June 2013 - Baseball Wiretap

Posey Earns Largest Raise In Arbitration
The 133 players who filed last month gained an average increase of 119 percent, according to a study by the Associated Press.

Ronald Blum/Associated Press

As Injuries Mount, Brewers Looking At First Base Options
The Brewers are in need of a first baseman as Mat Gamel and Corey Hart will both begin the season injured.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Craig Kimbrel Records Hole-In-One
He lost sight of the ball on the 180-yard second hole, and figured it fell into a greenside bunker.

Associated Press

Yankees Shut Down Hughes With Sore Back
Phil Hughes has some upper back stiffness and will be shut down for a couple of days.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN

Braves To Retire Chipper's No. 10
The Braves will honor Chipper Jones by retiring his number and inducting him into their Hall of Fame on June 28.

Associated Press

Spring Training To The Troops With Heath Bell
FOX Sports led a contingent of former MLB greats, current players and announcers, and a selection of FOX Sports Girls on a goodwill trip to Germany.

RealGM Staff Report

Arizona Acquires Campana For Two Pitchers
The Diamondbacks have acquired Tony Campana from the Cubs in exchange for a pair of Minor League pitchers.

Steve Gilbert/MLB.com

Mariners Are Close To Trading Mike Carp
Jack Zduriencik has spoken to a "good number" of teams about Mike Carp, who was designated for assignment last week.

Adam McCalvy/MLB.com

Twins Aren't Interested In Mark Prior
Prior is hoping to make a comeback to the Major Leagues this season.

Darren Wolfson/1500 ESPN (via Twitter)

Kotchman Needs Stitches After Running Into Pop-Up Machine
Casey Kotchman was injured when he "tried to get around the machine and grabbed onto it and I guess cut his finger somehow."

Associated Press

Clemens Won't 'Lose Sleep' Over HOF Vote
Roger Clemens hasn't said much in the wake of January's Hall of Fame vote.

Associated Press

Alfonso Soriano Open To Trade If Cubs Struggle
Alfonso Soriano wants to win with the Cubs, but would be interested in a trade if the team does fall out of contention.

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Cardinals, Wainwright Remain On Good Terms
Adam Wainwright could become a free agent nine months from now, but he remains on good terms with the Cardinals as a potential contract extension looms overhead.

Joe Strauss/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pedro Doesn't Foresee Himself As Manager, Pitching Coach
Pedro Martinez is enjoying his new role as an instructor with the Red Sox this spring.

Alex Speier/WEEI.com (via Twitter)

Report: Pirates Give Hurdle Contract Extension
The Pirates are planning to extend Clint Hurdle's contract through the 2014 season with a team option for 2015, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Associated Press

Gamel Tears ACL Again, Out For Season
Mat Gamel has torn the ACL in his right knee for the second time in less than a year and will miss the season.

Associated Press

Chipper Jones On Comeback: 'It's Not Gonna Happen'
Chipper Jones has heard the whispers of people who believe he'll come out of retirement if the Braves need him at midseason.

Jayson Stark/ESPN

Hamilton: Dallas-Fort Worth 'Not True Baseball Town'
Josh Hamilton, who signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels this offseason, said that Dallas has "always been a football town."

Richard Durrett/ESPN

Bourjos To Make Most Of Return To Starting Lineup
Peter Bourjos appears set as the starting center fielder for the Angels after a season filled with rumors and little playing time in 2012.

Alden Gonzalez/MLB.com

Cespedes At Ease Heading Into Sophomore Season
Yoenis Cespedes had a successful rookie year with the Athletics, but admitted that he feels more at ease preparing for the 2013 season.

Jane Lee/MLB.com

Span Fitting In Well With Nationals Early On
Denard Span is energized because Washington is expected to make the playoffs and compete for a World Series title.

Bill Ladson/MLB.com

Konerko Won't Reveal Future Plans Until After Season
Paul Konerko insists that he has yet to make any plans about his baseball future.

Dan Hayes/CSN Chicago

Kubel Focused On Baseball After Trade Rumors
Jason Kubel's name had been mentioned in trade rumors throughout the offseason until Justin Upton was dealt to the Braves.

Steve Gilbert/MLB.com

Matt Garza Suffers Mild Lat Strain
Matt Garza left the practice field with a mild lat strain in his left side Sunday, but the injury isn't expected to be serious.

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Santana Throws Off Mound For First Time Since August
After the 20-pitch session, Johan Santana pronounced himself fit and on track for the Opening Day start.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Adam Jones Presents Superstitious Prospect With Gift
Adam Jones gave a unique gift to Orioles prospect Kevin Gausman, who was the team's first-round pick in June.

Mark Townsend/Big League Stew

DeJesus Might Be Midseason Trade Chip For Cubs
David DeJesus could be a fit for teams like the Phillies, Orioles and Red Sox once the season begins.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe

Without Protection, Ortiz Could Walk Often
David Ortiz isn't expected to have much protection in the lineup, so the Red Sox designated hitter should walk a ton this season.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe

Rays Have Trimmed $28M From Payroll
B.J. Upton, James Shields, Carlos Pena, Jeff Keppinger, J.P Howell and Wade Davis either found new homes themselves or were traded.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe

Mets 'Really Unlikely' To Add Jose Valverde
The Mets are "really, really unlikely" to sign Jose Valverde, according to a team insider.

Adam Rubin/ESPN