Rumors for September, 2010
Boston’s Kevin Cash on Jayson Werth fitting in with the Red Sox
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Long-time friend of Jayson Werth, Kevin Cash of the Red Sox, gave the soon-to-be-free-agent outfielder a vote-of-confidence that he would fit in city of Boston.
“Oh, I think he’d fit in fine here,” Cash said. “Philly’s definitely not a picnic to play in. This would be like second nature. Jayson’s about as level-headed a guy as you’re going to come across. It takes a lot to get under his skin.”
Werth recently hired super agent Scott Boras to represent him during his free agency period this winter. Werth is one of the bigger free agents to be available this winter and teams such as the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are possible destinations for the right fielder. ESPN’s Buster Olney said earlier (via Twitter) that the Yankees may not be interested in Werth because Curtis Granderson has had a strong finish. Werth is expected to fetch more than $15 million per season, but that may not be the case if the Yankees aren’t in the bidding war.
Information from Scott Lauber of The Boston Herald was used in this article.
VIDEO: Jim Edmonds hurt during home run trot
Posted by: | CommentsYou may want to add “hitting a home run” to the list of dangerous things that one can do. In May, we saw Los Angeles Angels’ Kendry Morales break his leg while celebrating a walk off home run. Today, Cincinnati Reds’ Jim Edmonds appeared to hurt himself during his home run trot against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Keep in mind the weird-injury curse struck many times this season: Florida Marlin’s Chris Coghlan injured his knee during a pie celebration and Atlanta Braves’ catcher Brian McCann hurt himself while running around the swimming pool. And we can’t forget A.J. Burnett’s mysterious black eye.
Chicago Cubs designate RHP Mitch Atkins for assignment
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According to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat, the Chicago Cubs have designated right-handed pitcher Mitch Atkins for assignment.
The 24-year-old Atkins was 0-0 with a 6.30 ERA in 5 games this season for the Cubs. In 10 innings of work this year he struck out 10 batters.
Jerry Manuel not happy Joe Torre is talking about his job – Torre apologizes
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The body isn’t even cold yet, but Joe Torre is already talking like the Met’s job is his to take. Yesterday, Torre told WFAN radio (via The New York Post’s Dan Martin) that he is curious about managing the New York Mets while he also added that he is “not shutting the door” on managing again.
Today, according to The Star-Ledger’s Andy McCullough, current Mets’ manager Jerry Manuel was not too happy about Torre talking about his job.
“I find it also curious when someone comments about a job that someone already has,” Manuel said. He added, “I don’t know him from a personal basis. But when things like that come out, or are said, you question the integrity. That’s what comes to my mind.”
In his defense, Torre today told The Los Angeles Times’ Dylan Hernandez, “I had no intention of making people believe I wanted to manage the Mets.” He also added, “I would doubt very seriously if there would be anything that would entice me to manage again.”
Torre later apologize for him comments, according to Martino.
“I apologize. He is right that I shouldn’t have said that, and I don’t think I did. Somebody asked me if I would take a call from Fred Wilpon. I have known Fred Wilpon forever. I won’t be managing the Mets, and I thought I made that clear Tuesday. It was about taking a call as opposed to looking for a job.”
It’s widely believed that Manuel is in his final days as the Mets’ skipper. Torre announced last week that he’s stepping down from his managerial position with the Dodgers after the season, and it’s not clear what he will be doing in the future.
San Diego Padres hire A.J. Hinch as VP of Professional Scouting
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MLB.com’s Corey Brock says (via Twitter) the San Diego Padres have hired former Arizona Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch as vice president of professional scouting.
It was rumored last week that the Padres were close to hiring Hinch. The Padres and the Diamondbacks were believed to be working on the financials of the deal since Hinch is under contract with Arizona for two more years at a total of $1.3 million.
Hinch, 36, was fired by the D-Backs on July 2 and replaced by interim manager Kirk Gibson. Since that time he has spent the summer talking with a number of Major League teams to determine his worth on the field and in an executive
St. Louis Cardinals release INF Felipe Lopez
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MLB.com’s Matthew Leach reports that St. Louis Cardinals’ infielder Felipe Lopez has been released.
Manager Tony La Russa said (via Sunil Josihi of MLB.com) that Lopez would not play for the club during the remainder of the season.
“There’s not an opportunity to get him in there,” La Russa said.
GM John Mozeliak confirmed that part of the reason for Lopez’s release was because he was late for Monday’s game, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Rick Hummel.
Lopez signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Cardinals at the end of February.
Cito Gaston leaves door open to manage again
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FOXSports’ Jim Bowden says that Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has left the door open to manage again if someone came calling and had an opportunity to win “next season”.
Gaston has previously announced that he will retire as skipper of the Toronto Blue Jays after this season. He added last week that he has no second thoughts on retiring.
“I think if I was probably, maybe four years younger I might [entertain a return],” Gaston said via MLB.com’s Peter Kerzel.
Gaston is in his second tour of duty with the Blue Jays. He won two World Series in 1992 and 1993. Currently he has a record of 884-834 (.515 winning percentage) over 12 seasons as a manager.
Carlos Beltran may waive no-trade clause
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When the New York Mets signed outfielder Carlos Beltran to a seven-year, $119 million deal prior to the 2005 season, one of the sticking points was getting the complete security of a no-trade clause. Now that he’s wrapping up his contract, and he’s not the same player he was, there’s a possibility that Beltran would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to get himself out of New York, according to The Records’ Steve Popper.
“Well, I do want to finish a contract here,” Beltran said. “It depends also on the situation, how the team is doing. The management, normally when things aren’t going good, they might do something. But at the same time, I’m not worried about that. It’s not important for me now because I’m not there yet.”
Beltran missed most of the season due to an off-season knee surgery that did not sit too well with the Mets’ management. His absence led to the emergence of Angel Pagan, but it also may force Beltran to a corner outfield spot should he stay with the Mets in 2011.
Waiving the no-trade clause may only be part of the equation in a deal involving Beltran. Popper says:
While Beltran might attract a taker on his past accomplishments, his contract has a clause that prohibits the Mets — or whoever holds the contract next year — from offering him arbitration. That means that after 2011, losing him to free agency will result in no compensatory draft picks — taking away one of the advantages of the rental of an impending free agent. Plus, the Mets believe they’ll have to pay a large portion of his 2011 contract to trade him, so if he’s healthy, why wouldn’t they just keep him instead of paying him to go somewhere else.
Colorado Rockies have looked into trading for starting pitcher
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The NL West is tight, and the Colorado Rockies may be willing to do whatever it takes to win it. ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Colorado Rockies have looked into the idea of acquiring a starter to get the team into the playoffs.
Olney speculates that Jake Westbrook of the St. Louis Cardinals would be a fit if the Cardinals finally decide to give up on the season. He adds that pitchers like Aaron Harang or David Bush probably would not work.
Like the recently acquired Octavio Dotel, any pitcher that the Rockies acquire now will not be eligible for the postseason.
Joe Torre is ‘curious’ about managing the New York Mets
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Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager, Joe Torre, told WFAN radio (via The New York Post’s Dan Martin) that he is curious about managing the New York Mets.
“I am curious,” Torre said on Monday. “When the season is over, I hope the phone will be ringing.”
Torre said he has not talked to the Mets or any other team, nor has he ruled out a possible return to the Dodgers in a different capacity. He plans to meet with GM Ned Colletti to discuss staying on with the organization.
