Rumors for March, 2011
Yankees close to signing Kevin Millwood
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The New York Yankees are close to signing veteran pitcher Kevin Millwood according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. The deal appears to be a minor league deal with heavy incentives to sweeten the offer adds Heyman.
Given the fact that Millwood would require a few weeks to be ready to take the mound, Heyman suggests that the Yankees will start with either Freddy Garcia or Bartolo Colon as the team fiftht’s starter.
Earlier this month, we learned that the Yankees were unlikely to add another starter before opening day.
“Can’t rule it out, but it’s highly unlikely,’’ Brian Cashman said. “Normally anything of quality doesn’t become available until after the June draft. That’s why you try and get as much as you can get accomplished in the winter . . . I know New York doesn’t handle patience very well. But I’m from Kentucky, so it’s a little easier for me to deal with.’’
Millwood 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.
Ivan Rodriguez not a fit for Astros
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Despite the Houston Astros’ need for a catcher, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says that the Nationals’ Ivan Rodriguez is not a fit. He speculates that Rodriguez is out of their price range for what they need.
The Nationals are considering naming Wilson Ramos their Opening Day starter, so that would imply that Rodriguez could be a trade candidate.
The Astros lost Jason Castro to a season-long injury, and have been rumored to be looking for an experienced backstop. Rodriguez has had long ties to the state of Texas and it would give him an offensive boost in hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park.
The 39-year-old Rodriguez is signed through the 2011 season for $3 million.
Are Carlos Guillen’s days with the Tigers over?
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Veteran infielder Carlos Guillen is dealing with a knee injury that will force him to the DL and start the season on the DL. This will be the first time that Guillen will miss an Opening Day since 2004.
The problem is that it’s still uncertain when he will return. Tom Gage asked Lynn Henning of the Detroit News when he believes Guillen will be back to the team.
“Not to be flippant, but I don’t think he will,” said Henning. “Too much lingering discomfort. The Tigers will need to get on with their lives. Guillen probably gets bought out even if he escapes the DL.”
Will Rhymes will be Guillen’s replacement when the season begins and depending on how he performs it could accelerate Guillens departure.
Guillen though remains focused on coming back and according to Jason Beck of MLB.com (via Ormuz Jesus Sojo of LiderEnDeportes.com), he’s ready to start working out again. He has been limited so far to hitting from a batting tee.
“I don’t feel frustrated,” said Guillen. “Every time that my body says I’m ready, I’m ready.”
“He’s a good player…” said Guillen about Rhymes. “I like the way he plays. He’s probably 5 feet tall, but plays like a man. He does the rutine plays as well as the double plays. He’s tough.”
Indians sign Jesse English to a Minor League deal
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According to a source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a Minor League deal with left-handed pitcher Jesse English.
The 26-year-old made his Major League debut last season with the Nationals. He pitched seven innings over seven games and had a 0-0 record with a 3.86 ERA with 4 strikeouts. The Nationals removed him from the 40-man roster in November 2010.
Eight teams watch Doug Davis throw
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According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, eight teams, including the Texas Rangers watched free agent pitcher Doug Davis throw 45 pitches.
Davis’ agent, Steve Canter, said earlier this week that his client has been throwing off a mound for more than a month. “Doug is ready to go,” Canter said. “It’s not often that somebody like this pops up in the market the last week of Spring Training.”
Canter also said Davis would need a few starts in Triple-A to get “built up”, but that he’d be ready to help a Major League team rotation within a few weeks.
“He’s getting a lot of interest,” Canter said, declining to name specific teams. “We’ll see how it plays out. You look around and see some significant injuries this spring. Doug could help a team.”
Davis was 1-4 with a 7.51 ERA in 38.1 innings throughout just eight starts last season with the Brewers. The left hander battled a heart condition and an elbow injury that required surgery in 2010.
Colorado Rockies drawing trade interest for Jose Lopez
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In a Tweet by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, he reports that the Colorado Rockies are drawing trade interest for Jose Lopez. Rosenthal says that the team could go with Jonathan Herrera or Ty Wigginton at second base which would leave Lopez expendable.
Earlier today Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post said that scouts are watching infielder Eric Young Jr. He’s having a good Spring Training in the limited action that he has seen (.333 in 15 at-bats). Young could be a victim of the 25-man roster when final cuts are due next week.
You have to wonder if the Phillies are looking at a possible swap to replace the injured Chase Utley.
Cody Ross injury may keep Giants from trading Schierholtz
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Prior to yesterday, the San Francisco Giants were likely facing roster issues from an surplus of outfielder. Now with the likelihood of 2010 NLCS MVP Cody Ross starting the season on the disabled list, the extra outfielders on the roster may have been a blessing for the reigning World Series champions.
Teams were reportedly looking at Nate Schierholtz as a likely trade candidate from the Giants, but Ross strained his right calf muscle in an exhibition game on Wednesday and his status is up in the air pending the results of an MRI. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News is hearing that Ross will likely start the year on the disabled list.
The Giants will likely start the season with Aubrey Huff in left field, Andres Torres in center field and Schierholtz in right field. Among those on their bench that can play the outfield include Aaron Rowand, Pat Burrell, Darren Ford, Mark DeRosa.
Teams were interested in Schierholtz because of his left-handed bat, arm and outfield defense. It remains to be seen what will happen once Ross gets healthy and the Giants are stuck with more outfielders and spots on their roster.
Orioles return RHP Adrian Rosario to Brewers
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In a team press release, the Baltimore Orioles have announced that they have returned right-handed pitcher Adrian Rosario to the Milwaukee Brewers. Rosario originally was a Rule 5 draft pick from December 2010. Rosario allowed two earned runs in two innings over two Spring Training appearances. He will be assigned to Milwaukee’s Triple-A Nashville affiliate.
The Brewers also returned right-handed pitcher Pat Egan to the Orioles. Egan was also a Rule 5 pick from December 2010. Egan will be assigned to the Orioles Triple-a Norfolk team. Egan pitched in six Spring Training games for the Brewers and worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings and earned two saves.
Players chosen in the Rule 5 draft must be kept on the selecting team’s 25-man roster for the entire season or he has to be offered back to the original team.
Multiple scouts watching Rockies Eric Young Jr.
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Scouts are watching Eric Young Jr. of the Colorado Rockies, according to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post. The team has plenty of depth at second base with Jose Lopez, Jonathan Herrera and Ty Wigginton, so it’ll be difficult for Young to make the team when camp breaks.
Young has hit .333 in 15 at-bats this Spring and the Post says that he hasn’t lost any speed while recovering from a leg injury.
The Philadelphia Phillies could be a candidate to make a trade for Young. While Young may not be of the same caliber as Chase Utley, it could be a stop gap until Utley returns.
Diamondbacks sign RHP Kip Wells
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According to Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed right-handed pitcher Kip Wells to a Minor League contract.
The 33-year-old Wells signed a contract with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in mid-July. He previously signed a Minor League deal with the Cincinnati Reds during Spring Training last season.
Wells, 33, split time with the Washington Nationals and Reds in 2009. He went 2-5 with a 5.33 ERA in 33 appearances (7 starts).
