Rumors for March, 2010
Mark Mulder Retirement Rumors: Could make comeback in May?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, left-handed pitcher Mark Mulder may give his career another shot in May. He has been away from the game recovering from shoulder issues.
In mid-February, the rumor mill was buzzing with Mulder retirement rumors, even getting confirmation from a few close friends such as Eric Chavez.
The 32-year-old had an invitation to Spring Training with the Milwaukee Brewers where many speculated he could bounce back since his old pitching coach from his A’s days, Rick Peterson, worked for Milwaukee.
Mulder has a 103-60 lifetime record with a 4.18 ERA in 9 seasons with the Oakland A’s and St. Louis Cardinals. You can see Mulder’s contract history and statistics here.
PRO Rumors: Dontrelle Willis, floating realignment, Manny being Manny, Blankie Day
Posted by: | CommentsHere are your Sunday morning PRO Rumors courtesy of Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
- Dontrelle Willis has found his command again and could be a 4th or 5th starter for the Detroit Tigers.
- When asked if the Red Sox or Yankees would be split in an idea of floating alignment, “That would never happen,’’ wrote Red Sox owner, John Henry.
- A Taiwanese news agency reported that Manny Ramirez received a $170,000 appearance fee for showing up the exhibition series in Taiwan.
- White Sox’s Bobby Jenks has a strained right calf, and Matt Thornton could be the team’s closer.
- The Angels will attempt to break the Guinness world record for “largest gathering of people wearing fleece blankets” on “Hideki Matsui Blankie Day.” They are giving out 40,000 of them and will ask people to wear them for 5 consecutive minutes in hopes to break the Cleveland Caveliers’ record of 17,758.
PRO Rumors: Josh Fogg released, Jamie Moyer, Kerry Wood injury and Carlos Beltran rehab
Posted by: | CommentsHere are your Saturday afternoon PRO Rumors:
- According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, right-handed pitcher Josh Fogg was released by the Mets at his request to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
- Jayson Stark of ESPN says that 47 year old Jamie Moyer will keep on playing the game of baseball until the game tells him he can’t.
- The Associated Press says that Cleveland Indians reliever Kerry Wood could miss two months with a strained muscle in his upper back. That’s another team in addition to the Minnesota Twins who may be looking for a closer.
- Anthony Mccarron of the New York Daily News talks about Carlos Beltran’s rehab and he should be testing his knee by running “sometime in April.” Full baseball activities should start in mid-April with a return by mid-May to the team at the earliest.
Joe Nathan Injury Rumor: To play catch soon
Posted by: | CommentsIt takes a big name pitcher and big injury to draw attention to a game of catch, but that’s exactly what Joe Nathan has done. According to Kelly Thesier of MLB.com, Nathan is expected to play catch for the first time since he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The when and where are unknown.
“We’re going to get him out there when [pitching coach Rick Anderson] wants to get him out there,” Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s going to have him play catch. We’re talking playing catch, that’s all. It’s not throwing. It’s just playing catch. We’ll let you know. It will be this weekend and then we’ll tell you how he felt. That’s all we can do. We don’t want cameras and all of that other stuff, so we’re going to block it off.”
Nathan is at a critical point since he has decide whether he’s going to continue with the self-healing or get Tommy John Surgery. By delaying the surgery, he risks losing part of the 2011 season.
Nathan, 35, was 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 47 saves with the Twins in 2009. You can see Nathan’s contract history and statistics here.
Tigers sign Casey Fein to a Minor League contract
Posted by: | CommentsThings have come full circle for for right-handed pitcher Casey Fien when he signed a Minor League contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Since the beginning of the year, the right-handed has been with the Tigers, Red Sox and Blue Jays organizations. He recently was released by the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Fien, 26, was designated for assignment in late February by the Tigers to make room for Johnny Damon.
Fien was 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA in 9 appearances with the Tigers in 2009. You can see Fien’s statistics here.
Boston Red Sox sign Alan Embree to a Minor League deal
Posted by: | CommentsIan Browne of MLB.com reports that the Boston Red Sox have signed left-handed pitcher Alan Embree to a Minor League deal.
Embree returns to the team that he helped win the 2004 World Series.
“He was obviously a very huge part of a very good bullpen for us,” said Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. “He’s got deception, he’s got experience, he’s got some power. I don’t know where he’s at time-wise right now, but he’ll be a very welcomed addition.”
Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe says that Embree has an opt-out clause in his contract that allows him to become a free agent and pursue other opportunities if the situation in Boston is not in his favor. Usually this means that if Embree is not on the 25-man roster, he can try to find a roster spot with another team.
Embree, 40, 2ill be entering his 17th season of Major League Baseball. He has a career record of 39-45 with a 4.59 ERA. In 2009 with the Rockies, he was 2-2 with a 5.84 ERA in 36 appearances. His 2009 campaign was cut short due to a broken leg that occurred from a line drive. You can see Embree’s contract details and career statistics here.
Stephen Strasburg optioned to Double-A
Posted by: | CommentsIn an expected move, the Washington Nationals have optioned 2009 #1 pick Stephen Strasburg to their Double-A Minor League affiliate in Harrisberg. Strasburg struck out eight St. Louis batters in four innings on Friday night.
Despite being sent to the Minors, it’s possible that the big league club could call upon his services for an April 3 exhibition game verse the Boston Red Sox in Washington D.c.
It would not be surprising if Strasburg finds his way back to the Major League club come May or June. By waiting until mid-season to summon Strasburg, it would delay his eligibility for arbitration and thus saving the team potentially millions of dollars in salary.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.
Boof Bonser Trade Rumors: Cubs and Diamondbacks interested?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Sean McAdam of CSN New England, two teams, believed to be the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, are interested in Red Sox’s right-handed pitcher Boof Bonser. Bonser is expendable since the Red Sox may not have a starting rotation spot for him
The Cubs have been known to be actively seeking a reliever. Jason Frasor (who also may be coveted by the Twins) and Scott Downs of the Toronto Blue Jays are available have been mentioned as possible targets for Chicago.
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 Apri
Bonser missed the 2009 season due to shoulder surgery during Spring Training. He was acquired by the Red Sox from the Twins in December after the Twins designated him for assignment. He has a 18-25 record and a 5.12 ERA in 96 career games with Twins. You can see Bonser’s contract details and statistics here.
Joe Beimel Rumors: Pitching for Oakland?
Posted by: | Comments3/19 18:46: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, Beimel’s agent, Joe Sroba: “Talks with #Mets have fallen apart. Beimel is re-open to consider all clubs and willing to be flexible.” #MLB
3/19 14:10: Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com tweets, “Don’t link the #Astros with Joe Beimel. Ed Wade said they’re “more than adequately covered” with the guys they have.”
3/19 9:44: The Oakland Athletics have be going to a recent bout of injuries and it may cause them to look at external resources before Opening Day. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle suggests that the Athletics may take a look at free agent pitcher Joe Beimel.
Pitchers Michael Wuertz, Justin Duchscherer, Craig Breslow (elbow), Andrew Bailey (tennis elbow), Joey Devine (tendinitis) have been going through injuries as of late, and it may threaten some of their statuses for Opening Day.
Beimel, 33 in April, pitched in 26 games for the Rockies in 2009 after he was traded from the Washington Nationals last July. It’s been reported in a recent days that the Mets and Rockies have an interest in his services.
