MLB Chatter Thread

[Carp]

Yeah...I did not want that to come off as bashing the Cubs return, but losing Ramirez is not as big as it is being made out to be if they select him at the PTBNL. The Rangers still did not touch their elite prospects either, so that is a win. Win for the Cubs as well because they need lots of help, so getting 4-5 players who could be contributors is solid.

 

[1bigfan13]

Yankees are trying to acquire Alfonso Soriano.

 

[Carp]

Sounds pretty close to done...Cubs were scouting AAA pitcher Chase Whitley this past weekend.

 

[Deuce]

I really wish the Rays would try and get Soriano. Throw them a better prospect than needed to make sure the Cubs pay a load of his salary and secure LF. Oh well.

Speaking of the AL East, Pedroia just got a $100M extension. Great player still in his prime, but they're paying him til he's 38. Have fun with that.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

I really wish the Rays would try and get Soriano. Throw them a better prospect than needed to make sure the Cubs pay a load of his salary and secure LF. Oh well.

Speaking of the AL East, Pedroia just got a $100M extension. Great player still in his prime, but they're paying him til he's 38. Have fun with that.

If the Rays want Soriano they can have him. There is nothing imminent with the Yankees. The Cubs have been saying for two years that they're willing to pay most of his salary if they deal him. I think exactly how much they pay depends on the level of prospect they get back. I think they're mostly just looking to get him off their books and get a little something in return. Of course he would have to agree to any trade and I don't know if he would accept a trade to Tampa. Haven't heard any interest on Tampa's part to this point either.

 

[Deuce]

If the Rays want Soriano they can have him. There is nothing imminent with the Yankees. The Cubs have been saying for two years that they're willing to pay most of his salary if they deal him. I think exactly how much they pay depends on the level of prospect they get back. I think they're mostly just looking to get him off their books and get a little something in return. Of course he would have to agree to any trade and I don't know if he would accept a trade to Tampa. Haven't heard any interest on Tampa's part to this point either.

I haven't either, it's just been something I think they should have done at some point in the last year and then again now. He can add so much to their lineup and if they can get him for a fraction of the cost, I say do it.

As for his preference, all I've heard is that he's willing to go to a contending team. .5 game out of first and leading the WC by a few at this point has to have his interest. But it doesn't matter. Friedman doesn't buy this time of year. He's made small deals after the deadline to add pieces, but that's after prices have come down.

 

[Rev]

I'm really surprised that the rangers didn't pursue a Garza/Soriano deal

 

[Deuce]

[h=1]Orioles acquire Francisco Rodriguez[/h]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Baltimore Orioles bolstered their bullpen with a late-inning arm Tuesday, acquiring reliever Francisco Rodriguez from the last-place Milwaukee Brewers for minor league infielder Nick Delmonico.

"We're not playing for (anything) here. But going there now, every game is going to count. I've got to be on top of my game now and help them out," Rodriguez said.

Baltimore began the day 2½ games behind first-place Boston in the AL East. Looking for their second straight playoff appearance, the third-place Orioles had a 1½-game lead over Texas for the final AL wild-card spot.

"We were trying to upgrade the pitching to give us a chance to make the run for the AL (East) title and the pennant. So we did what we had to do to help the team now, and we have enough players having good years at the plate," Orioles vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said.

"Nick Delmonico shows a lot of promise as a hitter, but the major league club needed a little more depth for our pitching staff to accomplish what we want to accomplish this year."

Baltimore already has a proven closer in Jim Johnson, who was leading the majors with 35 saves. Rodriguez, however, gives manager Buck Showalter another option late in the game.

"I'm still kind of taking it in," Showalter said after his team's 3-2 loss in Kansas City. "He gives us a lot of options."

The Orioles cleared space for Rodriguez on the 40-man roster by transferring outfielder Nolan Reimold to the 60-day disabled list before their game against the Kansas City Royals.

K-Rod was one of the game's best relievers during his time with the Angels, saving a major league-record 62 games in 2008. He later spent three seasons as a closer with the Mets that are remembered mostly for an alleged assault of his girlfriend's father at the ballpark.

Rodriguez, 31, has revitalized his career the past three years in Milwaukee, going 1-1 with 10 saves and a 1.09 ERA in 25 appearances this season.

"I think he's the kind of guy that can be a difference-maker," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "When you get into postseason or you get into pennant races in August and September, you always need more than one guy that can pitch in the ninth inning. He's capable of doing that."

Delmonico, a sixth-round draft pick in 2011, was hitting .244 in 60 games for Class A Frederick. He hit .249 in 95 games for Class A Delmarva last season.
Melvin said Delmonico, 21, will be assigned to Class A Brevard County. Delmonico's father, Rod, was the baseball coach at Tennessee from 1990 to 2007.

"He's a player that's got good baseball instincts. He's known for being a very good hitter. He comes from a baseball background," Melvin said.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press

---------------------------------

Gotta hand it to the O's, they aren't afraid to make moves.

 

[Rev]

If the Marlins are to trade Giancarlo Stanton, Metsblog.com's Matthew Cerrone hears that Miami wouldn't want prospects, but rather "equal value" -- a young star player who is controllable for longer than Stanton's three seasons of team control. For instance, if the Mets wanted Stanton, the Marlins would want Matt Harvey in return.

MLB Trade Rumors




Well you want him now, Carp?

 

[Carp]

No way. I saw that yesterday.

 

[Deuce]

Sign Marlon Byrd to a 4 year extension. Than he's under the control the Marlins need.

 

[Rev]

Yeah. Stanton is a pipe dream. Wonder what it would take to get Cuddyer?

 

[Rev]

Rangers and White Sox discussing Rios and De Aza

 

[Cotton]

Rangers and White Sox discussing Rios and De Aza

Good. We need a couple of decent bats.

 

[Rev]

I have been a Murphy supporter for years but he is killing us this year. Even waited for him to heat up this year but we can't wait for him anymore. Andrus isn't hitting either but the defense and contract prohibits that.

 

[Cotton]

I have been a Murphy supporter for years but he is killing us this year. Even waited for him to heat up this year but we can't wait for him anymore. Andrus isn't hitting either but the defense and contract prohibits that.

Moreland isn't exactly tearing it up.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Good. We need a couple of decent bats.

Yeah and the White Sox badly need prospects. Their farm system sucks and they have had terrible hitting and defense this year. Basically ruins any great pitching that they get out of their guys. Which the Sox actually have some excellent pitching.

 

[Rev]

Moreland isn't exactly tearing it up.

Yeah. I expect that from him for the long haul. His routine is struggle, get insanely hot, get hurt, struggle.

 

[Cotton]

Yeah. I expect that from him for the long haul. His routine is struggle, get insanely hot, get hurt, struggle.

No worries, Jeff Baker and Engel Beltre will carry us to the holy land.

 

[Rev]

Three hitters targeted by Rangers for trade

The Rangers, facing the possibility that right-fielder Nelson Cruz could be suspended and without much production from their other outfielders, have set their sights on Chicago White Sox outfielder Alex Rios, San Francisco right fielder Hunter Pence and Seattle designated hitter Kendrys Morales to fill a need for a right-handed hitter, according to baseball sources.

Pence and Morales, a switch-hitter, can be free agents after the season, but Rios is under contract for next season. Acquiring him would replace either David Murphy or Cruz, both free agents after the season, for 2014 and fill the void in 2013 should Cruz get suspended for his ties to the Biogenesis of America clinic that distributed performance-enhancing drugs.

But the only team that is certin to be a seller before the July 31 trade deadline is the White Sox. The Giants are only 6 1/2 games out of the National League West lead despite entering Wednesday 46-54. The Mariners were 10 games out in the American League West, but had won eight straight before losing Wednesday.

The Rangers are bracing for a Cruz suspension after Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun took a 65-game suspension Monday. The Rangers have discussed promoting Triple A outfielder Joey Butler, who has never played in the majors, should Cruz get suspended and if no trade can be found.

-- Jeff Wilson

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...#storylink=cpy