Rumors for January, 2011
Chicago White Sox pick up Ozzie Guillen’s 2012 option
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According to the Chicago White Sox, the team has picked up manager Ozzie Guillen’s option for 2012.
Guillen is currently in a three-year contract that he signed as an extension in September, 2007. Prior to the option being exercised, his contract would have expired at the end of the 2011 season.
The 47-year-old manager has been the White Sox’s manager since 2004. He ultimately led the White Sox to a World Championship in 2005. In seven season as the team’s skipper, he is 600-535 with two American League Central division titles.
Reds working on a deal with Edinson Volquez
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Right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez is the only unsigned arbitration-eligible on the Cincinnati Reds, but he he may not be in that situation too long. According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer the team is working on a deal for him.
“We’re looking at both — one-year and multi-year,” Reds GM, Walt Jocketty said. “We’re hopeful that we’ll get something done.”
Jockety said that he’s sure they’ll get at least a one-year deal done (via Fay).
Volquez asked for a $2 million salary when numbers were exchanged and the Reds countered at $1.3 million. Fay adds that Volquez is a special case though. The right handed hurler has been limited to 22 starts since because of an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery.
The Reds’ starter was 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA in 62.2 innings throughout 12 starts with Cincinnati in 2010.
Mets sign Blaine Boyer to a Minor League deal
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The New York Mets have signed Blaine Boyer to a Minor League deal according to the team’s official Twitter account. The right handed pitcher will receive an invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
Boyer was 3-2 with a 4.26 ERA in 2010 with the Diamondbacks. He had 54 appearances and 57 innings pitched.
Brewers sign OF Jeremy Reed to Minor League deal
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In a Tweet by MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, he reports the Milwaukee Brewers have signed outfielder Jeremy Reed to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Reed, 29, played with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010 and hit .143/.217/.286 in 14 games. He’s a lifetime .253/.311/.356 hitter.
St. Louis Cardinals to sign Nick Punto
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According to a team release, the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to sign infielder Nick Punto.
A source close to Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune says that Punto’s deal with the Cardinals is for $750,000.
Punto, 33, played his tenth Major League season with the Minnesota Twin in 2010. He’s a career .247/.321/.322 hitter. He returns to the National League for the first time since 2003 when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. The infielder will bring the Cardinals the flexibility of playing multiple infield position while batting from both sides of the plate.
Tampa Bay Rays going after Mike Napoli
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The Tampa Bay Rays are talking about a possible trade with the Angels that includes catcher Mike Napoli, according to a source close to Stan McNeal of the Sporting News.
Earlier today, we learned that the Rays were close to a deal with veteran outfielder Johnny Damon, and that they could also land either Manny Ramirez or Vladimir Guerrero. The addition of Napoli could add more power to the Rays lineup while platooning at first base or catcher with John Jaso and Dan Johnson.
McNeal believes that a possible roadblock for the deal is the raise Napoli will likely get from the Angels. Napoli made $3.6 million in 2010 and in arbitration figures filed earlier this week, he asked for $6.1 million and the Angels countered with $5.3 million.
Jon Daniels talks about Rangers interest in veteran bat
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Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels addressed the reports about the team’s interest in a veteran bat, according to ESPNDallas.com’s Richard Durrett.
“One of the things we have looked at recently is a veteran hitter to complement the rest of the lineup,” Daniels said. “How does that kind of guy fit in if we sign him, and we may not? It’s one of those things you may not be able to perfectly define it sitting here in January, but these things have a way of working out in June, July and August. Guys get hurt, guys scuffle, things happen. That’s our thought process in potentially looking at another hitter. Let’s be prepared for all possibilities.”
Daniels said that it would make more sense for the team to add a right-handed veteran bat off the bench since that player would likely impact the outfield and first spots in terms of playing time.
ESPNDeportes’ Enrique Rojas mentioned that Ramirez could sign as early as this week and the Rangers expressed a strong interest in the free agent outfielder/desiganted hitter.
Boston Red Sox inquired on LHP Joe Beimel
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According to a source close to Maureen Mullen, the Boston Red Sox have inquired about left-handed reliever Joe Beimel.
The last we heard on the 33-year-old pitcher was that he had a few teams interested and even had a few offers on the table. While not specifically mentioned as an interested party, the Baltimore Orioles are looking to add pitching depth.
“I’ve got quite a few teams interested right now, got a few offers,” Beimel said in a radio interview on MLB Network. “I’m willing to be patient like I have in the past.”
The 33-year-old mentioned in October that he would like to return to Colorado. “The Rockies are my first choice. I definitely want to be back,” Beimel said at the time.
Beimel was 1-2 with a 3.40 ERA in 71 relief appearances for Colorado in 2010.
Could Rays sign Damon plus Ramirez or Guerrero?
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Could the Tampa Bay Rays add not just one veteran hitter but two? Major League sources close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports say that the Rays could add Johnny Damon plus either Manny Ramirez or Vladimir Guerrero.
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reported this morning that the the Rays and Damon are close to a deal. Tampa Bay is in need of bat in the lineup and a player to take over left field since Carl Crawford departed in December.
Should the team sign Ramirez or Guerrero, they would be the primary designated hitter while Damon would play the outfield.
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes reported on Thursday that Ramirez could sign with a team by the end of this week or the beginning of next. Possible destinations for Ramirez include the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays with the Angels and Rays being the most aggressive of the group.
Rangers invite Scheppers, Felix, Eppley and Tracy to Spring Training
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The Texas Rangers have invited Tanner Scheppers, Cody Eppley, Jose Felix and Chad Tracy to Major League Spring Training according to Anthony Andro of the Star-Telegram.
Tracy played 69 games in 2010 with the Marlins and Cubs. He hit .247 with 1 HR and 15 RBI’s.
