilled manager.
- Tom Verducci of SI.com says Donald Fehr did his job well- too well, in fact. Check the story out for some anecdotes from years ago.
- The Detroit Free Press reports that Magglio Ordonez returns to the Tigers' lineup tonight.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer suggests the Mariners should choose talent over sentiment if they're serious about winning this year.
- Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that the White Sox signed second round pick David Holmberg.
- I'll be talking rumors with the Benchwarmers on 590 KFNS in St. Louis at 11pm CST tonight so tune in if you're in the area or online.
Odds And Ends: Phillips, Mets, Pirates
Links for Tuesday morning…
- It's time for another MLBTR chat. We'll go live at 2pm CST.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes on a report suggesting former Yankee Andy Phillips could soon be playing in Japan for the Hiroshima Carp.
- Chico Harlan of the Washington Post heard from former college standout Ben McDonald that agent Scott Boras never pressured him into anything back in 1989.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Neal Huntington is trying to build a young, athletic, defensive-minded outfield around Andrew McCutchen in Pittsburgh.
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff says the Mets shouldn't part with their trading chips for short-term benefit, even if it costs them their 2009 season.
- After looking at the Rangers' problems yesterday, Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News shows that lots is going well for them.
- Mike White of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Matt Clement is coaching basketball at his former high school.
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier takes his readers behind the scenes of the Red Sox draft.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says a Juan Pierre for Jarrod Washburn swap wouldn't work for the Mariners because of Pierre's contract.
Mets DFA Connor Robertson
How about another Mets transaction? This time they designated reliever Connor Robertson for assignment, according to a team press release. He had a 5.10 ERA in 30 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A this year after being acquired in exchange for Scott Schoeneweis this offseason.
You can keep track of all the moves the Mets made today here.
Mets Release Bobby Kielty
Lots of roster moves for the Amazin's today. Bart Hubbuch tweets that in addition to Wily Mo Pena and Javier Valentin, the Mets have also released outfielder Bobby Kielty. The former Oakland cult hero was hitting .231-.394-.346 in just 33 plate appearances for Triple-A Buffalo.
Mets DFA Wilson Valdez
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that the Mets designated Wilson Valdez for assignment to make room for pitchers Elmer Dessens and Pat Misch. The roster shuffle comes partially because Carlos Beltran is headed for the DL.
In 26 plate appearances for the Mets, Valdez hit .208/.269/.333. The 31-year-old played both middle infield positions.
Discussion: What Should The Mets Do?
Carlos Beltran will join teammates Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, John Maine, Oliver Perez and J.J. Putz on the disabled list, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. The Mets needed a first base-outfield type before they heard the bad news about their center fielder, and now their need is even more pronounced.
The Mets will combine Gary Sheffield, Fernando Martinez, Ryan Church, Daniel Murphy, Fernando Tatis and Jeremy Reed in the outfield and at first for now. As exasperating as these injuries have become for the Mets, they're only two games out of first place, thanks to the Phillies' recent slide.
The Mets are hoping Beltran will miss just two weeks, but they could use help and every team now knows it. Omar Minaya says he'll "continue to have conversations" with other clubs. Should he wait it out until they know more about the injuries? Try and deal for Aubrey Huff, Mark DeRosa or Nick Johnson now? How much should Minaya be prepared to surrender in a trade?
Heyman: Ten Teams That Could Add Payroll
Jon Heyman of SI.com provides a list of ten teams that could add payroll. He adds the Angels, Brewers, Red Sox and Brewers to the list we assembled last week. Here are his ten teams:
- The Red Sox could add payroll, but they don't have significant needs.
- The Mets could add payroll and they need a hitter who can play first, the outfield, or both.
- The Phillies could add payroll to acquire pitching.
- The Angels, with several contracts expiring this year (Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, Chone Figgins), could add salary.
- The Giants could take on payroll to add a bat.
- The Brewers and Cardinals could both free up money to add a pitcher or hitter.
- The Tigers, White Sox and Dodgers round out Heyman's list, but he warns us not to rule out the Yankees.
- Don't look for the White Sox to deal prospects away to increase their playoff chances, even though they trail the Tigers by just 5.0 games.
- On another note, no one's called the Mariners about Adrian Beltre.