Rumors for May, 2010
Athletics recall Jack Cust from Triple-A
Posted by: | CommentsMychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com says Jack Cust
has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to the Oakland Athletics. He will join the team in Anaheim on Saturday.
“I’m so excited,” Cust said. “I can’t wait to try to help the guys. They’ve been playing great baseball, but they’re having some problems scoring runs and hopefully I can change that a little bit. I’ve been feeling really good about the way I’ve been swinging the bat the past couple of weeks.”
In January, Cust signed a one-year $2.65 million deal to return to the Oakland Athletics. With incentives, Cust could have made $3 million. Cust was designated for assignment after Spring Training, went unclaimed by waivers and accepted an assignment at Triple-A Sacramento.
Doug Mientkiewicz opts out of Minor League deal
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According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz opted out of his Minor League contract on Friday is now a free agent.
The Marlins signed Mientkiewicz on May 5 to a Minor League contract and appeared in four games with Triple-A New Orleans where he was 4-for-16 with an RBI.
Mientkiewicz was previously with the Dodgers this Spring, but was cut. He had been asked by manager Joe Torre to remain with the club as a coach, but he has a desire to play in the big leagues. Mientkiewicz hit .292 with 4 RBIs in 24 at-bats this Spring.
Mientkiewicz, 35, hit .333 (6 for 18) in 20 games with the Dodgers in 2009. You can see Mientkiewicz’ contract details and statistics here.
Roy Oswalt Rumors: Mets want him but can't afford pitcher
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Mike Puma of the New York Post says the Mets are interested in Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt, but are not excited to pay Oswalt’s salary.
Oswalt has already said he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause if he can be dealt to a contender.
Oswalt is currently making $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and there is a $16 million team option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout. You can see Oswalt’s statistics and contract history here.
Mark McGwire Highway removed from Interstate 70
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Juana Summers of stltoday.com says that a bill that would strip Mark McGwire’s name off of Interstate 70 is headed to Gov. Jay Nixon’s desk.
Lawmakers named a six-mile stretch of I-70 in St. Louis “Mark McGwire Highway” after the Cardinal slugger’s 70-home run season in 1998. If the bill becomes law, the section would carry the name of Missouri’s most famous author, Mark Twain. When the highway was built in the 1950s, it was named for Twain.
The stripping of the name is likely due to McGwire’s use of performing enhancing drugs during his career.
Ken Griffey retirement rumors: Not retiring yet
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According to Jim Street of MLB.com, Ken Griffey Jr. is not contemplating retirement.
“I haven’t gotten to that point,” he said after taking early batting practice at Tropicana Field. “What would it take? I don’t know. I haven’t thought about anything but coming here and getting ready for a game.”
Griffey, 40, has struggled this season hitting .200 with 0 home runs and 6 RBI’s.
The aging slugger says he can still compete.
“If I didn’t feel that I could compete, then why would I show up?” he said. “Why would I take early batting practice? Why would I take batting practice, period? That’s just the way it is.
“I’m not there [retirement] yet,” he said. “I will figure that out when I get there, but I’m not there. I’m just trying to do the things I have always done, stay in the same routine, take early batting practice when it’s available.
“I am still part of this team, so I have to prepare myself day in and day out. That’s it. There is a lot of baseball left, and a lot of things can happen.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia can't throw ball back to pitcher just like Rube Baker
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Bob Herson of okcredhawks.com says that Texas Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is having problems in the Minor Leagues. Not the typical offensive or defensive issues that many players have. He’s stuck with the Oklahoma RedHawks because he can’t throw the ball back to the pitcher.
The problem is similar to that 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.
Herson says the problem started last year as a result of a shoulder injury which was eventually diagnosed as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He ended up having a rib removed in surgery in September.
In Saltalamacchia’s last game, 12 of his throws back to the pitcher landed either short of the mound or in center field. He had five errant throws in the first inning alone.
“He’s just got to keep playing until he gets it right,” RedHawks manager Bobby Jones said. “I don’t know what else to do. It’s a shame. It’s definitely what’s keeping him here. He’s blocking the ball well and swinging the bat well. He’s just got to figure it out. It’s a shame.”
Saltalamacchia said, “Everything feels good. My throws have been good down to second. We’ve been working on different arm angles, getting on top of the ball more rather than getting on the side. So everything’s going smoothly and we’ll see where it goes.”
Gregg Zaun of the Milwaukee Brewers had this problem earlier this season. You can read about Zaun’s problems here, but here’s the video of Zaun’s incident.
PRO Rumors: Casting Moneyball
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Aaron Gleeman of Rotoworld.com, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Wright are in talks to join the cast of Moneyball. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill have already signed on to play the respective roles of Billy Beane and Paul DePodesta. Director Bennett Miller, who worked with Hoffman on Capote, is looking to add a little more star power.
I’m curious to see what character Miller has in mind for Hoffman. Perhaps Bobby Kielty? And while I’d be among first to see the next Michael Lewis-inspired feature film, I’m also curious to see what drama is injected to make such a movie marketable.
VIDEO: MLB is calling all Captain… Morgans?
Posted by: | CommentsI really like the Captain Morgan commercials, so when I saw this promotion of Captain Morgan throwing out the first pitch in Cincinnati I knew it had to go onto PRO Rumors. Check it out.
Drink Responsibly – Captain’s Orders!
Rockies still mad about Phillies use of binoculars
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The Associated Press today says that Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy is still fuming over the Philadelphia Phillies use of binoculars in the bullpen. On Wednesday, Phillies bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer for using binoculars to look at the signs of Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo
On Thursday, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was asked why so many teams were suspicious of the Phillies, he said, “Because we beat them. That’s why. . . . Keep crying.”
Tracy responded by saying, “We don’t cry here. I want to make that clear right now. We work very hard.”
Asked what he considered crossing the lines in baseball, Tracy said, “Using binoculars, that’s crossing the line.”
Ken Griffey nap story published by accident?
Posted by: | CommentsKIRO Radio (via ESPN.com news services) says the story by Tacoma News Tribune’s Larry LaRue that told about Ken Griffey’s napping was published by accident.
Griffey’s agent, Brian Goldberg, said LaRue was working on a story about Griffey and his performance this season. But LaRue accidently published his blog before finishing the story, the agent said.
Goldberg said LaRue felt badly about publishing the story without talking to Griffey and Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu. LaRue called the newspaper to try and retract the story.
Goldberg said the newspaper would not retract the story.
The News Tribune says they stand behind the story of two unnamed Mariners players who confirmed that Griffey was asleep in the clubhouse during a game rather than being ready to pinch hit.
