July 2011 - Baseball Wiretap

Angels Hire Morris As Director Of Pro Scouting
The Angels have hired former major league first baseman Hal Morris to be their director of pro scouting.

Mark Saxon/ESPN.com

Matheny Gets Two-Year Contract From Cardinals
The Cardinals have signed Mike Matheny to a two-year contract as their new manager, with a club option for a third season.

Associated Press

Kemp To Likely Sign $160M Contract
Matt Kemp is on the verge of agreeing to an eight-year, $160 million contract with the Dodgers.

ESPN.com

Marlins, Reyes Haven't Yet Reached Deal
Despite a report that Jose Reyes has become a member of the Miami Marlins, sources indicate that the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.

CBS Sports

Doumit Turned Down Offer From Dodgers
The Dodgers offered free-agent catcher Ryan Doumit a one-year deal worth just under $3 million.

Mike DiGiovanna/Los Angeles Times (via Twitter)

1903 WS Program Sells For $241,500
The 1903 World Seres was the first-ever.

Associated Press

MLB Players, Owners Close In On Deal
Players and owners are in near-agreement on draft-related issues, according to a source.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Red Sox Could Move Aceves Into Rotation
The Red Sox are looking to fortify their starting rotation this offseason and reliever Alfredo Aceves is a likely option.

Boston Globe

Hill, Diamondbacks Agree To Two-Year Deal
Aaron Hill had a resurgent second half of the season following a trade to Arizona.

ESPN.com

Papelbon Looking To Add To 'Ring Collection'
Jonathan Papelbon will take a physical on Monday to make his reported four-year, $50-million contract with the Phillies official.

Jayson Stark/ESPN.com

Sveum Gets Second Interview With Red Sox
The Red Sox will have a second meeting with Dale Sveum on Tuesday in Milwaukee for their vacant managerial position.

Gordon Edes/ESPN.com

Cardinals To Name Matheny As Manager
Former Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny will be introduced as Tony La Russa's successor at a news conference Monday.

Associated Press

Agent: Miami's Free Agent Offers Should Be 'Taken Seriously'
The Marlins are expected to increase their payroll to between $80 and $100 million.

Boston Globe

Could Orioles Use Reynolds As Trade Chip?
Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports wonders whether the Orioles might consider dealing third baseman Mark Reynolds.

MASN Sports

Yankees Remain Unlikely To Pursue Ortiz
The Yankees scored the second-most runs in the American League this past season, so they'll focus on pitching this offseason.

Alex Speier/WEEI.com

Miami Marlins Gear Selling Fast
The Marlins officially became the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

MLB.com

Montero 'Scared' But Will Return To Venezuela
Yankees catcher Jesus Montero grew up 10 minutes from Wilson Ramos, who was kidnapped last week.

Sports Xchange

First French-Born Pitcher To Throw No-Hitter Dies
Charlie Lea had a career record of 62-48 with an ERA of 3.54.

Associated Press

Economists: $1B For Dodgers Is Realistic
A record price tag of $1 billion can be expected for the Dodgers, Dodger Stadium and the surrounding real estate.

Arash Markazi/ESPN.com

Cardinals Could Look Much The Same Next Season
The Cardinals feel they have a roster ready for 2012 even if Albert Pujols decides to sign elsewhere.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Cleveland's Payroll Will Jump By $21M In 2012
A large part of the increase will go to Chris Perez, Rafael Perez, Joe Smith, Cabrera, Justin Masterson, Jack Hannahan and Shin-Soo Choo.

Cleveland Plain-Dealer

Ramos: Police, Kidnappers Exchanged In Heavy Gunfire During Rescue
Wilson Ramos hid under the bed he was provided while police engaged in gunfire with his kidnappers.

Washington Post

Cardinals Unlikely To Increase Offer To Pujols
Before the 2011 season, St. Louis offered the first baseman a $210 million contract, but Albert Pujols passed on the deal.

Jon Heyman/Sports Illustrated (via Twitter)

No Evidence Giants Will Trade Lincecum, Cain
One rival general manager said there's no point in even asking San Francisco about either Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain.

Jon Heyman/Sports Illustrated (via Twitter)

Cubs To Work Out Cuban Star Cespedes
Yoenis Cespedes is considered to be the best player in a generation to come out of the country.

MLBlogs.com

Epstein: 2011 Red Sox 'Choir Boys' Compared To 2004
Theo Epstein opened up a bit on Saturday night about the disastrous September endured by the Red Sox.

Associated Press

Yoenis Cespedes May Not Become Free Agent Until January
There is a long list of teams reportedly interested in the center fielder.

Paul Hoynes/Cleveland Plain-Dealer (via Twitter)

Doumit Could Sign With Team Soon
Free agent catcher Ryan Doumit could sign a contract within the next few days, according to his agent.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN.com (via Twitter)

Ramos 'Grateful' For Effort To Rescue Him
Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, who was kidnapped on Wednesday in his home country of Venezuela, is relieved to be safe at home after the ordeal.

MLB.com

Hershiser A 'Serious Contender' To Buy Dodgers
Orel Hershiser said the group's financial backers prefer to remain in the background at this point.

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN.com