Rumors for December, 2010
Yankees exploring the option of signing Rafael Soriano?
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In an article by Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, a source tells him that the Yankees are “exploring” the option of signing former Tampa Bay Rays closer Rafael Soriano. The Yankees had preliminary discussions with Soriano’s agent, Scott Boras.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post later said via Twitter that the Yankees are not in on Soriano.
General manager Brian Cashman was said to be willing to give Soriano “closer money” to have him backup Mariano Rivera with the expectation that Soriano will succeed Rivera when he retires.
Twins trade Jose Morales to Rockies in exchange of Paul Bargas
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Minnesota Twins traded catcher Jose Morales to the Colorado Rockies in exchange of left handed pitcher Paul Bargas according to the team’s official Twitter account.
Morales will compete with Matt Pagnozzi to backup starting catcher Chris Iannetta. Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post adds the Rockies are reluctant to spend on another catcher because Jordan Pacheco and Wil Rosario are on the fast track to the Marjo Leagues.
Morales, 27, had 44 appearances in 2010 with the Twins where he hit for .194/.295/.250 with 7 RBI’s.
Bargas, 22, played for the Rockies Single-A team in 2010, he was 5-4 with 3.59 ERA over 67 2/3 innings.
Zack Greinke’s no-trade list includes Yankees, Red Sox and Nationals
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In an article by FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi, a source tells him that Zack Greinke’s no-trade list includes teams such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals. He can block trades to an additional twelve teams for a total of 15 no-trade teams.
The Kansas City Royals are open to moving their right-handed starting pitcher, and many teams in desperate for starting pitching are interested. The Yankees are especially interested in the aftermath of losing Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies. However, the Yankees may think twice should they acquire the right-hander. He’s 0-2 with career 8.82 ERA in 16 1/3 innings in the Bronx.
A no-trade clause in a player’s contract does not necessarily mean you won’t see Greinke in pinstripes or in a Red Sox uniform. It gives Greinke negotiation leverage to be financially compensated through cash or a contract extension.
Greinke is signed through the 2012 season, and he leaves little doubt that he’ll sign a new deal if the Royals are not competitive. The 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner will make $13.5 million each season for 2011 and 2012.
Red Sox sign Ryan Harvey to Minor League deal as a right-handed pitcher
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According to Major League sources close to Jon Paul Morosi and FOXSports.com, the Boston Red Sox have signed former first-round draft pick Ryan Harvey.
Harvey was drafted by the Cubs in the 2003 draft as an outfielder (number 6 overall). Now, he’s resurrecting his career as a right-handed pitcher.
The 26-year-old had a .244 batting average over eight seasons as a Minor league outfielder, but he never reached higher than Double-A. In 57 games as a right fielder in 2010, he had 12 assists.
Kerry Wood agrees to one-year, $1.5 million deal with Chicago Cubs
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According to a source close to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Kerry Wood has agreed to return to the Chicago Cubs on a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
David Kaplan of the Chicago Tribune was the first to report that the sides were moving towards finalizing a deal.
Wood told Kaplan in an article that whatever decision he made about pitching in 2011 would have to be good for his family. The right-hander makes Chicago his permanent home, and being close to home and his longtime relationship with Cubs GM Jim Hendry are factors in the Cubs’ favor.
Boston Red Sox agree to terms with LHP Andrew Miller
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According to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with pitcher Andrew Miller.
Miller, 25, was 1-6 with a 8.54 ERA in nine games (7 starts) for the Marlins in 2010. The left-hander was involved in a November trade that sent him from the Marlins to the Red Sox in exchange for left-handed pitcher Dustin Richardson. Miller is under team control through the 2013 season.
Brian Fuentes Rumors: Looking for three-year, $15 million deal?
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Earlier today, we heard the New York Yankees were looking for someone to setup Mariano Rivera. With that said, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated mentioned the Yankees were looking at free agent Brian Fuentes. It’s no known if numbers or offers were exchanged, but according to Buster Olney of ESPN, he says 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 was acquired by the Twins from the Los Angeles Angels on August 27, 2010 in exchange for a player to be named later. He became a free agent after the end of the season.
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.
Dan Uggla closing in on five-year contract extension with Braves
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In a Tweet by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, a source tells him that second baseman Dan Uggla is closing in on a five-year, $60-61 million contract extension. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN adds that the Bravess have had positive dialogue with Uggla and his agent and are encouraged about a multi-year deal.
The two sides were reportedly working on a contract extension as of last week.
“We had a nice discussion when he was in for the [introductory] press conference,” Braves’ GM Wren said. “We’re going to get to further discussions probably in the near future. I’ve talked to his representative [recently] but nothing substantative, negotiation-wise.”
The Braves hope to sign Uggla to a long-term deal. He turned down a four-year, $48 million offer from the Marlins.
Uggla was raised in Columbia, Tennesee as a Braves fan, and O’Brien says that he seems motivated to stay long-term with the Braves and play for his former Marlins manager, Fredi Gonzalez.
“I think there’s a mutual desire for us to keep him long-term and for him to stay long-term.” Said Wren. “I think that’s come through loud and clear, both from Terry [Bross, Uggla's agent] and from Dan.”
Uggla is the right-handed power hitter the Braves searched years to find says O’Brien. He has more HR’s (154) in his first five seasons than any middle infielder in Major League history.
Josh Willingham traded to the Oakland Athletics
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The Washington Nationals have traded Josh Willingham to the Oakland Athletics according to Buster Olney of ESPN. Ken Rosenthal says the Nationals will receive right-handed pitcher Henry Rodriguez and Minor League outfielder Corey Brown.
Rosenthal was the first to report that the sides were discussing a trade.
Willingham stands to earn a raise from the $4.6 million that he made last season. He is in his final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent, and Rosenthal says that he’s open to a contract extension.
The A’s would probably use Willingham in left field, Coco Crisp in center and recently acquired David DeJesus in right. Ryan Sweeney and Conor Jackson would be the fourth and fifth team’s outfielders.
The 31-year-old Wilingham hit for .268/.389/.459 with 16 HR and 56 RBI’s last season with the Nationals.
Rodriguez, 23, split time between Triple-A and the Majors last season while Brown, 25, had a .916 OPS at Double-A and .631 OPS at Triple-A.
San Diego Padres acquire Eric Patterson from Boston Red Sox
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According to a source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the San Diego Padres have acquired second baseman and outfielder Eric Patterson from the Boston Red Sox.
Dan Hayes of the North County Times says that Patterson is the player to be named from the Adrian Gonzalez deal.
The 27-year-old Patterson split time with the Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics in 2010. In 90 games he hit .214/.272/.406 with 6 home runs and 16 RBIs.
