June 2013 - Baseball Wiretap

High School Prospect Named Fenway Parks Climbing Ranks
A high school infielder from Boca Raton, Florida is working his way up the ranks.

Mark Townsend/Big League Stew

Kevin Millwood Retires After 16 Seasons
He had said that he would return to pitch in 2013 if he could pitch close to his home in Georgia.

David Brown/Big League Stew

Wieters May Prefer To Wait To Negotiate Long-Term Deal
The Orioles have locked up Adam Jones, Buck Showalter and Dan Duquette this offseason and it stands to reason that Matt Wieters is next in line.

Rich Dubroff/CSN Baltimore

Yankees Have Four Lefty Relievers On 40-Man Roster
The Yankees carried two left-handed relievers last season with Boone Logan and Clay Rapada used in different situations.

Chad Jennings/LoHud.com

Miami's Roster Set For Spring Training
Most recently, Miami signed veteran Placido Polanco.

Juan C. Rodriguez/South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Twitter)

Rodney Confident He'll Receive Extension From Rays
Fernando Rodney is currently pitching for the Dominican Republic's Leones del Escogido at the Caribbean Series

Alden Gonzalez/MLB.com

Braun Enjoying Drama-Free Offseason
Ryan Braun is enjoying a drama-free offseason after dealing with a possible suspension after initially failing a drug test last winter.

Adam McCalvy/MLB.com

Phillies Have Spent Less Than 19 Teams
Despite unloading Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton last season, the Phillies have not spent freely this winter.

Corey Seidman/CSN Philly

Teixeira Calls Himself 'Overpaid' As He Approaches 33
Playing under a $180 million contract signed before the 2009 season, Mark Teixeira will turn 33 years old a week after Opening Day.

Daniel Barbarisi/Wall State Journal

Orioles Not Expected To Sign Tatis, Rhodes
Baltimore was mulling over minor league agreements with Arthur Rhodes and Fernando Tatis.

Roch Kubatko/MASN Sports (via Twitter)

Valenzuela To Enter Caribbean Hall Of Fame
Fernando Valenzuela will be inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

ESPN

Up To Eight Pitchers In Hunt For Rangers' No. 5 Spot
Four of the spots in the rotation are set, with Matt Harrison, Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando.

T.R. Sullivan/MLB.com

Mets Looking To Add Late-Inning Reliever
The Mets are looking to add another late-inning reliever, which could spell the end for Frank Francisco as the team's closer.

Anthony DiComo/MLB.com

Billingsley Insists Right Elbow Feels Fine
Chad Billingsley is coming off a partially torn elbow ligament, the kind that usually requires Tommy John surgery and a year off to rehab.

Ken Gurnick/MLB.com

Mets Give Marlon Byrd Minor League Deal
Marlon Byrd served a 50-game suspension last season after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug while he was a free agent.

Associated Press

White Sox Claim Lars Anderson From D-Backs
Lars Anderson, rated as Boston's No. 1 prospect in 2009, had one hit in eight at-bats with the Red Sox last season.

Daryl Van Schouwen/Chicago Sun-Times

Reds Agree To Deals With Parra, Olivo
The Reds have agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with Manny Parra, while Miguel Olivo received a minor league deal.

Associated Press

A-Rod Plans To Return 'As Soon As Possible'
The Yankees third baseman underwent surgery Jan. 16 to repair a torn labrum and impingement in his left hip.

Kevin Davidoff/New York Post

Marlins, Rays Are Possibilities For Abreu
Bobby Abreu hopes to resume his baseball career and the Marlins and Rays are two clubs that might have interest in the veteran.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports (via Twitter)

Hafner Can Make Up To $4M With Yankees
Travis Hafner signed a one-year deal with a $2 million base salary this week, but he could make much more with the Yankees.

Buster Olney/ESPN (via Twitter)

Cardinals, Rzepczynski Agree To $1.1M Deal
The Cardinals have agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million deal with Marc Rzepczynski, avoiding arbitration.

Associated Press

Corey Hart Hoping To Return In Late April
Corey Hart has already begun rehabilitation after having knee surgery less than two weeks ago.

ESPN

Sources: Bosch Injected A-Rod With PEDs
The Yankees third baseman would contact Anthony Bosch late at night to come to his waterfront mansion on Biscayne Bay.

ESPN Staff Report

MLB To Expand Investigation Into Miami-Area Clinic
Major League Baseball has been independently investigating suspected links between alleged performance-enhancing substances supplier Anthony Bosch and several big league stars.

Paul Hagen/MLB.com

Hafner, Yankees Nearing Major League Agreement
Travis Hafner is expected to serve as New York's designated hitter this coming season, especially against left-handed pitchers.

Bryan Hoch/MLB.com

Twins Hoping Hicks Will Be Next Star In Center Field
Minnesota traded Denard Span and Ben Revere this offseason, opening up a potential spot for Aaron Hicks.

Dave Campbell/Associated Press

Scott Rolen Wants To Play In 2013
Scott Rolen is coming off a season in which he batted .245/.318/.398 across 330 plate appearances.

Dayn Perry/CBS Sports

Phillies Saw 19.1 Percent Of Payroll Hit Disabled List
Philadelphia saw players spend more than 1,400 days on the disabled list, at a combined cost of close to $33 million in 2012.

David Murphy/Philadelphia Daily News

Tigers Have Mild Interest In Aledmys Diaz
It appears as though the Tigers will go with Jhonny Peralta at their shortstop in 2013, but they also have interest in Cuban defector Aledmys Diaz.

George Sipple/Detroit Free-Press

Defensive Issues Hurt Justin Upton's Value
Justin Upton, Atlanta's newest outfielder, has been valued at 13 Wins Above Replacement over the past four seasons.

Mark Simon/ESPN