Rumors for February, 2011
Michael Young Rumors: Excited to be in camp
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Despite being thrown into world of ugly trade rumors, Michael Young arrived at Spring Training with the Texas Rangers and was happy to be there.
“After all this stuff, I’m a baseball player,” Young said. “This is what I love to do, this is what I am passionate about doing. I’m excited to be here. I want to now just go out and play. After all this stuff is done, there’s a season to be played.”
Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas reports that Young had spoken with club president Nolan Ryan several times and had honest discussions. However, the infielder did not answer any questions regarding a possible trade or if he still wanted to be traded.
“The unfortunate part about this is there’s probably a handful of people that know all the details here and the rest of those details aren’t going to come from me,” Young said. “I’ve been fortunate to have some candid and truthful conversations with Nolan that I’m grately appreciative of. He knows exactly where I’m at. I’ve spared no details. I know where he’s at. Apart from that, I’m not going to talk about anything trade related. Now that we’re here at spring training, one thing I’ll never do is disrupt my teammates preparation for the season. I think the more said about this issue could potentially do that and that’s not the kind of teammate I am.”
Don’t count on Ronald Belisario this season
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No this is not an article from 2009 or 2010 where Ronald Belisario reported to Spring Training late each year. Both times were due to visa issues and many felt that Belisario waited until the last minute to actually try and obtain his visa.
In 2009, Belisario reported a few weeks late to Spring Training but was still able to make the team as a non-roster invitee. In 2010 though, he missed most of Spring Training and started the season at extended Spring Training and in the minors before joining the club. But Belisario’s situation this season is different reports Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.
Hernandez caught up with Belisario’s agent Paul Kinzer who said that his client may miss the entire season. Kinzer would not specify why Belisario was still in his native Venezuela. When asked if Belisario was having trouble securing a visa, Kinzer replied, “It goes a little deeper than that.” Kinzer said he didn’t think Belisario would be able to enter the United States at any time this year. “Unless some things change drastically, I’m not very optimistic at this point,” Kinzer said.
Belisario recently told a Venezuelan newspaper that he lost his passport and that he should be able to report to camp soon after obtaining a new one. P.S.- You are already late for camp. He later added that he had an appointment on Friday (yesterday) to get a new passport and it shouldn’t be too long after until he is in camp.
When told about the latest news, Belisario’ agent Paul Kinzer said “That would be news to me.”
Belisario’s issues appear to stem from his DUI arrest in 2009. Belisario also missed more than a month of the regular season to receive treatment in a substance-abuse program.
The Dodgers appeared to had some inclination or maybe learned their lesson from the past two seasons that Belisario can’t be counted on. GM Ned Colletti went out and signed just about every past relief pitcher he could find (most on minor league deals, except Matt Guerrier three-year deal).
The most likely scenario, would be for the Dodgers to put Belisario on the restricted list which would remove him from the active roster, but allowing them to retain his rights when and if Belisario ever decides to grow up.
Hunter Pence wins his arbitration case
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According to Jon Heyman of SI.com Hunter Pence has defeated the Astros in his arbitration hearing and will make $6.9mm this coming season. Pence had asked for $6.9 million while the Astros countered with a $5.15 million. Pence made $3.5 million in 2010.
With Pence’s case now finished, it marks the end of the arbitration cases. Only two other cases went the distance to arbitration, Jered Weaver (lost his arbitration case with the Angels) and Ross Ohlendorf (won his arbitration case with the Pirates).
Check out the PRO Rumors arbitration tracker for all of the results.
Brett Tomko signs minor league deal with the Rangers
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According to Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com, veteran pitcher Brett Tomko has signed a minor league deal with the Rangers.
Tomko who was drafted by the Reds in the 2nd round in 1995 has traveled around the league having worn 9 now 10 different uniforms. His claim to fame was that he was involved in the Griffey Jr. trade in 2000 that sent him Mike Cameron and prospects to Seattle.
Tomko spent last season in the A’s organization as he was rehabbing from an injury sustained to his pitching arm. Tomko holds a 4.65 era throughout his 13 year major league career.
Matt Belisle and the Rockies agree to a two-year deal
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Last month, the Rockies and reliever Matt Belisle, agreed to a one-year $2.35mm deal. The deal avoided the last year of arbitration for Belisle.
Today, according to the right-hander’s representatives CAA (via twitter), Belisle agreed to a two-year $6.125mm deal plus performance bonuses. The deal will buyout Belisle first year of free agency (2012 season).
The right handed pitcher was 7-5 with 2.93 ERA in 76 games throughout 92 innings with the Rockies in 2010.
Indians outright RHP Joe Martinez
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According to a team press release, the Cleveland Indians have outrighted right-handed pitcher Joe Martinez off of their 40-man roster.
Rangers plan to extend C.J. Wilson
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Left handed pitcher C.J. Wilson will become a free agent after the 2011 season, and Rangers GM, Jon Daniels, told FOXSports.com as reported by Jon Paul Morosi, that he expects to discuss the possibility of a contract extension with Wilson’s agent over the next several weeks.
Daniels said that the team has already held internal discussions about the possibility of extending Wilson and other “core players” according to Morosi. Although the names of those players are unknown, Morosi speculates that Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz could be among them.
Morosi adds that there’s a chance that Wilson becomes the Opening Day starter of the Rangers in 2011. He was 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA and 170 SO in 204 throughout 33 starts in 2010 with the Rangers.
Mark Buehrle wants to play after the 2011 season
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Left-handed pitcher Mark Buehrle said previously that there was a possibility of him retiring after the 2011 season – the last year of his current contract.
Today, Chuck Garfien of CSNChicago.com reported that Buehrle has backed off his comments about his possible retirement. The southpaw arrived at Spring Training thinking about playing this year and beyond.
“A couple years ago I was really, really seriously considering retiring after this year, and I think the percentage is going down,” said Buehrle.
Buehrle was considering retirement so he could spend more time with his family, but after discussing it with his wife during the offseason, he decided to keep playing.
Where the lefty will pitch after 2011 is still a question. “Hopefully it’s here,” he said. “I don’t know what the team has moneywise for the next couple years. There’s a lot of factors. They might have someone else up and coming and they don’t even want me back. I’m open to whatever. If this is the last year, I’m going to go out and have fun like I always do.”
“I’m not going to put any more pressure on myself during the season. I’ll go out there every five days, do the best I can, and whatever happens at the end of the year happens.”
Buehrle was 13-13 with a 4.28 ERA and 99 SO in 210.1 innings throughout 33 starts in 2010 with the White Sox.
Fukudome intends to stay with the Cubs
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Chicago Cubs’ outfielder Kosuke Fukudome has no intentions to return to Japan. In fact, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, Fukudome would like to stay with the Cubs.
The 33-year-old is in the final year of his contract and will make $13.5 million in 2011. Despite being associated with trade rumors this past winter, he’s managed to stay in the windy city.
As recently as December, there were rumors that the San Francisco Giants and the Cubs discussed an Aaron Rowand for Fukudome trade with the hopes of doing a bad contract swap and allowing the players a change of scenery. The trade ultimately did not take place.
Hunter Pence and Astros go to arbitration
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In the final arbitration case of the season, the Houston Astros and outfielder Hunter Pence have gone in front of an arbitrator, according to the Associated Press. Pence asked for $6.9 million while the Astros countered with a $5.15 million. Pence made $3.5 million in 2010.
The third case marks Major League Baseball’s lowest since the process started in 1974. Most of the 119 players that filed for arbitration settled with the exception of Jered Weaver (lost his arbitration case with the Angels) and Ross Ohlendorf (won his arbitration case with the Pirates).
A decision on Pence’s salary is expected Saturday.
In 2010, Pence hit .282 with 25 home runs and drove in 91 RBIs.
