Padres Rumors

Niemann/Hammel Rumors: Padres, Pirates, Rockies

By Tim Dierkes | March 30, 2009 at 4:53pm CDT

4:53pm: According to John Perrotto of Pirates Report, the Pirates are also interested in Niemann. He says the Bucs also remain interested in Robert Andino and Jeff Baker.

Additionally, Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse says the Rockies have jumped in on Hammel.

11:16am: Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote Saturday regarding the Padres' interest in Rays pitcher Jeff Niemann:

In return, the defending American League champions have inquired about Padres prospects Simon Castro, Wynn Pelzer, Juedy Valdez and Nick Schmidt. The Padres have deemed the price too high. Niemann is out of minor league options, reducing the Rays' trade leverage.

Out of those four Baseball America likes righty Castro the most, ranking him 14th among Padres prospects. Pitchers Pelzer (16) and Schmidt (21) also make their top 30.

Niemann will make a minor league start today, perhaps his last chance to win the fifth starter job. The decision will probably be made today; Jason Hammel appears to be the favorite. UPDATE: Niemann tossed six scoreless innings.

Mariners Acquire Chris Burke

By Steve Adams | March 29, 2009 at 2:54pm CDT

Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that Chris Burke, who was told by the Padres on Saturday that he wouldn't make the team, has been traded to the Mariners for cash or a player to be named later.

Burke, 29, hit just .194/.310/.273 last season in 86 games for Arizona. He saw time at all four infield positions and both outfield corners for the D'Backs in 2008.

Odds & Ends: Twins, Rockies, Yankees

By Nat Boyle | March 29, 2009 at 11:14am CDT

Ed Price at FanHouse.com has some Odds & Ends of his own in the Overheard and Understood section of his column.

The Twins are looking for a setup man who can provide good control. Internally, it's a big deal for them.
The Rockies could wind up dumping contracts midseason if they find themselves out of contention. Price quotes one exec saying, "Unless they move ($3.5-million salaried backup catcher Yorvit) Torrealba, they're not taking on any money."
The Mariners say no player is untouchable. The M's are seeking "athletes" says Price.
Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill will get the last two spots in Oakland's rotation.
The Padres are "dying for pitching" and "will claim anybody" on waivers, says Price.
If Cody Ransom gets exposed by playing on a daily basis, then the Yankees may need a stopgap to fill third base until Alex Rodriguez's mid-may return.

Odds And Ends: Braves, Bernie, Boras

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 28, 2009 at 11:07am CDT

Links for Saturday…

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that the Braves are considering dealing outfielder Josh Anderson. Bowman suggests the White Sox could be a fit even though Ozzie Guillen said he expects to find a center fielder internally. Bowman also passes along some fun anecdotes about Chipper Jones and Santonio Holmes.
MLB.com's Sarah D. Morris likes the bench assembled by Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
MLB.com's Ed Eagle reports that Bernie Williams wants to play in the majors again, but not if it means playing in the minors or an independent league first.
In this article by Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune Scott Boras says the Padres will spend more liberally on amateur talent now that Jeff Moorad's taking over the club.
ESPN.com's Rob Neyer offers his take on a female knuckleballer from Japan.
Tim recently did a Q&A about the Jays at The Blue Jay Hunter blog.
Steve Melewski of MASN Sports breaks down the minor league free agents in Orioles camp.
ESPN The Magazine's Jeff Bradley profiled Manny Ramirez.
The Astros, Marlins and Pirates made decisions about their respective backup catchers.

Orioles Face Hayden Penn Decision

By Tim Dierkes | March 27, 2009 at 3:33pm CDT

According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, 24 year-old Hayden Penn is one of five candidates for three open rotation spots on the Orioles (Adam Eaton and Mark Hendrickson may secure two of those). The O's may also consider putting Penn in the bullpen. The problem is that Penn is out of options and has had a lousy spring. Zrebiec notes that the Padres have expressed interest in Penn in the past, so the Orioles probably can't slip him through waivers.

On Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list, Penn ranked 94th in '05 and 81st in '06. Back in '06 BA said Penn threw three plus pitches for strikes and touched 96 with his fastball.

Moorad Takes Over Padres

By Tim Dierkes | March 27, 2009 at 10:13am CDT

The sale of the Padres to a group led by Jeff Moorad may take several years to complete, but Moorad is now running the team according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Moorad's group owns 35% of the team currently.

Moorad plans to invest in the draft, but he wouldn't commit to anything regarding the team's payroll. Tom Krasovic of the Union-Tribune sums up the contracts Moorad will inherit in the front office:

GM Kevin Towers, whose salary is well within the Top 10 among GMs, is under contract through 2010. Executive vice president Paul DePodesta, who had reported to Sandy Alderson, is guaranteed an average well above $500,000 per year through 2011. Director of player development and scouting Grady Fuson, who was hired by Towers in early 2005, is under contract through 2010. As for manager Bud Black, he is in the final year of his contract.

What about Jake Peavy? Moorad told Center:

"It would be premature for me to say what is going to happen. The goal is to build this for the long term. I don't know how that impacts the Peavy situation. But we're going to do whatever we can to improve the team."

Holden Kushner of XM Radio snagged more Moorad comments on Peavy:

"Peavy has been a terrific performer for the club at the same time I don't think any player is untouchable. I think at some point I am sure Kevin Towers and I will visit about the issue and Kevin will have a point of view and frankly I'll defer to it. I certainly want to be kept informed but I think Kevin will have a perspective on the Peavy situation and I really looking forward hearing it."

Odds & Ends: Wieters, Padres, Peavy, Price

By Tim Dierkes | March 26, 2009 at 3:00pm CDT

LInks for Thursday…

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says the Nationals will honor a handshake agreement Dmitri Young made with Jim Bowden, and put the first baseman back on the 40-man roster.
Catcher Matt Wieters has been told by the Orioles that he'll be optioned to Triple A on Monday, according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. Will the Orioles wait until late May to try to avoid Super Two status?
Reds assistant GM Bob Miller talked to fans in an MLB.com Q&A.
Check out an entertaining chat transcript with Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times over at Halos Heaven.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star interviewed Zack Greinke.
Rangers owner Tom Hicks told Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News that the team has not reduced its budget for 2010. The Rangers have yet to set next year's budget, but it's known that some big salaries will be coming off the books. Meanwhile, MLB.com's Barry Bloom notes that Hicks intends to sell a minority share of the team.
Rays exec Andrew Friedman said the team's demotion of David Price was entirely for baseball reasons, talking to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. R.J. Anderson of DRays Bay supports the decision. Bart Given agrees.
Tom Haudricourt and Adam McCalvy write about Brewers GM Doug Melvin's irritation with the bogus Jake Peavy rumor.
Purely speculative, but Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel wonders if Dontrelle Willis could get his career back on track with the Marlins.
Rockies infielder Jeff Baker, unaffected by the trade rumors, homered twice yesterday.
John Moores says the Padres sale to Jeff Moorad is "awfully close," talking to MLB.com's Barry Bloom. As you know, Sandy Alderson will step down as CEO when the deal closes (possibly today).
Padres pitcher Shawn Hill had offers from six teams, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
The Red Sox signed reliever Rocky Cherry to a minor league deal.
MLB.com's Alyson Footer says reliever Danny Graves asked for and received his release from the Astros.

Indians Claim Jae Kuk Ryu

By Tim Dierkes | March 26, 2009 at 2:52pm CDT

According to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince, the Indians claimed righty Jae Kuk Ryu off waivers from the Padres today. Ryu had arthroscopic elbow surgery in July. No offense to Ryu, but it's not a good sign when the pitching-starved Padres don't have room for you.

Padres Acquire Eulogio De La Cruz

By Tim Dierkes | March 25, 2009 at 5:16pm CDT

According to MLB.com's Corey Brock, the Padres acquired pitcher Eulogio De La Cruz from the Marlins today for a player to be named later or cash. Cruz is out of options, so the Padres may have to keep him in the Majors to retain him.

Cruz, 25, posted a 4.34 ERA in 25 starts at Triple A last year. He came to Florida as part of the Miguel Cabrera deal in December of '07. Cruz fits the Padres' desire for hard-throwing pitchers. Here's Paul DePodesta's take on him.

The Marlins subsequently signed lefty Carlos Vasquez to a minor league deal, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Vasquez has been a minor league reliever in the Cubs' and Red Sox systems.

Odds & Ends: Beckham, Taschner, Red Sox

By Tim Dierkes | March 25, 2009 at 11:28am CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Chat today, 2pm CST.
The White Sox sent last year's first-round pick Gordon Beckham to Double A to play shortstop, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle talked to Astros GM Ed Wade about the difference between guaranteed and non-guaranteed contracts.
El Lefty Malo expects the Giants to trade lefty Jack Taschner and go after free agent Will Ohman. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News dismissed an internet rumor about Taschner and the Tigers. Not sure where that came from.
Alex Speier of WEEI projects Boston's Opening Day payroll to be under $120MM, its lowest since '03. Speier suggests this could allow midseason financial flexibility.
Chico Harlan of the Washington Post asks whether the Nationals will try to avoid an eventual Super Two status for Jordan Zimmermann.
Bart Given says Shawn Hill made the right decision in signing with San Diego.
Oil Can Boyd hopes to pitch in Ottawa in the Cam-Am Baseball League.
The Royals Authority 2009 Annual is on sale now – check it out.

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