Rumors for September, 2010
Fred Lewis is not sure if he’s in Toronto Blue Jays plans for 2011
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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder, Fred Lewis, is not sure where he falls in the team’s plans for 2011, according to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.
“I’m a whole lot unsure,” Lewis said. “I know that I’m an everyday position player and I don’t know what the future holds. I just have to sit back and wait.”
Lewis came over to Toronto in April in a trade from the San Francisco Giants. He came over from a crowded outfield with the Giants to a starting spot with the Blue Jays. However, over the past two months, he has been shifted back to a part-time role off the bench.
“I know the type of player that I am. I just want to play every day,” said Lewis. “They can decide to pick up my contract or they can non-tender me. Who knows what they decide? Hopefully I’m back. If I’m not, it’s a business.”
The 29-year-old is under contract for this season for $455,000 and is arbitration eligible. He’s out to have season-ending surgery next week on his left foot for a bunion.
Matt Stairs wants to play two more seasons
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42-year-old Matt Stairs is not ready to call it a career yet. The 18-year Major League veteran says he may one to play through 2012, according to MLB.com’s Corey Brock.
“The way the year has gone, the way my body feels, the way I’ve swung the bat, I’ll play one more year if I can find a team that’s interested, maybe even two more years,” Stairs said. “I’m really enjoying this.”
Stairs almost called it a career last winter after this 17th season. He returned home to Bangor, Maine and played on two hockey teams, coached another and became a hitting coach for the University of Maine. His agent called in January about a Minor League contract with the San Diego Padres, and he made the team out of Spring Training.
When he does decide to hang it up, the University of Maine has a spot for him to return to coaching he’s ready. Stairs will be a free-agent after this season.
Baltimore Orioles could pursue Victor Martinez in free agency
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According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Baltimore Orioles could take a “serious run” at Victor Martinez when he becomes a free agent after the season. They see Martinez as a first baseman – designated hitter – catcher – leader type of player.
The 31-year-old recently rejected a two-year contract offer by this current team, the Boston Red Sox. Martinez 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.
“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,” agent Alan Nero said earlier this month.
Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman spoke with New York Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia, and former teammate of Martinez, and Sabathia said he does not think Martinez will return to Boston in 2011.
Martinez is making $7.7 million on his team option in 2010.
David Ortiz will not feel comfortable with a one-year deal
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Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz told WEEI’s Rob Bradford that he wouldn’t feel “comfortable” playing under a one-year deal for next season.
“I always let you guys know how much interest I have in finishing my career here. I’m not going to feel comfortable coming back here just for a year just to re-live all the pressure and all the stuff I’ve been through. I don’t think it’s fair for myself. I think about things and I go through a lot of things mentally, especially for this club,” Ortiz said.
The Red Sox have a $12.5 million team option for 2011, and Ortiz explains that he would prefer something else other than the one-year team option.
Ortiz said, “I don’t feel like it, unless I have to. I want to be what I was here and be part of this ballclub until I finish my career. I feel for this ballclub. Believe or not, every year I try to work harder to put up the numbers that I put up there. Even going through some tough situations I think I’ve done a pretty good job.”
The designated hitter would like to have a multi-year deal that would allow him to retire as a member of the Red Sox.
San Diego Padres place waiver claim on Felipe Lopez
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According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, the San Diego Padres have placed a waiver claim on former St. Louis Cardinals Felipe Lopez.
Lopez was released by the Cardinals on Tuesday.
Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak confirmed that part of the reason for Lopez’s release 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.
Edgar Renteria considering retirement after the season
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San Francisco Giants shortstop Edgar Renteria could be playing in his final games of his 15-year-major-league-career, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman.
The 34-year-old has been going through several injuries over the past two seasons including elbow surgery last year and three trips to the disabled list in 2010 for groin, hamstring and shoulder issues.
Mets will likely not pursue Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth
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Unless a new general manager can fix the New York Mets current payroll or convince free agents to sign heavily backloaded contracts, then stars such as Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth will unlikely play for the Mets next season, according to the New York Daily News’ Andy Martino.
The Mets have at least $130 million committed to salary for next season, and much of that will be going to players who are under performing their contracts. It’ll be up to the likely successor of Omar Minaya to move financial liabilities such as Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez and Francisco Rodriguez. Luckily for the Mets all of these deals end after the 2011 season.
Jim Thome planning on returning for 2011
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40-year-old Jim Thome plans to play baseball next season, according to the Pioneer Press.
“That’s the plan, absolutely,” Thome said.
However, if the Minnesota Twins win the World Series this year, he may reconsider those plans.
“There would be nothing better than going out with a ring, I think,” said Thome who lost two previous World Series with the Cleveland Indians. “That would be something very special. We’d have to sit down over the winter and really think it out. I don’t know; we’ll see what happens.”
Thome has 25 home runs and will be a free agent after the season. He could fetch a $5+ million contract for next season on the open market. Prior to this season, he signed a $1.5 million deal in base salary plus incentives.
Chicago Cubs Rumors: Ryne Sandberg and Greg Maddux
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Here are a few Chicago Cubs’ related news items to keep your eye on:
According to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat, general manager Jim Hendry concluded his interview with Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg for the vacant managerial position at the big league level. “The process is continuing the way I said it would,” said Hendry. Sandberg and former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge are the only two people to interview for the position so far.
Muskat also says the Greg Maddux will be back with the Cubs in 2011 as an assistant to Hendry. Yesterday, new Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers mentioned that he would like to have Maddux in the organization as a bench coach or pitching coach.
Multiple changes for the Los Angeles Angels this off season?
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There may be big changes for the Los Angeles Angels this winter after general manager Tony Reagins and his team met for two days of organizational meetings to assess the state of the franchise.
“I don’t know that the offense has been the biggest shortcoming of the club,” Reagins said (via the Los Angeles Times’ Mike DiGiovanna)”. “There have been several areas we haven’t performed well in.
“The offense sticks out because of the numbers, but the bigger aspect of the game we have to get better in is all-around baseball, whether it’s fundamentals, defense, pitching or getting into the type of game we do well.”
The Angels are expected to aggressively pursue Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford in free agency, but a veteran reliever will also be on team’s wish list.
The team also may look into trading Juan Rivera and moving Bobby Abreu from the outfield to designated hitter as the Angels try to get more athletic in the outfield.
“A total overhaul of this team would be premature,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “An infusion of talent from the outside could be made, and we have some young talent that is going to mature and help us. But I think the nucleus of a championship-caliber club is here.”
