Off-Season Trannies

Get it? Off-season TRANNY? Never mind...

The off-season brings two types of notable transactions -- retirements and declined mutual options. No one of note retired, but let's take a look at who is on the market this year:


Chief Webster stunk like cheese for Texas last season. Admittedly, I would have bought him out. Nonetheless, he is still an innings-eater at age 35, chewing 179 for me with an almost 3:1 K:BB in season seven. Of course, there was that matter of a 6.08 ERA.

Mel Petersen A two-time Cy Young winer, Petersen is coming off a his second season as Charlotte's closer. He wasn't all that reassuring as the closer last season, blowing eight saves with a .290 OAV and 4.86 ERA. Yet, he still seems serviceable.

Al Ward Corner outfielder Al Ward lost a little pop after his peak 31 HR year in season four. Last year, he hit .329 with a .906 OPS.

Ryan Witt Witt saved 33-of-39 for me last season and I'm disappointed to see him go. He posted a 3.78 ERA and was quite good out of the pen, considering what I'm used to having as a closer.

Mikey Hall Then there is the stange case of Mikey Hall. A 34yo lefty who was a stud for Milwaukee/Chicago for the past few years. He fell out of the Chicago rotation, starting only 13 of his past 89 appearances. Last season, he was 14-4 with two saves, 106 strikeouts and a 2.86 ERA in 126 innings pitched.

Transactions

AUGUSTA: released Alex Powell, Will Kapler and Elmer Lieberthal. Demoted Quentin Ferguson. Signed Enrique Prieto, Joshua Shouse and Troy Gibbons. Placed Willie Field on the DL.

AUSTIN: Signed Pedro Lee. Placed Vic Prieto on the DL.

BOSTON: Placed Bud Rolison on the DL and promoted Russell Bowie.

CHICAGO: Waived Raul Ramirez. Released John Katou. Acquired Alex Soto in a trade with Portland. Signed international FA Cookie Martinez.

CINCINNATI: Signed free agents Ralph Reagan and Mark Kelly.

CLEVELAND: Activated Sammy Barnes from the DL.

COLORADO: Activated Luis Cruz from the DL.

COLUMBUS: Placed Junior Martin on the DL.

MEMPHIS: Released Erubiel Nunez and William Arnold.

NEW YORK: Released Alfonso Johnson, Jack Todd, Damaso Melo, Denny Malone and Lon Grissom.

PORTLAND: Signed free agent Douglas Hutton.

RICHMOND: Activated Jumbo Tejera and placed Victor Nunez on waivers.

SAN JUAN: Waived Kelly Merloni and Rickey Buckley.

SANTA FE: Released Timothy Fick.

SEATTLE: Signed free agent Moe Leach at 4:25pm. Placed Moe Leach on the 40-man roster at 4:27pm. Waived Moe Leach at 5:46 pm.

WASHINGTON: Waived Andrew Cooke and released Brandon Sears.

Today's Transactions thru Noon

Chicago claimed Tripp Urich off waivers. Acquired Pepe Zapata and a prospect from Memphis for Todd Lincoln. Waived John Katou.

Cinci promoted Ron Spezio and placed Shayne Swift on the DL.

LA activated Ralph Ferguson from the DL.

Memphis signed free agent Rabbit Borders and demoted Alex Cust.

Milwaukee promoted Cesar Fernandez and designated Freddie Fischer for assignment.

Richmond activated Bubba Fonda from the DL and claimed Troy Olerud off waivers.

San Juan promoted Kelly Merloni, promoted placed Olmedo Tarasco on the DL and signed int'l FA Efrain Kim.

Santa Fe designated Barry Cook for assignment.

Washington promoted Eli Reynoso.

A two-day ML transactions update

Since 2/7 @ 3:30 ish

Atlanta claimed Roy Ardoin and promoted him. Offered Rule V draft pick Troy Olerud to his original team.

Augusta released Gookie Mann, Troy Gibbons, Harold Appier, Alton Myers, Kevin Krause, and Paulie Martin Promoted Pat Maeda, Kevin Shields, Hector Swindell, Ken Bryant, Sergio Lewis and Jose Torcato.

Boston designated Tripp Ulrich and claimed Hector Rivera off waivers.

Burlington placed Julio Posada on the DL and promoted Harry Caballero (another entry in the name of the year contest).

Cinci signed Felipe Franco, promoted Thomas Gordon and placed Felipe Balboa on the DL.

Colorado traded Andy Vickers and a prospect to Nashville for prospects.

Detroit signed free agent Moose Feliciano (MOOOOOOOOOOSE!).

Las Vegas promoted Bo Foster and placed Vic Gongora on the disabled list.

Los Angeles claimed Harold Mitchell off waivers.

Memphis designated Pedro Lee and Cory Hardy for assignment, released Rube Quinn, Andres Martinez, Jolbert Merno, Erik Stokes, Bubba Miller, Morga Buck, Harold Mitchell, Duffy Sanders, Pedro Lee. Promoted Delino Gomez.

Milwaukee promoted Stewart Toombs.

New York released Alex Hasegawa.

Pittsburgh promoted Jumbo Darwin and placed Kevin McEwing on the DL.

Portland promoted Mendy Takada.

Richmond claimed Bubba Fonda off waivers.

San Juan placed Alex Chang on the DL, released Patrick Parrish, promoted Stan Saturria and activated Efrain Cheng from the DL.

Washington waived Dave Walton.

Transactions as of 3:30 ish

Detroit released Vin Navarro.

Memphis designated Pedro Lee for assignment.

Nashville claimed Dan Mitchell and Brian Suzuki off waivers.

San Juan claimed Jesus Romero and waived Olmedo Chavez. Promoted Cookie Perez and released Matt Price and Justin Carreon.

Around The World

EDITOR'S NOTE: Today's international signings update are brought to you by the memory of an around the world party from college I was part of. My neighbors did "mixed in your mouth margaritas" for Mexico. I was Greece and we did sambuca shots. The guys across the hall were Italy. They started with chianti, but were running out. So, they saved the wine for themselves and mixed wild berry Kool-Aid with grain alcohol to feed to the freshmen. I miss college freshmen.

On to the show...

Harry Armas, 18yo, ss, $1.5M Mi contract
Benji Arroyo, 18, c, $5.0M MLB
Juan Aybar, 21, 2b, $3.0M, Mi
Bartolo Cordero, 19, 2b, $16.9M, Mi
James Funaki, 18, 3b, $5.0M, Mi w/Spring training
Orlando Guerrero, 18, 2b, $1.6M, Mi
Joseph Liang, 19, c, $3.4M, Mi
Albert Montero, 18, p, $9.0M, Mi
Juan Sanchez, 20, 2b, $800k, Mi
Tony Soriano, 18, p, $650k, Mi
David Valentin, 18, p, $50k, Mi
Mac Xaio, 18, 2b, MLB

Today's transactions

Atlanta signed Oswaldo Furcal to a contract extension.

Burlington traded Eduardo Lopez to Memphis for a prospect. Acquired Felipe Mateo and a prospect from Chicago for prospect Stretch Wyatt.

Cleveland placed Sammy Barnes on the DL and promoted Joe Austin.

Colorado placed Luis Cruz on the DL.

Detroit signed international FA Benji Arroyo.

Kansas City activated Henry Cust from the DL.

LA released James Rader, Ed White, Brian Suzuki, Dan Mitchell, Jason Dixon, Dustin Hall, Willie Mateo and Ossie Bigbie. Signed Rocky Hooper.

Memphis claimed Alex Cust off waivers, assigned him to AAA and promoted him.

Nashville claimed Guy Patrick off waivers.

Pittsburgh placed Cory Redmond on the DL and promoted Luis Vega

Portland placed Clay Salazar and Ryan Homes on the inactive list, promoted Clay Foster, placed Mo Tracy on the DL and released Clay Salazar, Ryan Holmes, Bart Acker, and Andy Bichette.

Richmond placed Tim Easterly on the DL, activated Lou Coles from the DL and promoted Stevie Michaels.

San Juan waived Hector Rivera, Xavier Boone, Bubba Fonda, Alex Chang and Damian Maddox. Promoted Devon Gentry. Released Johan Wilkerson. Claimed Amos Lennon off waivers.

Seattle promoted Mitch Brow.

D.C. claimed Jack Kingland off waivers and released Hal Price.

Transactions as of 11:54

Augusta promoted Archie Hollins.

Charlotte waived Jim Stewart.

Cinci activated Stone Cold Steve Austin from the DL and waived Jesus Romero. I don't know how anyone can waive someone named Jesus with a clear conscience.

Cleveland claimed Javier Moya off waivers.

Columbus is killing me. Designated Tommy Ricarrdi and Joey Atkins for assignment. Promoted Theo Clifton and Lance Beckett.

Detroit is killing me more. Activated Giovanni Coffie from the DL, promoted Vic Romano, Dick Slocumb and Richard Coppinger and designated Oscar Downs for assignment.

(These mass transactions cut into my lunch time!)

LA release Famous Amos Lennon and activated Denny Crespo from the DL.

Memphis claimed Alex Cust off waivers and signed Billy Anderson to a contract extension.

Minnesota promoted Turner Tracy and placed Max Lima on the DL.

Nashville claimed Guy Patrick and Quinn Walker off waivers, designated Jack Kingland for assignment and promoted Corky Wathan.

San Juan went wholesale. In no order, claimed Damian Maddox off waivers, promoted Alfonso Bautista and Devon Gentry, placed Bubba Fonda on the DL and waived Damian Maddox and Joey Purcell.

Today's ML Transactions, as of Noonish

Detroit signed internation free agent Mac Xaio.

Nashville designated Jack Kingland for assignment, promoted Corky Wathan and claimed Jose Limon off waivers.

Memphis promoted Chip Hayes, placed Pinky Neal on the 60-day DL with another season ending injury, suspended the team's training staff and shot its CFO for budgeting 17M on training which seems to be going nowhere.

San Juan claimed Damian Maddox off waivers.

Today's transactions are in honor of Giants DE Adrian Awasom. Adrian wins this year's Super Bowl Fuck Up award after getting pinched for DUI in Glendale this week. Awasom was sent home FedEx Ground for his transgression. Chances are he probably won't get his SB bonus this year either. Now on to the show...

Augusta released Vicente Camacho, Vasco Navarro, Willie Arnold, Quinn Walker, Alex Cust, Dick Nitkowski and Cozy Henry (a new nominee for name of the year...Cozy?).

Chicago placed Vladimir Galarraga on the DL.

Detroit placed Javier Moya on waivers.

Memphis released Art Clement, Guy Patrick and Cory Taylor. Memphis thinks New England wins but New York will cover.

Richmond released Ugueth Canseco and Fernando Merced.

San Juan claimed Angel Melo off waivers.

Today's ML Transacations

Today's transactions are powered by Wegmans Blueberry Muffin Crunch cereal. This diabetic nightmare has the flavor of an artificial blueberry muffin, as you might expect. It's just damn tasty.

Boston designated Peter Miller for assignment and promoted Raymond Stone.

Cinci promoted Damian Feng.

Detroit releases Ray Benes, Donaldo Diaz and Richard Collins.

Milwaukee signed free agents Damion Gray and Wascar Feliz.

New York signs international prospect James Funaki.

San Juan placed Efrain Cheng on the DL, promoted Daryl O'Toole, Ruben Rosado, Buck Harper, Homer Baxter and Thumper Bolick (side note...Thumper has a power rating of ZERO...not really the name you'd expect). Released Jose Limon. Deignated Kelly Merloni for assignment.

Today's ML Transactions, as of 11:54

Chicago placed Gregory Lyons on the DL and promoted Todd Lincoln.

Portland claimed P.J. Francona off waivers and added him to the 40.

Seattle promoted Odalis Tabaka.

How much did you budget for interpreters?

Tonight's international signing update is brought to you by the sushi counter at your local Wegmans Food Markets. I had the Philadelphia roll. Quite tasty.

Louie Belliard, 18yo catcher, 32 current/55 potential, $2.3 million bonus to San Francisco
Orlando Guerrero, 18/2b, 41/66, $1.6M to Augusta
Omar Jose, 18/P, 46/63, $4M to Phila
Javier Martin, 19/ss, 50/69, $3.4M to D.C.
Richard Murata, 20/P, 34/41, $50k to Cleveland
Santiago Sanchez, 18/P, 35/49, $85k to Cleveland

Tran-zack-tions, a Tribute to Saved By The Bell

Woke up this morning to TBS and an ep of Saved By The Bell. So, today's transactions are powered by Zack Morris, The Zack Attack and The Maxx.

Cinci promoted Ron Spezio and Doyle Freel. Placed Al Posada on the DL.

Detroit placed Wilt Keefe and Giovanni Coffie on the DL. Promoted Chad Greer.

Los Angeles placed Ralph Ferguson on the DL and promoted J.J. Sullivan.

Memphis promoted Cody Hardy, Chip Hayes and Cliff White. Offered back Rule V draft pick P.J. Francona and designated Art Clement for assignment.

New York promoted Jimmie Walters.

Pittsburgh promoted Ignacio Escobar and released Henry McCartney.

Portland claimed Greg Mayne and Miguel Melendez off waivers.

San Fran placed Andre Wainhouse on waivers.

San Juan released Wascar Feliz.

Today's ML Transactions, as of Noon

Atlanta traded Hee Maeda to Pittsburgh and acquired Ronn Swann. Added Swann to the 40-man roster.

Cinci activated Jesus Romero from the DL.

Memphis signed Cody Hardy to a free-agent contract and demoted Edwin "I pitch the ball, you hit it out of the" Parque.

New York released Kris Montgomery, Scott Schmidt and Herbert Singleton.

Seattle waived Yuki Muratore.

Today's Transactions, as of 5:02 p.m.

Buffalo promoted Tomas Torres

Burlington released Torry Wilkins and declined the return of Rule V draft pick Brian McCormick from Pittsburgh.

Charlotte claimed Felix Callaway off waivers and added him to the 40. Placed Sherry White on waivers.

Cinci traded Luke Swindell to Phila for prospects. Released Eric Ritz and placed Miguel Ibanez on waivers.

Detroit promoted Alex "Sky" Walker and added him to the 40.

Phila acquired Luke Swindell from Cinci for prospects. Release Miguel Melendez.

Pittsburgh released Greg Maybe, promoted Luis Vega, signed free-agent Clay Monahan, placed Pat Takada on waivers and offered Rule V pick Brian McCormick back to his original team.

Richmond placed Jumbo Tejera on the DL and promoted Elroy Donahue.

San Fran promoted Sonny Anderson and added him to the 40.

San Juan released Brent Daniels.

Santa Fe signed free-agent Nash Kendall and added him to the 40. Signed Fernando Bennett to a contract extension. Claimed Haywood Watkins off waivers and added him to the 40. Designated Benito Pena for assignment.

Today's Trannies

Today's Trannies are powered by Grandma's Chocolate Chip cookies, available in office vending machines and gas stations from coast-to-coast. 30 percent of your daily fat allowance...50 cents a pack. Can you find a better value in fatty food? I think not.

Also, I promise that after today, I will not call the transactions trannies or dare to post a picture of a transvestite. I thought it would be funny, but I can't take anymore of the images on Google. I need to gag. On to the stuff:

Augusta released Rob Maraville, placed Gookie Mann (name of the year candidate) on the DL and added Orlando Franco to the 40.

Burlington traded Denny Katou and prospects to Cleveland for Dario White.

Chicago promoted Pedro Sosa and claimed Kennie "Dynomite" Walker off waivers.

Cincinnati promoted catcher Rip Steinbach, who is no relation to former A's and Twins backstop Terry Steinbach.

Richmond places Lou Coles on the DL and promoted Kirk Sanders.

On the Move

Transactions through right now:

Charlotte declines the return of Rule V draftee Russell Starr.
Chicago claims P Ernest Evans off waivers.
Cleveland placed Randy Flanagan on the DL and promoted Joe Austin from AAA.
Detroit designated Haywood Watkins for assignment and promoted Lew Rivera.
LA promoted Hideki Lim, claimed Charlie Clement off waivers and released Tony Coppinger and Felix Callaway.
Nashville desginated Corky Wathan for assignment and added Kirk Sierra to its 40.
Richmond signs free agent P Brad Cambridge.
San Fran waived Alejandro Marin and promoted Ricky Robertson.
Seattle signed free agent P Edgar Gonzalez
DC activated Johnny Costello from the DL