Around the majors: Randy Johnson update

1) The Diamondbacks were reportedly close enough to trading Randy Johnson to the Dodgers that they asked him whether he’d waive his no trade clause to go there, with Johnson saying he wouldn’t. Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta has confirmed he’s been speaking to the Diamondbacks, but denies that a concrete offer was made.

2) According to the Chicago Sun Times, while the Cubs are interested in Redsox SS Nomar Garciaparra, GM Jim Hendry is denying the rumor that they’d trade P Matt Clement for him.

3) The Mariners were amused by a spreading rumor, around the ballpark, yesterday that Gil Meche was traded for Mike Sweeney. The rumor started after Meche cancelled a morning interview, with a team spokesman saying the team would make an announcement later. But, the announcement was just that Meche will join the team and start tomorrow’s game.

4) The Brewers moved into a virtual tie, with the Reds, for 4th place in the NL Central. The Reds lead in PCT.

5) The Padres passed the Giants into sole possession of 2nd place in the NL West.

6) Jeff Bagwell tied Juan Gonzalez for 31st place on the all time HR list, with 434.

7) Reds LF Adam Dunn hit his 100th career HR.

After 20 RCAA/.854 OPS and 9 RCAA/.819 OPS seasons, Dunn is hitting .555 SLG, .400 OBA, .956 OPS, 35 RCAA in his first 100 games. He has a .884 career OPS, compared to his league average of .771, and 81 RCAA in 440 games.

8) The Tigers placed P Gary Knotts on the 15 day DL and called up Roberto Novoa.

Knotts has a sore shoulder. After a 6.04 ERA/-19 RSAA in 2003, he has a 6.14 ERA/-18 RSAA in his first 14 starts (23 games). Knotts has a 5.86 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.50, and -39 RSAA in 73 games.

Novoa might only be up until Alex Sanchez is activated from the DL tomorrow.

9) Cardinals CF Jim Edmonds had to leave yesterday’s game, due to tightness in his lower back.

After 54 RCAA/.981 OPS and 42 RCAA/1.002 OPS seasons, Edmonds is hitting .613 SLG, .393 OBA, 1.007 OPS, 36 RCAA in his first 96 games. He has a .919 career OPS, compared to his league average of .778, and 316 RCAA in 1388 games.

10) The Mets designated P Scott Erickson on the 15 day DL and called up P Pedro Feliciano.

After missing the 2003 season, Erickson had a 7.88 ERA/-3 RSAA in 2 starts in 2004. He has a 4.52 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.53, and -9 RSAA in 357 games.

Feliciano has a 3.81 ERA/3 RSAA in 29 career games and hasn’t made his 2004 debut yet.

11) On Monday, Ruben Gomez died at the age of 77.

Gomez pitched from 1953-62 and 1967 for 4 teams, mostly with the Giants. He had a 4.09 career ERA, compared to his league average of 3.98, and -16 RSAA in 289 games. His best year was a 2.88 ERA/31 RSAA in 32 starts (37 games) with the 1954 Giants.

12) The Indians signed OF Jason Tyner to a minor league contract.

Tyner has -42 RCAA/.594 OPS in 245 career games.

13) The Devil Rays signed C Keith Osik to a minor league contract.

Osik has -63 RCAA/.632 OPS in 450 career games, including a .080 SLG, .080 OBA, .160 OPS, -5 RCAA in 11 games with the 2004 Orioles.

14) The Mets have suspended Shane Spencer, without pay, after his arrest. According to the NY Times, the reason why he wasn’t just released could have been due to a rule prohibiting teams from releasing players on the DL.

15) The Cubs started to install protective netting at Wrigley Field, in order to catch pieces of concrete that might become loose. There have been 3 incidents of falling chunks since June 9. A decision hasn’t been made yet on whether the stadium is safe enough to play when the Cubs return home tomorrow.

16) The Mariners signed P Bryan Ward to a minor league contract.

Ward had a 5.09 ERA/-4 RSAA in 95 games from 1998-2000.

17) The Cubs signed P Kevin McGlinchy to a minor league contract.

McGlinchy had a 2.75 ERA/13 RSAA in 74 games with the 1999-2000 Braves.

18) The BlueJays signed P Jesus Sanchez to a minor league contract.

Sanchez has a 5.32 ERA/-63 RSAA in 162 career games, including a 7.53 ERA/-6 RSAA in 3 starts in 2004.

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