The Oakland Athletics might be looking to add more punch at 2B. Susan Slusser of SFgate.com reported on June 7th that "Scouts following the A's lately believe the American League's top team has just one weakness: second base." "They could use more production there," one scout said Saturday. "That's where they could use some help."
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
MLB Rumors: The Best Infield Options at the Deadline
The trading deadline for Major League Baseball is six weeks away and rumors are starting to heat up. That said, there are a few infielders available for clubs that are in the market. Four players in particular have been subject to trade talk or are currently not content with their playing situation or contract.
Yankees Rumors: NY Must Test Trade Market
The New York Yankees are in need of pitching before the trade deadline. According to Joel Sherman of The New York Post , the Yankees must test the market to improve their rotation.
Sherman observed, "Sure, they could make the playoffs as constituted based on the mediocrity of the AL East combined with the superiority of Masahiro Tanaka and their late-game bullpen. But it is a dangerous strategy because the Yankees feel they are one more rotation injury or significant dip in production away from being out of counter-punches."
Padres Rumors: San Diego to Conduct Fire Sale
The San Diego Padres ownership yesterday fired their general manager, Josh Byrnes, yesterday and might be looking to continue their summer house cleaning.
According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, "As for other hitters, start with San Diego, which would like to conduct a fire sale, with Carlos Quentin and/or Seth Smith sought after." "Chris Denorfia is another Padres outfielder who could change teams."
Yankees Rumors: NY Expects to Make Trade
As always, the Yankees are looking to makes trades before the July 31st deadline. Even the casual baseball fan wouldn’t be shocked by this. David Lennon of Newsday.com reported on June 18th that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman expects to make a trade in the next few weeks. Cashman said, " We usually make moves every year, so I expect to make moves again."
Blue Jays Rumors: Toronto Looking for an Infielder
The Blue Jays are in the market for an infielder. On June 18th, Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet.ca reported that the Toronto Blue Jays would like to add an everyday infielder between now and July 31.
“We’ve absolutely had some dialogue about some position players that could come in and be an improvement or an upgrade over what we have now,” Alex Anthopoulos, GM and Senior VP of Baseball Operations, said.
The Blue Jays have a record of 41-33 and are barely holding on to a 1 1/2 game lead in the American League East. After just being swept by the Yankees, the ball club could definitely use an infusion of stability at second base. In my feature article yesterday at sportsrumoralert.com, I offered a list of four infielders that I believe are ripe for the taking.
The opening day payroll for Toronto was a tick above $137 million with only about $4 million allocated to the position of second base. After only 11 games,Maicer Izturis went down with a tear of his lateral collateral ligament in his left knee. Currently, the Blue Jays are relying on the platoon situation between Munenori Kawasaki and Steven Tolleson . Unfortunately, their offensive totals are anemic. With combined splits of (.219/.274/.386), 10 extra base hits, eight RBIs, and eight runs scored, the team is definitely in need of a change.
The boys from Canada have not had the opportunity to partake in a “Fall Classic” since 1993.
Last month, Peter Gammons quoted the GM: “We are pretty much maxed out in terms of payroll, but more important, we cannot keep trading our young pitchers”.
The question now: are the Blue Jays ready to become contenders or stay pretenders?
Mets Rumors: David Wright Doesn't Want to be Traded
New York Mets third baseman David Wright does not want to be traded, according to Kevin Kiernan of nypost.com: "Wright told The Post he wants no part of being traded." "I knew that when I signed my extension, I knew that things were not going to be easy...(I am) still 100 percent committed to the Mets," Wright said.
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