March 2015 - Baseball Wiretap

Rollins: 'Mets Second Most Likely Alternative'

Mar 2, 2015 8:44 AM

When Jimmy Rollins assembled his choice of preferred offseason trade destinations, the Mets ranked surprisingly high on his list.

Rollins' 15-year tenure in Philadelphia ended in December when the Phillies traded him to the Dodgers for two minor-league pitchers. He had to waive his 10-and-5 trade rights to allow the deal to come to fruition.

If it hadn't been the Dodgers, Rollins said Saturday, the Mets were the second most likely alternative.

ESPN.com

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Misc Rumor

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Giancarlo Stanton Fine After HBP In Scrimmage

Mar 2, 2015 8:44 AM

It was expected at some point Giancarlo Stanton would have to react to getting hit by a pitch.

Stanton was plunked in the hip by a Henderson Alvarez fastball during an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday. To his credit, Stanton said the errant pitch didn't bother him at all.

"Feels good," he said. "No thoughts, 100 percent fine. Didn't have one thought about it."

ESPN.com

Tags: Miami Marlins, Injury, Misc Rumor

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Ronald Bellsario Injures Shoulder In Pool Accident

Mar 2, 2015 8:44 AM

Rays reliever Ronald Bellsario, who will miss the start of the season with a fractured left shoulder which he suffered getting out of a swimming pool.

The Rays' president of baseball operations, Matt Silverman, announced Saturday that Belisario would not be able to throw "for several weeks" because of the injury to his non-pitching shoulder, which occurred at his home in Venezuela before he reported to spring training camp.

 

 

 

ESPN.com

Tags: Tampa Bay Rays, Injury, Misc Rumor

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Chris Sale Injures Foot In Home Accident

Mar 2, 2015 8:44 AM

White Sox ace Chris Sale suffered a foot injury in an accident at his home and will miss at least three weeks of spring training, according to an ESPN.com report.

Sale suffered an avulsion fracture to the lateral side of his right foot Friday at his spring training residence in Arizona, but the pitcher declined to reveal how the injury happened.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Sale landed "awkwardly when he got off the back of his truck," while unloading items.

ESPN.com

Tags: Chicago White Sox, Injury, Misc Rumor

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Aramis Ramirez Likely To Retire After Season

Feb 27, 2015 4:50 PM

Aramis Ramirez said Friday that he is likely to retire after the 2015 season.

This will be Ramirez's 18th season in the Major Leagues. He is set to make $14 million with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Ramirez, 36, is coming off a slash line of 285/.330/.427 last season.

Tom Haudricourt/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Tags: Milwaukee Brewers, Misc Rumor

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Juan Pierre Officially Retires

Feb 27, 2015 4:46 PM

Juan Pierre has officially retired from baseball.

Pierre didn't play in 2014.

The speedy outfielder racked up 614 stolen bases in parts of 14 seasons in the Majors and rarely struck out.

Clark Spencer/Miami Herald

Tags: Misc Rumor

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Yadier Alvarez Seeking Waiver To Sign With MLB Club

Feb 27, 2015 4:45 PM

Cuban pitcher Yadier Alvarez's representatives are seeking a waiver that would allow him to sign with a Major League club before July 2.

A previous report indicated Alvarez would not be able to sign before July because international prospects born after September 1, 1995 must register with MLB before they could sign. Alvarez was not registered.

MLB can waive that requirement, though, for a player who has “a compelling justification for his failure to register.”

Kiley McDaniel/FanGraphs

Tags: Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Melvin Upton To Miss Remainder Of Spring

Feb 27, 2015 4:41 PM

Melvin Upton is expected to miss the rest of spring training because of inflammation in his left foot, according to the Atlanta Braves.

Upton was formerly known as B.J., but announced his intention to go by Melvin this winter.

His foot will be placed in a short leg cast for two weeks, then in a walking boot from four to six weeks. The Braves said he will likely be able to resume baseball activities in early April.

Associated Press

Tags: Atlanta Braves, Injury

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Scherzer Reportedly Adding Cutter

Feb 28, 2015 5:07 PM

Max Scherzer is adding a cutter to his four-pitch repertoire, according to the New York Times.

Scherzer already throws a four-seam fastball, a changeup, a slider and a curveball, which he implemented before winning the American League Cy Young in 2013.

The MLB Network crew discussed the decision and found at least one instance of Scherzer throwing what looked like a cutter in 2014.

Hitters managed only a .238/.294/.368 line against the right-hander last season, but they did bat .314/.486/.559 when ahead in the count.

Andrew Simon/MLB

Tags: Washington Nationals, Misc Rumor

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Murphy Wants Extension, Mets Unlikely To Negotiate

Feb 27, 2015 10:07 AM

Daniel Murphy reiterated Thursday that he wants to sign a contract extension with the New York Mets with free agency looming next winter.

"I've always been open to an extension," he said. "I've never approached the blessing of playing in the big leagues with thinking I need to maximize every single dollar I can get out of this game. I've made a whole bunch of money already."

The two sides haven't engaged in talks and sources have indicated that the Mets have no intention of opening talks.

Murphy, 29, agreed to an $8 million deal in his final year of arbitration.

Marc Craig/Newsday

Tags: New York Mets, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Royals Plan To Use Blanton Out Of Bullpen
Joe Blanton, 34, signed a Minor League deal with the reigning American League champions.

Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB

Blue Jays Sign Johan Santana
Santana, who turned 36 in March, hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2012.

Associated Press

'Nervous' A-Rod Cheered At Public Workout
Alex Rodriguez was cheered when he stepped out onto the field with his teammates on Thursday in his first appearance in a Yankees uniform in 17 months.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN

Ellsbury: Yankees Have 'Chip On Their Shoulder'
Jacoby Ellsbury believes the Yankees are motivated to perform after a disappointing 2014 season.

Bryan Hoch/MLB

Red Sox Feel 'No Urgency' To Deal For Hamels
The Red Sox continue to monitor Cole Hamels and the Phillies, but "there's no sense of urgency" to trade for the left-hander, according to a source.

Sean McAdam/CSNNE

Papelbon Interested In Possible Trade To Blue Jays
Jonathan Papelbon made some interesting comments Thursday when asked about a potential trade from the Phillies.

Jim Salisbury/CSN Philly

Josh Hamilton Suffered Drug Relapse
Josh Hamilton suffered a drug relapse involving the use of cocaine and alcohol in the offseason, according to a report by the New York Daily News.

ESPN

Aiken To Pitch At IMG Academy, Be Eligible For Draft
The move will make Brady Aiken, the first overall pick in 2014, eligible for this year's draft.

Keith Law/ESPN

Pirates May Extend Andrew McCutchen
Andrew McCutchen's current contract keeps him under team control through 2018 for a very affordable $38 million.

Rob Biertempfel/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Brewers, Francisco Rodriguez Agree To Two-Year Deal
It was reported earlier Thursday that Rodriguez had agreed to terms with an undisclosed team.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Harper 'Excited' To Bring World Series To D.C.
Bryce Harper looks at the roster of the Nationals on paper and foresees a World Series championship.

ESPN

Saunders Trips On Sprinkler, Out Until Break
Michael Saunders stepped on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls Wednesday, tearing cartilage in his left knee and sidelining him until the All-Star break.

Associated Press

Josh Hamilton Faces Discipline From MLB
Josh Hamilton was scheduled to meet Wednesday with MLB officials in New York about a disciplinary issue.

ESPN

Trout Wants To Reduce Strikeouts, Increase Steals
Mike Trout is hoping to reduce his strikeouts, run more and avoid another playoff exit.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Ortiz Rants Against Pace Of Play Rules
David Ortiz has ranted against baseball's planned pace of play rules, especially the rule that stipulates a batter keep one foot in the box at all times.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

Teixeira Ditches Gluten, Eyes Big Season
Mark Teixeira is gluten free, sugar free and dairy free, which he hopes will help him avoid injury.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN

GM: Ortiz Can Play For Red Sox As Long As He Wants
David Ortiz, who will turn 40 this year, has an open-ended future with the Red Sox.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

Anthopoulos Has 'Pretty Good Relationship' With Beane
The Blue Jays and Athletics have agreed to a handful of trades in recent years.

Mike Bauman/MLB

Henry: Red Sox Are As Strong As Ever
The Red Sox have won three World Series since he and his partners took over the club in 2002, but John W. Henry believes his club is as strong as ever before.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

Wainwright Experiencing Abdominal Pain
Adam Wainwright is being sent back to St. Louis to be examined by a doctor after his workout Tuesday was cut short by abdominal pain.

Associated Press