Rumors for October, 2010
Pat Listach is no longer a candidate for Cubs managerial vacancy
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According to a source close to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, Washington Nationals’ third base coach Pat Listach is no longer a candidate to manage the Chicago Cubs. Ladson says there was no reason as to why Listach is out of the running.
Listach could be called by the Toronto Blue Jays to interview for their vacant managerial position, Ladson cautions that he’s on a long-list of candidates.
The 1992 American League Rookie of the Year managed in the Cubs’ Minor League system, going 253-221. In August, Listach said he was interested in the Cubs’ job. “I would definitely like the job,” Listach said at the time. “But I have a job to do here in Washington. If that job is available, it would be a dream come true. When you bring a championship to that city and that team, it’s a big deal.”
“It’s one of the elite jobs in baseball. When you start talking about the Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers, that’s the elite of the elite. Just to be considered is an honor. It makes me feel good as a person that I’ve done the right things in this game that people would consider me”
Ron Gardenhire to manage Twins beyond 2011
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According to La Velle E. Neal III and Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune, Twins CEO Jim Pohlad said before Game 3 of the ALDS that it’s “a no-brainer” that manager Ron Gardenhire will receive a contract extension. Gardenhire is currently signed through 2011.
”That’s just such a nonissue,” Pohlad said. ”We all know that’s a no-brainer. We are going to get something done.”
When Twins GM Bill Smith was asked about Gardenhire’s post-season track record by the Pioneer Press’ Kelsie Smith, he said, “No, not at all.”
The 52-year-old Garndenhire led the Twins to a 94-64 season and the sixth AL Central division title in 2010. In his nine-year managerial career with the Twins, he is 803-656.
Jim Thome plans on returning for 2011 season
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If Jim Thome’s 20th season had ended with a world championship, the slugger may have retired and gone out on top. Instead, the Twins were quickly eliminated and made to look like a junior varsity team by the Yankees. Thome also had a very bad series as he went 1-10 and struck out in his final at bat.
Now Thome who just finished up a one year $1.5mm contract with the Twins must decide if he will return for his 21st season or if he will call it a career. The 40 year old put up a 283 avg., 25 home runs and did that in only 340 plate appearances. Thome was able to move up the career home run list this season and currently sits eighth all-time with 589.
The pending free agent said he would discuss his future with his family but was leaning toward returning for a 21st season. The Twins’ fans immediately became fans of the slugger as he became one of the more popular players.
Thome didn’t provide much insight as he only stated, “Yeah, I think I’m going to come back.”
Thome told the Star Tribune (via La Velle E. Neal III and Joe Christensen),
“I love the game. I’d love to come back, I really would, and Minnesota was a great place, so we’ll see how the winter goes. It would be great.”
Information from Kelsie Smith and Brian Murphey of the St. Paul Pioneer Press was used in this article
Could Cubs trade Carlos Zambrano for Daisuke Matsuzaka?
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Here’s the latest from The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rogers:
- Rogers suggests that if the Cubs decide to move starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano, they may find a trading partner with the Boston Red Sox for Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka has $20 million left on his contract ($10 million per season in 2011 and 2012), and most teams would likely ask for a subsidy to take the pitcher off the Red Sox’s hands, but in this scenario it’s likely the Red Sox would receive money since Zambrano would be owed about $55 million.
- There’s a lot of debate in Boston about whether or not Jason Varitek should return. Varitek is eligible to become a free-agent after the World Series.
- Tony La Russa is thinking two more years if he returns to the Cardinals with a one-year contract. He’s 126 victories away from moving past John McGraw into second place all-tiem in manager’s victories.
- The Baltimore Orioles could make a run at free-agent Paul Konerko.
- Phil Garner is hoping he gets an interview for the vacant Pittsburgh Pirates job.
- The Los Angeles Angels are set to make a run at signing Carl Crawford.
Cafardo on managerial vacancies, Derek Jeter, Paul Konerko and Jason Varitek
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Here’s the latest from the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
Milwaukee Brewers GM Doug Melvin likes to hire second or third-time managers which makes Bob Melvin, Clint Hurdle, Don Baylor and Don Wakamatsu candidates.
The sentiment to retain interim manager Mike Quade grows. Ryne Sandberg appears to be on the “back burner” and the Cubs may make a run at Joe Girardi after the playoffs.
Bobby Valentine is still in play for the Florida Marlins, according to Major League sources close to Cafardo, but money is an issue. The Marlins want experience so anyone from Jim Fregosi to Tony Pena is in play.
Fredi Gonzalez may be a certainty for the Atlanta Braves.
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking at their own Brian Butterfield. Ron Roenicke (Angels), Rob Thomson (Yankees), and Dave Martinez (Rays) will be on the list, as will former manager types such as Don Baylor.
Coaches with ties to GM Neal Huntington’s Cleveland background will be considered for the vacant Pittsburgh Pirates’ managerial job including Eric Wedge, John Farrell and Torey Lovullo. As well as Pittsburgh native Ken Macha.
Wedge may be in the lead for the Seattle Mariner’s opening, but Boston Red Sox coach DeMarlo Hale may get another look.
There a lot of sentiment for Wally Backman to take the Mets job.
It’s almost certain that Derek Jeter will get a multi-year deal from the Yankees to reward him for his past accomplishment and allow him to retire as a Yankee.
Paul Konerko would love to remain with the Chicago White Sox, but GM Ken Williams wasn’t sure if Konerko fit into the team’s 2011 budget. The White Sox need to get another left-handed hitter or two in the lineup. Konerko could be a nice for the Red Sox if Adrian Beltre goes to the Angels or another West Coast team.
Jason Varitek wants to play and prefers to stay in Boston. He could be a good fit in Florida.
Teams needing a second baseman are very interested in the Red Sox’s Jed Lowrie.
Cafardo wonders if another team trying to move a bad contract may take a chance on the Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano and his $55 million remaining on his contract.
Carl Pavano would like to stay in Minnesota, but he would have to give the Twins a hometown discount to do so. He could command a three-year, $30 million deal on the open market, but the Twins may not want to go that high.
With the deep starting pitching staff of the Chicago White Sox, free-agent right-handed pitcher Freddy Garcia will unlikely be back with the team.
31-year-old free-agent catcher John Buck could make himself some money on the open market including a possible starting gig in Boston.
Assistant Boston Red Sox GM Allard Baird will interview with the Mets for their GM job. Carfardo says Baird would be the perfect choice for the Mets.
Substantial market for Daisuke Matsuzaka if Red Sox make him available
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There will be a substantial market for Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka if the team deal him this winter, according to nearly a dozen scouts close to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo.
“With the state of pitching today, if a team can go out and get a still relatively young middle-of-the-rotation starter, they’ll do it,’’ one scout said.
Matsuzaka has $20 million left on his contract ($10 million per season in 2011 and 2012), and most teams would likely ask for a subsidy to take the pitcher off the Red Sox’s hands. The Red Sox said last week that Matsuzaka is “very much” in the team’s plans for 2011 and there are no plans to trade him.
Candidates that could go after Matsuzaka if made available include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers and the Detroit Tigers.
Josh Bard suffers minor injuries in fatal car accident
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Seattle Mariners catcher Josh Bard suffered minor injuries in a fatal car accident that killed a Denver pastor, according to KDVR.com (via MLB.com’s Bailey Stephens).
Bard 32, and Clancy McKendry, 21, who were both wearing seatbels were taken to a local hospital for injuries. 45-year-old Pat Kendry died from injuries sustained in the crash around 5:40 am local time on Thursday.
The three were traveling in an F-150 when McKendry, the driver, lost control of the truck on a sharp curve.
New York Mayor already planning Yankees parade victory route
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New York City’s mayor Michael Bloomberg is already anticipating a 28th World Championship for the Yankees. On Friday on his radio show he talked about where the parade should start, according to FOXSports.
The Yankees currently have a 2-0 series lead over the Minnesota Twins in a best-of-five ALDS series. The Bombers will still need to win the ALCS and the World Series before they can have a victory parade.
Manager Joe Girardi says he hopes Bloomberg’s prediction is right.
Baltimore Orioles likely to decline Mark Hendrickson’s option
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The Baltimore Orioles will likely decline left-handed reliever Mark Hendrickson’s $1.2 million club option. Instead, the team will pay the $200,000 buyout, according to The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec. There’s a possibility that Hendrickson could return to the team, but the sides will need to agree on a new contract at a reduced price.
The 36-year-old Hendrickson was 1-6 with a 5.26 ERA in 52 appearances for the Orioles this year. He signed a $1.2 million one-year contract for this season in January.
Cincinnati Reds to pick up Bronson Arroyo’s option
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Cincinnati Reds GM Walt Jocketty says the Reds will definitely pick up Bronson Arroyo’s option, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Fay. Fay adds that the Reds will also try to add years to the contract.
Based on the contract that Arroyo signed in 2007, his team option for 2011 is worth $11 million. The 32-year-old right-handed pitcher was 17-10 in 2010 with the Reds.
