Rumors for August, 2010
Los Angeles Dodgers place Hiroki Kuroda on waivers
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Maybe Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has finally realized that 2010 wasn’t the Dodgers year. Even after the trade deadline, Colletti continued to look for ways to upgrade the team. Which for the fans of a big market team is what you expect from the GM. But there comes a time when you have to say this year wasn’t our year and move on. Part of that moving on process is putting certain players on waivers to gauge other teams interest and try and get a return for that player if your able to make a trade. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Dodgers did just that today and put Hiroki Kuroda on waivers. One executive told Rosenthal that the Yankees if given the opportunity would claim Kuroda. It is unknown if the Dodgers plan to keep Kuroda on waivers or if they will pull him back. Kuroda is set to start tomorrow night in Milwaukee against the Brewers which could be his last start as a Dodger if he is claimed and traded. Kuroda currently sports a 3.48 ERA but has a very deceiving 8-11 record which can be partly attributed to the Dodgers poor offensive effort as of late. Kuroda is also scheduled to make $2.7mm for the rest of the year.
The Yankees would love to pick up a talented pitcher like Kuroda as they recently decided to move Javier Vazquez to the bullpen due to his decrease in velocity and overall poor pitching. As well as the uncertainty of Andy Pettitte and his return from the DL. Every contender would love to have a player like Kuroda. The question is will the Dodgers pull Kuroda back or let him go through waivers and see who he lands with.
Philadelphia Phillies sign Nate Robertson
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The Philadelphia Enquirer’s Matt Gelb says that the Phillies have confirmed the signing of left-handed pitcher Nate Robertson to a Minor League contract.
Earlier this month, B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidWest.com said Robertson signed a Minor League deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. He went 2-1 with a 9.45 ERA with Triple-A Memphis this month in 6 games (3 starts) in 20 innings pitched.
Robertson, 32, was 6-7 with a 5.10 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts) for the Marlins this season before he was released last month. He was acquired by the Marlins in a trade with the Detroit Tigers this spring. The Tigers would pay $9.6 million of the remaining $10 million on Robertson’s deal while the Marlins were only responsible for the MLB minimum.
Texas Rangers designated Joaquin Arias for assignment
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The Texas Rangers have designated infielder Joaquin Arias for assignment to make room for infielder Alex Cora, according to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Cora’s contract was purchased from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Arias, 25, was hitting .276/.290/.347 in 50 games for the Rangers this season. The Rangers originally acquired Arias in 2004 as a player to be named later in a trade that included Alfonso Soriano for Alex Rodriguez. Texas was choosing between Arias and Robinson Cano at the time, and decided to go with Arias.
Milwaukee Brewers need to lower expectations in order to trade Prince Fielder
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Milwaukee Brewers’ first baseman Prince Fielder is coming up to his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2011, and he’s expected to earn around $16 million. Before he becomes a free agent, the Brewers may trade him since they cannot afford the $200 million contract that Fielder and agent Scott Boras reportedly want.
Ken Rosethal of FOXSports says that the Brewers may have a hard time this winter trying to move Fielder since there will be many available players at first base:
- Left-handed hitters (like Prince): Adam Dunn, Carlos Pena, Adam LaRoche, Aubrey Huff, Lyle Overbay, Russell Branyan.
- Right-handed hitters: Paul Konerko, Derrek Lee, Jorge Cantu.
- Switch-hitter: Lance Berkman.
Rosenthal says the Brewers should have pushed harder to trade Fielder before this year’s July 31st trade deadline, but there was no obvious market for him. The team may have to wait until next July if they want to find any serious suitors. Any trade with two months left in his contract wouldn’t fetch much of a bounty.
The Brewers are in desparate need for pitching. They tried to acquire pitchers Madison Bumgarner and/or Jonathan Sanchez from the San Francisco Giants in July in exchange for outfielder Corey Hart, but the Giants were unwilling to part with either of those young pitchers.
Milwaukee could second baseman Rickie Weeks. Weeks who recently chose Greg Genske as his new agent is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season. The Brewers have Brett Lawrie in Double-A who could replace Weeks. The Brewers also have outfielder Lorenzo Cain as a trading chip to get pitching. Read More→
Arizona Diamondbacks release INF Bobby Crosby
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The Arizona Diamondbacks have released infielder Bobby Crosby, according to interim General Manager Jerry Dipoto via team press release.
Crosby was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates along with outfielder Ryan Church and relief pitcher D.J. Carrasco in a July 31st deal in exchange for catcher Chris Snyder.
Crosby, 30, is hitting .220/.294/.298 in 97 games with the Pirates and Diamondbacks this season.
Adam Dunn is willing to talk to Cubs if Nationals don’t sign him to new contract
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The Chicago Cubs plan to get back into contention next year, and with that said, they are in the market for a free-agent first baseman – with Adam Dunn being one of GM Jim Hendry’s top priorities this witner.
According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Time, Dunn is willing to talk if the Washington Nationals don’t make a strong push to get him signed to a contract extension before a becomes a free agent in the fall.
”[Wrigley Field's] obviously one of my favorite parks to hit in,” said Dunn ”I’ve always really enjoyed playing there. The atmosphere is great there for any player. The fans are always hard on the other team, which makes it fun.”
Dunn, 30, has performed well in Wrigley with a .282 batting average and 25 home runs in 66 games in the Friendly Confines.
Wittenmyer adds that if the Cubs plan to contend, the will need at least one frontline starting pitcher and a first baseman with corner-infield production.
”I don’t know if they’re going to spend the money,” third baseman Aramis Ramirez said recently. ”But Dunn would fit anybody’s lineup. But they’re going to have to spend a lot of money to get [him].”
Dunn is in the final year of a two-year, $20 million deal. He has had talks with the Nationals regarding an extension, but nothing formal has been presented.
Los Angeles Angels giving up on the 2010 season? Many placed on waivers
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With little more than a month left in the season, and the team being 9 games back in the American League West division, the Los Angeles Angels look like they are giving up by placing several trade candidates on waivers. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, Brian Fuentes, Juan Rivera, Mike Napoli and Bobby Abreu have been placed on trade waivers.
The Angels were one of the more aggressive teams before the July 31st trade deadline. They acquired infielder Alberto Callaspo and right-handed pitcher Dan Haren while giving up several prospects. Now it seems the team is trying to salvage as much payroll as possible in order to prepare for future season.
Fuentes, is in the final year of his two-year, $17.5 million deal. Earlier this month, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times said the Angels could look to re-signing the closer to a new contract. He has a vesting option for 2011 should he finish 55 games this season. He’s currently at 32, so the option will unlikely vest.
Placing players on trade waivers does not necessarily mean they are going to be moved, but in order to make a trade in August, the team needs to pass them through waivers in order to freely negotiate a deal with the 29 teams. August 31st is the deadline to set postseason rosters, so contending teams are looking for the final pieces to make them competitive come October.
Johnny Damon staying with Detroit Tigers
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According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, Johnny Damon is staying with the Detroit Tigers. Damon said, “I’m not going.”
Damon was claimed off of waivers yesterday by the Boston Red Sox. The waiver claim will expire approximately 1pm EST on Wednesday, so it is possible that Damon could change his mind. Damon has leverage in this situation because he has a no-trade clause that prevents him from being moved to the Red Sox without his permission.
Earlier today, PRO Rumors speculated that Damon is negotiating a compensation package via the media. It will come down to the next 24 hours to see if Damon is bluffing or truly wants to stay in Detroit.
C.C. Sabathia won’t “even consider” becoming a free agent after 2011
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New York Yankees’ fans can rejoice, their star left-handed pitcher C.C. Sabathia has no intention on leaving the Bronx. According to Mark Hale, Sabathia told the New York Post that he won’t “even consider” becoming a free agent after 2011, even though his contract allows him to opt-out.
“I’m here,” Sabathia said. “Hundred percent.”
“I think you know I’ve built a house here, right?” he said. “My kids go to school here. We live here year round. So I’m not going anywhere.”
Sabathia, 30, signed a seven-year, $161 million contract before the 2009 season, and he’s been well worth the investment. This season he is 17-5 with a 3.02 ERA with a 1.220 WHIP and 7.2 SO/9 ratio.
Ryne Sandberg lobbying for Chicago Cubs managerial job
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Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman and now manager of their Triple-A Iowa affiliate is making it publicly known that he wants the vacant Cubs managerial job. On FOXSports Radio’s Petros & Money show, when asked if he wanted to job, Sandberg said,
“I do. I do. That’s my goal. Just like the players I have here we take advantage of our hard work and the hours we spend at the stadium and at the ball park and on the field. Playing these games, one hundred and forty-four games a year. Just to have experience, to learn it and like I said I’m just like the players now with aspirations to do this at the major league level wherever that would come. I’m just kind of sitting back waiting for a phone call like the players and if somebody feels like I am ready and they want me to manage their ball club, that would be a tough thing to turn down anywhere.”
Sandberg, 50, was named manager of the Iowa Cubs in December 2009. He previously managed the Class-A Peoria Chiefs and Double-A Tennessee Smokies.
Sandberg would be the sentimental and fan favorite to land the job. Other candidates for the Cubs’ job are Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Tony La Russa, Bobby Valentine and interim manager Mike Quade. Last month we profiled a few of these candidates.
