Results tagged ‘ indians ’

Roundup: Super Twos and more

During the current five-day period when free agents can only negotiate with their own teams, the Hot Stove is starting to simmer, but can only get so hot. 
Not to worry, there’s still plenty of action that could happen this week for players who could choose to resign with their current team, including Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who is expected to stay in the Bronx. The only real question is, at what price? 
Outside of the Jeter speculation, much of the news on Friday surrounded the designation of 20 players as Super Twos. This will allow these players such as Reds outfielder Jay Bruce and Indians closer Chris Perez, to become arbitration-eligible a year early. Subsequently, they’ll be eligible for arbitration for four seasons, instead of the usual three. Generally, this will result in a much higher pay day for these senior second-year players. 
Here’s a rundown of what’s dominating headlines around the league: 
  • The Yankees negotiations with Jeter are expected to begin within a day or two, SI.com’s Jon Heyman suggested on Twitter. Jeter’s actual value to the Bombers is unquestionable, but his monetary value is still to be determined.  
  • Hisanori Takahashi, who has until midnight to work out a deal with the Mets, is reportedly asking for a three-year deal worth $4-5 million, according to Heyman. The Mets have offered Takahashi a one-year deal. According to the unique stipulation in his contract, if the two sides can’t come to an agreement tonight, Takahashi wouldn’t be eligible to re-sign with the Mets and pitch in the Majors until May 15, 2011.  
  • The Indians officially outrighted outfielder Andy Marte to the Minors. The former heralded prospect could be done in Cleveland and now qualifies to be a free agent. Marte never seemed to reach his potential with the Indians, batting just .224 over his five seasons in Cleveland. It remains to be seen if he’s really done with the Tribe, but there’s always the chance that a change of scenery could help Marte finally blossom. 
  • The Nats are expected to be a player for free agent pitcher Brandon Webb, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Webb could be the type of low-risk starter with a big upside the Nats have been seeking to anchor their young pitching staff. 
Stay tuned to all the Hot Stove action on MLB.com
–Bailey Stephens

Yankees closing in on Kerry Wood

The Yankees are closing in on a trade to acquire reliever Kerry Wood from the Indians, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported via Twitter. 

Wood was activated from the disabled list by Cleveland on Saturday and could help in the Bombers’ setup mix to get to closer Mariano Rivera, with Joba Chamberlain having lost his stranglehold on the eighth inning duties.
New York completed a deal with Cleveland on Friday, acquiring outfielder Austin Kearns for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
– Bryan Hoch

Roundup: Trade Deadline comes and goes


That’s it. The non-waiver Trade Deadline has now passed, and the dust
has settled. Several big-name players — like Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt,
Dan Haren and Lance Berkman — wound up switching teams, while
several notable trade candidates — such as Adam Dunn, Jayson Werth,
Scott  Downs, Brett Myers and Prince Fielder –
stayed put. 

Here’s a look at what did
happen Saturday … 

* The Dodgers acquired the best remaining starting pitcher on the
market, post-Oswalt, by swinging a deal for Lilly of the Cubs in
the afternoon. In the deal, the southpaw — a free agent after this season and
making $12 million in 2010 — infielder Ryan Theriot and $2.5 million go to Los Angeles, while infielder Blake
DeWitt and Minor League right-handed-pitching prospects Kyle Smit
and Brett Wallach head
to Chicago. 

* The Cardinals officially acquired Indians pitcher Jake
Westbrook in a three-team deal with the Indians and Padres. Westbrook
was scratched from his Saturday start as the deal was set into motion. The
Padres acquired Ryan Ludwick from the Cards, while Padres prospect
Cory Kluber was sent to
Cleveland and pitcher Nick Greenwood went to St. Louis.

* The Yankees made some big moves (surprised?). They solidified the designated-hitter role by
getting Berkman from the Astros, bolstered their outfield with the
acquisition of Austin Kearns from the Indians, and on Saturday, added an arm to the bullpen by getting
another Cleveland piece, closer Kerry Wood (acquired for a player to be
named later or cash). 

* A few other relievers were dealt just before the 4 p.m. ET Deadline.
Coveted left-hander Will Ohman went to the Marlins in exchange for Minor
League right-hander Rick VandenHurk; Pirates closer Octavio Dotel
was dealt to the Dodgers for right-hander James
McDonald and Minor League outfielder Andrew Lambo; Dotel’s
teammate, lefty Javier Lopez, was sent to the Giants for a couple of Minor
Leaguers; and the Giants got Ramon Ramirez from the Red Sox. 

* Just before the Deadline, the Red Sox got catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from the
Rangers in exchange for two prospects — right-hander Ramon Mendez and
first baseman Chris McGuiness — and a player to be named later or cash. 

* The Braves bolstered their bullpen and got some needed help in
the outfield by swinging a last-minute deal with the Royals, one
that brought right-hander Kyle
Farnsworth and outfielder Rick Ankiel (along with cash
considerations) to Atlanta in exchange for outfielder Gregor Blanco,
right-hander Jesse Chavez and Minor League lefty Tim Collins. 

* The Diamondbacks acquired outfielder Ryan Church,
infielder Bobby Crosby and reliever D.J. Carrasco from the
Pirates in exchange for catcher Chris Snyder and Minor League shortstop Pedro
Ciriaco. 

* Looking to strengthen their bullpen, the
Rays nabbed veteran right-handed reliever Chad Qualls from the D-backs. 

* In what would have been a true Deadline blockbuster, FoxSports.com is reporting on Saturday that
the White Sox had been trying to acquire Manny Ramirez from the Dodgers,
but the Dodgers didn’t bite on the first attempt. 

– Alden Gonzalez and Bailey Stephens

Roundup: Berkman close to joining Yanks

The Yankees now look poised to land Lance Berkman from the Astros, a source told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. 
Berkman has the right to reject any trade as a 10-and-5 player (10 years in the league, five with one team), but he was approached by general manager Ed Wade a couple of days ago with a list of eight teams be to and approved four, including the Yankees. 
According to The New York Post, the deal is done, though it won’t be official until another 24 hours. 
The 34-year-old Berkman is making $14.5 million this season and has a $15 million club option for the 2011 season, with a $2 million buyout. With the Yankees, he’d likely serve as a designated hitter — a revolving door for the club all year — but he can also fill in at first base and in the outfield corners if needed. 
With Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline looming overhead, here’s more from around the league … 
* The White Sox acquired some depth for their starting rotation on Friday afternoon, when they swung a deal with the Diamondbacks to bring right-hander Edwin Jackson to the South Side. In the trade, Chicago parted ways with one of its top pitching prospects, righty Daniel Hudson, and Minor League lefty David Holmberg. 
* The Rangers, in need of second-base help with Ian Kinsler on the disabled list, acquired veteran middle infielder Cristian Guzman for prospects. Guzman is making $8 million in the final year of his contract this season. 
* Baseball sources told MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick that the Dodgers and Cubs have been discussing a deal that would send left-handed starter Ted Lilly back to Los Angeles. The Dodgers would also like to include infielder Ryan Theriot in the deal and would want Chicago to eat up some of Lilly’s remaining contract, according to FOXSports.com. Lilly, the best starting pitcher remaining in the market, has $4.3 million left in his expiring contract. 
* The Blue Jays acquired Mets Triple-A first baseman Mike Jacobs for a player to be named later. Jacobs will report to the Blue Jays’ Minor League affiliate. 

* While looking at what happened today and what could happen before 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, we’ll also look back. Roy Oswalt to the Phillies, Jorge Cantu to the Rangers, Miguel Tejada to the Padres and Matt Capps to the Twins were the biggest moves made prior to Friday, in what has still been a rather slow-moving Trade Deadline. 

– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: Buzz says Oswalt in, Werth out in Philly

In need of a starter for Saturday’s game, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. cryptically said Tuesday: “I think we we know exactly what we’re going to do.” Perhaps a starter, like Ben Sheets, Dan Haren, Jeremy Guthrie or Roy Oswalt is headed to Philadelphia? The club optioned Kyle Kendrick to the Minor Leagues that same day, and later that night, veteran Jamie Moyer sustained an injury that will likely put him on the disabled list, so starting pitching is needed in Philly. 

ESPN.com wrote about “indications” that the Phillies were in the midst of a “major deal” to acquire a starting pitcher in hopes of salvaging their season on Tuesday night. But on Wednesday afternoon, they followed-up by reporting that Oswalt “could be on the verge of blowing up a potential deal,” since he wants any team that acquires him to guarantee his $16 million option for 2012. For now, the Phillies are balking at that offer. ESPN.com added that it’d probably be J.A. Happ moving in an Oswalt deal, and the club is also looking to move struggling outfielder Jayson Werth (a free agent after this season). 
Astros owner Drayton McLane told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart that no deal involving Oswalt appeared imminent as of Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, Oswalt — owner of a full no-trade clause — told reporters he hasn’t been approached about any possible trades. 
With less than two weeks remaining until the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, here’s more buzz from around the league … 
* The White Sox, according to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, are “trying to accelerate talks” with the Brewers for slugging first baseman Prince Fielder. The problem, Rosenthal notes, is Milwaukee wants a starting pitcher, and they view trade candidate Daniel Hudson as only a middle-of-the-rotation starter. White Sox GM Ken Williams said recently that the market was not to his benefit. 
* The Mets reportedly signed Chad Cordero to a Minor League contract on Wednesday, but they apparently want even more relief help. FOXSports.com wrote that the Mets are currently focused on the relief-pitching market and are eyeing the Pirates’ Octavio Dotel and the Blue Jays’ Scott Downs. 
* Seeking bench strength, the Yankees are looking into the Indians’ Jhonny Peralta and the Marlins’ Wes Helms, according to Rosenthal, who added that the price for Jose Bautista and Ty Wigginton were too high. 
* Pedro Martinez will not pitch in 2010, his agent, Fernando Cuza, told ESPNDeportes.com. But he has not officially retired. 
* The Giants, Tigers, White Sox and Braves have inquired about Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan reported via Twitter. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Indians’ options not drawing great deal of interest

It’s been a quiet trading season for the Indians, relative to 2008 and 2009, because the club doesn’t have the commodities (read: CC Sabathia, Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee, among others) it had in those years.
The blister that landed closer Kerry Wood on the disabled list means Wood is doubtful to be dealt before the July 31 Trade Deadline. But Wood’s $10.5 million contract makes him an obvious candidate to clear waivers and be dealt in July. If the Indians are willing to pay all or a portion of his remaining salary, then Wood’s stuff might be attractive to a contender looking for setup help.
Starter Jake Westbrook, making $11 million, could also be dealt in August.
Third baseman Jhonny Peralta has received little to no interest, though FOXSports.com, without citing any sources, claimed Peralta could be a bench option for the Yankees.
There was some interest among contenders in Austin Kearns last month, but his bat has slowed and he’s now dealing with a knee injury.
–Anthony Castrovince

Roundup: Cardinals give GM a 3-year extension

It turns out John Mozeliak‘s deal with the Cardinals won’t expire just yet. The club awarded its general manager a three-year contract extension on Thursday, which will keep him with the club through 2013 and keep him from walking away at the end of this season, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 
Mozeliak joined the Cardinals via the scouting department in 1995 and later served for five years as assistant GM under Walt Jocketty, who’s now with the Reds — the team leading the Cardinals in the division by a game. Mozeliak, named senior vice president and GM after the ’07 season, is most noted for acquiring Matt Holliday before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, then signing him to a seven-year contract at the end of the season — one that saw St. Louis claim a National League Central title. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* The Reds are “looking hard” for right-handed relief help, ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote in his Twitter account. Kerry Wood, Olney speculates, could be an option. 

* The Dodgers placed late-inning lefty reliever George Sherrill on waivers recently, a baseball source told MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick. Sherrill, owed $4.5 million this season, posted a 1.70 ERA in 72 games last year, but has a 7.32 ERA in 34 appearances this season.

* The Padres may be in contention, and Adrian Gonzalez may be under contract for another season after this one, but the Red Sox still like him, and would still like to attain him, according to a report from WEEI.com.  

* The Angels are not willing to trade outfield prospect Mike Trout, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote on his Twitter account. 

* Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon, expected by many to be a top pick in the upcoming First-Year Player Draft in June, suffered a fracture-dislocation of his right ankle while playing in a USA Baseball Collegiate Team exhibition against Korea on Wednesday night, writes MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo. He will require surgery and will miss the rest of Team USA’s summer season. 

– Alden Gonzalez

Indians open for business

The Indians already fired their first shot of the Trade Deadline season on Saturday, when they dealt Russell Branyan to the Mariners. They’re certainly not done.
The Tribe is open to trading left fielder Austin Kearns, third baseman Jhonny Peralta, closer Kerry Wood and right-hander Jake Westbrook, all veterans in the last year of their contract. Peralta has a $7 million club option for 2011 that likely won’t be exercised.
Interest in the above names has been marginal, at best. Kearns, making just $750,000 and having a resurgent season, is attractive to some contenders as a fourth outfielder type, but the Indians currently value him as an everyday player and have the asking price to match. The Red Sox are one club that has inquired about Kearns.
Westbrook has been inconsistent this season and is making $11 million. He could be a guy who passes through waivers unclaimed because of his salary and is still eligible to be dealt in August. But the Indians will certainly see if there’s a market for him beforehand, as he could be a nice back-end rotation option for a contender.
– Anthony Castrovince
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