Rumors for February, 2010
Johnny Damon Rumors: In negotiations with Tigers and White Sox
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 10:44: According to Curtis Kitchen of 810WHB.com, the White Sox were in position to offer Damon a one-year, $4 million offer.
Update 14:49: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets, “hearing #tigers‘ offer may actually be a bit north of $14 million over 2 years. but damon still may prefer 1 yr. chisox, braves also trying”
Update 14:47: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports why the White Sox would make more sense for Johnny Damon.
Update 14:42: Buster Olney of ESPN, tweets, “Heard this: The overwhelming expectation among some executives involved in the Johnny Damon bidding is that he will wind up with Tigers.”
2/11 13:14: According to Jim Bowden of FOXSports, he tweets that the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox are negotiating with Johnny Damon “at levels that have eliminated the Atlanta Braves.”
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, earlier said that Mike Illitch, owner of the Tigers, has authorized a two-year, $14 million contract for Damon.
In addition to the Braves, Tigers and White Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays have expressed interest in Damon.
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.
Jonny Gomes Rumors: Still a chance with the Reds
Posted by: | CommentsJohn Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Reds are still working on signing free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes.
“There’s a still a chance (with Gomes),” Reds’ GM Walt Jocketty said. “I don’t know how soon we can get it done. We’ve got to see how much opportunity for playing time is there, and we’ve got to work out with the payroll.”
Gomes is the only free agent that the Reds are talking to.
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.
Chien-Ming Wang Rumors: No deal in place yet
Posted by: | CommentsChico Harlan of the Washington Post tweets, that free agent pitcher Chien-Ming Wang’s agent, Alan Nero, has said that no deal is in place yet with the the Washington Nationals. Nero says, “We haven’t finalized anything with anybody.”
It was reported yesterday that Wang had decided on pitching for the Nationals.
Wang has a 55-26 record with a 4.16 ERA over 5 seasons with the Yankees. You can see Wang’s statistics here.
Corey Hart and Milwaukee Brewers go to arbitration
Posted by: | CommentsOutfielder Corey Hart and the Milwaukee Brewers are the first in the Major Leagues to go to arbitration this season. Hart has asked for $4.8 million and the Brewers are arguing for $4.15 million.
According to the Associated Press, arbitrators Elizabeth Neumeier, John Sands and Sylvia Skratek are expected to issue a ruling on Friday.
This is the first arbitration case for the Brewers in 12 years. The last involving Jose Mercedes in 1998. Mercedes won his case ($1.05 million versus the team’s offer of $615,000). Owners hold a 280-207 margin in cases that have gone to hearings since arbitration began in 1974.
Hart, 28 in March, hit .260 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs in 2009. You can see Hart’s contract history and statistics here.
John Smoltz Rumors: Not ruling out return to Braves
Posted by: | CommentsThe New York Post says that free agent pitcher John Smoltz has not ruled out returning to the Braves. The Post adds that “nothing is in the works right now” regarding a future employer for Smoltz.
“Nothing is closed for me,” the 42-year-old said. “That’s why I’m talking about taking my time, letting things play out. A lot of things will go into this decision. …”
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.
