Rumors for December, 2009
Nationals looking at Randy Winn
Posted by: | CommentsESPN.com Jerry Crasnick reports that the Washington Nationals have interest in free agent outfielder Randy Winn.
Winn is appealing to the Nationals because he can play all three outfield position. Winn, 35, hit .262 and had a .318 OBP while with the Giants in 2009. He made $8.25 million last season and is looking for a starting position with his next team. You can see the rest of his Winn’s contract details and statistics here.
Johnny Damon Rumors: Interest in Braves?
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 20:40: Tyler Kepner, Yankees beat writer for the New York Times, Tweets: Damon came back to Yanks at 2 yrs/$20M late Thurs. But by then, Yanks and Johnson had essentially agreed to 1/$5.5M; there was no going back
Update 14:01: Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Nationals, Braves and Giants are among the teams that could be interested in Damon. He goes on to say that the Yankees offered Damon a 2-year, $14 million contract during negotiations, but they could not come to an agreement. The Yankees are now focused in on pitching.
13:58: David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution Tweets: J. Damon’s made it known for some time he had interest in Braves, but he might have to take about a 50-percent pay cut for it to happen.
This is a follow-up to the rumors that circulated yesterday about free agent outfield Johnny Damon. Damon was quoted as saying, “I am going to start looking around. Teams are getting better and there are teams interested”.
Red re-sign Laynce Nix
Posted by: | CommentsJohn Fayman, the Red’s beat writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer, Tweets: “#Reds re-sign Laynce Nix to a minor league deal.” The Red’s were rumored last week at the Winter Meetings to be working on re-signing Nix. Nix, 29, made $600,000 in 2009 while hitting 15 home runs, driving in 46 RBIs and hitting .239. You can see Nix’s complete contract details and statistics here.
Minor league Rumors: Shealy, Loe, Eyre, Rincon
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 20:10: 1 more minor league contract signed: Juan Rincon
- MLB.com reports that right-handed reliever Juan Rincon has signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies and he’ll have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in Spring Training. Rincon, 31 on Opening Day 2010, pitched with the Rockies in 2009 and went 4-2 with a 6.87 ERA in 33 relief appearances. You can see Rincon’s complete stats here.
Update 16:10: A couple of minor league contracts.
- The Pittsbugh Post-Gazette reports that Kameron Loe signed a minor league contract with the Brewers. If he makes the Brewer’s roster, he’ll make $600,000. He can make $200,000 more in performance bonuses. He gets an invite to Spring Training. Loe, 28, last pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2008. He spent 5 seasons there going a combined 19-23 with a 4.77 ERA in 107 games, 47 of which were starts. You can see Loe’s complete statistic history here.
- Jon Morosi of Fox Sports Tweets that the Phillies offered Scott Eyre a minor league deal: #Phillies offered Scott Eyre minor league deal. He’s hoping for more. #Yankees had mild interest after Coke trade but haven’t offered. You can see Eyre’s complete statistic history here
08:35am: Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that first baseman Ryan Shealy has agreed to a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He will join the club for Spring Training.
Shealy has played 4 seasons in the big leagues with the most recent being in 2008 with the Royals. In the 4 seasons, he has a .271 batting average 19 home runs and 94 RBI’s with Kansas City and Colorado. You can see Shealy’s complete stats here.
Langerhans rejoins Mariners
Posted by: | CommentsThe Seattle Mariners signed outfielder Ryan Langerhans to a one-year contract according to MLB.com. Langerhans was non-tendered last week by Seattle.
Langerhans, 30 on Opening Day 2010, was originally acquired by the Mariners from the Nationals in June 2008 in exchange for utility player Mike Morse. Langerhans batted .218 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI’s in 101 at bats and had a .311 on-base percentage in 2009. You can see Langerhans’s complete contract and statistic details here.
Joe Thurston signs split contract with Braves
Posted by: | CommentsStltoday.com reports that Utlity infielder Joe Thurston has signed a split contract with the Atlanta Braves. A split contract includes salary rates to be paid to the player while they are in the minors, and if they get promoted during the lifespan of the contract, they will earn a Major League salary rate. Thurston also gets an invite to Spring Training.
Thurston, 30, played with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009. In 124 games he hit .225 with a .316 on-base percentage. He was courted by the Phillies, Yankees, Rockies, Dodgers and Indians during this off season.
Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors: Harang, Carroll, Link, Ausmus, Ellis
Posted by: | CommentsDylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports on a few Dodger tidbits.
The rumored deal with the Reds for Aaron Harang isn’t happening anymore. “That’s all but dead,” General Manager Ned Colletti said today.
The Dodgers officially announced the signing of Jamey Carroll. Colletti may add another second baseman. But, Colletti said, “I would rather use any money we have on pitching, if we can.” Blake DeWitt will share time with Carroll at second base. Carroll will also play shortstop, third base and outfield.
Colletti goes on to say that Jon Link, one of the two pitchers the Dodgers acquired from the White Sox in the Juan Pierre, is the closest to being major-league ready.
As rumored in the Winter Meetings, the Dodgers are interested in re-signing Brad Ausmus, but they will be comfortable with A.J. Ellis in the backup catcher role.
Dodgers exploring a deal for pitcher Aaron Harang
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 12/18 15:38pm: Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times Tweets: Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti on talks with Cincinnati: “That’s all but dead.”
Update 17:39: Tim Brown of Yahoo Tweets: As for a possible Harang deal between Dodgers and Reds, said a source from one of the clubs: “Not happening.”
Update 12/17 15:35pm: ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that the talks between the Dodgers and Reds have gone beyond the, “tire-kicking stage”. Starks goes on to say, “One requirement that’s almost a certainty, given the Dodgers’ financial limitations, is that L.A. would want the Reds to pay a major chunk of the $12.5 million Harang is due in 2010. The 31-year-old righthander has a $12.75-million option for 2011, or a $2-million buyout.”
12/16: According to the Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, the Los Angeles Dodgers are exploring a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Aaron Harang.
The Reds are asking for one or two players on the Dodgers’ major league roster in return. The Dodgers would want the Reds to pay for a portion of the $15 million Harang would be guaranteed if he is traded.
Harang is owed $12.5 million in 2010 and has a $12.75-million club option for 2011 with a $2-million buyout. If Harang is traded, the option would become a mutual option worth $14 million and the price of the buyout would increase to $2.5 million. You can see Harang’s contract details and complete statistics here.
Harang, 31, has a 75-80 record and 4.24 ERA in 8 seasons with the Athletics and Reds.
What are your thoughts on this possible trade? Who are expendable on the Dodger’s 25-man roster to make this happen? Is Harang worth the $12.75 million plus whatever the Dodgers have to pay?
Scott Podsednik Rumors: To the Cubs? Royals? Giants? Tigers?
Posted by: | CommentsIt was reported earlier in Jayson Stark’s Tweet that the Cubs may quickly sign Scott Podsednik to fill their center field needs. ESPN.com continues by saying that the Tigers, the Royals, and the Giants are in the mix for Podsednik. It is believed that he’s seeking a two-year deal.
The Tigers need to fill the hole that was created when Curtis Granderson was traded to the New York Yankees.
The Royals are currently looking at Mitch Maier and Willie Bloomquist in center field. They also discussed bringing back Coco Crisp, but they are concerned about his shoulder surgies. It was reported earlier that Crisp may be headed to San Diego.
It was believed that the Giants made an offer last week to Podsednik, but nothing has been heard from since. Their interest in Podsednik may have been peaked after the Dodgers traded Juan Pierre to the White Sox. Podsednik last played in Chicago in 2009 and was displaced by Pierre after the trade.
Podsednik hit.304 with 7 home runs, 48 RBI and had 30 stolen bases in 132 games with the Chicago White Sox. You can see his complete stats and contract info here.
