Rays send down Burrell. Could Dye be their answer? Posted by Christopher Glotfelty (05/15/2010 @ 2:20 pm)  After hitting just .202 in 24 games and 84 at-bats this season, the Rays have designated the trifling Pat Burrell for assignment. Of course, “Pat the Bat’s” streak of ineptitude began much earlier, from his Rays debut in 2009 until now. At $18 million for two years, the Rays certainly didn’t get what they paid for in Burrell, but the signing didn’t show any promise in the first place. True, Burrell did hit 33 homers and help the Phillies win a championship in 2008, but he also posted a worrisome .250 average and continued to be an eyesore in the outfield. Is that worth $9 million a year, Tampa? Hell no. As it stands, the Burrell acquisition is the worst move of young GM Andrew Friedman’s career. Logically, the team is calling up Hank Blalock, who has been tearing it up in the minors, to fill the DH role. Blalock, 29, is younger than Burrell and also offers more upside given his ability to play both third and first base. This gives the Rays opportunity to spell both Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena when needed. The Rays are only on the hook for $925,000 (plus $325,000 in performance-based incentives) with Blalock, so the risk-reward ratio is less frightful than Burrell’s. Nevertheless, if Blalock doesn’t pan out (which is likely), why not give Jermaine Dye a shot? All signs point to the White Sox leaving him astray, as Andruw Jones decided he wants to play baseball again instead of spending his days as the Rasheed Wallace of his sport. If Dye can get real and realize he’s not worth more than $3 million a year, he might find a fit with the Rays.
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MLB Trade Rumors: Halladay, Wells and Rolen Posted by Anthony Stalter (07/20/2009 @ 11:00 am) 
– Anthony Riber of Newsday writes that if the Yankees really want ace Roy Halladay, they might have to take Vernon Wells too, who could fill their potential void in left field… …however, Ken Davidoff of Newsday essentially contradicts his co-worker by writing that GM Brian Cashman prefers to improve his roster this year without taking a dive into the trade market. So in essence, the Bombers might be fine with staying pat around the trade deadline. – Speaking of Halladay, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the Brewers could have the ace in their sites, as GM Doug Melvin has already had a conversation with the Blue Jays regarding the “Doc.” – The Giants are still in search of bats, but it’s unclear if GM Brian Sabean wants to pull the trigger or not on a bat like Matt Holliday or Jermaine Dye. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News threw out Blue Jays third baseman Scott Rolen as a possibility for San Fran as well. – Bill Ladson of MLB.com is reporting that there isn’t much of a market for Nationals outfielder Austin Kearns, who has been delegated to back up duty in Washington. The five most (potentially) intriguing names on the MLB trade market Posted by Anthony Stalter (07/02/2009 @ 2:00 pm) 
With the All-Star break quickly approaching, many MLB teams are trying to figure out whether or not they’ll be buyers or sellers later this month. It’s a tricky game front offices must play, because they don’t want to alienate their fans by suggesting that their club is already out of contention with half the season left to go, but teams also don’t want to miss out on adding a piece for the future because they’re hanging onto a veteran that won’t play a significant role down the line. That said, I’ve compiled a ranking of the five most intriguing names that either are on the trade market, or could be. Granted, every player outside of guys named Pujols, Jeter and Howard could potentially be on the trade market, but I tried to keep the list to only those names that continue to pop up in the weekly rumor mill, whether their teams have officially those names as available or not. Two names you won’t find on the list are Dan Haren and Jake Peavy, even though they have been brought up in various trade rumors. The Diamondbacks aren’t going to trade Haren unless some team offers a ridiculous package (as in multiple top prospects) and Peavy’s injury situation has all but killed his trade value. I would be shocked if either player gets dealt this season. Read the rest of this entry » MLB Trade Rumors: Lee, Dye, Atkins & Sanchez Posted by Anthony Stalter (06/30/2009 @ 11:30 am) 
– After trading Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals over the weekend, many speculate that the Indians could be setting up for a fire sale soon and would look to deal ace Cliff Lee. But according to MLB.con’s Anthony Castrovince, the Tribe aren’t keen on dealing Lee, who the club has an $8 million option with a $1 million buyout option on in 2010. Cleveland might be inclined to part with Lee if the right deal comes along, but they’re not going to just give the ace of their staff away because they’re out of contention this season. – Garrett Atkins started at third base for the Rockies on Monday and while manager Jim Tracy said it’s because of his hot bat, ESPN’s Buster Onley believes the club is trying to drum up more trade interest for the 29-year old by getting him on the field. Colorado is in need of some bullpen help and already have Ian Stewart to man the hot corner if they’re successful in trading Atkins. – The Giants seem to be heating up their pursuit for White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, who would have to waive his no-trade clause if Chicago were to work out any deal involving him. San Fran, who leads the NL Wild Card race by a game and a half over the Rockies, are desperate for a middle-of-the-order bat and would love to put a package together to acquire a hitter with some pop. – Speaking of the Giants, the club would seemingly love to trade former starter Jonathan Sanchez now that they have found a replacement for him in the rotation in 26-year old Ryan Sadowski, who pitched masterfully in his big league debut against the Brewers on Sunday. The problem is that Sanchez’s trade value has never been lower as he’s struggled with his command all season and has been demoted to the bullpen. Still, he was once viewed as a potential No. 3 behind Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain in the Giants’ rotation, so some team may still be intrigued by his potential. – The Mets are apparently reluctant to part with reliever Bobby Parnell according to the New York Daily News. 2009 MLB Preview: #16 Chicago White Sox Posted by Anthony Stalter (03/23/2009 @ 8:43 pm) 
Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams Offseason Movement: GM Kenny Williams made a pair of trades that could help the Sox in the near future. Williams first traded outfielder Nick Swisher to the Yankees for Jeff Marquez and Wilson Betemit, then dealt veteran pitcher Javier Vazquez to Atlanta for catching prospect Tyler Flowers and infielder Brent Lillibridge. Marquez has a chance to earn the fifth spot in the rotation, although a hamstring injury could hold him back. The Sox also added veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon and young Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo. Top Prospect: Gordon Beckham, SS
Beckham helped lead Georgia to a second-place finish at last year’s College World Series, hitting .474 with five dingers and 2 RBI in 14 games. At one point during the college season last year, he was also tied for the Division I lead for home runs with 28. Thus far in spring training, Beckham is 6-for-18 with four doubles and two home runs. The 22-year old prospect probably won’t make the Opening Day roster, but once he learns how to play second after making the switch from shortstop in college, Beckham is going to be playing big league ball. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in: MLB Tags: 2009 MLB Preview, 2009 MLB Projections, 2009 MLB Team Previews, Alexei Ramirez, Bartolo Colon, Chris Gtez, Clayton Richard, Gavin Floyd, Jeffrey Marquez, Jermaine Dye, Jon Danks, Jose Contreras, Josh Fields, Kenny Williams, Mark Buehrle, MLB Preview 2009, Ozzie Guillen
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