Rumors for June, 2010
Update – Bobby Valentine Rumors: Could Valentine be the next Marlins manager?
Posted by: | Comments6/23 15:03: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets,
“Sources: #Marlins “moving fast,” trying to interview Bobby V as quickly as possible. Other external, internal candidates in mix.”
6/23 12:03: Valentine confirmed that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Baltimore Orioles managerial job.
“I am honored and flattered that the Orioles reached out with this potential opportunity, but at this time in my career, I feel I should direct my energies in another direction,” Valentine said.
Valentine is likely the top candidate for the Marlins open managerial position.
Information from Tim Kurkjian of ESPN The Magazine was used in this article.
6/23 09:18: A couple baseball writers think Bobby Valentine could be the next manager of the Florida Marlins.
Ed Price of Fanhouse says that there is a belief in the game that the Marlins have a deal with Bobby Valentine to succeed ousted manager Fredi Gonzalez.
Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports agrees with Price and suggests that Valentine could be the next manager of the Marlins.
Bobby Valentine interviewed with the Baltimore Orioles earlier this month for their open manager’s job. Valentine, known for his distinct personality, managed the Texas Rangers and the New York Mets. He took the Mets to the World Series in 2000 where they lost to the Yankees in 5 games.
Adam Everett Rumors: Boston Red Sox interested in former Detroit shortstop
Posted by: | CommentsRob Bradford of WEEI, says the Boston Red Sox have show interest in free agent shortstop Adam Everett.
Bradford says the Red Sox would not attempt at signing Everett until the team opens up a roster spot, perhaps in a transaction involving Mike Lowell.
Red Sox assistant GM Ben Cherington said the team’s needs include a backup middle infielder, bullpen help and a left-handed hitting outfield.
Everett was designated for assignment and then released by the Detroit Tigers earlier this month. If the Red Sox sign Everett, they would only be responsible for the prorated Major League minimum. The Tigers are responsible for the rest of the infielder’s one-year, $1.55 million contract. Everett, 33, was hitting .185/.221/.247 in 31 games for the Tigers in 2010.
Update – Philadelphia Phillies Greg Dobbs clears waivers
Posted by: | Comments6/23 12:06: MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki said Dobbs has cleared waivers. It is likely that he will accept an assignment to Triple-A, but Zolecki could not confirm.
6/22 11:54: Todd Zolecki of MLB.com has a few transactions from the Philadelphia Phillies:
Greg Dobbs was designated for assignment. Dobbs was hitting .152/.222/.242 in 42 games for the Phillies this season.
The team also activated Jimmy Rollins from the disbled list. They placed Carlos Ruiz on the disabled list, recalled Mike Zagurski and optionedScott Mathieson to Triple-A.
Update – Judge ruling could hurt Texas Rangers chance to acquire players
Posted by: | Comments6/23 10:49: Buster Olney of ESPN says there may not be enough time for the Rangers’ bankruptcy case to be resolved. With that said, the team may not be able acquire Roy Oswalt.
However, Cliff Lee is not out of the picture. The Rangers will need to get creative to even out the money exchanged. Olney suggests that the Rangers include Rich Harden in a deal.
6/22 16:36: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets this:
“Rangers not totally discouraged by judge’s ruling. Source says judge made point to say he understands meaning of 7/31 and that he doesn’t want matter to drag past then. Ruling is direction to go back and negotiate. Mediator-type could be appointed.”
6/22 13:33: Anthony Andro and Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram says a federal judge has ruled that Texas Rangers owner, Tom Hicks, cannot sell the team to a group of investors without satisfying the banks that loaned Hicks more than $525 million.
The ruling was handed down on Tuesday and the Star-Telegram says that it appears to be a “crushing blow to a ‘prepackaged bankruptcy plan.’”
The hope was the deal could be completed by the All-Star break and the team could move forward with acquiring players with a hope at a playoff run. The team was hoping to acquire players such as Cliff Lee of the Seattle Mariners and Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros. Unless the sale is completed, the team is limited to a budget set by Major League Baseball.
Update – Ben Sheets Trade Rumors: Oakland A’s could kick in money to make a trade happen
Posted by: | Comments6/23 10:46: Buster Olney of ESPN says that if the A’s decide to trade Sheets, Oakland could kick in some money to make the trade happen. The A’s are working well within their budget.
6/23 02:48: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Oakland Athletics do not plan to trade starting pitcher Ben Sheets unless they have a “compelling offer”. Sheets is currently signed to a one-year, $10 million salary and the team views the right-handed pitcher as a valuable mentor for its young starting staff.
Sheets is likely a Type B free agent, so the A’s would receive only a compensation pick if he signed with another club after the season.
Rosenthal adds that center fielder Coco Crisp is another trade possibility. The A’s hold a $5.75 million club option for Crisp’s 2011 season, so it would easily fit within the team’s budget. Oakland will need plenty of motivation to trade Crisp.
Toronto Blue Jays Rumors: Jays to start selling off their pitching?
Posted by: | CommentsJon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the Toronto Blue Jays may become sellers in the pitching department. Heyman speculates (via Twitter) that the Jason Frasor, Scott Down, Shaun Marcum and Ricky Romero are probably untouchable.
Heyman follows up saying that Blue Jays president, Paul Beeston, wants to continue to compete and not sell off pieces of the team. However Heyman says some in the organization are more realistic than Beeston. The Blue Jays are currently 38-33, 6 games out in the AL East and in fourth place.
New York Mets sign RHP Ramon Ortiz to Minor League contract
Posted by: | CommentsGerard Guilfoyle of SNY.tv says the New York Mets have signed right-handed pitcher Ramon Ortiz to a Minor League contract. Ortiz will be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo and start tonight.
Ortiz, 37, was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of May. He was 1-2 with a 6.30 ERA in 16 appearances (2 starts) for the Dodgers this season.
Chad Qualls rumors: Florida Marlins looking at Diamondbacks closer?
Posted by: | CommentsBarry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Florida Marlins have inquired about Arizona Diamondbacks’ closer Chad Qualls.
In exchange for Qualls, the Diamondbacks apparently asked for prospect Logan Morrison to be included in the deal causing the Marlins to halt the talks.
Jackson says the Marlins have been eying sub-.500 teams for relievers. Another possible reliever on their list is Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Matt Thornton, but Jackson says that this is unlikely as long as the White Sox are contending.
Earlier in June, it was rumored the Minnesota Twins were monitoring Qualls in addition to Seattle Mariners reliever David Aardsma.
Fired Pittsburgh Pirates pierogi is rehired
Posted by: | CommentsAndrew Kurtz, the pierogi mascot that gained national attention for being fired, has his job back. Bob Cohn of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says the Pirates re-hired Kurtz because he was not really terminated. The supervisor who apparently fired Kurtz did not have the authority to do so.
“I feel better now,” Kurtz said Tuesday.
Kurtz found out directly from team president Frank Coonelly.
“He told me what happened, he apologized and he offered my job back, and I accepted,” said Kurtz.
Last week, Kurtz posted a message on his Facebook page aimed at team president Frank Coonelly, general manager Neal Huntington and manager John Russell. It read: “Coonelly extended the contracts of Russell and Huntington through the 2011 season. That means a 19-straight losing streak. Way to go Pirates.”
