March 2015 - Baseball Wiretap

Astros, Blue Jays Are Front-Runners For Samardzija

Jun 30, 2015 4:03 PM

The Chicago White Sox have disappointed this season and Jeff Samardzija is expected to be discussed in trades this summer.

"It's only a matter of time before he's dealt; the [Houston] Astros and the [Toronto] Blue Jays are the early front-runners," writes Jim Bowden.

Jim Bowden/ESPN

Tags: Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Red Sox Inquired About Donaldson, Were Told He Wasn't Available

Jul 1, 2015 7:23 AM

The Boston Red Sox inquired about Josh Donaldson before signing Pablo Sandoval last offseason, according to the Boston Herald.

The Oakland Athletics, who eventually traded Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays, told the Red Sox that Donaldson wasn't available.

Boston went on to sign Sandoval for five years and $95 million.

Jason Mastrodonato/Boston Herald

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Yankees Keeping CC Sabathia In Rotation

Jun 30, 2015 3:55 PM

CC Sabathia has struggled this season, but the New York Yankees are keeping him in the starting rotation.

Brian Cashman said there is no chance the 34-year-old former Cy Young Award winner will be removed from the team's starting rotation.

"That's not something that we're considering at this moment," Cashman said. "We're going to continue to give him every opportunity to work through this for the foreseeable future."

Sabathia is on pace to lose more games than he ever has in any one season of his 15-year big league career; he went 14-13 in 2013.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN

Tags: New York Yankees, Misc Rumor

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Athletics Still Weighing Trade Options

Jun 30, 2015 8:02 AM

Billy Beane hasn't decided what approach the Oakland Athletics will take to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Oakland is 10 games out in the American League West and more than eight games back in the Wild Card race.

"Time will tell, it's an important time period," Beane said "Despite having played better in the last couple weeks, we're still in quite a hole. Any definitive direction would be decided by how we do moving forward."

Scott Kazmir, Tyler Clippard and Ben Zobrist are rumored trade chips.

Joe Stiglich/CSN Bay Area

Tags: Oakland Athletics, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Tensions Return Between Scioscia, Angels Front Office

Jun 30, 2015 4:01 PM

Tensions between the Los Angeles Angels front office and Mike Scioscia have returned and far more pervasive, according to Major League sources.

Arte Moreno resolved the tension between Jerry Dipoto and Scioscia at the conclusion of the 2012 season, seemingly successfully.

"Emotions simmered in a series of meetings over the weekend when Dipoto expressed frustration with the coaches’ failure to convey scouting information to the players, sources said. At least one coach responded heatedly to Dipoto and first baseman Albert Pujols issued a pointed rebuttal to his GM, sources said," writes Ken Rosenthal.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Tags: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Misc Rumor

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Report: Pujols Open To Final Home Run Dery Appearance

Jun 30, 2015 7:50 AM

Albert Pujols would welcome the opportunity to participate in this year's Gillette Home Run Derby if voted into the All-Star Game, according to a report.

"I think it would be the last one," the nine-time All-Star said.

Pujols, who leads the American League with 23 home runs, has participated in the event on three occasions, most recently in 2009.

ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, All-Star, Misc Rumor

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Yankees Send Adam Warren To Bullpen

Jun 30, 2015 7:45 AM

The New York Yankees are moving Adam Warren back to the bullpen.

Warren was informed by the Yankees following their 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels that he would not make his scheduled start Wednesday in the finale of this three-game series, but would instead report back to the bullpen.

The right-hander is likely to work as the setup man to interim closer Dellin Betances while the Yankees wait for Andrew Miller to come off the disabled list.

Warren has outpitched Nathan Eovaldi, CC Sabathia and, at times, Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda, but he is the only starter capable of performing in relief as well.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN

Tags: New York Yankees, Misc Rumor

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Cubs, Dodgers Interested In Jon Niese

Jun 29, 2015 8:16 PM

The Los Angeles Dodgers have interest in Jon Niese, but they haven't had any discussions with the New York Mets.

It was reported over the weekend that the Chicago Cubs also have an eye on the left-hander.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Blue Jays Will Be Active On Pitching Market

Jun 30, 2015 8:03 AM

The Toronto Blue Jays will be active on the pitching market, according to Alex Anthopoulos.

"We still need to make upgrades in the rotation and the bullpen, that goes without saying," Anthopoulos said. "I'd love to land both. What we come away with or don't come away with, I have no idea. Clearly we're looking to be active. We're looking to add and make the club a lot better."

Ben Nicholson-Smith/Sportsnet

Tags: Toronto Blue Jays, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Astros, Daz Cameron Agree To $4M Bonus

Jun 29, 2015 8:10 PM

The Houston Astros have agreed to a deal with No. 37 overall pick Daz Cameron that will include a $4 million signing bonus.

Cameron was in Houston on Monday afternoon to sign the contract and will reportedly be introduced at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday.

A high school outfielder from Georgia, Cameron was rated by most as a Top 15 talent in this year's draft, but signability issues caused him to slip.

Jim Callis/MLB

Tags: Houston Astros, Draft, Misc Rumor, Terms Agreement

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Andy MacPhail To Become Phillies President After Season
Andy MacPhail will take over for Pat Gillick as president of the Phillies after this season.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Angels Looking To Trade For Hitting
The best fit would be a left-handed hitter with a good on-base percentage and who has the ability to play left field or designated hitter.

Jon Morosi/FOX Sports

Phillies Converting Tommy Joseph To First Base
The Phillies are moving catching prospect Tommy Joseph to first base.

Jim Salisbury/CSN Philly

Jason Heyward Finding Swing With Cardinals
Jason Heyward, 25, was traded to the Cardinals this past winter but he struggled the first two months of the season.

Derrick Goold/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Brewers Not Opposed To Trading Jean Segura
There have been reports that the Brewers have told teams they won't trade Jean Segura, but that isn't the case.

Tom Haudricourt/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Brandon Moss On Indians: 'We Have No Heart'
The Indians were shutout on both ends of Sunday's doubleheader, which promoted Brandon Moss to question his team's fortitude.

ESPN

Mike Napoli: Umpire Ejected Me For Not Picking Up Bat
Mike Napoli says plate umpire Tripp Gibson tossed him because he didn't pick up his bat and tote it back to the dugout on Sunday.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

Justin Verlander Expected To Make Next Start
Justin Verlander was scratched from his last start due to back stiffness.

ESPN.com

All-Star HR Derby To Feature Brackets, Clock
MLB will be using a new approach for this years Home Run Derby that features brackets and timed rounds.

ESPN.com

Jacoby Ellsbury To Begin Rehab Assignment Monday
Jacoby Ellsbury has been out of the Yankees' lineup for more than five weeks with a right knee sprain.

ESPN.com

Tampa Bay Calls Up Grady Sizemore
Grady Sizemore joined the Rays on Sunday and was the DH against the Red Sox.

ESPN.com

Mattingly Challenges Puig To Make Adjustments
Yasiel Puig was back in the Dodgers' lineup on Sunday in Miami.

ESPN.com

Red Sox Send Ramirez Back To Boston For MRI
It appears likely that Hanley Ramirez will go on the disabled list with an injured left hand.

ESPN.com

Robinson Cano Hit In Head By Stray Ball
Robinson Cano has no signs of a concussion after being hit in the head by an errant Angels' throw on Saturday.

ESPN.com

Tim Lincecum Hit In Elbow By Line Drive
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that pitcher Tim Lincecum "might need a break."

ESPN.com

Johan Santana Suspends Comeback Bid
Johan Santana, 36, will try again in 2016 to pitch in the majors.

ESPN.com

Ventura On Solid Footing With White Sox
White Sox VP Kenny Williams says Robin Ventura is improving as a manager.

ESPN.com

Stanton Will Miss Four To Six Weeks With Broken Hand
Giancarlo Stanton will have surgery and be out at least a month.

ESPN.com

Prince Fielder Joins Dad In 300-Homer Club
Prince Fielder homered in the first inning Friday night to join dad Cecil in the 300-homer club.

ESPN.com

Giancarlo Stanton Hurts Left Hand
Giancarlo Stanton will have X-rays on his left hand Saturday morning.

ESPN.com