edcreech | MLB Trade Rumors

Trade Reaction: Duquette, Saunders, Lindstrom

By edcreech | August 26, 2012 at 2:45pm CDT

Earlier today, the Orioles acquired Joe Saunders and cash from the Diamondbacks for Matt Lindstrom and a player to be named later. Here's the reaction to the trade from the principals involved:

Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette told reporters, including Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com, that Saunders has been on his radar for quite a while. "He's a professional left-handed pitcher. We like his experience, which complements our starting rotation, which has three rookies, and I also like the fact that he's left-handed. It gives us better balance," Duquette said.
Also in Dubroff's piece, Duquette insinuates Saunders may not simply be a late-season rental for the Orioles. "Joe Saunders is a local kid. Maybe he's with us beyond this year. That's something we can take a look at." Saunders was born and raised in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Being close to family is a big draw for Saunders, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli. "I’m excited to get traded to a playoff contending team," said Saunders. "Plus my family is from there so I’ll get to go closer to home. I grew up an hour and a half south of Baltimore so it’s going to be exciting to hang out with them more and they’ll get a chance to see me pitch more."
Saunders also took to his personal Twitter feed to thank the Diamondbacks' organization and to say he will miss the team, the fans, and the community.
Lindstrom met with Baltimore reporters, including the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly, before leaving to join his new team. “Yeah, [I’m] surprised but also kind of excited. A little bittersweet, because the team here is doing so well."

MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | August 19, 2012 at 5:50pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers how the Nationals will fare after shutting down Stephen Strasburg. Almost half of you say the Nationals will make the playoffs but lose in the NLDS.
Mike Axisa explored the possibility of a contract extension between Martin Prado and the Braves.
Steve Adams suggested Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart could be non-tendered this offseason.
Mike opined a non-tender looks like a very real scenario for Dallas Braden of the A's and Mark Reynolds of the O's.
Mike hosted this week's chat.
Mike also compiled this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In which featured posts on Melky Cabrera, David Wright, and Jacoby Ellsbury.

September Call-ups: Pirates, Orioles, Padres, Mets

By edcreech | August 19, 2012 at 4:30pm CDT

Major League rosters can expand to 40 players beginning September 1st. Not everybody thinks it's such a great idea. Tigers manager Jim Leyland recently vented to reporters, including Jason Beck of MLB.com. "I've been really adamant about that, really a stickler on it," Leyland said. "When I have that meeting with the Commissioner [as part of the special committee for on-field matters], I talk about that all the time. Myself, if everybody went to 28, that wouldn't bother me at all. I think that's fine. That's just my feeling, but any manager who does a pretty good job of managing all year, and then at the biggest month of the year, he loses some of his ability to maneuver." Let's take a look at what the plans are for other clubs looking to maneuver over the season's final month.

The Pirates are mulling their September call-ups with the post-season in mind, as they entered play today holding the second NL Wild Card spot and with Triple-A Indianapolis likely playoff-bound. General Manager Neal Huntington told reporters, including Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Where we go from there … it’s a delicate balance. I’ve been with another organization where we raided the Triple-A team as it was headed to the post-season. The guys came up and didn’t play very much, and that didn’t go over very well on many fronts." At least one left-handed reliever and another catcher will be added when rosters expand, writes Biertempfel.
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle adds another consideration when deciding upon September call-ups: cost. In Biertempfel's piece, Hurdle pointed out, "In my rookie year, if you got a call-up, you made $5,000 or $6,000 (in September). Now you’re talking about making $75,000. So if you call up 10 guys, you’re picking up $750,000 in salary and everything that goes with it.”
Orioles manager Buck Showalter has acknowledged the team's September call-ups will be affected by the team's playoff chase. Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com lists possible players, both on the disabled list and at Triple-A, who could join the O's when the rosters expand.
The Padres may not have the roster space to bring Jedd Gyorko up in September, according to John Maffei of the North County Times. The Padres already have 49 players on their 40-man roster (nine are on the 60-day disabled list) and may not want to start Gyorko's service clock just for a September sneak peak, writes Maffei. Since Gyorko has less than three full seasons in pro ball, the Padres don't have to add him to the 40-man roster next season.
Lucas Duda will probably have to wait until September 1st to rejoin the Mets because the team wants to take a longer look at Mike Baxter, tweets the New York Post's Mike Puma.
The Nationals have several candidates for September call-ups including pitcher John Lannan and 2011 first-round draft pick Anthony Rendon, writes MLB.com's Bill Ladson.

Cubs Claim Alex Hinshaw

By edcreech | August 19, 2012 at 3:55pm CDT

The Cubs have claimed left-handed pitcher Alex Hinshaw off outright waivers, tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com. Hinshaw was designated for assignment by the Padres last Tuesday.

Hinshaw posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 28 innings of relief work for San Diego this season. He logged a strong strikeout rate of 11.6 K/9, but struggled with his control (6.4 BB/9). Prior to pitching for the Padres this season, he last appeared in the big leagues with the Giants in 2009.

Hinshaw is expected to join the Cubs in Milwaukee tomorrow in time for their series against the Brewers, tweets Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com. The Cubs, however, have yet to announce a corresponding roster move.

Luhnow On Mills Firing, Possible Replacements

By edcreech | August 19, 2012 at 2:00pm CDT

Late last night, the Astros fired manager Brad Mills and coaches Bobby Meacham (first base) and Mike Barnett (hitting). This morning, the club announced their replacements, all on an interim basis: manager Tony DeFrancesco, first base coach Dan Radison, and hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo. The "getting to know you" phase shouldn't be difficult for DeFrancesco as seven of the nine players in the Astros' starting linuep today played for him in the minors, tweeted Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Here's the latest out of Houston:

The coaching staff had no sense the firings were immenient, instead thinking changes would be made after the season, according to ESPN's Buster Olney (via Twitter).
General Manager Jeff Luhnow, however, told reporters, including McTaggart, the decision was made a week ago. "Once that decision was made, it made sense to make changes sooner rather than later, not having a lame-duck administration. The mix wasn't working, the chemistry wasn't working."
Speculation has already started on Mills' successor. Joe Pettini, Chris Maloney, and Jim Riggleman are viewed as three potential replacements, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Pettini was the Cardinals' bench coach before joining Luhnow in Houston in the same capacity. Maloney is the Cardinals' first base coach. Riggleman, previously the manager of the Cubs, Padres, Mariners and Nationals, is managing the Reds' Double-A team.
MLB Network's Peter Gammons tweets seven names that should be on any managerial search list: Brad Ausmus, Dave Righetti, Tim Wallach, Davey Martinez, Joey Cora, Joe McEwing, and Gabe Kapler.

MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | August 12, 2012 at 6:00pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

Ben Nicholson-Smith explored the possibility of Geovany Soto (Rangers), Chris Volstad (Cubs), and Jair Jurrjens (Braves) being non-tendered this offseason.
Daniel Seco asked MLBTR readers which player will most likely be traded in August. Over 40% of you say Alfonso Soriano is the most likely to be dealt this month from a group of Heath Bell, Scott Hairston, Justin Morneau, Vernon Wells, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford.
MLBTR is keeping track of the players who, based on published reports, have cleared waivers. This list can always be found in the sidebar under MLBTR Features.
Ben asked MLBTR readers how the Pirates will finish out the season. You were split between the Buccos making the playoffs for the first time in 20 years (51%) and failing to make the post-season but finishing with a winning record also for the first time in 20 years (45%).
Ben asked MLBTR readers the same question about the Orioles. You were much less optimistic about the O's chances of making the playoffs for the first time in 15 years (25%). So much for a rematch of the 1979 World Series. But, you were very bullish about the Birds having a winning season (63%).
The "How Will They Finish" polling continued with Zach Links asking about the Dodgers and Mike Axisa asking about Oakland. A majority of MLBTR readers believe the Dodgers will make the post-season (61%), but the A's will fall short despite finishing with a winning record (56%).
Mark Polishuk imagined what a contract extension for Buster Posey would cost in terms of dollars and years.
Mike provided a 2013 vesting options update for players like Jason Bartlett, Kevin Gregg, and Brett Myers.
Mike also updated the seasons for 11 players identified as 2012 being a make or break year for them.
Ben hosted this week's live chat.
Mike assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
There are many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a refresher on how to use MLBTR, our commenting policy, and our roster of weekly features, including when they are posted and what exactly to expect from them.

Outrighted to Triple-A: Atahualpa Severino

By edcreech | August 12, 2012 at 2:22pm CDT

Today's outright assignments:

The Nationals have outrighted left-hander Atahualpa Severino to Triple-A Syracuse, according to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times and Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post (both on Twitter). Severino had been designated for assignment last Monday when the Nationals acquired Cesar Izturis on waivers from the Brewers. Severino has spent the entire 2012 season at Triple-A with a 2.72 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9 in 40 relief appearances.

Indians Release Jose Lopez

By edcreech | August 12, 2012 at 1:22pm CDT

The Indians have released infielder Jose Lopez, according to the team. Lopez was designated for assignment last Tuesday.

Lopez appeared in 66 games for the Indians this year, playing third base and seeing some time at first and second. The 28-year-old posted a .249/.272/.366 batting line in 224 plate appearances. Lopez signed a minor league deal with the Indians last December.

MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | August 5, 2012 at 6:30pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week, as yet another non-waiver trade deadline comes and goes:

Only four teams failed to make a trade before the deadline (Mets, Nationals, Padres, and Orioles). So, Ben Nicholson-Smith asked MLBTR readers which of those four teams should have made a move. Over 41% of you thought the Orioles needed to make a deal.
Tim Dierkes asked MLBTR readers who would be the biggest name changing teams on the final day of the trade deadline. Nearly 19% of you correctly predicted the Cubs would move Ryan Dempster. However, just under 17% of you erred in thinking Cliff Lee would be dealt by the Phillies.
Ben then asked MLBTR readers if Lee would be claimed on waivers. More than 60% correctly predicted he would.
Zach Links followed up by asking MLBTR readers if the Phillies should let Lee go on the waiver claim. Nearly 68% of you would let Lee wear the Dodger Blue. Ruben Amaro Jr., however, disagreed.
Ben listed the other trade candidates who weren't traded.
One of those players was Alfonso Soriano. Ben asked MLBTR readers whether the Cubs will move Soriano to another team this month. Almost 59% of you believe they will.
Yes, trades can still be completed in August. Ben chronicled some of the more noteworthy deals from August of 2011.
How is a trade made after July 31st? MLBTR has this primer on the rules for August swaps.
Ben hosted the weekly live chat.
Ben gave a mid-season update on the converted relievers now starting and on baseball's new managers.
MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz provided his 2013 projected salaries for some arbitration eligible trade candidates.
Ben examined the possibility of the Twins non-tendering Alexi Casilla this offseason.
Mike Axisa gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In. This week's edition featured posts on three of the biggest names traded before the deadline: Zack Greinke, Hunter Pence, and Shane Victorino.

Chipper Jones Won’t Reconsider Retirement

By edcreech | August 5, 2012 at 4:31pm CDT

Chipper Jones told reporters, including David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he is not having any second thoughts about his plan to retire at the end of the season, despite posting good numbers this year.

“I thought I was fully capable of doing what I’m doing,” Jones said. “In fact, I told my agent [B.B. Abbott] in spring training. He told me, ‘You can’t back-track on this [retirement decision]. If you’ve got 20 homers and you’re hitting .300 and you’ve got 80 or 90 RBIs, you can’t second-guess yourself.’ And I said, well, I’m going to have those numbers, and I’m ready to leave. I’m ready to move on.”

Jones is ready to move on from his age-40 season where he leads the Braves with a slash line of .320/.394/.513 plus a team-leading .907 OPS (only two points lower than Prince Fielder and just nine points lower than Josh Hamilton).

O'Brien writes that some around baseball have suggested Jones could play at least another season or two in the NL and possibly more in the AL, as being a designated hitter would save wear and tear on his surgically repaired knees. But, Jones isn't having any of it.

"It’s nice to have people saying that,” Jones said. “It’s nice that people aren’t saying, ‘You should have done it two or three years ago.’ The fact that people are saying I should stay, that I could still be effective, that’s kind of what I was shooting for. No matter what you do you’re not going to make everybody happy. I’ve got two wives that will attest to that.”

Jones reiterated his intention to retire prior to the Braves' 6-1 win over the Astros, a game in which he scored the 1,600th run of his career while going 2-for-4 including a run-scoring double.

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