May 2012 - Baseball Wiretap

Angels Attendance Is Down 14 Percent
Despite adding Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson this offseason, the Angels have experienced the biggest attendance drop in baseball.

Los Angeles Times

Giants Call In Lincecum For Pep Talk
Tim Lincecum has a 6.41 ERA in 10 starts this season.

San Francisco Chronicle

Guerrero Gets Step Closer To Blue Jays
Vladimir Guerrero was set to join the Class-A Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League on Sunday.

Toronto Star

Teixeira Refuses To Change Approach, Getting Results
Mark Teixeira had a career-high four hits and five RBI against Oakland on Saturday.

Associated Press

Pujols Hitting .280 With Seven HRs Since May 4
Albert Pujols has homered in three straight games.

Associated Press

Source: Baltimore's Deal With Jones Could Reach $91.5M
The Orioles will announce a six-year contract extension with Adam Jones on Sunday, according to a baseball source.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN.com

Valentine Fires Back At Maddon, Rays
Bobby Valentine fired back at Rays manager Joe Maddon for criticizing his staff for their role in Friday night's bench-clearing scrum at Fenway Park.

Joe McDonald/ESPN.com

Angels Have No Interest In McLouth
Nate McLouth was recently designated for assignment by Pittsburgh.

Alden Gonzalez/MLB.com (via Twitter)

Jays Reject Japanese Offer For Jesse Chavez
The Blue Jays have rejected an offer from the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks for pitcher Jesse Chavez.

MLB Trade Rumors

Sveum Aware How Important Next Few Weeks Are For Cubs
The Cubs own the worst record in baseball, which leads many to believe that they will hold a fire sale this summer.

Chicago Sun-Times

Twins Giving Liriano Another Shot At Rotation
Francisco Liriano was demoted to the bullpen May 9 after going 0-5 with a 9.45 ERA in six starts.

Associated Press

Chipper Jones Lands On Disabled List
The Braves have placed Chipper Jones on the disabled list with a bruised left leg.

Associated Press

Victorino, Lee Argue Over Defensive Miscues
Shane Victorino and Cliff Lee got into a dugout argument on Friday night during Philadelphia's victory over St. Louis.

MLB.com

Stanton Hits Sculpture At Marlins Park
Giancarlo Stanton's latest huge blast entered him into a record book of sorts.

Associated Press

Dempster Resolved To Fate As Trade Bait
Ryan Dempster is aware that his career with the Cubs is likely nearing an end.

Chicago Sun-Times

Berkman Tells Cardinals He'll Return
Lance Berkman feared that his knee would be worse, but he should be back in late July.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Cruz Has Eight RBI Against Blue Jays
The Rangers busted out of an offensive funk thanks to Nelson Cruz on Friday night against the Blue Jays.

Associated Press

Sources: Montero, D-Backs Agree To $60M Extension
The Diamondbacks have agreed to a five-year, $60 million extension with Miguel Montero, according to sources.

ESPN.com

Benches Clear As Rays Defeat Red Sox
Benches cleared in the ninth inning of Tampa Bay's 7-4 win over Boston on Friday night.

Associated Press

Matt Kemp To Begin Rehab Assignment
Matt Kemp will begin what is expected to be a two-game rehabilitation stint at Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Associated Press

Orioles, Jones Closing In On Big Deal
The deal is expected to be for six years and worth roughly $85 million, according to a source.

MLB.com

Blue Jays Claim Former Executive Spilled Secrets
The Blue Jays have accused a former top executive of breaking a confidentiality agreement.

Toronto Star

Pirates Cut Ties With Nate McLouth
The Pirates have designated Nate McLouth for assignment.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Berkman Has Surgery; Out 8-10 Weeks
Lance Berkman is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks following surgery on his injured right knee.

Associated Press

Blue Jays Option Crawford To Las Vegas
In eight games, Evan Crawford has allowed six runs in seven-plus innings.

Associated Press

Tigers Place Austin Jackson On DL
Detroit made the move retroactive to May 17.

Associated Press

Yankees Sign John Maine
The Yankees have signed former Mets right-hander John Maine to a minor-league contract.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN.com

RealGM's MLB Team Rankings Through 5/25
The Reds have jumped four spots to eighth and the Mets have fallen all the way down to 28th, while the same teams comprise the top seven.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Halladay Bobblehead With Glove On Wrong Hand Selling
Roy Halladay is one of the best right-handed pitchers of his generation, having won a pair of Cy Young awards with a perfect game under his belt.

Big League Stew

Dempster, Marmol, Soto Most Likely Cubs To Be Dealt
The Cubs are expected to be sellers this July and officials from other teams have a long list of players they believe will be on the market.

Chicago Sun-Times