June 2011 - Baseball Wiretap

Dodgers Decline Options On Blake, Garland
Los Angeles also outrighted Eugenio Velez to Triple-A.

Team Release (via Twitter)

Cubs Will Interview 'Handful' For GM Role
Tom Ricketts was asked specifically if Theo Epstein would be coming to work for the Cubs.

ESPN.com

La Russa Fined For Television Comments
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa fully expected a fine for his comments.

ESPN.com

Holliday Takes BP, Still Not In Lineup
Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday took batting practice prior to Tuesday's Game 3 against the Phillies, but he was not in the lineup.

Associated Press

Valverde Backtracks A Bit, Says He'll Be Ready
Jose Valverde has been on the mound for Detroit's back-to-back wins against the Yankees.

MLB.com

Leyland Rules Verlander Out For Remainder Of ALDS
Justin Verlander threw 120 pitches on Monday night against the Yankees, pushing the Tigers to within a win of the ALCS.

MLB.com

Torre, Valentine Aren't On Boston's Managerial List
The Red Sox have a few candidates in mind and they don't want to hire someone who will go against their established principles.

Jon Heyman/Sports Illustrated

A-Rod Still Hitless In ALDS
Heading into a do-or-die Game 4 for New York, Alex Rodriguez is 0-for-10 in the ALDS.

New York Post

Howell Accepts Blame For Loss To Rangers
J.P. Howell allowed a two-run single to Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded in the seventh inning on Monday afternoon.

The Tampa Tribune

Angels Drop Assistant General Manager
The Angels decided not to renew the contracts of assistant general manager Ken Forsch and Gary Sutherland, a special assistant to the general manager.

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN.com

Girardi Questions Sabathia's Strike Zone
CC Sabathia threw just 62 strikes in his 102 pitches on Monday night.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN.com

Source: Francona Plans To Manage
Terry Francona plans to manage next season, if offered the opportunity.

ESPN.com

Girardi: Burnett On Short Leash
The Yankees plan to start A.J. Burnett in Game 4 on Tuesday night.

ESPN.com

Epstein's Future In Boston Still Uncertain
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, who has one year left on his contract, still has an uncertain future with the team.

MLB.com

Rollins Won't Give Phillies 'Hometown Discount'
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins could be playing in his final few games with the franchise.

MLB.com

Palmeiro Maintains He Didn't Take Steroids
Rafael Palmeiro still insists that he didn't take steroids during his Major League career.

Baltimore Sun

Farnsworth Has Setback, But Ready For Rangers
Joe Maddon confirmed that Kyle Farns­worth had "a little bit of a setback" and could not have pitched Saturday.

St. Petersburg Times

Will Angels Be Able To Move Abreu?
The Angels have a glut of overpaid hitters to deal with this offseason.

Mark Saxon/ESPN.com

Will Reds Trade Votto Or Alonso?
With a limited payroll and needs to be filled, the Reds will be forced to decide whether or not they should trade Joey Votto or Yonder Alonso.

Cincinnati Enquirer

Dodgers Trying To Build Case Against MLB
The Dodgers have asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to gather evidence on how Major League Baseball has dealt with other teams.

Associated Press

Sabathia On Opt Out: New York 'Is Best Place To Play'
CC Sabathia has an opt-out clause in his contract that would allow him to test the market this winter.

David Waldstein/New York Times (via Twitter)

Rotation Overhaul On Deck For Rockies
The Rockies struggled with their starting rotation this season and it figures to be a point of emphasis this winter.

Denver Post

Maddon Endorses Bench Coach For White Sox Job
Rays manager Joe Maddon has endorsed bench coach Davey Martinez for the vacant managerial position with the White Sox.

Chicago Tribune

Ordonez Considered Retirement At Midseason
Magglio Ordonez went 3-for-3 at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Game 2.

Danny Knobler/CBS Sports

Price Hoping For Breakthrough Against Rangers
David Price is 0-3 with a 5.67 ERA in six career regular season starts against Texas.

Associated Press

Hitless Against Tigers, A-Rod Cites 'Zen' Approach
Since winning the 2009 World Series, Alex Rodriguez is hitting .175 without a home run.

Star-Ledger

Holliday Could Miss Rest Of NLDS
Matt Holliday is dealing with a tendon injury at the base of his right middle finger.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

'50-50' Epstein Leaves For Right Job
According to a Major League source close to Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, it's "50-50" that he will leave the club for the right situation.

Gordon Edes/ESPN.com

Red-Hot Braun: 'I'm Seeing The Ball Well'
Ryan Braun was a triple shy of the cycle in Milwaukee's Game 2 win over Arizona.

Wayne Drehs/ESPN.com

Cliff Lee Takes 'Full Responsibility' For Loss
The Cardinals rallied against Cliff Lee on Sunday night after the Phillies raced out to a 4-0 lead in Game 2 of the NLDS.

Jayson Stark/ESPN.com