Rumors for December, 2009
Wang would interest St Louis' Dave Duncan
Posted by: | CommentsStltoday.com reports that St. Louis Cardinal’s pitching coach, Dave Duncan, would be interested in free agent pitcher Chien-Ming Wang. Duncan was quoted on whether or not he would be interested in Wang, and he responded, “Absolutely. He has been a real quality guy that can go out there and control the game. You’d have to look closely into his physical status, and whether or not you can trust him to stay healthy.”
The Cardinals have been focused on signing free agent outfielder Matt Holliday, but they also have needs for a fifth starter. Currently they have a rotation of Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Kyle Lohse, newly signed Brad Penny and an undetermined fifth pitcher.
Wang is overcoming several injuries over the last couple of season with the most recent being a right shoulder problem. He may be worth the risk as a number five starter if he comes cheap. He has a 55-26 record with a 4.16 ERA over 5 seasons with the Yankees. You can see his stats here.
Should the Card sign a free agent fifth starter? Is Wang too much of a risk? Should they promote somebody from within to take the fifth spot?
Who wants Milton?
Posted by: | CommentsKen Rosenthal and John Paul Morosi of Fox Sports reports that three teams are interested in troubled outfielder Milton Bradley: the Rays, Rangers and Mariners.
It was rumored last week that the Rays wanted to trade Pat Burrell and his large contract to the Cubs for troubled outfielder Milton Bradley. One source even was quoted as saying this trade was ”three-quarters” done. Bradley, 32 on Opening Day 2010, is owed $9 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011. The Cubs are willing to pick up a portion of his salary in a trade.
The Rangers would be a good fit for Bradley, but it’s a “longshot” according to Rosenthal and Morosi. He did not leave the team with the best of terms after the 2007 season.
The Mariners would be an even bigger longshot. They may not want to add a controversial player to a team that just acquired Chone Figgins and Cliff Lee.
Last week, the other teams rumored to be involved include the Kansas City Royals and Jose Guillen’s one year $12 million contract, the Detroit Tigers and Dontrelle Willis’ $12 million left on his contract and the Toronto Blue Jay’s and Vernon Wells‘ contract.
Red Sox not interested in Adrian Beltre anymore
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 19:56: Buster Olney of ESPN Tweets: Oak. has interest in Adrian Beltre — but only at its price, and not at five years and $10 million a year. A’s payroll in ‘09: $62 mill.
Update 17:36: Tim Brown of Yahoo Tweets: Beltre possibilities as of Thursday eve: SF, Bos, Min, Sea and Oak. Yes, Oakland.
Update 13:13: Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the San Francisco Giants haven’t given up on Beltre. The Giants are remaining in contact with Scott Boras regarding free agent Adrian Beltre, one major-league source said Thursday, but the sides aren’t close to a deal. The person indicated that the Giants and Boras remain some distance apart on the years and dollars it would take to sign Beltre. Beltre is looking for a four-year deal worth at least $40 million.
Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reports that the Boston Red Sox are not interested in free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre anymore. Edes goes on to say, “They are not interested in signing Beltre for the terms sought by agent Scott Boras, one club source said, and they’re not willing to wait around until late December or early January to see whether Beltre’s price drops.” It is believed that Beltre and his agent, Scott Boras, are asking for $13-15 million per season.
The Red Sox plan to use Kevin Youkalis at third base and Casey Kotchman at first base unless the rumored trade with the Padres’ Adrian Gonzalez goes through. The Red Sox also spoke with free agent first baseman Nick Johnson earlier this winter.
There are many rumors circulating on the Red Sox’ infield. Now that the Mike Lowell trade is in limbo, what do you think the Red Sox will do to fix their infield situation. Is Casey Kotchman at first base the answer? Will the Adrian Gonzalez trade go through? Do you think Beltre is headed back to Seattle?
Matt Capps to make short list of employers by this weekend
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 19:49: MLB.com reports that the Nationals are a finalist for Matt Capps. If the Nationals sign Capps, he would serve as a late-inning reliever and most likely compete with Brian Bruney for save opportunities. Capps said that he’s interested in playing for the Nationals and impressed by how they have improved their roster by signing catcher Ivan Rodriguez. The Nationals are in need of bullpen help. This past season, Washington relievers posted a 5.09 ERA, which ranked 30th in the Major Leagues.
Bruney was acquired by the Nationals from the Yankees last week.
12/17 15:14: Free agent pitcher, Matt Capps, is expected to create a short list of employers by this weekend according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Capps’ agent Paul Kinzer, “I always felt like there would be some demand, but nothing like we’ve had.”
Rosenthal says the only teams in need of a closer are the Nationals, Tigers and Capps’ former team, the Pirates. He may accept a setup role if it is a contending team. Kinzer did not identify the teams interested, but according to Rosenthal, “the Nats definitely are in the mix, and the Cubs, Mets and Yankees all have been mentioned in reports.” It was reported earlier this week that the Cubs have interest in Capps as a setup man.
Capps, 26, the Pirate’s closer for the last 3 seasons had 27 saves last season with 5.80 ERA while making $2.3 million. He’s arbitration-eligible and he should expect a significant raise. You can see Matt Capps complete contract history and statistics here.
Johnny Damon Secrets: Interest in Mariners?
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 16:33pm PST: Ken Davidoff of Newsday Tweets: Yes, I think this is the end for J. Damon and #Yankees. Cashman seems serious re: budget, youth, payroll management/roster flexibility.
Update 12:04pm PST: Ed Price of Fanhouse.com Tweets: #Yankees players lobbying internally for team to re-sign Johnny Damon. But he wants $11M/yr, and Yankees not interested at that price.
Update 11:18am PST: Ken Davidoff of Newsday Tweets: Hal Steinbrenner: “We all love Johnny Damon. …But I think right now there’s a difference of opinion as to what the pay is, quite frankly.”
Yesterday, Johnny Damon was quoted as saying, “I am going to start looking around. Teams are getting better and there are teams interested”. The New York Post suggests that one possible destination is the New York Mets. Today, New York Post’s Joel Sherman Tweets: “Heard #Mariners have interest in Damon as LF/DH option”. ESPN.com reports that Damon does not want to take a pay cut and is requesting $13 million per season. Boras says that Damon deserves a three to four year pact. You can see Johnny Damon’s complete stats here.
Tom Hicks of Texas Rangers selects Greenberg group to enter negotiating window
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 12/17 13:57: Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that former sports agent and Chicago White Sox executive, Dennis Gilbert, has a chance to purchase the Texas Rangers. If his opportunity to purchase the Rangers falls through, he may get an opportunity to purchase the Houston Astros or his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers. Right now Gilbert isn’t ready to entertain the possibilities, “even ready to entertain such possibilities, “it’s too soon,” he said Thursday. “Right now, I’m not over this yet. I’m just not over it.”
The BizofBaseball.com has received breaking news regarding the sales of the Texas Rangers. Here is what was reported:
“Tom Hicks has selected Chuck Greenberg’s bid over Jim Crane and Dennis Gilbert for the rights to enter an exclusive negotiating window to complete the purchase of the Texas Rangers. The selection of Greenberg does not mean that he will own the club, but does pave the way to reach a sales agreement with Hicks. If that sales agreement is met, it would then have to meet the muster of MLB’s Executive and Ownership Committees before needing approval from 75 percent of the league’s 30 owners to finalize the deal.
With Greenberg having Rangers president Nolan Ryan as a key member of his ownership group, with a solid core of local investors, approval for ownership transfer should be smooth sailing.”
Please visit The BizofBaseball.com for additional analysis and news updates.
Baltimore in the chase for Matt Holliday
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 13:50pm PST: Ed Price of FanHouse.com Tweets: I hear #Cardinals not inclined to offer Holliday above 5-6 yrs x $15M. Team seems to think just as good using $ to fill number of positions.
Update 11:07am PST: Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports speaks about Holliday’s close friendship with Garrett Atkins (once teammates together in Colorado), and Orioles’ second baseman Brian Roberts. Both Roberts and Holliday are involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Update 12/17: 10:35am PST: Buster Olney of ESPN Tweets: “Sources: The Orioles had brief contract talks with Matt Holliday 10 days ago, but they haven’t been active for awhile and are dormant now.”
Update 12/17 10:29am PST: Tim Brown of Yahoo Tweets: “Hearing Holliday has another legit offer beyond Cards and O’s, from an East Coast team. Boras response: “Matt has multiple offers.”
The Orioles are actively pursuing free agent outfielder Matt Holliday according to Fox Sports, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi. However, the Oriole’s history of losing seasons may persuade Holliday to look elsewhere unless the Orioles can significantly beat the Cardinal’s offer. Last week the Cardinals offered Holliday a contract for “around $16 million per season” for 8-years.
Rosenthal and Morosi go on to say that Holliday signing with the Orioles makes sense for several reasons:
- The Orioles are a team on the rise.
- The Orioles have the money
- There’s a relationship between Holliday and the newly signed Garrett Atkins from their days in Colorado
- Orioles owner Peter Angelos is open-minded in spending in free agency and work with Scott Boras.
- The increased depth of outfielders could help the Orioles trade for pitching. The Orioles have one of the best young outfields of Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.
Despite all of these reasons, Rosenthal and Morosi believe that Holliday will return to the Cardinals.
