Rumors for September, 2010
Adam Dunn and Nyjer Morgan not in the 2011 Nationals plans?
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CSNwashington.com’s Holden Kushner says first baseman Adam Dunn and troubled outfielder Nyjer Morgan will not be members of the 2011 Washington Nationals.
Kushner says, “After Morgan’s numerous on-field meltdowns and poor performance at the plate, Mike Rizzo can’t justify putting him on next year’s roster. Morgan shouldn’t be allowed on the field again this season. He’s become a danger to himself and his team.”
It’s understandable why the 30-year-old Morgan would not be back. Kushner cites Morgan’s poor on-base percentage (currently .316) for a lead off hitter.
The front office won’t give Dunn a three-year deal even through they should, Kushner adds. Yesterday, Thomas Boswell of The Washington Post agreed, saying, “Dunn is done in Washington.” He added that Dunn’s poor defense far outweighs the positives from his offensive stats.
Dunn and the Nationals have had on and off negotiations throughout the year. It appears more and more likely that the team and Dunn will part ways after his two-year, $20 million deal expires after this season.
Oakland Athletics have decision to make on 2B Mark Ellis
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Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane has several decisions to make for the 2011 team, and one is whether or not to exercise second baseman Mark Ellis’ $6 million club option for 2011 or cut ties with him with a $500,000 buyout, according to Joe Stiglich of the Oakland Tribune.
“They’re going to do what they want to do,” Ellis said. “Obviously I like it here. This is where I want to be. I just do what I can to help the team win and that stuff will work itself out.”
Ellis, 33, is the longest tenured Athletic – being with the team since his 2002. He bring a strong work ethic and leadership quality to the clubhouse and he’s one of the most respected players.
“He’s always been a solid offensive player and been one of the best defensive second basemen in the league,” A’s assistant general manager David Forst said. “(But) Mark’s value has been more than what he does on the field.”
The A’s do not have a second baseman in waiting on the farm yet. They have Adrian Cardenas in Double-A, and Jemie Weeks who was drafted in the first round in 2008, but neither of them may be ready. Orlando Hudson or Cristian Guzman could be free agent options should the A’s go externally.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says the A’s need a big bat or two, so that could play a big factor on whether the A’s keep Ellis.
Los Angeles Angels may not bring Hideki Matsui back next season
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The Los Angeles Angels may not bring back designated hitter and outfielder Hideki Matsui, according to MLB.com’s Evan Drellich despite being hot in September (.352 average over a nine-game hitting streak). It may be too little too late for the 36-year-old veteran.
“No doubt Hideki is feeling much more comfortable in the batter’s box,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He started off the season very strong for us. He went through a long stretch where he was just trying to find his timing and wasn’t squaring balls up. He’s gotten it back, and I’m sure he’s going to finish strong for us.”
Drellich says that there may not be a spot for Matsui on the 2011 Angels’ squad. The team is rumored to be going after Tampa Bay Rays’ Carl Crawford and the team already has Bobby Abreu under contract to assume the DH position next year.
“I have to wait until the season finishes and then think about what will happen next,” Matsui said. “As of right now, I have no thoughts about going back to Japan.”
Matsui signed a one-year, $6 million deal last December after spending the first seven season with the New York Yankees.
VIDEO: Fun Friday – Chris Nelson steals home plate on Nick Masset
Posted by: | CommentsCincinnati Reds’ right-handed pitcher Nick Masset was the only person at Colorado’s Coors Field that didn’t see Rockies’ pinch runner Chris Nelson break for home plate. Check out the video and listen to the reaction from the announcers:
According to David Brown of Big League Stew, Masset wasn’t paying attention to Nelson, and loud noises “spooked” him into turning away from the developing play.
Diamondbacks acquire RHP Matt Gorgen from Tampa Bay Rays
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The Arizona Diamondbacks acquire right-handed pitcher Matt Gorgen from the Tampa Bay Rays as the player to be named later from the July 31st trade for right-handed pitcher Chad Qualls, according to the official Diamondbacks’ Twitter page.
Gorgan, 23, was originally drafted by the Rays in the 16th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft. In 2010, he was 3-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 42 appearances for Double-A Montgomery.
| Team | Acquires |
| Tampa Bay Rays | RHP Chad Qualls (July 31) |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | Player to be named (RHP Matt Gorgen – Sept 9) |
New York Yankees designate Wilkin De La Rosa for assignment and claim Steve Garrison
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Mike Ashmore of the Hunterdon Country Democrat says the New Yankees have designated left-handed Wilkin De La Rosa for assignment and claimed left-handed pitcher Steve Garrison off of waivers from the San Diego Padres.
According to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, De La Rosa and teammate Ivan Nova were allegedly injecting each other with B-12 at Double-A Trenton last year. De La Rosa, 25, was 2-4 with a 5.33 ERA in 36 appearances (8 starts) this year for Trenton.
The Padres designated Garrison earlier this week. The left-hander was acquired from Milwaukee back in 2007. Garrison holds a career 4.05 ERA at Double-A.
Toronto Blue Jays claim RHP Taylor Buchholz off waivers
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The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed right-handed pitcher Taylor Buchholz off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, according to a team press release. The Rockies designated Bucholz for assignment on Tuesday.
Buccholz missed the 2009 season due to Tommy John surgery. He never regained his form from his stunning 2008 season when he went 6-6 with a 2.17 ERA in 63 relief appearances for the Rockies.
Buchholz, 28, was 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA over 10 innings pitched in seven relief appearances for the Rockies this season.
Philadelphia Phillies release LHP Nate Robertson and claim RHP Cesar Carrillo
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MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki says via Twitter that the Philadelphia Phillies released left-handed pitcher Nate Robertson and claimed right-handed pitcher Cesar Carrillo off waivers.
The Phillies signed Robertson to a Minor League contract at the end of August. Robertson, 32, was 6-7 with a 5.10 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts) for the Marlins this season before he was released last month. He was acquired by the Marlins in a trade with the Detroit Tigers last spring.
Carrillo, 26, was with the San Diego Padres organization in 2009 and 1-2 in 3 career games with a 13.06 ERA (15 earned runs in 10.1 innings pitched).
Pat Burrell wants to return to San Francisco Giants next year
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33-year-old Pat Burrell is already planning for 2011 even though 2010 hasn’t finished yet. And staying home in the San Francisco Bay Area is in the plans for him for next season even if he doesn’t play everyday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman.
“I came here from being on the couch doing nothing. It wasn’t like my phone was ringing off the hook,” said Burrell. “For me, I got a lot of appreciation for this club giving me a chance. I’d be thrilled if they wanted to have me back.
Burrell grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and since he signed with the Giants midway through the season, he has hit .266/.370/.514 with 14 home runs in 65 starts.
San Francisco will have a lot of outfield personnel decisions to make next season including the the return of Mark DeRosa and prospect Brandon Belt, but there’s a good chance that GM Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy would go for Burrell’s experience.
Adam Dunn done with the Washington Nationals?
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Although nothing is official, Thomas Boswell of The Washington Post says ” Adam Dunn is done in Washington.” In his defense, Boswell questions that Dunn’s poor defense far outweighs the positives from his offensive stats.
With free-agents such as Carlos Pena and Derrek Lee available this off-season, the Nationals could get a former Gold Glove first baseman for less than Dunn’s current two-year, $20 million deal.
Boswell says by seeking other alternatives, “the Nats can avoid getting locked into the kind of four-year, $55 million deal Dunn might get elsewhere this winter. They won’t even be obligated for the $40 million over three years that Dunn might still be willing to sign for this very minute.”
In the big picture, Dunn brings more to the table than what could be quantified. He’s loved by teammates and by fans, so the Nats could get somebody cheaper, but they may not be able to mesh with others the same way Dunn has.
“What do I have to do [to stay here] that I haven’t done?” Dunn said Tuesday. “I get it – the defense, the stat guys.”
He added later: “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.”
Dunn, 31, is hitting .268/.363/.553 with 34 home runs and 91 RBIs this season for the Nationals.
