Rumors for October, 2010
David Ortiz wants a multi-year contract
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It’s possible that the Boston Red Sox’s designated hitter David Ortiz will go into 2011 on a contract year where he has to prove all doubters once again that he deserves something more secure. It’s no secret that Ortiz wants a long-term daily.
“I’m not comfortable coming back just for one year because it’s going to be the same roller-coaster that I had this year,” Ortiz said, as reported by WEEI’s Rob Bradford. “All the question marks. People still don’t realize what you’re capable of doing even after eight years. I’m the kind of guy who likes to be left alone, play my game and be the best at my position.”
He voiced his concern of a one-year contract last month when he told Bradford that he was not “comfortable”.
“I always let you guys know how much interest I have in finishing my career here. I’m not going to feel comfortable coming back here just for a year just to re-live all the pressure and all the stuff I’ve been through. I don’t think it’s fair for myself. I think about things and I go through a lot of things mentally, especially for this club,” Ortiz said.
If the Red Sox don’t pick up his option he could still be offered a new deal or become a free-agent five days after the World Series ends. The team holds a $12.5 million option on Ortiz and they must decide within three days after the World Series to exercise it.
Ortiz hit .270 with 32 HR and 102 RBI’s this season with the Red Sox.
Twins exercise Jason Kubel’s 2011 option
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The Minnesota Twins have announced that they have exercised right fielder/designated hitter Jason Kubel’s $5.25 million option for 2011, according to MLB.com’s Kelly Thesier. The team also said that they have declined infielder Nick Punto’s $5 million option.
Mike Napoli might be a trade chip for the Angels
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The Angels, who have made it very clear that they will prioritize their offensive this winter, might have a trading chip in catcher Mike Napoli. Mike Scioscia will probably have three catchers on his 25-man roster for the 2011 season, Mike Napoli, Bobby Wilson and Jeff Mathis, and another one developing on their AAA team at Salt Lake, Hank Conger.
With a healthy Kendry Morales there’s no space for Napoli at first base, and Scioscia could survive with Mathis and Wilson behind the plate. That way Napoli could be negotiated with teams like the Red Sox, whom according to MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer are aware of his talent, and they don’t know if Victor Martinez will be back. Other teams that might be interested in acquiring Napoli could be the Marlins or the Rays. Florida is Napoli’s hometown and those teams are in need of a catcher and a bat like him.
Napoli had a BA of .238 with 26 HR and 68 RBI’s in 510 plate apparences this season with the Angels.
Will Brett Gardner end up in Cincinnati?
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The Yankees will probably knock on Carl Crawford’s door as soon as the season ends to offer him a chance of wearing pinstripes for the 2011 season. If that happens, Yankees current left fielder Brett Gardner might end up without an everyday role.
If the Yankees end up signing Crawford, Gardner could become available for the Reds. MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon thinks that Gardner might be a great lead off hitter if Cincinnati is looking for one.
Gardner, shares the Yankees outfield with Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher. Of those three, Gardner appears to be the weakest link in the Yankees outfield, offense-wise.
This season, Granderson hit for .247 BA with 24 HR and 67 RBI’s, Swisher hit for .288 BA with 29 HR and 89 RBI’s and Gardner hit for .277 with 5 HR and 47 RBI’s. Crawford on the other hand hit for .307 with 19 HR and 90 RBI’s.
Brewers targeting Cora as their new manager?
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The Brewers have been discreet over who their manager will be for the 2011 season. At a first glance Bobby Valentine was said to be the front-runner, but no agreement has been made yet. Now, according to Journal Sentinel’s Tom Haudricourt he’s been hearing that Joey Cora has given a good impression during his interview.
Cora, 45, has been Ozzie Guillen’s White Sox bench coach for the last four years. He also managed the Mets farm system, and served as interim manager when Guillen was ejected, suspended or any other reason. In 2005 he managed a Venezuelan baseball team during the winter under the personal recommendation of Ozzie Guillen. That year the “Tiburones de La Guaira” (Guillen’s all-time team while an active player) ended with a 31-31 record, but failed to make the playoff.
Padres sign Dominican outfielder Edwin Moreno
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The San Diego Padres have signed Edwin Moreno for $500,000.
Moreno, 17, was one of the top prospects on the international market, according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler. He didn’t sign when the international signing period opened on July 2 due to the fact he had tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid more commonly known as Winstrol.
Mets officially announce Sandy Alderson as new GM
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The Mets have finally decided to go with Sandy Alderson as their new GM according to New York Daily New’s Andy Martino. There’s a news conference scheduled for tomorrow 2pm to introduce him. Alderson met with the Mets on Tuesday and one of the purposes of the meeting was to get team president Saul Katz to sign off on hiring him.
As the new GM for the Mets, Alderson’s first order of business appointed will be hiring a manager. Alderson wanted to return to running a team and his passion to do so was clearly visible during his interview, he also brings instant credibility and respect inside and outside of the organization.
New York Post’s Dan Martin and Joel Sherman wrote an article on Thursday where they present a list of possibles candidates for the Mets managerial position. Candidates include former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, Red Sox’s bench coach DeMarlo Hale, Mets scout and former Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, former Angels and Astros manager Terry Collins, former Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu and Mets third base coach Chip Hale.
Long shots for the manager’s position include former Mets, Yankees and Dodgers manager Joe Torre, farm system manager Wally Backman and former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, apparently being on the Brewers list for the manager position as well.
Chicago Cubs would welcome back Kerry Wood
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A source close to ESPNChicago.com’s Bruce Levine says the Cubs would welcome back free-agent pitcher Kerry Wood if their payroll permits. Team owner Tom Ricketts said that the 2011 payroll will drop slightly from their 2010 payroll of $140 million.
The New York Yankees declined Wood’s $11 million team option in 2011 on Wednesday despite his 2-0 record and 0.69 ERA in 24 appearances for the team.
Wood was originally drafted by the Cubs as the fouth overall pick in the 1995 draft. He left the team after the 2008 season after he signed a multi-year contract with the Cleveland Indians.
Jamie Moyer and Greg Dobbs elect free agency
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Left-handed pitcher Jamie Moyer and infielder Greg Dobbs have elected free agency, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.
The 47-year-old pitcher fully intends to pitch in the Majors in 2011 and will make a few starts in the Dominican winter league in preparation for next season.
“I don’t want to go to spring training and be a comedy act,” Moyer said earlier this week. “If I’m going to pitch, I’m going to go somewhere, whether it is here or another team, and compete for a job.”
Dobbs, 32, is a wrapping up a two-year contract that paid him $1.35 million in 2010. He hit .196/.251/.331 in 88 games for the Phillies last year.
Tigers very interested in Victor Martinez and Carl Crawford
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As the free-agency period approaches, the Tigers and the Red Sox are preparing to make some big moves. The Tigers are said to be very interested in Red Sox’s catcher Victor Martinez to replace the light-hitting Alex Avila according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Both teams are also said to be interested in Rays’ left-fielder Carl Crawford.
Abraham believes the Sox should make re-signing Martinez a priority. The team offered Martinez a two-year contract in September, but the 31-year-old catcher turned it down because he’s intent on finding a longer-term deal. Teams such as the Rockies and the Orioles could be aggressive in pursuing Martinez this winter.
Yesterday, sources close to FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal said the Tigers are deeply interested in Crawford. Abraham suggests that the Tigers would love to have him to give them a solid Crawford-Austin Jackson pair in the outfield that would give the club the speed necessary to cover the spacious Comerica Park.
