Rumors for September, 2010
Boston Red Sox Sox offer Victor Martinez two-year contract
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According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Boston Red Sox have offered catcher Victor Martinez a two-year contract. The free-agent-to-be was taken by surprise at the timing of the offer.
“It wasn’t hard because it wasn’t something I was expecting,” Martinez said. “I wasn’t expecting a two-year deal. I wasn’t expecting them to come to me during the season, anyways.”
Earlier this month, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe said the Red Sox are trying to throw something out there to let him know that they want him, and keep him away from free agency. At the time, Cafardo that Martinez may fall into the four-year, $60 million range, and the Sox may not believe he may be worth that.
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.
The umpires must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed on Tuesday. They had no problem throwing out a manager, coach, player and even a fan from the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals game. Home plate umpire Bob Davidson must have really been irked – he tossed out Cardinals’ pitching coach Dave Duncan, Brewers’ center fielder Chris Dickerson, and a fan near home plate. Brewers’ manager Ken Macha was ejected earlier by another umpire. Here’s the video:
What did Macha say about the ejections:
“One coach, one manager, one player and one fan. Everybody got thrown out,” Macha said, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. “The guys that missed Hoffman’s 600th.”
Trevor Hoffman to wait until end of the season to decide on future
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Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel says Trevor Hoffman (aka Mr. 600 save man) will wait until the end of the season to decide on whether to retire or continue pitching. The Milwaukee Brewers and Hoffman have a mutual option on his contract for $7 million with a $500,000 buyout should the option not be exercised.
Hoffman posted his 600th career save this evening versus the St. Louis Cardinals. To see the video of the 600th save, click here.
Hoffman, 42, has a lifetime 61-75 record with a 2.87 ERA over an 18 season career. If he returns to Milwaukee next year, it will be his third with the team.
Los Angeles Angels release Robb Quinlan
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MLB.com’s Evan Drellich says the Los Angeles Angels have released 33-year-old utility man, Robb Quinlan, on Tuesday.
Quinlan has been with the Angels for parts of eight seasons. He re-signed with the Angels on a Minor League deal in February. In 2010, he went 4-for-33 in 23 games.
Quinlan’s best season was arguably his 2006 campaign when he played in 86 games and hit .321/.344/.491 with 9 home runs and 32 RBIs.
VIDEO: Trevor Hoffman saves 600th career game
Posted by: | CommentsCongratulations to Trevor Hoffman on his 600th career save. Check out the video:
PRO Rumors: Hiroki Kuroda, Jeff Weaver and Chien-Ming Wang
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Here are a few PRO Rumors pitching notes on this Tuesday evening where we saw Trevor Hoffman earn his 600th career save:
- It was recently reported in Japan that Dodger pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was planning to return to Japan and finish his career there. Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times spoke with Kuroda this evening who stated, ““I really haven’t decided anything.” Kuroda will be a free agent after the season and will command a 2-3 year deal if he decides to stay in the states. Kuroda has a 3.39 ERA this season.
- Dylan Hernandez also mentions that Jeff Weaver would like to pitch one more season and would prefer to pitch for the Dodgers. Weaver has been bitten by the injury bug this season which has effected his stat line. Weaver this season has a 4.99 ERA compared to a 3.65 ERA in 2009. Weaver is a SoCal guy so expect to see him back in Chavez Ravine unless the Dodgers don’t want him back. Weaver also signed for $800,000 this season which the cash strapped Dodgers could afford.
- Bill Ladson of MLB.com mentions that Chien-Ming Wang will not pitch for the Nationals this year because of shoulder weakness. The Nats signed Wang to a 1 year deal worth $2mm plus incentives. The Nats will retain control of Wang as he has one year left of arbitration. Nats GM Mike Rizzo says they would like Wang to get prepared to pitch in instructional league this fall.
Los Angeles Dodgers designate INF Ronnie Belliard for assignment
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In order to make room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Trent Oltjen, the Los Angeles Dodgers have designated infielder Ronnie Belliard for assignment. Oltjen was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Belliard, 33, was hitting .217/.297/.329 with 2 home runs and 19 RBIs in 81 games for the Dodgers this season.
Colorado Rockies designate RHP Taylor Buchholz for assignment
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The Denver Posts’ Troy E. Renck tweets that the Colorado Rockies have designated right-handed pitcher Taylor Buchholz for assignment. The move was made to accommodate catcher Paul Phillips on the 40-man roster.
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.
Six teams in on Japanese RHP Yu Darvish?
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Yahoo Sports (via ESPN Insider translation) says that multiple teams have been scouting Japanese right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish late this season. Those that may be interested include the New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.
Despite the interest from Major League clubs, Darvish has not expressed clear interest in comign to the United States to play.
Should he decide to come to the US, Major League teams would use the posting system – usually a very expensive process. Teams would need to place a sealed bid to his Japanese team – the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. The highest bidder will then get the right to negotiate with Darvish. Once an agreement with the MLB team and Darvish is signed, then the MLB team will pay the Ham Fighters the posting fee and pay Darvish their negotiated contract. The Boston Red Sox won the bidding rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006 for a bid of $51.1 million.
Baltimore Orioles OF Luis Montanez clears waivers – now a free agent
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9/7 14: 42: According to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com, Montanez has cleared waivers and will now be a free agent.
9/1 12:18: According to the team, the Baltimore Orioles have designated outfielder Luis (Lou) Montanez for assignment.
Montanez, 28, hit .140/.155/.140 in 29 games for the Orioles this season.
