Rumors for September, 2010
Chicago White Sox Brent Lillibridge lines up for Halo video game – Teahen not happy
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Looks like Chicago White Sox second baseman Brent Lillibridge had other things on his mind instead of the upcoming series against the division leading Minnesota Twins. According to ESPNChicago.com, Lillibridge was in line on Monday night for the release of the latest Halo video game. Halo Reach came out at midnight earlier today for the XBOX 360 and Lillibridge wasn’t shy about Tweeting about it:
“Most important night of the year Halo coming out at 12 tonight and yes I’m in a line to get it… Jokes please,”
Teammate Mark Teahen wasn’t too happy that Lillibridge was out late:
“Brent, get to bed. Take Gavin, Thornton & Putz with you. Halo will survive the night without you,” Teahen tweeted, referring to pitchers Gavin Floyd, Matt Thornton and J.J. Putz.
Lillibridge promised Teahen and the those following that he wouldn’t lose sleep over the game:
“I promise I’ll be in bed early 2nite Noone wants to win more than I do. As much as I luv playing bball I have a lot of nerd in me,”
Adam Dunn plans to sign quickly in free agency
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With the season almost done, Washington Nationals’ first baseman Adam Dunn acknowledges something likely won’t be done with his contract until he hits free agency in November. When Jen Royle of MASN Sports asked when he planned to sign a new contract whether it is with Washington or another team, Dunn said, “Whatever were to happen, hopefully it’s obviously here (Washington DC)… early, early, early in the (off) season.”
Dunn is wrapping up a two-year, $20 million deal and will be one of the many free agent first basemen to hit the market this winter. He’s been in discussions regarding a contract with the Nationals since Spring Training, but nothing has been signed. Dunn would like to have a long-term contract. Earlier this month, he said, “I’m sick of two-year contracts. It’s the same every year [with mid-season trade rumors]. I think I’ve proved I deserve more than that.”
Cito Gaston does NOT have second thoughts on retiring
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When Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston was asked today about his planned retirement after the season, and if he had any second thoughts, Gaston said, “No”, according to MLB.com’s Peter Kerzel.
“I think if I was probably, maybe four years younger I might [entertain a return]. It’s going to be a few years before they really get to where they really want to go. If [general manager Alex Anthopoulos] can find someone that he finds he wants to keep around that long, I think it’ll be better that way, I really do.”
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 882-830 (.515 winning percentage) over 12 seasons as a manager.
NPB Hisashi Iwakuma wants to head to MLB after the season
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According to Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times, Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma wants to head to the United States and play Major League Baseball via posting after the season. Iwakuma is a right-handed pitcher, and staff ace, that currently plays for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Back in June, NPB Tracker said that Iwakuma qualified for domestic free agency, but he’s under contract with Rakuten for next season. He’s represented by IMG and at the time NPB Tracker thought he would make the MLB move after 2011, assuming he stays healthy and effective.
The 29-year-old was the Pacific League MVP. Through 2009, he had a record of 87-51 with a 3.36 ERA over 8 season.
Joe Torre would recommend bringing back RHP Vicente Padilla for 2011
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MLB.com’s Richard Dean says Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre has no problem with right-handed pitcher Vicente Padilla and he would recommend bringing back the 32-year-old pitching for next season.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen next year, but I’ve certainly enjoyed the time he’s been here,” said Torre.
Padilla is scheduled to be a free-agent after this season. He was the 2010 Opening Day starter and has compiled a 6-5 record with a 4.07 ERA in 95 innings this season.
“I don’t think there’s anybody who doesn’t like what he does. It’s tough to find stuff like he has. When he gets out there he can still do it. He knows what he’s doing. He has not been a [negative] issue baseball-wise. I like him.”
Arizona Diamondbacks designate RHP Cesar Valdez for assignment
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AZcentral.com says the Arizona Diamondbacks have designated right-handed pitcher Cesar Valdez for assignment. The move was made when the team purchased the contract of catcher Konrad Schmidt from Double-A Mobile.
Valdez, 25, was 1-2 in 9 games (2 starts) with a 7.65 ERA for the Diamondbacks this season.
Kevin Towers likely to get Diamondbacks GM job
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According to AOL FanHouse’s Tom Krasovic, the Arizona Diamondbacks will interview former San Diego Padres GM Kevin Towers on Tuesday. Krasovic adds that Towers will likely will get the job.
It has been rumored that Towers and interim GM Jerry Dipoto topped the DBacks’ wish list. One source last week said, “If the money’s right, he’ll (Towers) go. He doesn’t like sitting on the sidelines.”
Towers, 48, spent 14 seasons as the GM of the San Diego Padres, building four division winners. Piecoro points out that Towers has a reputation for making savvy trades – getting first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and pitcher Chris Young from Texas for pitchers Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka in 2006 is one of the best deals in recent history – and for constructing bullpens.
Update – Mariners to fire Scouting Director for botched acquisition of Josh Lueke?
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9/13 13:31: The Mariners have confirmed that Fusco has been fired, effective immediately, according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. The Mariners are not saying why Fusco was fired, but speculation is due to the botched acquisition of Josh Leuke.
9/13 03:23: A source close to KING 5 Sports says the Seattle Mariners organization have told Professional Scouting Director Carmen Fusco that he will not return next year. The reasoning behind this decision was because of the way the team handled the Cliff Lee trade that included pitcher Josh Lueke.
Lueke was involved in a May 2008 case for sexually assaulting an unconscious 22-year-old woman in Bakersfield, California. He later plead no contest to a reduced charge of false imprisonment with violence and was sentenced to 40 days in prison.
Fusco has been in baseball for 35 years and was named Director of Professional Scouting for the Mariners on November 10th, 2008. The Mariners have not confirmed this story.
Philadelphia Phillies designate RHP Cesar Carrillo for assignment
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According to MLB.com’s transaction page, the Phildelphia Phillies designated right-handed pitcher Cesar Carrillo for assignment on Sunday, September 12.
Carillo was not with the Phillies’ organization long, he was claimed off waivers on September 9th by the team. Previously he was with the San Diego Padres organization. In 2009 he was 1-2 in 3 games with a 13.06 ERA (15 earned runs in 10.1 innings pitched)
Cincinnati Reds designate RHP Enerio Del Rosario for assignment
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MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon says via Twitter that the Cincinnati Reds have designated right-handed pitcher Enerio Del Rosario for assignment to make room for the newly acquired Willie Bloomquist.
Del Rosario, 24, is 1-1 with 8 2/3 innings pitched this season for the Reds. He’s allowed 13 hits, four walks and has three strike outs.
Bloomquist, 32, was acquired earlier today from the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later. He was hitting .266/.298/.391 with 3 home runs and 17 RBIs in 71 games for the Royals this season.
