Rumors for September, 2010
Met’s Jerry Manuel likely gone but Omar Minaya’s status may be in question
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According to a source close to the New York Daily News’ Andy Martino, the New York Mets have “essentially decided not to retain Jerry Manuel after the season,” but the employment status of GM Omar Minaya is up in the air.
Martino says that the Mets do not expect to offer Minaya another contract, but rather they’ll give him what’s equivalent to an honorable discharge. No decisions will be made official until the end of the season.
There’s little chance for Minaya to remain as the team’s GM, but the Mets like Minaya and he is still owed $2.5 million for the next two seasons. Martino speculates:
Some time this fall or winter, the team will likely hire another high-ranking executive, and that person will help to determine Minaya’s future. If the Mets name a new GM or senior adviser, and that person wants to work with Minaya, Minaya will be given a new title and role. But if the Mets hire a person uncomfortable working with his predecessor, they will likely fire Minaya.
New York has not asked for permission to interview candidates, but some possibilities include former San Diego Padres GM Kevin Towers, Los Angeles Dodgers’ assistant GM Logan White and former Arizona Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes.
Is Bobby Jenks in his final days with the Chicago White Sox?
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Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks could be in his final days in a Chicago White Sox uniform. According to MLB.com, Jenks could be a non-tender candidate as a third-year arbitration eligible player – meaning that the White Sox may not offer Jenks a contract since they don’t want to pay him what he’s worth in arbitration. If the Sox decide to non-tender Jenks, then he can become a free agent, he’ll be free to sign with any club.
Jenks is experiencing ulnar neuritis which is causing him pain in his right forearm and tingling in this right arm. It’s unknown if he’ll be able to play in the team’s final seven games at home.
“Every time he’s been on the mound, he’s been great for us,” said manager Ozzie Guillen. “We gambled with this kid and it worked pretty good. We win the lottery. This kid was in Double-A and we picked him up and he pitched very well for us. Hopefully we get him back, but that’s someone else’s department. He was great for the White Sox organization.”
Will Blue Jays sign Jose Bautista to a long-term deal?
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The Toronto Blue Jays 29-year-old slugger, Jose Bautista, is on the verge of hitting 50 home runs in season. He’s currently sitting at 49 home runs, and he has about two weeks left in the season to accomplish that feat. So after the season is done, and the likelihood that Bautista will be apart of the 50-homer club, what will the Blue Jays do about keeping him up north for the long-term?
The Canadian Press says that Bautista’s $2.4 million salary this season will likely rise to $6-8 million in his final year of arbitration. Bautista can become a free agent after the 2011 season, and that will be his first opportunity to bring home a big paycheck. The questions that The Canadian Press has, is what is Bautista worth given his out-of-nowhere power that appeared this season?
Bautista never hit more than 16 home runs, and that was in 117 games for the 2006 Pittsburgh Pirates, so do the Blue Jays give him a contract that is worthy of someone that can hit 30-50 home runs per season? Or do the Blue Jays consider this season a fluke and try to sign him on the cheap?
There was also a rumor last month that suggested Bautista was taking performance enhancing drugs. Bautista denied the claim, but with the microscope on his every move, could he lead the Majors again in home runs next season?
The Canadian Press says the team will likely let Bautista play in 2011 before making a decision. The last thing the team wants is to have another overpaid player that can’t live up to the paycheck, such Vernon Wells.
New York Yankees to call up RHP Andrew Brackman?
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There are conflicting reports on whether or not the New York Yankees have called up one of their top prospects – right-handed pitcher Andrew Brackman. Brackman, 24, was the Yankees 2007 first-round pick, and according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Nick Hurm, the team called up Brackman on Monday. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News says the Yankees have not called up Brackman, but he adds, “That doesn’t mean they won’t do it.”
Brackman was 10-11 with a 3.90 ERA at Tampa (A+ ball) and Trenton (AA ball). The right-hander signed a $3.35 million bonus in 2007 and according to Baseball America, he has the best fastball among the Yankees’ prospects. His career was delayed in 2007 when he underwent reconstructive surgery on his elbow in August of that year.
VIDEO: Fan running on field stopped by Braves Matt Diaz
Posted by: | CommentsAtlanta Braves Matt Diaz quite possibly stopped another taser incident from happening in Philadelphia by tripping a fan that ran on the field on Monday evening. Check out the video:
Arizona Diamondbacks GM race down to two candidates
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An industry source close to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert says that the Arizona Diamondbacks will decide between interim GM Jerry Dipoto and former San Diego Padres GM Kevin Towers.
The source says the other candidates, Dodgers assistant GMs Logan White and De Jon Watson, along with Angels scouting director Eddie Bane have been told that they are no longer in consideration for the job.
The Dbacks are expected to name a new general manager this week.
Last week, AOL FanHouse’s Tom Krasovic said that Towers will likely get the job. However, the Diamondbacks’ superiors were happy with the job that Dipoto did at the July 31st trade deadline, so it could either way. Among Dipoto’s accomplishments this season are: Dan Haren trade with the Los Angeles Angels, Edwin Jackson trade with the Chicago White Sox, Chad Qualls trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chris Snyder trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Jamie McCourt takes the stand with Dodger ownership at stake
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Today marked the return of testimony after a two week break in the McCourt proceedings. Things didn’t start off so hot for Jamie McCourt’s side today. On her way to court, Jamie’s driver hit a pedestrian who was crossing the street. Once she hit the stand, she talked about how Frank and her would frequently talk about selling the team if they couldn’t turn around its financial misfortunes. “We felt confident we would have positive cash flow in two to three years,” she said under questioning by her attorney. “If something did not turn out exactly right, we could always sell.”
Jamie is also a family law attorney and when questioned about reviewing the legal documents, she admitted to not reading them as reviewing legal documents is “boring.” Remember that next time you ask an attorney to review documents they are really thinking they are boring as they collect $300 plus an hour from you. But back to the McCourts.
Jamie did say that if she had read the documents or comprehended that they said she would give up the rights to the Dodgers, it would have “sounded a lot of alarms” and she would have asked a few questions before signing the documents.
The two sides will continue to exchange jabs and attempt to persuade Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon who is in fact a Dodger fan according to a PRO Rumors source.
I leave you with a nice Q & A between Frank McCourt’s attorney, Steve Susman and Jamie McCourt as she is being questioned on the stand.
Susman recited Jamie McCourt’s credentials as a practicing lawyer before asking her: “As a lawyer, do you believe people should be bound by what they sign?”
She replied: “I believe it as a lawyer and as a normal person.”
Information from ESPN.com was used in this article.
Jayson Werth quiet about future plans
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Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth offered no clues about his future, but according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, he is comfortable after choosing Scott Boras as his new agent. Yesterday, it was reported that the soon-to-be-free-agent Werth chose Boras to represent him. Werth previously was with Jeff Borris of the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
“Do you?” said Werth, asked if he thinks he will be back with the Phillies in 2011. “I have no idea. I’m worried about the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies and winning this division and winning another World Series. That’s as far as it goes.”
Earlier today, Boras was shopping his new client as a center fielder, despite only starting in that position for 77 games in his career.
GM Ruben Amaro Jr. would love to have his right fielder back, but he is not sure if that is a realistic option. Amaro said. “I’d like to think it is, but decisions like this will be made at the appropriate time.”
Boras may seek a salary package similar to his other client, Matt Holliday. Last winter, Holliday signed a seven-year, $120 million free-agent deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Coco Crisp would like to be with Oakland Athletics in 2011
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Oakland Athletics outfielder, Coco Crisp may be done for 2010, but he would like to continue to wear the gold and green for 2011.
Crisp indicated to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser that he would like to be back with the team for 2011. The Oakland Athletics hold a $5.75 million team option on Crisp.
The 30-year-old outfielder is recovering from a left pinkie fracture (different from the fracture that he experienced in April). Crisp has only played in 75 games so far this season due to injures. It’s possible that if the A’s make the playoffs this year, he could return. The team is currently 9 games out of first place in the AL West and 15 games out of the Wild Card.
Torre on return to Mets – Oh there’s no question. Thats why I didn’t shut the door.
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Is the soon-to-be-unemployed manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Joe Torre, starting to stir the pot regarding a possible comeback to New York City or is he trying to make it clear that he’s done managing?
“I never like to rule anything out,” Torre said, according to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
When Torre was asked by ESPNNewYork.com (via Ian O’Conner), whether he would listen if the Mets’ owners called him, he said, “Oh there’s no question. Thats why I didnt shut the door.”
“I’m honored that people would think of me,” Torre added.
A source close to Mike Puma of The New York Post said last week that the Mets may be the only team that could lure Torre back to the dugout for 2011.
“The Mets are certainly an inviting situation because they have a lot better personnel than their record shows,” the person close to Torre said. “The injuries have hurt them.”
Torre said he will remain in Los Angeles after the season ends and will eventually head to Arizona to spend a week with his successor Don Mattingly in the Arizona Fall League.
