Rumors for January, 2010
San Francisco Giants Rumors: Team is done shopping for the winter
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com, two high-ranking officials from the San Francisco Giants told him that they are done shopping for big-league free agents.
However, Urban adds that the team still wants bullpen help and if free agents like Kiko Calero or Chan Ho Park are willing to sign a Minor League deal, then the team may accommodate them.
The Giants have been associated with Park and Calero throughout the off-season, however no offers have been made.
Park was 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009. Of the 45 games he appeared in, he started 7 games. He made $2.5 million in 2009, so he would be an affordable player for an cost conscious team. You can see Chan Ho Park’s statistics here.
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.
Erik Bedard Rumors: Drawing interest from KC Royals
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star, the Royals are looking at free agent pitcher Erik Bedard.
Nobody is sure when Bedard will be able to pitch in the Majors. Bedard is recovering from a torn labrum that occurred while with the Seattle Mariners last season. Some speculate he may miss the entire first half of the 2010 season.
ESPN suggest that if Bedard is willing to take a low guaranteed salary with incentives, he may be able to draw interest from the Mets, Mariners and Tigers.
Bedard, 31 by Opening Day, had his best season in 2006 when he wen 15-11 with a 3.76 ERA and 171 strikeouts with the Orioles. You can see Bedard’s contract history and statistics here.
Texas Rangers Rumors: Looking for right-handed bats
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN (Insider) the Texas Rangers are looking for right-handed bats at the right price.
The team is considering free agents Ryan Garko and Rocco Baldelli. Both will give manager Ron Washington power off the bench and the versatility to play the outfield and first base.
Garko, 29, hit .268 with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs with the Indians and Giants in 2009. You can see Garko’s contract history and statistics here.
Baldelli, 28, hit .253 (38 for 150) with 7 home runs and 23 RBIs in 62 games with the Red Sox last season. It was rumored earlier this winter that the Yankees and Cubs had interest in Baldelli. You can see Baldelli’s contract history and statistics here.
Jim Edmonds signs Minor League deal with the Brewers
Posted by: | CommentsKen Rosenthal of FOXSports reports that the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a Minor League deal with Jim Edmonds. The deal includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Rosenthal says that if Edmonds makes the Major League roster, he would earn a base salary of $825,000. If he plays a full season he would earn $2-2.5 million based on performance incentives. Edmonds can become a free agent on March 25 if he is not on the Brewers Major League roster.
Edmonds has not played since September 2008 for the Chicago Cubs. Edmonds, 39, has a .284 career batting average with 382 home runs in 16 Major League seasons. You can see Edmond’s contract history and statistics here.
Fernando Tatis Rumors: In Negotiations with Mets
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 1/28 13:47: According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated: fernando tatis will be rejoining the #mets, so carlos delgado will have to sign elsewhere. scouts see delgado as a dh.
1/27 19:17: According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets and free agent Fernando Tatis are in deep negotiations and a deal could be finalized in days.
If the Mets complete this deal with Tatis, that would probably eliminate the re-signing of Carlos Delgado. The Mets are in search of a first base platoon with incumbent Daniel Murphy.
Mets GM Omar Minaya has been in contact with Tatis’ agent Gary Goodman. Tatis is expecting a salary comparable to the $1.7 million he made last year with New York.
Tatis, 35, hit .282 with 8 home runs and 48 RBIs with the New York Mets in 2009. Tatis, a type-B free agent, was not offered salary arbitration this off season. You can see Fernando Tatis’ contract history and statistics here.
Livan Hernandez Rumors: Submitted contract proposal to Nationals?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez wants to return to the Nats. A contact proposal was sent to GM Mike Rizzo last month, but Rizzo never responded.
Hernandez did not ask for a lot money, but the figures were not revealed. “[My agent and I] sent a proposal,” Hernandez said. “I’m waiting for Rizzo to call me back, so I don’t know what’s going on. I called him a couple of times, and he never called me back. I want to go back to the Washington Nationals.
Hernandez, 35 in February, was a combined 9-12 with a 5.44 ERA in 183 2/3 innings with the Mets and Nationals in 2009. You can see Hernandez’s contract history and statistics here.
Detroit Tigers Rumors: Johnny Damon, Adam Kennedy & Hank Blalock
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports reports that the Tigers may have a few moves left before the season begins.
Morosi wonders if Detroit can land Johnny Damon now that he won’t return to New York. However, he believes the Tiger’s infield has a greater need for an upgrade than the outfield.
The Tigers are in need for an an infielder that can play second and third base. Currently the Tiger’s third baseman Brandon Inge is injured due to surgery to both knees. It’s believed that he will not be ready for Spring Training. Detroit also has a rookie second baseman in Scott Sizemore who broke his left ankle in the Arizona Fall League.
Free-agent Adam Kennedy has played both positions with the Oakland Athletics in 2009 so he would fit the Tiger’s need. Additionally, Hank Blalock is available, and he can play third base, but his defensive skill are “not good.” If he joins the Tigers, Blalock would pick up most of his at-bats as a designated hitter.
MLB Secrets: Granderson, Gardner, Cone, Damon, Nelson, Sarfate
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s a running list of links to check out. I’ll update this page throughout the day:
- According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees are toying with putting Curtis Granderson in left field and using Brett Gardner in center field.
- Sherman says, after David Cone left the YES Network, ESPN made an unsuccessful run at him. He’ll probably end up advising the Players Association.
- Sherman says that he didn’t believe Johnny Damon would retire (despite the rumors from last week) because he wants to make a run at the Hall.
- Tom Haudricout of the Journal Sentinal says that the Brewers are working on another deal. It’s probably an outfielder with Minor League contract with a Spring Training invite.
- Pitcher Joe Nelson has an interest to play for the Cubs according to Mark Gonzales of Chicago Breaking Sports News.
- Roch Kubatko of MASN reports that the Orioles designate RHP Dennis Sarfate for assignment to make room for Miguel Tejada.
- Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the San Diego Padres have designated RHP Mike Ekstrom for assignment to make room for Jon Garland.
Johnny Damon Rumors: Boras and Damon targeting Tigers and Reds and Rays?
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 19:23: ESPN Insider and Prospect Insider suggest that Damon would be a good fit with the Seattle Mariners since the M’s have available payroll:
He (Damon) may have to spend some time at DH in Seattle, but would certainly get some opportunities in left field where youngster Michael Saunders and veteran Milton Bradley are currently the front runners. Damon would immediately become one of the best hitters in the Mariners lineup, and could be the No. 3-hole bat behind Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins.
Update 13:37: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Tampa Bay Rays have been in contact with Scott Boras about adding Damon as their primary DH.
The Rays have been trying to unload their current DH, Pat Burrell, and his $9 million salary. However, the Rays want to make a move on Damon even if they cannot unload Burrell.
Sherman says that Damon would consider a one-year contract in the $7 million range with deferred money.
1/27 08:56: Jerry Crasnick of ESPN writes that free agent outfielder Johnny Damon and his agent Scott Boras are trying to engauge with the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers as possible destinations.
It has been rumored earlier this month that the Tigers were at one point chasing Damon, but they balked at his high asking price. Damon in Detroit would give Carlos Guillen more at-bats at DH.
The Reds and Tigers do not appear to have much money left in their budget. Both teams would have to get creative to make a run at Damon.
