Rumors for March, 2010
Baltimore Orioles Trade Rumors: Team needs a second baseman
Posted by: | CommentsJeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says that the Baltimore Orioles may be exploring the trade market since starting second basemen Brian Roberts may not be ready for Opening Day. Roberts has a herniated disk in his back and had side effects from the medication used to ease the inflammation. Because of that, he has not played in a game all spring.
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said, “To me, you get 10 days into Spring Training before you start really paying attention, but the clock is starting to be an issue. … By now, we have to start thinking about, ‘What if he isn’t ready?’ ” He adds that he might start having the scouts look at who is available on the trade market in addition to exploring internal options.
Roberts, 32, was .283/.356/.451 in 2009 with the Orioles. You can see Roberts’ contract history and statistics here.
Here are your Wednesday evening PRO Rumors:
- A 14-person “special committee for on-field matters” has discussed a “floating” realignment where a team would not be fixed to a division. According to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, Teams will be “free to change divisions from year-to-year based on geography, payroll and their plans to contend or not.” Verducci says that the idea has gained strong support from the committee members. Divisions would loosely follow geographic lines, so teams could not join a division more than two time zones outside its own. The realignment could affect the number of teams in a division, teams changing leagues and interleague games.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that the Twins declined to say if they would consider Francisco Liriano as a replacement for Joe Nathan, but they did not rule out the possibility. The big question is whether Liriano will be able to stay healthy as a reliever.
- Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports says that Rockies closer Huston Street is ready to throw batting practice on Friday and his right shoulder inflammation has settled.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that the Yankees and Red Sox may not be in the bidding when Prince Fielder is a free agent, so he questions if the Phillies, Mariners, Cubs and Dodgers could be in play.
- George A. King III of the New York Post says that Mark Newman, a Yankees senior vice president in charge of the minor leagues was a charged with a DUI late Monday night.
- Former Seattle Mariners second baseman Bret Boone has been hired as the manager of the Victoria (B.C.) Seals. (The Seattle Times)
- Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times says that Tampa Bay Rays’ first base coach George Hendrick started wearing No. 95 (with no name) Friday when his usual No. 25 jersey did not make it. The Rays have won five straight since and are thinking of making the switch permanent.
Josh Beckett Contract Rumors: Substantive talks taking place
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, he tweet, ““Substantive” talks taking place between Sox and (Josh) Beckett, according to source with direct knowledge. End of spring training still target.”
Earlier this week, Nick Cafardo of Boston Globe said, the “Sox could insist on medical language similar to what’s included in the deals of John Lackey and J.D. Drew. Jason Bay wouldn’t bite on the language, but Beckett may consider it just to stay in Boston, where he has already forged a great relationship with Lackey and continues to build one with Jon Lester.”
Beckett, 29, has compiled a lifetime 106-68 record with a 3.79 ERA. You can see Beckett’s contract history and statistics here.
Mike Sweeney Retirement Rumors: Will retire if not on MLB roster
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com says that the 36-year-old Mike Sweeney will retire if he is not on the Major League roster when the regular season begins. A coaching position or playing in the minor leagues “aren’t options for me,” Sweeney said Wednesday.
“Come Easter Sunday, my first option would be to be here as a Seattle Mariner,” he said. “My second option would be with another big league team, in a big league clubhouse.
“My third option – and it truly is my only other option, which would be wonderful – is being home in San Diego with my wife, Shara, and three kids, going to Mass on Easter Sunday.
Sweeney is primarily a designated hitter with the occasional play at first base. The DH position is occupied by Ken Griffey Jr. in addition to Milton Bradley. First base is being manned by Casey Kotchman and Ryan Garko, so Sweeney has a lot of competition.
If Sweeney can’t find work in Seattle, his preference would be another West Coast team.
Minnesota Twins Trade Rumors: Dealing Glen Perkins for Nathan replacement?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Twins could be shopping left-handed pitcher Glen Perkins. In his recent outing versus the Cardinals on Tuesday, Perkins pitched one inning and gave up two hits. Those in attendance to witness his work were scouts from the Pirates, Rockies and Blue Jays.
It was reported earlier that the Twins are interested in Blue Jay’s relief pitcher Jason Frasor. Other trade candidates that Joel Christensen of the Star Tribune suggests to replace the injured closer Joe Nathan include Indians closer Kerry Wood, Padres closer Heath Bell and Reds closer Francisco Cordero. Christensen says, “the Padres likely would ask for top prospects in return for Bell, who is two years from free agency. And Cordero has $24 million remaining on his contract.
Perkins, 27, was 6-7 with a 5.89 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) for the Twins in 2009. You can see Perkins’ contract history and statistics here.
Jason Frasor Trade Rumors: Twins interested in relief pitcher
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says the Minnesota Twins are interested in Blue Jay’s relief pitcher Jason Frasor. This comes one day after Twins closer Joe Nathan was diagnosed with a torn ulnar colateral ligament in his elbow making him a candidate for Tommy John Surgery which may cause him to miss the 2010 season.
Frasor, 32, had a 7-3 record with a 2.50 ERA and 11 saves in 2009. He will be a free agent after the season. The Chicago Cubs have been interested in Frasor now that that Angel Guzman could be out for the year. You can see Frasor’s contract history and statistics here.
Almost through the week. Here ya’ go!
- Jordan Bastian of MLB.com says that right-handed pitcher Dustin McGowan of the Toronto Blue Jays is a candidate to make the starting rotation for Opening Day. McGowan threw two innings in a simulated game with GM Alex Anthopoulos present.When asked if McGown could be in the starting rotation,”right now, you can’t rule that out,” Anthopoulos said. “It’s too early to rule that out.”
- Right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg threw two scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers. The 2009 Golden Spikes Award winner allowed two hits and struck out two batters. His pitches were clocked no lower than 96 mph. (Bill Ladson, MLB.com)
- Chris Haft of MLB.com, says future Hall of Famer Omar Vizquel could continue playing beyond this year. “I’m just letting my body tell me when,” Vizquel said. Vizquel also has interest in managing a Major League team soon. In a side note, Vizquel almost joined a school for bullfighters in the off season.
- The Colorado Rockies are preparing for a bullpen plan B since Huston Street and Rafael Betancourt may not be ready by Opening Day. Candidates that will be there to help include: Franklin Morales, Manuel Corpas and Matt Belisle. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)
- According to WEEI.com Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is planning to pitch for at least another decade. “I think both personally and from a family standpoint we’re all enjoying our lives over here in the U.S., and if at all possible I would like to play over here as long as I can,” Matsuzaka said. He notes that Nolan Ryan and his ability to pitch into his 40’s made a big impression on him during his youth.
- Concerns over Jose Reyes‘ overactive thyroid prevents him from participating in baseball activities. It also puts up a big question mark regarding his ETA on returning to action. (Mike Puma, New York Post)
- According to ESPNDeportes.com, Jose Reyes is fine. Reyes said, “The specialists who took care of me in New York have told me that I’m fine and that there’s nothing wrong with my thyroid. The test [taken to follow one conducted during his physical] showed that I’m fine. We just have to wait for the results of the additional test. The [doctors] found inflammation in my throat and no medicine to treat the thyroid or any other condition has been prescribed.”
- Carol Slezak of The Sun Times says that it’s unlikely the Cubs will trade for Kerry Wood from the Cleveland Indians. Slezak says, “Because the Cubs aren’t about to spend $10.5 million on anyone — let alone a player with a lengthy history of injuries.”
PRO Rumors: No contract negotiations for Jeter and Rivera until after season?
Posted by: | CommentsCould the New York Yankees have a new short stop, closer and manager next year? The possibility exists as Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and manger Joe Girardi are all in the last year of their respective contracts. Jeter, is entering the final year of a 10-year, $189 million deal, and Rivera, is in the last of a three-year, $45 million contract. Girardi’s three-year contract is also set to expire after 2010.
While the possibility is there, the over whelming opinion of people in and out of the organization is that all three will be back next year with new contracts. The Yankees as an organization have a policy not to negotiate contract extensions during the season. “People just have to understand that everybody does business in a different way,” Steinbrenner said to reporters including Bailey Stephens of MLB.com following Tuesday’s news conference to announce the details of the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl. “I just don’t believe in contract extensions, and that’s throughout the organization, no matter who it is. Hopefully, nobody takes that personally, it’s just business.”
Though the trio will not receive a contract until November at the earliest if Steinbrenner stays true to his policy, I have no doubt that all three will be back next year wearing pinstripes.
