Rumors for April, 2011
Is Manny Ramirez coming out of retirement?
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Manny Ramirez abruptly retired in early April when he was faced with the possibility of being suspended for 100 games as he failed a second random drug test. Most people figured we would never see him on a field again, but it seems Ramirez may be preparing to make a comeback to play for the Aguilas Cibaenas, a team in the Dominican Republic.
On Thursday, Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com, “Now I’m getting ready to defend the 21st crown of the Aguilas.”
Though Ramirez has been reluctant to speak to the media about his recent retirement or failed drug test, he did say this via a text message just four days after retiring, “Tell the fans to not despair because winter ball is coming soon.”
Luichy Sanchez of the office of baseball operations for Aguilas told ESPNdeportes, “We have not had any direct contact with Manny, but for us it would be great if he comes back so that the Dominican fans can see him before his definite retirement from baseball.”
Ramirez, played three seasons with the Aguilas in the beginning of his professional career, between 1991 and 1995. He hit .243 with two home runs, 15 doubles, 28 RBIs and 38 runs scored in 84 games.
Ramirez finished his MLB career with 555 home runs, 2574 hits, 1831 RBI, with a .312 avg in 19 seasons. Ramirez played for the Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers, White Sox and Rays in his 19 year career.
Colorado Rockies designate RHP Alan Johnson for assignment
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According to the Colorado Rockies official Twitter page, the team has designated right-handed pitcher Alan Johnson for assignment.
In parallel, the team purchased the contract of infielder Alfredo Amezaga and optioned right-handed pitcher Clayton Mortensen to Triple-A.
In one start for the Rockies in 2011, the 27-year-old Johnson pitched four innings and gave up six hits and five runs (4 earned). He struck out three and walked three and finished with a 9.00 ERA.
Is Kevin Millwood done with the Yankees?
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Yesterday at Triple-A Scranton, starting pitcher candidate for the New York Yankees, Kevin Millwood, was shelled for six runs (all earned) on seven hits over two innings pitched, Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com reports. One has to wonder if the likelihood of being called up to the Major League team is all but gone.
Millwood signed a Minor League deal with the Yankees in late March for $1.5 million plus incentives. He has an opt-out clause by May 1 if he doesn’t make the Major League team.
Marchand suggests that one way to remain in the organization is to extend his Minor League stay.
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.
Indians get INF Josh Rodriguez back from the Pirates
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According to a team announcement, the Cleveland Indians received infielder Josh Rodriguez from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rodriguez was picked by the Pirates in the December Rule V draft, and by rule must remain on the team’s active roster for the entire season or be offered back to the original team.
The Pirates designated Rodriguez for assignment on April 22 after they acquired Brandon Wood.
In seven games for the Pirates this season, Rodriguez hit .083/.214/.083 with 1 RBI in 12 at-bats.
Houston Astros Designate Joe Inglett for Assignment
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The Houston Astros have designated Joe Inglett for assignment reports, MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. The move was made as the team needed a roster spot for Clint Barmes who is returning from a fractured hand.
Inglett hit .208 24 plate appearances for the Astros. He was acquired by the Astros from the Rays in March for cash or a PTBNL.
The 32-year-old Inglett had signed to a Minor League deal with the Rays in mid-February before being dealt to Houston. He played in 102 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010. His versatility allowed him to play multiple outfield and infield positions.
He has a career .286/.345/.397 in four seasons with the Brewers, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays.
Derek Lowe charged with DUI
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According to the Associated Press, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Derek Lowe was charged with drunk driving on Thursday evening.
A Georgia State Patrol trooper stopped Lowe after he was spotted racing another car down an Atlanta street. After smelling alcohol, the trooper administered a sobriety test and Lowe was arrested.
Obviously we are concerned and disappointed about the events involving Derek Lowe overnight,” the team said in a statement. “We are currently gathering information and plan to address this matter later today.”
Lowe was charged with DUI, reckless driving and improper lane change.
The 37-year-old Lowe is 2-3 with a 3.21 ERA in six starts this year with the Braves.
Lowe joins a growing list of baseball players that have been arrested for DUI which includes: Miguel Cabrera, CoCo Crisp, Austin Kearns and Adam Kennedy.
Could Jered Weaver switch LA teams?
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Back in February, Jered Weaver and the Angels exchanged figures as Weaver was arbitration eligible for the second time. Weaver had requested a salary of $8.8 million while the Angels countered with an offer of $7.375 million. Weaver made $4.265 million in 2010 when he went 13-12 with a 3.01 ERA while striking out a league leading 233 batters.
In essence, the Angels refused to increase their offer to their ace by about $1.5mm thus forcing the sides to go to arbitration. Nothing good comes out of arbitration as teams have to argue why the certain player doesn’t deserve the higher salary he is requesting. This is what happened with Weaver as the Angels eventually won the hearing thus giving Weaver the lower salary (Yes, I know $7.375mm is still a lot) and having their star walk away with a bad taste for the Angels and the process in his mouth.
Weaver, has been the best in all of baseball this year, but could be a goner in two years as Jon Heyman of SI.com points out. Weaver’s agent Scott Boras is supposedly selling him as the “Maddux of this generation,” and while those may be big shoes to fill, Weaver seems up to the challenge as he is 6-0 with a .99 ERA to start the season off.
The Angels don’t have a history of keeping their own prime free agents anyway (John Lackey) and they may now realize that beating the Weaver camp in arbitration may end up being a bad thing.
Weaver has spent his entire life in the LA area and appears to have no desire of moving out of the area. By the end of 2012, the Dodgers will have (hopefully) new owners in place who may be looking to make a big splash in the free agent market. Dodger fans may not like the Angels, but they respect a pitcher of Weaver’s talent level and would welcome him with open arms. Plus I’m sure brother Jeff Weaver will put a good word in for the boys in blue as they employed him when no one else would.
2013 free agent class: Lincecum, Cano and Johnson
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By 2013, these three young superstars will be available for free agency, and Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated gives us a look at what could happen with them before that year comes.
– Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants): Heyman thinks that the Giants should do something fast regarding Lincecum before his arbitration numbers “go crazy”. The right hander has already won two NL Cy Young awards and a World Series MVP. Another Cy Young season could sky rocket Lincecum’s salary from $14 million all the way up into the $25 million range. Heyman believes that Lincecum could make up to $30 million in 2013 if the Giants don’t give him a contract extension soon.
– Robinson Cano (New York Yankees): The Yankees still have options for 2012 and 2013 at $14 million and $15 million respectively, for the second baseman. Heyman says the Yankees will obviously pick them up, even though Yankees GM Brian Cashman, suggested he lamented giving options that high. Cano’s agent, Scott Boras, supposedly offered to wipe the options away, but Cashman is not going to let Cano become a free agent any sooner. The Yankees extension policy now is to wait until all players and club personnel become a free agent before they negotiate, but Cano’s situation is a little different. The team cannot allow this homegrown superstar the possibility to walk away in the prime of his career.
– Josh Johnson (Florida Marlins): Johnson signed a four-year $39 million deal last year that runs through 2013. This contract bought out two free agent years for the right hander. Heyman believes that Jonhson’s next contract should easily dwarf that one. The team is moving to a new stadium next season and even as things stand, they are a profitable organization, so extending Johnson seems like a pretty good deal. His agent, Matt Sosnick, is Ricky Nolasco’s agent too and has managed to do deals for both of them with the Marlins in recent years.
Blue Jays option Travis Snider to Triple-A
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Blue Jays outfielder Travis Snider has been optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas reports Matthew Pouliot of NBCSports.com. Chris Woodward was out righted to Triple-A as well.
Snider has been struggling this season hitting just .184 including 23 SO in 87 AB’s. Rajai Davis is expected to come off the Disabled List so the team needs a spot on the 25-man roster.
Pouliot adds that with Snider out of the picture, the Jays will go with Scott Patterson and Juan Rivera in left field. Snider is a lifetime .246/.313/.424 hitter with 26 HR’s and 86 RBI’s in 695 AB’s in four seasons with the Blue Jays.
Brandon Belt may return to the Giants as an outfielder
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Giants’ rookie Brandon Belt was recently demoted to Triple-A last week after Cody Ross returned from the Disabled List. According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Belt was sent down largely to fix a mechanical flaw that prevented him from hitting fastballs squarely.
In his first four games at Triple-A Fresno, Belt played right and left field exclusively. He started 3-for-10 with a double and a home run.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy and Fresno counterpart Steve Decker talked about Belt’s future. “Boch talked to Deck to figure out a formula to get him a baptism under fire in the outfield,” GM Brian Sabean said. “We know he can play first base.”
Schulman says that Belts return to the Giants will probably happen sooner than later, but he’ll likely return as an outfielder rather than as a first baseman. He could see some time in right field if Ross continues to struggle and if left fielder Pat Burrell gets hot offensively.
Belt was slated as a strong candidate for the Rookie Of The Year Award, but a slow start forced the Giants to demote him. In 52 AB’s the left handed hitter was hitting .192/.300/.269 with 1 HR and 4 RBI’s.
