The Trading Spot - MLB Rumors & News

Minor trades.

A couple minor trades have taken place today.

The first was between the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers. The Royals acquired pitcher Ben Hendrickson while the Brewers received catcher Maxim St. Pierre in return. Hendrickson, 26, should wind up in AAA and be an occasional spot starter for the Royals.  St. Pierre, also 26, was a non-roster invite to Spring Training for the Royals, so in other words the Brewers didn't receive anything worth mentioning.

Here's the Royals' press release.

The second deal took place between AL East rivals Baltimore and Boston. The Orioles received veteran catcher Alberto Casillo while the Red Sox received OF Cory Keylor. Castillo was a non-roster invitee to Boston's camp. Castillo is 37 and has played over 11 season, he should begin the season in AAA for Baltimore.  Keylor, 27, was Baltimore's minor league player of the year. Which doesn't say much as he is 27 and it came in AA ball. Keylor will either be a AAA back-up or back in AA for the Sox.

Here's the Orioles' press release.

Like I said nothing but minor trades.

Dodgers aquire Brady Clark.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers completed a minor trade today. In the deal, the Dodgers acquire OF Brady Clark and cash considerations. In return, the Dodgers send relief pitcher Elmer Dessens to the Brewers.  The cash included in the deal is probably to offset the differences in salaries, as Dessens will be paid his entire $1.7 million salary will be payed by the Royals from a previous trade agreement between the Royals and Dodgers.  Reserve outfielder Gabe Gross should know make the Brewers now that a spot has opened up for him.

Here is the official MLB.com press release.

Yankees to let A-Rod walk??

John Heyman, of cnnsi.com, has a mention of the Alex Rodriguez contract situation in today's Daily Scoop. In it he has qoutes from New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman that in short say the Yankees will not chase A-Rod or take part in any bidding war this off-season if Alex decides to opt out of his contract.  "He has a significant contract as it is," Cashman told SI.com. "So I don't anticipate any dialogue regarding an extension." "I hope he stays," Cashman says. "He knows how I feel about him."

As a Yankees fan I'd hate to see him go, but if he decides to walk I dont blame Cashman one bit for not chasing him. The team is turning around becoming more fiscally responsible and focusing on the youth more, and I dont see why that wont continue after this season. Losing A-Rods bat would leave a huge hole in the lineup, but there are always other alternatives even if they aren't as good.

Here is the CNNSI.com article it also has some other MLB rumors and tidbits.

Jered Weaver to start on DL.

Little bit of news on Jered Weaver today. First is that it looks like the young pitcher will be starting the season on the DL for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  He's still experiencing shoulder tightness and the team is taking it very slowly with their young gun. If he continues progressing as he has thou, he should only miss one start in April. He's scheduled to throw a simulated game Thursday and could pitch in a minor league game over the weeked. If all goes as planned his MLB season debut would be April 12th against Cleveland.

Here's an article regarding that.

Ken Griffey Jr to start in Right.

If Cincinnati Reds' outfielder Ken Griffey Jr is ready to play come opening day it won't be in center field. Reds' manager Jerry Narron has said that Ryan Freel will be the team's opening day center fielder. "We had to make a decision. This late in the spring we need to get our club out on the field," he said. "I've got to do everything I can do to put our best club out there. My feeling is that with Ryan Freel out there, it gives us strong defense up the middle." Griffey has been taking fly balls and making throws from right in practice recently.

Here is an MLB.com article regarding.

Colorado releases Javy Lopez

To no surprise to anyone, the Colorado Rockies have released Javy Lopez. The Rockies young catcher Chris Iannetta has developed much more quickly offensively and defensively then the team anticipated and should be able to team up with Yorvit Torrealba as the team's catching tandem. Lopez has said the only team he would sign with now as a back-up would be the Atlanta Braves.

Here is the official MLB article.

Shannon Stewart signs with Oakland.

The Oakland Athletics and Shannon Stewart have agreed to a contract. The deal could be worth up to $2.5 million pending incentives. The contract is yet to be finalized, but if it is Stewart would be competing with Nick Swisher for the starting job in left field. If Stewart wins the job, you could expect the A's to move Swisher to first, and relegate Dan Johnson to the bench.

Here is an MLB.com article regarding.

Brewers give Bill Hall contract extension.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Bill Hall agree to a four year contract extension worth $24 million, and a club option on the 5th year. This deal buys out his first year of free agency, and if the option is picked up it will buy out his second year of it.  Hall enjoyed a huge break-out season and played shortstop for most of it. This year thou Hall is expected to make the move to centerfield.

Here is the contract breakdown:
$500,000 signing bonus
2007 - $3 million
2008 - $4.8 million
2009 - $6.8 million
2010 - $8.4 million
2011 (option year) - $9.25 million

Here is the MLB.com article.

Twins and Joe Mauer talking extension.

The Minnesota Twins and Joe Mauer are discussing a four year contract. The deal would be 4-yrs at $33 million. Mauer currently has 3 years left of arbitration, so if this del were to happen the Twins would buy out Mauer's last 3 years of arbitration and his first year of free agency.   The two sides are trying to avoid arbitration Mauer is currently asking for $4.5 million, the Twins are offering $3.3 million.

Here is an article regarding this.

Florida interested in Shannon Stewart.

The Florida Marlins were one of numerous teams at a private workout held by Shannon Stewart.  With this it could mean the Marlins are looking at Stewart as an option in center field for them. Wow, how the pickings have become slim. Other teams that attended the work out included the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, Oakland A's, Texas Rangers, Anaheim Angels, Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres.

Here is an article regarding this and other Marlins news.