Rumors for June, 2010
Update – Bobby Valentine no longer in running for Marlins managerial job
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According to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman, Bobby Valentine is not in the running for the Florida Marlins managerial job. Heyman adds that he is uncertain what “blew up” with the negotiations.
On Friday, Heyman confirmed the Marlins were to hire Valentine as the team’s manager.
According to Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post, Valentine does not know if he’s still in the running for the job. “I have no idea,” Valentine said.
Valentine was supposed to meet with the Marlins’ executives as early as Friday, but as of yesterday, all of the parites could not be in place for a face-to-face meeting.
On Thursday, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN The Magazine said the Florida Marlins were expected to offer Bobby Valentine a four-year contract.
Valentine confirmed on Thursday that he had withdrawn his name from the Baltimore Orioles managerial job soon after the the Marlins position opened up. The Marlins fired manager Fredi Gonzalez on Wednesday.
Update 6/27 18:16: Valentine spoke about the situtaiton on Baseball Tonight where he’s an analyst. This is what he said (via Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post):
“I’m in the process. The last I heard, the only thing I know about this managerial hiring is a process that people need to be interviewed. Decisions need to be made. I think we’re right in the middle of this process.’’
“Right now Edwin Rodriguez is managing that team and he’s getting to go home in Puerto Rico to manage against the Mets which I think is a grand thing because he’s a wonderful baseball guy, the first Puerto Rican manager and his family and friends are excited.’’
Valentine also says, “I can’t mention that chance or percentage because I’m in the middle of the process.’’
Update 6/27 21:12: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says the reason the talks broke down was not because of salary, but because of philosophical differences.
It’s possible that there could a reversal in the decision.
Update 6/28 01:36: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paulo Morosi of FOXSports says the Florida marlins have informed the commissioner’s off that Valentine is out of the running to replace Fredi Gonzalez.
This is a conflicting report from what Valentine said earlier in the day:
“I’m in the process. The last I heard, the only thing I know about this managerial hiring is a process that people need to be interviewed. Decisions need to be made. I think we’re right in the middle of this process.’’
FOXSports says there may be an internal conflict with owner Jeffrey Loria and club president David Samon.
Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors: Team needs relief pitching
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Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times wonders if the Dodgers’ ownership will spend money to address a big problem that was observed on Sunday night’s loss to the Yankees – relief pitching.
Shaikin says the team has championship aspirations, but it does not have championship depth. The team has two reliable starting pitchers and three reliable relievers. Their closer Jonathan Broxton has pitched more innings than anyone in the team’s bullpen.
“If he [manager Joe Torre] hesitates to trust any relievers besides Broxton, Ronald Belisario and Hong-Chih Kuo,” Shaikin says, “then the Dodgers either need to get another manager, or get their manager another reliever.”
It’s been widely speculated that the Dodgers have been pursuing starting pitching. They have been named a possible suitor for the Mariner’s Cliff Lee. However, GM Ned Colletti cannot limit himself to a starting pitcher.
“I know Ned is certainly not zeroing in on one little area,” Torre said.
VIDEO: B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria get into argument
Posted by: | CommentsCheck out this video of Tampa Bay Rays B.J. Upton getting lazy chasing down a hit by Arizona Diamondbacks Rusty Ryal in the fifth inning. He later got into a confrontation with teammate Evan Longoria in the dugout presumably regarding his sloppy play.
Los Angeles Angels Rumors: Team to focus on first baseman
Posted by: | CommentsMark Saxson of ESPNLosAngles.com says the Angels might be focusing their needs on the first base position before the July 31 trade deadline.
GM Tony Reagins said he has been actively engaged in trade talks, but would not elaborate.
“Right now, there’s nothing I can say is going to happen in the next day or so,” Reagins said.
“There’s a need for depth,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “That’s the best way I can put it. With every team that’s a contender, there’s a very distinct depth chart that will emerge and it will show you where you can add some depth. Our team is no different.”
Current first baseman Mike Napoli could be involved a deal since the team has depth at catcher (Napoli also catches) and Scioscia has been frustrated by Napoli’s streakiness and defensive struggles behind the plate.
Two remaining possibilities for the Angles include the Adam Dunn of the Washington Nationals and Adam LaRoche of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Prince Fielder Rumors: No contract extension in sight?
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Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel says talks between the Milwaukee Brewers and Prince Fielder’s agent, Scott Boras, regarding a contract extension are non-existent.
“There’s nothing going on at this time,” said GM Doug Melvin.
Haudricourt says that word around Miller Park is that Fielder and Boras rebuffed the club’s initial offer and shutting down talks.
“I’m not going to get into any of that,” said Melvin. “I’m sure his name will come up in trade rumors. It always does with any player that’s not signed (for the long-term).”
Haudricourt adds that the odds are the Brewers will wait for the off-season to trade Fielder. Fielder will be a free agent after the 2011 season.
“You can get more teams involved,” Melvin said. “Pitching, you can trade at any time. Pitching probably has more value at this time of the year. A pitcher can fit on anyone’s staff.
“A position player has to be a perfect fit. There are only so many teams competing for the players. A lot of them have certain positions filled. So, you’re only talking about one or two teams (to trade with).
“In the off-season, things change. Players go to other teams as free agents. Teams lose players. You can get more teams involved.”
When Fielder was asked about the possibility of signing an extension with the Brewers, Fielder said, “I haven’t really heard anything about it. I’m not sure if it’s a hiatus or not. I’m just focusing on playing baseball right now.”
Baltimore Orioles Rumors: Davey Johnson would listen to job offer if called
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Former Baltimore Orioles manager Davey Johnson has not had any contact with the Baltimore Orioles about the open managerial position, and he isn’t actively pursuing it.
“I have not been contacted, but I will always have interest in Baltimore, and I’ll always care about whatever happens to them in any way, shape or form,” Johnson, a senior advisor to Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, told The Baltimore Sun. “The best part of my life was spent here.”
Best part of his life? What about the 1986 Mets?
Nick Cafardo on Cliff Lee, Jed Hoyer, D.J. Carrasco, Garrett Atkins, Edwin Encarnacion
Posted by: | CommentsNick Cafardo of The Boston Globe has a few trade speculations in his regular Sunday article:
Cliff Lee: He’s pitching as good as he ever has, but the Seattle Mariners are 14 games out of the AL West. Lee will would still be traded at the deadline with the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals being most aggressive at pursuing the left-hander.
Jed Hoyer: The San Diego Padres GM has to monitor the innings of his young pitching staff: Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc, and Clayton Richard. Because of the limited innings in the second half, the Padres will be active at the trade deadline for a veteran pitcher.
D.J. Carrasco: The Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever could be on the move at the trade deadline. His versatility as a long to middle man could be in demand.
Garrett Atkins: He’s on the “designated for assignment” watch the past month and the Baltimore Orioles may pull the tigger on the infielder.
Edwin Encarnacion: He has been a tremendous disappointed, so much so that he’s at Triple-A Las Vegas. Current Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos said he hasn’t given up on the third baseman and he hopes that he can fix his swing. If he does, he’s definitely a trade chip.
Fredi Gonzalez Rumors: Not a lock for Atlanta Braves job next year?
Posted by: | CommentsIt was widely assumed that former Marlins manager, Fredi Gonzalez, would assume the Atlanta Braves managerial position when Bobby Cox retires after this season. However, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, it’s not “signed, sealed and delivered.”
“Everyone thinks it’ll come from the Cox tree or the Braves tree, but they may surprise you and bring in someone not related at all. Until Fredi was fired, I’m sure they had a few people on their radar. Fredi’s firing was a surprise so I’m not sure he was in the picture. Maybe he is now, but I know John Schuerholz has tried his best to keep this really quiet because he doesn’t want it to take away from Bobby’s last season.’’
In today’s article by Cafardo, he talks with 1995 Manager of the Year and current Colorado Rockies hitting coach, Don Baylor, and his lack of interviews and managerial opportunities in the league.
Gonzalez was fired by the Florida Marlins last week. He was the Braves third base coach under Cox from 2003-2006.
Scott Schoeneweis Rumors: Free agent wants to pitch again?
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Free agent left-handed pitcher Scott Schoeneweis says he wants to pitch again, according to The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo. Cafardo says that he really wanted to stay with the Red Sox and wishes he’d been used more in the role that he anticipated – a situational lefty.
“I would love to pitch again this season, but it would have to be a special situation given my family situation.”
Schoenweis’ wife died from a drug overdose last year, and he had been raising his children by himself. He was eventually released by the Red Sox last month. In 15 appearances this season with the Red Sox Schoeneweis was 1-0 with a 7.90 ERA.
Erik Bedard Rumors: Will Mariners finally get a return on investment?
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Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe wonders if the Seattle Mariners will get a return on left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard either through performance or trade. Bedard, 31, is scheduled to start July 6 versus the Kansas City Royals if his rehab from shoulder surgery continues to go well.
Bedard has provided 30 starts for the Mariners since he was traded from the Orioles in exchange for four players, including Adam Jones and Chris Tillman.
Cafardo suggests that if Bedard is pitching OK in July, the Mariners may be able to dump him and recoup some of their investment.
