Rumors for February, 2011
Edinson Volquez turned down long-term deal
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Although right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez settled with the Cincinnati Reds for $1.625 million at the end of January, he had the opportunity to sign a long-term deal but decided against it.
“They were offering me a four-year contract, the same as Johnny Cueto, but I felt it wasn’t right for me,” Volquez told the Dominican publication El Caribe (via MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon). “I talked to the lawyer and the general manager of the team and we all agreed on only one season.”
Although the amount of the possible deal was not made public, it was evident that the Reds made it a priority to lock up the core of the team to long-term deal. Cueto, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Bronson Arroyo were awarded $151 million in combined contract values.
It’s still possible that Volquez could sign a multi-year deal during Spring Training or at midseason if he chooses.
The 2008 All Star will be under team control through 2013. On one hand Volquez could sign a long-term deal that will ensure financial safety, or he could wait it out and have a couple of more good seasons and cash in when he becomes a free agent.
Jose Bautista sets deadline for long-term contract negotiation
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Add Jose Bautista to the list of players (Albert Pujols and Rickie Weeks) that have set deadlines to get a new contracts done.
According to Ken Fidlin of the Toronto Sun, the the 2010 MLB home run leader said that if the sides cannot reach a contract extension prior to the arbitration hearing (set for Monday), 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.
2011 Spring Training Guide – Grapefruit League
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The Grapefruit League is the senior circuit of the two Spring Training leagues and is currently home to 15 Major League Baseball clubs that will conduct their annual preseason ritual. The teams are spread out more in Florida than they are in Arizona, so it will require more effort to go between stadiums such as a two-hour drive from Lakeland, Florida (home of the Detroit Tigers) to Port St. Lucie (home of the New York Mets).
For those that will be in sunny Florida for Spring Training 2011, here’s a handy to guide to get you around. (If you’re going to be in Arizona for the Cactus League, click this link).
Atlanta Braves
Champion Stadium (Seating capacity: 9,500)
700 S. Victory Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 34747
407-839-3900
Directions (from Orlando)
Take Interstate 4 West to Osceola Parkway.
Follow signs toward Disney World.
Stadium is on the campus of ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Baltimore Orioles
Ed Smith Stadium (7,500)
2700 12th St.
Sarasota, FL 34237
941-954-4101
Directions from the north
Exit I-75 at University Parkway (Exit 213).
Drive west on University to Tuttle Avenue.
Turn left onto Tuttle.
The stadium will be located on the right at the intersection of Tuttle and 12th Street.
Directions from the south
Exit I-75 at Fruitville Road (Exit 210).
Go west on Fruitville to Tuttle Avenue.
Turn right onto Tuttle.
The stadium will be located on the left at the intersection of Tuttle and 12th Street.
Boston Red Sox
City of Palms Park (7,576)
2201 Edison Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-334-4700
Directions (from the north)
Take I-75 South to Exit 138 (State Route 82, MLK Jr. Boulevard).
Make a right (west) off the exit onto MLK Jr. Boulevard and follow 4 miles to Fowler Street.
Turn left onto Fowler and follow a half-mile to Edison Avenue.
Turn right onto Edison and follow 200 yards to City of Palms Park.
Directions (from the south)
Take I-75 North to Exit 138 (State Route 82, MLK Jr. Boulevard).
Make a left (west) off the exit onto MLK Jr. Boulevard and follow 4 miles to Fowler Street.
Turn left onto Fowler and follow a half-mile to Edison Avenue.
Turn right onto Edison and follow 200 yards to City of Palms Park.
Detroit Tigers
Joker Marchant Stadium (9,000)
2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33805
863-686-8075
Directions (from I-4)
Take Exit 33 off I-4 onto Highway 33 South.
Tiger Town and the ballpark are approximately 2 miles on the left.
Florida Marlins
Roger Dean Stadium (7,000)
4751 Main St.
Jupiter, FL 33458
561-775-1818
Directions (from I-95)
Exit at Donald Ross Road (Exit 83) and travel east 1 mile to Central Boulevard.
At the light, make a left and follow Central to Frederick Small.
Make a left onto Frederick Small, and the stadium will be on the left.
Houston Astros
Osceola County Stadium (5,300)
631 Heritage Park Way
Kissimmee, FL 34744
321-697-3200
Directions (from Orlando)
Take Florida Turnpike south to Exit 244, turn right onto U.S. 192.
Drive 1 mile to Bill Beck Boulevard, turn right.
Take Bill Beck Boulevard for seven-tenths of a mile, turn left into parking lot.
Minnesota Twins
Hammond Stadium (8,100)
14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33912
230-533-7610
Directions (from I-75)
Take Exit 131 (Daniels Road).
Travel west 2 miles to Six Mile Cypress Parkway.
Travel south for a half-mile; complex is on the right.
New York Mets
Digital Domain Park (7,000)
525 N.W. Peacock Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
772-871-2100
Directions (from I-95)
Take Exit 121 (Old 63-C)/St. Lucie West Boulevard.
Drive east and turn left (north) on Peacock Boulevard.
The stadium is 1 mile ahead on right.
New York Yankees
George M. Steinbrenner Field (11,076)
One Steinbrenner Drive
Tampa, FL 33614
813-875-7753
Directions (from points north and south)
Take I-275 to Route 92 exit (North Dale Mabry).
Stadium is on the corner of Dale Mabry and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Directions (from Tampa airport)
Proceed out of the airport exit to Spruce Street and head east.
Drive approximately 2 miles, make a left on North Dale Mabry (Route 92).
After about a mile, George M. Steinbrenner Field will be on your left.
Philadelphia Phillies
Bright House Field (10,335)
601 Old Coachman Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-441-9941
Directions (from Tampa)
Take Highway 60 West (Courtney Campbell Causeway).
Cross over Highway 19 and go to the next stoplight (Old Coachman Road).
Turn right (north) at Old Coachman Road.
Go north through the Drew Street intersection.
Stadium will be on the right.
Pittsburgh Pirates
McKechnie Field (6,602)
1611 Ninth St. West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-748-4610
Directions (from St. Petersburg)
Drive over Skyway Bridge to Exit 5 (19 South).
Continue on 41 South (Bradenton/Sarasota).
Make a right turn onto 17th Avenue West and continue to McKechnie Field.
Directions (from north or south on I-75)
Exit I-75 at Route 64 (Exit 220 if traveling south; Exit 220B if traveling north).
Drive west on Route 64 to Ninth Street West.
Turn left to stadium.
St. Louis Cardinals
Roger Dean Stadium (7,000)
4751 Main St.
Jupiter, FL 33458
561-775-1818
Directions (from I-95)
Exit at Donald Ross Road (Exit 83) and travel east 1 mile to Central Boulevard.
At the light, make a left and follow Central to Frederick Small Road.
Make a left onto Frederick Small, and the stadium will be on your left.
Tampa Bay Rays
Charlotte Sports Park (6,823)
2300 El Jobean Road
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
941-235-5025
Directions (from I-75)
Exit the interstate at Toledo Blade Road (Exit 179) and travel west.
Proceed about 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (State Route 776) and turn right.
Charlotte Sports Park will be on the left in approximately 2 miles.
Toronto Blue Jays
Florida Auto Exchange Stadium (5,509)
373 Douglas Ave. (at Beltrees Street)
Dunedin, FL 34698
727-733-9302
Directions (from Tampa)
Take State Road 60 across Tampa Bay.
Turn right on McMullen Booth Road.
Turn left on Sunset Point Road and cross U.S. 19.
Turn right on Douglas Avenue. Parking is at the second stoplight.
Washington Nationals
Space Coast Stadium (8,100)
5800 Stadium Parkway
Viera, FL 32940
Directions (from Daytona Beach)
Exit I-95 at Exit 195 (cloverleaf).
Turn left (west) on Stadium Parkway.
Space Coast Stadium is 2 miles ahead on the right.
2011 Spring Training Guide – Cactus League
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s that time of year again. Whether you’re already enjoying summer-like conditions in California or the winter harshness of the north, there are very few things in life that are enjoyable as Spring Training baseball. For those lucky enough to take a few days off, here’s a handy guide for fans that are headed down to Arizona for Cactus League fun.
The Cactus League started in 1946 and is currently home to 15 Major League teams. All teams are within a short drive of each other, so depending on the schedule, you may be able to squeeze in a two games in a day. (For those that will be headed to Florida for the Grapefruit League, click this link)
Arizona Diamondbacks
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Seating capacity: 11,000)
7555 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480-270-5800
Directions (from Loop 101-Pima Freeway, northbound)
Take Exit 44 (Indian Bend Road), turn left and proceed west for about six-tenths of a mile.
Turn right at North Pima Road.
The ballpark is located on the right.
Directions (from Loop 101-Pima Freeway, southbound)
Take Exit 43 (Via De Ventura), turn right and drive west for about eight-tenths of a mile.
Turn left at North Pima Road.
The ballpark is located on the left.
Chicago Cubs
HoHoKam Stadium (13,074)
1235 N. Center St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
480-964-4467
Directions (from Phoenix)
Take Loop 202 east to Exit 12 (McKellips Road).
Turn right on West McKellips Road.
Turn right onto North Center Street.
Chicago White Sox
Camelback Ranch – Glendale (13,000, plus standing room)
10712 W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85037
623-877-8585
Directions (from State Route 101)
Take the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Loop) to the Camelback Road exit and head west.
Make a right on 111th Street/Ballpark Boulevard into Camelback Ranch – Glendale.
Cincinnati Reds
Goodyear Ballpark (10,311)
1933 S. Ballpark Way
Goodyear, AZ 85338
623-882-3120
Directions (from downtown Phoenix/East Valley)
West on I-10 to Exit 126, Estrella Parkway, and proceed south. Turn left on Ballpark Way. Staff will assist.
Directions (from surface streets)
Proceed south on Estrella/Pebble Creek Parkway. Turn left on Ballpark Way. Staff will assist.
Cleveland Indians
Goodyear Ballpark (10,311)
1933 S. Ballpark Way
Goodyear, AZ 85338
623-302-5678
Directions (from downtown Phoenix/East Valley)
Drive west on I-10. Exit at Bullard Avenue (Exit 127) and proceed south.
Bullard Avenue will turn into West Lower Buckeye Road.
Stay to the right. Turn right (north) onto Wood Boulevard.
Directions (from west Phoenix/surface streets route)
Drive south on Litchfield Road to Van Buren. Turn west on Van Buren to Bullard Avenue and go south on Bullard.
Bullard Avenue will turn into West Lower Buckeye Road.
Stay to the right. Turn right (north) onto Wood Boulevard.
Colorado Rockies
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (11,000)
7555 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480-270-5000
Directions (from Loop 101-Pima Freeway, northbound)
Take Exit 44 (Indian Bend Road), turn left and proceed west for approximately six-tenths of a mile.
Turn right at North Pima Road.
The ballpark will be located on your right.
Directions (from Loop 101-Pima Freeway, southbound)
Take Exit 43 (Via De Ventura), turn right and drive west for approximately eight-tenths of a mile.
Turn left at North Pima Road.
The ballpark will be located on your left.
Kansas City Royals
Surprise Stadium (10,500)
15960 N. Bullard Ave.
Surprise, AZ 85374
623-222-2000
Directions (from Phoenix)
Take I-10 west to Highway 101 North.
Take the Grand Avenue or Bell Road exits and head west.
You’ll pass through Sun City before you reach Surprise; follow the signs to the ballpark.
Los Angeles Angels
Tempe Diablo Stadium (9,315)
2200 W. Alameda Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-350-5205
Directions (from Phoenix)
Take Broadway Street exit off I-10.
Travel west on Broadway to 48th Street; turn left.
Tempe Diablo Stadium is a half-mile on the left.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Camelback Ranch – Glendale (13,000 plus standing room)
10712 W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85037
623-302-5000
Directions (from State Route 101)
Take the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Loop) to the Camelback Road exit and head west.
Make a right on 111th Street/Ballpark Boulevard into Camelback Ranch – Glendale.
Milwaukee Brewers
Maryvale Baseball Park (8,000)
3600 N. 51st Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85031
623-245-5500
Directions (from Phoenix)
Take I-10 West to 51st Avenue. North exit. Turn right.
Enter stadium parking lot on 51st Avenue between Thomas Road and Indian School Road.
Oakland Athletics
Phoenix Municipal Stadium (7,881)
5999 E. Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
602-392-0074
Directions (from downtown Phoenix)
Head east on I-10.
Take Highway 202 to Priest Drive exit.
Drive north on Priest.
Phoenix Municipal Stadium will be approximately 1 mile up from the highway.
San Diego Padres
Peoria Sports Complex (11,333)
16101 N. 83rd Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85382
800-409-1511
San Francisco Giants
Scottsdale Stadium (10,500)
7408 E. Osborn Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-990-7972
Directions (from Phoenix)
Take I-10 East to Highway 202 (Exit 147a).
Follow 202 to Exit 3 (Washington Street).
Follow signs to McDowell Road East.
Follow McDowell about 3 miles to North Scottsdale Road.
Left on Scottsdale to East Drinkwater Boulevard. Turn right.
Seattle Mariners
Peoria Sports Complex (11,333)
16101 N. 83rd Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85382
800-409-1511
Directions (from I-10)
Take Loop 101 North.
Exit at Bell Road East.
Turn right onto 83rd Avenue.
Go south one block to stadium.
Texas Rangers
Surprise Stadium (10,500)
15850 N. Bullard Ave.
Surprise, AZ 85374
623-594-5600
Directions (from Phoenix)
Take I-10 west to Highway 101 North.
Take the Grand Avenue exit or Bell Road exit and head west.
You’ll pass through Sun City before you reach Surprise; follow the signs to the ballpark.
Red Sox close to deal with LHP Itsuki Shoda
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According to Nikkansports.com (via Alex Speier of WEEI), the Boston Red Sox are close to signing left-handed pitcher Itsuki Shoda to a Minor League contract.
General manager, Theo Epstein, confirmed in the article that the deal is near completion and the pitcher is expected to report on time to the team’s Minor League camp.
The 29-year-old went 9-11 with a 3.45 ERA when he won the 2002 Pacific League Rookie of the Year award in Japan. He eventually made his way to Taiwan to play professional baseball.
Rickie Weeks sets deadline for extension negotiations
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St. Louis Cardinals slugger, Albert Pujols, is not the only one with a contract extension deadline. In a report by Anthony Witrado of the Sporting News, Rickie Weeks has a set a deadline about 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 multiyear talks. If we don’t (get that done) then we have to focus on this year.”
The sides are scheduled to 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.
Nick Swisher to hire Dan Lozano as agent
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Earlier today, sources close to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, said that Yankees’ right fielder Nick Swisher was hiring Scott Boras as his new agent.
Now Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that Swisher is indeed switching agent, but he hired Dan Lozano instead of Boras.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to represent Nick and be part of his team.” Said Lozano (via Rosenthal).
Recently, Robinson Cano also hired Boras as his agent. Swisher is set to make $9 million in 2011 and has an option for $10.25 million in 2012 or a $1 million buyout.
Astros sign Sergio Escalona, Arcenio Leon and Henry Villar
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According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the Houston Astros have signed left handed pitcher Sergio Escalona for $417,000 and right handed pitchers Arcenio Leon for $414,000 and Henry Villar for $416,000.
Escalona was designated for assignment by the Phillies in January and two days later he was traded to the Astros in exchange of Minor League second baseman Albert Cartwright.
Escalona, 26, was 1-0 with a 4.61 ERA in 14 relief appearances for the Phillies in 2009.
Holliday would defer his salary to help Pujols
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If only all co-workers were like Matt Holliday.
In an interview with Doug Gottlieb (via MLB.com’s Matthew Leach) on ESPN Radio’s “Mike and Mike in the Morning”, Holliday said that he would be willing to defer some money from his current contract to help the club sign the their long-time All Star first baseman. Albert Pujols is currently in negotiations for a long-term extension and the deadline to get the deal done is February 16.
“I deferred $2 million a year for the whole contract,” Holliday told Gottlieb on the show, “and I would be willing, if they came to me and said, ‘Hey, this is what it’s going to take to get Albert done, would you do it again or do more?’ Scott [Boras, Holliday's agent,] probably wouldn’t like me to stay that, but if that’s what it took, I would be willing to do that.”
Holliday mentioned that such a deal is hypothetical and the Cardinals have not asked the outfielder to make a salary move to accommodate Pujols. Holliday is under contract through 2016 at $17 million per season.
“Obviously he’s an unbelievable player and deserves every dollar that he gets,” Holliday said. “I’m a big supporter, and I think that he’s the best player in baseball. But at the same time, we’ve got to be able to have a good team around him, and I think he knows that. So I just hope that they can work something out.”
Dodgers sign Ivan Ochoa to a Minor League deal
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a Minor League deal with infielder Ivan Ochoa according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (via Ormuz Jesus Sojo of LiderEnDeportes.com).
Ochoa played in several Independent Leagues last year, and was released by his Venezuelan Winter League club as well. The 28-year old Ochoa hasn’t played in the Majors since his debut in 2008 with the Giants. He hit .200/.244/.267 with 3 RBI’s in 120 AB’s.
