Rumors for May, 2010
VIDEO: Squirrel delays Yankees and Twins game at Target Field
Posted by: | CommentsCheck out Target Field’s first ever squirrel delay and third baseman Brendan Harris‘ reaction:
It’s hard to say if the little thing contributed to Alex Rodriguez’s strike out, but we’ll assume it did.
Tampa Bay Rays not too happy with David Ortiz slow home run trot?
Posted by: | CommentsYesterday we talked about David Ortiz and his 30.59 second home run trot. Here’s the video in case you missed it:
Davis said his primary form of revenge was to throw the same inside fastball to Ortiz his next time up and get him out, which he did with the bases loaded in the third, though he went on to allow three runs after that.
“You can’t let him get to you,” Davis said. “He’s done it enough times, he’s hit enough homers. That’s why he’s Big Papi.”
Darryl Strawberry not welcome in Mets clubhouse?
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5/26 01:22: Cross Jeff Francoeur’s name off the list of “prominent” Mets not wanting Darryl Strawberry around. Francoeur said he has no problems with Strawberry in the clubhouse and offering advice (courtesy of Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com)
5/25 12:06: ESPN 1050 (via Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News) says that two “prominent” Mets told Jay Horwitz, vice president of media relations, that they do not want Darryl Strawberry near them.
Strawberry visited the Mets last week while the team was in Washington.
“He was saying you’re better than last place. He told them it was ‘rough’ watching them play, but you’re better than what you showed,” a Mets insider said. “Some of the guys who don’t know Darryl that well, don’t know he still bleeds Mets blue, might have thought it (his advice) was too tough.”
“If they don’t know Darryl they might have wondered why he was coming on so strong,” the source said. “He is sincere. He still cares. That’s why.”
According to Raissman, those who want Strawberry banished won’t be accommodated. Strawberry was, is, and always will be welcomed in the Mets clubhouse.
Tampa Bay Rays Carl Crawford was not too happy with home plate umpire Bob Davidson’s strike call. It eventually resulted in Crawford’s and manager Joe Maddon’s ejection. Check out the video as Crawford and Maddon get into Davidson’s face (you can fast forward to the 0:29 second mark).
Here’s what Crawford had to say afterwards (courtesy of Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Rays):
I liked how Crawford appreciated Maddon getting out there “real quick” even though Maddon “didn’t know what was going on”. Head caught in your hoodie Joe?
No foul play suspected in Limas's death
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5/25 21:33: The autopsy on former baseball player Jose Lima was completed Tuesday in Los Angeles, but official results will not be disclosed until early next week, a family source told ESPNdeportes.com.
The initial theory about a massive heart attack is still in place as the cause of death, said the source. A routine police investigation also dismissed any foul play and found no evidence of drugs in Lima’s residence or vehicle.
5/23 12:08: Former right-hand pitcher Jose Lima died of an apparent heart attack Sunday morning according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com. Lima, who was 37, died in his Los Angeles home. The 37 year old had pitched for the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
“Jose was complaining while sleeping and I just thought he was having a nightmare,” said Lima’s wife Dorca Astacio . “I called the paramedics, but they couldn’t help him.”
Lima had recently joined Dodgers organization as a member of their alumni association and planned to open a youth baseball academy this summer in Los Angeles.
Lima was 89-102 in 13 Major League seasons. He was selected to the 1999 All Star game with Houston when he won 21 games.
Limia is survived by his wife and five children. His body will be buried in the Dominican Republic.
K-Rod and Mets bullpen coach go toe to toe
Posted by: | CommentsThe New York Times reported that Francisco Rodriguez had to be separated from bullpen coach Randy Niemann by other relievers after he got into a heated argument with Niemann over his usage on Sunday night.
“I guess they had a disagreement,” Manuel said. “By the time it got to me, Randy said there was no issues after that and it was resolved. You’re going to have some issues in the bullpen or in the dugout or whatever. I don’t see that as an issue at this point.”
K-Rod minimized whatever occurred, calling portrayals of the incident false. “Of course it is,” Rodriguez said. “I never got into it with nobody. I have nothing to say. No comments.”
And lets not forget K-Rod and then-Mets vice president of player development Tony Bernazard had a verbal altercation upon boarding a team bus in Atlanta last season, weeks before Bernazard was fired. K-Rod plays with a lot of emotion but has a tendency of going to far sometimes.
Information from ESPNNEWYORK.com was used in this article.
Roy Oswalt Trade Rumors: Could Dodgers acquire pitcher after All Star Break?
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5/25 21:06: Tony Jackson of ESPN.com is reporting that the Astros are currently not in trade talks with any team. Which means Dodger fans will have to keep waiting for their established ace. As the Astros continue to fall further out of contention look for them to make a trade closer to the trade deadline.
5/25 13:17: Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times says that the Los Angeles Dodgers are good enough to win the National League West and play into October. Shaikin adds that with Roy Oswalt, the team could get through October and into their first World Series in 22 years.
“He’s one of those No. 1 guys,” manager Joe Torre said about Oswalt. “When you have one of the guys of that quality — like Roy Halladay was talked about last year, or Cliff Lee — for certain that type of pitcher changes the way not only you look at yourself, but the way other clubs look at you.”
Ned Colletti would not say if he spoke with Houston Astros GM Ed Wade, but Colletti senses they will be in the market for pitching after the All-Star break.
Omar Vizquel Retirement Rumors: Done after 2010?
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According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times this season may be Omar Vizquel’s last one.
“It’s hard to play in the role that I am when you’re used to playing every day,” Vizquel insisted. “It’s hard preparation, sometimes you feel disappointed, sometimes you’re sad. Your mental process is different. You take different ways to prepare and I don’t know if I can do it another year. I could probably do it because physically I feel pretty good, but mentally it takes a toll on your body. It makes you doubt sometimes. I don’t think I want to go through that process again.”
Vizquel could change his mind.
“I have to finish this season pretty strong, and if I feel like I finish the way I really want to I might give it a thought to go another year,” Vizquel added.
Vizquel, 43, is in his 21st season in the Big Leagues mostly with the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants. He had a part time role in the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers and the Chciago White Sox.
Red Sox do not DFA Darnell McDonald – instead DFA Scott Atchison
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According to NECN.com, the Red Sox did not designate Darnell McDonald for assignment. Rather they announced reliever Scott Atchison, who was promoted from Pawtucket a day earlier, has been designated for assignment.
The DFA is procedural and the team will option Atchison on Thursday.
It is likely that the Red Sox held onto McDonald because outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury complained about soreness in his left side.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the team did not yet have revocable waivers in order to option Atchison. Designating Atchison for assignment buys them the necessary time to obtain those revocable waivers.
Mike Stanton Rumors: Florida Marlins looking forward to phenom
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Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post says that Florida Marlins players can’t wait to see Mike Stanton, but the organization won’t rush him.
“They’re pulling for him,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said about Stanton, who’s batting .318 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI for Class AA Jacksonville.
“They want to see him and they want to be his teammate. They’ve got Twitter and email, so they know if he has a home run.”
Stanton is expected to make the jump from Double-A to the Big League club, bypassing Triple-A New Orleans.
“It has been discussed,” Gonzalez said about Stanton going to New Orleans before going up to the Marlins. “There are reasons to do that. When they tell you they’re ready, they’re ready.
It’s likely that the Marlins are waiting until June so that Stanton will not accrue enough service time to become a Super 2 player. By waiting, Stanton will not become arbitration eligible sooner than expected and the Marlins can save some money.
