ESPN.com presents MLB Rumors http://espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/ 60 en-us Wed, 22 May 2013 04:07:30 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 The First-Year Players Draft is less than three weeks away and the Houston Astros have the No. 1 pick for the second straight year after the Pittsburgh Pirates chose first in 2011. Let's check in on the progress of those two picks. The Pirates tabbed right-hander Gerrit Cole with the top pick two years ago and the UCLA product started this season in Triple-A Indianapolis with a chance to hit the majors sometime in 2013. In nine starts, Cole is 3-2 with a 3.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4405 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:49:17 EDT 4405 Chicago White Sox GM Rick Hahn says he has no plans to dismantle his roster this summer, and adds that his clubs is out looking for players to acquire to make a run this season, writes Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. If that changes, however, things could get interesting on the South Side. The club could make some of their bullpen available if they flip on the 'For Sale' sign in July, and it may not be out of the realm of possibility that the club listens to offers for outfielder Alex Rios and right-hander Jake Peavy.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4423 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:44:27 EDT 4423 With contending clubs such as the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox running into injury problems with their bullpens, one expectation is for them to hit the trade market and seek such a fix. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com asked one executive how that market is looking: "Non-existent," was part of the response. Part of the reason for a slim-or-none market is that it's May, and with two Wild Card berths in each league, more teams are still within shouting distance.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4419 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:07:08 EDT 4419 The Seattle Mariners may have endured a lost weekend with three straight losses in Cleveland, but the club has managed to remain around the .500 mark this season, which should be considered a surprise. In fact, ESPN Insider’s Jim Bowden wrote last week that the Mariners have what it takes to remain in the race for a wild card berth. The Mariners have remained competitive even though both parts of their shortstop platoon – Brendan Ryan and Robert Andino – are hitting below the Mendoza Line.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4361 Tue, 21 May 2013 13:31:07 EDT 4361 The New York Mets appear to have a bright future overall, starting with All-Star third baseman David Wright and right-hander Matt Harvey. The club also boasts one of the top pitching prospects in baseball in Zack Wheeler, who could make his big-league debut sometime in 2013. Once position that's up in the air moving forward -- even in the present tense -- is first base. Ike Davis smacked 32 home runs a year ago, but finished the year with a .227 average and .]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4412 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:52:37 EDT 4412 There are always ups and downs in baseball and just as there are struggling hitters this month, some have hit their stride and are putting up gaudy numbers over the first three weeks of May. Let's take a look at five of the hottest bats in the sport. Three of them are household names, but the other two may surprise, including the top name. Marco Scutaro, 2B -- San Francisco Giants: .471//.507/.632, 16 G Scutaro leads all of baseball with that .471 batting average, but it's not just a bunch of singles.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4410 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:16:08 EDT 4410 Anthony Rizzo, who began the season with less than a year of big-league service time, received a long-term contract from the Chicago Cubs last week, reported Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Clubs are flocking to the negotiating table to lock up their young players these days, so despite such a deal being unique, perhaps Rizzo's deal is just the start. Other candidates for a similar deal -- not necessarily in terms of dollars, but with a long-term commitment -- could include Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jean Segura, who is off to a terrific start in 2013, Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, Kansas City Royals centerfielder Lorenzo Cain and Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout, who is earning $510,000 this season despite his historical campaign a year ago as a rookie, a salary with which his agent was none too pleased.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4297 Tue, 21 May 2013 11:41:17 EDT 4297 The Miami Marlins do have talent. Most of it is either on the disabled list in the form of Giancarlo Stanton, or in the minors and goes by the name Christian Yelich. Yelich began the year on the disabled list himself, but Southern League pitchers wish he was still there. Yelich, 21, started off a bit slow for Double-A Jacksonville, but is now batting .310 with a .637 slugging percentage and a .375 on-base mark, thanks to his 17-game stretch in May that has produced a .]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4407 Tue, 21 May 2013 11:13:19 EDT 4407 The Minnesota Twins could call on prospect Kyle Gibson to make his big-league debut Friday against the Tigers, writes Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The club options Pedro Hernandez to Triple-A, opening a spot in the rotation. Manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters that Gibson, along with P.J. Walters and Sam Deduno, will be considered to take Hernandez's spot. Gibson tossed a complete-game shutout Sunday for Triple-A Rochester, striking out eight and allowing just five baserunners.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4401 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:04:30 EDT 4401 Corey Hart has missed the entire Milwaukee Brewers season thus far, but appears to be making progress after running and taking full batting practice Monday, putting his injured knee to the test. Hart could start a rehab assignment in the next week or two, suggesting he could return to the active roster sometime in June. The veteran is scheduled to become a free agent after the season, providing two reasons for him to get back in the lineup and perform well.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post?id=4397 Tue, 21 May 2013 09:32:01 EDT 4397