MLB Daily Dish

Twins Interested in Trading Justin Morneau?

2012-05-27T01:52:36Z

According to Ken Rosenthal from FOX Sports, the Minnesota Twins might be interested in trading first baseman and the 2006 MLB MVP Justin Morneau. Morneau has suffered from back injuries and a concussion in the past three seasons.

Morneau is owed $14 million dollars this season and next season as well. They are not a big market club and it is thought that they may need to use that money to sign their catcher, Joe Mauer, long term. Morneau has a no trade clause, so he would have to approve a trade.

A team that might be interested is the Philadelphia Phillies, as they are without Ryan Howard and they have been talked about as being interested in Kevin Youkilis.

Rosenthal says that the Twins might also be looking to move closer Matt Capps, starting pitcher Carl Pavano and center fielder Denard Span, but Rosenthal says that Morneau would draw the most interest.

Houston Astros, Miami Marlins Complete Minor League Trade

2012-05-26T19:24:41Z

Don't expect this one to garner many headlines, but a trade is a trade nonetheless. The Houston Astros have acquired switch-hitting catcher Jobduan Morales exchange for Triple-A outfielder Justin Ruggiano from the Miami Marlins, according to the Astros Sr. Director of Social Media, Alyson Footer. In a later tweet, Footer says Morales will report to Astros Extended Spring Training for the time being.

Ruggiano, a former product of the Rays minor league system, will provide the Marlins with outfield depth and a possible replacement for center fielder Emilio Bonifacio, who was placed on the disabled list and isn't expect back for four to six more weeks.

The other player in the trade, Jobduan Morales, is a 20-year-old catcher in the low levels of the minors. He hit .275/.386/.444 between Jamestown and Greensboro with 4 home runs and 33 walks to 41 strikeouts. Morales was a 9th round selection by the Marlins in the 2009 draft.

Miguel Montero to Sign Extension with Diamondbacks

2012-05-26T02:55:58Z

According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, the Arizona Diamondbacks and catcher Miguel Montero have agreed to a five year contract extension worth $60 million.

It is the richest deal in the history of the Diamondbacks and it will be announced in a press conference tomorrow afternoon. It does not give Montero any no trade or no movement protection.

Montero and the Diamondbacks have been discussing a possible extension over the winter, through spring training and until now. Now they have locked up one of the best catchers in Major League Baseball for the next five seasons.

Montero made the all star game for the first time last season and he also led the league in percentage throwing out base runners. He is one of the best fielders in the entire league, and his hitting ability is very solid and will continue to improve over the period of these five years/

Mets: D.J. Carrasco Released, Jack Egbert Called Up, Robert Carson Optioned

2012-05-25T19:02:04Z

The New York Mets have officially released reliever D.J. Carrasco, called up right-handed pitcher Jack Egbert, and sent down left-handed pitcher Robert Carson, according to the team:

#Mets option LHP Robert Carson to @bmets & select the contract of RHP Jack Egbert from @BuffaloBisons. Egbert will wear #61.
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 25, 2012

Carrasco, 35, only pitched three and two-thirds innings for the Mets this season, giving up six hits, no walks, two home runs, and three earned runs while striking out three over the course of four games. That gives him a 7.36 ERA for 2012, higher than his already-ugly-but-serviceable career 4.50 ERA.

Egbert, 29, last saw the big leagues in 2009. He has eight seasons of Minor League experience across the White Sox' and Mets' organizations. He's pitched twenty-six innings of 2.08 ERA ball, and roughly strikes out six while walking two every nine innings.

Carson appeared in two games for the Mets, allowing three hits, two runs, and two walks without recording a strikeout.

Angels Reliever David Pauley Outrighted to AAA Salt Lake

2012-05-25T18:21:36Z

The Los Angeles Angels outrighted right-handed reliever David Pauley to Triple-A Salt Lake after he cleared waivers, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times:

#Angels reliever David Pauley, who was designated for assignment Thursday, has cleared waivers and was outrighted to triple-A Salt Lake.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) May 25, 2012

Pauley, 28, was designated for assignment by the Angels two days ago.

He has five seasons of intermittent experience between the Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, and Angels. He saw just nine and a third innings this season, giving up fifteen hits, three walks, one home run, and five earned runs while striking out four. That puts him at a 4.82 ERA for 2012, consistent-if-slightly-above his career ERA of 4.54.

Pauley signed with the Angels in the off-season after declining a similar offer from the Blue Jays, presumably because he felt he would have more opportunities to pitch with the Angels.

Lance Berkman Injury: Out 8-10 Weeks Following Surgery

2012-05-25T16:33:01Z

Puma Could Return By August, Injury Apparently Not a Torn ACL

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that Lance Berkman underwent right knee surgery today and are projecting that he'll be out for 8-10 weeks:

Lance Berkman underwent right knee surgery today; initial projection for his rehabilitation and recovery is approximately 8-10 weeks.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 25, 2012

This indicates, though does not confirm, that Berkman did not tear his ACL despite earlier concerns, because that likely would have put him out for the year, if not his career.

An eight-to-ten-week rehab and recovery schedule would allow Berkman to return around the beginning of August, if all goes well. In the meantime, the Cardinals will have to do with Matt Carpenter and/or rookie Matt Craig at first base. Both of those players have been productive in Berkman’s absence already this season.

Berkman, 36, was hitting .333/.429/.571 with fourteen hits, five doubles, one triple, and one home run while striking out ten times on the season.

Yankees Sign John Maine to Minor League Deal

2012-05-25T15:26:17Z

Declining Former Mets Righty Adds Depth, Options

The New York Yankees have signed former Mets right-hander John Maine, according to Evan Drellich of MLB.com:

The Yankees will be signing former Mets/Red Sox righty John Maine to a Minor League deal, source says. Maine's been working out with Yanks
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) May 25, 2012

Maine, 31, was most recently signed by the Boston Red Sox in January, but was released at the beginning of May. He hasn't seen big league innings since 2010, when he pitched thirty-nine innings and racked up a 6.13 ERA over nine starts.

In 2007, Maine enjoyed his best season as a pro, starting thirty-two games and earning a 3.91 ERA. Since then, he's gradually worsened and been continually injured, posting worse numbers each season before being relegated to the minors in the Rockies' system during the 2011 season. He walked away from AAA Colorado Springs last June, and was reportedly considering retirement.

Still, he adds depth to an organization that needs it, and Andrew Marchand of ESPN characterizes the deal as "starter insurance." While Maine may not ever see big league innings again, he might give the club additional options as they move starters in and out of the rotation.

Baltimore Orioles to Extend Adam Jones

2012-05-25T13:41:31Z

First-place O's Set to Reward Jones with Record Contract

The Baltimore Orioles are nearing a long-term extension with center fielder Adam Jones, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports:

BREAKING: Sources tell me and @jonmorosi that #Orioles are close to signing Adam Jones to a long-term extension.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 25, 2012

Per several tweets from Rosenthal, Jones completed a physical yesterday and now the two sides are hammering out the final details of the contract. According to his sources, the deal is "well north" of Miguel Tejeda's six-year, $72 million free agent deal and Nick Markakis' six-year, $66 million extension.

He's earning $6.15 million this season as a second time arbitration eligible player, and any extension would buy out the rest of his arbitration eligibility -- as well as making him the highest paid player in Orioles history.

Jones, 26, is hitting .311/.357/.601 on the season, something of a breakout from his career .278/.322/.449.