Baseball Rumor News

- The New York Post reports that the Yankees have released Morgan Ensberg. He was DFA’d a week ago and the are just going to be stuck paying his $1.75 million.

- The Tigers have demoted Dontrelle Willis to A-Ball following the worst start of his career. They say that they just want him to get back to form, but this is looking like one poor acquisition. Injuries aside, Willis has not even resembled a shadow of his ability from early on in his career.

- According to The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Brewers GM Doug Melvin is denying that there is any truth to the rumor the Brewers are interested in Brian Roberts.

- In a Mets press release, the club has announced that they have DFA’d catcher Raul Casanova. Recently he had been on the been on the Bereavement List from June 4th-June 6th.

Jonathan Mayo now has his predictions for the upcoming draft for picks 1-30. Some have changed, but for those of you that haven’t been keeping up with the predictions here is a list:

1. Tampa Bay Rays: Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS, Griffin, Ga.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
3. Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.
4. Baltimore Orioles: Aaron Crow, RHP, University of Missouri
5. San Francisco Giants: Buster Posey, C, Florida State
6. Florida Marlins: Brian Matusz, LHP, University of San Diego
7. Cincinnati Reds: Yonder Alonso, 1B, University of Miami
8. Chicago White Sox: Gordon Beckham, SS, University of Georgia
9. Washington Nationals: Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot HS, Riverside, Calif.
10. Houston Astros: Justin Smoak, 1B, University of South Carolina
11. Texas Rangers: Andrew Cashner, RHP, Texas Christian
12. Oakland A’s: Aaron Hicks, OF/RHP, Woodrow Wilson HS, Long Beach, Calif.
13. St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Perry, RHP, University of Arizona
14. Minnesota Twins: Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kentucky
15. Los Angeles Dodgers: Zach Collier, OF, Chino Hills HS, Calif.
16. Milwaukee Brewers: Brett Lawrie, C/3B, Brookswood SS, Langley, B.C.
17. Toronto Blue Jays: Brett Wallace, 1B/3B, Arizona State
18. New York Mets: Ike Davis, OF, Arizona State
19. Chicago Cubs: Casey Kelly, SS, Sarasota HS, Fla.
20. Seattle Mariners: Shooter Hunt, RHP, Tulane
21. Detroit Tigers: Ethan Martin, RHP, Stephens County HS, Toccoa, Ga.
22. New York Mets: Jason Castro, C, Stanford
23. San Diego Padres: Daniel Schlereth, LHP, University of Arizona
24. Philadelphia Phillies: Anthony Hewitt, SS, Salisbury School, Conn
25. Colorado Rockies: Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Highland HS, Ill.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks: Josh Fields, RHP, University of Georgia
27. Minnesota Twins: Brett DeVall, LHP, Niceville HS, Fla.
28. New York Yankees: Brett Hunter, RHP, Pepperdine University
29. Cleveland Indians: Jemile Weeks, 2B, University of Miami
30. Boston Red Sox: Lance Lynn, RHP, University of Mississippi

Those are the predictions, but we’ll find out for sure in two days.

According to The Philadelphia Daily News, Mets GM Omar Minaya is making inquiries about several players to fill needs at 1B, LF and right-handed relief pitching. Kevin Millar, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady are names that have been tossed around as possible targets for the Mets.

It isn’t surprising that the Mets feel they can improve at those spots. Bay would be an obvious upgrade from the oft-injured Moises Alou in left, although there figures to be competition from several teams to acquire the Phillies star and a reunion with Xavier Nady might also work out well if he can stay healthy until the trade deadline.

As far as first basemen go, both Scott Hatteberg of the Reds and Kevin Millar of the O’s have been mentioned several times. I expect that at some point soon, the Mets will pick up one of them if Delgado doesn’t turn it around.

Mike Piazza has officially retired. After a 19-season career, the 10-time All Star is hanging it up. He was unable to find work this season, after spending ‘06 and ‘07 with the Oakland A’s. It was rumored that the Cincinnati Reds had some interest in Piazza this year, but it never amounted to anything. Instead, one of the greatest catchers of all time will call it a career.

According to MLB.com, Pedro Martinez may be calling it a career at the end of the season. Martinez is nearing a return from the DL, but his physical condition is not the reason he is considering stepping away from the game. The failing health of his father could prompt him to focus on family matters rather than baseball.

“It’s taking a toll on me and my family, my dad’s situation. I haven’t been there for them. I just realized that between last year and this year I haven’t been there for my family, my parents. That’ll probably drag me away from the game a little sooner than people expect. After this season, I’m going to go back home and think about it and I’m going to decide.”

- The Birmingham Press & Sun Bulletin reports that the Mets have signed 27 year old Eric Reed to a minor league deal. The need for an infielder for the Mets came when Fernando Martinez strained his right hamstring.

- John Boggs, Mark Prior’s agent, has announced that the one time pitching prodigy has had yet another setback. Prior has a tear in the capsule of his right shoulder (the same shoulder that has plagued him with injuries throughout his career.)

“Mark is looking at it in a positive way. He will just lay low for a few weeks and let the shoulder settle down.”

- The Blue Jays have designated Jorge Velandia for assignment after he went 0 for 7 over the last nine days.

Kenshin Kawakami, a 33 year old starting pitcher currently playing for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan, plans on coming to the MLB next season. This is not news to most, but it recently came out that a few teams may be leading the pack to acquire his services as a free agent. He has already completed his free agent application, so now it is a matter of where he will play in the U.S., not if he will play.

Fortunately for you, we can translate this article for you into English (If you can read Japanese check it out here) and I will just point out a few of the interesting points. Kawakami has been scouted by both New York teams for some time, due to his impressive cutter. While the Mets and Yankees are both interested, Kawakami seems to be leaning towards Boston. He has an established relationship with someone in the organization and he says he is looking forward to talking with them more. The person he is referring to is on the management level, but I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that both Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima are on the team and could ease his transition to the United States.

Newsday reports that the Mets have Designated Nelson Figueroa for assignment. The 33 year old who had always wanted to play for the team he grew up rooting for got his chance…but now its over. He had a couple good starts, but got the most attention a couple of days ago for calling the Nationals “Softball girls.”

Reliever Jorge Sosa was also DFA’d, which left a total of two spots open on the roster. Those spots will be filled by Claudio Vargas who is getting his first chance with the Mets after being signed as a free agent right at the beginning of the season, and Matt Wise, who will be activated from the DL.

Just a little disclaimer, these standout picks are a little bit behind schedule so they are really ‘April+the beginning of may’ standouts.

The Mets may be eying one more pitcher that has been released by the Brewers. When Claudio Vargas was released prior to the start of the season, the Mets swooped in to pick him up. Now New York is considering signing Derrick Turnbow, who was cut by Milwaukee after watching his ERA skyrocket against the Cubs. He is owed $3.2 million this season, so if the Mets decide to add him I’m sure the Brewers will want them to take on a substantial amount of the money.