Rumors for September, 2010
Boston Red Sox claim RHP Matt Fox from Twins on waivers
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The Star Tribune’s Joe Christensen says via Twitter that the Boston Red Sox have claimed Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher Matt Fox on waivers.
The Twins designated Fox for assignment earlier this week. The 27-year-old made his Major League debut on Friday where he pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up four hits, two earned runs and one walk.
Bobby Valentine to be the Mets manager next season?
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MLB Networks’ Peter Gammons said on WFAN (via Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News) that he believes Bobby Valentine will be the next manager of the Mets.
We’ve heard numerous rumors about Valentine being and not being a candidate. He was almost named the manager of the Florida Marlins (along with a four-year contract), but at the last minute, the team’s executives decided to stick with interim manager Edwin Rodriguez.
“If this is a major-league process, I hope I’m never in the process again,’ Bobby Valentine said in June on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. “It’s very disturbing, confusing and it was insulting at times, but it’s over.’
With several high profile managerial openings available after this season, it won’t be a walk in the park for the Mets to secure Valentine’s employment. Valentine was recently known to be interested in the vacant Seattle Mariners’ job, and his name has been brought up in Chicago Cubs’ rumors.
Chicago Cubs to interview Ryne Sandberg and Fredi Gonzalez
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According to a Major League source close to Bruce Levin of ESPNChicago.com, the Cubs will interview Minor League manager Ryne Sandberg and former Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez over the next 10 days.
Last week, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times said Gonzalez is at the top of Cubs’ general manager Jim Hendry’s wish list. Wittenmyer added that Hendry prefers a manager with Major League experience, so sentimental favorite, Sandberg, may not get his opportunity to lead his former team.
Hendry said that there are no favorites for the job until he completes the interview process.
Former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge interviewed with the team last month. Other candidates that the Cubs could interview include former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly, current New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi and Washington Nationals coach Pat Listach. Outside possibilities include Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre and ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine.
VIDEO: Sydney Crosby hits batting practice home run in Pittsburgh
Posted by: | CommentsJust in case the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for players to scout, they don’t have to look any further than Consol Energy Center – home of the NHL’s Penguins. The Penguins and their star center, Sidney Crosby, took batting practice at PNC Park, and Crosby belted a home run. Check out the video:
According to Crosby (via NHL.com), he stopped playing baseball when he was 13. He’s 23 now, so it’s not too late should he want to make a career change.
Dusty Baker extension talks with Reds put on hold
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Late last month, there was word that the Cincinnati Reds and manager Dusty Baker were talking about a contract extension. The Associated Press said that the team offered Baker a one-year extension at the time. Today, MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon says the talks have been put on hold with the manager focusing more on getting the team into the playoffs rather than his job security.
“Sooner or later,” Baker said on Wednesday. “Right now, I’m not focusing on me. I’m focused on us and getting to the playoffs.”
It’s not known if the talks are ongoing or if the manager and the team will wait until after the season to discuss a contract.
“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it,” Baker said. “I’m trying to figure how to win as many games as we can.”
Baker, 61, is making $3.5 million in the final year of his three-year contract. If the Reds make the playoffs, it’s likely that he can command top dollar from the club or from any other team looking for a high-profile manager.
Scot Shields career with Angels is likely coming to an end
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The last remaining link to the Los Angeles Angels 2002 World Series winning team, Scot Shields, could have made its last appearance on Tuesday night, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
“It’s all to be determined,” Shields said, when asked about a possible return to the Angels. “I understand the business side of it. You look at our bullpen now, and there are a lot of young guys who can really throw the ball. The future is definitely bright here.”
It was rumored last month by DiGiovanna that Shield could be designated for assignment.
“He takes things hard, and he’s frustrated with where his level of contribution and achievement are,” manager Mike Scioscia said at the time.
Shields isn’t sure if he’ll pitch anywhere in 2011. His family will be a factor as to whether he’ll pitch again.
“I still feel like I can perform at a high level,” Shields said. “The first few months this season were rough. The last few months, I’ve thrown the ball better.”
If this is the 33 year olds’ final year, he would have spent his entire 10 year career with the Los Angeles Angels. As it stands now, he has a 46-44 record with a 3.18 ERA in 491 appearances.
Victor Martinez rejects Boston Red Sox two-year contract offer
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The Providence Journal’s Dan Barbarisi says Victor Martinez is not interested in the two-year deal the Boston Red Sox recently made to their catcher.
“More than anything else, when a team comes to you and says we’ll give you a one year deal or a two year deal, they’re not telling you that they see you as a long-term piece of their organization,” Martinez’s Alan Nero said.
The 31-year-old catcher is looking for a deal that will take him through his early 30s and perhaps something that could take him to the end of his career.
“Every player seeks that. Victor, at this point, is looking to be with a team for the rest of his career. It’s not a matter of security, it’s a matter of trying to get comfortable in one place. He was a Cleveland Indian his whole career, and he wasn’t ecstatic when he got traded. But now that he’s a Red Sox, he’s gotten used to it, and he cares about the organization, and his teammates,” Nero said.
The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo said earlier this month that the team and Martinez were talking about a two-year contract. Rob Bradford of WEEI reported this morning the Sox offered Martinez the contract.
Martinez, 31, is hitting .288/.336/.461 in 105 games for the Red Sox this season. He is making $7.7 million on his team option in 2010.
Heyman on Mets manager and GM, Marlins manager, Braves manager
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Here’s are a few rumors from Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman to keep an eye on as the playoff races heat up:
- Jerry Manuel probably sealed his fate with two defeats in Chicago. Candidates to replace him include Wally Backman, Bob Melvin and Bobby Valentine.
- Mets GM Omar Minaya remains extremely likely to be re-assigned. Former Padres’ GM Kevin Towers could be in line for that job. However, the Mets assistant GM, John Ricco, is the most likely successor.
- The Marlins know that interim manager Edwin Rodriguez has done a nice job, but they probably want someone more high-profile going into next year.
- It would be an upset to not see Fredi Gonzalez replace Bobby Cox in Atlanta.
Boston Red Sox Rumors: Adrian Beltre, Victor Martinez, David Ortiz
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Here’s the latest regarding the Boston Red Sox from Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman:
- The Red Sox will have several difficult decisions to make in regards to free agents Adrian Beltre, Victor Martinez and David Ortiz. Beltre will likely decline his $5 million player option for next year. While he could stay in Boston and get a nice raise from the Sox, he’ll likely try the free agent market and see where he can get a nice long-term deal. The Angels could be candidates for Beltre’s services.
- Martinez said he would like to return to the Red Sox, and a raise from $7 million to $10 million a year seems reasonable.
- Ortiz said he would like his $12.5 million option picked up. It’s high compared to other DH’s in the league such as Vladimir Guerrero (one-year, $6.5 million from the Rangers) and Hideki Matsui (one-year, $6 million from the Angels), but Ortiz has had a great year and is well-liked by players and fans, that it could be tough for the team to turn down. Some execs see the Red Sox trying a two-year deal in the neighborhood of $18-20 million total.
Derek Jeter to return to New York Yankees?
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Despite having his worst season to date, Derek Jeter will be back with the New York Yankees next season, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Heyman adds it doesn’t matter that he’s hitting “.264 today. Or .364. Or. 164.”
Jeter, a free agent after the season, will draw interest from other teams, but nobody will be able to compete financially for him against the Yankees.
“He’s worth more to them than anyone else,” one AL executive said.
Another AL executive guess Jeter’s worth is $12-to-$18 million over two years, but maybe as much as $30 million over three years from a team trying to make a splash. The exec also said he could see the Yankees going $45-to-$50 million over three years.
The Yankees understand his Hall of Fame credentials, his place in the clubhouse, and his name in Yankee lore, so they won’t risk seeing him in another team’s uniform.
There’s speculation that the 36 year old Jeter is trying for a contract that could keep him in a Yankee jersey until he’s 42, like Alex Rodriguez. Jeter may not get another nine-figure contract, but he’ll still get plenty according to Heyman. And he’ll get more with the Yankees than anyone else.
