Rumors for February, 2010
Yankees invite five more players to Spring Training
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to a Yankees’ press release, the team has invited five additional players to their Major League Spring Training: infielder Brandon Laird, right-handed pitcher D.J. Mitchell, right-handed pitcher Dustin Moseley, right-handed pitcher Ryan Pope, and infielder Jorge Vazquez.
Moseley, 28, is the only player from the group to have Major League experience. He has a career 8-7 record with a 5.41 ERA in 64 career games (23 starts) with the Los Angeles Angels. You can see Moseley’s contract history and statistics here.
You can see the other player’s professional statistics here.
Red Sox negotiating with Cuban pitcher Yuniesky Maya
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, the Boston Red Sox are interested in Cuban pitcher Yuniesky Maya, but they are early in the negotiation process. Bradford says that there is a good chance that Maya will choose a team that gives him the best opportunity to enter the starting rotation.
Maya, 28, was Cuba’s top right-handed pitcher in 2009 before defecting in the Dominican Republic last September.
Here are a few links to follow for Monday:
- Phil Rogers of The Chicago Tribune has a few insights on team decisions: the Mets are going to watch first baseman Ike Davis closely this spring, the Angels are not sure who will replace Chone Figgins as the leadoff man and Brett Gardner will get the first chance to be the Yankees regular left fielder despite the signing of Randy Winn.
- Andrew Baggerly of The San Jose Mercury does a run down on what to expect from the Giants in 2010. Baggerly says the team is not younger or faster despite the team preaching their “younger, faster, healthier and homegrown” philosophy. He adds that the team has depth and fans should expect a steady number of late-game defensive switches. Baggerly has rookie Madison Bumgarner as the Giant’s number five starter, but it may be worth keeping an eye on Todd Wellemeyer. The team also has a few bullpen roles up for grabs.
- Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Oakland Athletics have to pick up the rest of Willy Taveras‘ $4 million salary whereas the Washington Nationals who signed Taveras today are on the hook for any pro-rated portion of the Major League minimum of $400,000 for days spent on the 25-man roster.
- According to ESPN Insider, the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals have a need at second base, so they could be candidates for Felipe Lopez. (The Cardinals have converted Skip Shumaker so the team may be out.)
- Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated lists his offseason surprises.
- Jim Bowden of FOXSports says “Yankees and Rays not having trade talks involving Carl Crawford according to those that know!”
- Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times says that the Tampa Bay Rays Payroll will be under $60 million next year. This originated from owner Stu Sternberg who was on 620-AM radio.
Johnny Damon Rumors: Small difference of opinion with Tigers
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that there is a “very small” difference of opinion between the Detroit Tigers and free agent Johnny Damon in regards to salary.
Morosi and Rosenthal say that a one-year, $7 million deal is possible, as is a two-year contract for $14 million. Their source says that it is not likely for a one-year deal with a player option for 2011 to happen.
The only other competition to the Tigers is probably the White Sox since the Braves have not intensified their pursuit of Damon in the last week.
Damon, 36, hit .282 with a 24 home runs and 82 RBIs for the World Champion New York Yankees in 2009. You can see Damon’s contract history and statistics here.
Endy Chavez signs with the Texas Rangers
Posted by: | Comments2/15 17:03: According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the deal is for $1 million in 2010 if Chavez makes the team, and a club option for 2011 for $1.25 million.
2/15 16:51: According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the Texas Rangers have signed outfielder Endy Chavez to a Minor League deal.
Chavez is returning from major surgery on his right knee and could be ready to play in May or perhaps April.
Chavez, 32, hit .273 with 2 home runs and 13 RBIs in 54 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2009. You can see Chavez’s contract history and statistics here.
Tampa Bay Rays sign RHP Joaquin Benoit to Minor League contract
Posted by: | Comments2/15 16:38: Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times says that Benoit gets $750,000 if he makes the team, plus up to $500,000 in performance bonuses.
2/15 09:51: According to Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times, the Tampa Bay Rays have signed right-handed pitcher Joaquin Benoit to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Benoit, 32, has pitched with the Texas Rangers for 8 seasons. He last pitched in the Majors in 2008 with the Rangers when he went 3-2 with a 5.00 ERA in 44 appearances. You can see Benoit’s contract history and statistics here.
Jose Molina Rumors: Texas Rangers interested in catcher
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Texas Rangers may add catching depth to their roster with Jose Molina. Sullivan’s sources say that Molina is of interest to the team because Jarrod Saltalamachia is coming off shoulder surgery and the team is unsure how quickly he’ll be at 100 percent.
In early January, Sullivan said that the team would bring in one or two catcher to prepare for the uncertainty of Saltalamachia and to push youngster Taylor Teagarden. The club may not have confidence in Teagarden to take over everyday catching duties.
Molina, 34, has thrown out 37.4 percent of attempted base stealers in his career. In 52 games with the Yankees in 2009, he hit .217 with 1 home run and 11 RBIs. You can see Molina’s contract history and statistics here.
You can see Saltalamacchia’s contract history and statistics here.
You can see Teagarden’s contract history and statistics here.
