Results tagged ‘ Joba Chamberlain ’

Joba is not a starting pitching option for Yankees

NEW YORK — There you have it. You can put that to rest now. Joba Chamberlain will not be returning as a starting pitcher for the Yankees, even though the club has serious questions after the first two spots in its rotation.

“No, Joba’s in the ‘pen,” general manager Brian Cashman assured Thursday.

That day, the Yankees announced the signing of Russell Martin as their new starting catcher, which gives them the flexibility to perhaps use highly rated prospect Jesus Montero as a trade chip to acquire pitching help — something the Yankees’ skipper believes his club needs.

“We need to add another guy to our rotation,” manager Joe Girardi said, “there’s no doubt about it.”

Meanwhile, the Yankees have been linked to a few relievers recently. ESPNNewYork.com reported that they’re making “a little progress” with lefty Pedro Feliciano, and Rafael Soriano’s name has come up a lot (though it seems like a long shot because of his asking price). Jon Heyman of SI.com and MLB Network wrote that the Yankees’ search for lefty relief could also turn them to Brian Fuentes and Arthur Rhodes.

– Alden Gonzalez   

Yankees balk at Joba for Downs

The Yankees have interest in trading for Blue Jays lefty Scott Downs, but not at the prices Toronto is requesting, the New York Post reported Wednesday.
The newspaper said that the Blue Jays asked for right-hander Joba Chamberlain, who has struggled in his eighth-inning role and is on the verge of being bounced out of it with Dave Robertson pitching well. The Yankees debated parting with Chamberlain in talks with the D-backs for Dan Haren, but do not appear to be primed to do so for Downs.
When the Red Sox contacted the Blue Jays about Downs, a source told the newspaper that Toronto asked for highly regarded infield prospects Casey Kelly or Jose Iglesias.
The 34-year-old Downs would fill a need for the Yankees with Damaso Marte on the disabled list and Boone Logan as the only left-handed option in the bullpen. The Post also again noted the Yankees have spoken to the Orioles about infielder Ty Wigginton.
– Bryan Hoch

Yankees sticking with Mitre – for now

With Andy Pettitte headed for the disabled list and expected to miss four to five weeks, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters Monday that Sergio Mitre will take Pettitte’s spot in the rotation. 

Cashman told the New York Daily News that his earlier pursuit of Cliff Lee from the Mariners was “a special case” and he does not necessarily see another starting pitcher being acquired before July 31. Cashman was more blunt with the New York Post, saying, “I’m not looking for starting pitching. I don’t feel compelled. This is why we have Sergio Mitre.” 
Cashman told both newspapers that Joba Chamberlain was not considered to move into the rotation, saying Mitre had outpitched Chamberlain in Spring Training. One area the Yankees may look to improve is their bullpen; the Post reported the Yankees had a scout watching the Blue Jays, possibly looking at Kevin Gregg or Scott Downs. 
– Bryan Hoch

Roundup: A Lowell-to-Rangers revival?

One of the biggest surprises of the offseason came when the Rangers nixed a proposed deal to acquire Mike Lowell, which led to one of the more uncomfortable situations in baseball, considering Lowell knew the Red Sox were looking to deal him and just couldn’t find a match. Well, according to a report by WEEI.com, we may have Lowell to Texas Part II. The Web site attributed an unnamed Major League source that the Rangers “continue to monitor” the status of Lowell — currently on the DL with soreness in his surgically repaired hip — and could have “increased interest” in a deal. 
The Red Sox and Rangers have continued to talk throughout the season about the possibility of bringing the previously vetoed deal back to life, according to the site. Texas would be interested because it just dealt Justin Smoak to the Rangers to acquire Cliff Lee, and current first baseman Chris Davis (.203 batting average, zero home runs in 19 games) is struggling. Still, the Rangers, according to WEEI.com, will continue to look for other trade options before pulling the trigger on another Lowell deal. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* The Mets, as a surprise to no one, are in the market for starting pitching. ESPN’s Buster Olney named Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly and — wait for it — Brett Myers as rotation candidates they’ve kept tabs on. 
* The Marlins could be on the verge of making a move, considering manager Edwin Rodriguez said Thursday that he’s thinking about plugging Emilio Bonifacio into the leadoff spot, even though there’s seemingly no position for him at the moment. Can that mean Cody Ross, Jorge Cantu or Dan Uggla are moved relatively soon? As MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro writes, this homestand could decide what course of action Florida takes in regards to the non-waiver Trade Deadline. 
* Struggling left-hander Dontrelle Willis was prepared to sit out the rest of the 2010 season, but the Giants gave him another shot with a Minor League contract, and the Alameda, Calif., product accepted. 
* A couple of rather notable bullpen moves were made late Thursday afternoon. The Reds signed 41-year-old right-hander Russ Springer, and the Phillies designated 36-year-old righty Nelson Figueroa for assignment. Meanwhile, GM Walt Jocketty may not be done tweaking the Reds’ bullpen just yet, writes MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. 
* Could Joba Chamberlain be next? That’s a question being posed by ESPNNewYork.com’s Andrew Marchand, who believes Chamberlain’s struggles (a 5.79 ERA in 37 1/3 innings) could lead to him being replaced before the Trade Deadline. 
* The Mariners signed three international prospects on Friday, according to Baseball America — Dominican outfielder Phillips Castillo ($2.2 million), Colombian right-hander Jose Torres ($851,000) and Venezuelan third baseman Yordyn Calderon ($477,500). 
* The Giants have long been linked to Royals outfielder David DeJesus. But it might be his teammate, Jose Guillen, who they end up acquiring, writes MLB.com’s Chris Haft. 
– Alden Gonzalez
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