Rumors for March, 2010
Fredi Gonzalez Rumors: To manage the Braves in 2011?
Posted by: | CommentsBarry Jackson of the Miami Herald says that Marlins’ manager Fredi Gonzalez’s job could be in jeopardy if the team is below .500 come May or June. “They’re setting him up to replace him if they don’t get off to a fast start,” one team source said of ownership.
Jackson speculates that in the event that the Marlins fire Gonzalez he could end up managing the Braves next season. Current Braves’ manager Bobby Cox is set to retire after the 2010 season and Gonzalez could be an ideal replacement given this coaching past with Atlanta. Gonzalez’s contract with the Marlins expires after the 2011 season, so don’t expect him to jump ship unless he’s forced to do so.
Pirates designate OF Brandon Moss for assignment
Posted by: | CommentsJennifer Langosch of MLB.com says that the Pittsburgh Pirates have designated outfielder Brandon Moss for assignment. The move was done to accommodate the recent waiver claim of right-handed pitcher Hayden Penn.
Moss, 26, hit .236 with 7 home runs and 41 RBIs in 133 games for the Pirates in 2009. Langosch mentioned that Moss was out of options and was 3 for 37 this Spring. You can see Moss’ contract history and statistics here.
Dontrelle Willis Rumors: Back to the Marlins?
Posted by: | CommentsJon Heyman of Sports Illustrated said, “…perhaps more interesting (especially to the Marlins) might be Dontrelle Willis, who thrived there.” Is it possible that the Marlins could take a stab at getting D-Train back to Miami?
Willis, 28, was 68-54 with a 3.78 ERA in 5 seasons with the Marlins and has only been 1-6 with a 8.27 ERA with the Tigers. However, Willis has had a resurgence this Spring after hitting 93 mph on the radar gun as recently as last week. “Every time I see him pitch, he looks like the pitcher he was in Florida with us,” says Miguel Cabrera, his teammate with Florida and Detroit.
It’s possible that the Tigers are inflating his performance through the media. The team also has been known to be shopping Nate Robertson. The Tigers have too many pitchers and not enough space for them all, so look for the team to make a deal between now and Opening Day.
Catcher Chris Coste claimed by Washington Nationals
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Brian Costa of The Star-Ledger, the Washington Nationals have claimed catcher Chris Coste off of waivers from the New York Mets.
Coste, signed a one-year deal with the Mets this off-season that guaranteed him a spot on the team’s 40 man roster. The guarantee and the intensity that the Met’s fans bring to the park were Coste’s deciding factors in signing with the team.
Coste rose to fame as a 33 year old rookie as told in his book, The 33-Year-Old Rookie: My 13-Year Journey from the Minor Leagues to the World Series. This is one of my favorite reads since it details the story of a guy who didn’t give up despite the ups and downs as he followed his dream. I highly recommend this book for those hard working determined individuals who need an additional source of inspiration as they chase their dream.
Coste, 37, is a lifetime .272/.329/.416 hitter in 4 seasons with the Phillies and Astros. You can see Coste’s contract details and statistics here.
Here are a few “back-to-the-grind” PRO Rumors:
- Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that several teams are interested in Padres’ right-hander Tim Stauffer. San Diego intends to keep him in the bullpen to start the season rather than trade him. The pitcher is currently out of options.
- The New York Mets have placed veteran catcher Chris Coste on waivers. Coste signed a one-year deal with the Mets in December with a guarantee that he’ll be on the Met’s 40 man roster. (Matthew Cerrone, Mets Blog)
- Outfielder Brad Wilkerson was released by the Philadelphia Phillies according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
- Jose Reyes has not been ruled out for Opening Day. “We haven’t ruled it out yet, no,” Met’s GM Minaya said Sunday. “I’m guessing the next step is going to be live BP (batting practice). He looks good. He wants to bring it to the next level. (Christian Red, New York Daily News)
- The Texas Rangers looked into the Nationals’ Cristian Guzman before they acquried Andres Blanco from the Cubs. (Ken Rosenthal, FOXSports)
Yu Darvish Rumors: Japanese pitching star to make jump to MLB?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to llthe Sponichi Annex (via NPB Tracker), Japanese ace Yu Darvish said, “evaluation? that’s for others to decide… well, I’m planning on climbing the ladder, step by step.”
There’s speculation that the pitcher may make the leap from Japan to the United States as early as the upcoming off season. If that were to occur, you may see a large Daisuke Matsuzaka-like posting fee ($51+ million) for the winning bidder.
For those unfamiliar with the posting fee between MLB and Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, Wikipedia puts it best:
Under this system, when an NPB player is “posted”, MLB holds a four-day-long silent auction during which MLB teams can submit sealed bids in an attempt to win the exclusive rights to negotiate with the player for a period of 30 days. If the MLB team with the winning bid and the NPB player agree on contract terms before the 30-day period has expired, the NPB team receives the bid amount as a transfer fee, and the player is free to play in MLB. If the MLB team cannot come to a contract agreement with the posted player, then no fee is paid, and the player’s rights revert to his NPB team.
The Yankees have been watching Darvish since 2008 and as recently as last week. During their most recent scouting, Darvish struck out 11 over six innings. If Darvish decides to wait until he becomes an international free agent, he will have to wait until 2014 to do so.
Hayden Penn claimed off of waivers by Pirates
Posted by: | CommentsJoe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post tweets that the Pirates have claimed right-handed pitcher Hayden Penn off of waivers. The Pirates will need to make a corresponding roster move to fit him onto their 40 man roster.
Penn, 25, was 1-0 in 16 appearances (1 start) and a 7.77 ERA for the Marlins in 2009. You can see Penn’s contract history and statistics here.
David Ross Trade Rumors: Braves shopping backup catcher?
Posted by: | CommentsBraves’ manager Bobby Cox told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in regard to backup catcher David Ross‘ status with the team, “I can tell you, we wouldn’t even think about trading him. That’s completely made up. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Mark J. Miller of Yahoo Sports said that there was a rumor that the Braves were shopping the veteran Ross in exchange for a younger backup.
Ross, 33, hit .273/.380/.508 with the Braves in 2009. He’s been praised for his positive clubhouse energy and popularity among his teammates. You can see Ross’ contract history and statistics here.
Indians first baseman Russell Branyan out with herniated disc
Posted by: | CommentsIndians first baseman Russell Branyan will miss Opening Day with a herniated disc, making Matt LaPorta the starter at first base when the Indians play the White Sox, April 5, in Chicago. Branyan had a career year last year in Seattle, hitting .251, his second-best batting average of his career when he has logged over 200 at bats. Branyan also crushed 31 home runs and drove in 76 RBIs.
Is that a sign of a breakout year for Branyan? Many doubt he will be able to produce for the Indians, and discard his 31 homers last year as a fluke. Branyan looks to prove the doubters wrong this year, but will have to let his herniated disc heal first before he gets the chance to pick up where he left off last season.
Texas Rangers Trade Rumors: Need backup first baseman/third baseman
Posted by: | CommentsJim Reeves of ESPN.com says that the Texas Rangers are “scouring other camps to find that right-handed hitting role player” that team needs. Manager Ron Washington had been hoping to find an internal player to fill the backup first baseman/third baseman role, but one has yet to step up.
The Rangers recently acquired Andres Blanco from the Cubs who can relieve Michael Young at third base, but the team is searching for a second infielder that can hit right-handed and who could give Chris Davis a day off at first when the team is facing a tough left-hander.
Texas has been rumored off and on to be flirting with Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox, but they continue to have concerns over his thumb and surgically-repaired hip. Other names on the Rangers’ wish list include Kevin Millar (Cubs), Wes Helms (Marlins) and Fernando Tatis (Mets).
