June 2011 - Baseball Wiretap

Cubs Will Have To Acquire Pitching Via Trade
There won't be a ton of affordable starting pitchers available on the free agent market, so the Cubs will have to bolster their rotation through trades.

Bruce Levine/ESPN.com

Ryan Dempster Likes 'Stability' Of Cubs
Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster approves of the franchise's addition of former Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein as president of baseball operations.

Bruce Levine/ESPN.com

Orioles Unveil Brooks Robinson Statue
A statue of Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson has been unveiled outside Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Associated Press

White Sox Open To Potential Trades
Kenny Williams is open to dealing some of Chicago's Major League talent.

Doug Padilla/ESPN.com

Furcal: Trade To Cardinals Was 'Tough Decision'
Rafael Furcal had to approve the trade from the Dodgers to the Cardinals back in July.

Los Angeles Times

Castro, Cashner Not On Compensation Lists
The Cubs are going to have to part with some players in order to balance out adding Theo Epstein and likely Jed Hoyer to their front office.

Dan Hayes/North County Times (via Twitter)

Berkman Defends Early Clubhouse Exits
Lance Berkman defended the decision of some St. Louis veterans to duck out early after the team's Game 2 loss.

Big League Stew

Braves Hire Greg Walker As Hitting Coach
Greg Walker is Atlanta's third hitting coach in three seasons.

Associated Press

Dodgers Give O's Permission To Talk With Watson
Baltimore wants to talk with DeJon Watson about their vacant general manager position.

Tony Jackson/ESPN.com

Mets To Make Dimension Changes To Citi Field
The Mets will announce substantial dimension changes to Citi Field after the World Series to make the park more hitter-friendly.

Adam Rubin/ESPN.com

Yorvit Torrealba Likely To Catch Game 3
Texas will shift Mike Napoli to first base and Michael Young to designated hitter.

Richard Durrett/ESPN.com

Rangers Give Hamilton Day Off To Rest
Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton was told to stay home on Friday and rest in preparation for Game 3 of the World Series on Saturday.

Associated Press

Pujols Unapologetic For Skipping Out On Media
Albert Pujols was not apologetic about his decision to duck out on the media following Game 2 of the World Series.

Jim Caple/ESPN.com

Source: Ben Cherington To Be Red Sox GM
It appears that Red Sox assistant GM Ben Cherington will indeed be promote to general manager.

ESPN.com

Epstein Leaves Red Sox For Cubs
Theo Epstein resigned from the Red Sox on Friday night to join the Cubs as president of baseball operations.

AP

Padres To Promote Byrnes If Hoyer Joins Cubs
If Padres general manger Jed Hoyer moves onto the Cubs under Theo Epstein, San Diego is expected to promote Josh Byrnes.

Associated Press

Rockies Raise Season Ticket Prices For First Time In Four Years
The Rockies are offering to protect current ticket holders at last year's rate if they renew by a winter deadline.

Denver Post

Move To AL May Be Imminent For Astros
Major League Baseball is discussing with prospective Astros owner Jim Crane possible compensation for agreeing to move the team to the American League.

Houston Chronicle

Mets Will Listen To Offers For Wright
The Mets expect teams to call them regarding the status of third baseman David Wright this winter.

Joel Sherman/New York Post

Cardinals' Success Means No St. Louis Furloughs
The additional revenue for the city generated by the team's postseason run has prompted mayor Francis Slay to cancel scheduled furloughs.

Associated Press

Selig Hints At Mediating Epstein Talks
The Cubs and Red Sox can't seem to agree on compensation for general manager Theo Epstein.

ESPN.com

Epstein Announcement May Not Come Until Next Week
The Cubs have all but named Theo Epstein their general manager, but talks with the Red Sox on compensation aren't completed.

Chicago Sun-Times

Pujols Dodges Reporters After Committing Critical Error
After committing a game-changing error in the top of the ninth inning on Thursday night, Albert Pujols left his younger teammates to deal with the media.

Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports

Rafael Soriano Unlikely To Opt-Out Of Contract
Rafael Soriano struggled with injuries and posted a 4.12 ERA in his first season with the Yankees.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN.com

Yankees May Wait Until Last Minute To Pick Up Swisher's Option
Nick Swisher struggled in the playoffs again, but the Yankees will likely pick up his $10.25 million option for 2012.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN.com

A's Eye Curt Young As Pitching Coach
The Athletics would like Curt Young to return as their pitching coach next season after a stint with the Red Sox.

MLB.com

Nowitzki To Throw Out First Pitch In Game 3
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki will throw out the first pitch prior to Game 3 of the World Series in Arlington after all.

Richard Durrett/ESPN.com

Buchholz Comes Clean On Clubhouse Drinking
Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz hasn't pitched since June.

ESPN.com

Brewers Mum On Fielder's Future With Team
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin declined to answer most questions about Prince Fielder and potential negotiations with the soon-to-be free agent.

Associated Press

Tampa Bay's Friedman On Angels' GM Radar
In addition to a general manager, the Angels have several other front-office positions to fill, including farm director, assistant general manager and some pro scouting jobs.

Mark Saxon/ESPN.com