Rumors for February, 2010
Cleveland Indians Rumors: Is Kerry Wood trade bait?
Posted by: | CommentsPaul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer says that pitcher Kerry Wood is a trade candidate this season. Wood, 32, will make $10.5 million this year, and with the Cleveland Indians in rebuilding mode he could be shipped off to a contending team.
Wood was 3-3 with 20 saves in 58 appearances in his first year with the American League club. There were off season rumors of team inquiring about him, but the Indians wanted teams to absorb most of his salary. He still has a 97 mph fastball, but his ability to stay healthy throughout the year could be his downfall.
New manager Manny Acta and pitching coach Tim Belcher plan to use Wood more this season. They plan to use Wood in more four-out save situations which could lead to improved stats. Additionally, Acta said that Wood will not go for more than three days without pitching.
Woods has a lifetime 80-64 record with 3.67 ERA. He spent most of his career with the Chicago Cubs and in 2008 he had 34 saves. You can see Wood’s contract history and statistics here.
Hank Blalock Rumors: Marlins have Blalock on Radar
Posted by: | Comments2/24 13:03: According to Juan C. Rodriguez of The Sun Sentinal, the Florida Marlins are interested in Hank Blalock. Rodriguez says, “It’s unclear whether they’ve extended an offer to the two-time All-Star, but the Marlins have spoken multiple times with Scott Boras, Blalock’s agent.”
2/24 11:09: According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Florida Marlins have free agent Hank Blalock on their radar. Blalock would give the Marlins the left-handed bat off the bench in addition to his versatility to play both corner infield spots.
Blalock, 29, hit 25 home runs in 2009 for the Texas Rangers, but had a .277 on-base percentage, a very unattractive statistic for teams needing a left-handed hitter. You can see Blalock’s contract history and statistics here.
Notable Dominican signings this winter
Posted by: | CommentsBen Badler of Baseball America writes about several players from the Dominican Republic have signed contracts with Major League clubs this winter:
- RHP Johendi Jiminian, 17, signed with a the Colorado Rockies. Jiminian has a 88-90 mph fastball with an advanced curve ball and a promising changeup.
- RF Amauris Capellan, 17, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for $450,000. The 6-foot, 190 outfielder has a plus-plus but does not have tremendous power.
- CF Luis Jolly, signed with the Los Angeles Angels for $150,000.The 6-foot-2 player has plus-plus speed and power, but his hitting is a “work in progress.”
- LHP Victor Payano signed with the Texas Rangers for $75,000. Payano agreed to terms with the Red Sox in July for $900,000, but did not pass his physical.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Play five more years?
Posted by: | CommentsManny Ramirez made headlines yesterday when he predicted that this will be his last year with the Dodgers and perhaps in baseball. However, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, Ramirez jokingly said today that he wants to play five more years – three in the Majors and two in Japan.
Manager Joe Torre said in response to this being Ramirez’s last year, “I don’t know. It doesn’t surprise me. I think he likes to play a little bit too. All those years in Boston, you try not to take yourself too seriously. But he certainly is a fun-loving guy and he’s certainly in a good frame of mind right now. I don’t see someone who’s thinking about the drudgery of the season right now.”
Ramirez, 37, will make $20 million this season in the final year of his two year contract with the Dodgers. You can see Ramirez’s contract history and statistics here.
Derrek Lee Rumors: Could the Cubs trade Lee?
Posted by: | Comments2/23 18:30: @Aisle424 of Twitter reminds us that Lee has a no trade clause. If the Cubs want to trade Lee, it will need his approval. You can see Lee’s contract history here.
2/23 18:21: Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports that if the Chicago Cubs don’t approach first baseman Derrek Lee with a new deal, he or his agent will not approach the team. Lee is on the last year of his contract. Lee is scheduled to make $13 million in 2010.
“It’s something you really don’t think about,” Lee said. “I’m not going to approach them, I just want to go and play.”
It is possible that the Cubs may trade Lee during the season if the Chicago team falls out of contention. Lee said he will probably not negotiate any type of extension or new contract during the season.
Lee, 34, hit .306 with 35 home runs and 111 RBIs in 2009. You can see Lee’s contract history and statistics here.
Rafael DePaula Rumors: Mulling over offer from Mariners
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Jorge Arangure of ESPN the Magazine, Dominican right-handed pitcher Rafael DePaula is mulling over an offer from the Seattle Mariners.
Arangure says that DePaula is no longer being represented by the Pa’Lante Agency. He is using Kuku Acevedo as his agent. As compensation the Pa’Lante Agency will receive a paid commission on DePaula’s signing.
Arangure previously said that DePaula is one of Latin America’s top amateur pitchers. In January 2009, he was suspended for one year when Major League Baseball determined that he lied about his age. He insists that his birthday of April 1, 1992 is correct.
Brad Wilkerson agrees to Minor League deal with Phillies
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a Minor League contract with outfielder and first baseman Brad Wilkerson.
Wilkerson, 33, last played in the Major Leagues in 2008 when he split the season with the Mariners and Blue Jays. He is a lifetime .247 hitter with 122 home runs and 399 RBIs. You can see Wilkerson’s statistics here.
