Rumors for January, 2011
Cubs agree to a one-year deal with Todd Wellemeyer
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The Chicago Cus have agreed to a one-year. $800,000 deal with Todd Wellemeyer according to a Major League source close to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com.
Wellemeyer was 3-5 with a 5.68 ERA in 58.2 innings throughout 13 games, 11 starts with the Giants in 2010. He was released by the team on August 17, 2010.
Tigers open to bringing Jeremy Bonderman back
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After trading their fifth starter Armando Galarraga, the Detroit Tigers are open to bringing back Jeremy Bonderman but not on a Major League contract, according to Tom Gage of the Detroit News.
The right-handed pitcher has been drawing interest from teams like Yankees, Rangers, Pirates and Cardinals, but no formal deal has been presented to him.
The 28-year old pitcher made $12.5 million in 2010. He likely won’t be able to command a salary that high given his 8-10 record with a 5.53 ERA last season with the Detroit Tigers. He may accept a one-year deal with incentives with the hopes to rebuild his numbers and re-enter the free agent market next winter.
Charlie Manuel optimistic on getting a contract extension
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Philadelphia Phillies manager, Charlie Manuel, is entering the final season of his contract in 2011 and his agent, is optimistic that he will receive a contract extension before opening day according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.
“Charlie wants it and I know the Phillies do,” Pat Rooney said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “We should be able to get something done.”
Back in September, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said that he expected Manuel to manage the team beyond the 2011 season. Salisbury says that hammering out a contract extension was one of the team’s tasks for this off-season.
When Manuel as asked about his future as a manager back in October, he was game to continue his career for a long time:
“I could see myself managing at 85. Pennsylvania is known to have old coaches and managers. What the [heck]? … I don’t go nowhere. I go home and I come to the ballpark. I go home and I come to the ballpark. I go home, come to the ballpark, airplane, go on the airplane, go to the hotel. That’s all I do.”
Conversations between the two sides have moved slowly because the team was busy signing Cliff Lee and upgrading their bullpen, but in recent days the team focused their efforts towards Manuel.
Rooney said he was not frustrated by the pace of negotiations.
“Not at all,” he said. “We’re really just starting to get going on it. We haven’t had much discussion, really. We got an offer a while back and we responded this week. We’re moving along. We’d like to get an extension hopefully by the end of spring training. Charlie doesn’t want it to drag into the season. Hopefully we’ll get something done sooner rather than later.”
Salisbury says that Manuel is likely looking for a two-year extension on the $4 million per year range. The 67-year old veteran led the Phillies to two consecutives World Series in 2008 and 2009, winning the 2008 edition against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Nationals officially sign Todd Coffey
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The Washington Nationals have officially signed right handed pitcher Todd Coffey to a one-year deal according to the team’s official Twitter account.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated adds that Coffey will get $1.35 million from the Nationals.
Coffey agreed to a one-year deal with the Nationals last week.
The 30-year-old Coffey was mentioned as a candidate this winter for bullpen starved teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies.
Coffey was 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 69 relief appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010.
Brewers considering free agent Mark Kotsay
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According to a baseball source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Milwaukee Brewers are looking to add some veteran reserve, and free agent Mark Kotsay could be a possibility.
Rosenthal says that Kotsay could pinch hit for Carlos Gomez and offer veteran presence on the field along with Craig Counsell. Another veteran free agent available is Troy Glaus, who can platoon at first base and third base or come off of the bench for the Brewers.
Kotsay, 35, hit .239 with 8 HR’s and 31 RBI’s in 327 AB’s with the White Sox in 2010.
Joe Torre leaning towards taking job with Bud Selig
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Former Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager, Joe Torre, is ready to hit the working world again after a brief retirement. According to the Associated Press, Torre is leaning towards accepting a job with commissioner Bud Selig that would allow him to stay in Los Angeles.
“He’s got a position that he thinks that I can handle,” Torre told the Associated Press on Monday. “I know we’re on the same page, and I think it’s just a matter of just sort of crossing the Ts and dotting Is at this point in time.”
The sides have not discussed job titles, but they have determined Torre’s responsibilities in the new role, but he declined to elaborate. A decision is expected in the next two to three weeks.
It was previously reported that Torre would assume the role of Vice President of operations and responsibilities include dealing with umpires and umpire-related issues as well and dealing out punishment to players.
Billionaire financier denies interest in buying the Dodgers
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A spokesman for Platinum Equity said that billionaire financier Tom Gores is not involved in the purchase of the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Gergg Krupa of The Detroit News.
Bloomberg.com reported that Gores might join his brother, Alec, in his attempt to purchase the Los Angeles baseball franchise.
“We are not pursuing any team in today’s report,” said the company’s spokesman. “Our current interest is clear.”
While not currently a owner a sports team, Gores is believed to be the leading bidder for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. He is currently negotiating to purchase the team.
The Dodgers are not currently for sale, but they may be unless current owner, Frank McCourt can overturn a California court ruling that he is not the sole owner.
San Diego Padres agree to terms with Jorge Cantu
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Sources close to FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal report that the San Diego Padres have agreed to terms with Jorge Cantu to a Major League contract. Marty Caswell of XX1090 Sports Radio adds that Cantu’s deal is for one-year worth $850,000.
Stephen Goff of the Houston Examiner first reported that Cantu was speaking with the Padres, and they were one of the favorites to land the free agent slugger. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated added the next day that the sides were close to a deal, but for a Minor League contract.
Cantu hit .256 with 11 HR’s and 56 RBI’s in 2010 with the Florida Marlins and the American League Champions Texas Rangers.
Giants agree to a Minor League deal with Marc Kroon
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The San Francisco Giants have agreed to a Minor League deal with Marc Kroon according to Tom Krasovic of FanHouse.com.
According to Krasovic, Kroon excelled in the closer role while playing over in Japan.
Kroon currently holds the record for the fastest pitch ever in Japanese baseball history at 101 MPH.
Athletics sign 3B Andy LaRoche to Minor League contract
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The Oakland Athletics have signed third baseman Andy LaRoche to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training according to the team’s official Twitter account.
LaRoche played 102 games last year with the Pirates. He hit .206 with 4 HR’s and 16 RBI’s in 247 AB’s.
