Rumors for September, 2010
Detroit Tigers looking to add free-agent relievers this winter
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In order to be competitive in the AL Central for 2011, the Detroit Tigers need to bolster their bullpen by targeting relievers, specifically setup men, this winter, according to MLB.com’s Jason Beck.
“The free-agent market, we’re going to look for some relievers,” manager Jim Leyland said. “We need help, and that’s where we’re going to get it, we think. We’re hoping to get it through maybe some free agency.”
Leyland made it clear that Detroit needs bullpen help whether it’s through free agency or trades.
The Tigers are set with Jose Valverde as closer, but the team will look at adding setup men to complement Ryan Perry, Bobby Seay, Zach Miner, Phil Coke and Joel Zumaya. However, it won’t be cheap for Detroit in the middle relief market.
Some candidates the Tigers could look at include Scott Downs, J.J. Putz, Joaquin Benoit, Arthur Rhodes and Jesse Crain.
RHP Mark DiFelice re-signs with Milwaukee Brewers
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Right-handed pitcher Mark DiFelice signs a Minor League contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.
DiFelice missed all of 2010 following shoulder surgery, and is currently pitching for the team at their instructional league program in Phoenix.
“He should be good to go for next spring,” assistant general manager Gord Ash said.
In 59 appearances for the Brewers in 2009, DiFelice had a record of 4-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 51 2/3 innings pitched.
MLB’s No. 2 executive Bob DuPuy expected to be on his way out
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According to a team official close to Buster Olney of ESPN, Bob DuPuy, the No. 2-ranked executive for Major League Baseball is “on his way out.”
DuPuy is the president and chief operating officer for MLB and is expected to move out of his current role, according to three high-ranking executives within baseball. The timing of the change is not year clear.
DuPuy was once considered a longtime ally of commissioner Bud Selig, but some say the two are not as close as they once were. Some had seen DuPuy as a possible successor to Selig once he steps down.
Diamondbacks likely to keep Jerry DiPoto
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Multiple sources close to FOXSports.com (via Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal) said that the Arizona Diamondbacks are in active discussions to keep Jerry DiPoto in the team’s front office. DiPoto had previously been the team’s interim general manager until they hired Kevin Towers on a permanent basis.
One source said that there is an 80 percent chance that DiPoto will remain with the club.
AOL FanHouse’s Tom Krasovic says that it is “probable” that DiPoto will stay with the Diamondbacks. Towers wants to make DiPoto the Vice President of Scouting and Player Development.
Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said, “I am hopeful he will stay, because I believe he belongs here and we all want him here.”
DiPoto’s tenure as the interim GM pleased the front office of the Diamondbacks. He could be a valuable asset to Towers during the transition period.
DiPoto could be allowed to interview for other positions, but there little turnover expected this off-season for general managers outside the New York Mets and possibly the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ken Rosenthal on Red Sox, Mike Scioscia, Carl Crawford and Felipe Lopez
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Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal’s Full Count video:
The Boston Red Sox would like to re-sign Adrian Beltre at the right price. The alternative for Boston would be to move Kevin Youkalis to third base, find a one-year stop gap at first base then go all out for a big name first baseman like Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez or Prince Fielder. Or another option would be to re-sign Beltre, keep Youkalis at first base and then go for one of the big name first baseman after 2011. At that point the Red Sox could trade Youkalis or rotate him into first base, third base or DH.
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia will make $50 million over the course of his 10-year contract that started last year. Sources close to Rosenthal confirmed the dollar amount that previously was not reported. Scioscia has the right to opt out of the deal after 2015, but that’s unlikely unless he’s burned out. Contract years 2016, 2017 and 2018 are each worth $6 million.
It’s unlikely that the Houston Astros would outbid the Los Angeles Angels or Boston Red Sox for Houston native Carl Crawford, but the team would benefit from having Carlos Lee at first. The Astros recently have been giving Lee starts at first and freeing up left field.
Felipe Lopez told Rosenthal that he did not want to go to the San Diego Padres because he felt like he would not be apart of the team. The Padres claimed Lopez via waivers early Friday, only to have Lopez veto the claim. Lopez will be a Type-B free agent after the year, and if the Red Sox offer him salary arbitration and he signs elsewhere, Boston will receive a compensatory draft pick.
VIDEO: Tim Lincecum not happy with juiced ball in Colorado
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s video from Friday night’s game between the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies where Giants’ pitcher Tim Lincecum was not too happy with the ball that he got from home plate umpire Laz Diaz. He asked for a new ball and a few seconds later you can see him mutter: “**** juiced ball!”
In July, Giants’ announcer Jon Miller accused the Rockies of cheating with the use of their humidor.
“There’s a feeling that the Rockies are doing something with the humidor-stored baseballs, and sometimes late in games when the Rockies need help, that some non-humidor baseballs slip into the mix. Nobody has been able to prove it.
“It would be interesting to see what Tony LaRussa has to say about it right now. The Giants felt like something was going on when they were there in that regard. … To me it’s something that baseball needs to address.
Bob Brenly not a candidate for Cubs managerial opening
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Bob Brenly withdrew his name from consideration for the Chicago Cubs’ managerial opening on Saturday, according to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat. The Cubs television analyst and former Arizona Diamondbacks manager said it was not a good fit, but he may talk to other teams.
“With all due respect to the organization, the Ricketts family and Jim, I didn’t feel that at this particular time, this was a good fit for me,” Brenly said. “I’ve said all along that I’d love to get back on the field, if I felt the situation was right. For personal and professional reasons, I feel this is not the right time for me.”
Brenly spoke with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry on Friday. He said that he been in contact with other teams, but did not specify which ones.
Braun on Fielder: There’s probably a better chance that he’s not with us than he is
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MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez says that a lot can happen between now and next spring, so Brewers fans should go out to see the duo of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder before it’s too late.
Fielder has one more year of salary arbitration left, and it’s believed that he will be moved this winter in order to upgrade the team’s pitching staff.
“There’s probably a better chance that he’s not with us than he is,” Braun said. “You have to be realistic about it, understand the circumstances. They tried to sign him. I have no idea where negotiations are or if they’re going to make another run at him or what’s going to happen. I know there’s a chance he’s not with us.”
The Brewers may have a difficult time trading Fielder not only because they are looking for a lot in return, but there are many free agent first basemen available.
Here’s the list of expected first basemen to be available after the 2010 season:
- Left-handed hitters (like Prince): Adam Dunn, Carlos Pena, Adam LaRoche, Aubrey Huff, Lyle Overbay, Russell Branyan.
- Right-handed hitters: Paul Konerko, Derrek Lee, Jorge Cantu.
- Switch-hitter: Lance Berkman.
Braun acknowledged that he thought Fielder was going to be gone by mid-season. The Brewers would have received a better bounty in return had they made a trade last July than what they would get this winter.
Felipe Lopez join Boston Red Sox – vetoes Padres waiver claim
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Felipe Lopez has agreed to join the Boston Red Sox for the season’s last few days of the season, according to CBSSports.com’s Scott Miller. Earlier today, Lopez was claimed by the San Diego Padres via waivers.
Miller says that Lopez vetoed the waiver claim and then signed with the Red Sox.
According to a source close to Miller, the Red Sox made the move so that they would receive a compensatory draft pick if Lopez signed with another team this winter.
Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak confirmed that part of the reason for Lopez’s release earlier this week was because he was late for Monday’s game, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Rick Hummel.
Lopez signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Cardinals at the end of February.
VIDEO: Bad ground ball hop strikes Mike Lowell in the head
Posted by: | CommentsCheck out this video of Boston Red Sox Mike Lowell getting struck in the head by a bad ground ball hop.
Lowell left the game on Friday after the ball struck his right temple, according to MLB.com’s Tim Britton. Lowell had previously announced his retirement after the 2010 season. No word on Lowell’s condition.
