June 2016 - Baseball Wiretap

Astros In No Rush To Name Starting First Baseman
The Astros are in no rush to decide on a starting first baseman and will wait until the conclusion of the exhibition season, according to Jeff Luhnow.

Evan Drellich/Houston Chronicle

Jered Weaver Has Precautionary MRI On Neck
Jered Weaver arrived to camp on Thursday morning with tightness in his neck and was sent for a precautionary MRI exam, according to the Los Angeles Angels.

Alden Gonzalez/MLB

Jhonny Peralta Has Surgery, Out Until Midseason
Jhonny Peralta underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb Thursday morning and will be out until midseason, according to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mark Saxon/ESPN

Bryce Harper Wants To Change MLB, Make It More Fun
Bryce Harper would like to change the game of baseball, elevating the profile of the sport through his play, his fashion and the charisma of his personality.

Tim Keown/ESPN

Braves Haven't Ruled Out Dansby Swanson Reaching Majors In 2016
The Braves acquired Dansby Swanson, last year's first overall pick, from the Diamondbacks in the Shelby Miller trade.

Mark Bowman/MLB

Goose Gossage Rips 'Nerds' For Ruining Baseball
During a 10-minute interview on Thursday, Goose Gossage ripped into the trend of high-level executives having never played Major League Baseball.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN

Adrian Beltre Seeking Three-Year Deal From Rangers
Adrian Beltre is also hoping to earn more annually than Pablo Sandoval received from the Red Sox prior to the 2015 season.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Braves Have High Asking Price On Erick Aybar
The Braves aren't looking to trade Erick Aybar and have reportedly placed a high asking price on the veteran infielder.

David O'Brien/Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tyler Naquin May Start In Center Field For Indians
With Michael Brantley expected to miss the first month of the season, Tyler Naquin is vying to be the starting center fielder for the Indians on Opening Day.

Ryan Lewis/Akron Beacon Journal

Yoan Moncada Impresses In Cameo With Red Sox
The Red Sox invested $63 million in Yoan Moncada last spring.

Scott Lauber/ESPN

Prince Fielder To Participate In Sleep Study
Prince Fielder returned to Texas on Wednesday to take part in a sleep study after having trouble getting rest during spring training.

Associated Press

Skip Schumaker To Retire
Skip Schumaker is leaving camp with the Padres and appears to be entering retirement.

Jeff Sanders/San Diego Union-Tribune

Jose Bautista Seeking $30M-Plus Annually, Deal Into His 40s
Jose Bautista is seeking a contract with the Blue Jays that will take him into his forties and is worth more than $30 million annually, according to a report.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Jason Heyward Gave Addison Russell Gifts For No. 22
Addison Russell will now wear No. 27 for the Cubs.

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Jose Fernandez Working To Decrease Reliance On Fastball
The Marlins are working with Jose Fernandez to alter his mindset on the mound this season.

Clark Spencer/Miami Herald

Cubs Wouldn't Go Past Five Years In Talks With Jake Arrieta
When the Cubs discussed a potential long-term deal with Jake Arrieta this offseason the length of the deal was the main sticking point.

Bob Nightengale/USA Today

Cardinals Aren't Yet Making Trade Calls For Shortstop Help
St. Louis is apparently waiting on a second opinion on Jhonny Peralta's thumb.

Jayson Stark/ESPN

Braves, Yankees Discussed Trade Last Offseason Involving Jason Heyward
Before he was traded to the Cardinals last offseason, the Braves discussed a blockbuster trade with the Yankees involving Jason Heyward.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Matt Harvey Confident About Slider This Season
Matt Harvey didn't throw his slider much until the end of last season, but he's ready to add the pitch to his arsenal full-time in 2016.

Mike Petriello/MLB

Braves, Marlins To Play At Fort Bragg On July 3
The Braves and Marlins will play a regular season game at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Sunday, July 3rd, Major League Baseball has announced.

MLB

Jake Arrieta Seeking At Least Six-Year Deal From Cubs
Jake Arrieta has discussed a long-term deal with the Cubs and is looking for at least a six- to seven-year deal to remain with the club, according to the pitcher.

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Astros Reward A.J. Hinch With Extension
The Astros have extended the contract of A.J. Hinch ahead of the 2016 season.

Brian McTaggart/MLB

Hanley Ramirez Refining Approach At Plate
A lot has been made of Hanley Ramirez's defense, but he is also trying to refine his approach at the plate in preparation for the 2016 season.

Jason Mastrodonato/Boston Herald

Cubs Briefly Explored 'Mega Extension' For Jake Arrieta
The Cubs briefly explored a "mega extension" for Jake Arrieta this offseason, but the two sides didn't agree on the length of a new contract, according to a report.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Orioles Agree To One-Year, $5.75M Deal With Pedro Alvarez
The Pirates elected not to tender Pedro Alvarez, who also made $5.75 million in 2015, a contract.

Jim Bowden/ESPN

MLB Waiting For Case To Play Out Before Ruling On Jose Reyes
Rob Manfred won't decide on how to discipline Jose Reyes until the Rockies shortstop's domestic violence case plays out in court.

Associated Press

Scott Servais Wants Mariners To Run More In 2016
With a retooled roster, Scott Servais wants the Mariners to make life "uncomfortable" for their opponents this season.

Larry Stone/Seattle Times

Cardinals Reportedly Offered Jason Heyward More Than $200M
Jason Heyward is one of a few players that turned down more money elsewhere to sign with the Cubs this winter.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Giancarlo Stanton To Sit With Sore Knee
Giancarlo Stanton had surgery on the same knee in July 2012.

Joe Frisaro/MLB

Jhonny Peralta To Miss 2-3 Months With Thumb Injury
Jhonny Peralta suffered the injury on Saturday and underwent an MRI. Early tests indicate that the shortstop has a torn ligament.

ESPN