Rumors for January, 2010
Jarrod Washburn Rumors: Could the Mets and Dodgers be after him?
Posted by: | CommentsNow that Joel Pineiro is off the market, the two teams that were aggressively chasing him are now looking to see what’s left. The Mets and Dodgers were actively pursing Pineiro, but eventually lost to the Los Angeles Angels when Pineiro agreed to a two-year $16 million contract. The Mets and Dodgers are still looking for that elusive starting pitcher, and they may turn their attention to Jarrod Washburn.
Washburn has been pursued by the Brewers and Twins this off-season. Most recently, Washburn turned down a one-year, $5 million offer from the Twins. Last month, Washburn was quoted saying, “The thought of playing close to home has always appealed to me.” He is a native from Wisconsin, so he would be interested in playing with the Brewers. There’s also been word that Washburn has been talking with the Seattle Mariners about a possible return, but no offer has been given to him.
Another option for the Mets and Dodgers is Vicente Padilla. Padilla, 33, was 12-6 with a 4.43 ERA with the Dodgers and Rangers in 2009. Of that, he was 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA in 7 games started with the Dodgers, so the Los Angeles team is familiar with the former All Star. You can see Padilla’s contract history and statistics here.
Washburn, 35, has a career 107-109 record with a 4.10 ERA and 1.301 WHIP. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers last season where he made $10.35 million in the last year of a four year contract.
You can see Jarrod Washburn’s contract history and statistics here.
Kiko Calero Rumors: Negotiating with Chicago Cubs
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports reports that the Chicago Cubs are in negotiations with free agent reliever Kiko Calero.
Calero is asking for a two-year deal, but the Cubs are insistent on a one-year deal.
The Giants have been rumored to have gone after the pitcher this off season, but an offer was not given to him. The Cubs would like to add another late-inning reliever. The Giants need a right-handed setup man to replace Bobby Howry, who signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Calero pitched for the Marlins in 2009 going 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA over 67 games.
You can see Kiko Calero’s statistics here.
Seattle Mariners sign Brandon League to one-year $1.0875 million contract
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to several sources, the Seattle Mariners have signed right-handed pitcher Brandon League to a one-year deal worth $1.0875 million.
League, 26, was acquired by the Mariners in the trade that sent RHP Brandon Morrow and Johermyn Chavez to the Toronto Blue Jays.
League was 3-6 with a 4.58 ERA in 74 2/3 innings with the Blue Jays in 2009. You can see Brandon League’s contract history and statistics here.
Tampa Bay Rays Rumors: Signed 16 year old Stepan Havlicek
Posted by: | CommentsAlden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports that the Tampa Bay Rays have signed 16-year-old left-hander Stepan Havlicek to a Minor League contract. Havlicek is a member of the Czech junior national team.
Havliceck, who is 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, had 13 strikeouts in 11 1/3 scoreless innings at the European Juniors Championships in August.
Rays scout John Gilmore said that Havliceck, “has a loose, quick arm with good follow through. For a young player, he has great control and goes right after hitters.”
Eric Gagne Rumors: Tryout with the Phillies today
Posted by: | CommentsIn a radio interview with CKAC Sports, former All Star Eric Gagne said that he has a tryout with the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon in Arizona. “I’m very excited to have this chance,” Gagne said in the interview.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. was asked about Gagne. He responded, “we’re just going to take a look, just to see what he’s doing, but we don’t have any expectations, at all. Just chalk it up to not leaving any stone unturned. There are a lot of (pitchers) out there who are not signed. And we’re just keeping our eyes open.”
The Phillies are looking for bullpen help now that closer Brad Lidge may miss the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
Gagne’s contract was voided last season by the Milwaukee Brewers for failing his physical. As a starter in the independent Canadian-American League last summer, Gagne had a 6-6 record with a 4.65 ERA in 17 starts.
You can see Gagne’s Major League contracts and statistics here.
Adam Kennedy Rumors: Cubs, Mets, Mariners, Dodgers, Nationals?
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports writes that three teams are in talks with free agent Adam Kennedy. Two clubs plan on giving Kennedy the starting second baseman job. The other team interested will use Kennedy as a super-utility player. The three teams were not mentioned.
Morosi writes that the Cubs and Nationals are known to be looking for a second baseman. ESPN Insider adds the Mets, Mariners and Dodgers as potential homes for Kennedy.
Kennedy has previously drawn attention from the Mets and Diamondbacks this Winter.
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.
Johnny Damon Rumors: Could Damon retire?
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 13:53: David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tweets: Should say I’m told by someone who knows Damon well that he’s not considered retiring. JD didn’t tell me himself. Want to be clear on that.
A friend of free agent outfielder Johnny Damon told the Record that Damon is considering retirement. The friend said, “Johnny is completely in the family mode right now.”
Now that the San Francisco Giants used their remaining free agent dollars on free agent catcher Bengie Molina, Damon has one less place to go. He’s been counting on the Giants, Braves or Yankees as possible destination.
Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, has insisted on a multiyear deal for his client, and his insistence may be backfired on him. Boras had been requesting at least a two-year, $20 million deal.
You can see Damon’s contract history and statistics here.
