May 2014 - Baseball Wiretap

Reds Extend GM Jocketty Through 2016
The Reds are 74-86 with two games to play on Saturday, their worst showing since 2008.

ESPN.com

Royals Back To The Postseason
The Royals clinched a AL playoff spot on Friday night for the first time in 29 years.

ESPN.com

D'Backs Fire Kirk Gibson
Bench coach Alan Trammell has also been relieved of his duties.

Nick Piecoro/Arizona Republic

Astros Tight-Lipped On Managerial Search
Despite being very vocal about their front office operations in recent years, the Astros have been tight-lipped about their managerial search.

Evan Drellich/Houston Chronicle

Padres Likely To Shuffle Offense
The Padres appear to have a stable pitching staff, but the offense may be shuffled this offseason.

A.J. Cassavell/MLB

Turnarounds From Balfour, Myers Key For Rays
The Rays need a lock-down reliever and power bat heading into the 2015 season.

Marc Topkin/Tampa Bay Times

Source: Willingham Plans To Retire After Season
Josh Willingham insists that he hasn't made a decision on his future, but a source says he'll retire after the season.

Mike Berardino/Pioneer Press

Red Sox, Middlebrooks At Odds Over Winter Ball
The Red Sox aren't happy with Will Middlebrooks' refusal to commit to playing to winter ball.

Sean McAdam/CSNNE

Brewers Could Move Braun To First Base
The Brewers need to fill a hole at first base and Ryan Braun is an option.

Adam McCalvy/MLB

Manager Defends Sale Against Accusations
Robin Ventura has defended Chris Sale against accusations that the pitcher conducted himself improperly during a game one day earlier against the Tigers.

Doug Padilla/ESPN

Cooperstown Already Preparing For Jeter's 2020 Induction
Derek Jeter isn't even officially retired yet, but officials in Cooperstown are already thinking about his likely induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Associated Press

Hughes Turns Down Chance For $500K
Phil Hughes has turned down a chance to pitch again this weekend, even though one more out would have earned him a $500,000 bonus.

ESPN

Pirates Willing To Stretch Payroll To Retain Martin
The Pirates have a philosophy of not allocating more than 18 percent of their payroll to one player, but may rethink the strategy with Russell Martin headed to free agency.

Travis Sawchick/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Hughes Falls One Out Shy Of $500K Bonus
In his final start of the season, Hughes fell one-third of an inning short of triggering a $500,000 innings bonus in his contract with the Twins.

ESPN

Tigers Clinch Playoff Spot With Seattle Loss
Justin Verlander helped the Tigers along, allowing a single run in Detroit's 6-1 win over the White Sox.

Associated Press

Jeter Describes 'Tough Feeling' With Playoff Hopes Dashed
The Yankees were eliminated from the postseason race with Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Orioles.

Associated Press

Kershaw Pitches Dodgers To NL West Title
Clayton Kershaw allowed one run and eight hits in eight innings, struck out 11 and walked none in his last start of the regular season, having won his final seven starts.

Associated Press

Report: D'Backs Offer GM Job To Stewart
It is unclear if Arizona has made an offer to Stewart or if a deal was in place, only that he is the club's top choice.

Steve Gilbert/MLB

Tillman Pumped To Start Game 1 For Orioles
Buck Showalter made it official on Tuesday, Chris Tillman will start Game 1 of the ALDS for the Orioles.

Brittany Ghiroli/MLB

Trevor Plouffe Breaks Left Forearm
Plouffe was hurt on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, when A.J. Pollock stole third base.

Associated Press

Bumgarner Denies Throwing At Puig
Madison Bumgarner hit Yasiel Puig with a slider in the first inning of Tuesday night's game between the Giants and Dodgers.

Ken Gurnick/MLB

Rangers Shut Down Jurickson Profar
The Rangers are shutting down Jurickson Profar for a few months in an effort to rehab his right shoulder to get it right before the 2015 season.

Anthony Andro/FOX Sports Southwest

Hart Offered Full-Time Job With Braves
The Braves have offered interim general manager John Hart the full-time job, according to a report.

ESPN

Terry Ryan Wants To Return To Twins In 2015
Terry Ryan, who was diagnosed with cancer eight months ago, says he feels "pretty good" and would like to return to his GM position with the Twins next season.

ESPN

Pagan To Have Back Surgery, Out For Playoffs
Angel Pagan has a bulging disk in his back and will undergo surgery Thursday in Los Angeles.

ESPN

Mets To Shut Down Jacob deGrom
According to a source, the club has placed an innings cap on the 26-year-old right-hander.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Angels Hope To Have Shoemaker For Playoffs
Matt Shoemaker is unlikely to pitch in the team's final five regular-season games due to a mild left rib-cage strain.

ESPN

Mets Officially Extend Sandy Anderson
Sandy Alderson has signed an extension through the 2017 season with the Mets.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Jeter Has First Three-RBI Game Since 2012
Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to six games with a two-run double to left field in the fifth inning and also contributed a run-scoring groundout, and is now 9-for-20 (.450) on the homestand.

Bryan Hoch/MLB

Diamondbacks To Announce New GM On Thursday
Dave Stewart is the heavy favorite for the job, although DeJon Watson is still under consideration.

Bob Nightengale/USA Today