Rumors for January, 2010
Jermaine Dye Rumors: Cubs interested but can't promise much playing time
Posted by: | CommentsPaul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago Cubs are interested in free agent outfielder Jermaine Dye, but they can’t promise him as much playing time as he’s accustomed to getting.
Sullivan says that if Dye were to sign with the Cubbies, he would platoon with Kosuke Fukudome in right field, backup Alfonso Soriano in left and Derrek Lee at first.
Dye, 35, had a great 2009 campaign for the White Sox. He hit 27 home runs drove in 81 RBIs. The White Sox declined the $12 million team option on Dye in November and paid him a $950,000 buyout. He has drawn interest from the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals this Winter.
You can see Jeramine Dye’s statistics and contract history here.
Jerry Hairston Jr. Rumors: Contacted by Mets
Posted by: | CommentsKen Rosenthal of Fox Sports Tweets that the New York Mets have contacted free agent Jerry Hairston Jr. Hairston could be used as a fill-in for Carlos Beltran in center field or Jose Reyes at shortstop. Beltran had surgery this week and could miss the start of the season.
The New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics and two other teams have pursued Hairston this off-season. Rosenthal reported last week that Hariston had offers in hand, even some that were multi-year deals.
Hairston, 33, hit 10 home runs, drove in 39 RBI’s and had a .251 batting average with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees in 2009. He had a salary of $2 million. You can see Hairston’s contract history and statistics here.
Boston Red Sox Rumors: Okajima, Dice-K & Arbitration-eligible players
Posted by: | CommentsHere are few pieces of information for the Boston Red Sox:
- Ian Browne of MLB.com reports that the Boston Red Sox signed left-handed pitcher Hideki Okajima to a one-year contract. The non-guaranteed deal is worth $2.75 million, with bonus clauses of $50,000 at 55 games, 60 games, 65 games and 70 games.
- The Red Sox have a few more arbitration-eligible players: Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez and Jeremy Hermida.
- Daisuke Matsuzake revealed to a Japanese Magazine that he hurt his right inner thigh before the World Baseball Classic last year, even though he told the Red Sox that he was fine. He took anti-inflammatory medicine in order to tolerate the pain, but the pain was so severe that it was hard for him to jog. This lead to a strained relationship between the pitcher and the club. Dice-K is currently “training zealously” in Arizona and has impressed all observers.
Doug Davis Rumors: "would love to play for the Brewers"
Posted by: | CommentsYesterday Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports reported that the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers were interested in free-agent left-handed pitcher Doug Davis.
Today, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel confirms that Davis’ agent, Steve Canter, has been “in touch” with Brewer’s GM Doug Melvin.
“Doug would love to play for the Brewers,” said Canter. “The organization was great to him when he was there, and they’ve got a great mix over there. Doug Melvin is building a contender over there.”
One stat that caught Melvin’s eye: Davis is 9-6 with a 3.20 ERA in 16 career starts against the Cubs, with a 1.159 WHIP and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
Davis, 34, played for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009 where he went 9-14 with a 4.14 ERA while making $8.75 million in the third year of his three year contract.
You can see Davis’ contract history and statistics here.
Brad Lidge Rumors: What's next for the Phillies?
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s unknown if the Philadelphia Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge may be ready by Opening Day. Lidge had surgery on his right knee on Wednesday, and the team needs to prepare as if he’s not going to be there at the beginning of the season.
Ryan Madson (10 saves with the Phillies in 2009) will probably assume the closer role with Danys Baez doing the setup. However, the team may want to have a more experienced closer. If the Phillies go down this route, the free agent market currently has Octavio Dotel, Derrick Turnbow and Kevin Gregg available.
Dotel has drawn interest from the Pittsburgh Pirates this winter. You can see Dotel’s complete statistics here.
Turnbow is expected to audition this week for teams. It is unknown if the Phillies plan to watch him. You can see Turnbow’s complete statistics here.
Greg has also drawn interest from the Pirates this off season. You can see Kevin Gregg’s statistics here.
Lidge, 33, was 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA and 31 saves for the National League Champion Phillies in 2009. He’s expected to make $11.5 million in the second year of his three year contract. You can see Lidge’s contract history and statistics here.
