Feb
19
PRO Rumors: Miguel Olivo, Johan Santana, Jerry Manuel, Mark McGwire, Moyer, Winn
ByHere are some links for Friday:
- Andrew Baggarly of The San Jose Mercury writes that Edgar Renteria was embarassed by his poor performance last season, closer Brian Wilson’s bullpen session looked good, pitcher Madison Bumgarner started his bullpen session soft but he improved over time, and rookie catcher Buster Posey will probably start off at Triple-A.
- According to the Pioneer Press, negotiations between the Twins and Joe Mauer are moving at a “favorable pace”. The Pioneer Press speculates that there is a high likelihood of a deal coming together.
- John Harper of the NY Daily News believes that Joba Chamberlain’s future is in the bullpen as opposed to being the Yankees’ fifth starter.
- According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Blue Jays’ Alex Anthopoulos said that he may add a “minor piece for depth in the next day or two.” Bastian speculates that the Jays may add depth behind the plate, outfield or starting pitching.
- According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Reds’ manager Dusty Baker lists Aroldis Chapman, Matt Maloney, Travis Wood, Justin Lehr, Mike Lincoln, Kip Wells, Micah Owings and Jon Adkins as condidates for the fifth starter.
- Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune says that Carlos Zambrano comes to camp 15 pounds lighter and he’s ditching the cut fastball from his arsenal. Zambrano will focus more on his sinker.
- According to Marc Garig of The Star-Ledger, Yankees manager Joe Girardi expects newly the newly acquired Randy Winn to compete for a starting corner outfield spot.
- Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post says that Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo owes a lot of his success to Kansas City’s pitching coach Bob McClure who made Olivo a more complete player.
- According to Mike Puma of The New York Post, Johan Santana is optimistic about the 2010 season. He named himself the best pitcher in the NL East. He also expects to win the World Series. “My plan is definitely to win the World Series, that is definitely what we want to do and that’s what we’ve got in mind,” Santana said. Santana probably won’t start in Spring Training until the second week of the Grapefruit League since he’s recovering from elbow surgery.
- Kevin Kernan of The New York Post says that Met’s manager Jerry Manuel and GM Omar Minaya will be under the microscope from the very beginning. Both have to produce right away or they’ll be looking for jobs soon.
- According to Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners offered Mark McGwire a position as their hitting coach. At the time he didn’t accept the jobs, but he was close. He accepted the job with the Cardinals now because the timing was right.
- Scott Lauber of The News Journal says that Placido Polanco of the Phillies is already in camp getting used to the third base position, a position that he hasn’t played full-time since 2002.
- Lauber also says that Jamie Moyer is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. Moyer had three surgery including one for the knee in the last 4 1/2 months. He’ll be competing for the No. 5 starter position.

