Rumors for September, 2010
Wally Backman Dodges Questions Regarding Managerial Future
Posted by: | Comments
The days for incumbent manager Jerry Manuel appear to be numbered, and a few replacement names have started to pop up. Possible candidate include Bob Melvin, Terry Collins and Bobby Valentine. Wally Backman’s name has started to generate some buzz lately too. David Satriano of the New York Post says that Backman has been dodging questions about the possibility of taking over the Major League club.
Trial begins in Nick Adenhart’s case
Posted by: | Comments
On April 8th as the season was getting under way, we took a moment to reflect on the tragic loss of Nick Adenhart and his two friends, Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson. Today, opening statements began with what is expected to be a lengthy trial for Andrew Gallo. Jurors heard about how Gallo spent hours drinking tequila and beer with his stepbrother at three bars before getting behind the wheel of his parents’ minivan. They also heard the hard evidence that Gallo’s blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Gallo has pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree murder and if convicted could face a maximum sentence of more than 50 years to life in prison. Gallo’s attorney is attempting to show that he did not intend to kill anyone when he drove that night and just made a poor judgement call.
Nick Adenhart’s death can still be seen throughout Angel Stadium and in the players pregame routines. Pitcher Jered Weaver, one of Adenhart’s closest teammates and best friends, still uses his finger to write the rookie’s initials in the dirt on the backside of the pitcher’s mound before every start.
“I think for everybody who knew Nick, there will always be his presence in the clubhouse, even though there might not be a locker there,” third baseman Brandon Wood said. “He’s missed terribly as a teammate, as a ballplayer and as a friend.”
Information from ESPN.com was used in this article.
Fredi Gonzalez declines Chicago Cubs managerial interview
Posted by: | Comments
A source close to AOL FanHouse (via John Hickey), former Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has declined an interview for the vacant Chicago Cubs managerial job. The source said Gonzalez told the Cubs thanks, but no thanks.
It’s widely believed that Gonzalez is the front-runner for the soon-to-be vacant Atlanta Braves opening. Gonzalez was the third base coach under Bobby Cox, and Cox will be retiring after the season.
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.
GM Jim Hendry said he would like to have a new manager in place by the time the Cubs hold their organizational meetings in November.
Source confirms that that Mets GM Omar Minaya is likely out after season
Posted by: | Comments
According to a source close to AOL FanHouse’s Ed Price, New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya is out, and there’s little doubt that the team will not bring back Jerry Manuel as manager.
When and if that happens, the ownership seems to be leaning toward hiring an experience general manager, so it’s unlikely the team will promote assistant GM John Ricco. Additionally, Price says the team will unlikely hire Wally Backman as manager of the team.
There’s been some uncertainty among baseball writers about Ricco. Last weekend, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports said that Ricco is not quite ready to handle the GM role. However, the New York Daily News’ Andy Martino says Ricco is not out of contention for the job.
VIDEO: Ian Kinsler suspended one game for coming back onto field after ejection
Posted by: | CommentsHere are a couple of videos from last Friday where Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler came back onto the field to celebrate Nelson Cruz’s walk-off home run.
You can click here to see the first video where Kinsler is arguing balls and strikes in the bottom of the 10th inning. Click here.
Here’s the second video of the walk-off home run. You can clearly see Kinsler in his number 5 jersey at the celebration at home plate about halfway through.
Oakland Athletics designate Jeff Lyman for assignment
Posted by: | Comments
The Oakland Athletics have designated infielder Jeff Lyman for assignment, according to a team press release.
Lyman, 23, has not pitched in the Majors. He was a second round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the June 2005 Amateur Draft. In 6 Minor League seasons, he is 19-41 in 163 appearances (75 starts) and has a 4.72 ERA.
The Oakland Athletics claimed Lyman off of waivers from the Braves on July 2, 2010.
Aramis Ramirez wants to stay with Chicago Cubs
Posted by: | Comments
Last week we heard that Aramis Ramirez was undecided on whether to return to the Chicago Cubs in 2011 for $14.6 million or exercise his escape clause and become a free agent. Today, the Chicago Sun-Times’ Gordon Wittenmyer says that Ramirez wants to stay with the Cubs.
”I’m staying here,” Ramirez said.
In addition to his player’s option, he has a $2 million buyout for 2012 ($16 million club option), so he’s guaranteed at least $14.6 should he stick around Chicago.
”And you can print it: I have confidence in [general manager] Jim [Hendry],” Ramirez added. ”He’s a smart guy. He’s going to turn this around.”
Last week, Ramirez also hinted that this could be his last contract.
“I don’t exactly how long i want to play, but it won’t be very long.”
Ken Rosenthal on Ozzie Guillen, Jon Daniels, Carlos Zambrano and Todd Helton
Posted by: | Comments
Here’s the latest from FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal:
Rosenthal talks about the unlikelihood of Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen taking the job in Florida. Guillen is contracted with Chicago through 2012, and it’s unlikely that owner Jerry Reinsdorft will let him go.
Rosenthal suggests the New York Mets should call Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels if they are looking to replace GM Omar Minaya. The recent Rangers’ ownership change gives Daniels the right to escape his contract at the end of the season. The Rangers and Daniels have not been engaged in serious discussions about a contract extension.
The Colorado Rockies are better offensively with Jason Giambi at first, so that leaves Todd Helton the odd man out. Rosenthal says Helton’s role will likely diminish next season, but Colorado owes him $23.7 million. Helton, 37, could accept a settlement and retire, but that’s unlikely for a player of his stature.
Jim Thome is playing a larger role than the Minnesota Twins envisioned. Rosenthal says the Chciago White Sox decision to let him go after last season looks bad now.
Carlos Zambrano is 5-0 (7 starts) with a 1.60 ERA since his reinstatement from the restricted list, so it would make it easier for the Cubs to trad him. He’s owed $17.875 million in 2011 and $18 million in 2012, and he has a full no-trade clause, so it’s going to be tough to find a buyer. The Cubs will look to add a free-agent starter by re-signing Ted Lilly or finding someone else.
San Diego Padres hitting coach Randy Ready could become a candidate to replace Kirk Gibson as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ manager.
Chicago Cubs expected to interview Bob Melvin for managerial position
Posted by: | Comments
A source close to Tim Kurkjian of ESPN The Magazine says the Chicago Cubs are expected to interview Bob Melvin for their vacant managerial position sometime around the end of the season. Melvin was the leading candidate for the job in 2003, but when Dusty Baker became available after taking the San Francisco Giants to the World Series in 2002, the Cubs chose Baker.
In two years with the Seattle Mariners and four-plus years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Melvin is 493-508. He was was fired by the Diamondbacks in 2009 and is currently a scout for the New York Mets.
Francisco Rodriguez violates restraining order by sending 56 text messages to girlfriend
Posted by: | Comments
In the weeks following the altercation that resulted in the assault of the father of Francisco Rodriguez’s girlfriend, Daian Pena, prosecutors today said the New York Mets closer has violated a restraining order by sending dozens of text messages to Pena. Rodriguez will now face additional charges of criminal contempt for sending the messages in addition to third-degree assault and harassment charges, according to ESPN.com news services.
Here’s are the text messages according to ESPNNewYork.com:
- “I know this message could get me in trouble again, but I already lost you, my house and my children”
- “I do not want to have problems with your family, all I want … is to recover you and my children and continue forward”
- “Lets find a solution to this conflict, baby if you really loved me do not deny me the opportunity to fight for you and my children”
- “Tell your father and mother, so that the three of us can get together and reach an agreement and leave things as they are and I can recover my house and my job, please lets find … way to solve this.”
- “Thank you for sinking me turning your back, take good care of my children … and now I see that your were with me because of the money to see that your family …”
- “Your parents are manipulating you like a marionette … You are already a woman who can make her own decisions”
- “You are already a woman who can make her own decisions and because of that, our home in spite of its ups and downs we built it together no longer exist because of their greed. I pray to God that is not too late for you to open your eyes and reconsider.”
- “Daian, I understand that perhaps I made a mistake, the biggest mistake of my life for doing what I did but I love you”
- “Things like this should not be done especially when your parents have what they have because of me, even clothes.”
Pena never responded to the text messages. Rodriguez will be arrested and re-arraigned on the new charges before his next court appearance, which is scheduled for October 7.
Rodriguez was accused of grabbing 53-year-old Carlos Pena in August, hauling him into a tunnel near the family lounge beneath Citi Field and hitting him in the face. Rodriguez tore a ligament in his thumb during the altercation and had to have surgery.
