Rumors for February, 2011
Philadelphia Phillies claim Brian Schlitter off waivers
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According to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Enquirer, The Phillies have claimed Brian Schlitter off waivers and have designated Andrew Carpenter for assignment.
Schlitter, 25, was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees on February 14 in order to make room for outfielder Andruw Jones on their 40-man roster. Schlitter pitched in seven games for the Chicago Cubs in 2010 and went 0-1 with a 12.38 ERA.
Indians hire Jason Bere and Eduardo Perez as special assistants
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The Cleveland Indians have hired Jason Bere and Eduardo Perez as special assistants to baseball operations according to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer.
Hoynes adds that the team have hired Tony Mansolino to be hitting coach at Class-A Mahoning Valley.
Ken Griffey Jr. joins the Mariners as a Special Consultant
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Sources close to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, say that former Mariners Ken Griffey Jr. will be joining the Mariners as a “Special Consultant” for the franchise. Greg Johns of MLB.com adds that it will be effective immediately.
A press release by the team states that Griffey “will be involved in numerous areas of the Mariners franchise, including, but not limited to, Major League Baseball Operations, player development, minor league system marketing, broadcasting and community relations.”
Griffey will be joining the club in Peoria for a portion of spring training according to Baker. “I’m looking forward to staying very involved with the Mariners,” said Griffey. “Working with the players throughout the organization, staying involved with the community and assisting in other areas of the organization. It’s an exciting time and I’m appreciative of the opportunity.”
In June 2010, Griffey unexpectedly retired from the team. He had been limited in at-bats and was believed to be pressured by then manager, Don Wakamatsu, to retire. The outfielder/designated hitter finished his career with 630 home runs, 1836 RBIs, a .284 batting average and .370 on-base percentage in 22 seasons with the Mariners, Reds and White Sox.
Diamondbacks avoid arbitration with Kelly Johnson
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According to Shaun Rachau, the Vice President of Communications for the Diamondbacks, the team has avoided arbitration with second baseman Kelly Johnson by agreeing to a one-year deal.
Johnson had an an arbitration hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, but both parties were talking with the hopes of avoiding the arbitration process.
Earlier this month, Diamondbacks GM, Kevin Tower said, “This case may be a little tougher. It’s a pretty tough case.” At the time the sides had not talked since the numbers were filed at the end of January.
The second baseman was seeking $6.5 million, while Arizona countered with $4.7 million. He made $2.35 million in 2010.
Johnson hit .284 with 26 home runs and 71 RBIs in his first season with the Diamondbacks in 2010.
Rockies agree to terms with Jesus Colome
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According to Jack Etkin of Inside the Rockies, the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a Minor League deal with veteran reliever Jesus Colome. Etkin says that Colome and Chris Sampson, who was recently signed, are viewed by the Rockies as possible additions to their pitching depth if they make the Triple-A Colorado Springs roster to begin the season.
Colome, 31, was 0-1 with a 5.28 ERA and 16 SO in 11 games for the Mariners last season. The Mariners designated for assignment on June 1.
Will Roy Oswalt retire after the 2011 season?
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Will right-handed pitcher, Roy Oswalt, join his former teammate, Andy Pettitte, in retirement after the 2011 season? He’ll be 34 by year-end and according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, he may retire at the end of this season, but nothing is certain.
“I’ll play this year and see how it goes,” Oswalt said at a news conference Monday. “I’ll see where my body’s at and pretty much go from there.”
Oswalt is under contract for 2011 for $16 million and the team has a $16 million club option for 2012. He can opt-out of the deal and take a reduced buyout.
The Phillies arguably have the best rotation in all of baseball with Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton.
If Oswalt has any inkling of retiring, the team may want to hold onto Blanton. He was rumored to be on the trading block, but as of now he’s still with the Phillies.
Cubs could offer Pujols a 10-year, $27.5 million per year deal
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The Chicago Cubs could offer Cardinals first baseman, Albert Pujols, an Alex Rodriguez type of deal (10-years, $27.5 million per year) according to a baseball executive close to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Keep in mind that it’s a prediction on the part of the baseball executive and it’s not an official offer since Pujols is not a free agent and the Cubs cannot directly negotiate with the first baseman.
Yesterday, Pujols’ agent, Dan Lozano, told multiple teams that the Cardinals have “no chance to sign him” before free agency, so with that said, Pujols will likely test the waters next winter. If he goes to the rival Cubs, Pujols could go from the most liked guy in St. Louis to the most hated.
The Cubs currently have Carlos Pena as their first baseman, but he’s only signed through the 2011 season. Although Pena did not have a great 2010 season, it’s highly suspicious that the Cubs signed the first baseman for only one year.
Being a long-time Major Leaguer with the Cardinals, Pujols has earned 10-and-5 rights which means that if a player has 10 or more years of service time and 5 or more years on the same team, the team cannot trade the player without their consent. Traditionally a team would move a high-priced and soon-to-be free-agent come July if they know they cannot extend the players contract, but the Cardinals lose this ability because of Pujols’ 10-and-5 rights. Should Pujols become a free agent, the best the Cardinals can get are two draft picks assuming Pujols gets Type-A free agency classification.
Marlins interested in Michael Young
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According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Florida Marlins are interested in acquiring Michael Young to play third base. Marlins prospect Matt Dominguez has yet to reach Triple-A and is the leading candidate to play third base this season.
The Rangers would have to eat most of the $48 million owed to Young for the deal to occur. Young also would need to waive his partial no-trade clause for the Marlins, who are not one of the eight teams that can obtain him without his approval.
Rosenthal believes though that Young, a native of Covina, Ca., likely would prefer a trade to the Dodgers or even the Rockies, two teams that are interested in him and free to acquire him without his permission.
Jered Weaver open to long-term deal with Angels
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Despite losing his arbitration case last week, right-handed pitcher Jered Weaver is looking past it and is open to being with the Los Angeles Angels for the long-term.
“I’m open to it,” Weaver said, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. “I would love to play with the Angels for a long time, and if we can get something done, we will. But I don’t want it hanging over my head through the season.”
Sometimes arbitration hearings can get pretty hairy to a point where it would upset a player and keep him from signing a long-term deal. However, Weaver was not bothered by the hearing at all.
“It wasn’t too harsh,” Weaver said. “I have pretty thick skin, so nothing they said really bothered me that much. This decision won’t have any effect on me pitching my butt off for the Angels.”
Weaver had requested $8.8 million, but was denied by an arbitrator and instead will make $7.375 million. He made $4.265 million in 2010 when he went 13-12 with a 3.01 ERA while striking out a league leading 233 batters.
Yankees officially announce signing of Andruw Jones
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In an announcement by the team, the New York Yankees have officially signed outfielder Andruw Jones. In a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated Brian Schlitter for assignment.
The 33-year-old Jones agreed to a one-year deal on January 20 for $2 million plus a possible $1.2 million in performance bonuses.
Jones will help the Yankees balance their line up filled with left-handed hitters with his right-handed bat, and he will also help platoon in any of the outfield position. Jones had 36 HR’s and 91 RBI’s over the past two seasons.
Schlitter, 25, pitched in seven games for the Chicago Cubs in 2010 and went 0-1 with a 12.38 ERA.
