Rumors for July, 2010
VIDEO: Seattle Mariners in a fight after Chone Figgins and Don Wakamatsu argument
Posted by: | CommentsI remember growing up in organized sports and playing and practicing with the same people over the course of several months. At some point you tend to get on each other’s nerves, and arguments occur. So I can’t blame Chone Figgins for getting into an altercation. However, in my lifetime of kiddie and high school sports, never once did I challenge the coach nor did they try to pick a fight with me. As the leader of the Mariner’s clubhouse, manager Don Wakamatsu has no excuse for getting into what ESPN news services called a “brawl” with Figgins.
On Friday night, Figgins appeared to give up on a play in the field in the top of the fifth inning which led to Boston Red Sox’s Mike Cameron getting an extra base. Figgins let a throwin in from left fiender Michael Saunders bounce a few feet to his left and he let it go past the bag without moving toward it. That lack of effort gave Cameron his opportunity.
The video shows what happened after the inning:
According to Mike McCall of MLB.com, Wakamatsu and Figgins exchanged words in the dugout and then a skirmish brok out involving several member of the team. “TV replays showed Jose Lopez — with Figgins behind him — being restrained by Jack Wilson and Ryan Rowland-Smith while Russell Branyan was held back by multiple teammates.”
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times attempts to clarify the situation:
From what we could determine tonight, a heated exchange erupted once Wakamatsu told Figgins he was being pulled from the contest after failing to back up that Michael Saunders throw in the fifth inning. Figgins tried to argue his case and things deteriorated from there.
In the end, players were jumping in left and right to separate the two and pull each other away. Jose Lopez had his jersey pulled off when a coach yanked him away from the fray. We could not determine whether Lopez was part of the initial fight or a separate one, though the more likely explanation seems that he was merely one of those intervening between Wakamatsu and Figgins. A television replay I saw seemed to suggest that.
Wakamatsu said it was Figgins’ responsibility to catch Saunders’ errant throw.
Los Angeles Dodgers release Kiko Calero
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7/23 20:25: According to baseballamerica.com, Kiko Calero has been released by the Dodgers. Calero pitched 15 innings with a 3.00 ERA for the Dodgers Triple-A team.
6/11 10:51: According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the Dodgers have signed right-handed pitcher Kiko Calero to a Minor League deal.
Colero signed a deal with the New York Mets this Spring, but he did not make the big league club this year. Calero pitched for the Marlins in 2009 going 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA over 67 games. You can see Calero’s statistics here.
Update-Ted Lilly Rumors: Cubs plan to trade him before next start?
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7/23 20:25: The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that the Cubs would like to trade Lilly prior to his next start on Tuesday.
According to the Times, the struggling New York Mets have shown the most interest in Lilly. The Detroit Tigers are also believed to be shifting their attention to Lilly after hitting a wall in their talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks centering on Haren. Scouts from several contenders, including the Mets, Tigers, Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers, were at Wrigley Field on Wednesday for Lilly’s start and were impressed with what they saw as he went 7 1/3 and allowed only 1 run against the Astros.
7/23 14:11: The Ted Lilly rumors are heating up again. Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports reminds us that Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly has a 10-team no-trade clause in his contract, so he can’t get traded to teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays. However, the New York Mets and the Detroit Tigers are not on the list.
The Mets have been interested in Lilly for quite some time. Earlier this month, Chicago had gone to the next step and started doing their homework on three Mets prospects: left-hander Robert Carson and right-handers Kyle Allen and Jeurys Familia.
Lilly is likely going to make one more start before the July 31st trade deadline – probably in Houston next week. The left-hander is 1-3 witha 5.44 ERA in his last seven starts and has about $4 million left on his contract. He will be a free agent after the season.
Dan “The Man” Haren Fresh Friday Trade Rumors – Yankees front-runners, Cardinals are out
Posted by: | CommentsWe’re about one week away from the trade deadline, and the rumors are pouring in, especially regarding Arizona Diamondback’s Dan Haren. Here’s the skinny:
Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post says that if the Diamondbacks move haren within the division (such as a trade to the Rockies) they are going to ask for even more than they would from a non-division team.
Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall says, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, that there is “Definitely no clear frontrunner (for Haren). They (Yankees) are involved like others. Nothing imminent”
Ed Price of AOL FanHouse notes that a Yankee official said that nothing “is close” with Arizona. Price also heard from other sources that Arizona is determined to move Haren before his next start on Tuesday.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that the Yankees are “front-runners” for Haren. According to a source close to Rosenthal, the Yankees believe they have the necessary pieces to obtain Haren. The Dbacks are telling teams interested that they are in “advanced negotiations” with one club.
Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says that the Cardinals are out of the Haren race. It seems to confirm that the Yankees are front-runners.
Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says the Cardinals and Yankees are pushing for Haren. A trade is likely in the next few days, but these reports are unconfirmed.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the Tigers are the favorite to land Haren.
Buster Olney of ESPN says the Dbacks are intent on moving Haren before the deadline. Teams involved are the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees
The Twins are barely monitoring Haren since they are on his no-trade list. (Bob Nightengale, USA Today)
Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says the Tigers are also on Haren’s no-trade list. Additionally, Haren’s permission would be needed if the Cincinnati Reds or Tampa Bay Rays decided to join the party.
Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic says that the chances of Haren being traded look increasingly more likely. “It would need to be, in our opinion, an A-plus deal,” Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said. “Ideally, what we would ask for is major-league ready pitching, be it starters and/or bullpen, and prospects.”
Jose Guillen Rumors: 5 teams interested in slugger.
Posted by: | Comments7/23 17:45: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports notes that the following team have at least “passing” interest in Jose Guillen. The Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Padres and Giants.
7/23 08:00: According to Buster Olney, the Giants had a scout on hand for the Royals and Yankees Thursday nights game to watch Jose Guillen (tweet). Guillen is hitting .279 with 15 home runs on the year. He is also not known for being an influential club house leader and has been considered by some to be a club house cancer. You have to wonder if this could in fact hurt the Giants in the long run if they do acquire Guillen.
Jim Riggleman will manage the Nationals in 2011
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Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told Bill Ladson of MLB.com on Friday afternoon that Jim Riggleman will manage the club in 2011. Last offseason, Riggleman signed a one-year deal with a team option for 2011.
Entering Friday’s action, Washington was 42-54 but on pace to improve from last season, when it went 59-103. It was Riggleman who brought accountability back into the Nationals’ locker room for the first time since Frank Robinson managed the club from 2002-06.
“Yes, he will be back next season. He has done a terrific job,” Rizzo said. “We have a great relationship. He is a baseball rat. I can’t beat him to the ballpark. One of these days, I’m going to beat him to the ballpark. He runs at 8:00 a.m. and he is at the ballpark by 11.
“He is a terrific baseball manager. He has great respect from his peers in this game. When the game starts, he is as good as anybody in the game. He has the respect in the clubhouse. He is a diligent worker and he is a loyal employee.”
Giants turning attention to bullpen help?
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Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, is reporting that the Giants are looking into the Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Will Ohman. Ohman has an affordable contract and is different than any other reliever the Giants have. He is a finesse pitcher with a breaking ball that’s very tough on lefty hitters.
General manager Brian Sabean said on his weekly radio show on KNBR on Thursday he is looking for experienced left-handed relief (as well as a bat, preferably left-handed). Ohman who turns 33 next month, has a 2.57 ERA in 28 innings this season. His 1.54 WHIP is high for a late reliever, but more significant, he has held left-handed hitters to a .196 average and .531 OPS.
The Giants, especially with Dan Runzler out, could use a lefty specialist to challenge Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier, James Loney, Carlos Gonzalez and all the other tough left-handed hitters in their division they must retire down the stretch.
You can see Ohman’s career statistics here.
Los Angeles Dodgers designate Justin Miller for assignment
Posted by: | CommentsThe Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen from the Minor Leagues, and in doing so they designated right-handed pitcher Justin Miller for assignment, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
Miller, 32, was 0-0 with a 4.44 ERA in 19 appearances for the Dodgers this season.
Oakland Athletics and Kurt Suzuki agree to 4 year contract
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According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Athletics and catcher Kurt Suzuki have agreed to a four-year contract extension.
The deal is for $16.25 million guaranteed, and it could reach $25-26 million if option for 2014 vests. The option will vest with games played (Suzuki must play just under 120 games for contract to vest) in 2013.
It had been rumored that the Boston Red Sox were interested in Suzuki, and may have pursued him in the off season.
Suzuki was eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season, so his new contract buys out his remaining years of arbitration eligibility, and it goes into his free agent years. Based on initial figures, his deal is better than Colorado Rockies Chris Iannetta’s three-year, $8.35 million contract. Ianetta signed his deal earlier this year.
VIDEO: SF Giants Tim Lincecum goes indoor skydiving
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s a Fun Friday timeout. Check out what million dollar athletes do in their spare time.
I hope the San Francisco Giants management team isn’t watching their No. 1 pitcher doing this:
Tim Lincecum took time out during his recent trip to Los Angeles to do a sponsorship opportunity with Red Bull. He did the iFly indoor skydiving at the Universal Studios City Walk. I’ve done this before, and it’s not as easy as you would think. Just trying to stay in one position is pretty tough.
Source: RedBull
