Rumors for February, 2010
Todd Wellemeyer Rumors: Rockies need pitching depth
Posted by: | Comments2/5 13:14: According to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post, Wellemeyer is considering the Rockies, Giants and Mets as possible destinations for the upcomign season. A person close to Wellemeyer said that the Giants are the favorite to get him.
2/3 11:47: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports reports that the Colorado Rockies are interested in right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer.
The team is heading into Spring Training with a projected rotation of Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook, Jorge De La Rosa, Jason Hammel and Jeff Francis, so Wellemeyer may be a good fit for the Rockies’ bullpen.
Wellemeyer, 32, was 7-10 with a 5.89 ERA in 28 games (21 starts) for the Cardinals in 2009. You can Wellemeyer’s contract history and statistics here.
Chicago Cubs Rumors: In touch with Kiko Calero and Chan Ho Park
Posted by: | Comments2/5 03:51: According to the Kang Seung-woo of The Korea Times, the Cubs may be the only team left with any interest in Chan Ho Park.
1/27 21:47: According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, he Tweets, “Was told by a source this evening that #Cubs are still in touch with Kiko Calero and Chan Ho Park. #MLB”
The Giants, Cubs, Rays and Pirates were rumored to be going after Park this winter. The Giants were rumored to be interested in Park on a Minor League deal today.
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 was believed to be negotiating with the Cubs a couple of weeks ago. Calero is asking for a two-year deal, but the Cubs are insistent on a one-year deal. He 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.
Chien-Ming Wang Rumors: Good fit for Dodgers or Cardinals?
Posted by: | CommentsTroy E. Renck of The Denver Post suggests that free agent pitcher Chien-Ming Wang would be a good fit with the St. Louis Cardinals and their pitching coach Dave Duncan or the Los Angeles Dodgers with his former manager Joe Torre.
Last week, Wang’s agent Alan Nero said that “four or five teams” are now pursuing Wang more aggressively than expected. Among those teams that have shown interest include the Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com, reports that the Nationals are monitoring Wang’s progress as he recovers from last year’s shoulder surgery. The Nationals have not had serious talks with Nero, but GM Mike Rizzo has indicated that he would like a veteran starter, but only at the Nationals’ price.
Wang has a 55-26 record with a 4.16 ERA over 5 seasons with the Yankees. You can see Wang’s statistics here.
Jarrod Washburn Rumors: Mariners, Twins or Retirement?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, free agent pitcher Jarrod Washburn’s employers are going to be the Seattle Mariners or Minnesota Twins. If either club is not willing to stretch their payroll to accommodate Washburn, the pitcher may retire.
According to Morosi’s source, the left-hander could stay home in Wisconise if he doesn’t get the right offer from the right team.
Washburn, 35, has a career 107-109 record with a 4.10 ERA and 1.301 WHIP. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers last season where he made $10.35 million in the last year of a four year contract.
You can see Jarrod Washburn’s contract history and statistics here.
Kevin Gregg Rumors: Close to deal with Toronto Blue Jays
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, free agent pitcher Kevin Gregg and the Toronto Blue Jays are close to an agreement. Gregg’s agent said, “We’re hopeful that it’ll be done tomorrow.”
Gregg, 31, was 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA and 23 saves with the Chicago Cubs in 2009. He made $4.2 million last season. You can see Kevin Gregg’s statistics here.
Phillies sign Oscar Villarreal to Minor League deal
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed right-handed pitcher Oscar Villarreal to a Minor League deal.
Villarreal, 28, pitched with the Houston Astros in 2008 where he went 1-3 with a 5.02 ERA in 35 games. You can see Villarreal’s statistics here.
Jarrod Washburn Rumors: Going to Minnesota or Seattle?
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 2/4 14:04: Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports tweets that Washburn has not ruled out a return to the Mariners.
Update 2/1 14:25: Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports Tweets: Source doubts that #Mets have a real chance at Washburn. Still looking like #Twins or #Mariners for the lefty. #MLB
1/26 Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that Jarrod Washburn is now the top tier free agent pitcher available now that Ben Sheets has signed with the Oakland Athletics and Jon Garland signed with the San Diego Padres today. According to Morosi’s source, there are “a limited number of places” where Washburn wants to pitch in 2010.
One option is Minnesota, but Washburn rejected a one-year $5 million offer earlier this month from the Twins. There is still a chance that Washburn could play in Minnesota. His offseason home is in Wisconsin.
Another option is Seattle. He’s played there before and his family grew to love Seattle during their time there.
Two other options are the are Cubs and Mets, but it is not clear if they have interest in Washburn. According to Morosi’s source, a total of six teams have inquired.
Washburn, 35, has a career 107-109 record with a 4.10 ERA and 1.301 WHIP. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers last season where he made $10.35 million in the last year of a four year contract.
You can see Jarrod Washburn’s contract history and statistics here.
