We're Moving!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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?

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

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.