Rumors for October, 2010
Ron Wotus interested in Pirates managerial job
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San Francisco Giants bench coach Ron Wotus expressed his desire to be a Major League manager to MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch, and he would love to do so for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wotus has not received a call from Pittsburgh, but he would jump at a chance if the team called him for an interview.
Wotus spent the last 22 years with the Giants, and the last 12 were with the Major League team. While he does not have Major League managing experience, he has seven seasons of experience managing in the Minors.
The Pirates fired John Russell last week and have already interviewed former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge. Another possibility could be former Astros’ manger Phil Garner. Garner recently said he would be interested to talk with the team about their managerial vacancy.
Bobby Cox manages last game
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With the Atlanta Braves’ 2-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 National League Divisional Series, the Braves were eliminated from the postseason, ending Bobby Cox’s managerial career.
Cox, 69, in 29 seasons as a big league manager went 2504-2001 with the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays. He won 5 National League pennants and 1 World Series title in 1995.
In addition to Cox’s retirement, left-handed closer Billy Wagner is also calling it a career. The 38-year-old was removed from the NLDS roster due to an oblique injury suffered in Game 2. Had the Braves advanced to the World Series, he would have been eligible to be activated. Wagner has a $6.5 million option that has vested, but he’s content with walking away from the guaranteed money.
From the PRO Rumors team, thanks Mr. Cox for sharing your career with baseball fans around the world.
Arthur Rhodes and Jonny Gomes want to return to Reds in 2011
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Relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes and left fielder Jonny Gomes have a desire to come back to the National League Central Champions for the 2011 season, according to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon.
“I already told them that I want to come back, that I’d love to come back,” Rhodes said. “I’ve had a wonderful time here. I’ve enjoyed myself. We’ll see what happens in the offseason.”
The 40-year-old Rhodes will be eligible for free-agency after the World Series. He had a 4-4 records with a 2.29 ERA in 69 appearances for the Reds this past season.
Gomes has a $1.75 million club option for next season. He set career highs with 86 RBIs and 148 games played.
“I’d like to come back,” said Gomes.
Gomes, 29, signed a $800,000, one-year deal with the Reds just before Spring Training. The Reds have not indicated whether they will exercise the option.
Carlos Peña could be a possibility for the Washington Nationals
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If Carlos Peña does not re-sign with the Tampa Bay Rays, he could be a good fit for the Washington Nationals, says Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. The Nationals want to emphasize defense, so it’s unlikely the team will re-sign Adam Dunn.
Last week, Peña said, “My heart is with this ballclub,” but later added, “I don’t hold all the cards.” Peña is a free-agent after the season, and the team is expected to shed payroll under the $60 million mark for next season down from $72 million on Opening Day 2010, so there’s a good chance that Pena will not be back with the Rays next season. Some experts pegged Peña’s deal to be anywhere from a 2-3 year deal for $10-12 million per season.
As for Dunn, he may be better off going to the American League and assume the designated hitter position. He has been reluctant to give up fielding, so he’s been staying away from the American League. If he does go to the AL, the Baltimore Orioles could be a good fit for him. Despite his defensive liabilities, his 38 home runs along with the “fear and protection they bring to a lineup” still have value.
Four candidates to meet with Mets for vacant GM job
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According to the New York Post’s Dan Martin, the Mets know at least four candidates that will interview for the vacant general manager position this week. Martins says MLB consultant Sandy Alderson, Chicago White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, Boston Red Sox assistant GM Allard Baird and former Arizona Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes are set to speak with team.
Andy McCullough of The Star-Ledger says the Mets have spoken with Baird today, with a team official calling the interview “productive.” Hahn will meet with the team on Tuesday and Byrnes will meet with the Mets on Wednesday. Alderson will meet with team on Thursday or Friday.
A team official close to Martin said those are the only four names lined up for interviews, but more could be added to the list.
Last week, the Mets received permission from Major League Baseball to speak with Alderson. It’s believed that Alderson is very interested in the position.
As soon as the team hires a new GM, one of their first jobs will be to hire a new field manager. There’s a lot of sentiment for former Mets’ player Wally Backman to get the Mets’ managerial job.
Bobby Valentine is the frontrunner to manage the Marlins
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According to a source close the Palm Beach Post’s Joe Capozzi, Bobby Valentine has emerged as the frontrunner to manage the Florida Marlins in 2011. Valentine has been in touch with the Marlins over the last two weeks, but he has not had a formal interview.
“Things are getting very interesting,’ said a baseball source.
The Marlins fired manager Fredi Gonzalez in June. It was almost certain at the time that Bobby Valentine was going to take over the club, but the hiring process fell apart with the negotiations, and the team went in another direction with interim manager Edwin Rodriguez for the remainder of the season.
Capozzi says the Marlins’ owner Jeffrey Loria wants Valentine since he could help build interest with the team as it prepares to move into its new stadium in 2012. However, other front-office members are against his hiring because they are reluctant to give Valentine the power he wants.
Phillies bench coach interested in Blue Jays managerial job
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Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin interested in taking the managerial reigns of the Toronto Blue Jays, according to the Toronto Sun’s Bob Elliott.
“I’d like to consider it, not that I have heard anything from them yet,” said Mackanin.
Mackanin has had two stints as interim big league manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005 (after the team fired Lloyd McClendon) and the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 (after the team fired Jerry Narron). He had a record of 12-14 and 41-39 respectively with the two teams.
“Toronto has a lot of good players,” Mackanin said. “We don’t see them a lot, being in the other league. Everyone knows about their power potential. I really liked what I saw of Ricky Romero and Shaun Marcum.”
In addition to his interim stints, Mackanin also managed in the Minor Leagues for 13 seasons.
Will Rafael Soriano get a long-term deal this winter?
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ESPN’s Buster Olney wonders if right-handed closer Rafael Soriano will get a long-term deal this winter. He turns 31 this December, he’s had two seasons in the last six where he was injured, and he’s entering the middle of his career.
If history dictates Soriano’s future, any team that signs him to a long-term deal may not get their money’s worth. Olney cites:
- B.J. Ryan giving the Toronto Blue Jays a good 2 1/2 seasons out of a five-year, $47 million deal.
- Billy Wagner missed a year in his four-year, $43 million deal with the Mets.
- Francisco Rodriguez is currently in trouble while in his three-year, $37 million deal.
- Mariano Rivera, wrapping up his three-year, $45 million contract, is the only exception to the rule.
As for possible destinations for Soriano, the Yankees could use him as a setup man. The White Sox are likely done with Bobby Jenks. The Diamondbacks may be interested, but will be limited with payroll.
Johnny Damon would love to return to Yankees
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When free-agent Johnny Damon was asked if there was a possibility to return to the New York Yankees, this is what he said:
“I would love to have that as an option,” Damon said, according to The New York Post’s George A. King III. “It would be very exciting to go back there.”
Damon was told by the Detroit Tigers that they were going in another direction for their designated hitter position
“They told me they are looking for a prototypical type DH like Adam Dunn,” Damon said. “They said they need that type of bat in the middle of order. I am a No. 1 or 2 guy, so . . .”
In August, Damon told reporters that 2011 may be his final season before retiring. He was hopeful that he could finish his career in Detroit.
“I’m hoping to stay. I’m hoping after this season they want me back to, I feel, be a part of something special. I think that’s a big reason why I chose Detroit, because I felt like there was something happening there with a winning ballclub. A championship would mean the world to the fans there, to that economy, to the owner. That’s why I felt was, and is, the best place for me right now.”
Tim Wallach will have role on Dodgers Major League staff in 2011
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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A manager Tim Wallach will be on the team’s big league coaching staff for 2011 unless he is hired to manage another big league club, according to a source close to ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Tony Jackson.
The source says that Wallach signed a contract with the Dodgers to fill either the bench coarch or third-base coach job. But when reached, Wallached declined to confirm or deny that he signed a deal.
Wallach has made no secret of his desire to manage in the Major Leagues and one club has already asked the Dodgers for permission to interview him for their managerial vacancy. While that team is unknown, Jackson says that Wallach was thought to be a leading candidate for the Toronto Blue Jay’s job, but the Toronto Sun says he is no longer under consideration.
The dodgers also have made an offer to pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, according to multiple sources. Honeycutt has yet to accept that offer.
