Rumors for April, 2010
PRO Rumors: Kerry Wood, Colorado Rockies and Zambrano, Alex Rodriguez, Minnesota Twins
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a few Thursday PRO Rumors for your morning commute:
- Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer says that Kerry Wood will not be rushed back into the Indians’ closer role. Woods will throw a bullpen session on Thursday. If that goes well, a simulated game or rehab assignment will be next. Wood was mentioned as a trade candidate, but he carries a $10.5 million salary for 2010.
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post predicts that the Rockies would get a reliever before a starter should the team be in contention in July. Renck all but ruled out a trade for pitcher Carlos Zambrano and the $36 million left on his contract.
- New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez received his first World Series ring after 16 season in the Majors and he plans to wear the piece of jewelry often. The New York Post quotes Rodriguez saying “A lot of guys are saying they’re not going to wear it. They think they’re too cool. I’m calling BS on that. I will wear it and wear it every day.”
- Because of Target Field and the increase revenue, the Twins will receive less of baseball revenue-sharing pool. The team normally receives about $20 million annually for Major League Baseball. (Pioneer Press)
Help may not be on the way for Mets pitching staff
Posted by: | CommentsSorry Mets nation, according to Andy Martino of the NY Daily News the Mets will not look out of the organization for help. This probably is a sign that Omar Minaya is not interested in Jarrod Washburn or Braden Looper. Could half a season of Pedro Martinez be an upgrade of the options they have now?
The Mets anchor Johan Santana is currently posting a 4.91 ERA through his first two starts. His right hand man John Maine is sporting a lofty 13.50 ERA and is most likely a couple more bad starts away from loosing his job. Maine’s last start consisted of 3 innings, 7 hits, 3 walks and 8 runs. The question is who do the Mets call for help? The best internal option would be to put Jenrry Meija in the starting rotation but many in the organization want to conserve his arm and have him work out of the bullpen this year.
So if you were Omar Minaya what would you do?
Marlins Jorge Cantu sets new record
Posted by: | Comments4/14 20:30: Last night, Pro Rumors predicted that Jorge Cantu would break the 89 year old record today of 9 games in a row to start a season with a hit and and RBI in each game. Today in the fifth inning, Cantu broke the record in fashion as he hit home run. “It’s a little bit surreal,” Cantu said. “I’ve accomplished something very big. It hit me as I was running the bases. Keep riding it. Keep pushing myself.” Sorry Highpockets you are now the holder of the second longest streak. Congrats to Cantu!
4/13 20:44: On Tuesday night, Jorge Cantu matched an 89 year old record that until today George Kelly was the sole holder of.
In the fifth inning, the Marlins slugger delivered an RBI single off Cincinnati’s Bronson Arroyo. The hit scored Hanley Ramirez from second base, and it gave Cantu a piece of MLB history.
Cantu now has at least one hit and one RBI in all eight Marlins games.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time a player started a season with a hit and an RBI in every game the team has played through eight games was in 1921. That season, George “Highpockets” Kelly started the year with an RBI and a hit in eight straight games. Kelly had stood alone with this distinction for 89 years.
“He’s our most professional hitter,” hitting coach Jim Presley said. “When the game is on the line, or those guys are in scoring position, he’s the guy you want up there. He really bears down when he’s got those guys in scoring position.”
The RBI became an official stat in 1920. Cantu has 13 RBIs on the season.
It is the longest National League streak since Mike Piazza went 15-straight from June 14-July 2, 2000.
PRO Rumors is predicting that George Kelly will no longer have a piece of the record as Cantu will set a new record tomorrow.
Info from Joe Frisaro of MLB.com was used in this article.
Texas Rangers may pursue former Reds Aaron Miles
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Texas Rangers may sign free agent Aaron Miles. Sullivan says that there may be interest in the infielder to play at Triple-A.
Miles cleared waivers and was eventually released by the Cincinnati Reds this morning.
Miles, 33, is a lifetime .282 hitter in 7 seasons with the Cubs, Rockies and Cardinals. You can see Miles’ contract history and statistics here.
PRO Rumors: Tampa Bay Rays, Ross Ohlendorf, Kansas City Royals, Leslie Anderson
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a few Wednesday afternoon PRO Rumors:
- Dioner Navarro will get the chance to be the everyday catcher now that Tampa Bay Rays’ Kelly Shoppach is out for the next two weeks. The Rays placed Shoppach on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday due to a right knee sprain sustained on Saturday. (Marc Topkin, St. Petersburg Times)
- Pirates pitcher Ross Ohlendorf may miss his next scheduled start on Saturday due to back spasms. Rob Bietempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says that Ohlendorf may be placed on the disabled list if he can’t throw a bullpen session today.
- The Kansas City Royals gave away at least three possible victories, so the team may be looking at alternatives to overcome their bullpen problems. The Royals currently have veterans Bryan Bullington, Bruce Chen, Matt Herges, Philip Humber, Anthony Lerew, Josh Rupe and Brad Thompson on Minor League contracts, so the team could purchase their contracts. If they do, then the team will need to make a personnel move to get them on their 40-man roster. (Bob Dutton, The Kansas City Star)
- Marc Topkin of the St. Petesburg Times says that a September call up for newly signed Cuban OF/1B Leslie Anderson is a possibility
Wagner Mateo Rumors: Will the Diamondbacks sign OF?
Posted by: | CommentsYesterday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic said the Arizona Diamondbacks have had little dialogue with 17-year-old Dominican prospect Wagner Mateo. The team was expected to sign the outfielder by the end of April, but Piecoro says that a signing does not appear to be imminent.
Wanger was originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals last summer, but the team voided his contract after there were concerns over the outfielder’s eyesight.
RHP Clint Everts of the Mets clears waivers
Posted by: | Comments4/14 13:51: Adam Rubin of ESPN says that right-handed pitcher Everts has cleared waivers and will be sent to Double-A Binghamton.
4/11 11:35: The New York Mets have designated right-handed reliever Clint Everts for assignment, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN NewYork (via twitter). The team made the move to clear a roster spot for Cuban pitcher Raul Valdes.
The 25-year-old Everts had been a lifer in the Nationals (formerly the Expos) organization, prior to signing with the Mets this winter. Last season, he posted a 1.65 ERA in 60 IP at three different minor league stops. Everts boasts a strong minor league ERA which should allow him to catch on with another organization quickly.
Red Sox claim RHP Santo Luis off waivers from White Sox.
Posted by: | CommentsAmalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe tweets that the Red Sox have claimed right-handed pitcher Santo Luis off of waivers from the Chicago White Sox.
The Red Sox also placed infielder Jed Lowrie on the 60 day disabled list retroactive to March 26 (Evan Brunell, NESN). He is experiencing mononucleosis, a viral infection causing fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands.
Luis, 26, was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 2 games for the White Sox Double-AA team. He has not played in the Major Leagues yet.
Marlins designate RHP Jose Veras for assignment
Posted by: | CommentsClark Spencer of the Miami Herald tweets that the Florida Marlins have designated right-handed relief pitcher Jose Veras for assignment.
In other moves, the Marlins called up Chris Leroux, optioned Emilio Bonifacio to Triple-A and took outfielder Brett Carroll off the disabled list.
Veras, 29, was 1-0 with a 15.43 ERA (8 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings) in 2010. You can see Veras’ contract history and statistics here.
Bonifacio, 24, was 0-for-3 in 3 at-bats over 4 games this season for the Marlins. You can see Bonifacio’s contract history and statistics here.
Carroll, 27, hit .234 last season with the Marlins. You can see Carroll’s contract history and statistics here.
Orioles Mike Gonzalez to DL with strained left shoulder
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports tweets that Baltimore Orioles closer Mike Gonzalez is headed to the disabled list with a strained left shoulder.
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun earlier reported that Gonzalez was not going to be available today. Rather he was in the training room with an iced shoulder and will see a team doctor.
Gonzalez was showing that he had flaws in his delivery which resulted in a diminished velocity. This may have contributed to a pair of recently blown saves.
The left-handed pitcher had a 2010 record of 0-2 with 1 ve. .You can see Gonzalez’s contract history and statistics here.
