Red Sox Acquire Kason Gabbard
According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rangers have traded left-hander Kason Gabbard to the Red Sox for cash considerations.
The Red Sox immediately assigned him to Triple-A Pawtucket. Gabbard, 27, was 2-3 last season with a 4.82 ERA in 12 starts for Texas. He was converted to a reliever this offseason but didn't make the big club out of spring training.
Interesting side note: Gabbard was a member of the Red Sox just a few years ago, but was traded in 2007 as part of a package for Eric Gagne. The other pieces in that deal? David Murphy and Engel Beltre.
Odds & Ends: Valuations, Figueroa, Thome
Links for Thursday…
- Forbes' MLB team valuations are out. The Yankees top the list at $1.5 billion, while the Marlins are 30th at $277 million.
- Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News says Nelson Figueroa will refuse the Mets' assignment to Triple A and become a free agent.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports talked to Jim Thome about many topics, including his future and the Cleveland discussion with Manny.
- Peter Gammons spoke to Yankees GM Brian Cashman yesterday at Southern Connecticut State University. This AP article has a few tidbits, but let me know if you find a transcript. Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant has a few quotes.
- MLB.com's David Singh has the story of Darren O'Day's interesting day.
Rangers Claim Darren O’Day
According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the Rangers claimed reliever Darren O'Day off waivers from the Mets. O'Day's Rule 5 situation remains – the Rangers have to keep him in the Majors or offer him back to the Angels.
O'Day, 26, posted fine numbers at Triple A last year with a 3.27 ERA, 8.2 K/9, and 1.9 BB/9.
On the Mets front, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News notes that pitcher Nelson Figueroa cleared waivers.
Rosenthal On Edmonds, Cooper, Angels
The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…
- Jim Edmonds still wants to play in 2009. Rosenthal learned from his agent that the outfielder intensified his workouts recently. It still may take him up to three weeks to be game-ready.
- Rosenthal finds the Astros' decision to exercise Cecil Cooper's 2010 option questionable. Rosenthal had wondered earlier in the week if Cooper might be the first manager fired. While we're on the topic, Ron Washington's job in Texas does not seem to be in jeopardy according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
- Rosenthal notes that calling up Derek Holland now instead of letting him break camp with the Rangers will delay his free agency by a year. The Rangers were willing to make that sacrifice with Elvis Andrus (assuming he's not demoted in the future).
- The Angels could consider several recently-designated pitchers: Steven Shell, Wil Ledezma, Darren O'Day, Nelson Figueroa, and Philip Humber.
Rangers DFA Rupe, Call Up Derek Holland
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Rangers have designated reliever Josh Rupe for assignment.
Stark On Olsen, Willingham, Millwood, Peavy
ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new column up.
- Stark looks at a few trades that didn't happen. Aside from the Angels' run at Aaron Harang at the end of Spring Training, they also talked to the Nationals about Scott Olsen. Stark says Dustin Moseley, Shane Loux, and Jason Bulger were three names kicked around in the Olsen talks.
- Earlier this spring, the Rays inquired on Washington's Josh Willingham, apparently dangling Jason Hammel. Willingham is currently unhappy about being on the Nationals' bench, a situation that probably would not have improved in Tampa Bay.
- Kevin Millwood could be attractive midseason trade bait, if his Opening Day start was any indication. Millwood's contract allows the club to decline his $12MM 2010 option unless he pitches 180 innings this year. He also has a limited no-trade clause.
- Stark talked to an executive of a team that has Jake Peavy on its radar. This exec noted that teams did not overpay in deals for Rich Harden and Johan Santana, so the Padres may not be able to demand a ridiculous bounty for Peavy.
Royals Claim Metcalf; Rangers Sign German
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Royals claimed third baseman Travis Metcalf off waivers from the Rangers today. The Rangers signed infielder Esteban German, formerly of the Cubs and Royals, to replace Metcalf.
Metcalf, 26, has a career line of .249/.300/.475 in 242 plate appearances. He has not had success in a couple of Triple A stints. Back in their '06 Handbook, Baseball America said Metcalf profiled as "as average hitter with potentially above-average power." They considered him a "solid defender" at the time. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star notes that Metcalf starred at the University of Kansas back in the day.
German, 31, hit .245/.303/.338 in 242 plate appearances last year, spending time at multiple positions. He played for the Rangers back in '05 before he was traded to the Royals for Fabio Castro.
Odds & Ends: Metcalf, Baisley, Predictions
Links for the afternoon…
- T.R. Sullivan informs us that the Rangers have designated Travis Metcalf for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster.
- Another DFA this afternoon: Susan Slusser reports that the A's have DFA'ed Jeff Baisley.
- ESPN had its writers predict the divisional outcomes, playoff outcomes, and the MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year for each league. Mostly Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays, but Jim Caple spiced it up by picking the Twins, and Peter Pascarelli went with the Cardinals.
- The Braves will retire Greg Maddux's number 31 this July. Not entirely MLBTR-relevant, but I'm all for honoring one of the best pitchers we'll ever have the privilege of seeing.
Rangers Release Adam Melhuse
According to Jamey Newberg, 37-year-old catcher Adam Melhuse requested and was granted his release on Friday afternoon. Melhuse could sign a minor league deal with another club or opt for retirement. He went 13-for-20 with six RBI during spring play, so the phone could definitely be ringing.
Odds & Ends: Fogg, Payrolls, Padres, Nady
Links for Friday…
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Orioles have "mild interest" in Josh Fogg. If Fogg can't find an appealing job elsewhere he'll report to Triple A Colorado Springs for the Rockies.
- Via the Twitter feed of John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer…the Reds have talked about Geoff Jenkins and Frank Catalanotto but nothing is close.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker has a Sports Hochi report saying recently released pitcher Ken Kadokura is reaching out to the Cardinals and Orioles.
- Ryan Shealy cleared waivers and was sent to Triple A, clearing up the Royals' first base/DH logjam.
- The website FINalternatives.com says Rangers owner Tom Hicks defaulted on more than $500MM in loans.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post looks at the payrolls for the Mets and Yankees.
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says Hal Steinbrenner "told close friends he plans on hiring Lou Piniella as a consultant when his managerial contract with the Cubs runs out after the 2010 season."
- According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres GM Kevin Towers said he still might add another starting pitcher.
- Albert Chen of Sports Illustrated writes about the advanced defensive metrics that are becoming prevalent in the game.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs writes about the ethics of service time manipulation.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman noted yesterday that "The Giants like Xavier Nady and wouldn't mind bringing the University of California product home at some point."