MLB teams
Doug Mittler, ESPN.com 9y

MLB rumors roundup for Sept. 15


A handful of teams switched managers during the season, and plenty more changes could be on the way once the curtain comes down on the regular season.

Let’s start in Detroit, where there was a report last week that the Tigers have decided to part ways with Brad Ausmus, although general manager Al Avila said he has not decided Ausmus’ fate. If the change is made, there are “whispers” that he could become the next manager of the San Diego Padres, reported Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe over the weekend.

That assumes, of course, that the Padres will not bring back interim skipper Pat Murphy. Borrowing a line from Avila, Padres GM A.J. Preller said he will not rush into any decision on his manager.

If the Tigers pull the plug, Avila will likely be looking for a replacement with more experience. Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press says the candidate who makes the most sense is Ron Gardenhire, who won six AL Central titles during his tenure with the Minnesota Twins.

The Phillies, Nationals, Reds, White Sox and Mariners, among others, are teams that could be making managerial changes over the next month. In the meantime, here are more rumors from around the majors:

  • Wilmer Flores: One of the feel-good stories of the season has been Flores, who was moved to tears during a July game when it was learned the Mets would trade him away for Carlos Gomez. The deal fell apart and Flores remained in Queens, but it is unclear what his role will be in a likely postseason berth for the Mets. New York is no longer desperate for offense and Ruben Tejada is a better defensive shortstop than Flores, notes John Harper of the New York Daily News.

  • Eugenio Suarez: Acquired last winter in the trade for Alfredo Simon, Suarez has filled in admirably at shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds since Zack Cozart suffered a season-ending knee injury in June. Manager Bryan Price tells Jon Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that Suarez (.284/.322/.458) has put himself into consideration for an everyday role in 2016, but the big question is where. Assuming Cozart remains at shortstop, a likely destination for Suarez would be left field. The 24-year-old Suarez can play second and third base, but Brandon Phillips and Todd Frazier are signed for 2016.

  • David Murphy: Rival evaluators tell ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney that the Angels should decline Murphy’s $7 million option for next season. The 33-year-old Murphy is hitting .285/.324/.421 in 115 games, but the feeling is the Halos could get a comparable player for less money.

  • Joe Panik: The Giants’ second baseman is expected to miss the rest of the season due to persistent back problems. "I would be surprised if he played, unless things worked out really, really well and we get to play through October,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters on Monday. With Panik sidelined, Kelby Tomlinson figures to get extra at-bats at second base over the next three weeks.

  • Christian Walker: The Baltimore Orioles could make some roster moves after Triple-A Norfolk was eliminated from the International League playoffs on Monday night. Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com says a prime candidate is Walker, a first baseman who hit 18 homers at Norfolk. Walker appeared in one game for the Orioles in early July.

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