Rumors for January, 2010
Jason Giambi Rumors: Close to re-signing with Rockies
Posted by: | CommentsAndrew Marchand of 1050 ESPN writes that free agent Jason Giambi is close to signing a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies.
In Colorado, Giambi will be struggling for playing time since he’ll be third on the depth chart behind Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe.
Giambi hit 2 home runs and drove in 11 RBI’s over 24 at bats with the Rockies lasts season. You can see Giambi’s contract history and statistics here.
Ben Sheets Rumors: Cubs interested if he falls within their price range
Posted by: | CommentsBruce Miles of the Daily Herald writes that that Cubs’ observations of Ben Sheets was that he threw “free and easy.”
Miles says that some observers have termed the Cubs as the favorites to land Sheets, but both parties are not close to an agreement since Sheets may fall out of the Cubs’ price range. The free agent pitcher is asking anywhere between $6-12 million for one year. The Cubs are in a position where they can only offer an incentive-laden deal with a low base salary.
Sheets, 31, did not pitch in 2009 due to a torn flexor tendon. He was 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 1/3 innings for the Brewers in 2008.
You can see Ben Sheets’ statistics here.
Fernando Tatis Rumors: Going to Mets, Rockies or Mariners?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets are currently monitoring the progress of free agent Carlos Delgado in the Dominican league. If the Mets feel that Delagado cannot play first base full time, then they will try to sign Fernando Tatis and then platoon him with Daniel Murphy who started 97 games at first base for the Mets in 2009.
Tatis has not been contacted by the Mets according to his agent, Gary Goodman. Other teams that have expressed interest in Tatis are the Rockies and Mariners.
Delgado played in 26 games for the Mets in 2009 before going down to a hip injury that required surgery. You can see Delgado’s statistics here.
MLB Secrets: Big news for the A's, Guzman, Arredondo, Hall, Kazmir, Vazquez
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a few links for you. Have a good weekend (but we’ll be here tomorrow)!
- Mychael Urban of CSN Bay Area Tweets that the A’s will be getting some really good news next week. Does this mean Ben Sheets?
- Andrew Baggerly of the San Jose Mercury Tweets that the Giants designated INF Jesus Guzman for assignment.
- Matthew H. Leach of MLB.com Tweets that the Reds signed Jose Arredondo to a Minor League deal as a non-roster invitee. However, he will have Tommy John surgery before Spring Training.
- T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Texas Rangers have signed catcher Toby Hall to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
- Buster Olney of ESPN reports that Scott Kazmir has been training hard this off season. If Kazmir remains healthy and improves his control he has the potential to be the Angel’s number one pitcher and lead the team to an AL West title.
- Javier Vazquez of the New York Yankees recently told a Puerto Rican newspaper La Perla del Sur (via Mark J. Miller of Yahoo Sports), “I don’t have much playing time left… I go year by year, and I don’t know if it will be one, two or three years, but I’m definitely not going to play until 40.” Vasquez, 33, has one year left on his contract. He’s expected to make a base salary of $11.5 million this season.
- Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that Kevin Cash, a journeyman catcher signed a Minor League contract with the Houston Astros with an invitation to Spring Training.
- Adam McCalvy reports on the Brewers and Prince Fielder. Fielder is up for free agency after 2011 season, so the Brewers need to figure how to best approach him and his agent Scott Boras regarding an extension. If they know they can’t re-sign him, they they are better off trading him now and getting the most in return. Otherwise, they will need to start negotiating with him. A few factors that Fielder needs to consider is that he’ll be going up against Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez and Ryan Howard in free agency, additionally, the traditional big money spenders, the Yankees are committed to Mark Teixeira.
Orlando Cabrera Rumors: Washington Nationals have interest in the shortstop
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 1/22 22:58: Bill Ladson of MLB.com puts out an article on the Nationals interest with Orlando Cabrera. In addition to the information below, Ladson adds that Hudson would not talk about negotiations with any club, but the Nationals were still in the mix.
It is believed that Hudson is asking for $9 million for 2010, which is too much for the Nationals. They may be more inclined to pay what the Giants paid for Juan Uribe, one-year $3.25 million.
1/22 17:32: Bill Ladson of MLB.com Tweets that the Washington Nationals have interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera. They plan to use him at second base if they cannot sign Orlando Hudson. The Nationals will probably keep Cristian Guzman at shortstop in the event they sign Cabrera.
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.
It was reported earlier this month by Ladson that the Nationals have shown interest in free agent second baseman Adam Kennedy.
Kennedy, 34, played with the Oakland A’s in 2009 where he hit .289 with 11 home runs and 63 RBIs in 129 games. You can see Adam Kennedy’s contract history and statistics here.
Oakland A's Rumors: Could Ben Sheets be going to Oakland?
Posted by: | CommentsIs it possible that Ben Sheets is going to Oakland? Mychael Urban of CSN Bay Area Tweets: sorry #athletics fans, had to miss the desme call. had a bigger fish to fry for you. you might be getting some really good news next week.
He later Tweets: #athletics fans: I know it’s a mean tease, but I’ll give u this: it’s probly what u’re thinking. No guarantees, but it looks good. I’m out!
This could be anything from a new A’s stadium to what many believe on Twitter: free agent Ben Sheets.
Earlier this week, Buster Olney of ESPN Tweets: The Mets and OAK might be in the best position to be aggressive, based on the agents’ perception of who has money this late in the winter.
Olney later said, “If he wanted to pitch in a good pitcher’s park, Sheets could make something happen with the Mets. If he wants to pitch against hitters he knows, he could work out a deal with the Cubs. If he wants to work with a good defense, and in a good pitcher’s park, he could go to Oakland. If he wants to reunite with former Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux, there is always the Rangers.”
We’ll find out as soon as somebody can confirm Sheets’ interest with the Athletics.
Oakland A's Rumors: Lose propect Grant Desme to priesthood
Posted by: | CommentsESPN Insider’s Keith Law confirms that the Oakland Atheletics 23 year old minor leaguer Grant Desme has decided to retire from baseball to pursue a career in the priesthood.
Desme hit 31 home runs last season in the Minor Leagues. In the Arizona Fall League he was named MVP and hit .315/.413/.667 with 11 home runs.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Desme said, “I’m doing well in baseball, but I had to get down to the bottom of things, to what was good in my life, what I wanted to do with my life. Baseball is a good thing, but that felt selfish of me when I felt that God was calling me more. It took awhile to trust that and open up to it and aim full steam toward him. I love the game, but I’m going to aspire to higher things.”
Desme did not want to play minor-league baseball and attend the seminary at the same time. With his advanced age and experience in college, he could have been with the big league club as a September call-up.
Seattle Mariners Rumors: Nady, Gomes, Byrnes, Sheets, Lopez, Hudson
Posted by: | CommentsLarry Stone of The Seattle Times reports that the Seattle Mariners could use another starter to compliment their big two of Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee. Additionally, they could use another right-handed bat to fit into the left-field/designated hitter dynamic.
Stone suggests the Mariners could sign Ben Sheets or bring back Jarrod Washburn. He also says Xavier Nady, Jonny Gomes or Eric Byrnes are potential free agent bats the Mariners could pursue especially since they lost a big bat in Russell Branyan.
It’s unknown how much is left on the Mariner’s 2010 budget, but according to M’s general manager, Jack Zduriencik, the team is willing to continue making moves this off-season, “we’re wide open. We’re open for business, and we’ll see where it takes us.”
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Mariners are working on a possible trade involving Jose Lopez. If they trade Lopez, that will open the door for free agent Orlando Hudson.
Hudson, 33, hit 9 home runs, drove in 62 RBIs and had a .283 batting average with Los Angeles last season while making the All Star team and taking home a gold glove.
You can see Hudson’s contract history and statistics here.
Chien-Ming Wang Rumors: Drawing interest from Mets
Posted by: | CommentsAnthony McCarron of the New York Daily News reports that free agent pitcher Chien-Ming Wang’s agents, Alan Nero and Alan Chang, have indicated that fifteen teams are interested in their client. One of the teams interested are the New York Mets.
Wang is coming back from shoulder surgery and could be pitching in the majors by May 1. Wang’s agent says that his client “has has worked very, very hard and is in the best shape of his life. He’s been under the very watchful eye of Dr. (James) Andrews,” Nero added, referring to the noted orthopedist. “Once a month, he spends a week with Andrews. He’s been throwing for almost seven weeks and the response has been awesome.”
It’s possible that the Yankees could get involved with Wang at the last moment, but they passed during their first chance at him by not giving him a contract last month.
Due to his historical injuries, Wang 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 Wang’s statistics here.
Jonny Gomes Rumors: The Cubs are interested
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Breaking Sports News, the Chicago Cubs are talking to free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes.
Gomes, 29, was non-tendered by the Cincinnati Reds last month after he hit .267 with 20 home runs and drove in 51 RBIs in his only season with the team. You can see Gomes’ contract history and statistics here.
The Cubs are in need of a fourth outfielder to compliment Kosuke Fukudome, Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd. They have been talking with free agent Jermaine Dye, but they cannot promise him much playing time as he’s accustomed to and free agent Xavier Nady.
