Rumors for August, 2010
Update – Six teams interested in Brad Hawpe
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8/20 13:46: Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post says the Rangers, Phillies, White Sox, Rays and Giants are potential fits for Hawpe, and he adds that he heard San Diego “mentioned.”
8/20 07:28: Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post says that there are six teams with interest in Hawpe. So far we’ve only heard the Philadelphia Phillies as a “Maybe”.
8/19 12:27: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Philadelphia Phillies could pursue former Colorado Rockies’ Brad Hawpe. One club official close to Rosenthal said, “Maybe”.
Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post said Hawpe will be officially released by the Rockies today. He speculated that the Boston Red Sox or Texas Rangers could be an option for Hawpe. Hawpe’s former manager, Clint Hurdle, is the team’s hitting coach in Texas. Rosenthal adds that Hawpe will not clear release waivers until Monday or Tuesday and in addition to the Rangers and Phillies, the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays could be a fit.
Florida Marlins Ronny Paulino suspended 50 games for Performance Enhancing Drugs
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8/20 13:43: According to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com, Paulino will be ineligible to play for the remainder of the season. Paulino said the specific drug that he tested positive for stemmed from the use of a dietary supplement. He will not challenge the suspension.
“To control my weight this season, I used a dietary pill,” Paulino said in a statement released by the Marlins. “Regretfully, I recently learned that the dietary pill contained a substance banned under Major League Baseball’s drug policy. I am ashamed and saddened for disappointing and distracting my family, my teammates, the entire Florida Marlins organization and baseball fans. My heartfelt and most sincere apology. ”
8/20 12:05: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Florida Marlins’ catcher Ronny Paulino has been suspended 50 games for performance enhancing substances.
Paulino, 29, has been hitting .259/.311/.354 with 4 home runs and 37 RBIs in 91 games for the Marlins.
Tim Wallach to be the Los Angeles Dodgers next manager?
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There has been a long-standing assumption that should Joe Torre retire after this season, Don Mattingly would take over as skipper of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bob Nightengale of USA Today says Dodgers’ Triple-A manager Tim Wallach is “looming as [the] favorite”.
This speculation could be moot should Torre decide to return to the Dodgers. He has not indicated whether or not he will retire. His name has come up for open managerial positions such as the Chicago Cubs and possibly the New York Mets.
Last week, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com said Torre will announce his plans for next season the Dodgers’ clinch a post season berth or are eliminated from playoff contention.
Pittsburgh Pirates to not address needs through high-priced free agents
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Pittsburgh Pirates Neal Huntington reiterated that the team will not address immediate needs through high priced free agents, according to Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“We’re not going to add a No. 1 starter in free agency,” Huntington said at the PNC Park news conference to introduce top draft pick Jameson Taillon. “We’re not going to add a true, major-league power bat in free-agency.”
However, team president Frank Coonelly said last month the team will be “aggressive” this winter when looking at free agents, but this doesn’t mean they will make a strong attempt at the Cliff Lee-types that will be available.
The team has been working hard at signing young players this year. They signed 16-year-old prospect Luis Heredia of Mexico yesterday for a $2.6 million bonus, and two draft picks – Jameson Taillon ($6.5 million) and Stetson Allie ($2.25 million) were signed earlier this month.
The Pirates currently rank last of the 30 Major Leagues teams in regards to 2010 payroll – $34,933,000. Chris Snyder is their highest paid player on their roster at $5.25 million.
Colorado Rockies designate LHP Randy Flores for assignment
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Left-handed pitcher Randy Flores was designated for assignment last night by the Colorado Rockies, according to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post. In his place, the team recalled infielder Johnny Herrera.
“I have nothing but great things to say about this bullpen. I hope they have a strong finish,” said Flores, who was surprised by the roster move. “As for my feelings, they are irrelevant.”
In 47 games this season, Flores was 2-0 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.280 WHIP.
VIDEO: Foul Ball Friday – Phillies fan catches ball with food tray in hand
Posted by: | CommentsFoul Ball Friday part two. Check out this video of the Philadelphia Phillies fan catching a foul ball with one hand while carrying his food tray in the other.
Former Yankee Mark Melancon takes shot at old fans
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Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Mark Melancon was not shy to show his appreciation of his new fan base, at the expense of his old ones from the Bronx.
“You feel like (the fans) have your back [in Houston],” said Melancon, who picked up his first career versus the New York Mets “It’s nice to pitch in that circumstance.”
Melancon was involved in the July 31st trade that sent Lance Berkman to the Yankees in July. Melancon was 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA in two appearances for the Yankees. With this Astros, he is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three appearances.
St. Louis Cardinals Broadcaster Dan McLaughlin arrested for drunk driving
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11-year play-by-play veteran for the St. Louis Cardinals television broadcasts and the primary play-by-play guy for Cardinals’ Fox Sports Midwest telecasts, Dan McLaughlin, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, according to police (via Christine Byers of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
McLaughlin was arrested on Monday night about 10:45 pm on Highway 40 after an officer responded to a report of an erratic driver. McLaughlin refused to take a breathalyzer test and was arrested. He was booked at Chesterfield police headquarters and la ter released.
Cardinals vice president Dan Farrell, who oversees the club’s broadcasting operations, and Fox Sports Midwest spokesman Geoff Goldman also declined comment.
A hearing has been set for October 6 for McLaughlin’s case.
Venezuela’s President calls Francisco Rodriguez to give advice
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Venezuela’s President, Hugo Chávez, gave troubled New York Mets’ closer, Francisco Rodriguez a call on Sunday, according to David Waldstein of The New York Times. Chávez told Rodriguez to tame his behavior but told him that the nation was still very proud of him.
“The day before yesterday I called El Kid Rodriguez because he got into a problem over there,” Chávez said in Spanish.
“It appears that he hit his father-in-law,” Chávez continued. “I don’t know, they were arguing, and they put him in jail for a few hours. I called him and said, ‘Kid, what happened to you?’ He said, ‘I’m here, President, heading to the stadium.’ He was entering the stadium.’
“We love you, Kid,” Chávez continued. “Control your impulses. The Kid Rodriguez. The pride of all of us. Young man of this nation. Of course, over there in a difficult world. Difficult.”
Rodriguez was placed on the disqualified list on Tuesday due injuries sustained to him thumb believed to have been injured during the assault on his girlfriends’ father, Carlos Pena, last week. At the time, the Mets had full intent on making the remainder of his contract non-guaranteed. Rodriguez has approximately $3.1 million due to him this season and $11.5 million due to him next season for a total of $14.6 million.
Arizona Diamondbacks talking with Adam LaRoche regarding contract extension
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The Arizona Diamondbacks have approached Adam LaRoche regarding a long-term contract extension, according to Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com. The negotiations are in the preliminary stages with no proposals being made.
“It’s floated around,” LaRoche said.
“Nothing serious, so we’ll see. If we could work something out for a long-term deal, I would be more than happy to listen to it.”
LaRoche, 30, is hitting .272/.339/.489 with 20 home runs and 75 RBIs. He’s currently making $4.5 million this season and there’s a mutual option for $7.5 million for 2011.
“It has been discussed. I would consider it a general kicking of tires,” said interim general manager Jerry Dipoto.
“I am very happy here right now, not only because I like playing here and I like these guys but because I like the potential here,” said LaRoche.
It remains to be seen if the Diamondbacks will wait to hire a permanent general manager or continue negotiations with LaRoche with Dipoto as the interim GM.
