Rumors for March, 2010
Ryan Garko will not make Mariners roster
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, DH/First baseman Ryan Garko’s time with the Seattle Mariners has come to an end. The Mariners have decided to go with Mike Sweeney to fill out their roster.
Garko still has options available to him, so the Mariners will need to decide how to handle his situation. Garko could be assigned to the Minors, or the team could release him.
Garko, 29, hit .268 with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs with the Indians and Giants in 2009. He signed a one-year deal in early February for $550,000 with bonuses that could make the deal worth $1.075 million if he reached 600 plate appearances. You can see Garko’s contract history and statistics here.
Josh Beckett Contract Rumors: Red Sox make 4 year offer
Posted by: | Comments3/30 14:11: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says taht the talks between the Red Sox and Beckett are at a “7-8 right now” based on a scare of 1-0 with 10 being the most likely. Cafardo adds that the if a deal can’t be struck within the next week or two, the civility of the talks could allow the sides to continue to negotiate and get something done before the All Star break at the latest.
3/30 12:01: According to sources close to ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney, the Red Sox have made a four-year offer to pitcher Josh Beckett. Olney said the deal could be along the lines of the contract that teammate John Lackey signed with Boston this off-season with the numbers for Beckett in the range of $65-70 million.
The big hanging point between the Red Sox and Beckett is the fifth year. Beckett wants a fifth year, but the Sox are not willing to go more than four years – the reason being Beckett’s history of his frayed rotator cuff.
Beckett, 29, has compiled a lifetime 106-68 record with a 3.79 ERA. You can see Beckett’s contract history and statistics here.
Tuesday afternoon PRO Rumors:
- Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte, will make his Major League Spring Training debut today for the New York Yankees versus the Atlanta Braves. (Anthony DiComo, MLB.com)
- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that Jaime Garcia will be the Cardinal’s fifth starter over Kyle McClellan.
- T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com says that Texas Rangers have no interest in the recently released Kevin Millar. The Rangers had been looking for a right-handed hitting first baseman.
- Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus says that Junichi Tazawa of the Red Sox could be facing possible Tommy John surgery.
- Brian McTaggart of MLB.com says the Houston Astros have named Matt Lindstrom their closer.
- The New York Post says that Carlos Beltran will not be back before May 8.
- Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury says that Buster Posey was not in today’s lineup and it looks more likely that he’ll start in Triple-A Fresno.
Florida Marlins release RHP Seth McClung
Posted by: | CommentsJoe Frisaro of MLB.com says the Florida Marlins have released right-handed pitcher Seth McClung.
McClung was signed to a Minor League contract in early February and had an opt-out clause that he could have exercised this week if he felt that he was not in the Marlins’ Opening Day plans.
McClung, 27 tomorrow, was 3-3 with a 4.94 ERA in 41 appearances (2 starts) with the Brewers in 2009. You can see McClungs contract history and statistics here.
Orioles sign OF Joe Gathright
Posted by: | CommentsBrittany Ghiroli of MLB.com, tweets that the Baltimore Orioles have signed outfielder Joey Gathright to a Minor League deal.
Gathright was released by the Toronto Blue Jays last week after a poor Spring where he hit .167 in 43 plate appearances.
Gathright, 28, is a career .263/.327/.303 hitter in 6 seasons with the Red Sox, Cubs, Royals and Rays. You can see Gathright’s statistics here.
Cubs release Kevin Millar
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, he tweets that the Chicago Cubs have released Kevin Millar.
As recently as mid-March, Millar was in a good position to get a bench spot. Millar had been tearing up Spring Training by hitting .385 with an on-base percentage of .600.
Millar, 38, hit .223 with 7 home runs and 29 RBIs in 78 games with the Blue Jays in 2009. You can see Millar’s contract history and statistics here.
Here are a few Tuesday morning PRO Rumors:
- According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left Monday’s Grapefruit League game against the Orioles after being hit by a pitch on the right arm. No tests are scheduled at this point, and it is being called a right elbow contusion. The Yankees hope that it is nothing more serious. Teixiera is a premier power hitter in the lineup, and hit .292 last season while leading the Yankees with 39 homers and 122 RBIs.
- The official San Francisco Giant’s Twitter account says that Todd Wellemeyer may be the Giant’s #4 starter instead of Jonathan Sanchez. The Giants have 4 days off in April, so you may see Sanchez shifted over to extended relief during his scheduled throwing days to get more work in.
- The Giants’ right field position is not settled yet. Nate Schierholtz was expected to be the starter, but his inconsistent bat may have prevented him for securing the job. John Bowker and Mark DeRosa will get playing time in right over the next few days. (Andrew Baggarly, San Jose Mercury)
- The Associated Press says that 2009 No. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals will make his Minor League debut on April 11 for Double-A Harrisburg against Altoona.
- The Texas Rangers have a scout watching Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox. Could another trade happen? (Gorden Edes, ESPNBoston.com)
- The Padres need to add Matt Stairs to the 40-man roster so expect the Padres to make a move to remove somebody from the 40-man. (Corey Brock, MLB.com)
Erik Bedard takes first step in recovery
Posted by: | Comments-Erik Bedard took his first big step today as he recovers from surgery as he threw 20 pitches off of the mound for the first time. Some of the people watching Bedard throw included general manager Jack Zduriencik, special assistant Tony Blengino, manager Don Wakamatsu, pitching coach Rick Adair, two other coaches and two trainers. The session lasted 6 minutes and the 20 pitches were “all strikes” according to Bedard.
Minnesota Twins to use closer-by-committee tactic
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Associated Press Manager Ron Gardenhire said on Sunday that, barring a trade this week, the Twins will start the regular season with a closer-by-committee approach.
Relievers Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain and Jose Mijares will all get a shot in the ninth inning towards the beginning of the season.
For a bit, Francisco Liriano was an option at closer, but the Twins and Liriano both like him in the starting rotation too much to try that just yet. However, desperation could change that, if none of the other relievers prove to be reliable and consistent.
Russ Ortiz Retirement Rumors: Pitcher content with career if he does not make team
Posted by: | CommentsFormer 21-game winner Russ Ortiz is battling for the fifth starter spot on the Los Angeles Dodgers along with knuckleballer Charlie Haeger and veteran Ramon Ortiz. The 35-year-old pitcher is hoping to play one more season with his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers, but if he does not make the team, he’ll be content with calling it a career.
Ortiz has pitched 15 innings while giving up four runs, 15 hits and striking out 13. He has a 2.40 ERA which is third best on the Dodgers this Spring. He has the stuff and the desire to pitch for a big league club, so it’ll be interesting to see how the Dodgers handle his spot when rosters are finalized this week.
In his 11 year career, Ortiz is 113-88 with a 4.48 ERA with the Giants, Braves, Diamondbacks, Orioles and Astros. You can Ortiz’s contract history and statistics here.
Information from Vincent Bonsignore of the Daily News was used in this article.
