Rumors for December, 2010
Adrian Gonzalez will not seek Pujols-sized contract
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If first baseman Albert Pujols signs a new deal, Adrian Gonzalez won’t use it as a benchmark for his own contract, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. Gonzalez assured the Red Sox that the contract terms he desires will not change between now and the start of the season.
The Red Sox are concerned about the possibility that Pujols would sign contract with an average salary of $30 million-plus per year between now and the beginning of the season, thereby possibly raising the market value for a player like Gonzalez. The first baseman then told the Red Sox that even if Pujols signed such a deal, he would negotiate based on the current market.
“I made a comment to [Red Sox general manager] Theo [Epstein], ‘Make the trade happen by itself, and I promise you during the season I’ll negotiate,” Gonzalez said. “I’m not going to come here and be like, ‘OK, we’ll see you at free agency and see if you outbid the other teams.’ We’ll negotiate during the season. We’re going to be fair. We won’t be looking for record-breaking deals. We just want market value.”
The Mexico native slugger was traded to Boston in early December, and both sides have said they have full confidence that an extension will be reached before Gonzalez hits free agency after the 2011 season, the same time Pujols is set to hit the market. But Gonzalez won’t be basing his contract requests on Pujols and his market.
Astros involved in trade for Matt Lindstrom
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In a Tweet by ESPN’s Buster Olney, he mentions the Houston Astros are working hard on a possible trade involving right-handed pitcher Matt Lindstrom.
The Astros acquired Lindstrom from the Florida Marlins in December 2009 for right-handed pitcher Robert Bono and infielder Luis Bryan.
Lindstrom, 30, was 2-5 with 23 saves and a 4.39 ERA in 58 relief appearances for the Astros in 2010.
Pirates acquire INF Corey Wimberly
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According to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired infielder Corey Wimberly in a trade. Langosch is currently working on the details.
Jane Lee of MLB.com says that the Athletics acquired pitcher Ryan Kelly in the trade.
Wimberly, 27, played 135 games in Triple-A last season. He hit .284/.373/.354 with 3 HR and 57 RBI’s.
Kelly, a 26th-round Draft pick by the Pirates in 2006, has compiled a 4.74 ERA with 43 walks and 171 strikeouts through 184 innings in 81 games (11 starts) throughout four seasons.
Pirates sign INF Garrett Atkins to Minor League contract
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In a Tweet by Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, she says the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed infielder Garrett Atkins to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Atkins, 31, was signed as a free agent last December by Baltimore. He hit .214 with 1 HR and 9 RBI’s in 44 games last season before being released by the Orioles on July 6, 2010.
The veteran infielder made his debut with Colorado in 2003 and played with the Rockies thru the 2009 season before becoming a free agent. In his big league career, Atkins has made 632 appearances at third base, 105 at first base and six in the outfield.
Brian Cashman downplays interest in Johnny Damon
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Yesterday, Ken Davidoff of Newsday reported the Yankees had multiple conversations with free agent and former Yankee Johnny Damon. Today, in an article by Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com, the team’s GM, Brian Cashman, downplayed their interest in the outfielder.
“It was just part of our canvassing process,” Cashman said.
“It’s something we do with every free agent,” Cashman added. “I can’t tell you if anything’s going to happen there. There’s not a clear role for him here.”
During the Winter Meetings in early December, Damon expressed interest in signing with the Tampa Bay Rays. He would be a candidate to fill the vacant left field spot that became available when Carl Crawford left.
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LHP Aaron Thompson claimed off of waivers by Pirates
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According to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, left-handed pitcher Aaron Thompson was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the same Tweet Langosch says that the Nationals have designated Wil Ledezma for assignment.
Thompson, 23, played for the Washington Ntaional’s Triple-A team in 2010. He was 1-0 in 5 innings with a 1.80 ERA.
Brent Dlugach was outrighted to Minors by Boston
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The Boston Red Sox have removed infielder Brent Dlugach from the 40-man roster, to make room for Bobby Jenks, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Dlugach cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Nationals and Sean Burnett agree on a 2-year, $3.7 million extension
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According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, the Washington Nationals and pitcher Sean Burnett have agreed on a two-year, $3.7 million extension with a 2013 option.
The deal is pending results of a physical and could be official by this afternoon, reports Kilgore.
In a Tweet by MLB.com’s Bill Ladson he says that he hears that Burnett’s deal is now official.
Burnett will make $1.4 million in 2011, including a $100,000 signing bonus. $2.3 million in 2012, and the Nationals can exercise an option for 2013 worth $3.5 million, or a $250,000 buyout. Burnett can opt out if the Nationals exercise the option, with the buyout waived if he does.
Rays hire Dave Eiland as special assistant
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The Tampa Bay Rays have hired former Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland as their new special assistant according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
Eiland will have several duties in his new role as a Rays special assistant, including scouting draft candidates, evaluating minor-league prospects and offering advice on potential acquisitions.
“Absolutely, whatever I can give ‘em to help, I can do that,” Eiland said. “And I’ve got plenty of them. They’re the enemy now.”
Eiland spent the last eight seasons with the Yankees, the last three as their pitching coach and five before that in their Minor League system.
Yankees have been in touch with Johnny Damon
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According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the New York Yankees have had multiple conversations with free agent Johnny Damon about a possible return to the Bronx for 2011.
Four sources close to Davidoff say that the 37-year-old Damon and the Yankees were talking about a role that would include occasional at-bats as a designated hitter and left fielder.
Two of the sources added that Damon would prefer a job where he would get more guaranteed playing time. Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News spoke with Damon who had nothing but good things to say about the Yankees and the city. Damon is interested in returning to New York but he has received interest from other teams that view him more as an everyday player. This is especially important to Damon as he chases 3,000 hits and only needs 429 more.
In another article by Davidoff, he adds that Damon was targeting the St. Louis Cardinals, but was disappointed when the team signed Lance Berkman. Davidoff opines that Damon will not sign with the Yankees if he prioritizes playing time and at-bats over getting a third ring.
During the Winter Meetings in early December, Damon expressed interest in signing with the Tampa Bay Rays. He would be a candidate to fill the vacant left field spot that became available when Carl Crawford left.
