Rumors for November, 2010
Twins re-sign Huber, Waldrop and Fernandez to Minor League deals
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According to the Star Tribune’s Joe Christensen, the Minnesota Twins have resigned right-handed pitcher Kyle Waldrop, catcher Jair Fernandez and first baseman Justin Huber to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training.
Braves make offer to OF Eric Hinske
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According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s David O’Brien, the Braves have made an offer to free-agent outfielder Eric Hinske.
Hinske signed with Atlanta last winter and during his time with the Braves he hit .256 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs. He made $1 million in 2010, and the offer is believed to be for a similar amount. O’Brien says it’s unclear whether Hinske will accept it or wait to see if the Braves increase the offer or other teams try to beat it.
The Braves are also undecided on whether or not they should tender a contract to arbitration-eligible outfielder Matt Diaz. Diaz made $2.5 million in 2010. He said that he wants to stay with the Braves and will skip arbitration to accept a salary similar to what he made in 2010.
Royals designate Bullington, Marte, Mendoza and Parraz
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The Royals added left-handed pitcher Everett Teaford, first baseman designated hitter Clint Robinson and outfielders David Lough and Derrick Robinson to the roster, according to the Kansas City Star’s Bob Dutton. With those moves, the Royals designated right-handed pitchers Bryan Bullington, Victor Marte and Luis Mendoza and outfielder Jordan Parraz.
Yankees name Larry Rothschild as pitching coach
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The New York Yankees have named Larry Rothschild as the team’s new pitching coach, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat has confirmed the report and says the Chicago Cubs will have a new pitching coach shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday. Rothschild has signed a three-year contract with the Yankees.
Rothschild had been the pitching coach of the Cubs since 2002. Prior to that he was the Tampa Bay Ray’s first manager and kept that position from 1998 to 2001.
FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi says Rothschild’s decision to move to the Yankees was family related. The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan says the decision to join the Yankees allows him to spend more time with his family in Tampa – the same city the Yankees train.
Rothschild had to go through two days of six-hour blocks of game film. To see what was apart of his interview, check this out.
New York Yankees acquire Cody Johnson from Atlanta Braves
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The New York Yankees have acquired Cody Johnson from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.
Johnson, 22, was the Braves’ 2006 first-round pick. He’s still considered a young prospect and has upside as a power bat. He hit .212 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs in the Minor Leagues in 2010.
Dodgers Rumors: payroll, Russell Martin, winter priorities
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Here are a few Los Angeles Dodgers’ rumors from FOXSports Jim Bowden:
– GM Ned Colletti said the Dodgers payroll will increase in 2011
– The team is not pursuing Carl Crawford or Cliff Lee
– Jonathan Broxton is the team’s closer and he’ll be supported by Hong-Chih Kuo and Kenley Jansen.
– Colletti has had conversation with Russell Martin hoping a deal can get done. If a deal can’t get done, the Dodgers have had other catchers contact the organization so they could go down that route.
– The fifth starter, bullpen arm and catching situation will have priority over the team’s uncertainty in left field.
– Jamie Hoffman, Xavier Paul and Jay Gibbon will compete to be the team’s left fielder on Opening Day.
One other piece of information from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale:
– Davey Lopes will re-join the Dodgers as part of manager Don Mattingly’s staff.
Tampa Bay Rays release 1B José Julio Ruiz
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The Tampa Bay Rays declined the option on first baseman José Julio Ruiz and released him, according to the St. Petersburg Times’ Marc Topkin.
The Rays originally signed Ruiz to a Minor League contract in June 2010.
The Cuban National Team first baseman drew interest from several teams last winter. At the time teams were intrigued by Ruiz’s batting prowess. Jorge Arangure of ESPN said on Twitter at the time, “Don’t be surprised if Ruiz ends up being a legitimate candidate to replace Carlos Peña“
Yankees release RHP Jonathan Albaladejo
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The New York Yankees have released right-handed pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo to allow him to sign a contract in Japan, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
NPB Tracker’s Patrick Newman says Albaladejo is signing with the Yomiuri Giants.
Albaladejo, 28, was 0-0 with a 3.97 in 10 appearances for the Yankees in his third season with the Yankees. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wikes-Barre where he set a single-season record of 43 saves in 57 appearances.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka Rumors: Several teams may bid on Japanese infielder
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Here are the latest rumors for Tsuyoshi Nishioka from Sports Hochi (via NPB Tracker’s Patrick Newman):
– The Orioles will bid on Nishioka.
– The Mariners and Padres are taking a serious look at bidding. Hochi makes it sound like they will both bid.
– The Giants are not going to bid.
– The Diamondbacks find the budget required for posting problematic.
– There are at least some who think Nishioka can stick at shortstop.
Nishioka has been posted by by the Chiba Lotte Marines and will be represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council in the United States. Nishioka who can play both shortstop and second base, led Japan’s Pacific League in hitting this year with a .346 average.
Here are a few new Nishioka rumors from Friday:
– WEEI’s Rob Bradford says the Boston Red Sox are “undecided” on whether they should submit a bid for Nishioka.
– MLB.com’s Corey Brock says the San Diego Padres have no interest at all in Nishioka, or at least not the money it would require to bid/sign him.
– The Baltimore Orioles’ Jeff Zrebiec says the Baltimore Orioles have not decided whether they will bid or not on Nishioka.
Yankees agree to terms with Jose Rafael DePaula
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Ben Badler of Baseball America says Dominican right-handed pitcher Jose Rafael DePaula has agreed to terms with the New York Yankees. Exact terms were not available.
Melissa Segura of Sports Illustrated first reported that DePaula was expected to sign with New York and his bonus money is to be around $700,000.
The 19-year-old is said to hit 97 mph on the radar gun, and would have commanded a larger bonus, but because of his previous age suspension by Major League Baseball, he hurt his value.
DePaula was suspended for one year when Major League Baseball determined that he lied about his age. DePuala continues to insist that his birthdate of April 1, 1992 is correct.
In the Dominican Republic many children are born in rural areas, and sometimes their parents don’t register them until they attend school. As there’s no government intervention in the registration process, several children might get registred with the wrong birth date.
In DePaula’s case, MLB’s investigators found that some of the paperwork in his hometown of Villa Mella had been manually altered, which suggested to them that he had either taken on a different identity or that perhaps he had tried to manipulate his age. DePaula’s representatives say that DePaula’s family simply had errored in submitting their son’s name.
The Boston Red Sox were also believed to be interested in DePaula.
