Overnight Links: Wise, Gonzalez, Fielder, Rule 5
Some links for the bleary-eyed readers still awake at their computers/smartphones/tablets:
- The Yankees are discussing a minor league deal with outfielder Dewayne Wise, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). A strong defender, Wise is probably best known for preserving former teammate Mark Buehrle's 2009 perfect game in the ninth inning by robbing a home run off the bat of Gabe Kapler.
- Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that the Rangers met with Scott Boras to discuss Mike Gonzalez today, and they also checked in on Prince Fielder.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin said his team probably won't make a pick in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, tweets Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
- The Pirates have at least thought about picking Nationals lefty Josh Smoker in the Rule 5 Draft, though it's not a lock according to John Perotto of Baseball Prospectus (on Twitter). Smoker was selected 31st overall by the Nats in 2007.
- Even with tonight's hiring of Jeff Luhnow as the new Astros GM, it will be interim GM Dave Gottfried and scouting director/assistant GM Bobby Heck calling the shots at the Rule 5 Draft tomorrow, tweets Alyson Footer of the Astros.
- Baseball America's John Manuel writes that reports of the Twins focusing on pitching led to speculation on Mets righty Rhiner Cruz, but a club source said the team is looking in another direction.
- The Red Sox compensation from the Cubs for Theo Epstein is expected to be sorted out after the Rule 5 Draft, writes MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
Lewis, Woodward, Wise Elect Free Agency
The Blue Jays announced that left-hander Rommie Lewis, infielder Chris Woodward and outfielder Dewayne Wise have elected free agency (Twitter link). The Blue Jays also announced that they claimed right-hander Jesse Chavez from the Royals.
Lewis, 29, appeared in six games for the Blue Jays, but spent most of the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he posted a 6.60 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9. Woodward spent time with the Blue Jays in April and September. In between his big league stints, the 35-year-old veteran played 108 games at Las Vegas, posting a .296/.353/.474 line. Wise appeared in 20 games for the Blue Jays after they claimed him off of waivers at the end of August. He hit .202/.231/.303 as an extra outfielder for the Jays and Marlins.
Minor Moves: Rockies, Wise
The latest minor moves from around MLB…
- The Rockies outrighted Jose Morales, Matt Daley, Jim Miller, Greg Reynolds and Cory Riordan to Triple-A Colorado Springs, according to MLB.com's transactions page. Morales, a 28-year-old catcher, appeared in 22 games for the Rockies this year and Reynolds, the second overall pick in 2006, posted a 6.19 ERA with 5.1 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 32 innings. Colorado's 40-man roster now stands at 35.
- Center fielder Dewayne Wise, who suited up for the Marlins and Blue Jays this year, elected free agency, according to the same transactions page.
Blue Jays Claim Dewayne Wise
Dewayne Wise is heading to Toronto for a third stint with the Blue Jays. The team announced that they have claimed the outfielder off of waivers from the Marlins. He is scheduled to report to Toronto tomorrow, at which point the club will make a corresponding move.
Starting center fielder Colby Rasmus has been dealing with a sore wrist, so the Blue Jays could create 25-man roster space for Wise by placing Rasmus on the 15-day disabled list. They have two open 40-man roster spots, so no one is in danger of losing his spot when Wise arrives.
Wise signed with the Marlins twice this year, first in January, then in June, before they designated him for assignment earlier this week. In 72 plate appearances, he posted a .239/.278/.269 line for Florida, appearing in left and center field. The 33-year-old has a .223/.261/.373 line in a nine-year MLB career that includes one stint with Toronto from 2000-02 and another in 2010.
Marlins Designate Dewayne Wise For Assignment
The Marlins designated Dewayne Wise for assignment to create roster space for Logan Morrison, who will be recalled tomorrow, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (on Twitter). The move opens up a spot on the Marlins' 40-man roster, which now sits at 39.
Wise has signed with the Marlins twice this year, first in January, then in June. In 72 plate appearances, Wise posted a .239/.278/.269 line for Florida, appearing in left and center field. The 33-year-old has a .223/.261/.373 line in his nine-year MLB career.
Marlins Sign DeWayne Wise
The Marlins have signed outfielder Dewayne Wise and he will be assigned to Florida's Triple-A affiliate, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. This is Wise's second stint with the Fish in 2011; he signed the team in the offseason but exercised his contract's out clause in March when he didn't make Florida's Opening Day roster.
Wise was released by the Blue Jays last week. The defensive specialist posted a .931 OPS in 144 plate appearances at Triple-A Las Vegas, but given how that number is over 250 points higher than Wise's career Major League OPS, his offensive surge can likely be explained by the hitter-friendly Las Vegas ballpark. The Marlins are Wise's fifth team in his eight-year Major League career — he has also played for the Jays, Braves, Reds, and perhaps most memorably, the White Sox.
Blue Jays Release DeWayne Wise
The Blue Jays have released Dewayne Wise, reports Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (on Twitter). The move was first reported by John Lott of The National Post (on Twitter). GM Alex Anthopoulos told Lott that this move is similar to Scott Podsednik's release, in that Wise didn't fit into the team's plans and was allowed to seek a job elsewhere.
Wise, 33, signed with the Jays back in April and played for their Triple-A affiliate after a brief tune up in A-ball. He hit a more than respectable .333/.382/.562 with five homers in 134 total plate appearances, though the ballpark for Toronto's Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas is very hitter-friendly. The Nationals are known to be seeking a center fielder, so perhaps there's a fit there.
Blue Jays Sign Dewayne Wise
The Blue Jays signed Dewayne Wise to a minor league deal, according to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star (on Twitter). The Marlins signed Wise in January, but released him before Opening Day, making him a free agent.
Though Wise is dealing with a bunion problem on his foot, the Blue Jays gain some depth by bringing him back to Toronto. Corey Patterson is coming off of the DL, but Rajai Davis is now on the DL with an ankle injury, so the team could use outfield depth, especially in center.
Wise, 33, spent the 2010 campaign with the Blue Jays and hit .250/.282/.393 in 118 plate appearances, backing up at all three outfield positions. The Blue Jays granted him free agency last November.
Marlins Release Dewayne Wise
Outfielder Dewayne Wise exercised his out clause and has been released by the Marlins, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Wise was reassigned to minor league camp yesterday, losing the big league backup outfielder job to Scott Cousins partially because of a toe injury.
Wise, 33, hit .250/.282/.393 in 118 plate appearances for the Blue Jays last year, putting up a .270/.315/.511 line for the Phillies' Triple-A club before exercising his out clause. Wise is capable of playing all three outfield positions. He joins free agent outfielders such as Ryan Church, Randy Winn, and Gabe Gross.
Marlins Position Battles
The latest on the Marlins as they firm up their roster in advance of Friday's opener against the Mets…
- Outfielder Dewayne Wise has been reassigned to minor league camp, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Wise is unsure whether he'll accept the assignment, reports Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The 33-year-old hit .250/.304/.462 in 55 spring plate appearances. Wise had a better spring than Scott Cousins, but a mid-March toe injury hurt Wise's chances. Also, Spencer notes that Wise would require a 40-man roster spot, even though they'd be full if they add Donnie Murphy and Greg Dobbs and put Evan Reed on the 60-day DL.
- Rodriguez also notes that the Marlins released former first-round pick Brett Sinkbeil. The 26-year-old righty had been removed from the 40-man roster in November after posting a 5.71 ERA in 63 Triple-A relief innings.
- Spencer's article explains that eight relievers are battling for seven spots on the Marlins. Two of Burke Badenhop, Brian Sanches, and Edward Mujica are expected to make the team, wrote MLB.com's Joe Frisaro yesterday. Mujica and Sanches are out of options.
- Murphy appears to be the team's Opening Day third baseman; president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest told Spencer the trade front is quiet. They'd only be looking for a "place-keeper" for Matt Dominguez, anyway.