Rumors for November, 2010
Derek Jeter’s future: Mets, Red Sox, Reds, Giants?
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Yesterday, New York Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman stirred the pot by telling free agent team captain Derek Jeter to “test the market” instead of taking the Yankees offer (reported as three-years, $45 million). The team also declined to offer him arbitration.
Now the question is – where will Jeter start to shop himself around?
According to a source, Jeter won’t be able to take his skills across the way to Queens. The source says there’s no way he will become a member of the New York Mets, as reported by the New York Daily News’ Andy Martino. The Mets already have $11 million committed to their 27-year-old shortstop Jose Reyes.
Kevin Kaduk (aka Big League Stew at Yahoo Sports) has posted a few pictures of Jeter in a Red Sox and Reds jersey. While these situations are highly unlikely, it’s amusing to see Jeter out of his pinstripes. There was speculation that the San Francisco Giantscould monitor Jeter’s free agency since GM Brian Sabean was the head of Yankees’ scouting when they drafted Jeter in 1992. The Giants also need a shortstop.
Víctor Martínez signs 4-year deal with the Detroit Tigers
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Víctor Martínez’s contract with the Detroit Tigers is now official. According to ESPNDeportes.com’s Enrique Rojas, Martinez has passed his physical. He has agreed to a $50 million, four-year deal. Martinez will make $12 million in 2011, $13 million in 2012 and 2013 and $12 million 2014.
José Grasso Vecchio’s Twitter feed (LVBP President-Venezuelan winter league president) was the first to report that the Venezuelan catcher will sign with the Detroit Tigers. He adds that the contract will be a four-year deal worth $50 million. The Tigers had made it known that Martinez was their top target this off-season.
Because Martinez is a Type-A free agent, the Red Sox will now receive the 19th overall draft pick and a supplemental first-round pick for losing Martinez.
Martinez produced close to his career norms for the Boston Red Sox this year, batting .302 with 20 HR’s and 79 RBI’s. Martinez, who turns 32 next month, would like to catch as much as possible. The subject of playing time behind the plate is certain to come up in discussions between the Tigers and representatives for Martinez.
The biggest drawback to Martinez is a below-average throwing arm. But he still started an average of 94 games at catcher during the past two seasons. The Tigers should be able to accommodate at least that number of starts, with Martinez spending the rest of his time as a designated hitter.
Detroit has two advantages with Martinez. He is familiar with living in the Midwest, having played with the Indians, and the Tigers are one of the most popular teams in Martinez’ native Venezuela, because of fellow countrymen Carlos Guillen, Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordoñez.
Brewers sign OF Brandon Boggs to one-year deal
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According to the Journal Sentinel’s Tom Haudricourt, the Milwaukee Brewers have signed outfielder Brandon Boggs to one-year deal. MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy adds that it is a Major League contract.
Boggs was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers on August 31. Boggs, 27, was 0-for-7 in 4 games for the Rangers’ big league club this year. His best year was 2008 when he hit .226/.333/.399 with 8 home runs and 41 RBIs in 101 games for Texas.
Paul Konerko could be a fit for the Rangers
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The Texas Rangers are still in talks with Vladimir Guerrero, but according to FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal, they may be interested in another big name – Paul Konerko.
Rosenthal believes that the interest in Konerko by the Rangers makes sense. They were willing to sign Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez, and with the loss of Martinez to the Tigers, they may find comfort by signing Konerko.
Konerko, if he does not stay with Chicago, said he would prefer to join a team near his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. He said last week that he would love to join the Diamondbacks, and even though the Rangers are not as close as the Diamondbacks, the club trains in Arizona and the flight from Dallas to Phoenix is only about two and a half hours. From Chicago to Phoenix, it’s about four.
The White Sox offered salary arbitration to Konerko, but that should not be a deterrent to the Rangers, who were willing to sacrifice their first-round pick for Martinez.
Will Jorge de la Rosa leave Colorado?
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Yesterday, the Rockies offered arbitration to their Type-A free agent Jorge de la Rosa, assuring themselves two compensatory draft picks if de la Rosa signs with another team.
According to Denver Post’s Jim Armstrong Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd hasn’t turned the page on De La Rosa, but his agent, Bobby Barad, continues talking to other teams, some of which are ready to commit at least four years to the left handed pitcher. Among those teams are the Orioles, Nationals, Pirates, Yankees and Rangers.
Armstrong says that if the Rockies lose de la Rosa they may go after Jon Garland, who is trying to land a multi-year deal.
“We have some interest in Jon,” O’Dowd said. “He’s in that grouping of guys that we’ve certainly talked about. He’s one of the guys who could certainly take care of what our needs are.”
In 2010, Garland finished 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA for the Padres, pitching 200 innings and striking out 136. If the Rockies don’t land Garland, other candidates include free agents Carl Pavano and Javier Vazquez and White Sox’ Gavin Floyd, who could be available in a trade. Vazquez, however, appears to be close to signing with the Marlins.
Josh Byrnes could join Padres front office
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Former Arizona Diamondbacks’ general manger Josh Byrnes could be joining the San Diego Padres front office, Bill Center says in his latest article for the San Diego Union Tribune.
Byrnes, the former GM of Arizona, worked for Padres CEO Jeff Moorad when he ran the Diamondbacks. Byrnes is also friends of Padres GM Jed Hoyer.
Byrnes was fired by the Diamondbacks in July. He was in consideration for the New York Mets GM position before the job ultimately went to Sandy Alderson.
Cardinals GM has number in mind for Pujols extension
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St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak tells KSDK NewsChannel 5’s Rene Knott that he has a number in mind for Albert Pujols, but the team has not made a formal offer to their first baseman.
Last week, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Joe Strauss reported that the team and Pujols are expected to engage in talks starting in December.
“Timing is important,” Mozeliak said at the time. “We don’t want it to drag out this winter. I wouldn’t say it’s at a critical juncture right now, but I’d like to think between now and the Christmas holiday we’d start addressing it.”
The Cardinals exercised Pujols’ $16 million option for 2011 – the last year of the original eight-year, $111 million deal he signed in February 2004.
Pujols has 10-and-5 rights, so he cannot be traded without his consent, so the negotiation leverage leans towards him. Because of the no-trade protection, the Cardinals cannot trade him before the July 2011 Trade Deadline without his permission.
Rangers to contact Josh Hamilton’s agent about extension soon
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The Texas Rangers will contact the agent of newly crowned American League MVP Josh Hamilton soon, according to ESPNDallas’ Tim MacMahon.
“That’s why I have an agent,” Hamilton said about his agent Alan Moye. “I stay out of it. I get paid to play the game. I don’t get paid to think about getting paid.”
Hamilton wants to be paid market value, and MacMahon believes that a eight-figure salary over five years will be able to lock up the MVP.
GM Jon Daniels said the organization had internal discussions about a long-term deal, and they’ll have additional conversations in the coming months.
Hamilton was announced as the American League MVP on Tuesday. He received 22 out of the 28 votes. Despite being awarded with the Most Valuable Player award, he only made $3.25 million in 2010.
Rockies agree to terms with Matt Daley
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According to the Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck, the Colorado Rockies have agreed to terms on a split contract with Matt Daley. Renck says that Daley will make $422,000 in the Major Leagues, and he’ll make $236,000 in the Minor Leagues.
Daley, a 28-year-old right-handed pitcher, was 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA in 28 appearances for the Rockies in 2010.
Review of 2010 MLB Arbitration Free Agent Decision Results
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The deadline for teams to decide to offer arbitration for their free agents has finally come and gone, and we have the final tally of the 2010 edition of Major League Baseball arbitration. Here’s a quick review of what you may have missed:
– You can see the list of what happened today per team at http://www.prorumors.com/free-agents-2010
– 32 players were offered arbitration (this is not including those players that signed a contract with a new team before the deadline. Players such as John Buck and Joaquin Benoit were eligible for salary arbitration, but signed with another team, so by nature of the free draft picks, their old team offered them arbitration knowing that they would have to reject it. If you count the latter, then it’s a total of 35 players that were offered arbitration.)
– For those players offered arbitration by their teams, they will have until November 30, 2010 to accept or reject the offer of arbitration. If they accept arbitration, then the teams will continue to negotiate a deal or go before an arbitrator in February 2011.
– Javier Vazquez was offered arbitration by the New York Yankees with an agreement that he will reject it. He’s a Type-B free agent so his new team would not have to give up any draft picks should they sign him. The Yankees will receive one supplemental draft pick if they lose Vazquez.
– Trevor Hoffman was offered arbitration by the Milwaukee Brewers with an agreement to reject it. It’s the same reason as Vazquez.
– Aubrey Huff was eligible for arbitration, but he agreed to a new contract with the same team he played with in 2010 – the San Francisco Giants, so arbitration was not an issue.
– Victor Martinez reportedly agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. He’s a Type-A free agent, so the Boston Red Sox will receive two picks for losing him.
– The Toronto Blue Jays were the last team to have their arbitration decisions go public. The Canadian Press’ Shi Davidi broke the news two minutes after the midnight (EST) deadline.
