Rumors for December, 2009
Minor League Rumors: Anderson, Rivera, Richar
Posted by: | CommentsThere are a few Minor League stories to report today.
- Ken Rosenthal Tweets: Royals looking at former White Sox CF Brian Anderson on minor-league deal.
- MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince writes that the Cleveland Indians signed 32-year-old Saul Rivera to a minor-league deal.
- Jon Morosi Tweets: #Marlins sign Danny Richar to minor league deal. With Uggla on block, time for Fish to find some infield depth.
Dodgers sign Mientkiewicz and Berroa
Posted by: | Comments12/21 14:37 PST: Ken Rosenthal Tweets: Doug Mientkiewicz back to Dodgers on minor-league deal. Likely bench role next season.
12/17 10:49am PST: The LA Times reports, “Recent Dodger infielders Doug Mientkiewicz and Angel Berroa have signed minor-league contracts with the team and will have invitations to big-league camp at spring training, joining Justin Miller, John Lindsey, Prentice Redman, Francisco Felix, Juan Perez, Josh Towers and Luis Ayala.”
The report goes on to say that both Mientkiewicz and Berroa have chances to make the team in a backup role. Mientkiewicz, 35, played in 17 games with the Dodgers last season going 6 for 18. He may be most remembered with catching the final out of the 2004 World Series and controversially kept the ball. You can see Mientkiewicz’s stats here.
Berroa, 32 on Opening Day 2010, played 30 games with the Mets in 2009 going 7 for 49. He’s played 9 seasons with the Royals, Dodgers and Mets. You can see Berroa’s stats here.
Blockbuster 4-way trade to dump salary failed at Winter Meetings
Posted by: | CommentsJayson Stark of ESPN.com reported a failed mass salary dump/trade that was being worked on during the Winter Meetings.
- In this mass salary dump, Milton Bradley was headed to Tampa Bay for Pat Burrell.
- Burrell would have landed temporarily in Chicago until the Cubs could send him elsewhere.
- The Mets would have sent Luis Castillo to the Cubs. The Mets would have signed free agent Orlando Hudson to take the place of Castillo at second base.
- Gary Matthews Jr. would have been sent to the Mets.
- It is unclear who would have gone to the Angels.
- The deal fell through when the participants could not agree on the financial terms.
- Stark questions if Tampa Bay still has interest in Bradley, would they be willing to work on a trade with Seattle now?
| Team | Acquires |
| Cubs | Pat Burrell (from Tampa Bay) Luis Castillo (from New York Mets) |
| Rays | Milton Bradley (from Chicago) |
| Mets | Gary Matthews Jr. (from Los Angeles Angels) Orlando Hudson (free agent) |
| Angels | Undetermined |
Jason Bay Rumors: Bay to the Angels? Rivera to the Mets?
Posted by: | CommentsESPN.com reports that Jason Bay’s reluctance to say yes to the Mets appears to be an indication he’s waiting for something to happen elsewhere that could open up a spot.
- One executive said Monday, “He almost seems like he’s in a holding pattern, as if he thinks he could have more options in a week or 10 days or three weeks than he has now. It looks like a situation where other teams are playing a waiting game, trying to move pieces that could make him a fit.”
- One team that was suggested where Bay would fit this description was the Los Angeles Angels.
- The executive said, “He certainly fits there, if they trade Juan Rivera or dump Gary Matthews Jr.“.
- Rivera was mentioned as a trade target for the Mets should they not get a big bat like Bay.
Pedro Martinez Rumors: Headed back to the Mets?
Posted by: | CommentsESPN.com Jayson Stark reports that the New York Mets have looked into bringing back Pedro Martinez.
- The club has spoken with Martinez’s agent, Fernando Cuza.
- The Mets are kicking around the idea internally.
- Martinez’s price tag may be more than what the team wants to guarantee.
- One club offcial (not of the Mets) told ESPN.com that Martinez “wants more than Brad Penny got” from the Cardinals. (one-year, $7.5 million plus incentives that can go up to $9 million if Penny pitches 205 innings or more).
- The Mets have spoken with a number of free-agent starters and are more focused on a group that include Joel Pineiro, Doug Davis and Jon Garland.
- You can see Pedro Martinez’s statistics here.
Detroit Tigers trade catcher Dusty Ryan to the Padres
Posted by: | CommentsEd Price of Fanhouse.com Tweets: #Tigers trade catcher Dusty Ryan to the #Padres for a player to be named or cash considerations.
| Team | Acquires |
| Padres | C Dusty Ryan |
| Tigers | Player to be named or Cash |
You can see Dusty Ryan’s contract history and statistics here.
Oakland A's Rumors: If Cust goes elsewhere, where do you find a bat?
Posted by: | CommentsFormer Athletic’s DH, Jack Cust, is currently pondering 2-3 offers. He’s expected to select his next employer sometime this week. Among the rumored clubs are the Royals, Tigers and Giants. If Cust eventually goes elsewhere, the A’s will need to look elsewhere for a power bat. You can read Jack Cust’s entire contract history and statistics here.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s have had initial discussions with free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. and Troy Glaus. However, the Chronicle reports that no significant developments have taken place. Former A’s shortstop Miguel Tejada may be an option, but he’s a long shot at best.
Representatives from the A’s were at the throwing session of Aroldis Chapman, and have expressed interest in him. No offer has been extended by the the A’s to Chapman.
What are your thoughts on the A’s? Would Adrian Beltre want to play in Oakland? Do you think the A’s can sign a big name bat to the team?
Chicago Cubs Rumors: Upgrading Mike Fontenot?
Posted by: | CommentsESPN.com reports that in addition to the Cub’s need for a center fielder, they may need to upgrade second baseman Mike Fontenot:
- Fontenot is arbitration eligible as a Super Two qualifier, but the 29-year-old posted a .301 on-base percentage, managed just 33 extra-base hits in 135 games.
- Infield options include Orlando Hudson, Felipe Lopez and Ronnie Belliard.
The Cub’s center field options remain the same with Marlon Byrd, Scott Podsednik and Rick Ankiel as their options:
- Marlon Byrd (true centerfielder) and Scott Podsednik (left handed batter, hits leadoff, less expensive) are the strongest candidates
- Rick Ankiel is a less likely option because of a bad 2009 season.
- Kosuke Fukudome may move back to right field to improve the Cub’s outfield defense.
ESPN also says the Cubs may look into pitcher. No suggestions were named.
