Rumors for February, 2011
Barry Bonds’ felony charges reduced from 11 to 5
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All-time home run leader, Barry Bonds, received good news on Thursday when it was announced that the number of felony charges will be reduced from eleven to five, according to Nathaniel Vinton of the New York Daily News. The former slugger for the San Francisco Giants is scheduled to go on trial for perjury beginning on March 21,
Six counts of making false statements to a federal grand jury in December 2003 about using steroids were dropped. Bonds is now charged with four counts of lying to the grand jury and one count of obstructing justice.
Bonds’ lead attorney, Allen Ruby said, according to Howard Mintz of the Mercury News, “We’re all interested to see what they have in mind next.”
If convicted, it’s unlikely that Bonds will face prison time given the sentences handed down to the other athletes involved in the BALCO cases.
Giants agree to terms with Edgar Gonzalez
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According to Fernando Ballesteros of PuroBeisbol.com, Edgar Gonzalez, Adrian Gonzalez’s brother, has agreed to a Minor League deal with the San Francisco Giants.
“Edgar is already taking his physical in San Francisco,” said Gonzalez’s father, David Gonzalez to PuroBeisbol.com. Apparently the Rockies were also interested in the infielder.
“Edgar wanted to play for a team in California and with a Championship status. He was told he’ll be given a shot in Spring Training, there the Giants manager [Bruce Bochy] will see what he can do.” Added Gonzalez.
Gonzalez last played in the Majors in 2009 with the Padres. He hit .216 with 4 HR’s and 18 RBI’s in 153 AB’s. Last year he played with the Yomiuri Giants (Japan) and hit .263 with 12 HR’s and 44 RBI’s.
Mariners to sign Manny Delcarmen
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The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a Minor League deal with Manny Delcarmen, according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times. Delcarmen will receive an invitation to the team’s Major League Spring Training camp.
Over the winter, several teams became interested in Delcarmen after the Colorado Rockies decided to not tender him a contract. One of the teams interested was the Tampa Bay Rays.
The veteran right-hander was traded to the Rockies in August of 2010 from the Boston Red Sox. The 28-year old was 3-4 with a 4.99 ERA and 38 SO in 57 appearances for the Red Sox and Rockies last season. Delcarmen will be under team control for the 2011 and 2012 season.
Cardinals sign Venezuelan Leobaldo Pina
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The St. Louis Cardinals have received the approval from Major League Baseball to sign Venezuelan shortstop Leobaldo Pina, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Pina will get a $300,000 bonus from the Cardinals.
Red Sox re-sign Tommy Hottovy
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According to Baseball America (via Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe), the Red Sox have re-signed left-handed pitcher Tommy Hottovy.
The left-hander is a Triple-A reliever that went 0-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 35.2 innings throughout 26 games in 2010 with the Red Sox Triple-A team at Pawtucket.
Randy Flores, Padres agree to a Minor League deal
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Veteran reliever Randy Flores has agreed to terms with the San Diego Padres according to CAA Sports (Flores’ agency).
Corey Brock of MLB.com adds that the deal is a Minor League deal with an invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
Flores was 2-0 with a 3.19 ERA and 20 SO in 31 innings throughout 58 games with the Rockies and Twins combined in 2010.
Rangers agree to two-year deal with Josh Hamilton
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The Texas Rangers have avoided arbitration with 2010 MVP Josh Hamilton by agreeing to a two-year deal according to Evan P. Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated adds that the deal is for $24 million – an average annual salary of $12 million per season, so it’s right on target with Hamilton’s arbitration requirements for 2011. However, given that he would have likely earned more in 2012 (maybe $13-15 million via arbitration), the deal favors Texas.
Hamilton will receive a $3 million signing bonus (payable in two installments of $1.5 million each), $7.25 million in 2011 and $13.75 million in 2012 according to Grant.
Last week, we learned that the Rangers were approaching Hamilton with a two-year deal, but it appeared he was going to an arbitration hearing.
Hamilton submitted $12 million while the Rangers submitted $8.7 million when salary figures were due a few weeks ago. The AL MVP’s new deal buys out his remaining arbitration-eligible years, and he’ll be eligible for free agency after the contract expires in the winter of 2012.
Indians agree to terms with Orlando Cabrera
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According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the Cleveland Indians have agreed to terms with veteran short stop Orlando Cabrera.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the deal is a Major League deal and Cabrera will have the opportunity to compete for a job at second base.
Last November, the Reds decided to decline Cabrera’s $4 million mutual option, but they said that they wanted him back next season at a lower price. Looks like the Reds didn’t want him enough to satisfy Cabrera’s salary requirements so the infielder went to the other part of Ohio.
Cabrera was signed to a one-year deal for $3.02 million in February. He had a down year in 2010 with a .263 batting average with 4 home runs and 42 RBIs in 123 games. He missed 27 games this season with a strained left oblique muscle.
Dodgers agree to a Minor League deal with Juan Rincon
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According to Augusto Cardenas of Diario Panorama, the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a Minor League deal with right handed pitcher Juan Rincon. Cardenas adds that the deal doesn’t include an invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
Rincon had a 4.50 ERA with 3 SO in 2 innings with the Rockies in 2010.
Astros sign David Carpenter
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The Houston Astros have signed right-handed pitcher David Carpenter for $414,000, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Carpenter was involved in the Pedro Feliz’s trade with the St. Louis Cardinals in August of 2010.
In 7 2/3 innings with the Astros’ Class-A+ team last year, Carpenter was 1-1 with a 3.52 ERA and 8 strikeouts.
