Eli's MLB Rumors

We're Moving!

2009-06-19T00:00:00.002-05:00

Eli's MLB Rumors will be moving in the next day or two to a new platform. We will be joining SB Nation under a new name, MLB Daily Dish. The site will be exactly the same, and I hope you will continue to follow me, among others, over at MLB Daily Dish!

Eli

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Report: Sosa Tested Positive

2009-06-16T16:34:00.002-05:00

The New York Times is reporting that free agent outfielder Sammy Sosa tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Sosa was among the 104 players who tested positive for PED's in 2003, but the substance he used is unknown.

Names from the list of 104 continue to come out, and it will be interesting to see if more names or the complete list comes out.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Cubs Fire Hitting Coach Gerald Perry

2009-06-14T21:18:00.003-05:00

After 2 1/2 seasons, the Cubs have fired hitting coach Gerald Perry. The move comes after the teams .246 batting average, which ranks last among the National League. He will be replaced by Iowa Cubs hitting coach Von Joshua.

The move to bring in Joshua should certainly spark conversation about the possibility of bringing back Jake Fox.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Pedro Martinez Update

2009-06-13T22:05:00.003-05:00

Free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez is still working out in the Dominican Republic in preparation for a team making him an offer. The economic recession has tightened the belts of nearly every major league franchise, which has led to very few signings off the free agent market. Yet, Martinez is still asking for 5 million dollars for the season.

The Rays and Cubs reportedly have some interest in Martinez, but he would have to back off his five million dollar asking price for either team to make a move. Unfortunately for Martinez, the struggles he had last season with the Mets, despite his strong play in the WBC, have limited his options for the 2009 season. The only way he could get signed somewhere now is if a major injury hit a rotation, or if a team is willing to take a chance on him for, say, one million dollars.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Nationals to Fire Acta

2009-06-13T19:53:00.005-05:00

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Nationals will fire manager Manny Acta and replace him with bench coach Jim Riggleman. Acta has been with the team since the 2007 season, and has done a fairly good job despite poor records. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is having a breakout year for the Nationals, hitting .315 with 11 home runs and a .391 on-base percentage. Acta also has had an influence on young catcher Jesus Flores, who was hitting .311 with 4 home runs and 5 extra-base hits before landing on the disabled list.

The Nationals pitching has been quite a disappointment up to this point in the season, and a change is in order. Riggleman brings years of managerial experience, having managed the Padres, Cubs, and Mariners.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Peavy Out For A Month

2009-06-12T23:00:00.002-05:00

Padres pitcher Jake Peavy is expected to miss at least a month with an ankle injury, meaning he may be out until after the All-Star Break. He was scratched from his Saturday start versus the Angels, a start you can expect the Angels would be watching closely. However, an MRI revealed a tear behind his right ankle.

"I was getting treatment and we were getting by," said Peavy, who had the ankle heavily taped for his previous two starts and did limited work between outings. "Up until yesterday, I thought it was manageable. It could have gotten ugly if we didn't take the action that we did."

Peavy is 6-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 13 starts this season. He vetoed a trade to the White Sox earlier this season, and this injury does not help the Padres chances of dealing him before next offseason.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Hangin' With Hunter with Big Papi

2009-06-11T13:20:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite shows from last season, Hangin' with Hunter is back. Angels outfielder Torii Hunter kicks off this season with Big Papi.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Cardinals Interested In Tejada

2009-06-11T13:01:00.002-05:00

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that the Cardinals have interest in Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada is hitting .355 with 6 home runs and 21 doubles in 57 games, and is hitting .378 in the month of June. Tejada is owed 13 million dollars, and the Astros probably would like to clear payroll considering their current financial situation. Watching Miguel Tejada, you know he would be perfect for the Cardinals. The intensity he brings to each game would give the Cardinals another boost, and make them a much harder team to face in the NL Central.

The Astros could take Khalil Greene with a prospect in return, but with the Astros in last place, they may be better off getting prospects.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Check out Down on the Farm!

2009-06-10T18:09:00.004-05:00

I am writing a new blog for the Chicago Tribune's online network, Chicago Now, which covers the Cubs and White Sox top minor league prospects. The site, Down on the Farm, is already drawing attention. If you are a Cubs or Sox fan, or have an interest in the minor leagues, check out the site. I've done interviews with several of the teams top prospects, and have talked with executives and coaches from each side of town. Check it out!

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Nationals Sign Storen, Strasburg Next

2009-06-10T15:22:00.004-05:00

The Nationals have come to terms with their 10th overall pick, Drew Storen. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. As a sophomore at Standford, Storen went 7-1 with a 3.80 ERA and 7 saves. The Nationals hope that his attitude on the mound, as well as his mid-90s fastball, will move him quickly through the minor league system and into the Nationals bullpen as their closer or set up man.

Now, there's Strasburg. Early indications are that negotiations are positive and that a deal should be reached well before the August 15th deadline. Keith Law of ESPN.com suggested that the Nationals have a clause in the contract that says he will be in the majors by a certain date. The Nats should offer a deal in the 22-24 million dollar range, with a 'in the MLB' clause kicking in, say, before the trade deadline. He has already thrown 109 innings this season, and the Nationals would be smart to limit him to 150-165 innings so that he doesn't overwork his arm. The Nationals are already 18 games out of first, there is no need to overwork your best and newest pitcher when you are well out of contention.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Should the Dodgers Trade Pierre?

2009-06-10T11:04:00.003-05:00

Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre has stepped up big time since Manny Ramirez was suspended, hitting .352 with 28 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, and a .412 on-base percentage. Pierre has three years and 28.5 million dollars left on his contract, and has a limited no-trade clause.

While I think the Dodgers should trade Pierre, mostly because of the prospects they could net, it may not be worth it to eat a large portion of his salary. Pierre is a great fourth outfielder and gives you a speed off the bench. He can bunt almost on command and gives pitchers headaches when he reaches base.

If you were Ned Colletti, would you trade Juan Pierre?

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Jays' Litsch Out For Season

2009-06-09T19:49:00.002-05:00

ESPN.com is reporting that Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch will undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. Litsch, a 13 game winner last season, is just 24 years old. The Jays envisioned him as the number two guy behind Roy Halladay, but they will have to wait until mid 2010.

The Jays are currently 2.5 games out of first, and may need to add a veteran starter to keep them in contention. Carl Pavano could be that guy.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Nationals Select Strasburg

2009-06-09T17:59:00.003-05:00

The Washington Nationals selected pitcher Stephen Strasburg with the first overall pick in the MLB Draft today. Strasburg was 13-1 with 195 strike outs in 109 innings for the San Diego State Aztecs, leading them to the postseason for the first time since 1991.

The tough part will be to sign Strasburg, who is reportedly seeking a 50 million dollar contract. I believe the Nationals will be able to sign Strasburg, but probably not until the August 15th deadline if they choose to play hardball with Scott Boras.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Bell to Cubs?

2009-06-09T11:39:00.003-05:00

Padres closer Heath Bell is 2-1 in 25 games with 1.42 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP, but is making just 1.5 million dollars in 2009. Bell won't be a free agent until after the 2011 season, but his salary will continue to climb if he continues to throw the ball well. If the Padres were to make the closer available, we should expect to see a lot of teams calling.

One of those teams could be the Cubs, one source believes. Current Cubs closer Kevin Gregg has been very inconsistent, and Carlos Marmol hasn't been as dominant as he was in 2008. Angel Guzman is emerging as a solid late inning reliever, taking a lot of time away from the struggling Aaron Heilman. The Cubs' bullpen used to be rock solid, and now it is a huge question mark. Cubs starter Randy Wells should have three wins, but the bullpen has blown the lead three times, denying him of his first career win. A Guzman-Marmol-Bell tandem would make for one of the best in baseball.

The Yankees are a possible destination for Bell also.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

White Sox Sign Garcia

2009-06-08T21:00:00.002-05:00

The White Sox have signed pitcher Freddy Garcia. Garcia was with the team in 2005 when they won the World Series, winning the series clinching game four. Garcia, who was released by the Mets on April 28th, is 118-77 with a 4.07 ERA in ten major league seasons.

He will likely go on a minor league assignment before joining the White Sox.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Pavano to Phillies?

2009-06-08T20:20:00.004-05:00

With the Phillies pitching rotation still in ruins, the Phillies front office may start asking around for available pitchers. One of those guys could very well be Indians pitcher Carl Pavano. Pavano has won six of his last eight starts, throwing at least seven innings in the past three, including a complete game.

Pavano is 6-4 on the year with a 4.63 ERA in 12 starts with a 1.26 WHIP. If he can stay healthy, he would make for a nice addition to the Phillies rotation.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Phillies Eye Penny

2009-06-07T11:24:00.002-05:00

A scout has confirmed an ESPN.com report that the Phillies called the Red Sox about pitcher Brad Penny. Despite a 5-2 record, Penny owns a 5.85 ERA in 11 games with a 1.60 WHIP. The Red Sox have John Smoltz, Clay Buchholz, and Michael Bowden all performing well in Triple-A, meaning they will likely join the team soon.

Penny will be a free agent at seasons end and is making 5 million dollars in 2009. The Phillies are in serious need of pitching, but shouldn't part with a young pitching prospect for him. The Red Sox reportedly ask for shortstop Jason Donald, who is hitting .226 with 1 home run in Triple-A.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Angels Could Move Aybar

2009-06-07T10:57:00.003-05:00

Angels shortstop Erik Aybar is hit .303 in the month of May, bringing his season total to a .277 average with 1 home run. Aybar, 25, is blocking top prospect Brandon Wood, who is hitting .308 with 11 home runs in 39 games for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. If the Angels were to trade Aybar, it would open up a spot for the long awaited.

Ken Rosenthal mentions in his Full Count that the Mets, Cardinals, or Royals could be possible destinations, but I wouldn't rule out the Padres either. The Padres are looking to trade Jake Peavy, but do want to trade him to the Dodgers. They nearly worked out a trade with the Cubs, but it is becoming more clear that the Cubs can't make a move until the ownership is settle, which at the current pace, probably won't be complete until Opening Day 2010.

If the Angels were to package Aybar in a deal with three other prospects, they could probably land starting pitcher Jake Peavy. Trevor Reckling and Trevor Bell are two solid young pitchers that the Padres could target.

John Lackey is going to be a free agent at the end of the season, and will likely command a good deal despite the down economy. However, if the Angels add Peavy, it gives them a lot of leverage in negotiations with Lackey. If Lackey decides to sign elsewhere, the Angels would likely receive a compensation draft pick.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Gibson Has Stress Fracture

2009-06-06T18:24:00.003-05:00

Missouri pitcher Kyle Gibson has a stress fracture in his right forearm and will be out for six weeks. This will definitely hurt his draft stock for Tuesday's amateur draft, where he was projected to be an early first rounder.

A team can take a chance on Gibson and wait to see him throw prior to signing him before the August 15th deadline. I see him falling to the compensation picks or early second round.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Putz Likely Done With Mets

2009-06-06T12:29:00.004-05:00

Mets relief pitcher J.J. Putz is scheduled to have elbow surgery, and will be out for 10-12 weeks. Putz, who is 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA in 29 games, has not made a successful transition to the set up role.

"If you look at the way I was pitching, I wasn't really getting out in front and letting loose," he said. "I knew it was going to hurt. Mechanically, I was trying to make an adjustment to protect it from hurting. At the same time, I had zero stuff when I went out on the mound."

The Mets hold a one million dollar buyout on Putz's 8.6 million dollar club option, which could be exercised with the emergence of Bobby Parnell.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Braves Acquire McLouth

2009-06-03T22:18:00.001-05:00

The Atlanta Braves have acquired outfielder Nate McLouth from the Pirates in exchange for pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke, and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez. This is a solid move for both clubs, but especially the Pirates. McLouth had a breakout year last season, hitting .276 with 26 home runs in 152 games. McLouth is 27, and should provide the Braves with some much needed support in the middle of their lineup.

The Pirates acquire Charlie Morton, who is 7-2 with a 2.51 ERA in 10 starts this season. He is a 1.05 WHIP. Locke, 21, is 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in ten starts in the Carolina League.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Rangers Request Waivers On Padilla

2009-06-03T17:14:00.000-05:00

The Rangers have requested outright waivers on pitcher Vicente Padilla, who is 3-3 with a 5.57 ERA. Teams can submit claims on Padilla, but that means they would have to absorb the remainder of his salary. Padilla could get picked up somewhere, but it would have to be at a reduced price.

With several free agent pitchers still available, I would be surprised to see a team take a chance on Padilla, who has a history of attitude problems.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Braves Release Glavine

2009-06-03T17:02:00.001-05:00

The Atlanta Braves cut ties with future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, releasing him just a day after throwing six scoreless innings in a rehab start. Glavine, who is recovering from minor elbow surgery, was clocked between 83-86 mph on his fastball.

"I don't know what else I can do," Glavine said after Tuesday night's game, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Physically I felt good and I feel like I'm ready."

Glavine is still a couple week away from returning, and it is possible he could get picked up if he wanted to continue pitching. The Nationals would benefit from his presence.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Rosenthal: Nats Will Draft Strasburg

2009-06-02T10:42:00.000-05:00

Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Nationals will draft Stephen Strasburg with the first overall pick in June's draft. Strasburg's advisor, Scott Boras, is looking for a record 50 million dollar signing bonus. The Nationals do expect to sign Strasburg, but do not feel pressure to sign him after failing to sign their first round pick last year.

Rosenthal points out that if the Nationals fail to sign Strasburg, they will receive the number 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft. If they continue to play like they are now, they could receive the first and second overall pick in 2010. Boras is known to hold out until the last possible moment, getting the most money for his client. Expect these negotiations to go until the August 15th deadline.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Hart Drawing Interest

2009-05-31T13:15:00.000-05:00

Brewers outfielder Corey Hart is drawing interest from several teams, including the Tigers, Giants, and Red Sox. Hart, who is hitting .256 with 5 home runs and a .330 on-base percentage, is making 3.5 million dollars this year. The Brewers are asking for pitching in return, something all three of those teams have.

Hart isn't a game changer or team leader, so he likely would not have the impact of a, let's say, Matt Holliday. However, a team like the Giants, who are in need of a corner outfielder who could hit 20 home runs, would benefit from him.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Astros Could Trade Oswalt

2009-05-31T10:07:00.000-05:00

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Astros starting pitcher Roy Oswalt is at odds with manager Cecil Cooper and may be open to a trade. Oswalt has a full no-trade clause and would have to waive it for any trade. In 11 games this season, Oswalt is 1-2 with a 4.62 ERA and 47 strike outs. The White Sox, after missing out on Jake Peavy, could offer a similar package for Oswalt.

Oswalt has three years and 45 million dollars left on his contract, with a 16 million dollar club option with a 2 million dollar buyout. If anyone teams wants to trade for him, they would probably have to guarantee his 2012 club option.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Rockies Could Trade Cook

2009-05-30T16:45:00.000-05:00

Rockies ace Aaron Cook is off to a disappointing start since winning 16 games in 2008. He is 3-2 with a 4.82 ERA in 10 starts, including a complete game shutout. Cook is a solid pitcher, but is playing for a struggling ball club in a hitters heaven. Cook has two years and 18.25 million dollars on his contract, with a mutual option for 2012. The Rockies have several strong young pitchers in the minor league system, and it should only get better after June's amateur draft.

While there is talk that Erik Bedard will be traded, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik has not said they are going to move him. Peavy is expected to be made available, but his price could take a hit if his ankle injury does not heal. Cook will cost a couple prospects, but nothing like Peavy or Bedard. The Phillies would be smart to ask about Cook has only pitched once at Citizens Bank Ballpark, but is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in seven innings.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Mets Trade Castro To Sox

2009-05-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

The Mets have traded backup catcher Ramon Castro to the White Sox for Triple-A pitcher Lance Broadway. Castro was hitting .253 with 3 home runs in 26 games for the Mets this season, but became expendable after Omir Santos established himself as a up and coming major leaguer. Broadway is 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA in Triple-A Charlotte and will be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Myers Done For Season

2009-05-29T17:54:00.001-05:00

Phillies pitcher Brett Myers will have surgery to repair his right hip and will likely miss the remainder of the season. This is a big blow for the Phillies, whose rotation is already in shambles. The Phillies have been linked to some starters on the market, and that will likely increase as we move forward. The Phillies could make a move for Jake Peavy, but could also settle for someone less expensive like Doug Davis or Jarrod Washburn.

The Phillies could also look to add Mark Mulder or Pedro Martinez, whose prices have both reportedly dropped. If the Phillies view this season as a must-win, they could make a move. However, it may be smarter to ride this season out, develop your younger pitchers, and then make a move next offseason where prices are expected to be low again. Rich Harden, Joel Piniero, and Todd Wellemeyer are viable options for the Phillies in 2010.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Rockies Fire Hurdle

2009-05-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

MLB.com has confirmed that the Rockies have fired manager Clint Hurdle and replaced him with bench coach Jim Tracy. Hurdle led the Rockies to the World Series in 2007, but owns a .465 winning percentage since 2002. The Rockies decided it was best to let him go after the Rockies started 18-28 this year.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Cubs' Zambrano Suspended For Six Games

2009-05-28T19:21:00.000-05:00

The MLB disciplinary committee announced that Carlos Zambrano would be suspended for six games, meaning he will miss a start. Zambrano will not appeal the suspension, which he started serving today.

Zambrano was ejected in the seventh inning after arguing a play at the plate. After he was tossed, he ejected the umpire, threw the baseball into left field, threw his glove against the dugout fast, and then beat up the gatorade dispenser with a bat.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Trade Winds

2009-05-28T19:08:00.000-05:00

Red Sox scouting Braves' Francoeur: Braves GM Frank Wren chose not to comment on a report that the Red Sox were scouting outfielder Jeff Francoeur. Francoeur is hitting .253 with 3 home runs this season, and a lot of local media outlets have been speculating that he could be traded.

Dodgers eyeing Peavy?: The Dodgers are in the market for pitching, despite a pretty strong showing from their pitchers right now. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said that he has been in contact with the Padres, but hasn't spoken to them since Peavy vetoed the trade to the White Sox. One source I spoke to said he fully expects the Dodgers to get in on the Peavy chase in July.

Davis or Washburn to Minnesota: The Diamondbacks will likely shop lefty pitcher Doug Davis as we approach the trade deadline. Davis is 2-6, but has a 3.77 ERA and had four consecutive double-digit seasons before his season was cut short in 2008. Washburn is another option, probably the more likely option because he is already in the AL and is open to a trade to the Twins.

Nick Johnson to Mets?: Johnson told reporters he would welcome a trade to the Mets, but who wouldn't if you were playing for the crowded Nationals. The Nats have been shopping Johnson for a couple seasons, and now that he is hitting .337 with 4 home runs, it is a good time to trade him. The Red Sox have been linked to them, but nothing appears serious.

Pirates' Sanchez to Rays?: The Pirates will likely shop Freddy Sanchez at the trade deadline, and the Rays could be a possible fit. Sanchez is a solid fielder and hitter, and could be a long term option for the Rays. With Aki Iwamura out for the season and a club option for 2010, it would make sense that they would pursue him.

Sanchez to Marlins or Phillies?: Lefty pitcher Jonathan Sanchez could be moved at the right deal, and if they start shopping him now, they could get a good value for him. They need a second baseman. They need a corner outfielder. The Marlins and Phillies have both. Dan Uggla is available.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Gagne Signs With Canadian Team

2009-05-27T15:28:00.000-05:00

Free agent pitcher Eric Gagne has signed with the Quebec Capitales of the Independent Can-Am League, SI.com is reporting. Gagne, who has worked almost exclusively as a reliever, will start for the Capitales, the team confirmed Wednesday. Gagne, 33, is a former NL Cy Young award winner with the Dodgers, but struggled once he left. He pitched for the Rangers, Red Sox, and Brewers, but was released on March 8th.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Nationals DFA Cabrera

2009-05-27T14:39:00.001-05:00

After starting the year 0-5 with a 5.85 ERA, the Nationals have designated Daniel Cabrera for assignment. Cabrera has a pretty good fastball, but cannot command his secondary pitches, which has lead to 35 walks to just 16 strike outs. Cabrera will be 28 tomorrow, and will likely find a job somewhere soon.

I would think the Cardinals would be a good landing spot. Pitching coach Dave Duncan is the best pitching coach in baseball, having success with several pitchers that were considered busts. Other spots for Cabrera include the Padres and Indians.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Interview with Tanner Scheppers

2009-05-26T20:25:00.001-05:00

For those of you who don't know Tanner Scheppers, it will only be a matter of time before you do. Scheppers was taken in last years draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but chose not to sign. His draft stock took a huge hit when he suffered a stress fracture just weeks before the draft. He has been rehabbing since and is now playing again for the St. Paul Saints of the Independent leagues. In two games this season, Scheppers has a 1.00 ERA with 9 strike outs and 6 walks. He projects well as front of the line starter, but is a few years away from contributing at the big league level. Scheppers was nice enough to give Eli's MLB Rumors 10 minutes of his time last week, and I appreciate every minute of it. Enjoy!

ELI: It had been awhile since your last start. What was it like getting back on the mound for the first time?

TANNER: It was great. It was nice to get back on the mound again.

ELI: What was working for you in that start?

TANNER: My fastball was there. I had controlled stuff, it was good.

ELI: You had a long road back to the mound, what sort of preparation did you have for this season?

TANNER: You know, I worked hard. I thought I prepared myself well. I just had to get myself into the right mindset.

ELI: Can you tell me a little bit about your recovery from the stress fracture in your throwing shoulder?

TANNER: Yeah, I did a lot of stretching at the Sports Medicine Institute. For four months, an hour and half each day of running, stretching, and light weights.

ELI: You are going through the draft for the second time now. Do you feel the first experience has prepared you better for this time around?

TANNER: Yeah, definitely. The biggest thing is that this time around I know what not to think about.

ELI: The Pirates have the fourth overall pick in this years draft. Would you have a problem with them drafting you again?

TANNER: Uh. [Pause] I'm not going to comment on that. No comment.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Francouer On The Block?

2009-05-26T18:33:00.001-05:00

Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution thinks it may be time to unload Braves outfielder Jeff Francouer. Francouer is hitting .259 with 3 home runs, but has struck out 24 times and owns a .282 on-base percentage. Francouer has no plate discipline, and some talent evaluators believe he is the easiest guy to pitch to because he swings at everything. Francouer was once considered the Braves top prospect, so it is hard to believe that at age 25 he is a complete bust.

Francouer hit .293 with a .338 on-base percentage in 2007, but has hit .249 since then. The Braves probably won't get much in return for Francouer, but the Braves need a big bat in their lineup, and Francouer is not it. The Rangers are a possible landing spot, but a team like the Pirates could take a low risk chance on Francoeur and put him in right field.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Rockies Sign Rincon

2009-05-25T21:30:00.000-05:00

The Rockies and free agent Juan Rincon have agreed to a deal, rotoworld.com is reporting. Rincon elected for free agency after he was asked to report to the minor leagues. That was after seven games when he posted a 5.23 ERA. Rincon has a career 3.84 ERA, and might benefit from a switch to the National League.

Rincon will give manager Clint Hurdle another option to use in the bullpen.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Padres Shopping Kouzmanoff

2009-05-25T13:43:00.000-05:00

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says in a recent article that the Padres have expressed a willingness to move third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. Kouzmanoff would fill the void left by Aramis Ramirez, who will be out for six to eight weeks after separating his shoulder. Kouzmanoff is hitting .236 with 4 home runs in 42 games this season, and is a .260 career hitter.

Kouzmanoff shouldn't cost more than a pitching prospect or two, but I doubt the Cubs make a move for him. Even though the Cubs appear to be falling apart, it looks like they will ride this out and hope for a second half resurgence of Aramis Ramirez. Both Milton Bradley and Geovanny Soto have shown no signs of a turnaround, and Derek Lee is hitting just .248 with 5 home runs. It might be time to get Jake Peavy. It might be time to call up Jake Fox. If the Cubs do not turn things around this homestand, there should be some changes to the roster.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

2009 MLB Draft: Washington Nationals

2009-05-25T10:32:00.000-05:00

The Nationals have the first and tenth pick in the draft this year, presenting them with an opportunity to add two very good young players to their farm system. The Nationals have a tendency to draft college pitchers and high school hitters, no matter the success rate. With Stephen Strasburg the presumptive number one pick, the Nats will have to wait nine more picks to make their next selection.

If Tanner Scheppers is around when they make their second selection of the first round, I recommend selecting him. To add two top arms like that in a span of ten picks would do wonders for their rotation. Other guys that could be around then include Alex White, Zach Wheeler, and Tyler Matzek.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Umps Out To Get Bradley?

2009-05-25T09:12:00.002-05:00

Chicago Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley told reporters Sunday that umpires are forcing him to swing at bad pitches by widening his strike zone. Bradley, suspended for one game for allegedly bumping an umpire last month, said other umps were getting back at him for the incident.

"Unfortunately, I just think it's a lot of 'Oh, you did this to my colleague,' or 'We're going to get him any time we can," Bradley said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "As soon as he gets two strikes, we're going to call whatever and see what he does. Let's try to ruin Milton Bradley.'

I wonder if the Cubs will come out and support Bradley on this. Bradley has done a lot of talking this season, despite hitting just .188 with 4 home runs in 96 at-bats. The Cubs signed Bradley to a three year deal worth 30 million dollars, so he might be hard to move this season. But if Bradley continues to talk and not hit, expect him to be out of Chicago pretty quickly.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Mariners Shopping Betancourt

2009-05-24T13:36:00.000-05:00

The Mariners have started shopping struggling shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who is hitting just .266 with 2 home runs in 40 games. Betancourt is career .281 hitter, but has an unimpressive .304 on-base percentage in his career. Trading him won't bring back much in return, but he is under contract through 2011, with a 6 million dollar club option for 2012.

The Padres and Pirates have expressed interest, but maybe they could find a match with the Cardinals. It is obvious that Khalil Greene and the Cardinals is not going to work, and bringing him to Seattle might be good for his career. Seattle is not a hitters park, but with Ken Griffey, Adrian Beltre, and Russell Branyan in the clubhouse, he will have a lot of people to turn to. Not only that, but manager Don Wakamatsu looks like a great choice by the Mariners and he could prove to be beneficial to a struggling player like Greene.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Reds Option Bailey

2009-05-24T13:19:00.000-05:00

It took less than 24-hours for Reds pitcher Homer Bailey to make his season debut and be sent back down again. Bailey, who was 3-5 with with a 4.57 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A Louisville, shows signs of a good pitcher, but needs to command the ball much better than he has been. He is only 23 years old, so I wouldn't be surprised if his breakout came in 2010. Sorry, Reds fans.

Infielder-outfielder Wilkin Castillo will take his spot on the roster.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Phillies Eye Starters?

2009-05-24T10:16:00.000-05:00

The Phillies are in dire need of pitching and need to act fast if they want to stay in contention in the NL East. After Hamels and Myers, the 3-4-5 pitchers all have ERA's over 6.80. J.A. Happ has made a couple good starts, but he has been pitching well out of the bullpen. Top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco is 0-5 with a 6.31 ERA in 8 starts at Triple-A, and there aren't any other viable minor league options.

On the free agent market, you could probably get Pedro Martinez or Mark Mulder at a bargain rate, but they are no guarantee to be successful. The Phillies do have a lot of options though. They could look to the Mariners and ask about Erik Bedard, who is 2-2 with a 2.64 ERA. They could also inquire about Doug Davis of the Diamondbacks, who is in the last year of his contract and likely won't cost very much.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Cubs Place Harden On DL

2009-05-22T18:18:00.000-05:00

Don't worry, it's not shoulder related. The Cubs have placed pitcher Rich Harden on the disabled list with a lower back injury, the Chicago Tribune reported. Carlos Zambrano will take Harden's spot in the rotation, so no one will be sent down as a result of Zambrano coming off the DL. Harden is 4-2 with a 4.74 ERA in 8 starts this season, and will be set to return June 2nd.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

DeRosa to A's or Cardinals?

2009-05-22T18:01:00.001-05:00

Indians third baseman Mark DeRosa is drawing interest from several clubs. The St. Louis Dispatch suggests the Cardinals could look to add DeRosa as a utility player, or at least at third base until Troy Glaus can return. DeRosa is hitting .253 with 6 home runs in 39 games this season, and the Indians would benefit from him getting on hot streak right now.

The Indians are looking for major league ready pitching to help in the bullpen. The Athletics are pretty deep when it comes to their bullpen, so a trade is possible. Mike Wuertz has a 2.08 ERA in 20 games this season, but he plays a pivotal role in the A's bullpen and may not be available.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Soriano to Second Base?

2009-05-22T17:33:00.002-05:00

With current Cubs second baseman Mike Fontenot struggling at the plate, manager Lou Piniella has considered moving Alfonso Soriano to second and putting Micah Hoffpauir in the left field. Hoffpauir has been platooning between right field and first base, offering days off to both Milton Bradley and Derrek Lee. He is hitting .314 with 4 home runs in 70 at-bats for the Cubs this season, and the role he is in now may be best for the Cubs.

I still think Mike Fontenot can make adjustments and be an everyday player. It wouldn't look good for Jim Hendry if the Cubs released Ryan Freel, but they probably should. It does not make sense to have Aaron Miles, Mike Fontenot, and Ryan Freel on the same team. They are the same type of player and Freel's spot could go to someone who could be more productive. In fact, the Cubs could move Alfonso Soriano to second base and call up prospect Jake Fox, who is hitting .425 with 17 home runs with a .506 on-base percentage in just 117 at-bats at Triple-A Iowa.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Jake Peavy Exclusive Part III

2009-05-21T21:00:00.002-05:00

In the final installment of my exclusive interview with Jake Peavy, we talked about Kevin Towers and his time with the Padres. Little did we know that just a week after we talked, he would have to make a major career decision. I want to try out this new interview format for upcoming interviews, and I would appreciate it if you would leave a comment to let me know what you think of it.

Jake Peavy on Kevin Towers and the Padres front office

“I certainly have the utmost respect for Kevin [Towers]. He’s done a tremendous job through the years that I have been here. When the guys been given some money to spend – a competive payroll, so to speak – he’s put a very competitive team on the field. We’ve won a couple division titles since I have been here, competed down to the last days in ’04, ’05, and ’06. We played in a play-in game in ’07. With him mixing and matching talent and personality. It has been a great relationship.”

Jake Peavy on his time with the Padres and what the future will look like

“I certainly understand that I need to bring an attitude and a certain type of leadership to this team. I’m the longest tenured guy with the Padres here. It is very weird for me to say because it feels like yesterday that I was one of the youngest players in the clubhouse. We are starting over here, we are rebuilding. We have a lot of young guys searching and we need to be showing hopefully how to go about your business the right way. I certainly try to do that along with David Eckstein and some other guys."

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Mets Serious About DeRosa

2009-05-21T20:44:00.002-05:00

FanHouse has confirmed that the Mets have engaged the Indians in talks concerning Mark DeRosa. DeRosa would be a huge upgrade over current utility man Ramon Martinez. DeRosa is hitting .253 with 6 home runs and a .319 on-base percentage in 39 games this season.

The value he brings a team is both on and off the field. DeRosa can play first, second, third, and shortstop adequately, and is a solid corner outfielder. Off the field, DeRosa is a great clubhouse guy and leader, who can handle the media at ease. The Mets do not have much depth in their minor league system, so it will interesting to see what type of package they put together.

The Indians should ask about Brad Holt, 21, who is 2-1 with 3.99 ERA in six starts this season. Holt projects well long term and is showing some tendencies of a front of the rotation starter. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 34/8, and he hasn't walked more than 2 since his first start, when he gave up 4.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Jake Peavy Rejects White Sox Trade

2009-05-21T20:12:00.001-05:00

Padres pitcher Jake Peavy invoked his no-trade clause, rejecting the proposed trade to the White Sox.

"As of right now, this is the best place for us to be. We made that decision for the time being," Peavy said before Thursday night's game against San Francisco.

Peavy, who is 3-5 with a 3.82 ERA with 69 strike outs, will make his scheduled Friday start versus the Cubs. I wonder if teams now know that the Padres are ready to deal if they will step up and make a big move. The Cubs, Mets, Phillies, Brewers, Astros, Rockies, and Dodgers are the most logical teams based on current situations.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Padres Acquire Gwynn Jr.

2009-05-21T16:35:00.001-05:00

I'm sure he'll be a fan favorite. The Padres have acquired outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. from the Brewers in exchange for outfielder Jody Gerut. I like this move for both sides. The Brewers acquire an outfielder coming off a very good 2008 who can serve as a reserve outfielder. Padres great and Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn delivered the news to his son.

Gwynn will be able to suit up tonight when the Padres face Tim Lincecum and the Giants.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

White Sox Trade Up To Peavy

2009-05-21T13:56:00.002-05:00

The White Sox have agreed in principle to a trade that would send former Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy to the White Sox for pitching prospect Aaron Poreda and pitcher Clayton Richard, among others. Peavy, who has a full no trade clause, must decide if he wants to play in Chicago.

Peavy could choose to accept the trade just to get out of San Diego. While he is the longest tenured player there, reporters constantly question his desire to play for the Padres. He would be joining the White Sox, where his close friend Scott Linebrink currently sets up for closer Bobby Jenks. However, he would be jumping leagues and be joining a team where he might not have as a huge of an impact. Not only that, but some people wonder if he would want to play for manager Ozzie Guillen.

UPDATE

Here is what his agent, Barry Axelrod, said: "If I had to make a bet on it, I would guess that Jake would say he's not ready to take that step today. But he wouldn't necessarily preclude it at any time in the future.''

Peavy is obviously more comfortable in the NL. The White Sox are going to really have to sell the White Sox and American League to Jake Peavy. Guaranteeing his 22-million dollar option for 2013 would be a start. I think the White Sox should consider adding incenitve based bonuses each year into his contract. Throwing more money at this might not be the best move, but giving Peavy some motivation while making him the face of this rotation might work in the White Sox favor.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Strasburg Update

2009-05-21T09:20:00.000-05:00

San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the presumtive number-one pick in this years draft, pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings, improving to 13-0 with a 1.24 ERA in 102 innings. He has struck out 180 this season. He exited the game with back cramps, but Strasburg said it is nothing serious.

The Nationals have a big decision to make in the next couple weeks. Strasburg is going to be tough signing, probably holding out all the way until the deadline, which isn't necessarily a bad thing considering he has set a new career high in innings pitched. The Nationals should seriously consider Tanner Scheppers at the number one pick. He has incredible stuff and is expected to rise quickly, assuming he can stay healthy.

Dustin Ackley Update: I wrote about Dustin Ackley last week, basically disagreeing with Peter Gammons' evalutation. I watched some more game footage of him at the plate and I have to admit, I was pretty impressed. However, his inability to play the outfield this season raises some issues for me as a top ten pick. Outfield can be very tough on a player, requiring a lot of conditioning. Be away from that for a year, and then being asked to adjust in the minor leagues while adjusting to wooden bats and professional pitching, seems like a tough adjustment.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Rays, Maddon Close To Extension

2009-05-21T08:48:00.000-05:00

The Rays and manager Joe Maddon are closing in on a three year extension through 2012. This extension is long overdue. Maddon built this team up to win its first AL pennant, and has earned the love and respect of his players in the process.

"He built this," Pena said. "Obviously he deserves it. Any positive news is welcome. We feed off positive energy. When this gets done, everyone is going to be very happy for Joe, believe me."

Maddon, who won the AL manager of the year last season, is of to a 20-21 start this season.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Mariners Should Shop Branyan

2009-05-21T08:31:00.001-05:00

Mariners first baseman Russell Branyan's trade value has never been higher. Branyan, who is a career .234 hitter, is hitting .305 with 10 home runs and a .379 on-base percentage. Branyan's 1.4 million dollar contract makes him much more desirable to a team like the Mets, who will be with out Carlos Delgado for two months.

The Mariners should look to unload Branyan if they fall out of contention. They could probably land a prospect with some potential by the way he is playing.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Peavy to White Sox?

2009-05-21T08:16:00.000-05:00

FOXSports.com is reporting that the White Sox are making a push for Padres ace Jake Peavy. Peavy, who would have to waive his no-trade clause, reportedly met with manager Bud Black to discuss the possible trade. Peavy seemed open to the idea when I interviewed him, but he never directly said that to me. This trade is no guarantee, especially because Peavy has to decide if he wants to move to the AL and play for manager Ozzie Guillen.

Peavy, who is 3-5 with a 3.82 ERA and 69 strike outs, has also drawn interest from the Cubs and Braves. Expect the Padres to ask for Aaron Poreda, Tyler Flowers, or Gordon Beckham in a package for Peavy.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Foulke Pitching Well For Newark

2009-05-20T15:53:00.001-05:00

Newark Bears closer Keith Foulke is off to a good start this season with a 0.75 ERA in 12.1 innings. Foulke is hoping to receive a major league offer soon so he can get back in the big leagues.

"I hope the phone rings today and it's the Diamondbacks and I can pack my stuff and get out of here."

Foulke is competitive, but he doesn't love some of the behind scenes work that goes with being a ballplayer.

"Everybody laughs when I tell them I don't like baseball," Foulke said. "I don't like the fact that there's so much downtime and I don't like the downtime. It's not like I show up at 7 p.m. and watch a three-hour ballgame. I'm here at 2:30 p.m."

Foulke says that he is as healthy as he was in 2003, and if his strong play continues, someone could give him a look.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Red Sox Need To Find DH Replacement

2009-05-20T15:03:00.001-05:00

We're now a month and a half into the season and David Ortiz is still struggling at the plate. He is hitting .203 with 0 home runs and a .317 on-base percentage. He can't hit anything but a fastball, and he struggles catching up to that depending on the pitcher. Ortiz is the only DH without a homerun, and is slugging just .293.

The Red Sox are 2.5 games out of first and will need to pick it up if they want to stay in contention. Ken Rosenthal suggests the Red Sox trade Clay Buchholz for Rangers prospect Justin Smoak or Cardinals prospect Brett Wallace. The Red Sox could approach the Indians about Victor Martinez. They are looking for major-league ready pitching in return and could ask for Buchholz or Bowden. Martinez is hitting .400 with 7 home runs in 155 at-bats.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Quick Hits: DeRosa, Martinez, Cubs, Peavy

2009-05-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

Quick Hits:

Indians third baseman Mark DeRosa has been linked to a couple teams in the past couple days. There is some speculation that DeRosa could go to the Mets. However, the Mets are playing awful defense and DeRosa isn't the best fielder. He is versatile, but he isn't spectacular at any position.
Indians first baseman/catcher could be made available also, and he would probably draw a lot of interest. He has a 7.2 millon dollar contract, and is hitting .401 so far this season. The Mets could also take a look at him.
It was April of 2007 when the Cubs were put on the market and it looks like the sale will be finalized sometime in July. Just in time for a big blockbuster deal, perhaps.
Stay tuned for Part III of my exclusive interview with Jake Peavy.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Rickie Weeks Out For Season

2009-05-18T23:33:00.002-05:00

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks will miss the remainder of the season with a wrist tear. Weeks, who was hitting .272 with 9 home runs, was just starting to live up to his high expectations.

"I was enjoying myself watching him play," Macha said. "This is one tough guy, a grinder, very intense. It's a shame."

The Brewers must scramble to fill the spot, which will go to Craig Counsell for now. They could talk to the Indians about utility man Mark DeRosa. They worked together a big trade last season and DeRosa would give manager Ken Macha a lot more options on the field.

To read more on DeRosa, click here.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Jake Peavy Exclusive Part II

2009-05-18T21:56:00.001-05:00

To see Part I of the interview, click here.

The MLB Draft is always an interesting event to follow because you cannot fully judge a team by the moves they make until you see how the player perform at the next level. A team will take a player based on his talent and potential growth, but has no control over how he performs at the next level. They can influence him, but if the player can't handle it than it throws off his entire development. In the 1999 draft, the Padres were excited about their three first-round picks: Vince Faison, Gerik Baxter, and Omar Ortiz. Little did they know that their fifteenth round pick would turn out to be a future Cy Young award winner named Jake Peavy. Faison and Ortiz never made it to the major leagues, and the Padres never had a chance to see what Baxter was truly capable of, as he was killed in an automobile accident in 2001.

It was June 1999 and high school senior Jake Peavy was sitting on an offer to play baseball at the University of Auburn in his home state of Alabama. The Padres liked Peavy's competitive nature and love for the game, so they drafted him in the fifteenth round From there, it was up to Peavy, who could decide to go pro or to Auburn and reenter the draft as a junior in 2002.

"We just weighed our options," Peavy said. "At the end of the day we came to the realization that I wanted to be a major league baseball player. Why not get in the system as an 18-year old kid and start developing towards becoming a major leaguer."

While current big leaguers Gabe Gross and Chris Bootcheck were playing at Auburn in 2000, Peavy was off pitching for the Padres in the minor leagues. Looking back on the situation and where he is now, Peavy stands by his decision to bypass college.

"I certainly was excited to go to Auburn, but at the end of the day and for the betterment of my career, I thought getting some professional training from coaches was best for me."

Part III coming out tomorrow!
This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Phillies Sign Bako

2009-05-18T17:50:00.002-05:00

A nice story here. The Phillies and Paul Bako have agreed to a minor league deal, the Phillies official website reported.

"Paul has a tremendous amount of Major League experience and he gives us the opportunity to add greater catching depth to our system," Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said in a statement.

Bako was signed by the Cubs this offseason, but was released on March 30th when Koyie Hill won the backup catching spot. He will report to extended spring training before he joins one of the teams minor league affiliates.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Interview with Jorge Arangure

2009-05-18T17:01:00.001-05:00

A couple weeks ago, ESPN.com article caught my eye about some of the top international prospects in this years pool. The article was written by Jorge Arangure, and I was curious to find out more about the process. It is a lot different than the MLB Draft. In the draft, teams can select anyone from the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico. Following the draft, the team has until August 15th to sign the player and then assign him to one of the minor league teams. In the international pool, the process varies depending on the player and the team. So I emailed Arangure and asked him if he would be up for answering some of my questions. He was more than happy to and I appreciate his informative responses.

ELI: Is there an age a player has to be before he can be scouted by MLB teams?

JORGE: There is no particular age when a team can simply scout a player. Often, diligent scouts will know about a particular player years before they are eligible to sign. It's not uncommon for a scout to have seen a player when they were as young as 12 or 13. For example, this January, powerful trainer Edgar Mercedes had a showcase for several of his top prospects which was attended by scouts from almost every team. Among those prospects was Wagner Mateo, who is considered one of the top outfielder's in this year's free agent class. But also working out were several players who weren't eligible until 2010 and there were even a couple players working out who won't be eligible to sign until 2011. The distinction of course is that teams aren't supposed to even negotiate for those players at this point.

ELI: In some scouting videos, you'll see the same prospect wearing different uniforms. How much contact can teams have with players leading up to the international signing date when they are available?

JORGE: Really, there are no limits on how much contact a team can have with a player. The only limit lies in how much time a prospect can spend at a particular team's academy. MLB dictates that a prospect can spend a maximum 30 days housed at the academy. But that doesn't rule out that a player can basically work out for the team as much as he wants while not housed there.

ELI: Today, news travels pretty quickly. How connected are the different cities and towns when it comes to baseball. When there is touted prospect somewhere in the D.R. (for example), how do people usually hear about him and how long does it take before he is being talked about here?

JORGE: This is a bit complicated. Usually Dominican trainers will know about a particular prospect much earlier than teams do. Because trainers can sign a contract to represent a player at any age, they have an advantage over teams, who can't sign a player until they are 16. It's very rare these days for a top prospect to not be a linked with a well-known trainer (aka buscon). Trainers have their own scouts looking for players. And also, you'll get a low level trainer with a top prospect who simply sells or agrees to split the bonus commission with a more well-known trainer so the prospect gets more exposure. The more well known trainers can get teams to attend workouts simply because they have produced top players in the past.

Of course there are always exceptions. Many players who get small bonuses often blossom later because no one really can predict how 16 year old kids will develop.

ELI: After the international signing begins, how long does the team have to sign players?

JORGE: There is no time limit on when a team can sign a player. Once a player become a free agent he can sign with whichever team he wants whenever he wants. A player becomes eligible to sign in a certain year if he turns 16 in that year prior to Sept. 1. If he turns 16 after Sept. 1, then he won't be eligible to sign until July 2 of the following year. For example, if Player X turns 16 on May 12, then he can sign this year on July 2. But if he turns 16 on Sept. 12, then he must wait until July 2, 2010.

ELI: After a player is signed, what are the next steps for the player? Where is he assigned?

JORGE: Usually, 16-year-old kids signees will spend at least one season in the Dominican Summer League. Kids that young usually aren't deemed physically or mentally ready to travel to the United States to play against high school and college graduates. That isn't always the case if a player is signed when he's 18 or older. Then a team may deem the player ready to start his pro career in the US.

ELI: Who would you say is the top hitting prospect and pitching prospect in this years pool?

JORGE: The market is shaping up to be that SS Miguel Angel Sano and P Daniel Sanchez are the top hitters and pitchers this year. Sano is a Dominican power hitting shortstop with a strong body that makes likely that he'll end up playing another position at one point. Teams love his raw power and he has a strong arm, which means he could end up playing third base. Sanchez is a right-handed hard-thrower from Venezuela. He has an above average fastball and some teams think he will eventually develop a good slider.

ELI: What teams are most active in scouting players? What team, if there is one, the least active?

JORGE: It's hard to say which teams are more or less active than others simply because some teams choose to bypass paying the big bucks for the big name players and instead focus on cheaper players who they project can be successful major leaguers. I'd say the most active players on the big names this year are Texas, the Yankees, the Pirates, San Diego, the Dodgers, the Mets, among others. Every team is active in some way. Some just choose to be a bit more clandestine about which players they scout.

ELI: Is there was a way to improve the process? More media access to players, something in the regulations, etc. If there was something you could change, what would it be?

JORGE: If I could change something I'd say i would make it so that players aren't eligible to sign until they are 18. For me this would eliminate some of the age manipulation.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

WIll the Nationals Pass On Strasburg?

2009-05-18T13:12:00.000-05:00

Nationals owner Stan Kasten is telling people that he will pay a fair-market rate for Stephen Strasburg. If that's so, you can expect these negotiations to carry out all the way until the August 15th deadline, when Strasburg will decide to either sign or sit out a year - which he has not ruled out. Strasburg is 12-0 with a 1.34 ERA and 174 strike outs in 13 starts this season, one of which was a no-hitter. Some say Strasburg is major-league ready, but would likely need a couple starts in the minor leagues to adjust to professional hitters.

Even if Strasburg comes up and proves he is ready for the big leagues, he has already thrown 94.1 innings this season, and would probably need to be cut off at around 130 or 140, at most. If the Nationals were to pass on him for another pitcher, perhaps Tanner Scheppers, they would be paying much less for someone who could be equally as effective. I would be surprised to see the Nationals pass on him, but they might be better off drafting and signing someone who is eager to sign and play.

First round draft picks have been given major league contracts before, so the Nationals are going to have a hard time not agreeing to that, especially because their 2007 first round pick Ross Detwiler has been on the 40-man roster since being drafted.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Indians Could Shop Pavano, DeRosa - Not Lee

2009-05-18T12:50:00.001-05:00

The New York Post suggests that the Indians would likely shop Carl Pavano or Mark DeRosa before they consider trading Cliff Lee. Both Pavano and DeRosa are in walk years and have bargain contracts, making them attractive to teams who may not have unlimited money to spend. DeRosa is able to play first, second, third, and the corner outfield spots, and can be slotted in several different spots in the lineup. He is a team player who emerged as a team leader in the Cubs clubhouse in just two seasons before he was traded for three prospects.

The Giants could be a possible landing spot for DeRosa. He could fill in all across the infield as well as platoon in left with Fred Lewis. Not only that, but if they let DeRosa walk, they could land a draft pick in the 2010 draft. As for Pavano, he could be an option for the Marlins, who have already been linked to Brad Penny. But Pavano has a 6.33 ERA in 8 starts, and probably doesn't have much value.

The Indians would be smart to wait to shop Lee until after the season. This gives them the opportunity to scout young prospects, some of whom who may get an opportunity to play for their parent club. Not only that, but teams may be more willing to trade than sign a free agent, making him much more appealing. He will make 8 million dollars in 2010, a very modest contract for an ace.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Johnson to Red Sox?

2009-05-18T12:16:00.000-05:00

Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson is off to a solid start this season hitting .333 with 3 home runs and a .421 on-base percentage. Johnson hasn't had a full season since 2006, missing all of 2007 and playing in just 38 games in 2008. Johnson would give the Red Sox offense a huge boost, especially because David Ortiz is not hitting. Johnson could platoon at first and DH, giving time off to Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, and Mike Lowell (Johnson at first, Youk to third).

The Nationals would definitely ask for pitching in return, possibly targeting Daniel Bard. ESPN.com's Peter Gammons believes Manny Delcarmen could be a closer in the NL, so the Nationals could ask for Declarmen and a minor league position player. The Red Sox are very protective of their top young pitchers, and I would be surprised to see them trade Buchholz, Bowden, Tazawa, or Masterson.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

A Jake Peavy Exclusive Part I

2009-05-17T17:38:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday, I went to cover the Padres/Cubs game and had a sit down interview with Padres ace Jake Peavy. Coming to Chicago - a place where he was nearly traded to last offseason - everyone was curious to see how he would handle the pressure. Peavy gave up three earned runs his starts against the Cubs, striking out nine and walking two. Despite suffering the loss, he was happy to give Eli's MLB Rumors an exclusive interview.

In 2006, Peavy battled midseason shoulder tendonitis, something that was attributed to pitching in the WBC. Players since, including All-Stars Geovanny Soto and Joakim Soria, have had to battle back from injuries early on because of their increased workloads during the WBC.

"It is certainly hard to get going," Peavy said. "It is hard to get it going that early and being able to do what you know you are capable of doing. I think right now, us as Americans would have a lot better chance of competing and winning it all."

Teams may not like seeing their star players skip Spring Training, but players enjoy teaming up with guys they usually would not play with.

"No doubt about it, you play with a lot of great players. You get to know people you don't have the opportunity to get to know or play with for any set period of time - other than an All-Star game or something - so that is certainly a fun part about it."

Peavy, a two-year veteran of the WBC, would be open for a change to the scheduling, moving it to November rather than before Spring Training.

"I would love to see that simply because I went to the Japan series [in November 2004]. I got to go on that trip and I was right where I needed to be and I was able to pitch well against the same team that won [the WBC]. I would love to see that format and think we would have a better chance of competing."

Part II coming out tomorrow!
This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Ackley Seattle Bound?

2009-05-17T16:22:00.001-05:00

With the Nationals already set on pitcher Stephen Strasburg, it is now the Mariners turn to pick the best player on the market. That player may be Dustin Ackley, who is hitting .405 with 17 home runs and a .511 on-base percentage for the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Mariners like his speed and ability to hit for average, but there are questions about his power and his ability to play the outfield as he still comes back from Tommy John surgery.

The Mariners should seriously consider Tanner Scheppers, who is pitching in the Independent Leagues right now. Scheppers is excited about the draft, a strong indication that he will sign. Scheppers, if you don't remember, so his draft stock fall after he injured his shoulder. He was drafted by the Pirates, but chose not to sign. Scheppers is a big time pitcher who has the potential to be a front of the line rotation starter.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Doug Davis and the Diamondbacks

2009-05-17T10:14:00.001-05:00

In Friday's game versus the Braves, Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch pulled Doug Davis from the on-deck circle for a pinch hitter with two outs in the seventh inning. Davis, who had only thrown 80 pitches at that point, confronted Hinch in the dugout.

"We've got seven outs [left] in the game," Hinch said. "Obviously, we're trying to get a guy on base in front of [Felipe] Lopez and [Gerardo] Parra, so with seven outs, I'm going to take a shot at getting a guy on base and hitting a ball in the gap to score him and tie the game. It's a tough decision, but at the same time, it's a decision I made."

Davis is a competitor, and a veteran like him probably hasn't been pulled after 80 pitches in a game like that. But the Diamondbacks have won three of the last ten, and trying to get a runner on base to start a rally with the top of your order coming up is a way to get your team going. I think Hinch made the right move, and I think he handled the situation well by talking with Davis during the game. Davis and Hinch have reportedly cleared the air, but with Davis' impending free agency, it makes you wonder if they would look to trade him.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Guzman Emerging As Reliever

2009-05-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

Once considered a top prospect in the Cubs organization, Angel Guzman is starting to emerge as a solid reliever in the Cubs bullpen. Guzman was dominant in his first couple years in the minor leagues, but was forgotten after the 2003 season when he went down with a shoulder injury. It took him nearly three years to make it back, and when he did, his stuff was not nearly the same.

Yet, the Cubs were not ready to give up on the prized prospect. They used him in the rotation, but he was unsuccessful. He was 0-6 in 2006 with a 7.39 ERA, but he recorded more than a strikeout per inning.

It took him nearly three years to record a major league win, but on April 18th of this year he logged it in an extra inning victory. Guzman had to earn the role he is in now, mostly because of an awful spring performance. Now he is the seventh inning man in front of Carlos Marmol, with a 3.32 ERA with 19 strike outs in 19 innings. Hitters are hitting just .179 against him with a WHIP of 0.95. While he likely isn't a fantasy option just yet, Guzman is starting to earn the trust of manager Lou Piniella and he will likely see more time in those pressure situations.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

The Rangers and Ben Sheets

2009-05-16T21:29:00.000-05:00

Free agent pitcher Ben Sheets visited his former coach and current Rangers pitcher coach Mike Maddux in Texas today. The Rangers have had interest in Sheets for a while, but will wait and see how he throws before making a decision. The Rangers have some good young pitchers and may not be in a position to spend money. However, Sheets has had seven double-digit win seasons, and has a career 3.72 ERA.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

2009 MLB Draft Order

2009-05-16T11:31:00.005-05:00

Here is the order for this years MLB Draft, which is set to take place in June.

1. Washington Nationals
2. Seattle Mariners
3. San Diego Padres
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Baltimore Orioles
6. San Francisco Giants
7. Atlanta Braves
8. Cincinnati Reds
9. Detroit Tigers
10. Washington Nationals*
11. Colorado Rockies
12. Kansas City Royals
13. Oakland Athletics
14. Texas Rangers
15. Cleveland Indians
16. Arizona Diamondbacks
17. Arizona Diamondbacks*
18. Florida Marlins
19. St. Louis Cardinals
20. Toronto Blue Jays
21. Houston Astros
22. Minnesota Twins
23. Chicago White Sox
24. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
25. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim*
26. Milwaukee Brewers
27. Seattle Mariners*
28. New York Yankees*
29. Boston Red Sox
30. Tampa Bay Rays
31. Chicago Cubs
32. Colorado Rockies*

10 - Washington Nationals receive this pick as compensation for not signing 2008 1st Round Pick, Aaron Crow.

# 17 - Arizona Diamondbacks receive this pick as compensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers signing 2B Orlando Hudson

# 24 - Los Angeles Angels receive this pick as compensation for the New York Mets signing Francisco Rodriguez.

# 25 - Los Angeles Angels receive this pick as compensation for the New York Yankees signing Mark Teixeira.

# 27 - Seattle Mariners receive this pick as compensation for Philadelphia Phillies signing Raul Ibanez.

# 28 - New York Yankees receive this pick as compensation for not signing 2008 1st Round Pick, Gerrit Cole.

# 32 - Colorado Rockies receive this pick as compensation for Los Angeles Angels signing Brian Fuentes.

(Courtesy of 2009 MLB Mock Draft)

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Pirates Eye Dominican Phenom

2009-05-15T11:49:00.002-05:00

16-year old shortstop Miguel Angel Sano is the top international prospect in this years pool. The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette is reporting that the Pirates may have the inside track in signing Sano, who is 6'3'' and 189 pounds. Sano has also been coveted by the Cardinals, Cubs, Athletics, and Blue Jays, among others.

"The Pirates are one of many teams interested, and they've got as good a shot as any team as long as the money is there," Sano's agent, Rob Plummer, told the newspaper. "There's no question they're interested, just as there's no question this is a special talent."

Sano, who has been compared to Hanley Ramirez and Albert Pujols, is expected to land a bonus around 4 million dollars, which would be one of the highest bonuses ever given out. Sano is a long way from making it to the major leagues. He is just sixteen years old, and likely won't join the minor league system until the 2010 season. However, his body projects well and he could develop into a true hitter, hitting for both average and power.

Here is a video produced by the Global Post about Miguel Angel Sano. Check it out.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Yankees, Angels Interested In Lopez

2009-05-14T14:39:00.001-05:00

The Boston Herald is reporting that the Red Sox have put Javier Lopez on waivers and are waiting to hear whether or not he can be assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket. Lopez is 0-2 with a 9.26 ERA in 14 games this season, but had a 2.43 ERA last season in 70 games. The Yankees are believed to be considering Lopez, mostly because they have the third worst bullpen ERA in the AL (5.85).

One AL executive wouldn't be surprised to see the Angels make a move. Even though they are close to adding Rudy Seanez, adding a reliever with Lopez's talent could be worth your while when he starts to turn it around. He has only appeared in 14 games, so a turnaround is inevitable.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Angels Close In On Seanez

2009-05-14T14:02:00.000-05:00

Right handed pitcher Rudy Seanez is closing in on a minor league deal with the Angels. Seanez, who would be joining his 12th organization in 17 seasons, had a 3.53 ERA last season with the Phillies. Seanez has a 4.10 career ERA, and the Angels hope the 40-year-old can have an impact on the bullpen, which owns a league worst 6.90 ERA.

Seanez will report to extended Spring Training before reporting to Triple-A Salt Lake City.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.
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Quick Hits: Ordonez, Bonds, Peavy, Papelbon

2009-05-13T22:11:00.000-05:00

Quick Hits:

Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez is off to a terrible start, hitting just .241 with 2 homeruns in 30 games. The Tigers will owe Ordonez 18 million dollars if he reaches 457 plate appearances this season. He almost certainly will reach that number, unless he lands on the disabled list or the Tigers choose not to play him, which would likely result in a grievance. If the Tigers were to release him, they would owe him 17.5 million, which is a lot better than the 33 million (through 2011) that they would have to pay him if they keep playing him.
L.A. Times writer Bill Shaikin writes about the possibilities of Barry Bonds signing with an Independent team. His agent, Jeff Borris, downplayed the speculation.
Had a nice chat with Padres ace Jake Peavy today before the Cubs/Padres game tonight. Also talked with manager Bud Black, Cubs pitchers Randy Wells and Jose Ascanio, and others.
SI.com's Jon Heyman has yet another great piece up on the news around baseball. He talks about Jonathan Papelbon's save celebration, calling it "downright nutso."I tend to agree, and think Papelbon's antics are a little unnecessary.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Would The Indians Fire Wedge?

2009-05-12T21:22:00.003-05:00

The Indians are currently 6.5 games out of first, and have lost 3 of their last 10 games. Wedge isn't all too concerned about his status, he is more focused on getting his team turned around.

"I'm the manager," he said. "It is my fault. I'm not out there playing, but I'm the manager of this team, and I'm responsible for this club. I try to stay out of the way when things are going well and take full responsibility when they're not going well. The bottom line is, we're a better club than what we're showing and how we're playing. That has to be a direct reflection on me."

This time last year, the Indians were 19-19, but that was when they had C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, who was in Cy Young form. The Indians are hitting just .246 with runners in scoring position and the bullpen owns a 6.18 ERA so far. Wedge turned the team around last year to finish with an 81-81 record, so I suspect the Indians will give him another opportunity to turn them around before he is let go.

It would make sense to bring in someone from the outside if he needs to be replaced. The team is still young and if they do indeed need to go in another direction, then it should be with someone with a fresh thinking. Guys like Alan Trammell of the Cubs or Willie Randolph of the Brewers could take a look at the job openings. John Farrell of the Red Sox is another good option, and Mike Hargrove, who is retired, would make for a nice reunion in Cleveland. He could also set up the return of Manny Ramirez, who was managed by Hargrove in Cleveland. But that is a long ways a way. Wedge's seat isn't as hot as we think, or as Indians fans may want it to be.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Brewers Sign Catalanotto

2009-05-12T13:59:00.005-05:00

The Brewers and Frank Catalanotto have come to terms on the a minor-league deal, Eli's MLB Rumors has confirmed.

"I've talked to him personally," Brewers GM Doug Melvin said by phone Tuesday afternoon. "He's going to be a specialized guy. We're hoping he can improve our quality at-bats coming off the bench."

The story was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com.

Melvin confirmed the report that Catalanotto will report to extended spring training for five to seven days before they send him to one of their minor league clubs.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Braves Have Chips For Big Trade

2009-05-12T12:11:00.001-05:00

The Braves are off to a 16-16 start and they seemed poised to make a trade soon. Garrett Anderson and Jordan Schafer both are not hitting, and it would make sense that they would go after a power hitting corner outfielder. The Braves top three starters are solid, and the rotation will get deeper when top prospect Tommy Hanson arrives in Atlanta. They are just 1.5 games out of first, and the pitching has proven resilient, being in the top ten in ERA, saves, and strikeouts.

When it appeared that the Braves minor league system had all but dried up, some of their forgotten young arms have started to put it together. Kris Medlen has a 0.96 ERA and 5 wins while Charlie Morton is 3-2 with a 3.44 ERA in six starts. Morton is racking up strikeouts with great consistency, striking out at least ten in two of his six starts. The Braves have already said that Jason Heyward and Tommy Hanson are untouchable, but don't be surprised to see Jo-Jo Reyes shopped around. A package that included Reyes and Morton, along with a low level hitting prospect, could probably land them the hitter they need to challenge the rest of the NL East for the division.

Matt Holliday seems to be an obvious target, but the Athletics would ask for Heyward or Hanson in a package, and the Braves shouldn't make either trade. Hanson has been nothing but dominant since the end of last year and Heyward has scouts raving about his potential. Heyward projects well as a power hitter, and will likely grow into his 6'4'' frame. Brad Hawpe of the Rockies would be a nice option. He is hitting .330 with 4 homeruns, and won't be a free agent until after 2010 (club option for 2011). Hawpe is hitting .306 on the road, compared to .359 at home. The package mentioned above might be able to pull of this trade. Other options include Hank Blalock, Ryan Ludwick, and Brian Giles.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

White Sox Option Contreras

2009-05-11T15:08:00.000-05:00

After clearing waivers, the White Sox optioned Jose Contreras to Triple-A Charlotte to work out some command issues he has been struggling with. Contreras is 0-5 with a 8.19 ERA in six starts this season, and has made it past the sixth inning just once.

The White Sox called up Jimmy Gobble in his place.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Red Sox Could Trade Penny

2009-05-11T14:53:00.001-05:00

Buster Olney of ESPN.com speculates on his blog about the chances of the Red Sox trading Brad Penny, who is 3-1 in six starts. Penny owns a booming 6.96 ERA and has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 16/15 - not all that spectacular. Penny pitched in the NL his whole career before making the jump to the AL. He is probably in the toughest division in baseball hitting wise, which also happened to open another hitters ballpark this year.

Olney suggests the Brewers or Mets as possible landing spots if made available. I think it would be a smart move to unload him. Masterson will move back to the bullpen when Matsuzaka returns, Buchholz and Bowden are both pitching very well in Triple-A, and John Smoltz will be coming back in the next month or so. Trading Penny midseason is risky, but taking a chance on Buchholz or Bowden in the five spot is worth the risk.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Time To Trade?

2009-05-11T12:46:00.002-05:00

Here are five guys whose team would benefit from trading them sooner rather than later:

5. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
- Ichiro is one of the best hitters in the game, and has shown it by compiling a .330 career average in nine seasons. He has had over 200 hits in each of his nine seasons and has scored at least one hundred runs as well. However, teammates have complained about Ichiro and there have been published reports that teammates openly do not like him. Making him available could bring in a couple top prospects, as well as clear up payroll and a problem in the clubhouse. Waiting until you need to trade Ichiro would probably mean the return would not be as good as it would be this season.

4. Derrek Lee, Cubs
- Back in October, I wrote about how it was time to trade Derrek Lee. He doesn't have the range or the power that he once had. Lee has needed more time off in the past season and a half, an opportunity that Micah Hoffpauir is making the most of. Since the All-Star break last season (through today), Lee has hit .250 with 8 homeruns. From the 2007 All-Star game to the 2008 All-Star break, Lee hit .305 with 31 homeruns. We need to give Lee till the All-Star break to turn his season around, but now would be the time to start shopping him so if he does turn it around, more teams will be in on him.

3. David Ortiz, Red Sox
- Ortiz is set to be free agent after the 2010 season (12.5 club option for '11), but really doesn't have any trade value at this point. He is available exclusively to AL teams, mostly because his defense is among the worst. Ortiz is hitting just .224 with 0 homeruns and 14 RBI. He has a .338 OBP, but he isn't having much of an impact on the lineup as pitchers are starting to pitch to him. One possible option would be Adrian Beltre, who is making 12 million dollars this season. Because Ortiz has no buyout for his club option in '11, this trade is possible.

2. Garrett Atkins, Rockies
- While I'm sure the Rockies would rather unload Todd Helton, his contract has a full no-trade clause and he 52.3 million dollars left on his contract, plus a 4.6 million dollar buyout. Atkins is hitting just .210 with 3 homeruns in 27 games. He was shopped around to Cleveland and Anaheim last offseason, and could be moved for young prospects. Going after a young pitcher or two would definitely be beneficial for the Rockies future. Atkins would make for a nice corner infielder in Chicago.

1. Cliff Lee, Indians
- 2008 Cy Young winner Cliff Lee got off to a terrible start, but has started to turn it around. While he is 1-5, he has a 3.45 ERA and had given up just seven earned runs in his last five starts, compared to eleven earned runs in his first two starts. The offense needs to come around for him, but he would make for a good midseason pickup. He could be a fall back to teams who miss out on Jake Peavy, is he is made available again.

Honorable mention: Jake Peavy, Hank Blalock.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Red Sox Call Up Bard

2009-05-10T12:21:00.000-05:00

The Red Sox have called up relief pitcher Daniel Bard, the Providence Journal is reporting. Bard is 1-0 in eleven appearances with the Triple-A Red Sox, and owns a 1.13 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 6 saves. Bard will give the Red Sox another late inning relief option, possibly setting up for closer Jonathan Papelbon.

The Red Sox are expected to option Hunter Jones to make room for Bard. Since Bard is not on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox will also need to make room for him there.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Pursuit For Peavy Heating Up

2009-05-09T17:15:00.000-05:00

Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Tribune is reporting that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti could use the 7.7 million dollars that won't be going to Manny Ramirez during his suspension and use it for acquiring Padres pitcher Jake Peavy. Adding Peavy with that money wouldn't cost them anything for 2009, but they would be adding to their payroll for the years beyond. Not only that, but it would cost the Dodgers several of their top prospects. He would probably cost the Dodgers one of their top young players, making this move unlikely, at least while the Dodgers are in first place.

The Cubs remain interested in Peavy, a source says. However, their new owner, Tom Ricketts, is struggling to raise funds and is looking to sell of parts of the team. The Cubs have the players to make a trade, but there is not enough room on the payroll for him right now.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Strasburg Update

2009-05-09T00:18:00.000-05:00

The presumptive number one overall pick Stephen Strasburg struck out 17 batters on his way to no-hit victory. The San Diego State Aztecs, led by Hall of Famer Ton Gwynn, defeated the Air Force 5-0. Most of the Nationals front office staff, including GM Mike Rizzo and scouting director Dana Brown, were in attendance to see the game.

This story keeps getting better as Strasburg improves to 11-0 on the year with a 1.24 ERA and 164 strikeouts. Gwynn has been praised for doing what he can to take care of Strasburg's arm, and pitching him on a regular five day schedule certainly helps. Strasburg has thrown 87 1/3 innings this season.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Cubs' Ramirez Exits With Injury

2009-05-08T20:03:00.004-05:00

Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez has left the game in the bottom of the third inning with what looked to be a separated shoulder. Ramirez extended his body to make a diving play and came up in excruciating pain holding the bicep/shoulder area. He was on the ground for over a minute before being helped up. The team trainer was holding the injured arm as they walked off the field.

More on this as it comes out.

If Ramirez goes on the DL for an extended amount of time, the Cubs would likely platoon Scales and Miles as second while platooning newly acquired utility man Ryan Freel and Mike Fontenot at third base. Not the best combination, especially with Soto and Bradley not hitting the ball well.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Update: Freel Traded to Cubs

2009-05-08T16:56:00.003-05:00

The Orioles and Cubs have completed a trade that would send utility player Ryan Freel to the Cubs for outfielder Joey Gathright. It was originally reported that Gathright was being demoted, but the two teams were able to pull off a quick exchange after he cleared waivers. The deal is cash-neutral, a source told Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal. So the Orioles will pay Ryan Freel's 3.3 million dollar salary and the Cubs will pay Joey Gathright's 800,000 dollar salary.

Freel gives the Cubs someone familiar with the division, having played with the Reds for six seasons prior to be traded to the Orioles in the Ramon Hernadez deal. He is very versatile, and we'll fit right in with teammates Reed Johnson and Aaron Miles, who all are defensive minded and aggressive at the plate. The irony behind this trade is that Felix Pie, who was traded to make room for Gathright, and Gathright are now teammates on the Orioles.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Coghlan Coming Up, Bonifacio To Bench?

2009-05-08T14:00:00.001-05:00

Rob Neyer via blog wrote about the arrival of third base prospect Chris Coghlan and how it will impact Emilio Bonifacio, who is hitting .250 on the year. Bonifacio got off to hot start, but fell quickly and is hitting just .194 this month. Coghlan, on the other hand, is tearing up the minor leagues with a .348 average and 12 extra base hits. The Marlins are a half game back in the division, and hope Coghlan will provide them with the power bat they are missing in the middle of that lineup.

More importantly, Bonifacio is bringing nothing to the table so there is really no risk in bringing up Coghlan, 23, who owns a .298 batting average over the course of his minor league career.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Miss DeRosa Much? Cubs Pursuing Freel

2009-05-08T11:36:00.003-05:00

The Cubs have reportedly approached the Orioles about utility player Ryan Freel. Freel can play all three outfield positions, second, and third base. The Cubs decided to demote Joey Gathright, likely signaling the end of his time in Chicago. My main problem with this trade is this would not have been a problem if the Cubs kept Mark DeRosa, who instead was traded to the Indians for three minor league prospects.

While DeRosa was a fan favorite, and proved to be a very versatile player, the players the Cubs received in return have some in the front office very excited.

"All three have a chance," Cubs director of player personnel Oneri Fleita said. "Chris Archer has big time stuff, and finding someone who can [potentially] give you 200-plus innings is hard to find. We think he has the ability to do it."

The two other players the Cubs received were John Gaub and Jeff Stevens. Both pitchers are options for call ups if injuries hamper the bullpen, but probably won't be needed until next season.

Freel, who is hitting .133 in 9 games, isn't likely to command more than a minor leaguer. He is making 3.3 millon dollars, some of which will probably need to be taken on by the Orioles in a trade.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Indians Sign Vizcaino

2009-05-08T10:40:00.000-05:00

The Indians are preparing to sign reliever Luis Vizcaino, a source told Ken Rosenthal. Vizcaino, who was released by the Cubs, will only cost the Indians 400,000, with the Cubs picking up his 4 million dollar contract. The Indians own the second highest bullpen ERA (6.65 ERA), and they hope a fresh arm can keep their bullpen from falling apart.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Diamondbacks Appoint Hinch As Manager

2009-05-08T10:35:00.001-05:00

In a rather surprising move, the Diamondbacks have named A.J. Hinch, currently their farm director, as their new manager. Hinch, a former major league catcher, has no managerial experience. However, he has overseen the development of Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, Stephen Drew, and others, so you could say he knows the Diamondbacks roster better than anyone. I, like others, viewed Hinch as an soon-to-be GM, like another Front Office executive with the Dbacks, Paul Woodfork.

Hinch will have to find a new hitting and pitching coach, and it will be interesting to see who he goes after.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Dbacks Fire Manager

2009-05-07T23:22:00.000-05:00

The Diamondbacks have gotten off to a rough start, and are 8 1/2 games behind the NL West leading Dodgers. The team president, Derrick Hall, called the teams play "unnacceptable," so a shakeup was inevitable. Today the Diamondbacks announced that they are firing manager Bob Melvin. Melvin, who was 337-340 since 2005 with the team, was named NL Manager of the Year in 2007. The Diamondbacks have yet to announce a replacement.

Kirk Gibson is the teams bench coach, and he is a possibility to replace Melvin on an interim basis. He has never been a manager but he has been a bench coach in Detroit and a TV analyst, not to mention a 17-year veteran with two rings to boast. From the outside, they could talk to Bob Brenly, currently the Cubs color commentator. He was their former manager, and they could turn to him because he brought them a World Series and handled the media very well. Who from the outside could adjust quickly enough to take the reigns of the struggling Diamondbacks?

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

BREAKING NEWS: Manny Ramirez Suspended For 50 Games

2009-05-07T11:27:00.007-05:00

Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has tested positive for using performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended for 50 games. Ramirez, who is hitting .348 with 6 HR, will not be eligible to return until July 3rd. This is going to hurt the Dodgers and the players whose numbers were improved by Ramirez's presence in the lineup.

Manny Ramirez Statement

MLB Statement regarding Manny Ramirez

HOW DOES IT IMPACT...?

The Dodgers: The Dodgers have called up Xavier Paul who will likely platoon with Juan Pierre. Manny had an impact on the players around him, and his absence could have a big impact on guys like Andre Ethier, who has hit .357 with 15 homeruns since Manny became a Dodger. Ethier hit just .283 in the first half of the season, and Manny's presence in the lineup elevated Ethier's game to a whole new level.

Manny Ramirez: After hearing that the drug was HCG, a drug popular among steroid users, you knew something was up.

"HCG is popular among steroid users because it can mitigate the side effects of ending a cycle of the drugs," a source told the AP.

It wasn't like he got bad advise in the case of J.C. Romero, but it appears as if Manny knowingly took steroids. This certainly puts an asterix above his numbers in the eyes of several Hall of Fame voters, like it has for Mark McGuire. The Dodgers just named a section in left field called "Mannywood," and that could take a big hit from the new allegations. Guys have survived from being exposed for steroid abuse. Magglio Ordonez is still putting up good numbers in Detroit, Brian Roberts signed an extension in Baltimore, and Gary Sheffield hit his 500th homerun with the Mets. He will come back from this, and we'll see if he can come back for the second of the season and carry the Dodgers into the postseason.

Baseball: The list of 104 names continues to be exposed, and the past fifteen to twenty years are starting to take to the "Steroid Era" pretty nicely. Of course, we need to wait for all the details to come out before we can make our final judgements, but his chances for the Hall of Fame may have slipped away, like it has for so many other players.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Cardinals Place Ankiel On DL

2009-05-07T09:41:00.000-05:00

Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel will be placed on the DL after he was unable to play two days after the crash. Ankiel made a running catch and collided with the wall head first, and had to be taken off on a stretcher. He will be okay, but he needs more recovery time than orginally expected. Ankiel is hitting .247 with 2 HR in 24 games this season.

The Cardinals will call up outfielder Shane Robinson from Triple-A. Robinson, 23, is hitting .345 in 15 games.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Molina Hopes To Discuss His Future

2009-05-07T09:32:00.002-05:00

Giants catcher Bengie Molina, who is entering the final year of his contract, would like to discuss his future in the next few months. Molina, who is hitting .295 with 5 HR this season, is making six million dollars this year. He will be 35 in July, and is hoping to be around for the next two or three years. "I consider myself for the next two or three years a No. 1 guy," Molina said Wednesday. "If they're not counting on me for that, I wish and hope they could come and tell me that. I want to finish my career here, I wish they'd come and tell me that because I've earned that respect."

In his first two seasons with the Giants (279 games), Molina hit .284 with 35 homeruns. A one year deal with an option for a second is probably the safest for the Giants. The Giants are high on catching prospect Buster Posey, but he likely won't be ready until next season or early 2011. Another reason to keep him is because of how familiar he is with their young pitching staff. He has been apart of their development and probably knows them better than anyone. Keeping him around for another year or two should have positive effects on both ends.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Marlins' Thompson Putting Everything Together

2009-05-06T17:43:00.012-05:00

Contributor: Melissa Isaacson (www.melissaisaacson.com)

Aaron Thompson has often been obscured by one of the best draft classes in recent memory. But the former first-round choice of the Florida Marlins is off to a strong start at Double-A Jacksonville, has a career 4.01 minor league ERA and scouts like his competitive nature and how he sets up the count.

Thompson has been inspired by his fellow 2005 Florida draftees. Two of five have already had major-league call-ups including Chris Volstad, 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA in six starts this season while holding hitters to just a .192 batting average with 32 strikeouts. Volstad made the jump to the big league club in early July of '08, an occasion that Thompson, his roommate since their rookie ball days, was able to witness.

"Can't help but be jealous," said Thompson, who happened to be in the area rehabbing from a shoulder injury, "but it made me want [to be here] more."

Making the jump from the amateur to the professional level can have adverse effects on a player. A gifted pitcher who throws 95 miles per hour in high school may not necessarily know how to set up a hitter, a must against professional hitters.

Thompson, who has been working to develop his secondary pitches so that he is more confident in approaching hitters, now understands the difference.

"It is the mindset," Thompson said, "how to read a situation and how to pitch instead of just throwing. When the game changes, I need to change [my approach] and make quick judgments."

Thompson's journey through the minor leagues hit a roadblock when Thompson dealt with shoulder issues last year. Yet the Marlins awarded Thompson by sending him to the Arizona Fall League, a privilege for only five players in each organization. Thompson, who has pitched almost exclusively as a starter, worked primarily out of the bullpen.

"I made adjustments out of the bullpen, so now I could pitch in the bullpen if needed," he said.

The versatility Thompson now brings to the Marlins could get him a ticket to Miami sooner than originally thought.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Boras Calls For Changes To World Series

2009-05-06T11:25:00.005-05:00

Sports agent Scott Boras, in an interview with Playboy, called for changes to the World Series:

"I'd modernize it, make it five out of nine games, with the first two in a neutral city. Announce the MVP and Cy Young awards at a gala held between the playoffs and a new World Series weekend. Move the home-run contest from the All-Star game to that week too. "The gala and home-run derby would lead to Game 1 of the Series on Saturday, with Game 2 on Sunday. Then the Series would go on with the final seven games in the Series teams' cities. This way, different places get part of the Series. I want the World Series in Pittsburgh, Texas, Seattle. Teams in those markets would sell more season tickets. World Series weekend would be a major stage for corporate events; it could advance the game to the next level."

I tend to agree with Boras and I hope that baseball will seriously consider the idea. Movng the homerun derby to the end season would probably make more players willing to participate; and adding a neutral site where that team isn't in the playoffs would help ticket sales. I think baseball needs to figure out the playoff scheduling before they make radical changes to postseason play. These ideas, if implemented, would commercialize postseason baseball. Over the years the postseason has become something not for all baseball fans, but for the specific teams fans only. Neutral sites, award ceremonies, and the homerun derby would certainly make the World Series a circus, in a good way.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Thoughts on Yankees/Red Sox Game

2009-05-05T22:34:00.003-05:00

Thanks to the MLB Network, I was able to watch most of Joba Chamberlain's dominant performance. His dominance was over casted by four run first inning, but that takes nothing way from Chamberlain striking out the final eight batters he faced. Chamberlain works himself up on the mound quite a bit, reminding me a little bit of Carlos Zambrano back in 2003 and 2004 (Here is a picture of Zambrano. And another).

The big picture is that Chamberlain has had success at Yankee stadium despite his age. The intensity he brings to the Yankees is going to produce wins, and being around guys like A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, known for their poise and intensity on the mound, will certainly level him out. Zambrano is coming off his sixth season with at least 13 wins, and is 3-1 so far this season. Chamberlain has better command of his pitches than Zambrano did when he was 23, and will mature.

Chamberlain is now 1-1 with a 3.77 ERA in five games, but owns a career 2.32 ERA in 65 career games. His numbers may look a little better if the Yankee bullpen weren't in ruins, owning the third worst bullpen ERA (6.35 ERA). If the Yankee bullpen were able to keep a one run deficit from becoming a four run deficit, the Yankee bats might have come through. Instead, they appeared checked out batting in the bottom of the ninth.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Quick Hits: Crow, Damon, Chacon, Milledge

2009-05-05T20:38:00.007-05:00

Quick hits:

The Nationals have the first and ninth overall pick in this years draft. By missing out on pitcher Aaron Crow last year, they receive the ninth pick as compensation. Bill Ladson of MLB.com says the Nationals haven't ruled out drafting Aaron Crow, who chose not to sign with them last year. He probably would be in the Nationals rotation by now if he hadn't spurned them. Crow made his Independent league debut Monday, lating just 1 2/3 innings, giving up three runs (one earned) while striking out three.
Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon has been discussing his future lately. "Hopefully, I can be happy in New York for a few more years. It’s tough to keep moving around teams. Hopefully this will be my last.” Damon has hit .286 in the past three years with the Yankees, and has averaged a little over 17 homeruns those three years. With Austin Jackson waiting in the wings, will the Yankees sign Damon?
The Global Post has an excellent featured video on 15-year old prospect Miguel Angel Sano from the Dominican Republic. His athletic build and smooth swing has all thirty teams pursuing him. With so many stories coming out about players giving the wrong age, it is hard not to be suspicious. But the video gives you a little background and his family reassures everyone that he is indeed 15-years old. For what it's worth, I was convinced.
Right handed pitcher Shawn Chacon has signed with the Newark Bears. Chacon will join veterans Keith Foulke, Armando Benitez, Carl Everett, Jay Gibbons, Bobby Hill, and Pete Rose Jr. on the Bears roster.
"The Lastings Milledge Project" has taken a turn for the worst. Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says that Milledge and the Nationals have not had contact since his demotion last month. I suspect teams will follow him closely, especially after what Triple-A manager Tim Foli said: "You'd be pretty stupid to not understand how high the ceiling would be on a Lastings Milledge if he got it all together."

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Owens to Mariners, Ward to White Sox

2009-05-05T19:38:00.000-05:00

Just a couple minor moves involving Jerry Owens and Daryle Ward. The Mariners have signed outfielder Jerry Owens to a minor league deal while the White Sox have signed Ward to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Ward was hitting .222 with 2 RBI in eight games for the Newark Bears before the White Sox picked him up.

It is nice to see Ward land with a big league club. Ward struggled in 2008, but had a .327 batting average in 2007 with the Cubs, including 3 HR. I hope he does well for them.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Will the Mariners Be Sellers?

2009-05-05T12:22:00.000-05:00

Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal has an interesting piece out on why the Mariners and Athletics aren't set on being sellers just yet. The Mariners have good group of veterans they could deal, but currently lead the AL West by 1 1/2 games and the Angels pitching, particularly the bullpen, has been subpar. But if the Mariners were to fall out of contention, here are the players who would likely be available:

Adrian Beltre, 3B: Beltre is in the final year of five year deal making 12 million dollars this season. Beltre is hitting just .208 with 0 HR this season, but is a career .285 hitter after the trade deadline. The power should come, and if it does, he could be on the block.

Erik Bedard, SP: Bedard is making 7.75 million dollars this season and is off to a good start in five games, going 2-1 with 2.61 ERA and 32 strikeouts. Teams will definitely be interested in the left hander if he is made available. He's never pitched more than 200 innings, but if he could give you 140-150, he could still make for an above average two or three starter.

Jarrod Washburn, SP: Washburn is also in the last year of his contract, making 10.35 million dollars. Washburn is 2-1 in five games with a 2.97 ERA. The Mariners have tried to unload Washburn in years past, but could never come to a deal. You know the Twins will likely be in on him again, and it will be interesting to see if other teams jump in. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Nationals dangle an outfielder at them. Maybe Lastings Milledge in a package of players.

Russel Branyan, 1B: Branyan has always had power, but he has never carried an average like he has in 2009. Branyan is hitting .320 with 7 HR in 20 games. A team looking for a power boost could look at Branyan at a low cost upgrade. The Mariners could capitalize on Branyan's strong start.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.