Rumors for January, 2010
Reed Johnson Rumors: Close to signing with Dodgers
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 16:30: According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the deal with Johnson is close or may already be done.
1/31 16:28: According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers are close to an agreement with free-agent outfielder Reed Johnson on a one-year contract.
Johnson, 33, was limited last season to 65 games because of a fractured left foot. He hit .255 with 4 home runs and 22 RBIs with the Cubs in his shortened season. You can see Johnson’s contract history and statistics here.
Garret Anderson Rumors: Dodgers interested in Anderson to be 4th outfielder
Posted by: | CommentsDylan Hernandez of the LA Times writes that the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in signing Garret Anderson to be their fourth outfielder. The team has contacted Anderson’s agent, Scott Boras.
Anderson, 37, hit 13 home runs, drove in 61 RBIs and had a .268 batting average in his only season with the Atlanta Braves in 2009. He made $2.5 million in his one-year contract. You can see Anderson’s contract history and statistics here.
Melvin Mora Rumors: Agent talking with Rockies and another club
Posted by: | CommentsThe Denver Post reports that Melvin Mora and his agent are talking extensively with the Colorado Rockies and another club. The Mariners and Rangers have shown interest in the free agent infielder throughout the winter.
Manager Jim Tracy has said it’s important to have a versatile bench player following the signing of Jason Giambi, who is exclusively a first baseman and pinch hitter.
The Rockies had been interested in Orlando Cabrera, Felipe Lopez and Orlando Hudson this off-season. Cabrera signed with the Reds on Saturday, and it looks like Lopez and Hudson will sign with the Cardinals and Nationals respectively.
Mora, 38 on Opening Day, hit 8 home runs, drove in 48 RBI’s and hit .260 while with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009. He made $9 million on the last year of a three-year contract. You can see Mora’s contract history and statistics here.
Gabe Gross Rumors: Serious talks with Oakland Athletics
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Oakland Athletics and free agent outfielder Gabe Gross are in serious discussions on a one-year contract.
Rosenthal says that the Athletics will almost certainly use Gross as a reserve, giving them the option of adding free agent Johnny Damon at a later time. However, Oakland and Damon’s representatives have not had recent talks.
Gross, 30, had a .227 batting average with 6 home runs and 36 RBIs for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009. You can see Gross’ contract history and statistics here.
Giants agree to one-year deal with closer Brian Wilson
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Associated Press, the San Francisco Giants and closer Brian Wilson have avoided salary-arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal. Both sides agreed to the mid-point salary of $4.4375 million. Wilson was asking for $4.875 million and the Giants were offering $4 million.
Wilson, 28 in March, was 5-6 with a 2.74 ERA with 38 saves for the Giants in 2009. You can see Wilson’s contract history and statistics here.
Orlando Cabrera Rumors: Drawing interest from Cincinnati Reds
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 1/30 16:24: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer Tweets that the Reds are very confident that Cabrera will accept their offer.
Update 1/30 13:28: Tim Brown of Yahoo reports on Twitter: Orlando Cabrera, choosing between Rockies and Reds, leaning toward Reds. Likely done today.
Update 1/29 00:18: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com says that Cabrera is decided between offers from the Reds and Rockies. The Reds would use Cabrera at shortstop, his natural position. The Rockies would use him at second base.
Update 1/28 13:50: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated Tweets: #reds are seriously considering orlando cabrera, a nice fit for them.
Update 1/27 8:59: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated Tweets: #reds are looking for a bat. orlando cabrera makes sense, as they need a SS. but they could also consider damon for LF.
You can see rumors about Damon targeting the Reds and Tigers here.
1/26 12:43: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Cincinnati Red’s GM Walt Jocketty confirmed the team’s interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera, but nothing is close to happening.
“We’ve kicked it around a little bit,” Jocketty said. “We’re not sure it’s the right fit for us. And I don’t know if financially we’re in position to do it.”
The team has also looked into free agent Alfredo Amezaga, who was non-tendered by the Florida Marlins last month. “We’ve looked it a little bit,” Jocketty said. “But he’s been hurt a lot. We have not talked to his agent at this point.”
Cabrera, 35, played with the Oakland A’s and Minnesota Twins in 2009 where he hit .284 with 9 home runs and 77 RBIs. You can see Cabrera’s contract history and statistics here.
Amezaga, 32, hit .217 (15 for 69) in 27 games with the Marlins in 2009. He had a left knee injury that required micro-fracture surgery which kept him out most of the year. His one-year contract in 2009 paid him $1.3 million. You can see Amezaga’s contract history and statistics here.
