AZ got raped! Diamondbacks Acquire Chris JohnsonBy Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 29, 2012 at 12:26pm CST]The Diamondbacks have acquired third baseman Chris Johnson from the Astros for minor league outfielders Marc Krauss and Bobby Borchering, the teams announced. Borchering, 21, was Arizona's first round pick in the 2009 draft while Krauss, 24, was taken in the second round of the same draft.Johnson, 27, has a slash line of .279/.329/.428 with eight homers in 368 plate appearances this season. The right-handed hitter, who also played a handful of games at first base for Houston this year, won't be arbitration eligible until after the 2013 season unless he qualifies for super two status this coming offseason.The Diamondbacks dealt from an area from strength in this trade as they are rather deep in the outfield. While Krauss and Borchering were standouts at the Double-A level, they also have prospects Adam Eaton and A.J. Pollock in Triple-A Reno.GM Jeff Luhnow continues to sell off Major League pieces as a part of the club's rebuilding effort. In the last ten days, the Astros have traded Wandy Rodriguez to the Pirates, Brett Myers to the White Sox, and J.A. Happ to the Blue Jays. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/diamondbacks-acquire-chris-johnson.html
OH SHIT LOOK OUT!!! Giants Interested In Jonathan Broxton By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 29, 2012 at 2:36pm CST] The Giants have serious interest in Jonathan Broxton, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio reports (on Twitter). Interest on Broxton is picking up and there's a 60-70% chance he'll be traded by the deadline, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter). The Giants don't view Broxton as the solution for their bullpen, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reported this week. There's not much bullpen help available, now that Huston Street is off the market, Knobler reported today (on Twitter). The Blue Jays and Red Sox aren't selling and teams aren't impressed by the available relievers
MY dream 2012 scenario; We win the NLW...we have to go through the Giants, and simply annihilate them in the most cruel and barbaric ways. The Angels and Yankees play each other in the ALCS; the Angels win. We beat the Angels in four straight. With CK, RDLR, Bills and Fife (who is rewarded a WS start by DBB for his balls leading up to the division title) , all pitching shutouts... record breaking/ history making mofos. Luis Cruz gets WS MVP, Kemp gets NL MVP, Ramirez edges out Posey as "Comeback Player OTY. Ethier bats .450 in the WS. Loney hits 5 HRs in it . Pujols publically states that secretly, he had hoped the Dodgers would get him, as he considers the Angels "pretenders". Off season, Belisario marries Jessica Biel. So let it be written; so let it be done... --- Ramases I
Anals all of a sudden getting brittle? Trout-back, Trumbo-dislocated ribs, ouch and now Haren-back and they are aging faster than a bottle of 2 buck chuck. (Note: not saying Trout or Trumbo getting old).
Soriano, Lee, Santana, Wells, Francoeur and 25 more who could be traded after July 31 By Jon Heyman | Baseball Insider July 29, 2012 So trades can occur after July 31. And it's a long and esteemed list of players who still may go. 1. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs OF: The Dodgers are the first team to surface who want this fellow, and that's not right because he can still play. Put aside the "advanced" numbers claiming he's the game's best corner outfielder, but he can still hit, that's for sure. He has 18 home runs, and all have come since May 15. It's possible if he could be part of a Ryan Dempster package to the Dodgers, and in that case he would have to go before July 31 as Dempster won't clear waivers. But if not, he'll still be free, thanks to an $18 million salary through 2014. The Cubs would be willing to pay a significant portion in the right deal. 2. Cliff Lee. Phillies SP: Phillies higher-ups have told people they won't trade Lee, and it appears they certainly have no plans to do so. The Phillies see their trio of rotation stars as the cornerstone to the team, and if Roy Halladay doesn't come back from his current pitching issues, they would need Lee even more. He has a 21-team no-trade list, which doesn't include the Rangers. The Dodgers are another team that might fit if they can't get Dempster, Matt Garza, Josh Johnson or James Shields. The $96 million to go through 2015 would prevent a claim, however. 3. Ervin Santana, Angels SP: Angels people want him to go, and in fact GM Jerry DiPoto is said to have suggested a trade for Santana last winter. (Owner Arte Moreno wanted to keep him then, but he surely sees the light now.) Santana is in the bullpen for now. While his 4-10 record and 6.00 ERA might discourage a few teams from considering him, a change of scenery might do him well. 4. Vernon Wells, Angels OF: The Angels can't possibly think Wells on the bench is good for anyone. They released Bobby Abreu before living with him as a bench player for too long. One of the worst contracts in baseball history. 5. Jeff Francoeur, Royals OF: Terrific guy having a not-so-terrific year. No threat of being claimed. 6. Ramon Hernandez, Rockies C: The Rockies were willing to pay a portion of Hernandez's contract to trade him to the Mets, but the Mets had a lower number in mind. Veteran presence could still be of value. 7. Mark Buehrle, Marlins SP: Typically backloaded Marlins deal makes a claim unlikely. He can still pitch, and may mind not so much trade after seeing the Marlins' surprise fire sale. 8. Jason Giambi, Rockies 1B: After he returns, someone might take him as a lefty pinch hitter, The Rockies would leave it up to him whether to deal him. 9. Joe Blanton, Phillies SP: Versatile and professional, but the $8-million salary always was an overpay. 10. Carl Pavano, Twins SP: Will pass through waivers, but even if healthy it's hard to imagine a contending team taking him. Inexplicably, was beloved momentarily in the Twins' clubhouse. Personality issue. 11. Rick Nolasco, Marlins SP: Having a very mundane year surrounded by teammates having mundane (or worse) years. 12. Geovany Soto, Cubs C: Could provide veteran presence. Nationals, Rays or Mets could make sense. 13. Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers RP: The Brewers offered him to the Mets for an "organization" player (non-prospect) on the condition the Mets pay the $4 million remaining a couple weeks ago. There's less remaining, but K-Rod struggled with sudden overuse as a closer. 14. Justin Morneau, Twins 1B: Starting to get hot, so it's no guarantee he'd clear. The Dodgers have interest in him (and about 10 other hitters). 15. Matt Capps, Twins RH RP: Health issues have diminished value of the sometime closer. 16. David DeJesus, Cubs OF: He's had a nice bounce-back year, so he may not clear. On the border. 17. Kevin Millwood, Mariners SP: Could possibly help a team in need of a starter. Nationals might make some sense after the expected Stephen Strasburg shutdown. 18. Carl Crawford, Red Sox OF: He doesn't fit in Boston and the strong suspicion is he'd do better elsewhere. Of course, with $100 million-plus to go and an elbow that likely needs surgery, this is the least desirable contract in baseball right now.
