June 2009 - Baseball Wiretap

Brewers Claim They Aren't Talking Trade With Yankees
There have been reports suggesting the Brewers and Yankees have been engaging in trade talks with the Yankees centered around Mike Cameron and a third baseman.

Journal Sentinel

Dodgers Release Yhency Brazoban
Yhency Brazoban was released by the Dodgers on Thursday.

MLB.com

Mets Make Offer They Know Pedro Won't Accept?
The Mets are believed to have made Pedro Martinez an offer, but it's believed to be well below his $5 million minimum asking price.

SI.com

Rangers Reassign Smoak To Minor League Camp
Justin Smoak has been reassigned to the minor league camp along with Elizardo Ramirez and Joe Torres.

Star-Telegram

Venezuelan Winter League MVP Could Make Giants
The Giants signed Jesus Guzman as a minor league free agent last November and could become one of the offseason's biggest steals.

Mercury News

Guerrero Ready For Spring Training Debut
Vladimir Guerrero, who had surgery on his right knee in October, is scheduled to make his exhibition debut Friday against Arizona.

Los Angeles Times

Livan A Lock For Mets' Fifth Starter Slot
Charlie Manuel stopped just short of declaring Livan Hernandez the winner of the fifth starter slot with the Mets.

New York Post

Sandoval Hit In Mouth By Bad-Hop
A bad hop at third base hit Pablo Sandoval of the Giants in the mouth.

San Francisco Chronicle

Cubs To Retire No. 31 For Maddux, Jenkins
On May 3, the Cubs will retire No. 31 in honor of pitchers Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins.

MLB.com

Royals: Ponson Was Best Available Option
The Royals were looking to add a pitcher before the start of the season, and felt as though Sidney Ponson was the best option.

Kansas City Star

Fuentes Would Have Cost Cards Ludwick Or Ankiel?
With the Cardinals trying to keep an eye on their payroll, they likely would have had to cut ties with one of their outfielders in order to sign closer Brian Fuentes.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pirates Send Gorzelanny To Minors
The Pirates have sent Tom Gorzelanny, who was one of the team's top starters in 2008, to the minors.

ESPN

Sale Of Cubs Not Likely Before Mid-May
The Cubs will likely remain under the ownership of Tribune Co. through at least the early part of the season.

ESPN

Aaron Boone To Undergo Open Heart Surgery
Houston's Aaron Boone will have open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve, a condition he's known about since college.

ESPN

Matsui Won't Play In Outfield Until June
Yankees hitter Hideki Matsui will be limited to DH duty until June as he recovers from knee surgery last Sept. 22.

ESPN

Pedro To Dodgers Talk Persists
The Dodgers still lack a fifth starter, with has allowed rumors that Pedro Martinez will return to the team to increase.

MLB.com

Teammate On Magazine Spread: What Was A-Rod Thinking?
Alex Rodriguez is the cover story in Details Magazine this month and while the story is harmless, some pictures are causing a stir.

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Reds' Bailey Could Start Season In Bullpen
The Reds are entertaining the idea of allowing pitcher Homer Bailey to make the team as a reliever out of spring training.

Cincinnati Enquirer

Quentin Vows To Keep Emotions In Check
White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin has vowed to cage his emotions this season after his frustration ended his season early last year.

Arizona Daily Star

Hamels Is A 'Long Shot' For Opener
Cole Hamels, the MVP of the 2008 World Series, is a "long shot" to pitch for the Phillies on Opening Day against the Braves.

ESPN

Andruw Could Opt Out Of Rangers' Deal
Andruw Jones can opt out of his minor league deal with the Rangers on Friday if he isn't on the team's 40-man roster.

Star-Telegram

USA Defeats Puerto Rico To Advance To WBC Semifinals
The United States scored three runs in the ninth inning to defeat Puerto Rico by a final score of 6-5 to advance to the World Baseball Classic semifinals.

RealGM Staff Report

A-Rod Rides Subway To Night Games
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said in a recent interview with Details magazine that he likes to take the Subway to Yankee Stadium when traffic is heavy.

New York Post

Jason Schmidt: I Just Want To Pitch
Jason Schmidt, who has been a huge bust after signing a huge contract with the Dodgers, just wants to get back out on the mound and pitch.

Los Angeles Daily News

Chipper Jones: WBC Needs Fixing
Braves third baseman Chipper Jones believes that the World Baseball Classic needs some serious formatting changes.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Be The GM: Which Player Would You Start A Franchise With?
Voting for the first round is about to end, so get your final votes in before the field of 16 is set.

Christopher Reina/RealGM

Youkilis Rips America's Support Of WBC
Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis doesn't believe that his country provides enough support to Team USA.

Boston Herald

Matsui Done In New York After Season?
Hideki Matsui is trying to get healthy in time for the 2009 season, which could be his last with the Yankees.

New York Post

Indians Can No Longer Afford Martinez
The Indians made an offer to free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez earlier this offseason, but can no longer afford him.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Manny Will Be Limited To Hitting
Dodgers manager Joe Torre says that Manny Ramirez will be limited to hitting when he returns from a strained hamstring.

ESPN