Rumors for April, 2010
Ryan Spilborghs Rumors: To the Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs?
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Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post answered a reader’s letter about the possibility of dealing Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs to a team such as the Boston Red Sox who are in “extreme” lack of outfield depth.
Renck acknowledges that Spilborghs always attracts interest from teams looking for right-handed bench hitting help. He adds that the Phillies wanted him last season and the Cubs wanted Spilborghs over the winter, but with Spilborghs recent signing of a new two-year, $3.25 million contract, it is unlikely that he’ll be moved.
It seems that Colorado wants to keep him for the long haul, but Renck says that Minor Leaguer Matt Miller could be a trade candidate. Miller is a lifetime .311/.374/.472 hitter and is currently with the Rockies Triple-A Colorado Spring.
Jarrod Washburn Rumors: Dodgers, White Sox, Pirates?
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Free agent pitcher Jarrod Washburn’s name has come up with a few teams including the Dodgers, White Sox and Pirates. According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, neither the Dodgers or White Sox are in pursuit of the free agent.
“To my knowledge, neither team has shown interest,” Washburn said in an e-mail to FOXSports.com on Wednesday.
Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says that the Pirates have no plans in to bring in Washburn despite the team’s injury problems in the starting rotation.
The Mariners, Royals and Twins have been mentioned as interested parties in the left-hander. Washburn also hinted at retirement, but that may be a tactic to build up negotiation leverage. You can see previous rumors about Washburn here.
Washburn, 35, has a career 107-109 record with a 4.10 ERA and 1.301 WHIP. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers last season where he made $10.35 million in the last year of a four year contract. You can see Washburn’s contract history and statistics here.
Gregg Zaun can't throw ball back to pitcher like Rube Baker of Major League 2
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s a funny video of Milwaukee Brewers’ catcher Gregg Zaun struggling to throw the ball back to Yovani Gallardo.
It reminds me of Rube Baker from the the 90’s movie Major League II. Baker used his obsession with Playboy centerfolds in order to get the ball back to the pitcher.
Zaun luckily figured it out.
Update: Red Sox Jason Varitek dating a blonde?
Posted by: | Comments4/28 01:49: This picture was sent to us and is supposedly Varitek with Jess, his new girlfriend, at David Ortiz‘ golf tournament in the Dominican Republic in December.
4/27 12:05: Sorry ladies, but according to the Boston Herald, Red Sox captain Jason Varitek was seen with a new girl – a blond named Jess.
Sorry no pictures to pin-up quite yet, but PRO Rumors will work on it.
It’s not known if the two are serious or in a casual relationship, but Varitek did take her to the Sox Welcome Home dinner earlier this month and to David Ortiz‘ golf tournament in the Dominican Republic back in December.
International vacations? Mark it as signed, sealed and delivered.
Former MLB pitcher Mike Bacsik fired for racist tweet
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Judgement has finally passed on ex-Major League Pitcher Mike Bacsik, who’s best known for giving up Barry Bonds‘ 756th home run. He was fired from his producer/host job at North Texas’ SportsRadio 1310 The Ticket according to ESPN for his racially insensitive tweet.
On Sunday evening, Bacsik posted this on his Twitter account:
“Congrats to all the dirty mexicans in San Antonio”
This was in response to the Dallas’ Mavericks’ win over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA playoffs.
“It’s been a rough couple of days,” Bacsik told ESPNDallas.com Tuesday. “Obviously, I made a terrible mistake. It was very bad and stupid on my part. The last few days, I’ve been getting positive e-mails. But the station changed their mind and decided to go in a different direction.”
“If you want to do a job like this, your guard always has to be up,” he said. “It’s tough because my guard was down. I learned my lesson. I’m owning up to what I did. I did a horrible thing. I’m very sorry and will try my best for my actions to speak louder than my tweets.”
You can see the original story here.
Diamondbacks caught up in Arizona immigration law?
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According to David Schwarts and Tim Gaynor of Reuters, activists protesting the recent statewide crackdown of illegal immigrants in Arizona have urged baseball fans to stay home from Diamondback games as part of the statewide economic boycott.
Through their twelfth home game of the 2010 season, the Diamondbacks have had 302,637 fans come through the gate. In 2009, through the first twelve games, the team had 327,544 fans for a difference of 24,907 people.
The team agreed to several big money contracts this off season with Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds and Edwin Jackson. Hopefully the declining ticket revenue won’t affect the team’s ability to compete and add good talent when the time comes. And for the employees of the Arizona Diamondbacks that are reading this, we recommend that you cash your paychecks as soon as you receive them.
Information from The Sports Network was used in this article.
Dusty Baker Rumors: Asking for contract extension?
Posted by: | CommentsOn Monday, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports
reported that Reds manager Dusty Baker asked management about a contract extension. Rosenthal said “the team is not yet ready to decide upon his future.”
According to MLB.com on Wednesday morning, Baker responded to the article saying, “I haven’t talked to them. I don’t know where he (Rosenthal) heard that.”
Baker is in the final year of a three-year contract with Cincinnati.
“It’s going to come when it comes,” Baker said. “If it doesn’t come, what can you do? You still have to keep living, still keep doing your job.”
David Ortiz Rumors: Wants to play two to three more years
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Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz said that he’d like to play “two or three more years” before he retires according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
Ortiz, 34, is in the final year of his contract with the Red Sox, so if he wants to play for a few more years, he’ll have to negotiate a new contract or sign on with a different team. Boston has a $12.5 million option for 2011 season, but given his current performance it is unlikely to be picked up. He is making $12.5 million for this season.
The designated hitter is in his eighth year with Boston, but is hitting .160/.236/.320 with 1 home run in 2010. You can see Ortiz’s contract history and statistics here.
Jayson Werth Rumors: No contract until after season
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Earlier on Tuesday CSNPhilly.com reported that Jayson Werth’s agent, Jeff Boris, said that his talks with the Philadelphia Phillies regarding a contract extension were “at an impasse.”
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com asked Werth about it and he said that he is “not worried about the situation.”
“I think it’s too early,” the right fielder said about his feelings about the extension. He also does not expect anything to happen until after the season.
“For me to sign something now on what’s happened statistically or what’s taken place may not be as beneficial to all parties involved, including myself, instead of waiting until the end of the season to find out potentially really who I am,” Werth said. “I’ve had one full season. For me to take something now would be doing something on inconclusive evidence.”
Werth has had one full season as an everyday player, last year. He hit .268 with 36 home runs and 99 RBIs . He understands that the team would like to see him perform at a high level for another season. If can prove this, it will provide him more leverage and allow his agent to get a deal maybe as high as Matt Holliday’s seven-year, $120 million deal with the Cardinals from last winter.
Prince Fielder Rumors: Red Sox or White Sox could be a destination?
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Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune speculates that Prince Fielder may end up playing for the Red Sox or White Sox by the end of July.
Rogers knows Milwaukee would love to keep their first baseman, but in the wake of Ryan Howard’s five-year, $125 million contract extension, Fielder may be too pricey for the small market Brewers. Keep in mind that Fielder is 4 1/2 years younger than Howard and will be a free agent after the 2011 season so he can test the open waters.
Rogers suggests that a package “built around pitching and Triple-A first baseman Dayan Viciedo” would certainly get Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin’s attention. Rogers also throws out Gavin Floyd, Daniel Hudson and Sergio Santos as names that the White Sox could throw towards Milwaukee. He adds that if the White Sox could get rid of Alex Rios and his huge contract (to the Brewers or another team), they could sign Fielder to a long-term contract rather than having him as a 1 1/2 year rental.
