Rumors for October, 2010
Heyman: Boston Red Sox to go real hard for Carl Crawford
Posted by: | Comments
MLB analyst Peter Gammons guesses that the Boston Red Sox will go “real hard” after Carl Crawford this winter.
Crawford is eligible to a free-agent after the World Series, and it’s unlikely that he’ll return to the Tampa Bay Rays since they are expected to have a limited payroll.
“I don’t want to leave, everybody knows that,” Crawford recently said about the Rays. “I like it here. I’ve made that known. I wish something was able to be worked out.”
Another team that will likely go hard after Crawford are the Los Angeles Angels. Gammons says Angels’ owner Artie Moreno is on the “cusp of a $4 billion TV deal in Anaheim.” If that’s the case, then the Angels will have additional financial resources to pay the expected 6-7 year deal in the $96-126 million range.
Shane Victorino breaks up fight at restaurant
Posted by: | Comments
Here’s a little fun Friday news. Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino broke up a fight outside of the Rittenhouse Square bistro Rouge Thursday night, according to The Inquirer’s Michael Klein.
A bystander said two groups – regulars and folks unfamiliar to the Rouge staff — were exchanging “nasty words” inside the restaurant, nearby a table occupied by Victorino and friends.
Victorino stepped outside with the group and tells those involved to “knock it off.”
Marlins officials favor Bo Porter for next manager
Posted by: | Comments
According to FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi, some officials from the Florida Marlins’ organization favor Bo Porter as the next manager of the team. Morosi adds that it’s unclear where the team’s managerial search stands.
The 38-year-old Porter is the Arizona Diamondbacks’ third-base coach. He interviewed with the Marlins in June right after the team fired Edwin Rodriguez. Porter was the Marlins’ third base coach and outfield instructor from 2007-2009.
It was believed until earlier this week that Bobby Valentine was the “front-runner” for the Marlins job. ESPN’s Tim Krkjian confirmed that Valentine removed his name from consideration on October 13.
Seattle Mariners to hire Eric Wedge as new manager
Posted by: | Comments
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated has learned that the Seattle Mariners will hire former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge as their manager. The 42-year-old led the Indians for seven seasons with an American League Central title in 2007.
FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal says that Wedge’s deal with Seattle will be for three years.
Other candidates for the Mariners job included Lloyd McClendon, Clint Hurdle, Bobby Valentine and interim manager Daren Brown.
It was believed that Valentine was the front-runner for the Mariners’ job. FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal said that Valentine had a strong interview, but the Mariners were impressed by their other candidates.
Is Cliff Lee cheating with a foreign substance from his hat?
Posted by: | Comments
New York Yankees television announcer Michael Key is insisting that Texas Rangers pitcher Cliff Lee is using a combination of resin and sweat to produce a “tackiness” to grip the ball, according to The New York Daily News’ Bob Raisssman.
“I would think that’s illegal,” Kay said. “If I’m Joe Girardi, I’m telling the umpires he (Lee) has got to wear another hat.”
Video evidence (yes, we’ll see if we can find it) shows one shot where Lee is touching the bill of his cap and another shows Lee licking his fingers as he walks off the mound towards home plate.
When TBS announcer Ron Darling was asked if the Yankees should use gamesmanship and make him change his hat.
“Yeah,” Darling said. “Usually you will see umpires, if they are approached by the manager, they might make him change his hat.”
If this situation begins to get bigger, it’s possible that an act of gamesmanship could backfire on the Yankees should they decide to pursue Lee in the off-season. They could anger Lee to a point where he decides to take his services elsewhere when he becomes a free-agent. Tread lightly.
Heath Bell seeking three-year contract
Posted by: | Comments
San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell is under team control through 2011, but he’s hoping to be with the team a lot longer. According to the North County Times’ Dan Hayes, Bell is seeking a three-year contract.
The 33-year-old reliever was paid $4 million in 2010 and could make at least $7 million in his final year of salary arbitration eligibility.
Bell was the subject of trade rumors last winter, but with the Padres’ unexpected success in 2010, the team kept him around. He’ll likely be subject of trade rumors again this winter.
“I’m still optimistic,” Bell said. “I feel like I’m coming back.”
Bell understands that his age could prevent him from getting a long-term deal, but he believes it is possible.
“Three years is perfect,” Bell said. “I don’t expect more because I’m an older guy.”
Royals acquire Kevin Pucetas from the Giants to complete the Jose Guillen trade
Posted by: | Comments
According to Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Royals acquired RHP Kevin Pucetas from the San Francisco Giants to complete the Jose Guillen trade. In 128 plate appearances with the Giants, Jose Guillen has had a .266 avg with 34 hits and 15 RBI’s.
Pucetas was originally drafted in the 17th round in 2006. He has struggled in his last two seasons at Triple-A. This year, he posted a 5.69 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 26 starts with a 5-7 record at Triple-A Fresno.
Could the Washington Nationals go after Cliff Lee?
Posted by: | Comments
After speaking with several agents, The Denver Posts’ Troy E. Renck says they expect free-agent-to-be Cliff Lee to ask for CC Sabathia money (eight-years, $160 million) this winter. Renck adds that the Washington Nationals are a team to keep an eye on. The Nats are telling agents that they are willing to overspend, if necessary, to bolster their rotation.
It’s odd that a buyer (the Nationals) are telling a seller (agents) that they are willing to overspend, unless they are desperate. With phenom Stephen Strasburg likely out all of 2011 recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Nationals may go after a big-name free agent pitcher like Lee. Securing Lee now will set the team up for a good run starting in 2012 when Strasburg and likely Bryce Harper will be in the Majors.
Manager, GM and coach notes: Clint Hurdle, Dave Martinez, Sandy Alderson, Jon Daniels
Posted by: | Comments
Here are a few manager, general manager and coaching notes to be aware of:
According to a Major League source close to The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck, former Colorado Rockies manager and now Texas Rangers bench coach Clint Hurdle has been contacted by an unnamed team about its managerial vacancy.
FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal says Tampa Bay Rays’ bench coach Dave Martinez will interview for the Toronto Blue Jays’ job.
Former Dodgers’ GM Paul DePodesta is not suprised that Sandy Alderson is pushing for the New York Mets’ GM job, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post. “He’s fiercely competitive, even if he doesn’t show it outwardly,” said DePodesta
Former Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers GM John Hart does not expect to see current GM Jon Daniels leave the Rangers, according to the New York Posts’ Dan Martin. Rangers’ owner Chuck Greenberg said earlier this week that Daniels is not going anywhere.
It appears that pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, bullpen coach Ken Howell and hitting instructor Manny Mota may be the only hold overs from the Dodgers coaching staff from last season, according to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick. Base coaches Larry Bowa and Mariano Duncan are not likely to return.
Colorado Rockies could target Lance Berkman
Posted by: | Comments
According to The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck, New York Yankees’ Lance Berkman could be a target of the Colorado Rockies this winter.
