Rumors for April, 2011
Yunel Escobar diagnosed with mild concussion
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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar has been diagnosed with a mild concussion, according to the Toronto Blue Jays (via John Lott of the National Post). Escobar is day-to-day and expected to be back early next week. It doesn’t appear that he will be placed on Major League Baseball’s new 7-day concussion disabled list.
Escobar injured himself on on April 6 versus the Oakland Athletics when he slid into third base and struck the knee of Andy LaRoche after a fifth-inning triple. After he returned to the field for the top of the sixth, he experienced dizziness and the medical staff directed him to come out of the game, Lott reported.
“The on-field tests that Hap Hudson administered [indicated] it was safe for him to continue, but we kept a close eye on him in that next half inning and it was clear that there were some abnormal reactions, just to basically keep a clear mind,” manager John Farrell said.
Texas Rangers close to signing lead-off hitter Leonys Martin
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According to a source close to Evan P. Grant of The Dallas Morning News, the Texas Rangers are close to signing center fielder Cuban lead-off hitter Leonys Martin. The deal would be a Major League contract, but Martin would begin his career in the Minor Leagues.
The Grant’s source said the deal is not complete, but the sides are moving toward completion.
Another source close to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com says the Red Sox had offered $12 million before the Rangers topped that. However, Peter Gammons quickly responds to the report and says that the Sox offered less than $2 million.
Here’s a report from Baseball America:
Martin, whose age is listed as 22, left Cuba after playing for the country’s national team in Taiwan during the FISU World University Championships. He batted leadoff frequently for Cuba in that tournament, which is limited to players age 27 and under. He was on the 18U junior-national team in 2006 as well, so his age appears to be quite believable. As a 21-year-old, Martin was a reserve on the 2009 World Baseball Classic team.He’s a lefthanded hitter whose best tools are his speed and defense. He’s a plus runner at least, being timed in 4.1 seconds to first base from the left side in Taiwan, and showed strong small-ball skills, with the ability to drag bunt for hits and handle the bat on the hit-and-run. He also played center field and showed at least average range. Martin also hit .326 with 10 home runs in the last Serie Nacional, Cuba’s top-level league, while playing for Villa Clara, and has drawn plenty of walks in Cuba, posting a .311/.492/.491 line in 2008-2009, when he drew 78 bases on balls and ranked second in the league with 17 steals (in a 90-game season).
‘Personal’ matter for Bautista was birth of new child
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Usually when we hear players leave their team for a “personal family matter” as was the case for Toronto Blue Jay’s slugger, Jose Bautista, it ends up being a sad event such as an ill relative. However, it Bautista’s case, he left the team to go to be with Neisha Croyle to witness the birth of their new daughter Estela Marie, the Associated Press reports.
In case you want to congratulate the new addition to the Bautista family, Chloé Fedio of The Star reports on several items from Target and BabiesRUs that are on the baby’s registry.
– Playtex Fridge To Go Insulated Bottle Cooler $19.99
– First Years babyPro Nursery Bottle Warmer $34.99
– Summer Infant Pooh Health & Grooming Kit $29.99
– LeapFrog My Puppy Pal $19.99
– Boppy Infant Feeding and Support Pillow $49.99
– Summer Infant Large Comfort Bather $22.99
– Swaddle Designs Ultimate Receiving Blanket $23.99
Keep in mind that Bautista signed a five-year, $65 million deal with the Blue Jays in February.
The outfielder is expected to rejoin his teammates as early as this weekend versus the Los Angeles Angels.
Brad Lidge likely out until All-Star Break
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Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge is likely out until near the All-Star break, manager Charlie Manuel said on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM (via Andy Jasner of MLB.com).
“I’m probably looking at maybe All-Star break, or … just before that,” Manuel said.
Lidge confirmed the report to the media on Thursday.
“I don’t know if it’s anything new, but yeah, I agree with Charlie,” Lidge said. “When I first got hurt, there was this three-to-six week talk before playing catch or throwing a ball. If nothing serious happens, and I’m hopeful it won’t, I can see myself being back by the All-Star break. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing and I remain optimistic about this timetable.”
The right-hander has a right posterior rotator cuff strain. In his absence, Jose Contreras is the Phillies’ closer.
A Major League executive speculates the Mets could trade Mike Pelfrey
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In the past few weeks, we have heard rumors involving Mets’ shortstop Jose Reyes, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. The 27-year old has no veto trade power.
The Mets and Reyes’ agent, Peter Greenberg, want to discuss a new deal, but during the middle of the season. The team expressed that they will happily engage in negotiations during that stage of the season, but a MLB scout as well as Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes believe Reyes will be traded before the deadline.
Today, a baseball executive who once worked with Mets GM, Sandy Alderson, told John Harper of the New York Daily News that he was surprised there has been no speculation about trading Mike Pelfrey.
“He’s not a No. 1,” the executive said, “he doesn’t have a pitch to put hitters away, and he may not get better than he is right now. I think Sandy is going to be looking down the road there, knowing (Scott) Boras will be looking for big money for Pelfrey in a couple of years, and knowing the value might not be there.”
“He also knows the closer Pelfrey gets to free agency, the less he’ll get for him, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he trades him this year.”
Pelfrey is off to a slow start this season with the Mets, he has a 0-1 record with a 15.63 ERA in 6.2 innings throughout two starts. Last year he was 15-9 with a 3.66 ERA in 204 innings and 34 games, 33 starts.
LeBron James partners with the Boston Red Sox
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According to the Associated Press, Fenway Sports Marketing, a sister company to the Boston Red Sox, have signed a long-term deal to do the marketing for NBA superstar LeBron James. FSM’s president, Sam Kennedy, said that the deal includes ownership of the soccer team Liverpool in the English Premier League.
Fenway Sports Marketing is owned by Fenway Sports Group which is the parent company of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC and a co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing.
“What FSM does for Roush Fenway, Liverpool and the Red Sox, we will now do for LeBron James,” Kennedy said. “We will aggressively pursue business opportunities for him.”
“We are fortunate to have blue-chip brands like the Red Sox, Liverpool and Roush Fenway,” Kennedy said. “This represents the next step in our evolution, to represent one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet.”
With this new agreement, we have to wonder if the Red Sox have now become LeBron’s new favorite team or will he continue sporting the Yankees’ cap. James has previously said he is a fan of the boys from the Bronx.
Dodgers hire former LA Police Chief to assess security
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It may be a case of too little too late, especially for 42-year-old Bryan Stow, but the Los Angeles Dodgers have hired former police chief William Bratton to assess the team’s security policies, the Associated Press reports.
Bratton and his security consulting firm, Kroll, will begin work immediately to develop a security blueprint that extends to both Dodger Stadium and its parking lot.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to return to Los Angeles to consult with the Dodger organization on the security posture at Dodger Stadium,” said Bratton. “We will take a full and comprehensive look at security procedures and processes, and make recommendations based on our findings.”
Stow was brutally beaten last week after a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers and he is currently in critical condition and in a coma. There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of two shaven-headed young men that are suspected of beating Stow. Sketches of the two victims can be seen here.
Erick Aybar has slight strain in his left side
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Los Angeles Angels infielder Erick Aybar underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning and it revealed a slight strain on his side, according to Mike Scioscia (via Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times).
“Right now we’re hoping it’s not a [disabled-list] situation,” he said.
Ayber is likely of Friday’s home opener in Anaheim, but he could be available to pinch-run or pinch-hit over the weekend.
“We’ll evaluate it,” he said. “He’s only been able to bunt. We’ll see how he is Friday, if he can maybe be part of the game a little bit more if we need him to do something.”
The injury occurred on a head-first slide into third base last Saturday. Maicer Izturis and Brandon Wood have replaced Aybar this week.
How American League teams got their names
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Today, I found an article from Jeff Edelstein of the Daily Times where he give us an “unofficial guide to team names.”
American League East:
– Baltimore Orioles: Originally the St. Louis Browns, team owners changed the name for the 1954 season. The name “Orioles” had been used for decades by Baltimore Minor League and club teams.
– Boston Red Sox: Obviously because they wore red socks. They decided to go with “Sox” so headline writers could fit it on a newspaper page in large print.
– New York Yankees: Their original name was the Higlanders, because they played in a stadium called Hilltop Park. The name was changed to Yankees officially in 1913, thanks mostly to the the New York Press, who referred to the team as the Yankees.
– Toronto Blue Jays: Locals were asked for input, “Blue Jays” were mentioned. The team owners, Labatt Breweries, chose the name to coincide with their best-selling beer, Labatt’s Blue. They hoped the team would be referred to as the “Blues,” but “Jays” are the preferred shortened name for the franchise.
– Tampa Bay Rays: Originally the Devil Rays, the name was changed in 2007, and means, according to owner Stuart Sternberg,”a beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida.” In other words, “Ray” as in “light,” and not marine life.
American League Central:
– Chicago White Sox: Took the name “White Stockings” after the National League’s Cubs gave up the nickname and adopted “Sox” for the same reason the “Red Sox” did.
– Cleveland Indians: Formerly the “Naps,” after manager Nap Lojoie, the Indians name was chosen by new owners in 1914, and probably a nod to the then-Boston Braves.
– Detroit Tigers: It is unclear why they are called the Tigers, but apparently it is after the Detroit Light Guard Military Unit, who were nicknamed the “Tigers.”
– Kansas City Royals: Probably from the “American Royal,” a rodeo and horse show held in Kansas City.
– Minnesota Twins: Obviously because they’re from the “Twin cities.” Minneapolis. St. Paul.
American League West:
– Los Angeles Angels: They were born in Los Angeles, Spanish for “the angels.” Their first name was the “California Angels”, then they changed the name to “Anaheim Angels”. Then in 2005 Angels owner, Arturo Moreno, added “Los Angeles” to the team’s name in order to better tap into the Los Angeles media market.
– Oakland Athletics: Officially the Athletics, named after the 19th century “Athletic clubs,” and probably a direct result of the “Philadelphia Athletic Club,” where the A’s got their start.
– Seattle Mariners: Apparently for the big marine culture in the Pacific Northwest.
– Texas Rangers: Named after the famous lawmen.
Jon Heyman on Utley, Rowand, Thome and Greinke
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Here is some news from Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated:
– The Texas Rangers have plenty of hitting so they can afford to move Michael Young if they can get a starting pitcher or closer. Candidates that could go after Young include the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies.
– Chase Utley’s recovery process is painfully slow. He could start to job soon.
– The Marlins could be in the market for a third baseman unless Donnie Murphy can improve and be more of a utility man.
– Aaron Rowand of the San Francisco Giants could be a candidate to be released once Cody Ross returns.
– Jim Thome said that this may not be his last year. Why not keep going as long as you can do it?” he said.
– Zack Greinke’s recovery is looking good. He could make his Brewers’ debut by the second homestand.
