Rumors for September, 2011
Minnesota Twins claim RHP Esmerling Vasquez
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In an announcement by the team, the Minnesota Twins have claimed right-handed pitcher Esmerling Vasquez off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Vaquez was 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in 31 relief appearances for the D-Backs this season. In order to make room on the 40-man roster the Twins transferred infielder Alexi Casilla to the 60-day disabled list.
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Royals trade Kila Ka’aihue to the Athletics
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The Kansas City Royals traded first baseman Kila Ka’aihue to the Okland Athletics for a Minor League pitcher according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
Jane Lee of MLB.com adds that the A’s will ship right handed pitcher Phillip Hollingsworth to the Royals in exchange for the first baseman. Ka’aihue was designated for assignment by the Royals earlier this month.
Injury updates: Guillen, Betemit, Furcal and Cervelli
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Here’s a running list of injury updates around the Major leagues:
– Tigers infielder Carlos Guillen could miss at least part of the playoffs with a strained calf according to Eric Lacy of the Detroit News. “It’s very unlikely we’ll have Carlos for the first round,” manager Jim Leyland said. “That’s not to say he couldn’t be added (to the roster).”
– Another Tigers infielder, Wilson Betemit, isn’t expected to play in any of the final regular-season games this week according to Leayland (via Lacy). His health status remains uncertain after “tweaking his left knee” adds Lacy.
– Rafael Furcal isn’t expected to play in either of the Cardinals’ remaining two games of the regular season according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. Furcal left yesterday’s game with “discomfort in his left hamstring” adds Leach.
– Francisco Cervelli suffered another concussion-related setback and could miss the entire post season according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Manager Joe Girardi said that Jesus Montero and Jorge Posada will be on the post season roster to back up the everyday catcher Russell Martin, who will start every post season game.
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Dodgers will have money to spend this offseason
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Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt has told GM Ned Colletti that he will have the resources needed to lock up key players like Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier to long-term deals and to compete in the free agent market according to T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times.
“Do we have the number solidified yet? No,” says Colletti. “But I have a range of money that I can spend, and the conversations I’ve had indicate there are different ways of doing it.”
Simers believe that one way to do it is offering “big-money” contracts with low salaries for the first year that will raise “dramatically in later years.”
For that to happen, they will have to convince Kemp to play for $1 million in 2012 with the promise of $20 million in a year or two says Simers. That could be a problem, given the fact that he could get that amount of money from the Yankees this year.
The Dodgers will also face another problem when they go to the free agents market. Simers points out that most free agents expect a juicy signing bonus with their new deals, but he doesn’t think the Dodgers are in position to offer big bonuses to anybody.
According to Colletti, none of this is predicated on McCourt getting his TV deal, and he keeps telling Colletti the money will be there, and according to Simers, Colletti believes him.
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Omar Infante agrees to a two-year deal with the Marlins
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The Florida Marlins and Omar Infante have agreed to a two-year deal according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. The terms of the agreement are still unknown. He made $2.5 million this season
Frisaro adds that Infante will be taking his physical tomorrow. Infante is hitting .277/.316/.381 with 7 HR’s and 49 RBI’s in 570 AB’s for the Marlins in 2011.
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White Sox release manager Ozzie Guillen
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According to MLB.com’s official Twitter account, Ozzie Guillen has requested his release from the White Sox.
Earlier today, multiple sources close to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, said that the Florida Marlins and the Chicago White Sox were in the “final stages” of completing a deal that would make Guillen the next manager of the Florida Marlins. Sources have also said that Guillen has told his players that tonight would be his final game managing the Sox.
Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post adds that the compensation for Guillen would be money and/or a prospect, but one should not expect a big name player.
The move involving Guillen occurred after current Marlins’ skipper, Jack McKeon, declared his intention to retire after the season earlier today.
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Jonny Gomes wants to stay in Washington
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Nationals outfielder, Jonny Gomes wants to comeback to the Nationals for at least one more season according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Gomes will be eligible for free agency after this season, but he hopes to return with the Nationals.
“I think this team is going to be friggin’ good,” Gomes said. “I don’t really think it’s going to be a sleeper, either. I think everyone knows, from guys I’ve talked to on the team other team that we’ve played, from what I’ve seen. I’ve seen a little taste of the farm system coming up. I definitely want to be a part of it, absolutely.”
Kilgore says that Gomes is projected to be a Type B free agent, meaning the Nationals would receive a second-round compensatory draft pick if they offer him salary arbitration and he rejects it to sign with another team. That situation could motivate the Nationals to offer Gomes arbitration.
“That’s always a plan for when we talk about acquiring players, if you have the added benefit of a compensation pick,” General Manager Mike Rizzo said in July after acquiring Gomes. “It could translate into a nice, solid draft pick for us. That’s always part of the plan.”
According to Kilgore, Gomes would probably accept an arbitration offer from the Nationals if they extend one. The outfielder was traded from the Reds to the Nationals late in July.
The 30-year old veteran is hitting .209/.325/.389 with 14 HR’s and 43 RBI’s in 311 AB’s for the Reds and Nationals in 2011.
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Jack McKeon to retire after season
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Florida Marlins manager, Jack McKeon, will retire after the season, according to Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post.
The Marlins hired McKeon on June 20, 2011 to replace Edwin Rodriguez after the former skipper unexpectedly resigned mid-season.
McKeon’s retirement could open the door for current White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen to lead the team into their new stadium in 2012. Guillen is under contract through 2012 with the White Sox.
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Giants to trade Jonathan Sanchez for a hitter?
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The reigning World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants, won’t be able to defend their title in the 2011 postseason, so their attention will likely be focused on off-season moves. One player that the team and fans will look at is Jonathan Sanchez and his arbitration deal.
According to Chris Haft of MLB.com, Sanchez will likely get a nice raise from his $4.8 million 2011 salary, but the Giants may try to trade him in a deal for a hitter.
Sanchez said, “Every year I’m [rumored] for a trade. … I’ll probably stay here my whole career, you know?”
Sanchez has missed most of the latter part of the year due to a sprained left ankle and will not play in any of the remaining three games the Giants have. He’s been working out at the Giants’ training complex in Arizona, but each time he has thrown from flat ground his ankle has been sore.
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Cafardo on: Showalter, Wilson and Fielder
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Here’s the latest from Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
– According to Cafardo, there appears to be a shift in power going on in the Orioles’ organization. Andy MacPhail could soon hand over baseball matters to someone else, and that person could be manager Buck Showalter. Cafardo says that Showalter would not necessarily be the GM, “but a de facto GM,” with another person. A name that has been mentioned to work with Showalter is John Hart.
– C.J. Wilsonwill be a free agent at the end of the season, and he will be one of the top free agent pitchers this off season. Cafardo believes the Rangers have the funds to “help him break the bank,” but he also mentions other teams that could place a bid for the lefty. Among those teams are the Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, Twins, Tigers, Cardinals and Royals.
– Major League sources close to Cafardo believes that the Brewers will try to keep first baseman Prince Fielder after all. Fielder will be a free agent after this season, and it could be considered as a “Plan B” for those who can’t get Albert Pujols this off season.
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