Rumors for September, 2010
Tony La Russa declines interest in Chicago Cubs job
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When St. Louis Cardinals’ manager Tony La Russa was asked if there were any scenario that might find him managing the Chicago Cubs, he said, “I don’t think so.”
Told that his name has been “thrown against the wall” as a possibility in Chicago, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, La Russa chuckled.
“That’s probably a good way to put it,” he said, “‘Thrown against the wall.’ I don’t think there’s much [chance]. They probably have better sense than that.”
The Cubs are in the process of interviewing perspective candidates for their vacant managerial position, and La Russa’s name has been mentioned in rumors. Ryne Sandberg and former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge have already interviewed for the Cubs’ position. Interim manager Mike Quade is an option, and the Cubs may go after New York Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi when his contract expires after the season.
La Russa’s contract with the Cardinals expires after this season.
Florida Marlins plan to address catcher in offseason
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One of the primary positions the Florida Marlins plan to address in the off season is catcher, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. The Marlins lost catcher Ronny Paulino earlier this season to a 50 game suspension for violating MLB’s subtance abuse policy. The team signed catcher Mike Rivera and assigned him to Triple-A New Orleans earlier this month.
The Marlins could look at several free agent candidates this winter that could fill the backstop job, including Bengie Molina, Jason Varitek, Victor Martinez, Rod Barajas, Yorvit Torrealba and A.J. Pierzynski. In late August, Los Angeles Angels‘ Mike Napoli said he wanted more playing time, and with the Angels being likely crowded next season behind the plate, he could be a good fit for the Marlins. Napoli is also under team control, so the Marlins will need to make a trade in order to get Napoli’s services.
Jon Heyman on Arizona Diamondbacks, Joe Torre, Bob Melvin and Adrian Beltre
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Here’s the latest from Sports Illustrated’s Jon Hyeman:
Arizona interim GM Jerry Dipoto and former San Diego Padres GM Kevin Towers appear to be the favorites to land the Diamondbacks’ vacant GM job.
Most baseball people don’t believe Joe Torre will stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers after the season. Tim Wallach remains a favorite to take over the position.
Bob Melvin will be interviewed for the Chicago Cubs managerial job. He does not appear to be a candidate for the New York Mets managerial opening.
Red Sox people won’t be surprised if Adrian Beltre tries to duplicate the $64 million, five-year contract he had with the Seattle Mariners.
Florida Marlins see Tony Pena as a Managerial Candidate
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MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says New York Yankees’ bench coach, Tony Pena, is a serious candidate for the vacant Florida Marlins managerial position. Pena, 53, has had big league experience by managing the Kansas City Royals during parts of the 2002-2005 season. In 2003, he was named the American League Manager of the Year.
The team will explore several possibilities before selecting their next manager. Other candidates that could take over the Marlins’ job include San Diego Padres bench coach Ted Simmons and interim manager Edwin Rodriguez.
The Marlins fired manager Fredi Gonzalez in June. It was almost certain at the time that Bobby Valentine was going to take over the club, but the job for the remainder of the season eventually went to to Rodriguez.
New York Yankees Designate Chad Huffman for Assignment
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According to LoHud.com, the New York Yankees have called up left-handed pitcher Royce Ring and designated outfielder-infielder Chad Huffman for assignment.
Ring, 29, last saw action in the Major Leagues with the Atlanta Braves. In four season with the Braves, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres, Ring is 3-3 with a 4.93 ERA in 94 relief appearances.
Huffman, 25, hit .167/.286/.167 in 9 games for the Yankees in his only season in the Major Leagues.
Colorado Rockies Rumors: Carlos Gonzalez, Jason Giambi, Todd Helton
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Here are a few notes of the Colorado Rockies courtesy of the Denver Posts’ Troy E. Renck:
Carlos Gonzalez loves being with the Rockies and he’s never felt more comfortable in his surroundings. Right now there are no talks about a long-term deal. He’s not eligible for arbitration until after next season, so Renck says there’s no rush to get a deal done. Gonzalez is a Scott Boras client and he’s open to multi-year deals, but Boras does not typically give away free agent years. From the Rockies’ point of view, they want cost certainty, and they would like to buy out a year or two of free agency.
Jason Giambi is interested in returning to the Rockies next year, but there may not be a place for him. If Todd Helton comes back, Renck speculates that Giambi won’t be back. Giambi should get a part-time offer from an American League team to DH.
Renck believes that the Rockies will acquire (by trade or free agency) a right-handed hitter to complement Helton in his twilight years. Somebody like the Seattle Mariners Jose Lopez, Kansas City Royals’ Billy Butler or San Diego’s Miguel Tejada could work.
Could Bud Selig force the McCourt Family to sell the Los Angeles Dodgers?
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According to four people close to MLB commissioner Bud Selig (via Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times), Selig is “dismayed at the public spectacle” surrounding the McCourt divorce and concerned about the lasting damage to the Dodgers’ franchise. He told those people that he wants the Dodgers ownership situation to be resolved before his scheduled 2012 retirement.
Shaikin says that one option that Selig could pursue would be a forced sale of the franchise. However, such a move could lead to backlash from other owners, and low ball offers from prospective investors. There has been been precedent before. In 1912, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Horace Fogel was “banished for repeatedly impugning the integrity of umpires and opponents.” Selig also encouraged Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott to sell in 1999 after she had been suspended twice.
Should the Dodgers come up for sale, Shaikin says there’s a long line of possible buyers including Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, former player agent Dennis Gilbert, Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner, former commissioner Peter Ueberroth, real estate developer Alan Casden, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Asian investors.
The Dodgers turned a profit of $111 million over the last four years, including $38 million in 2009.
San Diego Padres designate RHP Craig Italiano for assignment
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According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, the San Diego Padres have designated right-handed pitcher Craig Italiano for assignment. The team also reclaimed right-hander Cesar Carrillo.
Italiano, 24, is 18-23 in 6 Minor League seasons. He has a record of 18-23 with a 4.44 ERA in 128 appearances (48 starts).
Carrillo, 26, was claimed off of waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies on September 9 and was designated for assignment after a brief stay. He is 1-2 in 3 career games. In 10 1/3 innings pitched he has a 13.06 ERA.
Bryce Harper to Start Pro Career on Friday
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First overall pick in the 2010 June Amateur Draft, Bryce Harper, is preparing to begin his professional career this Friday, according to Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington. Harper will report to the club’s Spring Training complex in Viera, Florida and begin working out with Washington’s instructional league team on Friday.
Harper has been working out on his own since he was drafted in June. He signed a five-year, $9.9 million contract shortly before the August 17 deadline, but did not participate in any late season Minor League games.
Zuckerman says that depending on how Harper handles his stint in Viera, he may participate in the Arizona Fall League. Harper isn’t expected to reach the Major Leagues until late 2012 or early 2013.
Two Dodgers assistant GMs being considered for Diamondbacks GM job
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A baseball source close to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times says that two assistant general managers of the Dodgers are being considered for the vacant Arizona Diamondbacks GM position. The source says that Scouting director Logan White interviewed with the Diamondbacks on Monday and player development De Jon Watson interviewed with the team on Tuesday.
It was reported by AOL FanHouse’s Tom Krasovic on Monday that former San Diego Padres GM Kevin Towers will likely get the job. He interviewed with the team on Tuesday.
Another candidate is interim manager Jerry Dipoto. MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert says Dipoto will interview for the job on Wednesday. Dipoto has been praised for the way he handled the position after the team fired Josh Byrnes on July 1st. 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.
