Rumors for November, 2011
Wilson Ramos found alive after kidnapping
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A Venezuelan state TV, VTV, reported on Friday that Washington National’s catcher Wilson Ramos has been “found alive” two days after he was reportedly kidnapped by gunmen. Ramos was found by security forces in Montalban, about 60 miles from the Venezuelan town where he was last seen.
Ramos had returned to Venezuela to play in the country’s winter league, but before his first game, he was kidnapped while signing an autograph.
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Twins agree to a two-year deal with Jamey Carroll
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According to numerous sources close to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, Jamey Carroll is nearing a two-year, $7mm deal with the Minnesota Twins, pending a physical. Carroll would be the everyday shortstop for the Twins.
Earlier today, there were rumors that Carroll was close to signing a multi-year deal with an unknown team. Jon Morosi of FOXSports noted that the Blue Jays were one of the three finalists for Carroll as of yesterday.
Teams such as the Dodgers (Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times), Rockies (Troy Renck of the Denver Post), Tigers (Jon Morosi of FOXSports) who had all expressed interest in Carroll over recent days, were quickly ruled out as the mystery team.
Other teams that had been linked to Carroll prior to his deal with the Twins included the Braves and the Phillies.
Carroll who is finishing up a two-year, $3.85mm deal with the Dodgers, played shortstop and second base in 2011. He posted a .290 avg. in 510 plate appearances.
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Marlins make substantial offer to Reyes and Pujols
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The Miami Marlins may want to make a larger splash in 2012 beyond just introducing a new stadium. According to sources close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, Miami has made a “substantial” offer to both Jose Reyes and Albert Pujols.
Matthew Leach of MLB.com first reported on Thursday that Pujols and his agents were expected to meet with the Marlins.
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Pirates interested in SS Ramon Santiago
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have interest in free agent Ramon Santiago as the team’s starting shortstop for 2012, a source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports.
The 32-year-old spent most of his career in Detroit and is liked by his peers for his “leadership and confident, easygoing demeanor.”
He his .260/.311/.384 during his 2011 campaign with the Tigers.
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Phillies agree to deal with Jonathan Papelbon
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The Phillies have switched directions and have agreed to a deal with Jonathan Papelbon, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports. The deal is pending a physical. Salisbury adds that the deal is for four-years and around $50mm. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com adds that the deal also includes a vesting option for a fifth year that is very reachable, which could push the total value of the deal upwards to $60mm.
The $50mm over four years is all guaranteed money which would be the most ever for a relief pitcher.
The Philadelphia Phillies had a verbal agreement with Ryan Madson and his agent Scott Boras on a four-year, $44mm deal earlier this week. The deal also included a vesting option and was awaiting the okay from Phillies’ CEO, David Montgomery.
That’s one version of the deal. The other version, GM Ruben Amaro called the rumored deal yesterday “unequivocally false.”
With the deal quickly falling apart, the Phillies turned their attention to another free agent closer, Jonathan Papelbon. (first reported by ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark)
Papelbon posted a 2.94 ERA with 12.2 K/9 in 64 1/3 innings while saving 31 games for the Red Sox this season.
Both closers are Type-A free agents, but Madson made only $4.5mm last season compared to Papelbon who made $12mm. But the rumored deal that was in place for Madson put his yearly salary at $11mm, just a few million under what it would take to sign Papelbon. As Jayson Stark of ESPN points out, Papelbon is three months younger than Madson and has 219 career saves to Madson who only has 52 career saves.
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Free agency news: Dontrelle Willis has been drawing lots of interest
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Here’s a running list of free agency news around the Major Leagues:
– Left handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis has been drawing “lots of interest” according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.
– The New York Mets are not going to engage in a bidding war for Jose Reyes‘ Buster Olney of ESPN reports. He adds that the Mets “will make an offer they feel comfortable with, and if it’s rejected, they will move on.”
– The Philadelphia Phillies are still negotiating with Ryan Madson to be their closer for next season. But according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, Jonathan Papelbon could be at the top of the team’s wishlist now.
– Yesterday, we learned that Jorge Posada wasn’t going to come back with the Yankees in 2012, and Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated suggests that if Posada doesn’t retire he could play with either the Marlins or the Orioles.
– The Baltimore Orioles will probably stay away from big-name free agents like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder or C.J. Wilson according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. He adds that although Michael Cuddyer is “near the top” of the team’s wishlist, he’ll probably go with the Phillies.
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Pat Burrell’s career is likely over
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In an article by the Associated Press’ Janie McCauley, Pat Burrell’s says his career is likely over due to a right foot injury. Burrell says that retirement is the likely direction if he can’t get back to full strength, but he has yet to make a final decision.
The 35-year-old returned to the San Francisco Bay Area after a long career to help the Giants win their first West Coast World Series title. The number one overall draft pick by the Philadelphia Phillies grew up in the South Bay Area and went to Bellarmine College Preparatory School in the late 1990’s before starting his professional career.
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Manny Ramirez had tryout with team from Japan
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Sources close to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com and Japanese baseball say that retired baseball star Manny Ramirez had a Florida tryout with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks a couple of weeks ago, but “it didn’t go well.”
The Japanese team apparently did not like the “baggage” associated with Ramirez. The source added, “no matter how talented Manny might be.”
Back in April the controversial Ramirez retired after being informed by MLB of an “Issue” regarding the Drug Prevention program. He was looking at a 100 game suspension at the time. because it was his second offense.
In September, Ramirez said he was going to play Winter League in the Dominican Republic, but because the Winter League is affiliated with MLB, commissioner Bud Selig considers him ineligible to play.
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Nationals’ Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in Venezuela
Posted by: | CommentsWashington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped yesterday from his house in Santa Ines, estado Carabobo, Venezuela around 6:45 pm PRO Rumors has learned. So far, the kidnappers haven’t contacted Ramos’ family.
The Venezuelan Minister of Internal Affairs said that earlier this morning, they found the vehicle that was used to kidnap Ramos (via Globovision). Venezuelan Police departments confirmed earlier today that Ramos is still alive, although the kidnappers haven’t contacted his family yet.
Jose Grasso, president of the Venezuelan Winter League said today that they were not going to suspend the league. “We are not thinking about suspending the games,” said Grasso today in an interview (via El Nacional). “To suspend the games is to turn off the lights, that won’t help Wilson Ramos, we could observe a minute of silence, pray, remember him, and ask for this situation to be over.”
Grasso also said that authorities are working hard to put an end to this situation and that they will take extra security measures regarding the safety of the players. “This situation will make us take extra security measures, but right now the most important thing is Wilson,” he said. “We pray and hope that the authorities will find a solution. The most important thing is that he returns safe and sound.”
This is not the first time a professional baseball player has been victim of a crime this season. A couple of weeks ago, Oscar Salazar, was robbed by armed gunmen near the baseball stadium in Lara.
Reports indicate that four gunmen entered Ramos’ house in Venezuela and kidnapped him. Apparently the kidnappers were circling his house and then they decided to stop and kidnap the catcher.
The Tigres de Aragua’s media manager, Kathe Vilera, confirmed the story (via El Universal). “It is sad, worrisome and true that he has been kidnapped less than an hour ago,” said Vilera. “The CICPC (police department) is aware about the situation and they’re headed to Ramos’ home in Santa Ines.”
We will keep you updated with every piece of news we get. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ramos and his family.
The 24-year old hit .267/.334/.445 with 15 HR’s and 52 RBI’s in 389 AB’s with the Nationals in 2011.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Pirates sign Rod Barajas to a one-year deal
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a one-year deal with catcher Rod Barajas according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. She adds that the deal includes an option for 2013.
Barajas will earn $4mm in 2012 with his 2013 club option salary set at $3.5mm
The 36-year old veteran hit .230/.287/.430 with 16 HR’s and 47 RBI’s in 305 AB’s for the Dodgers in 2010.
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