Rangers Sign Manny Delcarmen
The Rangers signed reliever Manny Delcarmen to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Delcarmen is represented by Jim Masteralexis, as noted in MLBTR's agency database.
Delcarmen, 29, asked for his release from the Mariners' Triple-A club yesterday. He posted a 5.14 ERA, 7.4 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, and 0.6 HR/9 in 28 innings for the Rainiers. The signing adds low-risk depth for the Rangers' bullpen, which ranks ninth in the American League with a 4.12 ERA.
Delcarmen's best overall season was 2008, when he tallied 74 1/3 strong innings out of Boston's pen with a fastball averaging over 95 miles per hour. Though he declined in subsequent seasons, the Sox were still able to ship Delcarmen and cash to the Rockies at the August deadline last year for pitching prospect Chris Balcom-Miller.
West Notes: Murphy, D’Backs
The surging Diamondbacks are a hot topic these days. Here's more on the Snakes and an item of note about another ballclub residing in a west division.
- Rangers outfielder David Murphy could be a hot trade commodity, writes T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. This season has been an historically weak one with respect to production out of left fielders, writes Sullivan, and Murphy, Texas' fourth outfielder, is a solid hitter and pretty cheap. I could see this, but Murphy struggles against lefties (.257/.299/.363 career line), and it couldn't hurt for the Rangers to keep him around as insurance for the often-injured Josh Hamilton.
- The D'Backs' success in 2011 can be chalked up to organizational stability, hard work, and a few shrewd offseason moves, writes Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com. After its bullpen posted a 5.74 ERA and 24 blown saves in 2010, Arizona added J.J. Putz via free agency, David Hernandez via trade and Joe Paterson through the Rule 5 Draft, and the D'Backs are now 13-7 in one-run decisions, notes Ringolsby. Twelve players currently on the 25-man roster were brought on by GM Kevin Towers, who Ringolsby says isn't trying to reinvent the proverbial wheel.
Rodriguez Open To Setting Up
Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez doesn’t want to be dealt to a team that would use him as a setup man, though he would be willing to fill that role under the right conditions, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. If a team were willing to sign him to a contract extension and return him to the closer’s role next season, K-Rod says he wouldn't object.
“That would be great,” the 29-year-old said. “That would be no problem.”
Teams, of course, are wary about the clause in Rodriguez's deal that would guarantee his $17.5MM option for next season if he finishes 55 games. The veteran is currently on pace to finish 62 games.
The Rangers could be interested in Rodriguez under such conditions, says Rosenthal. They could use Rodriguez as a setup man for the remainder of the year then make him the closer in 2012 and move Neftali Feliz to the rotation.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Delaney, Tomko, Boggs, Rivera
A few minor moves…
- Rob Delaney has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Rays on Wednesday and has been outrighted to Triple-A Durham, reports Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (via Twitter).
- The Rangers outrighted Brett Tomko to Triple-A Round Rock and Tomko has accepted the assignment, reports Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). Andro also tweets that Tomko has an out clause in his contract for June 1, though Andro isn't sure if Tomko plans to exercise it. In the corresponding move, Texas called up Michael Kirkman.
- The Brewers have outrighted catcher Mike Rivera to Triple-A Nashville, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. It is expected that Rivera will accept the assignment.
- Also from McCalvy, Brandon Boggs has accepted his assignment to Nashville after being outrighted by the Brewers two days ago. This is the third time Boggs has been outrighted by Milwaukee in the last three months. Rivera and Boggs were outrighted to create roster space for Josh Wilson and Nyjer Morgan.
Heyman On Sandoval, Mets, Dodgers, Rangers
Pablo Sandoval has catching experience, but the Giants won’t attempt to re-position him behind the plate when he returns from the disabled list, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Here’s Heyman’s latest from around the league:
- Mets minority owner David Einhorn is expected to have a say in major team decisions, though he won’t have the final call. If the Wilpons have to sell the team, Einhorn will have the first opportunity to buy it.
- The Dodgers have not explored possible trades for Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp and rival teams haven’t called to express interest in the outfielders, according to Heyman. The Dodgers would like to lock both up long-term instead of allowing them to hit the open market after next year.
- One Dodger who won’t be getting a long-term contract offer: James Loney. The first baseman is a likely non-tender after the season, according to executives around the league.
- The Rangers are looking for a reliever and would prefer a right-hander. Heyman hears they’ll consider Francisco Rodriguez of the Mets.
- The Cubs don’t plan to exercise Aramis Ramirez’s $16MM option for 2012, according to Heyman.
AL West Notes: Rangers’ Pitching, Geren
The Mariners and Rangers already picked up wins this afternoon, but the AL West won't go a perfect 4-0 today because the Angels and A's are playing each other later tonight. Here's the latest from the game's only four team division…
- The Rangers may have excess starting pitching if some combination of Tommy Hunter, Scott Feldman and Brandon Webb returns, yet they may try to add starter if they can make a definite upgrade, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
- Former A's reliever Huston Street ripped Oakland manager Bob Geren in conversation with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Street's assessment of his former manager: "my least favorite person I have ever encountered in sports from age 6 to 27. I am very thankful to be in [Colorado] where I can trust my manager." The harsh words come after lefty Brian Fuentes publicly criticized Geren, but Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the skipper's job is safe.
Rangers, Others Have Inquired On Heath Bell
The Rangers are one of several teams that have recently inquired about Padres closer Heath Bell, according to Scott Miller of CBS Sports. The 19-29 Padres are not interested in dealing Bell yet and the Rangers are simply checking their options, according to Miller.
Bell, who discussed a possible extension with the Padres this spring, is a free agent after the season. He realizes he’s a trade candidate, but says he’d like to stay in San Diego.
"In my own quirky head, I still think something will happen at the end of the year and I'll stay here,” he said. “It's wait-and-see. But I understand the business part. We've got to play well and get some fans in here."
Bell, 33, will lead a substantial number of closers into free agency after the season, as Tim Dierkes explained earlier today. So far, Bell has a 2.12 ERA with nine saves and though his strikeout rate has dropped to 6.4 K/9, his ground ball rate is up to 54.9%.
The Rangers have also made "low-level inquiries" on Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan. Entering today's action, Rangers relievers ranked 29th in baseball in K/9 (6.0) and xFIP (4.61), 28th in baseball in BB/9 (4.7) and ground ball rate (40%) and 24 in baseball in ERA (4.15).
Pirates Notes: Hanrahan, Bundy, Lincoln, Veal
Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune and Kristy Robinson of Ohio Valley Athletics (via Twitter) both have some Pirates info:
- Biertempfel cites a trusted source in saying that the Rangers did indeed inquire on closer Joel Hanrahan, but the Pirates "turned aside" the overture and are not shopping him. Since being acquired from the Nationals, Hanrahan has totaled 122 2/3 innings of work in the Pirates' pen with a 2.79 ERA. His typically sky-high strikeout rate is down this year, but he's also displaying the best command of his career.
- In the same piece, Biertempfel writes that GM Neal Huntington refuted a report that top draft candidate Dylan Bundy has cautioned the Pirates not to select him. According to the report, Bundy does not want to give up his long toss routine, which the Pirates frown upon. Huntington, however says his organization avoids blanket approaches and isn't against long toss if used correctly. He says that several players in their minor league system currently use the technique.
- Robinson asked Huntington about Brad Lincoln, the #4 overall selection in the 2006 draft. Huntington says that Lincoln is throwing the ball well in Triple-A, but there's currently no room for him in the Major League rotation. Lincoln has posted a 4.27 ERA through 46 1/3 AAA innings, though his FIP is a much cleaner 3.42. He's struck out 42 and walked only eight (5.25 K/BB).
- Left-hander Donnie Veal has been assigned to High-A Bradenton as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery, tweets Biertempfel.
Rangers Have Inquired On Joel Hanrahan
The Rangers' search for pitching help has led them to make "low-level inquiries" on Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. According to Rosenthal, if the Pirates decided to part with the right-hander, it would be for "a significant price."
While Neftali Feliz is one of the game's top closers, Texas doesn't have a clear ninth inning alternative should the 23-year-old miss any more time. The Rangers also may be more inclined to eventually move Feliz into the rotation if they have another viable closing option. As Rosenthal notes, Hanrahan, who is under team control through 2013, would be a perfect fit as a pitcher who could set up for Feliz this season and take over as the closer in 2012.
In recent years, the Pirates have frequently played the role of sellers as the trade deadline approaches. However, they currently sit only one game below .500 and four games out of first place, so it's likely too early to tell whether Hanrahan or other players will be available this summer. Last week, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes examined what we can expect if the Pirates become sellers.
Quick Hits: Lee, Branyan, Simon, Francona
Happy birthday to Matt Wieters! The Orioles catcher turned 25 today, and he celebrated with a 2-for-4 performance in Baltimore's 8-3 win over Washington.
Here's some news from around the majors….
- The Rangers' offseason courtship of Cliff Lee is recapped by Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com. Lee was brilliant against his former team today, holding the Rangers to just five hits and two walks over eight shutout innings in a 2-0 Philadelphia victory.
- The Mariners don't have any room, or particular need, for Russell Branyan, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Branyan was released by the Diamondbacks earlier today.
- The Orioles activated Alfredo Simon from the restricted list a day earlier than expected and he was available to pitch today against the Nationals, reports Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
- Terry Francona was Jim Hendry's choice to manage the Cubs had Dusty Baker not taken the job before the 2003 season, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. Francona was also a finalist to manage the White Sox (along with Cito Gaston) before Ozzie Guillen was hired.
- Jamey Newberg of The Newberg Report looks at the Rays' cheap, effective bullpen revamp from this past offseason as an example of how the Rangers should approach improving their relief corps.