Rumors for October, 2010
Carlos Tosca interviews for Pirates managerial opening
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Carlos Tosca was just named the Atlanta Braves new bench coach, and one day later he was interviewing for the vacant Pittsburgh Pirates job.
According to MLB.com Jenifer Langosch, Tosca was the seventh candidate that the Pirates have interviewed since John Russell was fired after the 2010 season.
The 57-year-old Tosca previously managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 2002 (as interim manager) then one full season in 2003 and then 111 games in 2004. He finished with a 191-191 record – never finishing higher than third place in the competitive American League East. Tosca does have 17 seasons as Minor League manager.
Tosca joins a crowded pool of candidates that the Pirates have interviewed over the past few weeks: Eric Wedge, Bo Porter, John Gibbons, Jeff Banister, Ken Macha and Dale Sveum
Boston Red Sox agree to one-year deal with Jarrod Saltalamacchia
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According to FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi, the Boston Red Sox have reached a one-year deal with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Saltalamacchia was arbitration-eligible, but both sides will now be able to avoid the tedious process.
CSNNE.com’s Sean McAdam says the one-year deal is a split, non-guaranteed contract that will pay him $750,000 when in the Majors and $250,000 when in the Minors.
There was uncertainty regarding the future of Saltalamacchia with the Red Sox. The team is likely going to lose Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez to free-agency, but Saltalamacchia has a torn UCL in his left thumb, so it was not a guarantee that the Sox were going to re-sign him.
Saltalamacchia was acquired from the Texas Rangers on July 31st, but appeared in only 12 games due to the injury.
Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post wonders if the Red Sox will pursue Rockies’ catcher Chris Iannetta. The Sox have long been interested in Iannetta. Renck expects Boston to at least inquire about the Colorado catcher.
Jeremy Hermida and Ross Wolf elect free agency
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According to MLB.com’s Jane Lee, Jeremy Hermida and Ross Wolf were outrighted by the Oakland A’s and have elected to become free agents. The team has also outrighted Brad Kilby.
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser says Hermida would be open to coming back to Oakland.
Where will Johnny Damon play in 2011?
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Could Johnny Damon return to the Bronx after a one-year vacation in Detroit? Or could he find his way back to Oakland?
Last week, Damon told The New York Post that he would love to have the option to come back to the Yankees. He said, “It would be very exciting to go back there.”
The problem with the Yankees is that they are crowded in the outfield, and would unlikely want to have the 36-year old Damon out there. The Tigers would be open to having him back, but probably for only a one-year deal, according to ESPN Insider. Damon was pushing for a two-year deal last season from prospective employers before he eventually settled in with the Tigers for one-year.
ESPN says that prospective clubs that need left-handed production include the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays, but Damon may not be too high on their wish list.
One other suitor could be the Oakland Athletics who may need a veteran hitter like Damon.
Bobby Valentine is not the front-runner for the Mariners job
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According to a source close to FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal, managerial candidate Bobby Valentine is not considered the front-runner for the Seattle Mariners job.
Valentine recently met with Seattle officials and Rosenthal said that he had a strong interview, but the Mariners were impressed by their other candidates.
The 60-year-old Valentine was reported as the “front-runner” for the Mariners job earlier this week. He’s also interviewed with the Toronto Blue Jays (where he’s also considered the front-runner) and the Milwaukee Brewers are said to have an interest in the manager.
Rosenthal says that drawbacks to the Valentine could be his cost, his desire to win now, and possible compatibility issues between him and GM Jack Zduriencik.
Boston Red Sox coaches drawing interest for vacant managerial jobs
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The Boston Red Sox may be facing some of their current coaches next season as managers of other teams. While none of the coaches are favorites to land a managerial job, many are being considered for the openings, according to the Boston Herald’s Scott Lauber.
Bench coach DeMarlo Hale is being considered for the jobs with the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and possibly the Florida Marlins.
Pitching coach John Farrell may get another look from the Pittsburgh Pirates. He previously declined an interview in 2007 when they last had a managerial vancy.
First base coach Tim Bogar could also get a look, but Lauber did not specify if he’s being considered.
Hale, Farrell and Bogar do not have any big league managerial experience and that may be a drawback especially for teams such as the Mariners and Marlins who may be looking for a high-profile leader.
Colorado Rockies may re-sign LHP Jeff Francis for 2011
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The Colorado Rockies hold a $7.5 million option on left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis, and given the price they’ll decline the option. However, the team would like to have Francis back for 2011 at a reduced price. Colorado has reached out to Francis’ agent, according to The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck.
“They have made it clear they want Jeff to stay,” agent Jim Lindell said. “Jeff loves Denver, loves the guys in the clubhouse. And if everything’s equal, Jeff would love to be back.”
Last month, manager Jim Tracy said he would “absolutely” like Francis to return.
Renck also says that the team needs to make a decision on Miguel Olivo and his $2.6 million option. The Rockies are known to be interested in Victor Martinez, so the re-signing of Olivo will likely depend on that
Mets would like new GM by end of the World Series
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New York Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said the team would like to have a new general manager in place by the end of the World Series, but “that can be flexible,” according to ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin.
The team has had a full schedule of interviews this week with former Kansas City Royals GM Allard Baird on Monday, Chicago White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn on Tuesday and former Arizona Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes on Wednesday. Each interview runs from 8:30am to 4:40pm. Each candidate outlines a three-year plan for the Mets through 2013 as well as discussions regarding their experience.
The Mets have former Major League executive Sandy Alderson interviewing on Thursday and Los Angeles Dodgers assistant GM Logan White interviewing on Friday. There may be other candidates, including the Texas Rangers’ Jon Daniels, but it’s unlikely the Mets will interview him until the Rangers are eliminated for the post season.
Tampa Bay Rays relievers Choate, Balfour and Wheeler would like to come back in 2011
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The Tampa Bay Rays have four relievers (Rafael Soriano, Randy Choate, Joaquin Benoit, and Grant Balfour) likely hitting the free-agent market in November, and at least three of them would like to return to the Rays, according to The Tampa Tribune’s Roger Mooney.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to being back here. (Manager) Joe (Maddon) puts me in situations to help me be successful,” Choate said. “He obviously has a lot of confidence in me. He throws me out there all the time. Can’t complain with that.”
The same goes for Balfour who pitched in 57 games and had a 2.28 ERA despite missing time for an intercostal strain.
“Oh yeah, I’d definitely like to come back,” he said. “I like it here. I enjoy it here. This is a business now. We’ll see. If they come up with something good, I’m always going to listen.”
Mooney speculates that Balfour will try to cash in on his 2010 performance and see if he can get a better deal than his $2.05 million that he was paid this last season.
Dan Wheeler could come back to the team if the Rays pick up his $4 million 2011 option. Otherwise they could let him walk with a $1 million buyout, but Wheeler wants to return.
“Obviously I’d love to play with this team for the next 10 years. I think we can do something special, but that’s probably not going to happen,” he said. “That’s not something I can control. I love playing here, but if that’s not the case I’ll move forward. That’s part of being a reliever in major league baseball.”
Hisanori Takahashi wants a multi-year deal
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New York Mets left-handed pitcher Hisanori Takahashi wants a multi-year deal, according to Sports Hochi via Yahoo Japan.
The 35-year-old pitcher wrapped up his inaugural year in Major League and is now a free-agent with the completion of his one-year, $1 million contract that he signed in February of 2010. He went 10-6 with a 3.61 ERA in 53 appearances (12 starts) with 114 strikeouts, very similar to his 2009 numbers with the Japanese Yamiuri Giants in 2009 where he went 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA in 25 games with 126 strikeouts.
Loosely translated using Google, Takahashi was happy with his 2010 performance and is comfortable spending time at home in Japan with his children for the first time in 8 months.
It’s possible that the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies may be interested in Takahashi’s services for next season.
