Rumors for March, 2011
David Eckstein plans to donate a kidney
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Free agent infielder David Eckstein, who won the 2006 World Series MVP Award, is ready to donate a kidney to a family member reports Steve Henson of Yahoo Sports.
Every member of the Eckstein family eventually goes under the knife to donate or receive a kidney. They suffer from a collective inability to filter toxins and waste products from their blood.
David, has been left out because of his baseball career, but now that he’s out of a job and one of his sisters and several nieces and nephews are showing signs of renal failure is his turn to step up and enter the OR.
“Everything my family went through gave me a life lesson at an early age that a game is just a game, it’s not life-or-death,” he said. “But along with that, it taught me to never take a day for granted.”
“I’m looking forward to the transplant,” he added. “I consider it a privilege. I knew at some point it would be my turn.”
This doesn’t mean he is retired, he had several offers says Henson, but turned them down because he felt the opportunity wasn’t right. Although his father says he is retired, his brother Rick, the hitting coach of the Diamondbacks, says he is not.
Eckstein has played ten Major League seasons with the Angels, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks and Padres. He is a lifetime .280/.345/.355 hitter with 35 HR’s and 392 RBI’s. He also has two World Series rings, one with the Angels in 2002 and one with the Cardinals in 2006, where he won the World Series MVP Award.
Marlins release RHP Brett Sinkbeil
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The Florida Marlins have released right handed pitcher Brett Sinkbeil according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
Sinkbeil was the Marlins’ first round pick (19th overall) in the 2006 draft. He made his Major League debut in 2010 with the Marlins when he pitched 2.0 innings and put up a 13.50 ERA with 5 walks and 1 SO.
Mets designate Manny Acosta for assignment
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In a Tweet by by Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, he reports that that Mets have designated right-handed relief pitcher Manny Acosta for assignment.
In addition to Acosta, Pedro Beato, Jason Isringhausen, and Blaine Boyer, had been competing for one (maybe two) spots in the Mets bullpen. GM Sandy Alderson said that Boyer has made the team and Isringhausen’s fate is still undecided.
In his only season with the Mets in 2010, the 29-year-old was 3-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 41 relief appearances.
New York Mets Rumors: Isringhausen, Paulino and more
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Here are a few rumors from the New York Mets (via Mike Puma of the New York Post) to keep an eye on this week:
– Jason Isringhausen and Blaine Boyer are in employment “limbo”, Both pitchers are competing for a bullpen spot.
– Right-handed reliever Pedro Beato is also in limbo, but he is a Rule 5 draftee, so he has to be on the 25-man roster or be offered back to this old club.
– Ronny Paulino’s status is up-the-air after he underwent a “diagnostic procedure” on Monday.
Will the Mets trade Jose Reyes before the deadline?
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Mets shortstop Jose Reyes will be entering free agency after the 2011 season, and given the financial situation the team is facing now, it may be a wise move to save cash and move the infielder now.
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com believes that Reyes will be traded before the the trade deadline. The 27-year old has no veto trade power and this will be the first time since 2008 that he will begin a season injury-free, which make him a prime candidate for a trade. Rojas adds that Reyes could get a contract in the $100 million range just by having an average year.
An unidentified scout also speculated that if the team doesn’t sign him to a new deal, he will be traded. “Someone is going to get a great player at the trade deadline,” said the scout.
Traditionally, agents set a deadline of the end of Spring Training to create leverage when negotiating a deal. However the Mets and Reyes’ agent, Peter Greenberg, are open to discussing a new deal during the season.
Reyes though, is not going to make the negotiations easy for the Mets. He’s optimistic about the season.
“There’s no doubt in my mind I’m going to score over 100 runs,” Reyes said. “It’s like a weight has been taken off my back,” he added. “I feel 100 percent. I feel I have something to prove.”
“I still have one more year here,” he said. “I have to focus and do my job this year. I’m healthy and ready to go. Whatever happens after this year happens.
“There’s no doubt I can put it all together again,” Reyes said.
This is not the first time we have talked about Reyes and the possibility of him being traded. Last week, Buster Olney of ESPN speculated that he could be a fit for the Giants in case Miguel Tejada crash and burns.
The 28-year-old signed a four-year, $23.25 million contract that started in 2007, and the team exercised a team option in 2011 for $11 million in November.
San Diego Padres release INF Oscar Salazar
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According to a team press release, the San Diego Padres have released infielder Oscar Salazar.
The 32-year-old infielder was designated for assignment in early February, but he eventually cleared waivers and accepted his Minor League assignment. He attended the team’s Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.
Salazar hit .237 with 3 HR’s and 19 RBI’s in 85 games and 131 AB’s with the Padres in 2010.
San Diego Padres release Oscar Salazar
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According to Augusto Cardenas of Diario Panorama, the San Diego Padres have released infielder Oscar Salazar. The news has since been confirmed via a press release issued by the Padres.
The Venezuelan infielder was designated for assignment by the Padres back in February, and accepted Minor League assignment after clearing waivers. He was a non-roster invitee for the Padres in Major League camp this Spring.
Salazar hit .237 with 3 HR’s and 19 RBI’s in 85 games and 131 AB’s with the Padres in 2010.
Carlos Gonzalez buys a Ferrari
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Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who signed a seven-year, $80 million contract extension back in January, decided to buy a red Ferrari reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (via LiderEnDeportes.com).
The Venezuelan outfielder decided to buy a red Ferrari because his teammate Troy Tulowitzki has a black one. Tulowitzki also signed a seven-year contract extension with the Rockies this off season, but his was for $157.75 million guaranteed.
For Gonzalez this is a dream come true. “I love sport cars, as all kids love good cars,” said Gonzalez. “Now that I had the time to get me one of those I said, ‘Ok, now is the time.’ I’m very happy, but at the same time, I have to remember what I had to do to make it real.”
The 25-year-old Gonzalez had a surprising year in 2010 when he hit 34 HR’s and drove in 117 RBI’s while hitting .336/.376/.598 in 145 games for the Rockies in 2010.
Dodgers and Billingsley reach three-year extension
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The Los Angeles Dodgers and pitcher Chad Billingsley have reached a three-year contract extension, according to Joe McDonnell of FOXSportsWest.com. McDonnell adds that a few details need to be worked out before the deal becomes official.
Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times adds that the deal is worth $35-36 million including a buyout of option for fourth year. The option’s salary is still being negotiated says Hernandez.
Billingsley, the N0. 2 starting pitcher on the Dodgers, took the loss in his latest Spring outing. In three innings of work, Billingsley gave up two hits and two earned runs while striking out three batters, but the runs charged to him were a result of walk and a hit batter followed by a two-run double. He’ll next take the mound on April 1 against the rival San Francisco Giants in Los Angeles.
Billingsley was 12-11 with a 3.57 ERA in 31 starts for the Dodgers in 2010. He’s under contract for 2011 for $6.275 million (an increase from the $3.85 million he made in 2010).
Phillies and INF Kevin Frandsen have reached an agreement
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According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Philadelphia Phillies and infielder Kevin Frandsen have reached a contract agreement.
The San Diego Padres released infielder Kevin Frandsen on March 25, and BayBridgeBaseball.com’s Jeff Fletcher reported that the Diamondbacks quickly snatched him up. However, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reported on March 28 that the Diamondbacks did not sign the infielder.
Frandsen signed a Minor League deal with the Padres early in January. He was set to make $575,000 if he made the Major League roster.
The 28-year old Frandsen is a lifetime .240/.304/.341 hitter with 7 HR and 39 RBI’s throughout four Major League seasons with the Giants and Angels.
