Rumors for November, 2010
Adam Dunn to decline arbitration
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In an expected move, Adam Dunn has declined arbitration, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman.
Earlier today we heard that Dunn’s agent, Greg Genske, was letting interested teams know that the bidding for Dunn will start at four-years, $60 million.
The Washington Nationals offered Dunn a three-year deal and kept it on the table for months, but Dunn declined the offer. Dunn is insistent on getting a four-year deal and the Nats were not going to budge from their three-year offer.
The slugger also wants to remain on the field as opposed to taking a full-time DH position. American League clubs could make up to one-half his market, so when push comes to shove, he’ll probably shelve the idea of being a first baseman-only as long as the money is right.
Dunn, 31, has hit 38 or more HR’s for seven consecutive seasons. This season he hit for .260 with 38 HR and 103 RBI’s throughout 648 plate appearances.
Juan Uribe had a chance to return to San Francisco
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A source close to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman says the San Francisco Giants wanted to keep infielder Juan Uribe in the black and orange. The team made an offer to Uribe for three-years, $20 million, but Uribe wanted $25 million from the Giants. Uribe eventually signed a three-year, $21 million offer from the Los Angeles Dodgeres.
A source close to The Los Angeles Times’ Dylan Hernandez said that Giants matched the Los Angeles Dodgers offer at the last minute. The deal became official today after Uribe passed his physical.
The $7 million a year average for Uribe is similar to the two-year, $11.25 million deal that Jhonny Peralta signed with the Detroit Tigers earlier this month.
When Uribe was asked if his move to the Dodgers would upset the Giant’s fans, Uribe said, “I can’t control that. I’m not the owner of a team. Things happen.”
“I have nothing bad to say about the team in San Francisco. I’m grateful for the opportunity they gave me. The fans treated me very well. That’s something I will never forget. I was able to play with a lot of emotion every day because of the support they gave me.”
Bidding for Adam Dunn to start at 4 years, $60 million
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The agent for Adam Dunn, Greg Genske, is letting interested teams know that the bidding for his client will start at four-years, $60 million, as reported by Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan.
The Washington Nationals offered Dunn a three-year deal and kept it on the table for months, but Dunn declined the offer. Dunn is insistent on getting a four-year deal and the Nats were not going to budge from their three-year offer.
The slugger also wants to remain on the field as opposed to taking a full-time DH position. American League clubs could make up to one-half his market, so when push comes to shove, he’ll probably shelve the idea of being a first baseman-only as long as the money is right.
Dunn, 31, has hit 38 or more HR’s for seven consecutive seasons. This season he hit for .260 with 38 HR and 103 RBI’s throughout 648 plate appearances.
Rockies want to sign Carlos Gonzalez to extension
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The Colorado Rockies want to keep the good times rolling and extend additional players to long term deals, according to AOL FanHouse’s Josh Alper.
The Rockies have already kept Jorge de la Rosa and Troy Tulowitzki around for several years, and there is talk about the team extending Ubaldo Jimenez’s deal after the 2011 season. GM Dan O’Dowd has reached out to Carlos Gonzalez about a new contract.
Gonzalez situation could be complicated since he’s represented by Scott Boras. Boras is not likely to sign an extension for his clients. He would rather take his clientele to free agency to maximize their value.
Earlier this month, when O’Dowd was asked about Gonzalez, he said,
“With regard to CarGo, we were really happy with him. Not just with his talent, but especially with the progress he made as an all-around player. We were so impressed with how hard he worked to be a team player and the commitment he made to the team.
CarGo is under out control through 2014 and we do have a desire to keep him here for the long term. So we will have to address that at some point and time. But it is a two-way street. There needs to be a strong desire on both sides to work something out. We certainly hope there is.”
The 25-year-old Gonzalez had a surprising year when he hit 34 home runs and drove in 117 RBIs while hitting .336/.376/.598 in 145 games for the Rockies in 2010.
Giants serious in pursuit of Rays Jason Bartlett
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Sources close to FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi says the Giants have become one of the more serious suitors for Tampa Bay Rays’ shortstop Jason Bartlett.
Others that have expressed interest include the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cardinals are likely out now that they acquired Ryan Theriot from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Giants are in need of help at third base and shortstop. The team has doubts over Pablo Sandoval and World Series MVP, Edgar Renteria, is unlikely going to come back now that he’s a free agents.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick adds the Giants are “wide open” on their shortstop options, so Bartlett would not be their only choice. They have done their due diligence on Miguel Tejada, Orlando Cabrera and Marco Scutaro.
Royals have spoken with New York Yankees about Zack Greinke
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Kansas City Royals’ pitcher Zack Greinke has a list of 15 teams that he can block a trade. Included on the list are the New York Yankees and other big-market teams, Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan says. However, a source close to Passan and to Greinke say that the right-hander would happily pitch anywhere that he has a chance to win.
“I wouldn’t put it past him to go to New York,” the source said. “I don’t think he’d rule out anybody. He says he likes New York. Especially because they’re winners. He wants to go to a team that wins.
Despite the no-trade clause being in place, the Royals have spoken with the Yankees about Greinke, according to a source.
Yesterday, rival GM’s to the Royals were convinced that the team will move Greinke this winter.
Earlier today, we discussed that it’s likely that the Texas Rangers have Greinke as their Plan B if they are unsuccessful in re-signing Cliff Lee. The same is likely true for the Yankees should Lee go to Texas.
Greinke is signed through the 2012 season, and he leaves little doubt that he’ll sign a new deal if the Royals are not competitive. The 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner will make $13.5 million each season for 2011 and 2012.
Jason Frasor to accept arbitration with Blue Jays tonight?
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Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that right-handed pitcher Jason Frasor will either sign a multi-year deal by midnight EST tonight with one of three clubs or accept arbitration from the Toronto Blue Jays.
It’s been speculated that Frasor may have problems getting a new contract for the 2011 season because of his Type-A free agent status.
While the free-agent system was designed to compensate teams for losing big name free-agent, it also has adverse affect on players since teams may be reluctant to sign them since they will have to give up draft picks. ESPN.com’s Jason Churchill says many clubs are looking to keep their draft picks rather than give them away. Some big name free-agents may eventually re-sign with their old team or go to a club that falls within the bottom 15 in win-loss percentage where they will only be required to surrender their second-round pick. Either which way, free-agents will be limited with their number of possible destinations.
Frasor, 33, is coming off a season in which he earned $2.65 million and posted a 3.68 ERA.
Rockies open to new deal with Ubaldo Jimenez
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Colorado Rockies general manager, Dan O’Dowd, said that the club is open to a new deal with right-handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, but after the 2011 season, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. O’Dowd spoke directly with Jimenez about this matter.
He is signed to a four-year, $10 million contract through 2012 and there are team options in 2013 and 2104.
Derek Jeter and agent to meet in Florida to ‘mull things over’
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Agent Casey Close and his client, Derek Jeter, will meet in Florida to “mull things over”, according to Newsdays’ Ken Davidoff. FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal confirms Davidoff’s report and adds that the two will likely discuss Jeter’s possible future with other clubs.
Frank Francisco very likely to accept arbitration
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According to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman, relief pitcher Frank Francisco is will likely accept arbitration.
On Sunday, FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal also said that the Type-A free agent will accept the Ranger’s offer of arbitration.
Francisco started last season as the closer and eventually lost the job to Neftali Feliz. He also missed the last month of the season and the entire playoffs due to a strained rib cage. Most teams may have been scared off by the fact they would have to give up a draft pick for a relief pitcher coming off of injuries. This reasoning may of had an influence in Francisco’s decision if he in fact accepts the Rangers offer of arbitration.
Francisco produced a 3.75 ERA in 56 games this season in mostly middle-relief. He also earned $3.265 million last season and could see his salary jump up to over $4 million.
