April 2011 - Baltimore Orioles Wiretap
Orioles Send Derrek Lee To Pittsburgh
The Orioles have traded Derrek Lee to the Pirates.
In exchange for Lee, last-place Baltimore received minor league first baseman Aaron Baker.
"I've kind of known it's been coming the last couple days, so it's not a shock or anything. It's just the business of baseball," Lee said in the Baltimore clubhouse.
Rangers Send Hunter, Davis To Orioles For Uehara
The Rangers have acquired reliever Koji Uehara from the Orioles in exchange for infielder Chris Davis and right-handed pitcher Tommy Hunter.
Texas will also get $2 million back from Baltimore, according to sources.
Cardinals, Tigers In Pursuit Of Guthrie
The Cardinals have joined the Tigers among the teams interested in Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, according to major-league sources.
St. Louis would like to add a starting pitcher so that they can send Kyle McClellan back to the bullpen, where he has had more success.
Guthrie is 4-13 with a 4.35 ERA in 22 games this season.
Scott Done For Season With Torn Labrum
Orioles left fielder Luke Scott will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury that severely limited his effectiveness at the plate.
Scott has a torn labrum in his right arm.
He was removed from the 15-day disabled list Friday, but didn't get through an entire game against the Angels before realizing he could not hit as he did before the injury.
Scott hit .284 with 27 homers and 72 RBIs last year.
He told reporters Saturday "I battled through it the best I could, but I'm not helping the team."
Guthrie Interests Yankees, But Deal Doubtful
The Yankees are looking for pitching and right-hander Jeremy Guthrie interests them.
However, it's highly unlikely that Orioles owner Peter Angelos will trade Guthrie to New York.
Angelos was a long-time rival of deceased Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
Ortiz, Gregg Get Reduced Suspensions
Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg began serving reduced suspensions on Monday night.
They both had their suspensions reduced from four games to three in the wake of a July 8 bench-clearing fight.
Oddly enough, Boston and Baltimore opened a series on Monday night, which Ortiz and Gregg will now sit out.
Crawford Will Be Activated To Face Orioles
Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford will be activated from the disabled list on Monday prior to the team's game against the Orioles.
Crawford has been on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain since June 18.
"He didn't swing the bat great, but he was really healthy, which is perfect," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of Crawford's brief rehab stint.
"He got some at-bats out of the way and hopefully the timing at the plate will come quick. He'll be ready to go (Monday). There were no issues physically. He felt really good and that's great."
Orioles Place Guerrero On DL
Orioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero missed his third consecutive game on Saturday and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Guerrero was hit by a pitch in last Sunday's game against the Red Sox, cracking a small bone in his right hand.
The team called up Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Matt Angle to take Guerrero's roster spot.
Orioles, Hardy Reach Three-Year Deal
The Orioles and shortstop J.J. Hardy have agreed to a three-year contract.
Hardy, 28, is batting .275 with 13 homers and 33 RBIs. He's been stellar in the field, making just two errors in 63 games.
The package likely falls in the range of the deal that Juan Uribe signed with the Dodgers last winter -- three years and $21 million -- although the value of Hardy's deal could reach $25 million.
The extension includes a no-trade clause limited to eight teams.
Orioles Farm Report: Machado Struggling In Carolina League
Orioles shortstop prospect Manny Machado is struggling with the Frederick Keys of the Class-A Carolina League.
Machado, who began the season in the South Atlantic League, is hitting just .218/.323/.345 with two home runs and five RBI in 16 games.
The infielder has struck out 12 times and walked nine times.
In his last 10 games, he has hit .250/.349/.361 with four RBI as he settles in.
Baltimore drafted Machado, 19, with the third overall pick in the 2010 Draft.
Red Sox, Orioles Disciplined For Brawl
Boston's David Ortiz has been suspended four games for his role in a brawl with the Orioles last week.
Hardy Optimistic About Contract Extension
J.J. Hardy is set to become a free agent after the season.
More Ejections Between Red Sox, Orioles
A ton of bad blood was stirred up between the Red Sox and Orioles this weekend.
Orioles Demote Britton To Double-A
Zach Britton is 6-7 on the season with a 4.08 ERA in 18 starts.
Ortiz Felt 'Pushed' Into Fight
David Ortiz is far from proud of his fight with Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg on Friday night.
Red Sox, Orioles Engage In Brawl
The Red Sox pounded the Orioles 10-3 on Friday night and a bench-clearing brawl broke out in the eighth inning.
Hardy, Reynolds May Be Trade Chips For Orioles
Baltimore is expected to sell at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.