Rumors for September, 2010
Paul Konerko ready to retire if he isn’t satisfied with a new deal
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Earlier today, we heard predictions that Chicago White Sox first baseman, Paul Konerko could get anywhere from a $12-15 million per season contract on the open market. If he doesn’t get a number that he’s happy with, Konerko says he has no problem retiring, according to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley.
Cowley says that Konerko will only sign with a team under the right conditions. The first baseman is prepared to take a page out of former teammate Jermaine Dye’s book where Dye declined a few employment offers last winter because they were not the right situation for him.
Konerko is having one of his best season with 37 home runs and 15 RBIs, and the 34-year-old sees himself playing three more years.
Earlier this month, GM Ken Williams made it clear that he wants Konerko part of the team’s future.
“I would love to have him retire as a White Sox,” said Williams.
The decision to keep Konerko in Chicago will ultimately come down to the money being made available for 2011 and beyond.
Florida Marlins Rumors: Uggla, full-time catcher, Leo Nunez and managerial search
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Here are a few Florida Marlins decisions the team has to make during their winter, courtesy of The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson:
Marlins second baseman, Dan Uggla, has asked for five-year, $58 million contract (about $11.6 million per year). The team is offering barely over $8 million per year and for few years. If the sides can’t agree, the team may trade Uggla instead of losing him to free agency after the 2011 season.
The Marlins are looking for a number-one catcher. Some candidates include Yorvit Torrealba, Bengie Molina, John Buck and Miguel Olivo. Jason Varitek, David Ross, Matt Treanor and Rod Barajas could be part-time options. Former Marlins’ catcher, Ivan Rodriguez, would like to finish his career in Miami, but he’s under contract with Washington for 2011. A trade is possible.
Florida could add a veteran closer if Leo Nunez fails. Candidates could include Brian Fuentes, Octavio Dotel, Jon Rauch and Kerry Wood.
The Marlins would have interest in Ozzie Guillen to be the team’s manager. Guillen is signed with the White Sox through 2011 with a club option for 2012. Other managerial candidates include Tony Pena, Rick Renteria, Ted Simmons and interim manager Edwin Rodriguez.
Ryne Sandberg a candidate for Toronto Blue Jays managerial opening
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Current manager of the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate, Ryne Sandberg, is on the Toronto Blue Jay’s long list of candidates to replace Cito Gaston, according to FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi.
Candidates on the list could include Don Baylor, Blue Jays third base coach Brian Butterfield and Yankees third base coach Rob Thomson. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com heard that Mets scout Bob Melvin & Nationals’ coach Pat Listach as well as former M’s skipper Don Wakamatsu could be in line for the Toronto job.
Sandberg has previously lobbied for the Chicago Cubs managerial opening, and he could be the sentimental favorite given his Hall of Fame performance during his playing days with the Cubs. However, the Cubs may go with a more experienced manager to take over the high-profile position.
Sandberg, 50, was named manager of the Iowa Cubs in December 2009. He previously managed the Class-A Peoria Chiefs and Double-A Tennessee Smokies.
Gaston will be retiring after the season. He served two stints and 12 seasons of being the manager of the Blue Jays.
Jim Riggleman to be retained as Nationals manager
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The Washington Nationals are expected to announce by the end of the week that manager Jim Riggleman will be retained as the team’s manager, a baseball source close told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson.
“We haven’t announced a final call, but we’ve made a definite decision,” General Manager Mike Rizzo said last week. “We haven’t made an announcement to him or to the public.”
Riggleman made $600,000 this season and the team has the option to buyout his contract for next year for $100,000 if they choose.
Washington is 63-88 and has improved from last season, when it went 59-103.
“What we’ve always liked about, as in-game strategist, he’s really good about that,” Rizzo mentioned last week. “He’s as good as anybody. We’ve gone through some trials and tribulations this year, some real highs and some lows – both extremes.”
Houston Astros Claim Cesar Carrillo from Padres
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According to the Houston Chronicle’s Zachary Levine, the Houston Astros have claimed right-handed pitcher Cesar Carrillo from the San Diego Padres.
The Astros will be the third organization that Carrillo has been with this month. Carrillo had previously been designated for assignment by the Padres on September 18. He was originally designated by the Padres on September 1, and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies eight days later only to be designated for assignment on September 12. After the Phillies designated Carrillo, the Padres re-claimed Carrillo on September 15.
The 26-year-old is 5-14 with a 5.60 ERA in 27 starts for Triple-A Portland this season.
To make room on the roster for Carrillo, the Astros designated infielder Edwin Maysonet for assignment.
Jon Heyman on contract predictions for this winters’s Free Agent class
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Here are few predictions on the free agents this winter from one executive, two agents and Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman:
Carl Crawford – Executive: $126 million, 7 years. Agent 1: $120 million, 7 yrs. Agent 2: $96 million, 6 years. Heyman: $115 million, 7 years.
Cliff Lee – Executive: $108 million, six years, Agent 1: $100 million, six years. Agent 2: $105 million, 5 years. Heyman: $120 million, six years.
Jayson Werth – Executive: $85 million, five years, Agent 1: $80 million, 5 years. Agent 2: $96 million, 6 years. Heyman: $90 million, five years.
Derek Jeter – Executive: $60 million, 3 years. Agent 1: $50 million, 2 years. Agent 2: $100 million, 5 years. Heyman: $60 million, 3 years.
Adam Dunn – Executive: $60 million, four years. Agent 1: $25 million, 2 years. Agent 2: $42 million, 3 years. Heyman: $25 million, two years.
Adrian Beltre – Executive: $48 million, 4 years. Agent 1: $30 million, three years. Agent 2: $42 million, 3 years. Heyman: $40 million, 3 years.
Victor Martinez – Executive: $48 million, four years. Agent 1: $60 million, 4 years. Heyman: $36 million, three years.
Mariano Rivera – Executive: $40 million, 2 yrs. Agent 1: $20 million, 2 years. Agent 2: $40 million, 2 years. Heyman: $36 million, 2 years.
Paul Konerko – Executive: 36 million, 3 years. Agent 1: $36 million, 3 years. Agent 2: $42 million, 3 years. Heyman: $30 million, 2 years.
Carlos Pena – Executive: $36 million, 3 years. Agent 1: $33 million, 3 years. Agent: Heyman: $20 million, two years.
(For predictions 11-20, click here)
In other news from Heyman:
The Florida Marlins like current Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. However, Guillen is not expected to leave Chicago.
The New York Mets do not appear to be leaning towards employing Joe Torre despite the Los Angeles Dodgers’ willingness to take a call from the Mets’ ownership.
The Mets will not name Pat Gillick if they decide to replace current GM, Omar Minaya.
Colorado Rockies will not acquire starting pitcher for playoff run
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Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Colorado Rockies will not add a starting pitcher this month for the playoff run. ESPN’s Buster Olney mentioned yesterday that the team has looked into the idea of acquiring a starter to get them into the playoffs.
At the time, Olney speculated that Jake Westbrook of the St. Louis Cardinals would be a fit if the Cardinals finally decide to give up on the season.
If the Rockies a pitcher, they would not have been eligible for the playoffs.
Diamondbacks offically name Kevin Towers as team’s new GM
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The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a two-year contract with club options to make Kevin Towers the team’s new general manager. There will be a 12:30pm MST news conference to announce the move, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert.
Towers will become the team’s third permanent GM in franchise history and will be replacing Josh Byrnes who was dismissed on July 1. Jerry Dipoto was the other candidate for the position.
Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski to stay with White Sox or leave via free agency?
Posted by: | CommentsIt sounds like Chicago White Sox Paul Konerko is getting into free agent mode, and he’s at peace whether he stays with the Sox or goes to another team via free agency, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN.
“First, I have been pretty good all year not talking about it and letting it infringe on what I have to do and the job I have to do,” Konerko said. “I know I’m going to have to address the whole free-agent thing and offseason thing. And I will before I leave town next week in Chicago.
“It’s pretty easy from my standpoint. You can’t really do anything for a while. It will just come up and the decisions will have to be made when they come. But the main thing is to finish up these last games. I don’t dread the future as far as I think I’m in a pretty good place to make decisions. Whatever will comes will come and I’m in a good place no matter what happens. I feel like it’s been a good run here and if it continues, it continues, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
Earlier this month, GM Ken Williams made it clear that he wants Konerko part of the team’s future.
“I would love to have him retire as a White Sox,” said Williams.
The decision to keep Konerko in Chicago will ultimately come down to the money being made available for 2011 and beyond.
The Sox will also have to consider another free agent in catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Pierzynski will be one of the top free agent catchers available this winter, and he’s unsure about a return to the White Sox, according to the Chicago Tribunes’ Mark Gonzales.
“You have to ask them,” Pierzynski said. “I have no idea. I have no idea on that one.”
Pierzynski, 33, is in the final year of his contract. He’s currently hitting .272/.301/.390 in 120 game for the White Sox this season.
Diamondbacks decide on Kevin Towers for GM position
Posted by: | CommentsYahoo Sports’ Tim Brown says that is a “done deal” in Arizona between the Diamondbacks and Towers. Interim GM Jerry Dipoto could stay on in another capacity. Towers will get a guaranteed two year contract.
AOL FanHouse’s Tom Krasovic adds that the contractual details are being sorted out, but the deal which likely will include options years will be announced on Wednesday.
FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal says there are “some option provisions” in Towers’ deal.
Earlier today, a reliable source close to FOXSports’ Jim Bowden says the Arizona Diamondbacks are set to offer Kevin Towers the GM position. A announcement could happen as early as Wednesday. At the time, Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com said there had been no job offered yet, but things are moving along.
A source close to FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal says that Towers was in Arizona for a second interview for the vacant general manager position. Rosenthal says that the sides have discussed interim manager Kirk Gibson, baseball matter, but they have not talked about salary.
Rosenthal speculates that the Diamondbacks will make a low offer to Towers and then turn to interim GM Jerry Dipoto if Towers rejects the offer. The cost of Towers may be in the $2 million range whereas the team could get Dipoto for $750,000.
It’s believed that the GM position will be awarded to either Tower or Dipoto sometime this week. Dipoto earned praise for his handling of the team on an interim basis. Once the team selects a GM, they will decide on whether Gibson will be the team’s permanent manager or if they will go with someone else.
