Rumors for May, 2010
VIDEO: Tigers Austin Jackson hit in head by 92 mph pitch from Ramon Troncoso
Posted by: | CommentsDetroit Tigers rookie Austin Jackson was on the receiving end of a 92 mph fastball from Dodgers pitcher Ramon Troncoso. Here’s the video of what the Associated Press described as a “sickening sound”:
Manager Jim Leyland and trainer Kevin Rand rushed to the aid of the talented rookie, who was able to make it to the dugout under his own power and was replaced by a pinch-runner. He was taken to a hospital for precautionary tests, wearing a bandage above his left eye. The Dodgers beat the Tigers 6-4.
Here’s the picture for those that can’t see the video:
Jerry Manuel Rumors: Outcome of Subway Series will not determine manager's future
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Yesterday Bob Klapisch of FOXSports speculated that New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel could be fired by Monday morning if the Mets do not fare too well against their cross-town rivals the Yankees. The series is tied 1-1 with the Yankees taking the Friday contest and the Mets taking the Saturday game.
Andy Martino of the New York Daily News says multiple high-ranking Mets sources insist that this weekend’s Subway Series will not determine Manuel future. Martino adds that Manuel’s status is not that shaky.
It’s been speculated that former Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin would replace Manuel. Melvin is currently a scout in the Mets organization.
Another candidate is former Mets second baseman Wally Backman. Backman is currently managing the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Mets. The team does not start their season until next month, so it is unlikely that Backman would replace Manuel.
The Mets have a crucial three-game series with Philadelphia after the Yankees series. Manuel will remain under the microscope at least throughout the week.
VIDEO: Brewers Carlos Gomez breaches baseball etiquette with bat flip toward Joe Mauer?
Posted by: | CommentsLooks like another case of baseball etiquette being violated. Last night Carlos Gomez of the Milwaukee Brewers flipped his bat that hit former teammate Joe Mauer and gazed at his three-run home run before he began his home run trot. When he reached the plate and heard Mauer’s voice, he put his hand to his mouth — to say, “no talking,” Gomez said. Here’s the video:
Buster Olney of ESPN the Magazine says that Roy Oswalt has a strong preference to go to a contending team that has a chance to win immediately. Oswalt has a few destinations in mind, but he wouldn’t specify them.
“I’ve got a small window,” Oswalt said. “I’ve got two years left, and those two years, I’m trying to get back to the playoffs. I haven’t been there since ‘05.”
“I’ve been here 10 years and given everything I’ve got for 10 years, done everything I need to do to stay on the field,” he said. “Hopefully, there may be some options for both of us out there. I’m not looking for an ‘out’ for me, from the standpoint as a franchise player for 10 years. But I think it would be a good thing for both of us.”
“I just kind of asked as an option, and what they were thinking as far as which direction they’re going, do they plan to get young, or try to get some more players, or what direction are they going?” Oswalt said. “They didn’t really have an answer for what they were going to do right now.”
Olney goes on to talk about potential destinations for Oswalt:
Texas Rangers: Could be interested, but we must keep in mind the team is operating with financial assistance from Major League Baseball.
Detroit Tigers: Could use a veteran starter like Oswalt and the team has always been willing to spend aggressively.
New York Mets: Might have a need now for Oswalt, but it’s unknown if Oswalt would approve a deal to the last place team.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Could be in play, but the team is going through an ownership divorce, so they could be limited on their spending.
Washington Nationals: Could be in position to be aggressive, but Oswalt may not approve a deal to a team that lost 103 games a year ago.
Los Angeles Angels: They need a starter, but their farm system has been depleted in recent years.
St. Louis Cardinals: May not be able to afford Oswalt.
Chicago Cubs: Olney says they are likely to be buyers than sellers. Does this mean they’ll go after Oswalt?
Chicago White Sox: Team has a greater need for hitting rather than pitching.
Philadelphia Phillies: May not be in a position to spend money on a starter and the front office has been concerned about leaking too many prospects in trades.
New York Yankees & Boston Red Sox: Olney says it is unlikely that the Yankees and Red Sox would spend the money necessary to make an Oswalt deal.
Milwaukee Brewers Rumors: No staff changes for now
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Milwaukee Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said that GM Doug Melvin has total job security and that field manager Ken Macha will not be dismissed on Monday.
Attanasio said, “Doug Melvin is very, very secure. You’re not going to see any GM changes here. Absolutely not. Doug Melvin has built up too much credibility. You’re going to have to a lot more than even a bad season for him to have any issues with his job security. To all of our fans, look, it feels great to get it off your chest, but you’re going to have to be dealing with our general manager for a long time.”
As for Macha, Attanasio said, “I can tell you, unequivocally, we are not making a manager change on Monday. There will be no news on that on Monday. We could lose the next two games 15-3 and we’re not making a manager change on Monday.”
There has been speculation that the team would make changes on Monday, an off day for the Brewers.
Information from Adam McCalvy of MLB.com was used in this article.
Cleveland Indians sign Josh Phelps to Minor League deal
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Cleveland Indians official Twitter page
, the team has signed Josh Phelps to a Minor League deal. Phelps will report to Triple-A Columbus.
Phelps, 32, last played in the Major Leagues with St. Louis in 2008. He is a career .273/.343/.472 hitter. Phelps has played first base, catcher and both corner outfield positions in his career.
Roy Oswalt Trade: What potential buyers need to know
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Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine points out several hurdles that potential buyers of Houston Astros’ Roy Oswalt need to know.
1. Money: Oswalt is owed about $29 million between now and the end of the 2011 season.
2. Health: Oswalt has had back problems and required injections in order to pitch. Teams must question if his body is durable enough to last through 2011.
3. No-trade clause: Oswalt has a full no-trade clause, so he could kill any deal on the table. Candidates that may not cause him to kill the deal include those teams close to his Mississippi home: the Rangers, Cardinals or Braves.
4. Trade bait: Will teams be willing to surrender a package of prospects good enough for the Astros to swap their “signature” star?
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer says that the Reds are intrigued with Oswalt, but he may be out of their price range.
Jerry Manuel Rumors: Will Met's manager be fired after the weekend?
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Bob Klapisch of FOXSports speculates that New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel may be fired by Monday morning if the Mets do not fare too well against their cross-town rivals the Yankees. (The Yankees beat the Mets 2-1 in the series opener.)
The Mets are only a few weeks removed from being at the top of their division, but are currently sitting in last place and 6 games back in the NL East.
Earlier this week, Mets COO Jeff Wilpon flew to Atlanta for a closed door meeting with Manuel, GM Omar Minaya and several coaches. Klapisch says that Manuel was put on notice: “win or else”.
If Minaya ends up firing Manuel, which he hopes to avoid, one candidate to replace Manuel is former Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin. Melvin is currently a scout in the Mets organization.
VIDEO and Picture of Dallas Braden's Perfect Game ring presented before game
Posted by: | CommentsPerfect game pitcher Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics was presented with a ring to commemorate his achievement before today’s game versus the San Francisco Giants.
The ring had 27 diamonds for 27 outs on the edge and 51 diamonds for his number on the face of the ring. His grandma, Peggy Lindsey, was given a matching pendant.
His catcher, Landon Powell, was part of the Dallas Braden Day festivities where he presented Braden with the catcher’s glove he used that day. Powell was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento a few hours earlier to clear roster room for center fielder Coco Crisp who returned from the disabled list.
Information and picture from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle was used in this article.
