March 2018 - Baseball Wiretap

Kevin Towers Passes Away At Age 56

Feb 1, 2018 8:51 AM

Kevin Towers died Tuesday at the age of 56 after battling a rare form of thyroid cancer.

The longtime baseball executive earned the nickname "The Gunslinger" because of his fearlessness when it came to making trades.

Towers served as general manager of both the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.

Steve Gilbert/MLB

Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, Misc Rumor

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Rays Fire Doctor Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations

Jan 31, 2018 8:24 AM

The Tampa Bay Rays have cut ties with team doctor Michael Reilly, one week after the team was made aware of a YouTube video in which a woman accused him of sexual abuse.

"We have very recently become aware of a video accusing Dr. Reilly of sexually abusing a former employee of his medical practice," said John Higgins, the Rays' senior vice president of administration and general counsel. "We have ended our contractual relationship with him, and we have also alerted the St. Petersburg Police Department and Major League Baseball of this situation."

Reilly, 67, was initially been suspended by the Rays last week.

He had been the Rays' team physician since the franchise began 20 years ago.

ESPN

Tags: Tampa Bay Rays, Misc Rumor

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Jon Niese Signs Minor League Deal With Rangers

Jan 31, 2018 8:15 AM

The Texas Rangers have signed Jon Niese to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Niese didn't pitch during the regular season last year.

The 31-year-old had left knee surgery at the end of the 2016 season. He made six relief appearances in spring training for the New York Yankees in 2017.

Associated Press

Tags: Texas Rangers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Reds Sign David Hernandez To Two-Year Deal

Jan 31, 2018 8:10 AM

The Cincinnati Reds have signed David Hernandez to a two-year deal.

According to a report, Hernandez's deal is worth $5 million.

The 37-year-old split last season between the Los Angeles Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks.

ESPN

Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Mets Still Discussing Josh Harrison With Pirates

Jan 30, 2018 8:02 AM

The New York Mets are reportedly still engaged in talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding Josh Harrison.

However, the Mets still believe a free agent addition is still more likely.

Mike Puma/New York Post

Tags: New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Athletics Acquire Brandon Moss From Royals For Pitchers

Jan 30, 2018 7:57 AM

The Kansas City Royals have traded Brandon Moss and left-hander Ryan Buchter to the Oakland Athletics for right-handers Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer.

Moss is owed $8.25 million for 2018 and the Royals included $3.25 million in the deal to offset that.

The Royals could use the savings as they continue to attempt to re-sign Eric Hosmer.

Associated Press

Tags: Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, Misc Rumor, Official Trade, Trade Rumor

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Indians Will Remove Chief Wahoo Logo In 2019

Jan 31, 2018 8:29 AM

The Cleveland Indians will remove the Chief Wahoo logo from their uniform next year.

The mascot will come off the team's jersey sleeves and caps starting in the 2019 season.

After lengthy discussions between team owner Paul Dolan and Rob Manfred, the Indians are shelving the big-toothed, smiling, red-faced caricature, which has been used in used in various expressions by the team since 1947.

The Indians will continue to wear the Wahoo logo on its uniform sleeves and caps in 2018, and the club will still sell merchandise featuring the mascot in Northeast Ohio.

"Major League Baseball is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the game," Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Over the past year, we encouraged dialogue with the Indians organization about the club's use of the Chief Wahoo logo. During our constructive conversations, Paul Dolan made clear that there are fans who have a longstanding attachment to the logo and its place in the history of the team.

"Nonetheless, the club ultimately agreed with my position that the logo is no longer appropriate for on-field use in Major League Baseball, and I appreciate Mr. Dolan's acknowledgement that removing it from the on-field uniform by the start of the 2019 season is the right course."

Associated Press

Tags: Cleveland Indians, Misc Rumor

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Matt Albers Agrees To Two-Year Deal With Brewers

Jan 30, 2018 7:44 AM

The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with the Matt Albers, according to reports.

Albers is the latest addition to the Brewers, who added Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain to their outfield last week.

The right-hander has played for seven teams during his 12-year career. He went 7-2 with a 1.62 ERA in 63 games with the Washington Nationals last season.

ESPN

Tags: Milwaukee Brewers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Diamondbacks, Neftali Feliz Agree Upon Minor League Deal

Jan 29, 2018 7:59 AM

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a Minor League deal with Neftali Feliz.

The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Feliz appeared in a combined 49 games last season with the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals.

Steve Gilbert/MLB

Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Terms Agreement

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Brewers Owner Says Club Can Afford Top Free Agent Pitcher

Jan 30, 2018 8:02 AM

The Milwaukee Brewers added Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich to their outfield last week and owner Mark Attanasio says they can still afford to sign a free agent pitcher.

The Brewers have been linked to Yu Darvish.

If they swing and miss on Darvish, it's conceivable that Milwaukee could turn their attention to Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn or Alex Cobb.

R.J. Anderson/CBS Sports

Tags: Milwaukee Brewers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Carlos Rodon Cleared To Resume Throwing
Carlos Rodon has been cleared to begin a throwing program after he had shoulder surgery in September.

Associated Press

Ryan Braun Willing To Try First Base
Brewers star Ryan Braun will get work at first base during spring training.

ESPN.com

Former MLB Pitcher Marcos Carvajal Dies Of Pneumonia
Marcos Carvajal pitched for the Rockies in 2005 and again for the Marlins in 2007.

ESPN.com

Phillies Sign Francisco Rodriguez To Minor League Deal
Reliever Francisco Rodriguez will report to major league spring training with the Phillies.

ESPN.com

Mets To Open Season With Closer By Committee
The Mets plan to rotate Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, Anthony Swarzak, and Jerry Blevins in save situations to begin the 2018 season.

ESPN.com

O's To Play Machado At Shortstop, Moving Beckham To Third Base
Orioles manager Buck Showalter has confirmed that Manny Machado and Tim Beckham will swap positions this coming season.

ESPN.com

Vladimir Guerrero Will Be First To Wear Angels Cap In Cooperstown
Having split his career between the Expos and Angels, Vlad Guerrero had to decide which franchise he'll represent in Cooperstown.

Dayn Perry/CBS Sports

Brewers Acquire Christian Yelich From Marlins
Christian Yelich is the fourth starter to be traded by the Marlins as they reduce payroll and rebuild under new CEO Derek Jeter.

Associated Press

Lorenzo Cain, Brewers Agree Upon Five-Year, $80M Deal
Lorenzo Cain has passed his physical and will likely be formally introduced on Friday.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Jose Reyes Returning To Mets On One-Year Deal
The value of the deal is $2 million and Jose Reyes can make an additional $500,000 through incentives.

ESPN

Yu Darvish Could Sign By End Of Week
It is "increasingly likely" that Yu Darvish will decide where he will sign by the end of the week, according to a source.

Jon Paul Morosi/MLB

Lorenzo Cain Has Multiple Four-Year Offers
The market for Lorenzo Cain appears to be picking up as his representation at All Bases Covered Sports Management has begun informing some teams that they’re out of the running to sign the outfielder.

Jon Heyman/FanRag Sports

Glen Perkins Retiring After 12 Seasons
Glen Perkins, who is a free agent after pitching 12 seasons, appeared in just 10 combined games over the last two seasons.

ESPN

Baseball Hall Of Fame Adds Four New Members
Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome and Trevor Hoffman received enough votes for election.

ESPN

Brewers Made Trade Offer For Christian Yelich
The Brewers are among the teams interested in dealing for Christian Yelich if he's the next member of the Marlins sent packing.

Adam McCalvy/MLB

Jonathan Singleton Suspended For 100 Games
Major League Baseball has suspended Jonathan Singleton for 100 games after a third positive drug test.

ESPN

Jeff Wilpon Defends Mets Payroll
Jeff Wilpon has defended the Mets' offseason spending, saying more moves are likely before Opening Day and during the season.

Associated Press

Alex Rodriguez To Call Sunday Night Baseball Games
Alex Rodriguez will join ESPN to work on Sunday Night Baseball telecasts this season.

ESPN

Mets Interested In Reunion With Bartolo Colon
Bartolo Colon wants to pitch one more season in the Majors Leagues and appears to have a suitor.

MLB

Cubs Engaged In 'Active Talks' With Yu Darvish
While no agreement is close, the market for Darvish appears to be picking up.

MLB