Rumors for September, 2010
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire to get new contract?
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The Pioneer Press says that Minnesota Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire will get a new contract after the season. However, fans of Gardenhire shouldn’t expect the manager to agree to a new deal until he is assured that his coaching staff gets new deals as well.
Gardenhire, 52, has been the Twins manager since 2002 and has a 801-648 record in nine seasons in Minnesota. He has won 6 division titles (including 2010), but has never gotten past the ALCS (2002). Gardenhire signed a contract extension after the 2008 season that would take him through 2011.
Brewers to decide Ken Macha’s future after the season
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Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he’s going to make his plans public regarding manager Ken Macha until after the team’s final game, according to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.
“I’ll make all decisions after the season,” Melvin said. “Within a few days after the season.”
Macha has a club option for 2011, but with the team’s poor performance this season (73-82 so far), the Brewers may not exercise the option. Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman suggested that New York Mets’ scout Bob Melvin could be a possible successor of Macha.
When Melvin was asked about Macha’s performance, he said, “We’ll make all of our evaluations at the end of the season. We’ve had the injuries taking place with the ballclub. I think Ken is a very sharp baseball guy, a very solid baseball guy.”
Washington Nationals looking for leadoff hitter
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Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said that he would like to get a leadoff hitter for next year, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson. The Nats have a few internal candidates in Nyjer Morgan, Ian Desmond, Roger Bernadina and Danny Espinosa, but they may be better off hitting second or further down the lineup.
“The players will make the decision, whether it’s Morgan, Espinosa, Bernadina, whoever,” Riggleman said. “Somebody has to hit up there, and the one that doesn’t will hit in the two spot. It’s almost interchangeable.”
Ladson says the Nationals could try to get a lead off hitter via trade or free agency this winter.
Jeremy Bonderman and Gerald Laird may not be back with Tigers in 2011
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Catcher Gerald Lair and right-handed pitcher Jeremy Bonderman may not be back with the Detroit Tigers in 2011, according to The Detroit News’ Tom Gage.
When Gage asked Bonderman if he would return to Detroit for 2011, he said, “In all honesty, probably not.” There’s also talk about Bonderman retiring. Teammate Brandon Inge said Bonderman could ultimately walk away from baseball because of his desire to spend more time with his family.
Mike Pelfrey open to contract extension with Mets
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Under team control through 2014, right-handed pitcher Mike Pelfrey would like to stick around New York beyond that. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Pelfrey would be interested in a contract extension.
“I would be interested,” Pelfrey said. “They’d have to bring it up, but I’m sure we’ll explore it. I’m definitely open to it.”
Pelfrey’s agent, Scott Boras, does not often allow teams to buy out arbitration or free agent years by signing the player to a long-term deal, so the odds are against the Mets to sign Pelfrey to a long-term deal below market value. Pelfrey will be arbitration eligible for the first time this season, and should make a significant raise over his $500,000 salary for 2010.
“My agent and them will work it out,” Pelfrey said. “If they want to do it, I’m open to it. If not, that’s fine, too.”
Cleveland Indians acquire Preston Mattingly
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According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, the Cleveland Indians have acquired Preston Mattingly from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Roman Pena.
Mattingly, 23, the son of Don Mattingly, was the Dodgers’ first-round (31st overall) selection in the 2006 draft. Since 2006, Mattingly an outfielder over the last two seasons in the Minor Leagues, has a career .232/.275/.334 since 2006.
Pena, 24, originally was a ninth-round pick by the Cleveland Indians in the 2005 MLB draft. In five seasons in the Minor Leagues, he is hitting .244/.332/.379.
Randy Winn would like to play in 2011
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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Randy Winn has the unfortunate distinction of playing the most regular-season games without appearing in the postseason among active players, and it looks like he won’t get that chance in 2010. However, he’s not ready to give up and call it a career. The outfielder said he would like to play in 2011, according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Rick Hummel.
“I’d like to play next year,” he said. “I don’t know where that’s going to be.”
Winn had a good shot of making the playoffs when he signed a $1.1 million deal with the New York Yankees in January. He was designated for assignment by the Yankees in May after hitting .213/.300/.295 in 29 games with New York. He was signed a short time later by the Cardinals. Winn will be a free-agent after this season.
Manager Tony La Russa has high praise for Winn’s work this season in St. Louis, so it’s possible that Winn could be back there next year.
“I think he’s done a really good job for us. He’s a smart veteran,” La Russa said.
Winn could still win a World Series ring should the Yankees repeat as World Champions this year.
VIDEO: Blake Hawksworth hit in the face by a line drive
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s a scary incident from Saturday’s St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs contest where relief pitcher Blake Hawksworth of the Cardinals gets drilled in the face by a line drive off the bat of Sam Fuld. Check out the video:
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Hawksworth received lacerations to his mouth and upper lip. A CT scan was negative, but he required stitches to close the wound above his mouth.
Nick Cafardo on Kirk Gibson, Carlos Lee, Tampa Bay Rays and Josh Byrnes
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Here’s the latest from The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
- Arizona Diamondbacks’ GM Kevin Towers’ first big decision will be on manager Kirk Gibson. Many are rooting for Gibson because they like his fire, determination and no nonsense approach.
- Towers is not a big fan of so many big strikeout guys in the lineup. He’s more of a fan of contact hitters and those with good pitch recognition.
- The Red Sox should try to acquire Minnesota Twins outfielder Ben Revere.
- Now that Houston Astros’ Carlos Lee is a first baseman, Lee’s trade value is increased and they have the opportunity to make their outfield more athletic. Lee will be difficult to move since he has a no-trade clause and has $37 million left over two years.
- The Tampa Bay Rays are going to be decimated by finances this off season when they likely will lose Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Rafael Soriano. The team’s $70 million payroll is going down next year.
- Former Diamondbacks’ GM Josh Byrnes has spoken to six teams, including the Red Sox and Indians about a position in their organization. He could be a candidate for the Mets GM position if Omar Minaya is fired.
- Stan Kasten, former president of the Washington Nationals, could be a good fit for the Chicago Cubs.
Ozzie Guillen wants to know where he stands with White Sox
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Another day and another calling for attention from Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. Earlier this week, Guillen made it public that he wants to be with the White Sox for the rest of his career, and he mentioned, “It’s nice to have an extension.”
Today, Guillen wanted to know where he stands with the only organization that he has managed in his career, according to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin.
“Before all this stuff started, they know what I want and what I like,” Guillen said. “I don’t talk about extending my contract. I want to know where I stand. What I can count on. That’s all I want. That’s it. If they say, ‘It’s only a one-year deal,’ whatever it is, then I make my choices. But in the meanwhile, I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t.”
Guillen has one more year left on his contract with the Sox. There have been rumors that he could go to the Florida Marlins since he has a home in the Miami area. One thing is for sure, for now, Guillen won’t manage the Chicago Cubs.
“My position was I would never sign on with another place and leave the White Sox for the Cubs because of the respect for Jerry [Reinsdorf]. ”
The Cubs have a vacant managerial position open after Lou Piniella retired in August.
