Rumors for January, 2011
Mariners’ Chone Figgins downplays trade rumors
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Seattle Mariners’ Chone Figgins spoke with Larry Stone of The Seattle Times at the team’s FanFest, and the infielder downplayed the trade rumors that involved him and the Oakland Athletics.
“I always said, it’s a great thing to be wanted,” he said. “But I want to win here. I’ve said all along, this has been one of the best places I’ve ever played — the city, the fans. I’ll always love playing here. This is where I want to be, and until they force me out of here, this is where I’m going to be.”
A source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that’s “nothing is going to happen” regarding Figgins.
Figgins has limited no-trade rights, but can veto a trade to Oakland. When Stone asked Figgins what he would do if he were presented with a trade to Oakland, he said:
“I want to be here,” he replied. “Like I said, I want to be here.”
On January 28, rumors regarding a Figgins trade for Kevin Kouzmanoff surfaced, but were eventually debunked by the Mariners’ GM.
I’m looking forward to Figgins being our starting third baseman,” Zduriencik said. “He’ll be here tomorrow [for the Mariners' FanFest]. He’s been agreeable to moving back to third base and that’s our plan, to have Chone be our Opening Day third baseman.”
Figgins, 33, hit .259/.340/.306 with 1 HR and 35 RBI’s with the Mariners in 2010.
Rangers sign Ruiz, Taubenheim and Diaz to Minor League deals
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According to T.R Sullivan of MLB.com, the Rangers have signed first baseman Jose Julio Ruiz to a Minor League deal with an invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
The Rangers have also signed right handed pitcher Ty Taubenheim and catcher Robinzon Diaz to a Minor League deal according to Richard Durret of ESPN.com. Taubenheim and Diaz will attend Minor League Spring Training.
Cincinnati Reds Rumors: To sign Volquez and maybe Isringhausen
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It looks like the Cincinnati Reds will get a deal done with Edinson Volquez. According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, GM Walt Jocketty expects to a get a deal done this weekend with Volquez for a likely one-year contract. As of Saturday afternoon, ESPNDeportes.com’s Enrique Rojas reports that the Reds and Volquez are close to a one-year, ~$1.6 million deal.
It was reported on January 21 that the sides were working on getting a deal done. Volquez remains the final Red to be in arbitration-limbo. The right-hander asked for $2 million while the Reds countered with $1.3 million.
Volquez was 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA in 62.2 innings throughout 12 starts in 2010.
Former closer Jason Isringhausen will throw off the mound on Monday in Arizona and the Reds are one of the candidates that may sign him. Fayman says the team will determine what they want to do next after the bullpen session.
The 38-year-old Isringhausen last pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009 when he went 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in nine appearances.
Blue Jays avoid arbitration with Frank Francisco
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In a Tweet from the Toronto Blue Jays official Twitter feed, the team has and Frank Francisco have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal for 2011.
Francisco was traded with cash from the Texas Rangers to the Blue Jays on January 25 for Mike Napoli.
Francisco produced a 3.75 ERA in 56 games this season in mostly a middle-relief role. His $4 million salary is a nice raise from the $3.265 million he made last season.
RHP Rodrigo Lopez being pursued by Rockies, Mets ant Braves
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A source close to Jayson Stark of ESPN says the Rockies, Mets and Braves have been pursuing right-handed pitcher Rodrigo Lopez and the free agent is expected to sign with one of those teams by the end of the weekend. Lopez projects to be a back-of-the-rotation starter for all three teams.
On January 26, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reported that the Rockies are in negotiations with Lopez.
The 35-year-old Lopez was with the Rockies in 2007, but spent 2010 with the Diamondbacks where he went 7-16 with a 5.00 ERA in 33 starts.
Texas Rangers agree with Mike Napoli and sign Jose Ruiz
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According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Texas Rangers, the team agreed to terms with Mike Napoli on a one-year contract for $5.8 million. The agreement avoids the arbitration process for both parties.
In a span of a few days, Napoli moved from the Los Angeles Angels to the Toronto Blue Jays to the Texas Rangers in two separate trades. Napoli made $3.6 million in 2010 and in arbitration figures, he asked for $6.1 million and the Angels countered with $5.3 million.
In a separate move, the team also signed first baseman Jose Ruiz to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Pittsburgh Pirates to select Anthony Rendon first overall in 2011 MLB Draft?
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“With the first pick of the 2011 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates select Anthony Rendon – infielder, Rice University”
That is what may be said in June 2011 if Pirates’ GM Neal Huntington’s comments are followed through by the team. Huntington said the team will select the right-handed hitting infielder as the overall number 1 overall pick as long as he’s the best player on the team’s board come draft day, according to Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The 20-year-old Rendon was selected as the 2010 Dick Howser Trophy Winner as the National Player of the Year, as voted by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He also has several National Player of the Year awards and he’s a First Team All-American as recognized by several organizations. He batted .402 in conference play and hit .394 overall while leading Conference USA with 26 home runs.
The Pirates have the first overall pick of the draft by virtue of having the worst record in Major League Baseball in 2010. Want to see the rest of the 2010 MLB Draft order? Click here.
Marlins sign RHP Shawn Hill to Minor League deal
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According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Florida Marlins have signed right-handed pitcher Shawn Hill to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training. If Hill makes the big league team, he will earn $600,00.
The 29-year-old was 1-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 20 2/3 innings for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Angels focused on adding leadoff hitter and bench player
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In a Tweet by Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, he reports that the Los Angeles Angels seem focused in on adding a leadoff hitter and a player to come off the bench.
One name that has surfaced from time-to-time is free agent Scott Podsednik. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports first reported in December that the Angels had been showing interest in the left fielder. The Angels are in need of a speedy leadoff man, and Rosenthal believes that they could be a better fit for Podsednik, than the Dodgers – another team that Podsednik was linked to this winter.
Podsednik, 34, hit .297/.342/.382 with 6 HR and 51 RBI’s in 2010, he also stole 35 bases in 50 attempts.
Heyman adds that Los Angeles may not be in on Vladimir Guerrero anymore.
Liquor mogul wants to buy piece of Mets
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Yesterday’s announcement by the New York Mets of their intent to sell between 20-25% of the team did not go unanswered too long. Samuel Goldsmith of the New York Daily News reports that Long Island liquor mogul, Martin Silver, wants to discuss the sale with Fred and Jeff Wilpon, owners of the team.
“We are trying to get some negotiations started,” said Silver. “The Mets are restricted because of the finances of the Wilpons. They can’t get more established players and make the playoffs again with the money they have now.”
Forbes valuated the Mets’ franchise at $858 million in 2010. If the team and the buyer use that valuation, then a 25 percent stake is worth $214.5 million.
Silver is a liquor distributor and owner of the Georgi Vodka brand says that he wants to invest in the team if he has some say in day-to-day operations of the team.
“Anybody who is going to the bank to borrow money and invest in the team isn’t going to be okay with having no say in operations,” said Silver.
