March 2014 - Baseball Wiretap

Cubs Land Chris Denorfia

Dec 31, 2014 4:57 PM

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly reached an agreement on a one-year deal with Chris Denorfia.

Denorfia, 34, spent parts of five seasons with the San Diego Padres, mostly serving in a platoon role in the outfield, before being traded to the Seattle Mariners last season.

Jamal Collier/MLB

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Rockies Agree To Two-Year Deal With Hundley

Dec 31, 2014 4:54 PM

The Colorado Rockies and Nick Hundley have agreed to terms on a two-year contract.

Hundley will earn more than $6 million over the course of the deal.

The Baltimore Sun first reported the agreement.

Hundley, 31, spent most of his seven-season career with the San Diego Padres before finishing last season with the Baltimore Orioles.

Thomas Harding/MLB

Tags: Colorado Rockies, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Reds Acquire Marlon Byrd From Phillies

Jan 2, 2015 9:47 AM

The Philadelphia Phillies have traded Marlon Byrd to the Cincinnati Reds.

Byrd will earn $8 million next season on the final year of a two-year deal that includes an $8 million team option for 2016. Philadelphia sent cash to Cincinnati as part of the trade.

The Phillies received minor league pitcher Ben Lively in return.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Bumgarner Named AP's Top Male Athlete

Dec 31, 2014 8:42 AM

Madison Bumgarner has been named The Associated Press 2014 Male Athlete of the Year.

Clayton Kershaw finished second and Derek Jeter third as baseball dominated the voting.

Bumgarner, who was named the National League Championship Series and World Series MVP, racked up a postseason ERA of 1.03 in 52 2/3 innings in helping the San Francisco Giants win their third World Series championship in the past five seasons.

Jamal Collier/MLB

Tags: San Francisco Giants, Misc Rumor

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Shields Had Career-High Velocity In 2014

Dec 31, 2014 8:38 AM

James Shields is 33, which may make him a free agent risk in some eyes, but metrics from the 2014 season indicate that he can still pitch at a very high level.

Shields had an average fastball velocity of 92.4 mph last season, the highest of his nine seasons.

His walks and strikeouts were down slightly. The right-hander has averaged 223 innings over the last eight seasons.

Richard Justice/MLB

Tags: Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Rangers Liked Similarities Between Banister, Hurdle

Dec 31, 2014 8:31 AM

Michael Young, hired as special assistant to Jon Daniels with the Texas Rangers, was a part of the interview process as the team looked for a new manager.

Young saw a lot of similarities between Jeff Banister, who got the job, and Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.

Banister worked under Hurdle for the last four seasons.

Evan Grant/Dallas Morning News

Tags: Texas Rangers, Misc Rumor

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Mariners Get Seth Smith From Padres

Dec 31, 2014 4:58 PM

The Seattle Mariners have acquired Seth Smith from the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-handed reliever Brandon Maurer.

Smith is expected to join Justin Ruggiano in a right-field platoon for the Mariners.

"We were in search of adding another outfielder. We've got a player that's a professional hitter, a guy that we think is going to give us really good [at-bats] especially against right-handed pitching," Jack Zduriencik said.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Tags: Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Misc Rumor, Official Trade, Trade Rumor

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Report: Mariners Nearing Deal For Seth Smith

Dec 30, 2014 4:50 PM

The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres are close to a trade involving Seth Smith, according to multiple reports.

San Diego is looking for bullpen depth, which is an area in which Seattle can help.

Smith has two years and $12.75 million remaining on a contract extension he signed last July with the Padres.

Greg Johns/MLB

Tags: Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Dodgers, Sergio Santos Reach Contract

Dec 30, 2014 4:46 PM

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to sign Sergio Santos to a Minor League contract.

Santos has struggled over the past three seasons due largely to injury issues.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Alex Gordon Undergoes Wrist Surgery

Dec 30, 2014 4:44 PM

Alex Gordon underwent successful right wrist surgery on Tuesday morning by hand and wrist specialist Dr. Bruce Toby at the University of Kansas Hospital. 

While no formal timetable is being announced, Gordon is expected to be recovered in plenty of time for the 2015 season opener against the White Sox on April 6 in Kauffman Stadium.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kansas City Royals, Injury

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Rays Agree To Sign Asdrubal Cabrera
The Rays have agreed to a one-year deal with Asdrubal Cabrera, according to a source.

ESPN

Orioles Looking At Rasmus, Swisher
Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis both departed via free agency.

Jon Morosi/FOX Sports

Blue Jays Interested In K-Rod, Trade Options For Closer
Casey Janssen worked the ninth inning for the Blue Jays the last three seasons but is now a free agent.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Ozzie Guillen Ready To Return To Majors
Ozzie Guillen, who hasn't managed since he disappointed with the Marlins in 2012, wants to get back in the game.

Scott Merkin/MLB

Mariners Still Considering Seth Smith
The Mariners are still looking to add depth to their Major League outfield.

Ryan Divish/San Diego Union-Tribune

Yankees Trade Shawn Kelley To Padres
The Yankees have traded Shawn Kelley to the Padres in exchange for right-hander Johnny Barbato.

Bryan Hoch/MLB

Cabrera Drawing Interest From Jays, Rays, Royals, Yankees
The 29-year-old infielder hit .241/.307/.387 in 616 plate appearances split between the Indians and Nationals in 2014.

Jon Morosi/FOX Sports

Byrd Trade Between Phillies, Reds Fell Through
The two teams could re-work the trade in the future.

Jon Morosi/FOX Sports

Cubs Interested In Stephen Drew
The 31-year-old Drew hit .162/.237/.299 in 300 plate appearances during the 2014 season.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Royals, Volquez Finalize $20M Deal
The deal includes a mutual option for the 2017 season.

Associated Press

Boras Hints 'Personal Issue' Led To Drew's Decline In 2014
The market for Stephen Drew could heat up soon as teams exhaust trade possibilities for a middle infielder.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe

Scherzer's Chances Of Re-Signing With Tigers Tied To Price
Max Scherzer remains on the market as January approaches, a surprise to no one given how agent Scott Boras has operated in the past.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe

Furcal Tears Hamstring, Comeback Bid In Jeopardy
Rafael Furcal, looking to continue his Major League career, saw his chances of doing so decrease when he suffered a torn hamstring in the Dominican Republic.

Austin Laymance/MLBlogs

Indians, Manship Agree To Minors Deal
The 29-year-old spent time with the Phillies, Twins and Rockies during the 2014 season.

William Boor/MLB

'Decent Chance' Rays Trade Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist will earn $7.5 million in the final year of his contract.

Jon Morosi/FOX Sports

D-Backs, Pennington Agree To One-Year Deal
Cliff Pennington is expected to fill a infield utility role for the D-Backs in 2015.

ESPN.com

Phillies, Wandy Rodriguez Agree To Minor League Deal
Veteran pitcher Wandy Rodriguez and the Phillies agreed to a Minor League deal on Saturday.

MLB.com

Starlin Castro Questioned By Police
Cubs shortstop has been questioned by the Dominican Republic police in connection with a nightclub shooting.

ESPN.com

Hiroki Kuroda Is Returning To Japan
Hiroki Kuroda will pitch for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, his first professional team.

ESPN.com

Doug Fister Gives Out Free Starbucks
On Wednesday, Doug Fister tweeted out a scanable barcode good at any Starbucks for a free beverage, but asked that folks limit themselves to just one purchase.

ESPN