Rumors for September, 2010
Ken Rosenthal on Kevin Towers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers and Yu Darvish
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Here’s the latest from FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal in his Full Count video:
If Kevin Towers becomes the Arizona Diamondbacks’ GM, he could end up haunting not only his former team the San Diego Padres, but also the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Dennis Gilbert tried to buy the Texas Rangers, he was fully prepared to name Towers his general manager. Gilbert could be a candidate to purchase the Dodgers, but Towers is not going to wait around to see what happens there. Current Diamondback’s interim GM Jerry Dipoto could be a candidate for the New York Mets GM position.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on pace to lose 108 games and team president Frank Coonelly says that is unacceptable. Rival executives expect the team to make changes. GM Neal Huntington and manager John Russell are under contract through next season, but the team has made no assurances that either will return.
Milwaukee Brewers manager Ken Macha is likely to be fired and it is uncertain if his coaching staff will return. Among those on the coaching staff are Willie Randolph and Rick Peterson. Peterson still has one more year left on his contract.
A source close to Rosenthal says that Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish is likely to be posted this winter, and the New York Yankees will probably go after the right-hander. One scout told Rosenthal that he doesn’t see Darvish more than a number three pitcher.
San Diego Padres designate Cesar Carrillo for assignment
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According to The Sports Network, the San Diego Padres have designated Cesar Carrillo for assignment to make room for Chris Young who was activated from the 60-day disabled list.
This is the third time that Carrillo was designated for assignment this month. He was designated by the Padres on September 1, and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies eight days later only to be designated for assignment on September 12. The Padres re-claimed Carrillo on September 15.
The 26-year-old is 5-14 with a 5.60 ERA in 27 starts for Triple-A Portland this season.
St. Louis Cardinals designate LHP Evan MacLane for assignment
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The St. Louis Cardinals called up second baseman Daniel Descaiso from Triple-A, and in order to make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated left-handed pitcher Evan MacLane for assignment, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Cardinals also called up 3B/OF Joe Mather, 1B Mark Hamilton, right-handed pitcher P.J. Walters and outfielder Allen Craig.
They complement what we’re trying to do over the last couple weeks,” manager Tony La Russa said. “All had solid years. All have something that they can add. … Everybody is a little different. They add something to us.”
Dodgers trade Octavio Dotel to Rockies for PTBNL
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According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the Dodgers traded reliever Octavio Dotel to Colorado for a player to be named later.
Dotel who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade-deadline for James McDonald and Andrew Lambo. GM Ned Colletti acquired Dotel in hopes of strengthening the Dodgers weak bullpen as they made a push for the playoffs. Dotel ended up being an 18.2 inning rental guy and makes the deal look even more strange as the Dodgers gave up two promising young players.
For the Rockies, they acquire a veteran arm to help them make the push for the playoffs over the next two weeks. Dotel will not be playoff eligible.
Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post adds that Dotel has a club option for $4.5 million for next season with a $250,000 buyout. Renck believes the Ddogers are paying the buyout.
Could Joe Torre end up managing the New York Mets?
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A source close to the New York Post, as reported by Mike Puma, says the Mets may be the only team that could lure Joe Torre back to the dugout for 2011.
On Friday, Torre announced that he will step down as the Los Angeles Dodgers manager at the end of this season.
The Mets are expected to not pick up incumbent manager, Jerry Manuel’s contract for next year. Former Mets’ player, Wally Backman, is considered the front runner for the position, but a source would not rule out the possibility of the Mets inquiring about Torre.
Fredi Gonzalez has “understanding” with Atlanta Braves to be next manager
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A source close to CBSSports.com’s Scott Miller says former Florida Marlins’ manager Fredi Gonzalez has an “understanding” with the Atlanta Braves about being the team’s next manager. Gonzalez is currently out of work since being fired from his position with the Marlins in June. Current Atlanta Braves manager, Bobby Cox, will retire after this season.
Earlier this week, we heard that Gonzalez had declined an interview for the vacant Chicago Cubs managerial position. A source close to John Hickey of AOL FanHouse said Gonzalez told the Cubs thanks, but no thanks. This gesture by Gonzalez only leads to speculation that he will get the Braves position as soon as the season is over. Gonzalez was the third base coach for the Braves under Bobby Cox and he resides in the Atlanta area in the off-season.
Don Mattingly had deal in place prior to season to become Dodgers manager
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Earlier today, it was announced that the Joe Torre managerial era in Los Angeles would come to an end after this season. It was no surprise to many in the Dodgers’ organization that Don Mattingly was named Torre’s successor. Apparently, according to Los Angeles Times’ Dylan Hernandez, the Dodgers and Mattingly had a deal in place that would guarantee Mattingly the manager position when Torre stepped down.
Hernandez adds that Mattingly’s deal with the Dodgers is for three-years, and the team was able to sidestep the interview protocol of having to speak with minority candidates prior to selecting a new manager.
Mattingly will still manage in the Arizona Fall League, according to AOL FanHouse’s Ed Price. It will give him more practice since Mattingly has never managed in his career. In late July, Mattingly made a mistake when he accidently visited the mound in one trip against the San Francisco Giants – forcing him to replace his pitcher.
Brian McCann injures himself after he slipped running around his swimming pool
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Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann could have played off the noticeable scratches and bruises above his right eye, but instead he told the truth and explained to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman that he fell running around his swimming pool on Thursday morning.
“I was being an idiot, and slipped and fell,” McCann said. “It doesn’t feel good, but it’s all right.”
McCann did not require stitches and was in the starting lineup for Friday’s game against the Mets in New York.
“It does improve his look a little bit,” Braves backup catcher David Ross said. “I mean, let’s be honest. You couldn’t do any more damage to that face than he already had.”
“We’re trying to win a division here — let’s walk, not run,” Ross said. “They need to put up signs around his pool at home. I’m going to invest in some signs, because Lord knows we don’t want me to be in there.”
McCann’s injury is not the worst one of the season. Let’s not forget Florida Marlin’s Chris Coghlan being injured during a pie celebration and Los Angeles Angels Kendry Morales breaking his leg after a walk-off home run.
RHP Barret Loux throws for 15 teams – Astros interested
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Right-handed pitcher Barret Loux threw an extended bullpen sessionfor 15 teams on Friday at College Station, Texas, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Among those present were the Houston Astros. The team has previously expressed interest in the pitcher.
“What we saw was pretty consistent with what we saw during the spring, so the process of them showcasing him, so to speak, has been portrayed not as a sprint, but more as a process that will go through the fall a little bit,” Astros assistant general manager/director of scouting Bobby Heck said.
“The fact there were 15 teams there today and the fact some clubs didn’t sign their first-round showed there was some interest,” Heck said. “The fact we have someone there, our interest is sincere. We’ll do our work on it. You have to balance, not only the evaluation process, but because of the medical circumstances [team medical director] Dr. [David] Lintner becomes a part of our process as well as we gauge where we can or can’t go on this.”
Loux was the first-round (sixth overall) pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2010 June Amateur Draft, but was granted free agency after he failed his physical. A tear in his labrum was found, and his elbow also showed signs of eventually needing Tommy John surgery.
His MLB.com scouting report said:
“The big right-hander has four pitches he uses, though it’s his fastball and plus changeup that really stand out. His breaking stuff needs some tightening, but with his command, mound presence and easy delivery, there’s reason to believe he can improve that part of his game as well.”
Ryan Franklin having second thoughts about retirement
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St. Louis Cardinals’ closer, Ryan Franklin, is having second thoughts about his planned retirement. He has re-opened to the door to playing in 2012 and possibly beyond.
In late June, the 37-year-old said that he wanted to retire after his contract ended after the 2011 season. At the time, he said he said he wanted to develop 80 acres of desirable real estate and enjoy 600 acres of undeveloped land he uses as a hunting preserve with his wife and three kids.
MLB.com’s Matthew Leach said that Franklin is reconsidering his plan to retire. After consulting with a number of people, including Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter, he is being open minded about delaying the next chapter of his life.
“Re-thinking means it’s still going to be a family decision,” Franklin said. “If they say, ‘No daddy, we want you to stay home …’”
