Mar

PRO Rumors: Bumgarner, Garko, Nick Johnson, Washburn, Piniella, Sandberg, Girardi, Helton, Jim Edmonds

By Allan

Here are your T.G.I.F. PRO Rumors:

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury says that rookie pitcher Madison Bumgarner did not crack 90 mph in his recent outing against the Seattle Mariners. Bumgarner was expected to be the No. 5 starter for the Giants. If he cannot prove that he has a Major League velocity, expect that the No. 5 job will go to right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer.
Former San Francisco Giant Ryan Garko said the Giants were going to acquire Northern California native Nick Johnson to play first base. Johnson ended up signing a one-year deal with the New York Yankees. (Andrew Baggerly, San Jose Mercury)
Jarrod Washburn told Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports that the “odds are probably not great” when asked if he would be joining the Seattle Mariners this season.
Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario has not reported to Spring Training due to visa issues. He has missed three appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela to clear up his issues. (Tony Jackson, ESPNLosAngeles.com)
According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, both manager Lou Piniella and the Chicago Cubs are open to having a “conversation” if Piniella decides he wants to manage beyond the 2010. Piniella’s contract will run out after 2010. He adds that Triple-A Iowa manager Ryne Sandberg and Yankees manager Joe Girardi could be candidates for the Cubs’ job if Piniella does not return.
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, now that Todd Helton has freed up cash flow for the Colorado Rockies, the team can now plan for upcoming free agents Jorge de la Rosa, Brad Hawpe and Jeff Francis. The latter two have pricey club options for 2011.
39-year-old Jim Edmonds of the Milwaukee Brewers has not lost a step according to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel. “I was surprised right away in the off-season, how quickly things were working for me,” said Edmonds, who already has made a handful of superb catches.