Rumors for February, 2010
Mark Reynolds Rumors: Negotiating contract with Diamondbacks
Posted by: | CommentsNick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic says that talks between slugger Mark Reynolds and the Arizona Diamondbacks are continuing. Reynolds says there are, “pretty heavy talks right now.” It’s expected that Reynolds’ deal will be either a three or four-year deal. The third baseman still has three arbitration years left before he can become a free agent.
Reynolds, 26, would like to complete any type of deal before Opening Day. “If it happens, it’s great,” Reynolds said. “If it doesn’t I’m still doing pretty well for myself.
Despite having a small amount of Major League experience, Reynolds proves that he has the presence of a veteran bat. Reynolds hit .260 with 44 home runs, 102 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. You can see Reynold’s statistics here.
Mike Lowell Trade Rumors: To the Twins, Angels, Cardinals, Giants or Mets?
Posted by: | CommentsNick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reports that if Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell shows that his hip and thumb have improved, a few teams may be interested in his services via a trade.
Cafardo quotes one National League scout saying, “The Twins, Angels, and Cardinals [if they feel David Freese isn’t ready] could have a fit for him. The Giants, with Brian Sabean in the Yankee organization years ago when they signed him, could always use someone who can hit. The Mets could use him at first base. I’ve got to believe there’s a place for someone with Lowell’s righthanded power if Boston picks up the majority of the contract.’’
Lowell was originally going to be traded to the Texas Rangers, but was called off after doctors discovered the ligament tear in his thumb. Lowell is in his last year of a three-year contract. He’s expected to make $12 million. You can see Lowell’s contract history and statistics here.
Gary Sheffield Rumors: Retirement a possibility?
Posted by: | CommentsNick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says that a new team has called Gary Sheffield about a job late last week. It’s unknown who the team may be, but if that scenario does not work out, Sheffield is okay with retirement.
“I know I can still hit and play the field, whether it be the outfield or first base,’’ said Sheffield. “I know that on any team I’ve ever been on, I also take on a leadership role, so that comes with wherever I go.”
“I want to keep playing, and I’ve lost 15 pounds, and my legs feel good again. I just don’t know whether at this stage of my career I would want to go somewhere where maybe the chance to win isn’t there.’’
Sheffield, 41, has been associated with the Nationals and Diamondbacks this winter. He hit .276 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs in 2009 with the Mets. You can see Sheffield’s contract history and statistics here.
LA Dodgers Rumors: Decrease player spending but nearly doubling ticket prices
Posted by: | CommentsBill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers could seek to keep their player payroll below last year’s level through 2018 while the average ticket price and club revenue could nearly double. This information was obtained through financial documents submitted in a divorce proceeding by former Dodger’s chief executive Frank McCourt.
The projections show the Dodgers planning to cut player payroll to $107 million this year, with slight annual increases thereafter. In 2018, player compensation is estimated at $125 million. The Dodgers spent $132 million in 2009.
The document anticipates a significant rise in club revenue, from $295 million in 2008 to $529 million in 2018, and in the average ticket price, from $29.40 in 2007 to $53.50 in 2018.
Commissioner Bud Selig encourages each team to spend one-half their revenue on player compensation. The Dodgers spent 46% and 42% of their revenue on player salaries in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
According to the financial document, “the increase in average ticket prices will be driven primarily by higher premium seating prices, as the Dodgers are committed to keeping seats affordable for their diverse fan base.”
Dominican prospect Edward Salcedo close to deal with Braves
Posted by: | Comments2/21 21:09: According to Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer, the Cleveland Indians are not commenting on Salcedo per club policy. The Indians supposedly signed Salcedo in 2007, but the contract was voided when the club found out Salcedo lied about his age.
2/21 21:02: According to David O’Brian of the The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Salcedo could sign with the Braves as soon as passes his physical. Salcedo is currently in the Dominican Republic awaiting the completion of paperwork so he could go to Florida to take the physical.
2/20 21:00: According to David O’Brian of the The Atlanta Journal Constitution, he tweets, “Braves expected to finalize contract with Dominican SS prospect Edward Salcedo as soon as he takes his physical.”
O’Brian later tweets, “Braves consider highly-sought SS prospect Edward Salcedo the equivalent of signing a high first-round draft pick. Should have him soon.”
2/19 19:23: According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the Atlanta Braves and Dominican shortstop prospect Edward Salcedo are close to a deal. Salcedo’s agent says that Atlanta is currently the front-runner to sign his client.
Salcedo had a $2.3 million agreement with the Cleveland Indians in 2007, but that deal was nullified when suspicions were raised on his date of birth. Major League Baseball has determined that Salcedo was born in 1991.
PRO Rumors: Scott Boras, Johnny Damon, Holliday, Bill Hall, Athletics, Mark Reynolds
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a few links to follow on Sunday:
- Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that there may have been a conflict of interest between Scott Boras and Johnny Damon since Boras also represented Matt Holliday.
- According to Alex Speier of WEEI, Bill Hall of the Boston Red Sox is ready to play any position for the team.
- Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reports from the Athletics camp.
- Steve Gilbert of MLB.com says the Mark Reynolds contract extension talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks could be resolved in the next couple of weeks.
Jermaine Dye Rumors: White Sox thinking about re-signing Dye?
Posted by: | CommentsMark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune tweets that White Sox GM Kenny Williams had thoughts about approaching free agent Jermaine Dye, but the White Sox have a greater need for a left-handed bat.
Dye, 35, had a great 2009 campaign for the White Sox. He hit 27 home runs drove in 81 RBIs. The White Sox declined the $12 million team option on Dye in November and paid him a $950,000 buyout. He has drawn interest from the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals this Winter, but no offers were made. You can see Dye’s contract history and statistics here.
