March 2019 - Baseball Wiretap

Rockies Option Kyle Freeland To Triple-A

Jun 1, 2019 12:02 AM

Kyle Freeland thinks he has lost his direction on the mound. So while the Rockies left-hander said it "stinks'' that he's been demoted to Triple-A Albuquerque, he's keeping his mind open as he refines his mechanics.

Freeland is 2-6 with a 7.13 ERA this season and nowhere near the form he displayed last year,

espn.com

Tags: Colorado Rockies, Misc Rumor

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Dave Roberts Refutes Notion Of Dodgers' Sign-Stealing

May 31, 2019 8:15 AM

Dave Roberts is annoyed with suggestions by the New York Mets that the Los Angeles Dodgers have a "system" for knowing what pitches are coming.

On Wednesday, several Mets intimated that the Dodgers may have developed an advantage beyond the bounds of Major League rules.

"I guess if they feel ... the quality of at-bats we put up against these guys was not as a result of our talent and our preparation, then that's their decision," Roberts said. "I can't change their thoughts."

Ken Gurnick & Anthony DiComo/MLB

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

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Boras: Dallas Keuchel Could Be Ready In A Week

May 31, 2019 11:55 PM

Dallas Keuchel could be ready to pitch in the Major Leagues a week after signing a contract, agent Scott Boras says.

Keuchel has already thrown seven simulated games of roughly 100 pitches.

As many as six teams are in the mix to sign the veteran stater.

Jon Paul Morosi/MLB

Tags: Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Cubs Sign Carlos Gonzalez To Minor League Deal

May 31, 2019 8:02 AM

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with Carlos Gonzalez.

Gonzalez will report to Triple-A and soon get called up to the Major League club.

The Cleveland Indians recently released Gonzalez after he hit .210/.282/.276 in 30 games.

Jon Heyman/Fancred Sports

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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MLB Attendance Down For Fourth Straight Year

Jun 1, 2019 12:02 AM

Major League attendance is down for the fourth straight season.

The overall average of 26,854 through Wednesday is 1.4 percent below the 27,242 through this similar point last season.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred attributes this year's drop to fewer season tickets but emphasizes that day-of-game sales are up 6 percent.

"Given the explosion of entertainment alternatives and the growth of the secondary market, it is not surprising that season-ticket sales can be challenging," he said.

"The clubs are responding to this challenge with creative and effective approaches. For example, sales of subscription tickets are double what they were a year ago. And the Twins recently had a $5 flash sale that produced crowds of over 30,000 in three of four games, and the largest single-game attendance since 2016."

Associated Press

Tags: Misc Rumor

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Six Teams Could Be In Mix For Dallas Keuchel

May 31, 2019 8:16 AM

With the Major League Baseball Draft looming, as many as six teams could be in the mix to sign Dallas Keuchel.

Once the draft passes, teams will no longer have to surrender a draft pick as compensation for signing the pitcher.

Jon Heyman noted that the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers have been linked to Keuchel.

Big Time Baseball Podcast

Tags: Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Braves Will Host 2021 All-Star Game

May 30, 2019 10:11 AM

The Atlanta Braves will host the 2021 All-Star Game at Suntrust Park, Major League Baseball has announced.

"When we built SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta we envisioned our complex would be the perfect setting for an All-Star Game and we are thrilled to be able to showcase the ballpark, Cobb County and the City of Atlanta to the world," Braves chairman Terry McGuirk said in a statement.

It will be the third All-Star Game in Atlanta. The exhibition game was played in the city in 1972 and 2000.

Mike Axisa/CBS Sports

Tags: Atlanta Braves, Misc Rumor

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Cardinals, Cubs To Play London Series In 2020

May 31, 2019 8:16 AM

The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will play at London next season in a two-game series at West Ham's Olympic Stadium on June 13-14.

St. Louis will be the home team for both games.

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are scheduled to meet in Major League Baseball's first games in Europe this season on June 29-30 at London's Olympic Stadium.

Associated Press

Tags: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Misc Rumor

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Child Struck By Line Drive In Houston

May 30, 2019 10:06 AM

A young fan at Wednesday's Chicago Cubs-Houston Astros game was struck by an Albert Almora Jr. foul ball and taken to the hospital.

The Cubs center fielder was very shaken up afterward.

Almora hit a fourth-inning line drive into the stands down the third-base line, where it struck the girl. She was picked up by a man who appeared to be with her, and he dashed up the stairs with the child at Minute Maid Park.

It took several minutes for Almora to compose himself and continue the at-bat, and players from both teams also appeared shaken up by the scene.

"I had to try to keep my composure during that at-bat, but when that half-inning was over, I just couldn't hold it anymore," Almora said.

After the fourth inning, Almora, who still appeared upset, approached a security guard in the stands near where the girl was sitting and spoke to the guard before the two embraced and a tearful Almora went back to the dugout. He said he was updated on the girl's condition.

"Unofficial things," Almora said of what the two shared. "I wish I could say more."

ESPN

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Misc Rumor

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Aaron Judge Hits Off Tee, 'Not Having Issues'

May 29, 2019 9:15 AM

Aaron Judge has hit off a tee for the first time since straining his left oblique on April 20.

"He's doing really well," Aaron Boone said. "He actually hit off the tee yesterday, doing some dry swings and obviously you see him throwing and running and moving a little bit outside. Everything is going well. He's not having issues with any of that."

Judge also took some fly balls in the outfield prior to the New York Yankees' game on Tuesday.

"Now he just continues to build up the slow, steady progress from a hitting standpoint, which is obviously the biggest thing with that injury," Boone said. "It's been slow and steady, but it has been steady, and that's been the good thing. He has responded really well to everything. I feel like he's at a pretty good place right now as he really starts to ramp up baseball activities."

Bryan Hoch/MLB

Tags: New York Yankees, Injury, Misc Rumor

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Dallas Keuchel Would Consider One-Year Deal
Dallas Keuchel is now open to a one-year deal after seeking a multi-year deal throughout free agency and the first quarter of the season.

Buster Olney/ESPN

MLB Unveils New All-Star Voting Process
The game will be held on July 9 at Cleveland's Progressive Field.

Katherine Acquavella/CBS Sports

Honus Wagner Card Sells Privately For $1.2M
The 1909-11 T206 card was graded in Good 2 condition on a scale of 1 to 10 by Professional Sports Authenticator.

Associated Press

Braves Doing Due Diligence On Craig Kimbrel, Dallas Keuchel
The Braves are doing their due diligence on both Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel with the MLB Draft approaching on June 3.

MLB

Mallex Smith Records 'Stolen Base Cycle'
Mallex Smith stole home in the eighth inning to complete a "stolen base cycle" in Monday night's Mariners-Rangers game.

Greg Johns/MLB

Joe Musgrove Calls For Pirates To Add Rotation Help
The Pirates are without two starters currently and they've had to improvise with openers and spot starters.

Jason Mackey/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pirates GM Wants Players To Re-Enter Games After Concussion Tests
Neal Huntington would like to see Major League Baseball allow players to re-enter games after being examined for concussions.

Associated Press

Cody Bellinger Hears 'MVP' Chants In L.A.
Cody Bellinger recorded two outfield assists and homered in the Dodgers' fourth-straight win on Monday.

Alden Gonzalez/ESPN

Rockies Place Charlie Blackmon On IL With Calf Strain
Outfielder Charlie Blackmon has missed the rockies last three games with the injured right calf.

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Dustin Pedroia 'Not Sure' If He'll Play Again
Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is suffering from a chronically injured left knee.

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Bill Buckner Dies At 69 After Battling Dementia
Bill Buckner played 22 seasons in the majors, was an All-Star once and won a batting title in 1980.

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Pirates Place Francisco Cervelli On Concussion List
Catcher Jacob Stallings was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.

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Red Sox To Move David Price Up In Rotation
Red Sox manager Alex Cora says that David Price could start on Tuesday or Wednesday at Fenway Park.

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Blue Jays Rookie Cavan Biggio Gets First MLB Hit, HR
Rookie second baseman Cavan Biggio recorded his first three MLB hits on Sunday.

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Astros Place George Springer On IL With Hamstring Strain
Astros manager AJ Hinch said George Springer will miss more than ten days.

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Mets DFA Rajai Davis; Activate Michael Conforto
Mets outfielder Michael Conforto had been on the 7-day concussion injured list.

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A's Designate Fernando Rodney For Assignment
Fernando Rodney's ERA is a career-worst 9.42 this season with Oakland.

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Yaz's Grandson To Make Debut With Giants
Mike Yastrzemski will start in left field for the Giants and bat seventh against the D-Backs on Saturday.

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Nationals GM: Davey Martinez Safe For Now
The Nationals have been the more disappointing team in major league baseball through the first two months of the season.

Mets Agree To Minor League Deals With Kemp, Santana
The Mets have signed minor league contracts with Matt Kemp and Ervin Santana.

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