Rumors for January, 2011
New York Mets may sell up to 25 percent of team
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The New York Mets announced today through a press release that they will explore the possibility of adding a minority ownership partner. Sports Illustrated’s Joe Lemire reports that the Mets may sell 20-25 percent of the team only – SNY and Citi Field are not apart of the sale.
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 $214.5 million.
In case you’re wondering, Alex Rodriguez is the only player to have accumulated that much money via baseball contracts to outright buy that stake. Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez and Barry Bonds are close with $205.4 million, $204.8 million and $188.2 million of baseball earnings respectively.
Here’s the team’s statement
As Sterling Equities announced in December, we are engaged in discussions to settle a lawsuit brought against us and other Sterling partners and members of our families by the Trustee in the Madoff bankruptcy. We are not permitted to comment on these confidential negotiations while they are ongoing.
However, to address the air of uncertainty created by this lawsuit, and to provide additional assurance that the New York Mets will continue to have the necessary resources to fully compete and win, we are looking at a number of potential options including the addition of one or more strategic partners. To explore this, we have retained Steve Greenberg, a Managing Director at Allen & Company, as our advisor.
Regardless of the outcome of this exploration, Sterling will remain the principal ownership group of the Mets and continue to control and manage the team’s operations. The Mets have been a major part of our families for more than 30 years and that is not going to change.
As we have said before, we are totally committed to having the Mets again become a World Series winner. Our fans and all New Yorkers deserve nothing less.
Tampa Bay Rays claim RHP Rob Delaney
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The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed right-handed pitcher Rob Delaney, according to the Star-Tribune’s LaVelle Neal.
Delaney was designated by the Minnesota Twins on January 26 to accommodate the addition of left-handed pitcher Dusty Hughes.
The 26-year-old Delaney made his Major League debut for the TWins in 2010. He finished the September 4, 2010 game against the Texas Rangers by pitching one inning while giving up two hits and one earned run (home run).
Oakland’s Steve Tolleson clears waivers – outrighted to Triple-A
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The Oakland Athletics’ Steven Tolleson has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento, according to the team via their Twitter account.
The 27-year-old Tolleson made his Major League debut in 2010 when he played 25 games for the A’s. The infielder , a fifth-round selection in the 2005 draft, hit .286 (5-for-49) during his short time in the big leagues.
Rockies agree to a one-year deal with Ian Stewart
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According to the team’s official Twitter account the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a one-year deal with infielder Ian Stewart. The team now has avoided arbitration with all their arbitration-eligible players.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post confirms that Stewart will make $2.22875 million on a one-year contract. He can make $12,500 for 502 plate appearances and $25,000 each for 550 and 600 plate appearances.
The 25-year-old Stewart hit .256/.338/.443 with 18 homne runs for the Rockies in 2010.
Nolan Ryan: Michael Young isn’t going anywhere
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According to the Rangers president Nolan Ryan, third baseman/ DH Michael Young won’t be traded. “He is going to be our DH on opening day,” Ryan said on Thursday (via Anthony Andro of the Dallas Morning News).
Ryan expects that about 80% of Young’s starts throughout the season will come from the DH spot. He says that Young will provide the Rangers a flexibility that other teams would love to have.
“There’s no other team that has someone of that magnitude that can play that kind of role,” Ryan said.
In 157 games in 2010, Young hit .284/.330/.444 with 21 home runs while driving in 91 runs.
Orioles sign Nick Bierbrodt to a Minor League deal
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The Baltimore Orioles have signed left handed pitcher Nick Bierbrodt according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.
The lefty spent the 2010 season in the Rockies organization. He played in the Majors for the last time in 2004 with the Rangers. That year he was 1-1 with a 5.82 ERA in 17 innings.
Brewers invite INF Erick Almonte to Spring Training
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In a Twitter announcement, the Milwaukee Brewers have said that they will invite infielder Erick Almonte to the team’s Major League Spring Training Camp.
The 32-year-old Almonte, has not played in the big leagues since 2003 with the New York Yankees. He’s played 39 career Major League games (mostly at shortstop) and has a lifetime .269/.327/.365 average.
Cubs sign Rubi Silva and Yaniel Cabeza
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The Chicago Cubs have signed Rubi Silva and Yaniel Cabeza, two former Cuban junior national team players according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.
Silva, 21, is a left-handed hitter and a good athlete who can play both center and right field with above-average speed and a strong arm. He signed for $1 million.
Cabeza, also 21, stands out for his work behind the plate, he has a solid throwing arm, and knows how to call a game. He signed for $500,000.
Baltimore Orioles make offer to Vladimir Guerrero
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The Baltimore Orioles have had conversations with Vladimir Guerrero, but the two sides are not close to a deal says Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. However, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports chimes in shortly thereafter with knowledge that the Orioles have made an offer. Rosenthal later adds that the designated hitter is “not thrilled” with the offer. that is believed in the one-year, $3 million range.
Another possibility for Guerrero is his old employer, but Angels GM Tony Reagins told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio that he’s not sure that Guerrero fits the team, but the door is open and they are considering him.
“We’ve had some conversations, but there is nothing on the horizon,” said Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said at the time.
Guerrero was asking for a two-year, $16 million deal earlier this winter, but has dropped his asking price to around one-year, $8 million deal. Rosenthal believes that even though Guerrero dropped his asking price, it still could be too expensive for the Orioles and other teams.
After Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez signed with the Rays, Guerrero is left as arguably the best veteran power hitter available in the market. For the offensive-starved Orioles, it would make sense to add somebody like Guerrero. He hit .300 with 29 HR’s and 115 RBI’s last year with the Rangers.
Indians have interest in Casey Kotchman
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According to a source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the Cleveland Indians have interest in Casey Kotchman on a Minor League deal.
Kotchman spent all of the 2010 season withi the Seattle Mariners after he was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Seattle Mariners. The 27-year-old is a lifetime .259/.326/.392 hitter. Kotchman would bring some offensive pop the Indians’ lineup while giving the team the flexibility to use him as a backup first baseman or a designated hitter.
