Transaction Report (5/16/10-5/22/10)

It’s time again for the weekly transaction report, where we mention all the moves were made during this past week. This will be the last of this kind, as from now on we know will be reporting transactions on a daily basis, and that will now be covered by Wally Fish. As for the Sunday post, I will still be in charge of writing one, and starting next Sunday it will be a post focusing on the Rumors of the week.  There were not a lot of what is considered major transactions this week, and for that reason we will be doing it in bullet style point format.

Welcome Aboard…

• The Pittsburgh Pirates took a big dive into the international free agent market, as they have signed six Latin American players. The list of players included outfielder Willy Garcia, right handers in Brayan Almonte, Oderman Rocha, and Jose Luis Acosta,  and left-hander Angel Sanchez. They also signed first baseman Jose Roman.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed prized Cuban prospect Wagner Mateo. Mateo originally signed with the St Louis Cardinals, but the deal feel through due to fears that Mateo’s eyesight was not up to par. Mateo won the Bo Jackson Five – Tool championships, at the World Wood Bat championships.
• The Milwaukee Brewers have signed Josh Anderson to a minor league deal. Anderson, was released by the Reds last week…

"The Cincinnati Reds have released outfielder Josh Anderson. Anderson has had major league success as he is has a line of .270/.313/.352 in 519 career plate appearances. And given that he is only 27, I’m sure he will find a team willing to give him another shot."

• The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed Korey Castro. The first basement/ outfielder never saw the major leagues in the 2009, as he spent all his time with the Washington Nationals Triple A affiliate, where he hit .271/.334/.378 in 126 plate appearances.  Castro, will likely be assigned to the Diamondbacks triple A team.
• The New York Mets have signed catcher JR House to a minor league deal. House, had 544 plate appearances with the Rangers Triple A affiliate and he produced a line of .251/.297/.352. House, in 63 major league at bats, has line of .167/.206/.367.
• The Chicago Cubs have signed veteran reliever Bob Howry to a major league contract. Howry, pitched for the Cubs from 2006-2008, before being released and signing with the San Francisco Giants where he had an ERA of 3.39. He signed with Arizona Diamondbacks in the off-season, however he was released after producing a 10.67 ERA.  Here is what I had to say at Cubbies Crib, where I am the lead writer…

"I would suspect that Howry will become the Cubs set-up man from the right side, as he was when he was last year. However, I kind of have a mixed reaction about this move for the Cubs. Because, on one hand you have the fact that he did not end his last season with the Cubs pitching too well, and he is off to a bad start this year. But, looking at his first two season with the Cubs in 2006, and 2007, and last season when he was with the Giants, that gives me some hope that maybe just maybe he can be a solid reliever for the Cubs."

Swapping Places…

• The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired reliever Saul Rivera from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations. Last year with the Washington Nationals, Rivera posted a 6.10 ERA in 38.1 innings.

Don’t We all Have Options…

• The Oakland Athletics have designated relievers Edwar Ramirez and Chad Guadin for assignment. Ramirez, who posted a 4.91 ERA with the Athletics through 7 games, will likely be optioned to triple A. Gaudin on the other hand, who posted a 8.83 ERA through 17.1 innings, will likely be released, and then find a Job as a possible fifth starter for another team.
• The Washington Nationals have designated reliever Brian Bruney for assignment. Trough 19 games with the Washington Nationals, Bruney had an ERA of 7.64. Bruney, may have had his best year of his career in 2008 with the New York Yankees when he posted 1.83 ERA through 34.1 innings.
• The Philadelphia have designated shortstop Wilson Valdez for assignment, and he was out-righted to triple A. Valdez, replaced Jimmy Rollins while he injured for the early portions of the season, and in 53 plate appearances he hit  .231/.231/.365.
• The Boston Red Sox have designated reliever Scott Schoeneweis for assignment. Schoeneweis had a 7.90 ERA in 15 appearances with the Red Sox this year. The Red Sox have also designated Jonathon Van Every for assignment. Every, replaced Jacoby Ellsbury while he was injured, and produced a line of .211/.286/.421.

Sent Packing…

• The Tampa Bay Rays have released DH Pat Burrell. The Rays finally accomplished their goal of ridding themselves of the bust that was Pat Burrell. Signed with the Rays back in 2009, Burrell never really proved that he was worth the money, as he struggled with injuries, and the tremendous power he showed in Philadelphia just never was there in Tampa Bay. For his career Burrell has a line of .253/.362/.473  while hitting 267 homers and driving in 904 runs.
• The New York Mets have released Kiko Calero, who was trying to rehab his shoulder in tripe A, while trying to make his way back to the major leagues. Calero, posted an outstanding ERA of 1.95 with the Florida Marlins last year, but since then their have been concerns over his health.
• The Toronto Blue Jays have released designated hitter Randy Ruiz.  Ruiz struggled mightily this year as he was only hitting .150/.150/.275 prior to his release. However, for his career Ruiz is hitting .272/.332/.488.