May 2011 - Baseball Wiretap

A's Interest In Iwakuma Is 'Lukewarm'
Oakland is one of the four teams to have inquired about Hisashi Iwakuma, but the A's are just "lukewarm" about the Japanese pitcher.

San Francisco Chronicle

Yankees Bluffing On Kuroda?
The Yankees have been linked to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but a source doesn't expect New York to sign the veteran because of the luxury tax.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN.com

Report: Posada Has Had Discussions With Phillies
Jorge Posada is believed to be talking with Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Baltimore.

CSN Philly

Yankees Were High On Danks Before Extension
Looking for a starting pitcher this offseason, the Yankees liked Chicago's John Danks better than Gio Gonzalez.

Newsday

Rays Waiting For Free Agent Prices To Drop
Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman has explored numerous ways to improve the team's offense this winter, but he remains patient.

St. Petersburg Times

Cubs Sign Andy Sonnanstine
Andy Sonnanstine will give the Cubs some depth and versatility they lacked last season.

Bruce Levine/ESPN.com

Selig Reflects Positively On 2011 Season
Bud Selig has been the commissioner of Major League Baseball for more than 19 years, but the 2011 season is already one of his favorites.

MLB.com

Chamberlain Won't Be Ready For Opening Day
Joba Chamberlain is still recovering from Tommy John surgery.

New York Daily News

Boras Created 73-Page Folder On Fielder
Agent Scott Boras created a 73-page folder on free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder to help hype his client.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Rockies In Talks With Cody Ross
Cody Ross helped lead the Giants to a World Series victory in 2010.

Buster Olney/ESPN.com (viat Twitter)

Nationals Interested In Jorge Soler
Yoennis Cespedes is not the only Cuban defector Washington has their sights on.

Adam Kilgore/Washington Post

Javier Vazquez May Not Retire
One Major League executive believes that veteran right-hander Javier Vazquez could pitch again in 2012.

Jon Paul Morosi/FOX Sports (via Twitter)

Torrealba Suspended 66 Games In Venezuela
Rangers reserve catcher Yorvit Torrealba struck a home plate umpire after striking out in a game Friday.

Richard Durrett/ESPN.com

Cespedes Likely To Sign For More Than Chapman
The Reds signed Aroldis Chapman to a $30.25 million contract a few years ago.

Jon Paul Morosi/FOX Sports

Texas May Be Willing To Deal Harrison
The Rangers may be willing to trade left-hander Matt Harrison in order to acquire a hitter this winter.

Jon Paul Morosi/FOX Sports

Some Believe Harper Should Make Nationals Out Of Spring Training
The Nationals will struggle with when to unleash top prospect Bryce Harper in the Major Leagues.

Boston Globe

Red Sox, Cubs Could Still Swap 'Significant' Player
There is still a chance that the Red Sox could get a "significant" player from the Cubs as compensation for executive Theo Epstein.

Boston Globe

Pirates Would Like To Re-Sign Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee finished the 2011 season with the Pirates and Pittsburgh would like to re-sign the first baseman.

Boston Globe

Rangers Still Lead Race For Fielder
The Cubs and Mariners are both denying interest in Prince Fielder.

Boston Globe

Bourjos Could Be Expendable To Angels
The Angels appear to have three outfielders set for the 2012 season in the young Mike Trout and veterans Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells.

Boston Globe

Cubs Have Interest In Coco Crisp
Coco Crisp is still fast, has more power, and is a very good outfielder.

Boston Globe

Marlins, Nationals Chasing Yoenis Cespedes
The Phillies, Cubs, Red Sox and Yankees could also become serious contenders for the Cuban defector.

Boston Globe

Angels, Red Sox Keeping Tabs On Madson
Ryan Madson was originally seeking a four-year, $44 million deal with Philadelphia.

Boston Globe

Cubs Would Love To Move Dempster
The Cubs would love to trade right-hander Ryan Dempster and the $14 million remaining on his contract.

Boston Globe

Astros Willing To Take On Some Of Wandy Rodriguez's Salary
Wandy Rodriguez is owed $25.5 million, but Houston is willing to take on some of that in exchange for prospects.

Boston Globe

Tigers, Red Sox, Yankees And Blue Jays Interested In Garza
The belief is that Cubs president Theo Epstein will trade right-hander Matt Garza this winter.

Boston Globe

Orioles Aren't Sure Roberts Will Be Ready For Opening Day
Brian Roberts has been dealing with headaches and concussion symptoms.

MASN Sports

AL Teams Offered Beltran Career-Extending DH Role
Carlos Beltran, who eventually signed with the Cardinals, had a number of American League suitors as a free agent.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Beane: Prospects Improving For A's Stadium
Athletics general manager Billy Beane says the team is trying to parlay established stars into a core of good young players for a potential new stadium.

San Francisco Chronicle

Report: Rays Have Interest In Posada
Jorge Posada isn't going to return to the Yankees, but he is drawing some interest from other teams.

Hard Ball Talk