Rumors for March, 2010
PRO Rumors: Jarrod Washburn and Dice-K
Posted by: | Comments- Jarrod Washburn told ESPN Seattle’s Mike Salk Seattle’s rotation has some question marks, with the most recent bump in the road being an abdominal strain to newly-acquired Cliff Lee as well as Erik Bedard, via text message, that to his knowledge there have been no recent conversations with the Mariners. Erik Bedard also is not slated to join the rotation until the summer months at the earliest.
- Daisuke Matsuzaka took another step in the right direction today when he made his unofficial spring debut throwing 32 pitches in a intrasquad minor league game. Dice-K was throwing in the 88-91 MPH range and believes when he makes his Grapefruit league debut on Thursday his velocity will increase as it will be his first real (but doesn’t count) game. Dice-K got off to a slow start in camp due to a nagging back issue which caused him to miss the first few weeks. Information from Ian Browne of MLB.com was used in this article.
Its possible that the Twins may revisit signing Washburn which could allow them to move Francisco Liriano to the closer role with the void at closer the Joe Nathan injury caused.
Joe Torre Rumors: Undecided about managing in 2011
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, he tweets that Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager Joe Torre and GM Ned colletti have agreed to suspend contract negotations for the time being. They play to pick up the talks later this year to avoid distractions. Nightengale goes on to say that Torre is not certain that he wants to manage next. “I told Ned (Colletti), let me see how I feel.”
Torre’s three-year, $13 million contract will wrap up after the completion of the 2010 season. Torre and the team have been working on a contract extension for quite some time. In the event the Dodgers cannot sign Torre, the heir apparent to the managerial throne will most likely be Don Mattingly.
PRO Rumors: Ronald Belisario, Dodgers last rotation spot
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a few Dodger stories for all you people who bleed Dodger blue, compliments of Tony Jackson of ESPN.com:
- Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario is expecting to receive his U.S. visa either Sunday or Monday and will fly to Phoenix for spring training the following day, a Venezuelan source said Saturday night on the condition of anonymity. Belisario would have had a guaranteed spot in the Dodgers’ season-opening bullpen if he had arrived in camp on time or close to on time. But he already has missed about two-thirds of the spring, and club officials have no idea whether he has been on a regular throwing program. Belisario had an outstanding rookie season last year, posting a 2.04 ERA in 69 appearances after the Dodgers signed him as a six-year, minor league free agent last winter. Previously, Belisario had logged time with the Florida and Pittsburgh organizations but had never pitched above the Double-A level.
- Two of several candidates for the fifth starter’s job continued to state their cases against the Rangers. Each went four innings. Right-hander Josh Towers gave up a double, a triple and a home run but retired all of the other 12 batters he faced. And righty Ramon Ortiz finally gave up his first run of the spring after pitching nine shutout innings, but he also had a strong outing. Towers has given up three runs in nine innings this spring, including a start in Taiwan, and Ortiz has given up two runs in 13 innings.
- The other candidates for the job are right-hander Russ Ortiz, left-hander Eric Stults, knuckleballer Charlie Haeger and Rule 5 pick Carlos Monasterios. Both Stults and Haeger are on the 40-man roster and are out of minor league options. Torre said Ramon Ortiz, Russ Ortiz and Haeger all could be candidates for the bullpen as well. Monasterios will possibly end up in the bullpen as maybe the long relieve (Sorry Jeff Weaver) as he has to be on the major league roster or he will be returned to the Phillies. Monasterios has pitched 8 innings with 5 strikeouts and has not allowed a run. Monasterios if more of a fit for the bullpen at this point as Torre has made it known that he would prefer to have a veteran rounding out the rotation.
- It also appears the Dodgers are trying to find a trade partner for Eric Stults, Jason Repko and Chin-lung Hu. This could signal that the Dodgers will go with someone else other Stults for the last rotation spot. This also could signal that the Dodgers need 40 man roster spots and they do not view these three in the future plans.
PRO Rumors: Rangers looking for utility, Guardado may retire, Padres hanging on to Bell
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a few Sunday morning PRO Rumors:
- Anthony Andro of The Dallas Morning News says the Texas Rangers are looking outside the organization for a utility infielder.
- Relief pithcer, Eddie Guardado, may be hanging up the cleats. “I think I’m done, man, I think I’m done,” Guardado said. “I’m fine with it. I had a great run, no doubt.” (Richard Durrett, ESPN)
- Dan Hayes of the North County Times says the San Diego Padres will hang on to their bargain of a closer, Heath Bell.
Jorge Jimenez returned to Red Sox
Posted by: | CommentsJoe Frisaro of MLB.com says that potential starting third baseman for the Florida Marlins, Jorge Jimenez, was returned to the Boston Red Sox per the Rule 5 rules. Rule 5 picks — unprotected players taken from other teams at the winter meetings — must be kept on the new team’s big-league roster all season or placed on waivers, then offered back to the original club.
Frisaro said that one scenario for Jimenez was for him to win the third base job which would have paved the way for Jorge Cantu to play first base. The Marlins will probably go with Cantu at third base and Gaby Sanchez at first base.
Jake Westbrook Trade Rumors: Could Indians deal their Opening Day starter?
Posted by: | CommentsNick Cafardo of The Boston Globe suggests that Cleveland Indians’ Opening Day starter Jake Westbrook could be a trade deadline candidate. Teams that need a front of the rotation right-handed could be interested in making a deal for Westbrook.
The Diamondbacks have been trying to add depth to their starting rotation since starting pitcher Brandon Webb may be out until at least the end of April.
Westbrook has been looking good this Spring and looks to be healthy despite two years removed from Tommy John surgery.
Westbrook, 32, won 44 games from 2004-06 and will earn $11 million in the final year of a three-year, $33 million deal.
Mike Lowell Trade Rumors: White Sox Interested?
Posted by: | CommentsNick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says that the Chicago White Sox are not too confident in their current starting third baseman Mark Teahen. Cafardo suggestst that the White Sox could be trade partners with the Red Sox who are actively shopping third baseman Mike Lowell.
Teams that have been interested in Lowell include the Minnesota Twins and Florida Marlins.
Lowell was originally going to be traded to the Texas Rangers this winter, but it was called off after doctors discovered the ligament tear in his thumb. Part of the deal with the Rangers was that the Red Sox were going to pick up $9 million of the $12 million salary. You can see Lowell’s contract history and statistics here.
