Rumors for November, 2010
Troy Glaus drawing interest
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Buster Olney of ESPN says that infielder Troy Glaus is drawing interest from power starved teams. Olney says that Glaus’ situation will become more clear as others sign.
Glaus, 34, had 16 home runs in 2010, a big drop off from the 38 he hit in 2006 while he was with the Toronto Blue Jays. While Olney did not specify which teams may be interested in Glaus, the Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers were interested in him towards the end of August this year.
Glaus provides teams with the flexibility to play him at designated hitter, first base and even his old position of third base so the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals could be among the teams needing Glaus’ services.
ESPN’s Jason A. Churchill says that Colorado Rockies could be an ideal fit since he would add right-handed power to complement the left-handed Todd Helton. The Rockies have interest in veteran infielder Bill Hall, according to the Denver Posts’ Troy E. Renck, and he could provide the right-handed power that they seek.
Juan Uribe close to a three-year deal with Dodgers
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According to sources close to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Los Angeles Dodgers are close to a three-year deal with infielder Juan Uribe.
FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal confirmed the report and said that the deal will be worth $21 million. Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman says that the deal it’s not quite finished, but word is, it’s worth about $22 million.
Uribe, a Type-B free agent was offered salary arbitration by the San Francisco Giants last week. Because of his Type-B status, hewill not cost the Dodgers any draft picks should he sign with them, but the Giants stand to benefit a free supplemental pick since they offered him arbitration.
Yesterday, FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal outlined the reasons for the Dodgers to sign Uribe:
Rosenthal’s reasoning for the Dodgers to go after Uribe include:
– Uribe’s ability to play third base and give Casey Blake a chance to platoon in left field.
– Uribe can play shortstop when Rafael Furcal is unavailable.
– Uribe could play second base ahead of Ryan Theriot.
Rosenthal speculates that a multi year deal for Uribe could protect the Dodgers at multiple infield positions for years to come.
Mariners, Pirates, Astros, Rockies insterested in Jeff Francis
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Lefth handed pitcher Jeff Francis is being linked to several teams according to Denver Post’s Troy Renck. Among those teams are the Seattle Mariners, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies.
The Rockies declined on Francis’ option earlier this month, and Denver Post’s Jim Armstrong has said that Francis’ future in Colorado may come down to guaranteed money.
Tigers designated RHP Zach Miner for assignment
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The Detroit Tigers designated right handed pitcher Zach Miner for assigment to creat room on the 40-man roster for Victor Martinez, according to the team’s Twitter account.
Miner, 28, wrapped up his fourth season with the Tigers, he had a 7-5 record with a 4.29 ERA in 51 appearances, five of them as a starter.
Rangers agree to terms with Mark Lowe
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According to MLB.com’s T.R Sullivan the Rangers have avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms with Mark Lowe on a one-year deal worth $1.2 million.
Sullivan adds that Lowe could earn an extra $100.000 in incentives. If he pitches 55 games he will get $25.000, if he pitches in 60 games he’ll get $25.000 more, if he pitches in 65 games he’ll get another $25.000, and $25.000 more if he finishes 20 games.
Lowe was involved in the trade that brought Cliff Lee to Texas.
Where will Lance Berkman go in 2011?
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11-year veteran first baseman Lance Berkman, who began the 2010 season with the Astros and evetually traded to the Yankees, is looking for a new contract, but according to Houston Chronicle’s Richard Justice Berkman considered retirement before looking for a new job.
“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.”
Early in Novemeber the Astros expressed that they were not interested in Berkman anymore.
“After initially being pretty disappointed, I’ve gotten over it,” Berkman said. “Now my focus is on who is going to contend that wants me to play for them. There’s been a lot of interest — Cardinals, Cubs, Rockies, A’s, Pirates, Blue Jays, a bunch of teams. I haven’t had a single offer in terms of X amount of dollars, but I think this is the time of the year when there’s a lot of tire-kicking.”
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.
VIDEO: Felix Pie goes crazy at Winter League game
Posted by: | CommentsThe video speaks for itself. Check out Baltimore Orioles’ outfielder Felix Pie going crazy at a Dominican Winter League game from November 10, 2010.
Pie may always be remembered for his testicular torsion (aka twisted testical) of 2008, but this incident may give fans a different perspective of the outfield.
Video courtesy of YouTube’s tiempodejuegofm.
Astros release LHP Tim Byrdak
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The Houston Astros released left handed pitcher Tim byrdak according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch Joe Strauss. Byrdak was outhrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma last week along with Gustavo Chacin and Matt Nevarez.
Byrdak, 37, played his third season with the Astros in 2010, he had a 2-2 record with a 3.49 ERA in 38.2 innings throughout 64 appearances.
Nationals hire Bob Schaefer as special assistant to GM
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According to CSNWashington.com’s Mark Zuckerman the Nationals have hired former Joe Torre’s bench coach Bob Schaefer as their special assistant to GM Mike Rizzo.
Team’s Twitter account adds that “Schaefer brings 30 seasons of professional experience to the Nationals”. And Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo thinks it’s a great hire by Rizzo.
Lee would like to be paid $23 million a year
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32-year-old Cliff Lee is arguably the best free agent available in the market. The Texas Rangers and New York Yankees made the lefty their number one priority, and teams like the Washington Nationals have also shown interest on the Arkansas native.
Last week we learned that the Yankees offered Lee a six-year $140 million deal, but Lee was apparently holding out for a seventh year. Lee nor the Yankees confirmed the numbers, but according to New York Post’s George A. King III Lee would like to be paid $23 million a year for six seasons.
King believes that the Rangers aren’t likely to go near the $23 million mark so it may not be necessary for the Yankees to give that to Lee, although they have apparently offered already. Lee would slot in behind Sabathia and ahead of 18-game winner Phil Hughes
C.C. Sabathia-type money isn’t a problem for the Yankees who must add Lee to a rotation that was vulnerable behind Sabathia in the postseason. And would be weakened if Andy Pettitte decides to retire.
