Rumors for January, 2010
Jim Edmonds Rumors: Playing for the Yankees?
Posted by: | CommentsRob Rains of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reports that within a couple days of Jim Edmonds‘ desire to play baseball again, three or four other clubs, including the New York Yankees contacted Edmonds’ agent.
“I want to play but obviously I love it here (St. Louis) and want to play here,” Edmonds said. “I didn’t think I would generate this much action just saying I wanted to play. We’ll see who is really serious in the next couple of days and see if the Cardinals get back to me.”
On Sunday night, former Cardinals outfielder Edmonds said he wanted to come and play for the team in 2010. At Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation event Edmonds went on stage and said , “I’m challenging him (La Russa) to let me come back and play for the Cardinals again for free.”
In response, La Russsa said, “Out of respect, we’ll have a serious discussion about it. But he hasn’t played in a year. There’s a lot of obstacles there. But we’ll talk about it.”
Edmonds has not played since September 2008 for the Chicago Cubs. However, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, the Cardinals are in need of a backup center fielder and a left-handed bat off the bench.
Edmunds, 39, has a .284 career batting average with 382 home runs in 16 Major League seasons. You can see Edmund’s contract history and statistics here.
Freddy Sanchez Rumors: May miss season opener
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Associated Press, San Francisco Giant’s second baseman Freddy Sanchez has undergone left-shoulder surgery, and it is unclear if he will be ready by Opening Day.
“He’s going to be a little delayed,” Giant’s Manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’ll be close if he can go Opening Day or not.”
Sanchez, 32, was bothered by injuries to his left shoulder and left knee last season after joining the Giants at the trading deadline and played in only 25 games with San Francisco.
Sanchez signed a $12 million, two-year contract extension Oct. 30. He had surgery in early October to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Sanchez was acquired by the Giants from the Pirates in July 2009. Although unlikely, one Giant’s fan on Twitter wonders if the Pirates had shipped damaged goods to the Giants.
The Giant’s have a young core of infielders such as Emmanuel Burriss, Eugenio Velez and Kevin Frandsen to cover for Sanchez. However, it is likely that Juan Uribe will get the Opening Day start if Sanchez cannot return in time. It is unlikely the Giants will pursue a free agent second baseman like Orlando Hudson, Ronnie Belliard, Felipe Lopez or Adam Kennedy since they have almost maxed out their budget for 2010.
Ben Sheets Rumors: Where is Sheets going?
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 19:40: New York Baseball Digest’s Joe Demayo confirmed that the New York Mets intend to go hard after Sheets.
Update 1/21 17:41: Buster Olney of ESPN Tweets: Heard this: There are a lot of questions among agents about whether the Rangers or LA would have the money needed to sign Ben Sheets (more)
Olney later Tweeted: 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.
Update 14:06: Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports said that Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Mariners, Blue Jays, A’s, Reds, Mets, Nationals, Rangers and Phillies had representatives in attendance
According to Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine, free agent pitcher Ben Sheets threw well in front of 10+ clubs in a public work out on Tuesday. He had a fastball with a solid 90-91 mph.
“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,” Buster writes.
The Mariners could be a destination for Sheets. One Mariner’s scout said, “I was impressed. Ben was free and easy, throwing the ball really well with not too much effort. He had good velocity. I was especially impressed with his curve ball. He’s got a plus Major League curve ball with a lot of depth to it.”
One team that is off the list are the Arizona Diamondbacks. GM Josh Byrnes said the team is likely done making off season moves according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. “We’re comfortable with where we are,” Byrnes said. “If it’s a low-cost shot at something, we might consider it.”
Mike Jacobs Rumors: Washington Nationals have interest in first baseman
Posted by: | CommentsBill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Washington Nationals are interested in former Kansas City Royals first baseman Mike Jacobs.
“The Nationals were one of the first clubs I talked about with my agent,” Jacobs said. “I feel I would be a good fit in that lineup, especially with what they already have there. It’s a pretty good lineup. It’s a place that I would love to go.”
It’s not clear how Jacobs would fit in with the Nationals since the first baseman depth chart includes Adam Dunn and Mike Morse. Jacobs was asked if he would take a backup roll, he said, “At this point, I’m not sure. Coming off a down year, you obviously [have] to prove yourself again.”
The left-handed hitting Jacobs, 29, hit .228 with 19 home runs and 61 RBIs while making $3.25 million with the Royals last year. In 2008 with the Florida Marlins, Jacobs hit 32 home runs and had 93 RBIs. You can see Jacob’s contract history and statistics here.
MLB Secrets: Nolasco, Chapman, Uggla, Tejada, Dotel, Snyder
Posted by: | CommentsA few links that you may find interesting:
- Joe Frisaro of MLB.com says the Florida Marlins will explore a multi-year deal for Ricky Nolasco after 2010 if he has a strong season this year.
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com Tweets: Just talked to an NL exec who thinks Aroldis Chapman should start season in high A or Double A. “He’s not even close to ready.”
- Marlins president David Samson said in a radio interview that Dan Uggla will be the team’s Opening Day second baseman.
- According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Orioles are very comfortable letting the field of free-agent corner guys come to them, at their price, so if Miguel Tejada wants to return to Baltimore he would have to give them a discount.
- The Octavio Dotel deal should be made official later this afternoon. If so, then the Pirates will make a move, possibly a minor trade, to accommodate Dotel on the roster.
- Although no talks have been made according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the New York Mets may be interested in Arizona’s catcher Chris Snyder. You may recall that Snyder was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays in November only to have the trade canceled due to Toronto’s concern over Snyder’s back.
- Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports that the Milwaukee Brewers signed Todd Coffey to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. Coffey signed for 2,025,002. Coffey originally wanted $2.45 million and the Brewers offered $1.7 million.
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN Tweets: I heard the Nats are looking for an affordable, “Livan Hernandez type” for rotation insurance. Hey, Livan Hernandez is still available.
- John Perrotto of BaseballProspectus.com Tweets: Former #Pirates RHP Denny Bautista signs a minor-league contract with the #Giants and is invited to major-league spring training.
- According to RotoWorld.com, the Kansas City Royals have signed OF Jamie Romak to a minor league contract.
