July 2016 - Cincinnati Reds Wiretap
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey will start Sunday against the San Diego Padres as he makes his return to the majors following Tommy John surgery.
The Reds activated Bailey from the disabled list Thursday following a rehab assignment. On Friday, they designated him as the Sunday starter.
The Cincinnati Reds claim that interest in trading for Jay Bruce has only been moderate this summer.
A number of clubs have reached out to inquire about Bruce, but Walt Jocketty says the offers have been weak to this point.
"You wouldn't believe some of the stuff," Jocketty said in reference to the packages offered.
Jocketty added that the Reds are looking for a legitimate prospect given Bruce's value.
The Seattle Mariners have inquired with the Cincinnati Reds about trading for Jay Bruce, who has been on the market for the past several months.
The Mariners have had to rely more on Nelson Cruz and Franklin Gutierrez in the outfield than they planned because Nori Aoki has yet to produce.
It was reported on Tuesday that the Reds were talking to at least four teams about Bruce.
The Cincinnati Reds have picked up the pace on trade talks involving Jay Bruce and are discussing him with "at least" four teams.
Cincinnati is seeking a top prospect in return for Bruce, who is hitting .272/.326/.564 in 384 plate appearances this season.
Bruce has about $4.71 million remaining on his $12.5 million salary for 2016. There is a $13 million club option on his deal for next year.
Two players who began their careers at opposite ends of the spectrum nearly three decades ago ended up in the same place on Sunday -- with their names etched on plaques at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
For Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza, the culmination of their long journeys was tinged with tears all around.
The two became a piece of history on their special day. Griffey, the first pick of the 1987 amateur draft, became the highest pick ever inducted. Piazza, a 62nd-round pick the next year -No. 1,390 -- is the lowest pick to enter the Hall of Fame.
The Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers have all shown interest in trading for Jay Bruce, according to a report.
"We assume Bruce will be traded," a Cincinnati Reds person said.
Bruce, 29, is hitting .263/.314/.530 this season and will be a free agent after the 2017 season.
Jay Bruce has a limited no-trade clause, which he would likely waive to clear the way for a trade to a contender.
"I want to play in October," Bruce said. "I'm 29. I'm not getting any younger. What I want most is the chance to play in a World Series."
Bruce was nearly dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays this winter before two involved players failed physicals.
The Indians, Diamondbacks, Marlins, Yankees, Red Sox, Twins, A's and Rays are on Bruce's no-trade list.
A day after right-hander Noah Syndergaard and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes departed a game with injuries, both Mets players were scratched from Tuesday's All-Star Game.
Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler also had to withdraw on Saturday due to a hamstring injury.
They will be replaced by Padres left-hander Drew Pomeranz, Pirates outfielder Starling Marté and Reds outfielder Jay Bruce.
Cubs star Kris Bryant left Monday's game against the Reds with what was called a lower left leg contusion after he collided with center fielder Albert Almora Jr. in the fifth inning of the Cubs' 10-4 win, but manager Joe Maddon said Bryant should be OK.
"He should be fine tomorrow [Tuesday]," Maddon said of Bryant, who hit his league-leading 24th home run in the game. "I'm anticipating putting his name in the lineup tomorrow."
The Reds, who entered Monday's games with a major league worst 5.51 ERA, fired pitching coach Mark Riggins.
The team said in a statement that Riggins would be replaced by assistant pitching coach/bullpen coach Mack Jenkins. Ted Power, the pitching coach at the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville, will fill Jenkins' role with the major league team.