Baseball Rumor News

Jayson Stark of ESPN recently wrote an article about who he thinks has the potential to be traded as the deadline approaches. It was part of a much longer article, so I have pulled out the list of relievers that he sees as very available. Of course, this can’t be everybody available, but it gives you some names to think about as possibilities.

Closers:
Brian Fuentes - The Rockies appear out of it already, and they have signed Manny Corpas to a long-term deal. With that being said, Fuentes stands out as an expendable arm. He could seriously strengthen a bullpen somewhere either in the closer role or as a setup man.

Huston Street - The A’s are always out to get maximum value for there trades and should a competing team find themselves without a closer, Street would probably fetch the A’s a solid prospect or two. He has been shaky at times this season, but isn’t far removed from being one of the best closers in the game. Oakland is in the mix as of right now, but should the right offer present itself, Street will be on his way out of Oakland.

George Sherrill - I have heard people refer to Sherrill as the ‘centerpiece’ in the Erik Bedard trade. That just wasn’t the case, it was all about Adam Jones. Sherrill came to Baltimore as a dominant left-handed specialist. Now, he is being regarded as a top-level closer. His value is probably maxed out, and the Orioles can expect to get a lot in return for him as they move forward in their rebuilding process.

Chad Cordero - While he is currently dealing with injury issues, Cordero has been one of the best relievers in baseball for the past few seasons. If he comes back healthy and has a chance to show he’s still got it, he will be traded. The Nat’s have no reson to keep him around and should try to get something for him while they still can. His name has been out there as a in trade speculations for a while, it all just hinges on his health.

Jon Rauch - Another Nat’s reliever that could draw interest is the guy that’s been filling in at closer for the injured Cordero. He’s been solid and at the deadline could fetch more than he is worth from a team in need.

Eric Gagne - The further the Cubs pull ahead, the closer the Brewers get to becoming sellers. If they could move Gagne, I’m sure the would love it. He has been anything but a guy you would want to give the ball to in a save situation. I’m not sure why anybody would want to pick him up, especially if the Brewers want somebody to take on part of his $10 million salary. What a bad signing…but at least it was only a one-year deal.

Set-up:
Juan Rincon, Jesse Crain, Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker, David Weathers, Matt Herges, Guillermo Mota, Tyler Yates, Vinnie Chulk, Jesus Colome, Frankie Francisco, Joaquin Benoit, Alan Embree, Ron Mahay, Jimmy Gobble, and Damaso Marte.

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.

As the MLB draft approaches, these are going to keep popping up, but this mock draft comes from Jim Callis of Baseball America. They specialize in prospects and other young talent, so you can expect that the closest to reality prediction will probably be this one…
You can see that most of the picks are the same as Mayo’s.

1. Rays - Tim Beckham, SS.
2. Pirates - Pedro Alvarez, 3B.
3. Royals - Buster Posey, C.
4. Orioles - Brian Matusz, LHP.
5. Giants - Justin Smoak, 1B.
6. Marlins - Kyle Skipworth, C.
7. Reds - Aaron Crow, RHP.
8. White Sox - Gordon Beckham, SS.
9. Nationals - Yonder Alonso, 1B.
10. Astros - Shooter Hunt, RHP.

Even though the MLB First Year Player Draft isn’t until June 5th, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has some early predictions for the top 10 picks. He admits that the order is basically a stab in the dark, but this gives a good look at who will be around the first to go.

1. Tampa Bay Rays: Buster Posey, C, Florida State
2. Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
3. Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.
4. Baltimore Orioles: Brian Matusz, LHP, University of San Diego
5. San Francisco Giants: Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS, Griffin, Ga.
6. Florida Marlins: Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot HS, Riverside, Calif.
7. Cincinnati Reds: Aaron Crow, RHP, University of Missouri
8. Chicago White Sox: Gordon Beckham, SS, University of Georgia
9. Washington Nationals: Justin Smoak, 1B, University of South Carolina
10. Houston Astros: Tanner Scheppers, RHP, Fresno State

He also lists a couple wildcards that should be somewhere near the top: Stanford catcher Jason Castro and Casey Kelly, son of Reds coach Pat Kelly.

Is there anybody you think he missed?

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

RayKing is now a free agent. After being sent to Triple-A by the Nationals, the veteran reliever has refused his assignment and will look for work elsewhere. If no other teams have an interest in a left-handed specialist that has underachieved for a while, it will probably spell retirement.

- The Astros have designated Tomas Perez for assignment. The move was necessary in order to make room for Jack Cassel who got called up from triple-A Round Rock .

- The Rockies announced in a press release yesterday that they have acquired RHP Sean Smith from the Cleveland Indians. Smith was the player to be named later after the Rockies sent infielder Jamey Carroll to Cleveland on December 8, 2007. The 24 year old Smith will be assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

- According to The Washington Post, the Nationals have optioned relief pitcher Ray King to Triple-A and called up Mike O’Connor who was 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA for the Columbus Clippers. It doesn’t sound like King has any interest in Triple-A and he is most likely going to try and find another team that is interested in his services. If that doesn’t happen, he’ll probably retire.

- The Washington Post reported that the Nats Dmitri Young was held out of the game today due to tightness in his back.

- Jon Paul Morosi is reporting that the Detroit Tigers DH Gary Sheffield has torn a ligament in one of his fingers. He is planning on playing through the injury. Miguel Cabrera was scratched from the lineup today due to sore left quadriceps.

- The National Post reports that the Brewers Tony Gwynn Jr. left todays game against the Cubs with tightness in his right hamstring. He is listed as day-to-day.

- The Star-Tribune reports that Kevin Slowey left his start for the Twins today with a strained right bicep.

- The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports that the Braves held Mike Hampton out of his first scheduled start since 2005. This time Hampton strained a left pectoral muscle warming up in the bullpen. At this point, who cares…if it wasn’t this it was going to be something else. If the Braves are actually counting on this guy for the season, Ihave a quote for them. “Those who ignore history doom themselves to repeat it.”

- Jack Wilson left the Pirates game today with what appeared to be a strained left calf.

According to The Washington Examiner, the Detroit Tigers are monitoring Nationals closer Chad Cordero. The Tigers bullpen has been questioned and it makes sense that they would be interested in strengthening it.

A source close to the Tigers said the team already talked to Nats General Manager Jim Bowden during spring training about Cordero.

Because the Nationals don’t really have a shot in the NL East, it would make sense that they are going to be sellers at the trade deadline or maybe even sooner, depending on the offers for Cordero. He has been solid and would definitely bolster a hurting pen.

NL East - Philadelphia Phillies. They won it last year and despite what Carlos Beltran thinks, they are the team to beat. Moving Brett Myers back to a starting makes the rotation that much stronger. I realize the Mets gained Johan Santana in the off season, but the rest of that rotation is really weak, and the entire team is riddled with injury.

NL Central - Chicago Cubs. The defending Central champs have only gotten better. Kosuke Fukudome should be a top contender for ROTY, and Geovany Soto will be a huge upgrade at the catcher position. The major competition, Milwaukee, has severe pitching issues and the bullpen is greatly weakened with the departure of closer Francisco Cordero. There is a small buzz about the Reds, but their lack of pitching will keep them out of the picture.

NL West - Arizona Diamondbacks. They won it last year and have gotten much better this year. Dan Haren combined with Brandon Webb is a powerful duo atop that rotation. Also, this is a very young team that now has another year of experience under their collective belt. I expect improvement in many of the youngsters which should carry them past the very strong NL West competition.

NL Wildcard - Colorado Rockies. Similar to the DBacks, this team is full of young talent. They are also backed by incredible proven talent in Matt Holliday. I’ve heard a lot about the Dodgers, but I just don’t see that team being healthy enough to stand up to AZ or Colorado. This should be a tight one with the Mets and maybe even Braves.