Rumors for November, 2010
PRO Rumors 2010 Free Agent and Salary Arbitration Tracker
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For those that are new to PRO Rumors, check out the 2010 Free Agent and Salary Arbitration Tracker at:
http://www.prorumors.com/free-agents-2010
It features a sortable list of players, their free agent status, arbitration status, old and new teams with contracts. Check it out!
Twins sign Dominican Javier Pimentel
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The Minnesota Twins have signed Dominican short stop Javier Pimentel according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. Pimentel, 17, has a wiry, projectable frame and was considered one of the top prospects in Latin America for this year’s July 2 international signing period.
The right handed hitter signed for $750.000.
Red Sox pesimistic on bringing back Beltre
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According to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman the Red Sox are pesimistic about the chances they have on bringing back Adrian Beltre. Heyman says that Kevin Youkilis should be ready to play third base for next year.
There has been said that the Red Sox are behind Mexican Adrian Gonzalez, but Heyman suggests they could sign a stopgap at first base, such as Adam LaRoche, Ty Wigginton or Troy Glaus.
Tigers will likely offer a contract to Zumaya
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MLB.com’s Jason Beck reports through his Twitter account that the Tigers will likely offer a contract to Joel Zumaya.
Back in September, Beck reported that the Tigers were going to try to bolster their bullpen this winter. “The free-agent market, we’re going to look for some relievers,” manager Jim Leyland said. “We need help, and that’s where we’re going to get it, we think. We’re hoping to get it through maybe some free agency.”
Zumaya, 26, had a 2-1 record with a 2.58 ERA in 38.1 innings with the Tigers in 2010.
Brad Hawpe will decline arbitration
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According to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman outfielder Brad Hawpe is expected to decline arbitration. Rosenthal believes Hawpe is a talented player coming off a poor season.
Hawpe, 31, played for both the Rockies and the Rays in the 2010 season, he hit .255/.343/.432 with the Rockies in 88 games, and .179/.304/.333 with the Rays in 15 games.
Aaron Heilman will decline arbitration
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Aaron Heilman will decline arbitration according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports. Rosenthal says that the 32-year old Heilman is drawing interest as a starter, and that he could stablish as one on a one-year deal.
Heilman finished the season with a 5-8 record and a 4.50 ERA in 72 innings throughout 70 appearances.
Rays close to dealing shortstop Jason Bartlett
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Buster Olney of ESPN says that trade talks involving Jason Bartlett have moved to a point where the Tampa Bay Rays will find an acceptable deal for the shortstop.
FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal was the first to report earlier today that the Rays are closer to trading Bartlett than ever before.
Those that have expressed interest include the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates.
The sudden interest in trading Bartlett likely occurred because Juan Uribe came off the market when he agreed to a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier today.
Colorado Rockies interested in Jose Lopez and Jesse Crain
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Despite the contract madness surrounding Troy Tulowitzki and Jorge de la Rosa, other rumors from Colorado are leaking out. According to the Denver Posts’ Troy E. Renck, the Colorado Rockies will pursue infielder Jose Lopez and right-handed pitcher Jesse Crain.
The Rockies were interested in Lopez in August, but a did did not occur. There was a $4.5 mutual option between the Mariners and Lopez, but the option was declined in early November.
Yesterday, MLB Network’s Peter Gammon said that Crain may be the hottest reliever on the open market. Several teams are interested including the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays.
The 29-year-old Crain was 1-1 with a 3.04 ERA in 71 appearances for the Minnesota Twins in 2010. He had an affordable $2 million contract with Minnesota in 2010, and with so many teams interested in him, he could command a nice raise. Crain is a Type-B free agent and the Twins offered him salary arbitration last week, so it won’t cost his new team any draft picks, but the Twins will get a supplemental pick if he goes to another team.
Kevin Correia to decline arbitration from Padres
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The agent for right-handed pitcher Kevin Correia, Damon Lapa, said that his client will decline arbitration and test the open market for other opportunities, however Correia “still has an interest in returning to San Diego.”
Correia, a Type-B free agent, was offered arbitration by the Padres last week. Should he sign with another team, the Padres will be compensated with a supplemental draft pick due to his free agent status.
Correia, 30, was 10-10 with a 5.40 ERA in 26 starts for the Padres in 2010. He made $3.6 million.
Information from MLB.com’s Corey Brock was used in this article.
Lance Berkman to meet with Oakland Athletics on Tuesday
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Buster Olney of ESPN says free agent Lance Berkman will meet with representatives of the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.
Earlier today, the Houston Chronicle’s Richard Justice spoke about how Berkman considered retirement after the 2010 season.
“After a couple of days, I realized I can still be a really good player and would be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t play,” he said. “I believe God blessed me to be able to play baseball at a high level, and that’s not something I take lightly.”
Justice believes that the Rangers could be another fit for Berkman. The 34-year-old said he’s not interested in being a designated hitter, especially in a platoon role with Vladimir Guerrero. It’s uncertain as to whether or not Guerrero will return to Texas. Guerrero is seeking a two or three year deal.
