Rumors for February, 2010
LA Dodgers Matt Kemp throws Rihanna a birthday bash with lap dances
Posted by: | CommentsSteven Avalos of Popeater.com says that Dodgers’ outfielder Matt Kemp threw a birthday party in Phoenix for pop star Rihanna. The party included, “Sprinkles cupcakes, tiki torches in the pool and engraved bottles of Ace of Spades champagne and Johnny Walker Blue, as well as a Jamaican chef who whipped up lots of appetizers for the crowd.” Kemp also gave her a diamond necklace.
Avalos says that the best part of the party were the lap dances performed by little people. To see the video, you can go here.
Mark Reynolds Rumors: Negotiating with Diamondbacks
Posted by: | CommentsJon Heyman of Sports Illustrated writes that the Arizona Diamondbacks have offered a “variety of contracts at various lengths” to third baseman Mark Reynolds. The sides have agreed to negotiate until Opening Day before the talks will be called off.
“Yes, we are in talks, we have an agreement to talk until Opening Day and Mark and the club have agreed there won’t be any negotiation during the season,” agent Jeff Boris said.
Reynolds will be eligible for salary arbitration in 2011 and both sides would like to have a multiyear deal in place before they get to that point. Heyman says a couple of executives suggest Prince Fielder and Dan Uggla as comparable players to Reynolds. Fielder received $18 million in his first two years of eligibility while Ugglas has made $13.2 million over that same time. However, it would be surprising if the Diamondbacks get into the Fielder range with Reynolds.
Despite having a small amount of Major League experience, Reynolds proves that he has the presence of a veteran bat. Reynolds, 26, hit .260 with 44 home runs, 102 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. You can see Reynold’s statistics here.
Houston Astros sign RHP Felipe Paulino to split contract
Posted by: | CommentsAlyson Footer of MLB.com tweets that the Houston Astros have come to terms on a contract agreement with right-handed pitcher Felipe Paulino.
Bernardo Fallas of The Houston Chronicle says that the deal is a split contract for $415,000. Paulino is expected to compete with Brian Moehler for the final spot in the starting rotation.
With split contracts, players are paid their major league salary as long as they are on the team’s roster. They are paid a lower salary for time spent in the minors.
Paulino, 26, was 3-11 with a 6.27 ERA in 23 appearances (17 game starts) with the Astros in 2009. You can see Paulino’s contract history and statistics here.
Tigers designate Casey Fien for assignment
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Jason Beck of MLB.com, the Detroit Tigers have designated relief pitcher Casey Fien for assignment to make room for Johnny Damon.
Detroit has 10 days to trade, release or outright Fien to the minors. In the meantime, Fien will workout at the Minor League complex.
Fien was 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA in 9 appearances with the Tigers in 2009. You can see Fien’s statistics here.
Carl Crawford Rumors: Rays want to keep Crawford
Posted by: | Comments2/23 10:21: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times says that Crawford is looking for market value, which would be in the $13-16 million per season range.
“That’s what you go there for, to free agency,” Crawford said. “You go there to be paid like the guys playing against you. Pretty much, it speaks for itself.”
2/22 08:29: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times quotes Crawford saying, “I understand a lot of things are going against us, but anything’s possible.”
Topkin says that Crawford would prefer to not negotiate during the season.
2/22 08:26: Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Tampa Bay Rays are going to try to keep Carl Crawford from testing free agency after this season by working on a contract extension. Ray’s GM Andrew Friedman said that he will address Crawford’s status with the outfielder next week.
“It’ll be something that we’ll address more, probably next week,” Friedman said. “I don’t want to get into it too much. I’d imagine it’s something people want to know more about, and rightfully so. We’ll kind of give a brief update of where things are and leave it at that. My guess is Carl won’t want to talk about it much beyond that, and neither will we.”
Rays’ owner Stuart Sternberg said that the team’s payroll will be under $60 million next year, unless the team can give Crawford an overwhelming offer, he will likely test the free agent market.
Crawford, 28, hit .305 with 15 home runs, 68 RBIs and had 60 stolen bases in 2009 with the Rays. You can see Crawford’s contract history and statistics here.
A.J. Pierzynski Rumors: Contract extension?
Posted by: | CommentsJoe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times says that the the Chicago White Sox could talk with incumbent catcher A.J. Pierzynski about a short-term deal. Pierzynski is a free agent after the 2010 season and the team may not be comfortable handing the pitching staff to the untested Tyler Flowers.
”We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Pierzynski said. ”I haven’t really thought about that, but we’ll focus on it if it comes up.
”My mind is on 2010, but if they came to me with something that was fair for both sides, I would definitely take a look at it.”
Pierzynski, 33, hit .300 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 2009. He made $6.25 million in 2009. You can see Pierzynski’s contract history and statistics here.
Braden Looper Rumors: Deal with Dodgers is slim
Posted by: | CommentsKen Gurnick of MLB.com says that the Los Angeles Dodgers are in contact with free agent pitcher Braden Looper, but the chances of a deal are slim because the team cannot offer him a Major League roster sport nor can they give him the salary he wants.
Earlier this month, Looper was not willing to settle for a low base salary or a Minor League deal. He is hoping for an opportunity that may come up from an injury, trade or poor performance.
The Dodgers still need a fifth starter and are hoping to find him from a group of Scott Elbert, Charlie Haeger, Josh Lindblom, James McDonald, Carlos Monasterios, Russ Ortiz and Eric Stults.
Looper, 35, was 14-7 with a 5.22 ERA in 34 games started in 2009 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Looper had a $4.75 million one-year contract last season. You can see Looper’s contract history and statistics here.
Here are a few links to follow on Monday:
- Jane Lee of MLB.com reports that pitcher Justin Duchscherer is scheduled to have a nerve ablation procedure on Tuesday. The recovery time could be one day to one week.
- Buster Olney of ESPN.com says the Pirates are getting better.
- Olney suggests that MLB should invite the best sluggers to the Home Run Derby as opposed to using the player already at the All Star Game. This would be similar to the way the NBA organizes their three-point and slam dunk contests.
- When asked about his contract situation, Joe Mauer responded with, “I’m not oging to get into any of that.” according to La Velle E. Neal III of The Star Tribune. Mauer also plans to cut his beard off.
- Chico Harian of The Washington Post says that rookie Stephan Strasburg will open the season in the Minors rather than with the Nationals’ big league club, barring extraordinary circumstances.
- Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic says that Diamondbacks’ right fielder Justin Upton has acknowledged contract talks with the club. Upton did not know if the talks would lead to a deal.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel reports that the Brewers will make an effort this spring to get Prince Fielder to agree to a long-term deal.
- Brad Lefton of The Seattle Times writes about former Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima and his homecoming to Japan.
- Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times says that Eric Gagne is open to accepting a Minor League assignment if he does not make the Dodgers’ Opendin Day roster.
Khalil Greene Rumors: To miss significant time due to anxiety issues
Posted by: | Comments2/22 16:19: According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, he tweets, “Club officials say right now there is a 100 percent probability Khalil Greene’s replacement will be internal.”
2/22 09:10: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports reports that infielder Khalil Greene will not report to the Texas Rangers’ camp and could miss significant time because of anxiety issues. The Rangers planned to address the issue on Monday.
Unless the Rangers want to promote from within, the only prominent free agent infielder available is Felipe Lopez.
Greene agreed to a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Rangers in January. Last season, Greene went on the disabled list twice for social anxiety disorder.
Greene, 30, hit 6 home runs and had a batting average of .200 with a .272 on-base percentage in 77 games while with the Cardinals in 2009. He made $6.5 million in the last year of a two-year $11 million contract. Greene replaces Omar Vizquel, who signed with the Chicago White Sox earlier this off season.
You can see Green’s contract history and statistics here.
