Results tagged ‘ orioles ’

Roundup: Twins reportedly make offer for Lee

The Twins, according to the Twitter account of AOL FanHouse’s Jeff Fletcher, have offered Minor League outfielder Aaron Hicks and Minor League catcher Wilson Ramos in exchange for Cliff Lee. Hicks and Ramos were ranked by Baseball America as the No. 1 and No. 2 prospects in the Twins’ system, respectively, heading into the season. No deal is imminent, however, according to FOXSports.com and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. But the revealing of names means things may be progressing. 

Lee, who has a 2.34 ERA, a 0.945 WHIP and a 14.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio, is also drawing interest from the Reds, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The newspaper reported that the Reds and Mariners talked about Lee when the Reds were in Seattle a couple of weeks ago. The Mariners want an impact bat for Lee, and Reds prospect Yonder Alonso could provide that in exchange, but Seattle is probably looking for more, the Enquirer wrote. Alonso is currently blocked by Joey Votto. 
The Twins and Reds, of course, are not the only ones who’d be interested in adding a top-flight left-handed starter with big-game experience and a rather affordable pro-rated price tag. According to SI.com — which said talks between the Twins and Mariners for Lee are “interesting” and “have possibilities” — close to 15 teams are believed to be looking towards adding Lee. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* Peter Gammons of MLB Network and MLB.com wrote via Twitter on Tuesday that “rumblings” around St. Petersburg had B.J. Upton going to Seattle in exchange for Lee — perhaps as part of a three-team deal. Whether or not that materializes, the Rays may be willing to trade their right-handed-hitting center fielder regardless. The Red Sox, Giants, Braves and several other teams could be a fit. 
* The Orioles and Buck Showalter have had “continuing conversations” regarding the managerial vacancy, which means the two sides may be closing in on an agreement, according to ESPN.com. FOXSports.com wrote Friday night that the O’s are “zeroing in” on Showalter. MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli heard through a source that the O’s are interested in adding Showalter, and Eric Wedge is believed to be the other leading candidate. 
* The 10-5 rights of Mark Buehrle have kicked in, meaning the White Sox left-hander essentially has a full no-trade clause now, according to MLBTradeRumors.com. Ten-year veterans who have been with an organization for five years earn the right to veto a trade, even if they don’t have a no-trade clause in their contract. 
* The Red Sox have not approached Victor Martinez about an extension, according to The Boston Globe. Martinez, currently on the disabled list, is a free agent after this season but has said he’d like to stay in Boston. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Yanks show interest in Wigginton

The Yankees have expressed interest in trading for the Orioles’ Ty Wigginton, according to the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger. Citing a baseball official, the newspaper reported that the Yankees are one of several teams to inquire on the versatile Wigginton, who started his Major League career across town with the Mets.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has identified improving the bench as a priority leading into the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline. The 32-year-old Wigginton could provide a right-handed bat with pop, while representing an offensive upgrade over Yankees bench infielders Kevin Russo and Ramiro Pena.

– Bryan Hoch

Roundup: Yankees, Phillies going after Lee?

That’s what FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal and ESPN.com’s Buster Olney are entertaining. Rosenthal heard through Major League sources that the Phillies want a top-of-the-rotation starter and that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has no qualms about trading for a pitcher he jettisoned in the offseason. Enter Cliff Lee, the best starting pitcher who will likely be available prior to the non-waiver Trade Deadline, and one who’s a free agent after this season. Meanwhile, Olney believes the Yankees and Mariners will at least talk about Lee before the Deadline. 

Still, FoxSports.com calls a reunion between Lee and the Phills “a longshot” and “perhaps unrealistic.” Philadelphia already gave up a bevy of prospects to acquire Roy Halladay this past offseason, and their focus right now is on acquiring infield help, since second baseman Chase Utley and third baseman Placido Polanco are on the disabled list. As for the Yankees, Olney states that the club has a recent history of reluctance to lose top prospects in gaining starting pitching, and he noted that the Yanks and M’s don’t have a very good trade history. 
The Rangers have been looked on as a team that has a strong chance at landing Lee. The Mets and Dodgers are also in need of starting-pitching help and could look in Lee’s direction. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* Lee and the Yankees may be in the back burner, but the Yankees’ priority right now is improving their bench, general manager Brian Cashman told The Newark Star Ledger. Ty Wigginton, according to the Star Ledger, is someone in particular the Yankees have shown interest in. 
* Given a choice, Mets manager Jerry Manuel would prefer the club acquired a starting pitcher, though another option in the back end of the bullpen would be a nice consolation prize. 
* The Nationals signed Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez to a Minor League contract on Friday. Orlando, half-brother of Nats starter Livan Hernandez, is 44 years old and hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2007. He’ll start a throwing program in Viera, Fla., then work his way up to the Minors and hopefully join the Nats as a reliever. 
* Jermaine Dye, who hasn’t played this season but hasn’t retired, has been getting interest from the Rockies, Rangers and Padres, according to FoxSports.com. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: A’s kick off int’l signing with 3B

The international signing period began Friday, 29 days before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, and the Athletics were the first to make an imprint by signing Venezuelan third baseman Renato Nunez to a $2.2 million contract, according to Baseball America.

Nunez, 16, was deemed the top hitter available out of Venezuela this year by several international scouts, Baseball America wrote. The international signing period is for players born outside of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and are thus ineligible for the First-Year Player Draft. Players must be 16 years old when they sign and turn 17 by either Sept. 1 or the end of their first pro season, whichever comes later. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* With Chase Utley out about eight weeks after surgery on his right thumb, the Phillies suddenly need help at second base. And though assistant general manager Scott Proefrock told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, “I don’t think it’s necessarily a situation where we have to go get somebody,” names like Ty Wigginton, Miguel Tejada and Kelly Johnson have been mentioned. The Orioles recently promoted third baseman Josh Bell, which could make Wigginton and Tejada available. But O’s president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli that’s not necessarily the case. 
* Because he’s a free agent after this season, he’ll come rather affordable at a pro-rated share of $8 million, the Mariners are currently not in contention and, well, he has a track record for making an impact on a new team after the Trade Deadline (see: 2009 Phillies), Cliff Lee will likely be the most sought-after player this month. But a source with knowledge of Seattle’s thinking told The New York Daily News the Mariners have not yet made Lee available. A host of teams — most notably the Mets and Dodgers — will undoubtedly be interested when he is. 
* Lee is Plan A for many teams seeking starting pitching, and Roy Oswalt may be Plan B. But Oswalt — making $15 million this season, $16 million next season and with a full no-trade clause in his contract — will be more difficult to acquire. MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart wrote recently that the Astros would be willing to pay a portion of Oswalt’s remaining salary if they get premier prospects in return. 
* The Giants traded Bengie Molina to the Rangers on Thursday. And according to MLB.com’s Chris Haft, that deal could open the door for San Francisco to add a badly needed productive hitter, particularly a corner infielder. 
* The Pirates and Blue Jays, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, are bidding on Mexican pitching prospect Luis Heredia. A source told the Post-Gazette the Blue Jays offered the 15-year-old right-hander $2.8 million, while the Pirates offered $2.5 million. Heredia can’t sign until Aug. 16, when he turns 16. 

– Alden Gonzalez

Does Josh Bell’s promotion mean an Orioles trade?

If that is the case, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail wasn’t
willing to tip his hand on Thursday afternoon, saying that move to
recall top prospect third baseman Josh Bell is one that is likely to only last
a few days.

 ”This move is strictly Luke Scott blowing a
hamstring after hitting a home run [Wednesday night] and Felix Pie
likely to come off [the disabled list] in the next few days,” MacPhail
said. “And how do we get from point A to point B.”

The move
definitely raises questions, particularly of a potential trade for
corner infielders Ty Wigginton and Miguel Tejada, both who
are thought to be on the market and actively shopped.

“I might
have something on the horizon,” MacPhail said when asked about the
likelihood of a trade. “We’ve had conversations, and the more you get
close to the end of the month the more conversations you are going to
have. But there’s nothing right around the corner that I’m aware of.”

MacPhail
also shot down that thought that the Orioles would consider moving
Tejada back to shortstop –his original position — thus putting
current shortstop Cesar Izturis on the market.

“That has
never uttered anybody’s lips in the clubhouse to do that,” MacPhail
said. “Right not we are just looking to fill Scott’s DL spot.”

–Brittany Ghiroli

Orioles open to trades, but not young arms

The Orioles will be sellers and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail will listen to all kinds of offers as it inches closer to July 31′s Trade Deadline.

But according to MacPhail, the beleaguered Baltimore squad won’t be holding any kind of clearance for its decently-performing veterans.

“We wouldn’t [make trades] just for the sake of moving payroll,” MacPhail said during the Orioles recent West Coast trip. He added that the fire-sale approach isn’t something he anticipates.

“Right now, people that have interest in our club [for] the guys that are producing and, although we would have to consider that given the circumstances we find ourselves in, you would need to think that you got something back that would be helpful in the future.”
 
MacPhail said he gets calls from interested opposing general managers regularly. And although he didn’t name specific players, the Orioles’ top trade chip figures to be infielder Ty Wigginton. Playing predominantly at second base in lieu of injured Brian Roberts, Wigginton has already surpassed his home run total from all of last season, and is on several teams’ shopping list given his power bat and ability to fill in at multiple positions.
 
Third baseman Miguel Tejada, starting pitchers Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie, and left-handed specialist Will Ohman are also candidates to be moved, with designated hitter Luke Scott another possibility.

One group that’s drawn particular interest is the O’s young pitchers, but don’t expect a deal there.

“That’s part of the cornerstone of what we are trying to do,” MacPhail said.

–Brittany Ghiroli

 

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