June 2011 - Baseball Wiretap

Brian Stow Speaks On Camera
The Giants fan that was nearly beaten to death on Opening Day has spoken on camera for the first time since the attack.

Associated Press

Cubs Appear To Lead Race For Fielder
Seattle appears to be Chicago's closest competition with Texas and Miami not expected to bid on the slugger.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Red Sox, Reds And Tigers Interested In Saunders
Joe Saunders was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks after going 12-13 with a 3.69 ERA in 33 starts this past season.

Jim Bowden/ESPN.com (via Twitter)

Cubs, Jays, Rangers Generating Most Buzz For Darvish
Very few teams have commented publicly about Yu Darvish, let alone confirmed a bid for the Japanese right-hander.

MLB.com

Reyes Eager To Play With Ramirez
Jose Reyes hasn't heard from new teammate Hanley Ramirez since he signed a six-year, $106 million contract last week.

Associated Press

Bill Smith Remaining With Twins
Former Twins general manager Bill Smith, who was fired by the team last month, will remain with the franchise.

Associated Press

La Russa: Pujols 'Pained' By Decision
Former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa believes the divorce between the team and free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols was "unavoidable."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Red Sox Among Teams To Ask About Hanley
There hasn't been much traction in talks between Boston and Miami.

Buster Olney/ESPN.com (via Twitter)

A's Looking For Third Baseman In Exchange For Gonzalez
The Athletics would like to acquire a third baseman in exchange for left-hander Gio Gonzalez.

Jon Paul Morosi/FOX Sports (via Twitter)

Chris Bosio Is Chicago's Pitching Coach
The Cubs completed the shuffling of their coaching staff on Friday.

ESPN.com

Al Alburquerque Has Elbow Surgery
Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque is likely to be sidelined for the first half of the season.

Associated Press

Rockies, Cuddyer Agree On Three-Year Deal
The Rockies have reached a three-year agreement with free-agent Michael Cuddyer.

ESPN.com

Bonds Gets Probation, 30-Days House Arrest
Barry Bonds was sentenced on Friday on a federal conviction for obstruction of justice.

ESPN.com

Cubs Gearing Up To Make Run At Fielder?
The Cubs have a hole at first base and it was reported on Thursday that they could step up their pursuit of free-agent Prince Fielder.

MLB.com

Johan Santana May Not Be Ready For Opening Day
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson casually revealed this week that left-hander Johan Santana may not be ready for the start of the 2012 season.

New York Post

Kubel, Twins 'Probably' Done Negotiating
Longtime Twins outfielder and designated hitter Jason Kubel doesn't expect to return to the team in 2012.

Pioneer Press

Red Sox Trade Lowrie To Astros For Melancon
The Red Sox have acquired reliever Mark Melancon from the Astros in exchange for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland.

Boston Herald

Blue Jays Believed To Be High Bidders For Darvish
Toronto is believed to have made a posting bid of between $40 million and $50 million for the Japanese right-hander.

New York Post

Darvish Expects Fighters To Accept Bid Tuesday
The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters are expected to accept the posting price on star pitcher Yu Darvish.

Danny Knobler/CBS Sports

Source: Rangers, Holland Talking Contract
A new deal would buy out Derek Holland's arbitration years and allow the Rangers to keep him at the beginning of his free-agency period.

Richard Durrett/ESPN.com

Bidding On Cespedes Likely To Begin At $30M
It is possible that a team might give Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes a long contract once he hits free agency.

Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter)

MLB Owners Ratify Labor Contract
Major League Baseball owners have ratified a five-year collective bargaining agreement, sealing 21 consecutive seasons of labor peace through 2016.

Associated Press

Rockies Continue To Target Cuddyer
The Rockies continue to push to sign free-agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer.

MLB.com

Phils Sign Dontrelle Willis For Bullpen Help
The Phillies signed Dontrelle Willis to a one-year, $850,000 deal on Thursday.

AP

Cardinals, Romero Agree To One-Year Deal
J.C. Romero and the Cardinals have agreed to a one-year contract.

ESPN.com

Source: Cubs Bid On Yu Darvish
The Cubs are one of several teams to bid on Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.

ESPN.com

Red Sox Still Talking To Varitek
Red Sox GM Ben Cherington and owner John Henry want Jason Varitek to remain with the club in some capacity.

ESPN.com

MLB Panel To Study International Draft
A MLB committee will study whether baseball should have an international draft.

ESPN.com

Willingham Passes Twins Physical
Josh Willingham has completed his agreement of a three-year, $21M deal with the Twins.

ESPN.com

Jeter Named One Of 'Most Fascinating Of 2011'
Derek Jeter was named one of Barbara Walters' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2011."

MLB.com