Rumors for January, 2010
Ramon Castro signs one-year deal with White Sox
Posted by: | CommentsKen Rosenthal of Fox Sprots reports that free agent catcher Ramon Castro has signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. The deal includes a $1 million club option for 2011.
Castor, 34 by Opening Day, played with the White Sox and New York Mets in 2009. He was traded from the Met’s to the Chicago White Sox in May of 2009. Castro hit .219 with 7 home runs and 25 RBI’s in 57 games last season.
It was rumored that the San Diego Padres had Castro on their radar this Winter.
You can see Ramon Castro’s contract and statistics history here.
San Diego Padres Rumors: Gonzalez status, Young's health & 3 offers out to free agents
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Gaslamp Ball, they summarized a interview of San Diego Padres’ general manager Jed Hoyer. Here are a few pieces that caught my attention:
- Padres have offers to three free agents. The free agents were not named.
- The farm system is talented, but it’s not ready to contribute right now.
- “Right now we don’t have any active conversations with him [Adrian Gonzalez] going on, so I think it’s very likely that he’ll start the season with us.”
- Hoyer values players exactly how Theo Epstein does, which makes a trade with the Red Sox difficult.
- Chris Young is on schedule. Bud Black says ball is coming out of Young’s hand really well. Hoyer is optimistic that Young will be ready for Spring Training and Opening Day. (Young had season ending arthroscopic surgery to repair a tear in his labrum).
Orlando Hudson Rumors: O-dog may be too expensive for Nationals
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 1/12 10:44am: According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Washington Nationals are willing to offer free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson a two-year deal at the right price.
1/11 06:25am: Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Washington Nationals have interest in Orlando Hudson, but the team is being deterred by his high salary demands.
The New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners have shown interest in O-dog this off season. Hudson is without a contract because he is expecting more than the $3.38 million he was paid by the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, and the market has not allowed for him to get that salary.
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.
Chris Snyder Rumors: Still trade bait
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, the Arizona Diamondbacks do not have an immediate need to trade 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. The reason for the D-backs trade of Snyder in November was to re-allocate his salary to other spots on the roster, but now there isn’t a need to free up the cash.
It is possible the team may trade him. Teams that need a veteran catcher include the New York Mets, the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants.
Snyder, 28, was limited to 61 games due to injury in 2009. He had a batting average of .200 with 6 home runs while making $3 million.
You can see Snyder’s contract history and batting average here.
Rick Ankiel Rumors: Yankees had internal discussions
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Mike Silva of New York Baseball Digest, the New York Yankees had internal discussion regarding Rick Ankiel. However, the Yankees do not feel that Ankiel is the same player since he collided with the the outfield wall last May.
Ankiels numbers went down between 2009 and 2008. In 2009 Ankiel he hit 11 home runs, drove in 38 RBIs and hit .231. In 2008, Ankiel hit 25 home runs, drove in 71 RBIs and hit .264. Ankie played in 120 games in 2008 and 122 games in 2009.
The free agent outfielder has been linked with the Royals and Pirates. Ankiel and his agent Scott Boras have been looking for teams where Ankiel can be an everyday player.
You can see Ankiel’s contract history and statistics here.
New York Yankees Rumors: Remote chance to sign Johnny Damon
Posted by: | CommentsJoel Sherman of the The New York Post says that the chances of the New York Yankees re-signing Johnny Damon remain remote.
Damon has been searching for a new employer all off season, but his salary demands have priced himself out of most situations. His agent, Scott Boras, has reportedly asked for at least two-years for $20 million. Sherman says the Yankees are telling agents that they only have $2 million to spend on a left fielder. However, if the Yankees really wanted to get Damon they could always create extra money in the budget such as last year’s situation when they signed Andy Pettitte and his $5.5 million base salary plus incentives to the payroll.
The Yankees were motivated last year after failing to qualify for the post season. After winning the 2009 World Series, the club is not as compelled to break the bank and splurge on a player like Damon.
Unless the Yankees have a change in their budget they will go after supplementary players for left field rather than Damon. Sherman suggests players like Xavier Nady, Reed Johnson, Rocco Baldelli, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Marcus Thames would be candidates to take Damon’s place on the team.
The Atlanta Braves have been linked to Damon, but have not made an offer.
You can see Damon’s contract history and statistics here.
New York Yankees Rumors: Signs 3 players to minor league contracts
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have signed left-handed pitcher Royce Ring, and outfielders Reid Gorecki and David Winfree to minor-league contracts.
Ring, 30, has played for the New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves in his 4 year career. His has a 3-3 lifetime record with a 4.93 ERA in 94 games.
Gorecki, 29, made his big league debut in 2009 with the Atlanta Braves. In 31 games, he had a batting average of .200 (5 for 25) with a .222 on-base percentage.
Winfree, 24, has not played in the Major Leagues, but has a lifetime Minor League batting average of .270 with 82 home runs in 653 games.
Cleveland Indians sign Mark Grudzielanek to a Minor League deal
Posted by: | CommentsAnthony Castrovince of MLB.com, reports that Mark Grudzielanek has signed a Minor League contract with the Cleveland Indians. The deal includes an invite to Spring Training.
Grudzielanek, 39, last played with the Kansas City Royals in 2008. He it .299 with 3 home runs and he drove in 24 RBIs in 86 games with the club that year. His 2008 season was cut short because of an ankle injury. He signed a Minor League contract with the Minnesota Twins in 2009, but was released a few weeks later.
You can see Grudzielanek’s statistics here.
Kansas City Royals Rumors: Interest in Jonny Gomes, Marcus Thames and Rick Ankiel
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Fox Sports, the Kansas City Royals are looking for a power-hitting right fielder or designated hitter. The team does not have much payroll flexibility, but have some degree of interest in free agents Jonny Gomes and Marcus Thames.
Kansas City may be appealing to both players because they would be able to provide enough at-bats to produce more than 20 home runs.
Another option for the Royals is Rick Ankiel. However, Ankiel, along with incumbent outfielders Scott Podsednik and David DeJesus combined for 31 home runs last year – a low number for traditionally a high run-producing position.
