June 2009 - Baseball Wiretap

Gregg Signs With Cubs For $4.2M
The Cubs avoided arbitration with reliever Kevin Gregg, signing him to a one-year, $4.2 million deal.

Chicago Tribune

King Felix Avoids Arbitration
Felix Hernandez, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time, signed a one-year contract worth $3.8 million with the Mariners.

ESPN

Mets, Fossum Agree To Minor League Deal
The Buffalo News has reported that the Mets have agreed to minor league deal with left-hander Casey Fossum.

Detroit Free Press

Cubs Chairman Kenney Thinks Sale's Imminent
Cubs' chairman Crane Kenney has reiterated that he expects the team's sale to be completed by opening day.

ESPN

Phils' Hamels Happy To Avoid Arbitration
Phillies' pitcher Cole Hamels was happy to avoid arbitration with the team and is excited to begin their title defense.

Courier Post

La Russa Doesn't Doubt McGwire?s Integrity
Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa doesn't doubt former slugger Mark McGwire's integrity and would love to have him help St. Louis hitters.

New York Times

WBC Rosters To Be Announced Monday Night
Provisional 45-man rosters for each of the 16 teams participating in the World Baseball Classic will be released on Monday night at 6 p.m. ET.

MLB.com

Grading The Deal: Pie Sent To Baltimore
Will Felix Pie be able to transition successfully to the big leagues in Baltimore's outfield?

Christopher Reina/RealGM

Cubs Deal Felix Pie To Orioles
The Cubs will trade Felix Pie to Baltimore for Garrett Olson and Class A right-hander Henry Williamson.

FoxSports

Young Still Not Taking Phone Calls From GM
Michael Young is not returning phone calls from GM Jon Daniels, but he is willing to be a mentor to Elvis Andrus, who is taking his position at shortstop.

Star-Telegram

Fielder Will Shoot Big In Arbitration
Prince Fielder turned down a five-year, $60 million contract extension offer early last season to focus on his first year of arbitration eligibility.

Journal Sentinel

Mets Talking Sheets But Not Pettitte
A person familiar with the Mets' situation said that Ben Sheets is now being discussed, but it's unclear what the parameters of such a deal would be.

Newsday

Mazzone: Lack Of Professionalism In Baltimore Is Shocking
Leo Mazzone now admits he made a huge mistake in leaving the Braves to become the pitching coach of the Orioles.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Overall No. 1 Pick Matt Bush Beginning To Finally Get Healthy
San Diego's Matt Bush, who was the top overall pick in 2004, hasn't thrown from a mound since having reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2007.

Union-Tribune

Yanks Were Preparing Offer For Manny If They Didn't Land Teixeira
If the Yankees hadn't signed Mark Teixeira, they were willing to Manny Ramirez a two-year contract with an option for a third.

New York Daily News

Cardinals Talked Cano Trade With Yanks
The St. Louis Cardinals called the Yankees to discuss a trade for Robinson Cano.

Post-Dispatch

Will Garciaparra Sign Or Retire?
Nomar Garciaparra said that the Dodgers and Phillies are among the teams seeking his services for next season.

Los Angeles Times

Cubs: We Did A Lot Of Homework On Milton Bradley
Jim Hendry spoke of the Milton Bradley signing on Saturday.

Daily Herald

Pedro Talking Deal With Pittsburgh
The Pirates have had contact with Pedro Martinez and would be interested if the price is right.

Post-Gazette

Pirates Unhappy With Pedro Alvarez's Conditioning
Pirates' management is dissatisfied with the conditioning of Pedro Alvarez.

Post-Gazette

Sabathia Ready For Pressure Of Being A Yankee
CC Sabathia still hasn't met George Steinbrenner, but he's ready for the pressure that comes with being a member of the New York Yankees.

Yahoo!

Wellemeyer And Cardinals Close To Avoiding Arbitration
Todd Wellemeyer and GM John Mozeliak both said on Saturday that they expect to have an agreement done soon.

MLB.com

Rays' GM Gets Married Saturday In Puerto Rico
Executive VP Andrew Friedman married Robin Hochman on Saturday.

St. Petersburg Times

Orioles To Give Markakis $66M?
One source said the Orioles and Nick Markakis are close to agreeing to a six-year deal worth between $64 million and $66 million in guaranteed money.

Baltimore Sun

College Baseball's Winningest Manager Arrested For DUI
University of Texas baseball coach Augie Garrido was suspended indefinitely with pay Saturday after his early morning arrest on a drunken driving charge.

AP

Phillies Sign Hamels To $20.5M Deal
The Phillies have reached a three-year, $20.5 million contract with Cole Hamels.

New York Post

Zambrano Set For Laser Eye Surgery
Carlos Zambrano is going to have laser surgery on his right eye.

Daily Herald

Rangers Still Want Buccholz For Saltalamacchia
The Red Sox continue to explore trade talks with the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks in their search for a catcher.

Boston Herald

Varitek And Henry Meet For 90 Minutes
Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and owner John Henry met for approximately 90 minutes near the player's Atlanta-area home on Friday night.

Boston Globe

Pie Trade Within A Week?
Felix Pie of the Cubs is out of options, and sources say he could be traded as soon as sometime next week.

Chicago Sun-Times