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Archives for May 2012

AL West Notes: Rangers, Hamilton, Angels, Trout

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Here’s a look at the American League West and the division-leading Rangers..

  • While teams are salivating over Josh Hamilton’s impending free agency, Joel Sherman of the New York Post cautions that a long-term, monster deal could backfire on the club that signs him.  Sherman also touches on Albert Pujols’ early slump and wonders if the Angels would make the deal again knowing what they know now.
  • Signing Hamilton to a big contract is a high-risk, high-reward proposition for the Rangers, writes John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.  The Rangers are working to protect themselves financially in the event of more off-the-field trouble or major injuries.
  • How did Angels outfielder Mike Trout fall to the No. 25 pick in the 2009 draft?  There were a number of factors involved, including some anti-New Jersey bias, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Cafardo On Red Sox, Youkilis, Beckett, Nationals

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In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders what is at the root of the Red Sox’s pitching woes.  Some around baseball feel that the club’s hurlers are missing catcher Jason Varitek.  “He did a lot for that team in terms of getting the staff ready for each team,’’ said an American League GM. “They depended on him like no team depended on a catcher anywhere in baseball, with the possible exception of St. Louis, where Yadier Molina seems to have that effect.’’  Here’s more from Cafardo..

  • An AL GM told Cafardo that there could be a market for embattled Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, but the club would have to be willing to eat more than half of his contract.  Beckett will earn $15.75MM each year through 2014.
  • If Red Sox Kevin Youkilis can show he’s healthy, there’s a strong third base market out there for Boston. A National League special assignment scout told Cafardo that the Giants and Phillies are looking while the Rays could factor in, even though they say they aren’t in search of an answer at third base.
  • The Nationals would like to deal left-hander John Lannan but teams appear more interested in Chien Ming-Wang. The Nationals also have a good thing going and have created competition on their staff, as Wang and Lannan could push the other five. 
  • One American League GM doesn’t see the Phillies parting with Cole Hamels via trade.  “The [Blue] Jays are looking to do something big,” said an American League GM. “I just don’t see the Phillies bailing out on Hamels. They can still win it.“
  • The Rangers probably won’t let Josh Hamilton leave in free agency, but if he does look elsewhere, the Dodgers could be a fit for him with their new-found dollars.  Signing Hamilton would also allow the club to let Andre Ethier head into the market.

Quick Hits: Garza, Eveland, Wright, Beckett, Brewers

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Here's the latest from around the league as Saturday turns into Sunday…

  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.com (video link) says talks between the Cubs and Matt Garza about a potential contract extension are going "very well." Jeff Samardzija's emergence has the club excited about possibly having two power righties in the rotation long-term.
  • The Orioles are expected to designate Dana Eveland for assignment tomorrow, reports Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter). Eveland made a spot start earlier this week and the move would create room on the roster for outfield prospect Xavier Avery, who will be called up.
  • Adam Rubin of ESPN New York explains why the Mets must sign David Wright to a long-term extension. The team holds a $16MM club option for their third baseman for 2013 and he'll become a free agent after that season.
  • MLB.com's Mike Bauman says the Red Sox have not gotten what they've paid for out of Josh Beckett. The right-hander signed a four-year, $68MM contract early in 2010.
  • “Stable management with good leadership is what you look for in companies,” said Brewers owner Mark Attanasio to Tyler Kepner of The New York Times about his front office. GM Doug Melvin and manager Ron Roenicke recently received contract extensions.

Dodgers Links: MacDougal, Kasten, Dodger Stadium

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Earlier today we learned that the Dodgers signed infielder Aaron Miles to a minor league contract, and tonight Anthony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles reports (on Twitter) that he can opt-out of the deal on June 30th. Here's the latest from Chavez Ravine…

  • The Dodgers have requested unconditional release waivers on Mike MacDougal, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. The right-hander rejected his minor league assignment and will be released tomorrow if he clears waivers. He was designated for assignment on Thursday.
  • Team president and CEO Stan Kasten held a team meeting yesterday to assure players that the new ownership group is committed to "building a first-class organization," writes Gurnick. Kasten said they aim to acquire players that will improve the club, among other things.
  • “It’s on the list of one million first things,” said Kasten to Tyler Kepner of The New York Times regarding improvements to Dodger Stadium. Ownership wants to upgrade the 50-year-old stadium and recently renovated the team's family room during a road trip.

Braves Sign Felix Pie

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The Braves have signed Felix Pie to a minor league contract, reports Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter). The ACES client has been assigned to their Triple-A affiliate.

Pie, 27, had been playing with the independent Camden River Sharks this spring. He hit .360/.393/.620 with three homers in 56 plate appearances before landing back in affiliated ball. Pie hit .220/.264/.280 in part-time duty with the Orioles last season and is a .249/.298/.374 career hitter in the big leagues.

Royals Sign Doug Davis

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The Royals signed Doug Davis to a minor league deal, MLBTR has learned. Agent Steve Canter represents the 36-year-old left-hander. 

Davis started nine games for the 2011 Cubs, posting a 6.50 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 45 2/3 innings. He owns a 4.44 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 13 seasons with the Rangers, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Cubs and Blue Jays.

Orioles Designate Brad Bergesen For Assignment

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The Orioles have designated Brad Bergesen for assignment, reports Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). The move clears a 40-man roster spot for Bill Hall, who was called up from Triple-A.

Bergesen, 26, had pitched to a 5.13 ERA with 4.6 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 for the team's Triple-A affiliate this season. He's made 59 starts and 24 relief appearances for the Orioles over the last three seasons and owns a 4.68 ERA in 394 1/3 career innings. Bergesen appears to be a candidate for a waiver claim given his age, flexibility, and the fact that he has a minor league option remaining.

East Notes: Red Sox, Dempster, Mets, Murena

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Items on the Red Sox and Mets..

  • Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has a list of suggestions for fixing the Red Sox and writes that the club should seek out a starting pitcher who can make a difference.  Ryan Dempster of the Cubs, Heyman writes, would be a solid fit.
  • Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter) wasn't confident that David Wright would be a lifelong member of the Mets a year ago but now thinks that there's a good chance the club will pony up more than $100MM to keep him.
  • Mets reliever Tim Byrdak could use support from a second lefty in the bullpen, but pitching coach Dan Warthen told Rubin that the club is unlikely to deal for one.  Byrdak has made a league-leading 19 relief appearances.
  • The Red Sox signed Pablo Murena, a 17-year-old catcher out of Panama, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.  Murena became a catcher just a couple months ago and the team was impressed with his arm strength at the position.

Yankees Claim Justin Thomas Off Waivers

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The Yankees have claimed left-handed reliever Justin Thomas off of waivers from the Red Sox, Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger confirms (via Twitter).  The move was first reported by Maureen Mullen of CSNNE.com (via Twitter). 

Thomas, 28, was removed from Boston's 40-man roster earlier this week and has one minor league option remaining.  The reliever has a 4.14 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in eight seasons as a minor leaguer.

Indians Designate Nick Weglarz For Assignment

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The Indians have designated outfielder Nick Weglarz for assignment, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (via Twitter).  The move will allow the club to call up infielder Jose Lopez, who was DFA'd earlier this month.

Weglarz, 24, has hit .226/.366/.411 in parts of four seasons at the Double-A level.  The outfielder also spent 50 games with the team's Triple-A affiliate in Columbus in 2010.

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