Rumors for November, 2010
Talks between Athletics and Iwakuma may be ongoing
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It doesn’t look like the talks between the Oakland Athletics and Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma are over. According to MLB.com’s Jane Lee, negotiations may still be ongoing, and neither has shut the door on an agreement.
Earlier this week, it was believed that the right-hander was about to wrap up his talks and return to his Japanese team, Rakuten, when the A’s refused to give him a Barry-Zito-like deal of $18 million per year. However, Iwakuma’s agent cleared up the confusion in a series of tweets that Iwakuma wanted far less (four-years worth $15.25 million).
The sides have until December 7th to finalize a deal, otherwise Iwakuma will return to Rakuten. Iwakuma will be a free agent next winter, so he’ll be free to shop himself around without a posting fee.
Pirates trade Zach Duke to Arizona for a player to be named later
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded left handed pitcher Zach Duke to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a player to be named later, according to MLB.com’s Jennifer Langosch.
Duke was designated for assignment by the Pirates on November 19 along with Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young . The Pirates needed room to include Michael Crotta, Jeff Locke, Kyle McPherson, Daniel Moskos and Tony Watson on the team’s 40-man roster.
Duke, 27, debuted on the Majors in 2005 with the Pirates. He has a career record of 45-70 with a 4.54 ERA in 160 appearances, 159 of them as a starter. An executive close to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal said that Duke could do well at the bottom of a rotation.
Pirates interested in LHP Scott Olsen
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On November 6th, the Washington Nationals outrighted left handed pitcher Scott Olsen who eventually free agency. Today, Pittsburgh Post-Gezzete’s Dejan Kovacekic said on his Twitter account that the according to an industry source, the Pittsburgh Pirates are deeply interested on signing the free agent.
Olsen, 26, had a record of 4-8 with 5.56 ERA and 53 strikeouts this season, appearing in 17 games and pitching for 81 innings.
Reds hopeful to bring Arthur Rhodes back
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Cincinnati Reds decided yesterday not to offer arbitration to Arthur Rhodes, and according to Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Fay the Reds are “hopeful about bringing Rhodes back.”
Rhodes said in early October that he wanted to come back with the Reds for the 2011 season. “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 off season.”
The 40-year old had a 4-4 record with a 2.29 ERA in 69 appearances for the Reds this past season.
The Reds didn’t offer arbitration to Colombian native shortstop Orlando Cabrera either, and Fay says that the team is not hopeful on bringing him back.
Cabrera’s option was declined in early November, but it was believed that the team would try to re-sign him for a lower salary. He had a down year in 2010 with a .263 batting average with 4 home runs and 42 RBIs in 123 games. He missed 27 games this season with a strained left oblique muscle.
Mets wants 3-4 players in return for trading Jose Reyes
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According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Hank Schulman, he’s hearing that New York Mets’ shortstop Jose Reyes is available. New York wants 3-4 players/prospects in return for Reyes.
Yesterday, Schulman speculated that the San Francisco Giants could use Reyes. Giants GM Brian Sabean has discussed trades for a shortstop since 2010 shortstop Juan Uribe and Edgar Renteria are free agents. The Giants are open to re-signing Uribe, but there likely will be heavy competition for his services this winter.
Schulman says that Reyes is available and healthy, but the Mets want a heavy bounty in return for a $11 million player in the final year of his contract. Schulman speculates that Reyes could be a trade candidate before the July 2011 deadline.
Cardinals, Giants and Padres interested in Miguel Tejada
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The St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres have shown interest in Dominican native free agent Miguel Tejada, according to a source close to the player (via ESPNDeportes.com’s Enrique Rojas).
“While some of them sees him as a short stop, others sees him as an ideal third baseman,” said the source. “But at the end all of them have interest in Tejada, including the Cardinals, the Giants and the Padres”.
Tejada, 36, has played short stop for most of his 14-year career, but he began the 2010 season playing third base for the Baltimore Orioles before moving back to his original position after being traded to the Padres in July. The Dominican native hit .269 with 15 HR and 71 RBI’s in 2010.
With a limited free agents market, Tejada is one of the best offensive options in the middle infield, and the Giants have already shown interest in acquiring a short stop this winter.
Royals lose OF Jordan Parraz to Boston Red Sox via waivers
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According to the Kansas City Star’s Bob Dutton, the Kansas City Royals loset outfielder Jordan Parraz to the Boston Red Sox via a waiver claim. Parraz was designated for assignment by the Royals on Friday.
The 26-year-old was originally a 94th overall pick by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft. He was traded to the Royals in December 2008.
Mariners sign Heager, Rodriguez, Castro, Smith
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According to a Mariner’s Press Release, the team has signed Charlie Heager, Luis Rodriguez, Fabio Castro and Chris Smith. The trio were signed to Minor League contracts with invites to MLB Spring Training.
Castro, 25, has made 30 appearances in his Major League career with the Rangers (2006) and Phillies (2006-07), going 0-1 with a 3.30 ERA. The left-handed pitcher is currently pitching for Gigantes in the Dominican Winter League, going 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA in 28 innings throughout five starts.
Haeger, 27, a knuckleball specialist, made the Dodgers Opening Day roster last season. In his season debut April 11 against the Marlins, he struck out 12 batters. Haeger went 0-4 with a 8.40 ERA in nine games, six of them as a starter with the Dodgers.
Rodriguez, 30, has appeared in 363 career Major League games with the Twins (2005-07) and Padres (2008-09). The utility infielder has made starts at each infield position (SS – 98 G/78 GS; 2B – 112 G/69 GS; 3B – 96 G/64 GS; 1B – 6 G/1 GS) during his career. He last played in the Majors in 2009, appearing in 93 games for the Padres. He is currently playing for Tiburones de La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Smith, 29, has appeared in the Majors in each of the last three seasons with the Red Sox (2008) and Brewers (2009-10). The right handed reliever is 1-0 with 5.19 ERA in 50 career appearances.
Nationals outright RHP Ryan Mattheus
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The Nationals have outrighted right handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus to Triple- A Syracuse reports CSNWashington’s Mark Zuckerman. With that movement the Nationals have opened a new spot on their 40-man roster.
According to the team’s Twitter account Mattheus will be in the Nationals MLB camp as a non-roster invitee.
Astros sign catcher Carlos Corporan to Minor League deal
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In a team press release, the Houston Astros have announced the signing of catcher Carlos Corporan to a Minor League deal. Corporan will also receive an invite to Major League Spring Training.
The team also outrighted three players to Triple-A Oklahoma: left-handed pitcher Tim Byrdak, Gustavo Chacin and right-handed pitcher Matt Nevarez.
The 26 year-old Corporan played for Triple-A Reno in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2010. He hit .290 with a 12 home runs and 50 RBIs. He’s currently playing for Ponce in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
