Odds & Ends: Astros, Pirates, Giants
What's that you say? You want more news? You're just in time:
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane has entered into negotiations to sell the team. McLane says he's in no hurry to sell the team, but has entered into an exclusive 30-day negiotiating window with an unnamed New York investment banking company.
- According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, the 2010 Pirates should use this as their motto: "Pirates baseball: Where unwanted relief pitchers seek employment."
- MLB.com's Chris Haft says that with the signing of Aubrey Huff, the Giants are likely finished making improvements to their roster.
- MLB.com's Jason Beck addresses the idea of Joel Zumaya as closer. The questions around Zumaya in that role are a big reason why Detroit is linked to free agent Jose Valverde, of course.
Odds & Ends: Tigers, Pineiro, Padres, Giambi
Here's a round-up of a few news items floating around the baseball world tonight….
- MLB.com's Jason Beck reports that Detroit might sit out the bidding for the few remaining closers on the market and instead hope that youngsters Ryan Perry, Daniel Schlereth or a healthy Joel Zumaya are able to pick up some saves.
- Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reports (via Twitter) that the Mets "have debated" the merits of offering Joel Pineiro a two-year contract, but Pineiro wants a deal akin to the three-year, $29.75MM contract that Randy Wolf signed with Milwaukee.
- Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres will sign an experienced backup catcher "within a few weeks."
- Dave Cameron of the U.S.S. Mariner blog isn't a big fan of Seattle's trade for Casey Kotchman.
- The apparent lack of interest in free agent Jason Giambi means that there's a greater chance he ends up back in Colorado, reports MLB.com's Thomas Harding.
- With Boston's signing of Adrian Beltre, Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas thinks that the Rangers might have leverage to get a more favorable trade for Mike Lowell, should Texas still be interested.
Tigers Rumors: Polanco, Lyon, Rodney
Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski says this year's club was good, even though it had "shortcomings," according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Here's how the GM plans on improving the Tigers:
- Dombrowski hasn't been handed a firm 2010 budget yet.
- He sounded prepared to move on if the club can't complete a reasonable deal with Placido Polanco. The GM says prospect Scott Sizemore is "ready to play."
- Expect the Tigers to rotate a number of players through the DH spot next year. Looks like Hideki Matsui, Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero and other free agent DHs can rule Detroit out for now unless they'd accept a part-time role.
- It sounds like the Tigers will fill their rotation out from within.
- The Tigers will emphasize plate discipline at all levels.
- It looks like Joel Zumaya will be able to throw as hard as ever next year.
- Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney will both be free agents after the postseason, so the Tigers don't have much certainty in the 'pen right now.
Odds And Ends: Inge, Zumaya, Marlins, Wang
More links with less than a day until the deadline passes…
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he's not prioritizing players who can play third, even with Brandon Inge's knee pain.
- As MLB.com's Jason Beck reports, Joel Zumaya will have season-ending surgery.
- Speaking of injured pitchers, Chien-Ming Wang could miss an entire year, according to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.
- Here's a photo of Cliff Lee in Phillies duds, courtesy of AOL FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher.
- Marlins president David Samson said on 790 The Ticket that his team has made ten different offers around the league, according to the Miami Herald.
- Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays are involved in "a number of scenarios," but aren't likely to make big trades within the next day or so.
- The Pirates, who have been more active than anyone, aren't expecting to make more trades, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Odds & Ends: Pirates, Acta, Pedro, Zumaya
A fresh batch of links on a busy Sunday evening…
- MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch answered various fan-submitted questions about the Pirates. A couple of minor hot stove items were touched on.
- According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, former manager Manny Acta stopped by Nationals Park early Sunday afternoon. It's not clear why, and Acta said via e-mail that he will not make a comment on the matter.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes the Twins had scouts in Arizona Sunday afternoon to watch the Pirates. It's not clear who they were scouting, but Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez are known to be on the trading block and the Twins are looking for infield help.
- Fred Goodall of the Associated Press reports that the Single-A Clearwater Threshers had to cut Pedro Martinez's first rehab start short because of rain.
- According to the Larry Lage of the AP, via the Detroit Free Press, Joel Zumaya is "hoping" to pitch again this year. Could the uncertainty surrounding the right-hander's balky shoulder prompt the Tigers to make a deal for another bullpen arm?