Offseason Deals and Rumors

[mth123]

Cesar Izturis back on the market. He was knocked a lot, but I'd rather have him than Santiago or Negron. Of course, I'd rather have what's behind door number 3.

[_Sir_Charles_]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/0...francisco.html

The Brewers have requested waivers on corner infielder Juan Francisco for the purpose of his unconditional release.....Any team claiming Francisco would owe him his $1.35MM salary, though the Brewers are only on the hook for 45 days' pay, around $332K.

[corkedbat]

From the article:

I'm not allowed to post here the part of the female anatomy that Donnie Baseball seems to be implying he pulled.

[TRF]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Juan Francisco, Brewers Likely To Part Ways

By Charlie Wilmoth [March 22 at 7:16pm CST]

There hasn't yet been an official announcement, but the Brewers appear to be in the process of parting ways with first baseman Juan Francisco. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak reports (via Twitter) that Francisco's locker has been cleared out, a possible sign that the Brewers have designated Francisco for assignment. The move likely means the Brewers will have veterans Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay play first base.

Francisco was set to make $1.35MM in his first year of arbitration eligibility as a Super Two. He hit .227/.296/.422 in 385 plate appearances with the Brewers last season, not an especially impressive line, given that he is not a strong defensive player.

If I'm the Pirates, I'm all about signing him. Then they can have the exact same player at 1st and 3rd.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Nationals Release Chris Snyder

By Jeff Todd [March 24 at 7:36pm CST]

The Nationals have released catcher Chris Snyder, the club announced via Twitter. As Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com notes on Twitter, Snyder could have opted out of his contract on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old signed with the Nationals after seeing just nine MLB games last year. In 2012 with the Astros, he put up a .176/.295/.308 line in 258 plate appearances. Snyder did, however, post an OPS over .800 last year in his time at Triple-A with the Orioles and Angels. He spent part of the spring with the Nationals last year, but requested his release when he failed to make the big league roster.

Snyder had a strong spring line in limited action, putting up a .294/.381/.529 triple-slash with one long ball in 21 plate appearances. He becomes the latest veteran backstop to hit the open market.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Blue Jays Cut Matt Tuiasosopo; Transaction Pending

By Jeff Todd [March 26 at 8:52am CST]

The Blue Jays have notified out-of-options outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo that he will not make the roster, tweets MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm. Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star tweeted this morning that this appeared likely, since Tuiasosopo's locker had been packed up.

While the precise transaction that will result has yet to be reported, it seems likely that he will ultimately hit the waiver wire. The outfielder was claimed off of waivers by Toronto less than a week ago, but faced an uphill battle to unseat Moises Sierra as the club's fourth outfielder. If he makes it through waivers, the Jays would like to stash Tuiasosopo in Triple-A, Kennedy tweets.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Cubs Release George Kottaras

By Jeff Todd [March 26 at 12:29pm CST]

The Cubs have requested release waivers on catcher George Kottaras, reports Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com (via Twitter). He had been picked up for cash from the Royals earlier in the offseason, and would have been owed $1.075MM for the coming season.

The 30-year-old backstop had a .180/.349/.370 line in 126 plate appearances last year. He has a lifetime mark of .214/.324/.406. For what it's worth, the Oliver projection system actually likes Kottaras to be an above-average MLB regular if he was given a full season of plate appearances.

[Gallen5862]

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/20...ed-on-waivers/

Twinsights: Scott Diamond placed on waivers

The Minnesota Twins have placed left-hander Scott Diamond on waivers, a person with direct knowledge told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday afternoon.

Diamond, 27, lost out to right-hander Kyle Gibson in his bid to claim the final spot in the Twins’ starting rotation. Like right-hander Vance Worley, who cleared waivers last week and was sold Tuesday to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Diamond is out of options and must clear waivers in order to be sent to the minor leagues.

Waivers were requested on Diamond Tuesday, the source said, which means his waiver period expires at 1 p.m. Central on Thursday. Any team claiming Diamond must keep him on its big-league roster or subject him to the same waiver process the Twins have entered.

[malcontent]

Diamond's a lefty with a pulse. Why not pick him up?

[mdccclxix]

Scott Baker and Freddy Garcia are also available.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Scott Diamond Clears Waivers, Weighing Outright Decision

By Charlie Wilmoth [March 27 at 1:27pm CST]

TODAY: Diamond has cleared outright waivers, tweets Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. That leaves him with 48 hours to elect free agency or instead take a Triple-A assignment with the Twins.

[BEETTLEBUG]

Whom would Diamond replace?

[malcontent]

Whom would Diamond replace?

He could (theoretically, at least) replace Simon as the 5th starter for now. And then potentially be a second LH reliever once Latos returns.

He'd be good insurance should any of the starters go down again. Better than Francis or B. Marshall, I'd think.

[BEETTLEBUG]

Whom on the 40 man roster?

[malcontent]

Whom on the 40 man roster?

There are several guys on the 40 that I doubt will ever make a ripple, much less wave.