Rumors for August, 2010
Manny Ramirez Trade Rumors – Saturday
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Here’s a running list of Manny Ramirez trade rumors involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox:
Ramirez has not been asked to waive his no-trade clause, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
“Heard this:Right now, the Dodgers’ intention is to not just dump Manny on the White Sox;CWS must make it worth their while with a prospect.” (Buster Olney, ESPN)
Check out FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal’s thoughts from his Full Count video.
Update – Dan Uggla wants a five-year $55+ million contract extension – talks slow
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8/28 17:23: According to Jim Bowden of FOXSports, he tweets, “Dan Uggla just told us that his negotiations are going really slow with the Marlins and so he doesn’t know what’s going to happen”
8/24 11:32: Major League sources close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that Florida Marlins second baseman, Dan Uggla, wants a five-year contract extension in the $55-60 million range.
We heard earlier this month that the Marlins and Uggla’s camp have been discussing a contract extension for some time, but at the time the sides were far apart. The Marlins were said to be in the three-year, $30 million range.
Uggla currently is making $7.8 million. He will be in the final year for salary arbitration for 2011, and could expect a one-year salary around $10 million. He can be a free agent starting in 2012.
Teams tend to negotiate contract extensions for star players before their arbitration eligibility runs out. In exchange for the long-term security, players will sign contracts slightly below open-market value and giving up their final years of arbitration eligibility and beginning years of free agency.
Uggla, 30, is in the middle of his best season in his short career. He’s hitting .288/.375/.519 with 28 home runs and 79 RBIs.
White Sox, Phillies and Reds looking to upgrade bullpen
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According to a source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds are looking to upgrade their bullpens. The White Sox recently placed J.J. Putz, Matt Thornton and Erick Threets on the disabled list while the Phillies placed Danys Baez on the DL.
Possible options for the teams in need of pen help include the four relievers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Yesterday, Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun said pitchers Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg and Shawn Camp did not clear waivers. It still is unknown which team or teams were awarded the waiver claim.
The Reds may be better off waiting for Aroldis Chapman to be called be called up sometime around September 1st when the rosters expand. Yesterday, it was reported that Chapman was clocked at 105 mph.
VIDEO: Minor League manager ejected – autographs first base and gives it to fan
Posted by: | CommentsCheck out this video of manager Gary Robinson of the State College Spikes (a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate) getting ejected then taking a page out of the Terrell Owens handbook of autographing game-used equipment.
Instant classic!
Minnesota Twins designate Loek Van Mil for assignment
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In order to make room for the recently acquired Brian Fuentes, the Minnesota Twins have designated Loek Van Mil for assignment, according to La Velle E. Neal of the Star Tribune.
Van Mil, 25, is best known for being the tallest pitcher in the Minor Leagues at 7′1″.
He has not played in the Major Leagues, but was added to the Twins 40-man roster last November. In High-A and Double-A in 2010, Van Mill is 1-3 with a 6.15 ERA in 26 games. He has a 1.960 WHIP and 1.23 SO/BB ratio.
Ken Rosenthal on Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Here’s the latest from FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal via his Full Count Video:
The addition of relief pitcher Brian Fuentes to the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen via trade from the Los Angeles Angels adds almost $2 million more to the Twins’ payroll, but it could be well worth it. Fuentes gives the Twins another closing option, but he fits best in left-on-left situations. Fuentes has held left-handed hitters to a .132 batting average. Left-hander Jose Mijares could come back to Minnesota in the last few weeks of the season – giving the Twins three left-handed options out of the bullpen.
Part of the reason the Texas Rangers made a claim on Manny Ramirez this week was to keep him away from two potential playoff opponents – the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. It’s probably best that the Rangers did not win the claim due to Ramirez’s defensive liability. Rosenthal says the Rangers should be fine with Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler expected to come off the DL shortly. The Rangers had been looking into acquiring a fourth outfielder – somebody like the Dodgers’ Reed Johnson.
If the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to part with Ramirez comes down to the outcome of their next three games, then Rosenthal says the pitching matchups will be critical. Rosenthal points out that Monday’s matchup will be between Hiroki Kuroda versus the Philadelphia Phillies Roy Halladay. The Dodgers could let Ramirez go regardless of the outcome of their next three games because he hasn’t really been a factor for the Dodgers’ this season.
With three teams making a claim on Ramirez this week, and the possibility of inheriting the $4 million that he’s due, Rosenthal points out that teams are more robust financial than what we are led to believe.
Willie Bloomquist interested in going to the National League?
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Free-agent-to-be Willie Bloomquist of the Kansas City Royals warms to the idea of remaining with the team, according to Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star, but he understands that there are other opportunities elsewhere.
“I’d be lying,” he said, “if I said the National League didn’t entice me. I could play pretty much every day whether I’m starting or not. That’s awful enticing.”
The 33-year-old has only played in 67 of the team’s 128 games and would like to be an everyday player.
“You can play him anywhere,” manager Ned Yost said, “and feel as comfortable as if you’ve got your starter out there. He knows how to play the game. He knows how to hit. He knows when to take advantage of situations.
Bloomquist has not been in active talks with the Royals regarding and extension. Read More→
Brandon Inge unlikely to be traded by Tuesday’s deadline
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A source close to FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi says that he would be very surprised if the Detroit Tigers traded third baseman Brandon Inge before Tuesday’s deadline.
The St. Louis Cardinals were tracking Inge earlier this month, but any deal was nixed once the team acquired Pedro Feliz from the Houston Astros.
Inge, 33, is in the final year of a four-year contract. He’s making $6.6 million this season and hitting .257/.335/.409 with 8 home runs and 51 RBIs in 111 games for the Tigers this season.
Adam Dunn will likely become free agent
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It does not appear that the Washington Nationals and Adam Dunn will be able to strike a contract extension before the season ends and Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post believes Dunn is likely heading to free agency.
On Friday, Dunn said that nothing is imminent and he is “assuming” he will end the season without a contract extension from the Nationals. The Nationals can offer one-year arbitration to Dunn and they will have an exclusive window to negotiate with Dunn until 15 days after the World Series. But players eligible for free agency rarely pass up the chance to test their value.
GM Mike Rizzo said he and Dunns’ agents are in communication and continue to discuss a possible deal. If the Nationals offer Dunn arbitration and he declines and they don’t sign him, they will receive two compensatory draft choices.
Earlier this week Dunn mentioned that he likes Chicago and Wrigley Field, and the Cubs are looking for a first baseman, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the two sides talk this winter.
Dunn is in the final year of a two-year, $20 million deal.
Update-Several Toronto Blue Jays relievers do not clear waivers
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8/228 08:48: According to Buster Olney of ESPN recently added this comment about the Blue Jays players that were put on waivers: “At this point, the Jays probably will not be moving any of their relievers. About 85 hours remain for teams to acquire players for October.”
8/27 18:13: According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, relief pitchers Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg and Shawn Camp do not clear waivers. It is unknown which team or teams were awarded the waiver claim.
Both Frasor and Downs are scheduled to become free agents after the season. The Blue Jays made both pitchers available last month before the July 31st Trade Deadline, but they ultimately were not traded.
