Rumors for February, 2011
Michael Young Rumors: Rockies haven’t called the Rangers recently
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The Texas Rangers still have an unsolved issue with infielder Michael Young and his trade request – they have a disgruntled infielder/DH and they have no where to trade him for now.
Yesterday, we learned that the Marlins were interested in Young to play third base in South Florida. For that move to happen Young would have to waive his partial no-trade clause for the Marlins, since the Fish are not one of the eight teams that can acquire him without his approval. It is believed that Young, a native of Covina, Ca., likely would prefer a trade to the Dodgers or even the Rockies – two teams that have interest and are free to acquire him without his permission.
With that said, here’s the running list Tuesday rumors involving Young:
– The Rockies have not called the Rangers recently regarding Young, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports, but they will listen if the Rangers call. Renck adds that the odds shrink of deal happening as each day passes.
– Buster Olney of ESPN says that the Marlins view Young as a $6-$7 million per year player, and might want the Rangers to eat more than $30 million of the $48 million owed to Young.
– The Arizona Diamondbacks are also interested in acquiring Young as a possible upgrade over Melvin Mora at third base according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports. Rosenthal adds that the Diamondbacks talks with the Rangers have yet to escalate, but they might not according to Major League sources close to Rosenthal.
The Diamondbacks will need the Rangers to pick up most of the $48 million owed to Young, and the Rangers will need Young’s permission to trade him the Arizona.
Mets open to discuss an extension with Jose Reyes
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Mets shortstop Jose Reyes will be a free agent at the end of the 2011 season, but he and his agent, Peter Greenberg, want to discuss a contract extension during the middle of the season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The team has expressed that they will happily engage in negotiations during that stage of the season.
“I’m open to it, yeah,” general manager Sandy Alderson said on Tuesday.
According to DiComo that doesn’t mean Alderson would prefer to talk money during the season, when such discussions can become a distraction both to the player and the club. The Mets, who have already engaged mid-seasons discussions with Reyes and David Wright, don’t have an strict policy against it.
“It’s not something I’ve ever ruled out as a policy,” Alderson said. “To the extent that things get to be a distraction, I guess you might have to address that distraction. But as a policy, that’s not something I’ve ruled out. That’s not something I wouldn’t necessarily do.”
Back in January, we learned that the Mets have already thought about signing him to a long-term deal. The 28-year-old Reyes signed a four-year, $23.25 million contract that started in 2007, and the team exercised a team option in 2011 for $11 million in November.
Mets agree to a Minor League deal with Jason Isringhausen
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According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com the New York Mets have agreed to a Minor League deal with Jason Isringhausen. The veteran reliever will receive an invitation to the team’s Major League Spring Training.
Isringhausen, who worked out for the Mets today, was also drawing interest from the Cincinnati Reds back in January. The 37-year old last pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009 before he blew out his elbow and had to undergo Tommy John surgery. He went 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in nine appearances that season.
Indians not likely to acquire another pitcher
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Cleveland Indians’ pitchers and catcher already reported to Spring Training, and the team’s GM, Chris Antonetti said the team is ready to proceed with pitchers in camp.
Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer says that chances of the Indians acquiring a new pitcher right now are “slim”. Last week, we learned that the team was still interested in veteran Kevin Millwood, but only on a Minor League deal. The Indians and the Yankees were the two most obvious options for Millwood.
The free-agent could help the back-end of any team’s rotation. He had 31 starts and ate up 190 2/3 innings with Baltimore last season, but was a dismal 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA.
Cubs acquire Robert Coello from Red Sox
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The Chicago Cubs have acquired right handed pitcher Robert Coello from the Boston Red Sox in exchange of Minor League infielder Tony Thomas according to the Cub’s official Twitter account.
The right hander was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on February 9 to make room on the 40-man roster for Alfredo Aceves.
Coello pitched six games in 2010 with the Red Sox. He worked 5 2/3innings and had a 4.76 ERA. He also pitched for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in 2010 where he amassed a record of 7-6 with an ERA of 3.86.
Weeks, Brewers still working on a multi-year deal
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The Milwaukee Brewers are still working on a multi-year contract with second baseman Rickie Weeks, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports reports.
“We’re making progress. We’re not done yet. We’re inching our way.” said Gordon Ash, Brewers assistant GM.
Rosenthal adds that the deal would be between three and five years, buying out at least two of Week’s free agent years.
If the sides cannot come to an agreement on a multi-year or even a one-year deal, both parties will go in front of an arbitrator on February 17. Weeks has requested a $7.2 million salary while the Brewers have offered $4.85 million. The infielder is looking for a significant raise after making $2.45 million and $2.75 million in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
The Kelly Johnson settlement with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where the second baseman was awarded $5.85 million ($250,000 more than the midpoint), definitely will help persuade the Brewers to settle before going in front of an arbitrator.
Last week, we learned that Weeks also has a set a deadline regarding multi-year discussion talks because he doesn’t want the issue to carry into Spring Training.
“We’ll get a better sense of where we are in the next couple of days,” Milwaukee Brewers Doug Melvin said. “We still have a little bit of time. We’re always optimistic we can get something done, and we’re still engaged in multi-year talks. If we don’t (get that done) then we have to focus on this year.”
Blue Jays, Bautista working on a multi-year deal
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The Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Bautista have agreed to postpone the arbitration hearing until Friday according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com. Both sides are apparently working on a multi-year deal. Bautista has since confirmed the report via text message to FOXSports.
“Our arbitration hearing with Jose Bautista has been postponed to allow further negotiation between the player and the club.” Said Blue Jays GM, Alex Anthopoulos (via Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports).
An agent close to Morosi says that it’s not common for an arbitration hearing to be delayed. Even though he is not involved in Bautista’s case he adds that “They’ve got to be fairly close to a deal to do that.” Also a person familiar with salary arbitration history close to Morosi says that hearings delays have “frequently” led to long-term deals.
Morosi adds that Bautista told him he was “still very hopeful” about staying with the team for a long time.
The 2010 MLB home run leader said last week that if the sides cannot reach a contract extension prior to the arbitration hearing, set for Friday now, there will be no further negotiations on a long-term contract until Bautista is a free agent after the 2011 season.
“I won’t be open to it after the hearing,” said Bautista
It’s possible that the sides can settle on a deal and avoid a hearing, but there’s a $2.9 million difference between them now. Bautista is arbitration-eligible and has asked for $10.5 million while the team countered with $7.6 million.
“After the hearing, I believe we will notify the team that (a long-term deal) is not going to be a possibility, unless it’s in that window they have from the end of the season until the free agency period begins.”
Going to a hearing could hurt the chances of the Blue Jays signing him to a long-term deal next winter. The team may be hesitant in investing a large sum of money to a player that may have had a fluke 2010 season where he led the Majors in home runs with 54. Another strong season in 2011 will guarantee Bautista a tremendous payday this winter when he enters free agency for the first time in his career.
“My desire is to play in Toronto long term but, after the hearing, or during the season, I have come to the conclusion that it’s probably not the best thing for me to be negotiating any type of deal,” he said. “I want to focus on the game and trying to win ballgames.”
Red Sox are expected to trade RHP Robert Coello
Posted by: | CommentsThe Boston Red Sox are expected to trade right-handed pitcher Robert Coello in the next couple of days, Alex Speier of WEEI reports.
Coello was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on February 9 to make room on the 40-man roster for Alfredo Aceves.
Coello pitched six games in 2010 with the Red Sox. He worked 5 2/3innings and had a 4.76 ERA. He also pitched for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in 2010 where he amassed a record of 7-6 with an ERA of 3.86.
Mets contact Donald Trump about stake in team
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Real estate mogul, Donald Trump, said that the New York Mets contacted him about buying part of the club, according to Alison Leigh Cowan and Ken Belson of The New York Times.
“The Wilpons are friends of mine, and I really hope it works out great for them,” Trump said. “But if anything doesn’t work out for them, I’d be interested in the team.”
The owners of the Mets are being sued for as much as $1 billion over their involvement in the Bernie Madoff scheme that bilked many people out of a lot of money. The team recently said that they may sell as much as 25% of the team because of the lawsuit.
Sources close to the New York Times say that former Senator, Alfonse M. D’Amato has encouraged Trump to pursue a stake in the team.
Charlie Manuel’s contract negotiations will cease in April
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Philadelphia Phillies’ manager, Charlie Manuel, is in the final year of his contract, and he has made it clear that he does not intend to discuss any contract extensions once the season begins, reports Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
“I think once the season starts, I think that I don’t want to talk about my contract,” said Manuel.
Brad Lidge agrees, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. “He’s certainly deserving of whatever he wants,” Lidge says.
Zolecki says that waiting until the end of the 2011 season to work a contract extension for Manuel could be dangerous. If the Phillies achieve success this season, as they usually do, Manuel could use that as leverage for his negotiations. However, it could also work against the manager if the Phillies under perform.
“Hopefully something happens in Spring Training,” Manuel said. “First, my extension and my contract, I definitely don’t want it to be a distraction. I definitely put my team first. I think the players and how they play, that’s why I’ve got a contract. That’s the whole purpose of what I do. That’s kind of how I look at it.”
In January, Manuel was optimistic that he would get a new contract extension by Opening Day.
Manuel is believed to be seeking a contract similar to the top MLB managers – somewhere in the $4+ million per season. Manuel is making $2.4 million this season.
The 67-year old veteran led the Phillies to two consecutive World Series appearances in 2008 and 2009, winning the 2008 edition against the Tampa Bay Rays.
