Rumors for June, 2010
Forbes most disliked people in sports includes Mark McGwire and Alex Rodriguez
Posted by: | CommentsForbes, the business and financial news resource, came out with a list of the most disliked people in sports. Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles is listed as the top for his dog abuse. Baseball players on the list include St. Louis Cardinals batting coach Mark McGwire and New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Here’s what Forbes had to say about both:
Mark McGwire, St. Louis Cardinals – Percent Dislike: 48%
Baseball’s steroid stigma still needs some time to pass, apparently. McGwire’s recent tearful interview with Bob Costas got mixed reviews–he came across as genuinely sorry but refused to acknowledge the ‘roids pumped up his home run total. Luckily hitting coaches spend little time on the field during the game.
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees – Percent disliked: 45%
A-Rod is down five spots from last year, when steroid talk dominated the conversation and his (championship) ring finger was still bare. Then again, Tiger and [Ben] Roethlisberger did plenty to jump ahead of him since then, while McGwire only became eligible this year after taking the Cardinals’ hitting coach job
Others on the list included:
Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Al Davis, Owner of Oakland Raiders
Tiger Woods, Golfer
Jerry Jones, Owner of Dallas Cowboys
Terrell Ownes, Buffalo Bills WR
Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers QB
Los Angeles Angels Rumors: Is Dan Haren a perfect fit for the Halos?
Posted by: | CommentsBill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times says right-handed pitcher Dan Haren of the Arizona Diamondbacks could be a perfect fit for the Los Angeles Angels.
Yes, the team probably needs a first baseman, a third baseman and a fourth outfielder now, but come playoff time having an ace like Haren could get the team well into October.
Shaikin says Haren would be a better option than Roy Oswalt because of his age (29 versus 32) and with that comes less arm wear and tear (600 fewer innings than Oswalt). The Angels do not want to go into a bidding war, so it’s unlikely they will try for Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners.
The Angels may not have Major League reader starters in their Minor League system right now, but they could include some top position players in a trade. If the Arizona Diamondbacks are serious around rebuilding, they may be better off trading Haren right now and get the best possible return.
Chicago White Sox Rumors: Reinsdorf won’t rule out adding salary?
Posted by: | CommentsThe Chicago Sun-Times says the White Sox could add salary to its payroll this season as opposed to surrendering the season.
Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said the Sox could add salary, but the team may be good enough if it continues to play well.
”But you have to be realistic,” he said. ”This was a soft part of the schedule. You have to win these games. Detroit is actually hotter than we are. We’ll just play the games and see what happens.”
”First, if you really want to move players, the buyers aren’t there yet,” Reinsdorf said. ”It’s not time yet. Right now, people are saying, ‘I like your guy, but I’m not taking on any salary.’ That means you’re not a buyer. When you get closer to July 31, that’s when the buyers come out, and hopefully we’ll be a buyer at that time. Hopefully we won’t be a seller.”
Reinsdorft also understands the Minnesota Twins could be spenders because of their new stadium the increased revenue it generates.
”If you’re going to compete, you have to,” Reinsdorf said. ”There are going to be [times] in every franchise’s existence where you don’t compete. The system is designed for the bottom teams to get better and the lesser teams to get better draft choices. The trick in this business is when you’re bad, have a low payroll and marshal your money, so that when you have a chance to be good, you can go out and spend it. And we have always been good at that. This is the first time I can remember where we have a high payroll and the team hasn’t played well, but maybe we’re good. The way we’re playing, maybe it will turn out that we’re good.”
The White Sox have shifted from a possible sell-off strategy earlier this month to going into a holding pattern last week.
Chicago White Sox and 1st round pick Chris Sale reach agreement
Posted by: | CommentsJim Callis of Baseball America reports that first-round and number 13th overall pick from the 2010 MLB Draft, Chris, Sale, has agreed with the Chicago White Sox for the MLB recommended bonus of $1.656 million.
Sale will take a physical on Monday and will likely sign a deal on Tuesday. Sale is the highest-drafted player to agree to terms this ummer.
Sale will initially report to Class A Winston-Salem, with an anticipated promotion to Triple-A Charlotte in July. Callis says Sale could have an opportunity to join the Big League bullpen as early as August. Sale will also join the Arizona Fall League as a starter and get an opportunity to make the starting rotation in Spring Training in 2011.
Arizona Diamondback Rumors: No fire sale coming
Posted by: | CommentsNick Piecoro of the Arizona Daily-Republic says the Diamondbacks are not expected to have a full-on fire sale despite managing general partner Ken Kendrick saying all areas of the organization are under review.
“We probably need to make adjustments with our roster and the cost of our roster,” said GM Josh Byrnes. “There really isn’t any one player we have to trade.
“We’ll explore a lot of possibilities and see where we end up. I do think a lot of our players are guys we value and want to keep and I think if we’re going to make trades, we’ll have to get the type of things – particularly young pitching depth – that would make sense to us.”
Piecoro said the team would like to deal catcher Chris Snyder, and would like to listen to offers on just about anybody, but if the team were to deal players such as middle infielders Kelly Johnson or Stephen Drew, they would need a significant piece in return in the form of an established pitcher or highly regarded pitching prospect.
Byrnes said the club is preparing for the July 31 trading deadline, and have had preliminary conversations with clubs about how they might match a trade.
Lady Gaga banned from New York Yankees clubhouse?
Posted by: | CommentsEarlier today, Hal Steinbrenner, co-chairman of the New York Yankees, said pop star Lady Gaga was banned from the team’s clubhouse after her boozy antics of swigging whiskey and repeatedly fondling her boobs during a visit to Yankee Stadium. The singer found her way to the clubhouse, without team approval, and hung out there for 30 minutes after the team lost to the New York Mets.
Gaga, wearing a half-unbuttoned Yankees jersey, and exposing her black bra and bikini bottoms met with six players – including Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano.
GM Brian Cashman was not aware of Gaga’s presence in the locker room. When told of her appearance, Cashman said, “What? I didn’t know that,” and stormed off.
Ryan Franklin Retirement Rumors: To retire after 2011 season
Posted by: | CommentsSt. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin says that after this contract ends after the 2011 season, he will hang it up and retire. He wants to develop 80 acres of desirable real estate and enjoy 600 acres of undeveloped land he uses as a hunting preserve with his wife and three kids.
“I think I owe it to my family,” Franklin said before Friday’s series opener against the Oakland A’s. “I’ve missed a lot of things that have been going on. I don’t want to miss a lot more.
Franklin, 37, signed a two-year, below-market, $6.5 million extension last summer that runs through 2011. He is 3-0, with 13 saves and has a 2.40 ERA this season with the Cardinals.
He will fully vest his union’s pension and medical benefits after the 2010 season.
Information from Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was used in this article.
Nick Cafardo on Adam LaRoche, Jay Payton, Pedro Feliz, Willie Bloomquist
Posted by: | CommentsNick Cafardo of The Boston Globe speculates on a few trade possibilities:
Adam LaRoche, 1B, Diamondbacks – LaRoche had a inside-out left-handed swing – perfect for Fenway. Could Laroche be moved with the Diamondbacks likely doing a sell-off?
Jay Payton, OF, Colorado Springs – Payton is doing well for the Rockies Triple-A affiliaite. The 37-year-old is hitting .321 with a 3 home runs and 37 RBIS and .368 OBP. He could still run and would be a good extra outfielder for a team looking for depth.
Pedro Feliz, 3B, Astros – Houston may soon decide to go with Chris Johnson as their everyday third baseman, freeing up Feliz and making him trade bait. Feliz wouldn’t fetch much. He’s hitting .223 with 2 home runs and 22 RBIs.
Willie Bloomquist, utility, Royals – Cafardo says Bloomquist would be a “small-scale trade bait” before the year is up.
We’ve all heard the rumors about Texas Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia not being able to throw the ball back to the pitcher (aka the yips). Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says that Saltalamacchia seems to be over it after undergoing physical and psychological therapy. The catcher feels ready to get back to the Big Leagues (he’s currently at Triple-A Oklahoma City), but the Rangers aren’t too eager to bring him back up.
The Rangers currently have Matt Treanor and Max Ramirez with the Major League club and the team doesn’t want to disrupt the duo. The team also have promising catcher Taylor Teagarden in Double-A.
When Saltalamacchia was asked if he would like to be traded, he said, “I’d love to play every day for the Texas Rangers. But if I’m not in their plans, there’s no question I’d want to play in the major leagues. Right now, Matt Treanor is doing a good job and I’m happy for him.’’
The Mariners have been looking at young catchers. With the backlog of catchers in Texas, could Saltalamacchia be a good fit for the Mariners?
6/20 02:05: Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says that if the Orioles want a manager who bring in an entire system, top to botom, then Showalter is their man.
6/17 12:42: Jeff Zrebiac of The Baltimore Sun says Buck Showalter will meet with the president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and other team officials next week. Showalter will be the third candidate to interview for the vacant Orioles position since the team fired Dave Trembley earlier this month.
The Orioles have already interviewed former MLB managers Bobby Valentine and Eric Wedge.
Showalter, 54, a two-time AL Manager of the Year, compiled a 882-833 record with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. He has not managed since 2006 with the Rangers.
