Around the Majors: Trade rumor

1) According to NY Newsday, the Mets are interested in Tigers P Ugueth Urbina, the Tigers are interested in Mets OF Mike Cameron, but it’s not likely that they would be traded for each other.

2) Position players report today for the BlueJays and Royals.

3) The Padres re-signed free agents 1B-OF Robert Fick and P Andy Ashby to minor league contracts, with invitations to spring training. The players will go to major league camp, but since they played for the Padres last season and weren’t offered salary arbitration, they are not eligible to be called up to the majors until May 1.

After 3 RCAA/.764 OPS and 0 RCAA/.753 OPS seasons, Fick hit .319 SLG, .277 OBA, .595 OPS, -13 RCAA in 89 games (first 76 with the Devil Rays). He has a .753 career OPS, compared to his league average of .768, and -6 RCAA in 575 games.

Ashby has a 4.12 ERA/-8 RSAA in 309 career games, including a 0.00 ERA/1 RSAA in 2 games in 2004.

4) Matt Diaz refused the Orioles waiver claim and became a free agent.

5) Ron Gant was involved in a fatal car accident, when another driver struck his car. The other driver, a 74 year old man, died at the scene. Gant wasn’t seriously injured and no charges are expected.

---

If you enjoy the ATM reports and want to support them, check out my other creation–the sabermetric baseball encyclopedia. Orders are now being taken for the next edition, which will include the 2004 stats and is currently shipping. It’s powerful, yet extremely easy to use. Features extensive sorting, stat display options, and features that are not available in online and printed sources. The deluxe package has been greatly expanded, making it a much better bargain. For more information, see http://www.baseball-encyclopedia.com

According to Peter Gammons, “There is no greater baseball tool than Lee Sinins’ Baseball Sabermetric Encyclopedia. Get thee to Baseball Immortals and order the disc, haste post haste.” The product Jayson Stark called “the best invention since the toaster oven!” has gotten even more powerful.