Rumors for December, 2009
New York Yankees Rumors: Nady, Zambrano, Damon
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a few Yankees related rumors:
Bryan Hoch, MLB.com’s beat writer for the New York Yankees, said that Yankee’s General Manager Brian Cashmen did not seriously pursue free agent Xavier Nady due to financial constraints.
Jon Heyman of SI.com, Tweets that the Yankees and Cubs did speak about a trade for Carlos Zambrano. Nothing more than a discussion came out of that, but Heyman says that Zambrano is, “eminently available”.
Free agent Johnny Damon has been rumored to be going to Atlanta or re-signing with the Yankees. In the event he does come back to New York, Damon’s order in the lineup would be shifted towards the bottom. Damon has primarily been a top of the order batter, but with the addition of Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson, Damon will probably move towards the latter half.
Mark DeRosa Rumors: Close to two-year deal with Giants
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 14:20 PST: Jayson Stark, of ESPN.com, reports that Mark DeRosa has taken a physical for the Giants today. The physical is more than a formality due to DeRosa’s wrist surgery that he had in late October.
12/28 13:11 PST: Ken Rosenthal, of Fox Sports, reports that the San Francisco Giants are close to a two-year deal with free agent Mark DeRosa. Monetary figures of the deal are not available.
It was reported on December 24, that the Giants were close to signing Juan Uribe to a one-year deal. In the event that the Giants sign both DeRosa and Uribe, DeRosa will be used at third base and Uribe will fill in throughout the infield as a super utility player. Pablo Sandoval, who played third base in 2009, will be shifted to first base. If this is the proposed 2010 infield, the signings of free agents such as Carlos Delgado, Adrian Beltre, Adam LaRoche and Orlando Hudson probably will not happen in San Francisco.
The Giants also have a need for outfield help and have spoken with free agent Jermaine Dye. It is not clear what effects the DeRosa signing will have on the pursuit of Dye.
You can see Juan Uribe’s statistics and contract history here.
You can see Mark DeRosa’s statistics and contract history here.
You can see Jeramine Dye’s statistics and contract history here.
Boston Red Sox Rumors: Avoiding luxury tax, Jason Bay
Posted by: | CommentsNick Cafardo of The Boston Globe writes that if the Boston Red Sox want to sign Jason Bay and avoid paying the luxury-tax, they could back load his contract. Players such as Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek and Julio Lugo will have expired contracts after the 2010 season, so if Bay’s contract doesn’t escalate until after the 2010 season, the Red Sox will not have to waste money on the luxury tax.
Bay has been previously rumored to be pursued by the Red Sox, Mets, Braves, Yankees and Giants. To see more Jason Bay rumors, you can can go here. Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine, blogged that the Cardinals may go after Bay as a plan B if their attempts at signing Matt Holliday fail.
You can see Jason Bay’s statistics here.
You can see Matt Holliday’s statistics here.
Randy Johnson Rumors: Going back to Seattle?
Posted by: | CommentsNick Cafardo of The Boston Globe speculates that 303 game winner, Randy Johnson, is likely to stay on the West Coast for the 2010 season. Johnson, 46, will probably declare his intentions for next season in January.
The Boston Globe thinks that Johnson could return to San Francisco, where he grew up in nearby Livermore, or he may want to consider reuniting with Ken Griffey Jr. in Seattle.
Johnson injured his shoulder shortly after he won his 300th game in 2009. He returned to the Giants in September, but only in a limited relief role. The Big Unit made $8 million last season while going 8-6, with a 4.88 ERA in 22 games (17 starts). He’s a future Hall of Famer and can still draw people to the park, so expect him to sign at least a $2-3 million contract with incentives based on games played or innings pitched.
See Randy Johnson’s contract history and statistics here.
New York Mets Rumors: Easier to make a deal for Jason Bay
Posted by: | CommentsOmar Minaya, general manager for the New York Mets, told a crowd of Met’s fans and reporters at the ninth annual 21 Days of Clemente event, that the team is pursuing Matt Holliday and Jason Bay. He was quoted by New York Sports Day, “We are pursuing Matt Holliday. It seems to be easier to make a deal for Jason Bay.”
The Mets have long been pursuing Bay. It is believed the Mets have offered him a four-year contract worth $65 million a few weeks ago, however Bay has been insistent on getting a five-year deal.
The St. Louis Cardinals offered Holliday a contract for eight-years for around $16 million per season. Holliday and his agent, Scott Boras, have yet to act on the offer. The Mets were believed to be closely monitoring the negotiations between the Cardinals and Holliday, but Holliday may be out of the Met’s price range.
New York Sports Today also quoted Minaya regarding the Met’s starting rotation. He quickly answereed, “[Johan] Santana, [Mike] Pelfrey, [John] Maine, [Oliver] Perez , [Jonathon] Niese and possibly a free agent.”
You can see Matt Holliday’s statistics here.
You can see Jason Bay’s statistics here.
Joel Pineiro Rumors: Met's, Yankees, Rays, Mariners, Angels?
Posted by: | CommentsESPN.com reports on the market for starting pitchers. Several starters that currently are available include Joel Pineiro, Ben Sheets, Aaron Harang (via trade with the Reds), Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard.
Pineiro rumors have connected him with the Mets, Rays, Angels and Mariners. However, nothing has gone beyond that.
The Yankees had serious interest in Sheets, but probably will not pursue him or another starter with the recent addition of Javier Vazquez.
Washburn has shown interest with two teams near his native Wisconsin: the Brewers and Twins. It is believed that no formal talks have occurred between Washburn and either team.
The Mariners were believed to have been chasing Bedard, but the uncertainty of his health may be a liability for any team that would like to employ him for next season.
The Dodgers were recently connected with a trade for Harang. As of last week the opportunity was not dead, but not much movement has come out of the resuscitated deal. so it is possible that if Harang is available then the Mariners and Angels may pursue a trade opporunity.
Eddie Guardado Rumors: 1 year deal with Nationals
Posted by: | Comments12/26 15:39pm PST: SI.com reports that Guardado has agreed to terms on a minor league deal.
What I thought was going to be a Major League deal turned into a minor league contract. I’m wondering if the signing of Guardado is meant for insurance to Matt Capps. Additionally, if Guardado does well in Spring Training, they can sign him to the big league roster without having to commit that spot right now. For now, he’s a low risk signing that provides tremendous upside.
12/22 16:55pm PST: Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Washington Nationals are nearing a one-year deal with left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado.
Guardado’s signing won’t preclude the National’s from signing closer Matt Capps. It was rumored yesterday that the Nationals were making a strong push to sign Capps.
Guardado, 39, has pitched for the Twins, Mariners, Reds and Rangers. He was 1-2 with a 4.46 ERA in 48 games with the Rangers in 2009. You can see Guardado’s statistics here.
