Rumors for December, 2010
Kevin Correia signs two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates
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Pitcher Kevin Correia has signed a two-year, $8 million agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to an official announcement by the team.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick was the first to report the agreement between the sides last week.
Correia posted an average 5.40 ERA in 145 innings for the Padres in 2010. Correia is just one year removed from a season in which he posted a 3.91 ERA in 33 starts for San Diego.
Boston Red Sox in on Dan Wheeler not focused on Brian Fuentes
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Despite reports that the Boston Red Sox are going head-to-head with the New York Yankees for relief pitcher Brian Fuentes, sources close to Alex Speier of WEEI say that the team is not focused on Fuentes.
Earlier this morning, Steve Phillips of AOL FanHouse said the Yankees, Red Sox, Twins and Rockies are in the mix for the left-handed Fuentes.
The Sox have been in discussions with Wheeler for some time now. There is no deal in place between the sides, but one source says that there is optimism about the direction of the negotiations. Wheeler is a native of Rhode Island, so returning to the northeast will play in the Red Sox’s favor.
Washington Nationals still interested in Brandon Webb – decision soon?
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According to a baseball source close to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Washington Nationals are still interested in right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb.
The 2006 Cy Young Award winner has a relationship with Nat’s GM Mike Rizzo since Rizzo drafted Webb while he was the Diamondback’s scouting director in 2000. The two are close friends.
A decision by Webb could happen soon. According to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse, Webb will likely a pick a team within the next couple of days. In addition to the Nationals, the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs remain candidates for his services.
Webb’s agent, Jonathan Maurer, previously has said that he would seek a contract in the $7.5 million range this winter, but his client is not in any hurry to make a decision.
Houston Astros agree to terms with Bill Hall
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According to a source close to Ken Rosethal of FOXSports, the Houston Astros have agreed to terms with second baseman Bill Hall. It is a one-year contract in the $3 million with with a mutual option. The deal is pending a physical.
Hall, 30, hit .247/.316/.456 with the Boston Red Sox in 2010. Although he will be the Astros’ everyday second baseman, he gives them the flexibility to play him almost anywhere. Hall played six defensive positions in 2010 (all three outfield positions, third base, shortstop and second base).
Detroit Tigers looking at Brad Penny
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The Detroit Tigers are looking to upgrade their starting rotation, and a source close to Jon Paul Morosi and FOXSports says that the team is looking at free agent Brad Penny.
Team president and GM Dave Dombrowski has a history with Penny. He acquired Penny in a 1999 trade when Dombrowski was the GM of the Florida Marlins.
In nine start last year with the St. Louis Cardinals, Penny went 3-4 with a 3.23 ERA. He went on the disabled list in May and did not return to the big league club.
Oakland Athletics claim RHP Phil Humber off waivers
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According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Oakland Athletics have claimed right-handed pitcher Phil Humber off waivers. Humber was recently designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals to clear space on the 40-man roster for outfielder Jeff Francoeur.
Humber, 28, was 2-1 in 8 appearances (1 start) with a 4.15 ERA for the Royals in 2010. He previously had stops with the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins in his five-year career.
Brian Fuentes Rumors: Yankees, Red Sox, Twins and Rockies interested
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In a Tweet by AOL FanHouse, Steve Philips says the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are both going for free agent left-handed relief pitcher Brian Fuentes. However, they are not the only teams interested. The Minnesota Twins and the Colorado Rockies are also in the mix.
Yesterday, it was reported that Fuentes is looking for a Scott Downs type of deal. Downs recently signed with the Los Angeles Angels for a three-years, $15 million.
Fuentes just wrapped up his final year of his two-year, $17.5 million deal that he signed before the 2009 season. There is was a $9 million option for 2011 that was to automatically vest if he finished 55 games this season. He finished 35 games this season.
Giants and Cubs discussed Rowand for Fukudome trade
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According to a source Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, he says the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs discussed an Aaron Rowand for Kosuke Fukudome trade, but Crasnick says that it’s a long shot.
Rowand is owed $24 million over two-years and Fukudome will make $13.5 million for the Cubs in 2011. A change of scenery may allow the players to perform better and up to the expectations as set by their contract.
If the Giants can’t move Rowand, Crasnick speculates they may move outfielder Nate Schierholtz.
Marlins interested in bringing Edgar Renteria back
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According to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro the Marlins are interested in bringing back their World Series hero, shortstop Edgar Renteria. If the Marlins offer a better opportunity, he may opt to return where his career started rather than return to his 2010 team – the San Francisco Giants.
Recently, two sources close to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post say that Renteria’s name has not come up in discussions by Marlins front office.
Last week, the Giants offered Renteria a contract believed to be in the $1 million range to be the team’s utility infielder next year. He’s previously said that he would like to return to San Francisco.
Renteria said San Francisco and three other teams were possibilities for 2011, but he didn’t give details. In addition to the Giants and Marlins, tt’s believed that the St. Louis Cardinals are also interested in the infielder.
Nationals agree to terms with Chad Gaudin
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In a Tweet by the Washington Nationals’ official Twitter account, they announced that the team have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin. Both parts agreed on a Minor League deal with an invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
The New York Yankees removed Gaudin from their 40-man roster in early November. At the time he decided to elect free agency rather than accept an assignment to the Minor Leagues.
Gaudin, 27, has a career 35-39 record with a 4.61 ERA in eight Major League seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees.
