Rumors for December, 2010
Mets, Yankees and others interested in Freddy Garcia
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In a tweet by Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the New York Mets, Yankees and other teams have asked for the medical records of right-handed pitcher Freddy Garcia.
There’s been talk over the past few weeks that in addition to the two New York teams, the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins are interested in the former Chicago White Sox pitcher.
In his first complete season since 2007, when he underwent shoulder surgery. He posted a 12-6 record with 4.64 ERA in 157 innings for Chicago in 2010.
Washington Nationals agree to a 1-year deal with Rick Ankiel
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According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated outfielder Rick Ankiel has agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Washington Nationals. Heyman adds that the deal will include $1.25 million in performance bonuses.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com adds that Ankiel will compete again Roger Bernadina for the starting left field job.
Ankiel, 31, split time between the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals in 2010. He hit .232/.321/.389 with 6 home runs and 24 RBIs in 74 games in 2010.
Indians and OF Travis Buck agree to a Minor League deal
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In a Tweet by MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian, he says the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a Minor League deal with outfielder Travis Buck.
In four seasons with the Oakland A’s, he hit .250/.330/.424 in 170 Major League games. He played 14 games in the big leagues last year – splitting time between left and right field.
Is Carl Pavano or Andy Pettitte the next big name pitcher to sign?
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The saying goes, “you can never have too much pitching.”
As far starting pitchers go on the market, the two big names left are Carl Pavano and Andy Pettitte. Pavano is definitely playing in 2011, but Pettitte is on the edge of retirement. So which of these two will sign next?.
Earlier today Rob Biertempfel of MLB.com said that the Pittsburgh Pirates would be interested in Pavano if his money and years demands are right.
Many have predicted that Pavano will return to the Minnesota Twins, including Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports. It’s not a for sure thing. The Washington Nationals will likely battle the Twins to get the right-hander. It was confirmed by Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated that the Nationals were in on Zack Greinke before he went to the Milwaukee Brewers, so you can easily predict that they’ll go hard after Pavano. Pavano could fetch a deal similar to the three-year, $33 million deal that Ted Lilly signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in October.
Two factors will affect Pettitte’s decision to pitch in 2011: his desire to be closer to his family in their Houston, Texas home and the amount of money the New York Yankees want to offer. It’s been reported that Pettitte will return to New York if they offer him a contract that “isn’t insulting.” It’s believed that Pettitte may be unhappy with his previous pay structure – he’s the team’s number 2 pitcher, but he’s being paid like a number 4 starter. So far, no other teams have been known to have aggressively pursued Pettitte.
Chan Ho Park to play in Japan in 2011?
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An unconfirmed report by the Yonhap News Agency states that the representatives of 37-year-old right-handed pitcher Chan Ho Parkhave announced that their client has joined the Orix Buffaloes in the Nippon Professional Baseball League for the 2011 season.
As recent as mid-November, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Park had mutual interest in reuniting for the upcoming season.
“We’ve expressed some interest and he has expressed some interest,” Pirates’ GM Neal Huntington said. “But again, it’s got to be the right fit for him, and it has to be the right fit for us. We’re working through what that might be or may not be.”
Park was claimed off of waivers by the Pirates in August. The New York Yankees were trying to trade Park before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, but ended up designating him for assignment on July 31.
According to their website, the Yonhap News Agency plays a central role in the Korean press by delivering news and information to its customers in various parts of the world, as well as to newspapers, broadcasting firms, government agencies, business organizations and Internet portals on a real-time basis.
Braves agree to a Minor League deal with LHP Yohan Flande
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The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a Minor League deal with left-handed pitcher Yohan Flande, according to ESPNDeportes.com’s Enrique Rojas. Flande will receive an invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
Yankees sign Luis Vizcaino to a Minor League deal
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A source close to Marc Carig of nj.com says that the New York Yankees have signed reliever Luis Vizcaino to a Minor League deal. Vizcaino will make $750,000 if he makes the Major League roster.
Florida Marlins on the verge of signing Ricky Nolasco
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According to a source close to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, the Florida Marlins are on the verge of signing a three-year deal with Ricky Nolasco for about $27 million.
The contract is not finalized, but the sides came close to terms on Sunday night. The deal will become official after a completion of a physical.
An industry source close to Frisaro says that the Marlins and Nolasco are “putting the finishing touches” on the multiyear contract. The deal will be made official pending completion of a physical.
The sides were believed to be at a stalemate in contract talks as late as Friday morning, but Nolasco’s agent, Matt Sosnick, responded to the reports and said that his client would like to remain in Florida and is hopeful an agreement can be reached.
Nolasco, 28, was 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA in 26 starts this year with the Marlins.
Guillermo Mota has agreed to a Minor League deal with the Giants
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According to ESPNDeportes.com’s Enrique Rojas the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a Minor League deal with right handed pitcher Guillermo Mota. The veteran reliever will receive an invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
Mota, 36, is a 11-year veteran pitcher. He played with the Giants in the 2010 season, he was 1-3 with 4.33 ERA in 54 innings in 56 relief appearances. The right-hander was signed to a Minor League deal by the Giants in February 2010. His contract was purchased just before the season began, and he made $750,000 during his one-year with San Francisco.
PRO Rumors Editorial: Why I love Major League – the movie
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Newsday’s Mark La Monica recently wrote an article about how Rocky Balboa- yes, the fictional boxer from Philly- was inducted to The Boxing Hall of Fame. The 1976 self-titled movie, Rocky, was eventually nominated for ten Academy Awards and won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Editing.
That article made me remember one of my favorites sports movies of all-time, the 1989 motion picture - “Major League”. I loved the idea of a team comprised of “rejects”, that had to overcome all kind of adversities to “win the whole … thing” as catcher Jake Taylor said in the movie.
So I decided to write an article and give accolades to that beloved team.
– Comeback of the Year: Jake Taylor. He was one of the best baseball players in the game until he injured his knees. Taylor was playing in Mexico when Indians GM Charlie Donovan called him to offer him the chance to play in the Majors again, he became the team’s captain.
– Rookie of the Year: Willie Mays Hayes. The speedy center field who bought 100 pairs of batting gloves to nail them on his apartment wall every time he stole a base. Hayes wasn’t invited to the team, but was given the opportunity when they saw him run the first day of Spring Training, in pj’s.
– Manager of the Year: Lou Brown. Brown was an employee of “Tire World” when received a call from Donovan to manage in the Major League, at first he wasn’t sure if he would take the job, but then he accepted and lead the team to an amazing season.
– Cy Young: Rick Vaughn, or the “Wild Thing”. This hard thrower pitcher played in the “California Penal League” before arriving to the Indians. He could throw as hard as 101 mph, but couldn’t find the strike zone. Vaughn was about to be sent down to the minors when Brown found out he needed glasses, he was a different pitcher after that, and that’s why he earned this accolade.
– MVP: David S. Ward, writer and director of the movie. There’s no other person who deserves more this accolade than Ward for bringing this amazing movie to our lives.
