Rumors for February, 2010
Jonny Gomes Rumors: Waiting it out with the Reds
Posted by: | CommentsMark Sheldon of MLB.com says that Jonny Gomes may wait it out until another big name free agent outfielder signs with a team. Currently the free agent outfielder market includes: Jermaine Dye, Johnny Damon, Garret Anderson, Cliff Floyd, Endy Chavez and Marlon Anderson.
There has been no advancement in the talks with the Cincinnati Reds. “It’s the same as it was before,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said
“We think we will get everyone in camp, meet with everybody and then decide if we need to do something else,” Jocketty said. “He’s also exploring other situations. We’ll see next week.”
It was rumored a few weeks ago that the Chicago Cubs were talking to Gomes. The Indians and Mariners have also expressed interest this off season.
Gomes, 29, was non-tendered by the Cincinnati Reds after he hit .267 with 20 home runs and drove in 51 RBIs in his only season with the team. You can see Gomes’ contract history and statistics here.
Cardinals are open to adding player before Opening Day
Posted by: | CommentsMatthew Leach of MLB.com says that the St. Louis Cardinals have about $6-7 million left in their budget, and it is possible that the team could make a move before Opening Day. However, GM John Mozeliak says there are no current plans to make any additions before Spring Training begins, but that plan may change during camp.
“I don’t know what our greatest need is today,” Mozeliak said. “As we move forward and get into spring, we should have a better idea of what that might be. It may be nothing. But it usually is always something and more than something.”
In previous springs, the Cardinals have added Kyle Lohse in 2008 and Dennys Reyes in 2009.
If the $6-7 million is not spent, the team may use it to take on a contract of a player before the non-waiver Trade Deadline or before the end of the year.
The Cardinals have several needs including a left-handed bat off the bench, outfield and bullpen depth.
MLB Rumors: Edwin Jackson, Johnny Damon, Adeinis Hechavarria, Derek Jeter
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 3/14/10: Get the latest Adeinis Hechavarria news and rumors here: http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/03/rumors/adeinis-hechavarria-rumors-close-to-deal-with-the-blue-jays/
Here is your Saturday linkage:
- Steve Gilbert of MLB.com says that there is no movement in the negotiations between the Arizona Diamondbacks and right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson. Their arbitration date is set for February 17.
- Buster Olney of ESPN.com says “at least one team that might have extended an offer has no expectation that he (Johnny Damon) would actually take a two-year offer; rather, part of the negotiation with that team is that he would take only that one year.”
- George A. King III of The New York Post says the Yankees will be a serious bidder for Cuban defector Adeinis Hechavarria. King says that Hechavarria could be an eventual replacement to Derek Jeter or he could be the team’s future center fielder.
Javier Vazquez Rumors: Goal is to play and not retire
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Perla Del Sur (via Chad Jennings of LoHud.com), newly acquired New York Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez has no intention to retire soon.
“I have other interests outside of baseball,” he said according to the transation. “But I’m not developing anything because my goal is still to play.”
Jennings says that Vazquez has no intention to retire in 2010, but he does not want to play into his late 30s. Vasquez, 33, has one year left on his contract. He’s expected to make a base salary of $11.5 million this season. You can see Vazquez’s contract history and statistics here.
Florida Marlins Rumors: Calero, LH bat, Delgado, Branyan, Blalock
Posted by: | CommentsJoe Frisaro of MLB.com has a few pieces of news from the Florida Marlins:
- The chances of the Marlins signing relief pitcher Kiko Calero, even to a Minor League deal, are slim. Calero’s shoulder is a concern.
- The Marlins have no interest in Carlos Delgado or Russell Branyan.
- The team is in need of a left-handed bat off the bench, and Frisaro suggests Hank Blalock as a option.
B.J. Upton loses arbitration case
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Mark Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, B.J. Upton has lost his arbitration case with the Tampa Bay Rays. Upton will make $3 million this season rather than the $3.3 million he requested.
Topkin later says that the Rays are now 5-0 in arbitration cases, including 4-0 under executive VP Andrew Friedman.
In January, ESPN Insider suggested that the Rays could consider center fielder B.J. Upton since outfield prospect Desmond Jennings is coming along well on the farm.
Upton, 25, hit .241 with 11 home runs and 55 RBIs with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009. You can see Upton’s contract history and statistics here.
Scott Boras loses Felipe Lopez but gains Kendry Morales
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Jayson Stark of ESPN, free-agent infielder Felipe Lopez has fired his agent Scott Boras and signed with the Beverly Hill Sports Council. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that Lopez will be represented by Dan Lozano of BHSC.
“We wish Felipe well. He’s a fine player,” Boras said. “We understand that a player gets frustrated when we contact all 30 teams numerous times and there is not a starting job for him.”
Boras recently added Angels’ first baseman Kendry Morales, who was previously represented by the Hendricks brothers.
Lopez, 29, hit .310 with 9 home runs and 57 RBIs with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers in 2009. You can see Lopez’s contract history and statistics here.
Morales, 26, is in the final year of his contract in 2010. He will make $700,000 this season. Morales hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 RBIs for the Angels in 2009. You can see Morales’ contract history and statistics here.
John Smoltz Rumors: Seeking a deal of at least $3 million
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to David Waldstein of the New York Times, free agent pitcher John Smoltz is seeking a deal of at least $3 million. Smoltz had been linked to the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. The Mets may be off the board since they have recently signed Japanese left-hander Hisanori Takahashi.
Many believe that Smoltz will take a similar route that Pedro Martinez took a year ago with the Philadelphia Phillies and not sign a contract until mid-season.
Smoltz was 3-8 with a 6.35 ERA in 15 games with the Red Sox and Cardinals while making $5.5 million in 2009. You can see Smoltz’s contract history and statistics here.
