Rumors for October, 2011
Mail Time with PRO Rumors
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As the off season quickly gets underway, we here at PRO Rumors are gearing up and getting ready to bring you the latest and greatest breaking news from around the League. You can always stay up-to-date with our web page, www.prorumors.com, or with one of our award winning apps for either the iPhone or Android phone.
One of the new features we are proud to debut is our “Mail Time with PRO Rumors.” Twice a month (or maybe more), we will answer emails from our readers about any baseball related topic. We will also take questions in both English and Spanish. If you have a question about Winter Ball in Venezuela make sure you drop us a line, as PRO Rumors’ writer Juan has been scouting most of the games.
Send us your questions to Mailbag@prorumors.com
Yankees agree to a contract extension with C.C. Sabathia
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The new York Yankees have agreed to a contract extension with their ace C.C. Sabathia according to the lefty’s official Twitter account. Yesterday, we learned that Sabathia wanted to test the free agency, but the Yankees managed to keep him around through at least 2016.
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the left hander got a one-year extension worth $25 million for 2016 with a $5 million buyout, and a $25 million option for 2017 (via Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports). Sabathia’s total guaranteed deal will be five years, $122 million.
The 2017 option for Sabathia will automatically vest unless the lefty is disabled with an injury to his left shoulder says Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman adds that the option gets voided if Sabathia ends the 2016 season on the DL, spends more than 45 days on the DL with shoulder issues or makes at least six relief appearances due to shoulder issues.
Sabathia was 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 237.1 innings through 33 starts for the Yankees in 2011.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Twins claim Jeff Gray off waivers from the Mariners
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The Minnesota Twins have claimed right handed pitcher Jeff Gray off waivers from the Seattle Mariners according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
Earlier today, we learned that the Twins claimed left handed pitcher Matt Maloney of waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. Maloney himself published the news on his official Twitter account.
Gray was 0-1 with a 4.57 ERA in 88.2 innings with the White Sox and Mariners in 2011. Maloney was 0-3 with a 9.16 ERA in 18.2 innings throughout eight games, two starts with the Reds in 2011. In three seasons with the team he was 4-9 with a 5.40 ERA in 80 innings.
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Braves trade Derek Lowe to the Indians
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According to sources close to John Kreger the Atlanta braves have traded right handed pitcher Derek Lowe to the Cleveland Indians.
Buster Olney of ESPN adds that the Braves will “absorb” all but $5 million of Lowe’s contract. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated adds that the Braves will also receive Minor League pitcher Chris Jones. Jone posted a 3.36 era in 43 appearances for Class-A. He struck out 66 in 72 1/3 innings.
Back in July, we learned that the Braves had interest in Lowe, although they never engaged in serious talks. In 2011 Lowe was 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA in 187 innings throughout 34 starts.
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Nationals exercise Davey Johnson’s option for 2012
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According to MLB.com, the Washington Nationals have exercised manager Davey Johnson’s option for 2012. Late in September, we learned that Johnson wanted to manage the team in 2012 and beyond.
“I love where we’re at in the development stage of some of these young players,” Johnson said. “The other thing is, my wife seems to enjoy getting back on the road again. She likes to travel, more than I do.”
In 2011, the Nationals went 80-81 and ranked third in the NL East behind the Phillies and Braves.
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Tony La Russa retires
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Tony La Russa has announced his retirement according to the team’s official Twitter account. The 67-year old manager won his second World Series with the Cardinals last week against the Texas Rangers.
He was just 35 games behind John McGraw for second place all-time for games managed. In 33 years as a Major League manager with the White Sox (8 years), Athletics (10 years) and Cardinals (16 years) he was 2728-2365 with six league pennants and three World Series championships.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that he and Sparky Anderson are the best two managers he has ever seen.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Sabathia plans to test free agency
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Back in December of 2008, CC Sabathia signed a seven-year $161mm deal with the New York Yankees. The deal included an option that allowed Sabathia to opt out of the final four years of the deal. This was done as Sabathia was unsure as to how he was going to enjoy pitching under the big city lights and also how his family would adapt to the big change. Opting out would also allow Sabathia to ensure extra years and possibly a higher per year salary.
According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, Sabathia is infact planning to opt out of his current deal with the Yankees. This doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to leave New York, as this could potentially be the last high dollar contract the thirty-one year old will sign.
Over the weekend, the Yankees made a new contract offer to Sabathia, Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com reports, though the team has yet to hear a response. “We believe it is a very fair offer,” a New York executive said. “But we haven’t heard anything back yet.”
In many executives’ eyes, the Yankees are still the favorites to land Sabathia even if he does opt out. This is because the Yankees are in need of pitching and can not afford to lose Sabathia. It also helps that they continuously have the highest payroll in all of baseball. Also, some of the other bigger market teams such as the Angels and Phillies are not in need of an expensive ace.
Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Commons License Agreement.
Giants to re-sign Javier Lopez
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The San Francisco Giants and left-handed reliever Javier Lopez have agreed to an $8.5 million, two-year contract, according to a source close to The Associated Press. The pitcher will be paid $4.25 million in 2012 and 2013.
Lopez was paid $2.375 million in 2011 and was two innings short of receiving a $25,000 bonus for reaching 55 innings.
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Yankees exercise 2012 options for Cano and Swisher
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The New York Yankees have exercised the 2012 options for Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher, according to a team press release.
“This is my favorite thing to do in the world and my favorite place to do it,” Swisher told the New York Daily News. “To have another year in pinstripes, I couldn’t be happier.”
Swisher has a $10.25 million option while Cano’s option is worth $14 million. The team does not have any other options to consider.
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Post World Series News: Dempster, Giambi, Cook
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Now that the season is over, there’s going to be a lot of contract talk. Here’s a running list of what’s been going on Day #1 of the off-season:
– The Chicago Cubs have announced that Ryan Dempster has picked up his player option for 2012. (Twitter)
– The Colorado Rockies and Jason Giambi are close to exercising his $1 million mutual option. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)
– Renck adds that the Rockies will decline the mutual option for starting pitcher Aaron Cook.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
