Rumors for February, 2010
Jonny Gomes Rumors: Reds will know decision by Sunday
Posted by: | Comments2/21: 14:28: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets today, “Nothing new on Gomes. Jocketty wants it resolved by Tuesday’s reporting day.”
2/19: 19:09: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Reds’ GM Walt Jocketty expects to know Jonny Gomes decision by Sunday.
“He wants to come back,” Jocketty said. “But he’s taking a last look at what’s out there.”
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. The Reds currently have a Minor League offer out to Gomes.
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.
White Sox release Freddie Bynum
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago White Sox have released Freddy Bynum. Gonzales says that Bynum will pursue opportunities in Japan.
Bynum, 30 in March, has not played in the Major Leagues since 2008 with the Baltimore Orioles. He is a career .234 hitter with 6 career home runs and 32 RBIs. You can see Bynum’s complete statistics here.
PRO Rumors: Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Darron O'Day, Frank Francisco, Bryce Harper
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a few links for Saturday:
- Brian McTaggart writes about the Astros extending the contract of GM Ed Wade through the 2012 season.
- According to Adam Rubin of The New York Daily News says the New York Mets are trying to void the waiver claim of Jay Marshall due to a pre-existing shoulder injury.
- The Associated Press says that Carlos Delgado will be sidelined for four months after undergoing hip surgery in Colorado.
- Bill Ladson of MLB.com tweets, “#Nats GM Mike Rizzo said he is not finished when it comes to improving the roster. The team is still looking for pitching.”
- Mike Puma of The New York Post says that the New York Mets will try Jose Reyes at the third spot in the order until Carlos Beltran returns. Reyes, who traditionally is the lead-off man, will bat third until at least May when Beltran is expected to be back from knee surgery.
- Eric Karabell of ESPN.com Insider says, that Darron O’Day will be a contender to be the Ranger’s closer. Frank Francisco is the incumbent closer, but he’s known to find his way to the disabled list.
- Keith Law of ESPN says that phenom Bryce Harper is MLB draft eligible and is staring the Washington Nationals in the face. The Nationals have the first pick of the 2010 Rule 4 draft.
PRO Rumors TV is live at 7:00pm PST on Saturday February 20
Posted by: | CommentsPlease join us for PRO Rumors TV on Saturday, February 20 at 7:00 pm PST. You can watch on www.prorumors.com or blog.prorumors.com. We’ll be discussing the latest and greatest baseball rumors and news with special guest Peter of www.baseballreflections.com.
Johnny Damon Rumors: White Sox withdraw offer
Posted by: | Comments2/20 12:10: When asked about the White Sox retracted offer to Damon, Braves GM Frank Wren said, “Nothing has changed on our end.” The Braves previously offered Damon a one-year contract of what was believed to be less than $4 million. Mark Bowman of MLB.com says that there remains a chance that Damon could accept the Braves’ offer.
2/19 19:00: According to the Associated Press, the Atlanta Braves also appear to be interested in adding Damon.
2/19 17:22: According to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Tigers’ offer may have been as high as $7.5 million for one year.
2/19 17:10: According to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com, the Chicago White Sox have pulled their offer to free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon off the table. The offer was believed to be a one-year deal for $6 million.
White Sox GM Kenny Williams said, “the money we were offering was not going to be good enough for Johnny at this time.”
The White Sox said the would get back into the negotiations for Damon if they saw a reality in signing the free agent.
The problem is the assumption that the Detroit Tigers have offered Damon a two-year, $14 million deal, but it is believed that the deal was never offered by the Tigers. It is believed that the Tigers only offered a one-year, $7 million contract to 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.
Hank Blalock Rumors: Next free agent LH hitter available
Posted by: | CommentsKen Rosenthal of FOXSports.com writes that free agent Hank Blalock is the next left-handed hitter on the free-agent “pecking order.”
The Cleveland Indians signed first baseman Russell Branyan to a one-year, $2 million deal earlier today. The Tampa Bay Rays were known to be pursuing the left-handed hitting Branyan. Rosenthal suggests that the Rays could be in the picture for Blalock, but the team will be limited by roster space. Rosenthal says the Rays would need to carry 11 pitcher or one less utility man of they signed Blalock.
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.
