Rumors for November, 2011
Contract talks: Matt Kemp, Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Madson
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Here are is the latest news regarding contract talks of various players around the Major Leagues:
– Matt Kemp’s agent, Dave Stewart, said yesterday that he is optimistic about the ongoing contract talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers according to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Stewart said that the discussions with Dodgers GM, Ned Colletti, have been positive and productive.
“I don’t think that it’s going to be difficult, I really don’t,” Stewart said. “I think we should be able to come to something. I have talked with Ned on a few occasions. We have covered some ground, and hopefully, we will be able to put this thing to bed soon.”
– The Philadelphia Phillies had “preliminary talks” with free agent, Jimmy Rollins, and according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the short stop is asking for a five-year deal.
– Earlier this week, we learned that the Phillies and Ryan Madson agreed to a deal, but according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, such deal was never in place. He adds that if the deal falls through, the Washington Nationals could enter the bid for Madson.
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Posada says he won’t be back with the Yankees in 2012
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According to 787NewsNetwork, catcher Jorge Posada just confirmed that he won’t be back with the Yankees in 2012. The veteran catcher said late in August that he was open to playing with another team after the 2011 season.
Posada was slated to be the Yankees full time DH, but after a disappointing first half of the season, manager Joe Girardi decided to relieve him of his duties.
The 40-year old hit .235/.315/.398 with 14 HR’s and 44 RBI’s in 344 AB’s for the Yankees in 2011. Posada though, turned around in the post season and hit .429/.579/.571 in 14 AB’s.
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Rockies contact Braves about Martin Prado
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According to Major League sources close to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post, he reports that the Colorado Rockies have contacted the Atlanta Braves about second baseman Martin Prado.
The sides have not exchanged names yet, but Renck says that the sides are keeping the lines of communication open.
Prado is arbitration-eligible and is in line to make $4.5 million on a one-year deal.
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Diamondbacks trying to re-sign Aaron Hill
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The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to re-sign free agent second baseman Aaron Hill, according to sources close to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
If Hill returns, he would be the DBack’s regular second baseman. If Hill does not re-sign, Ryan Roberts would play second base and the team would likely pursue a third baseman.
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Minor League signings: Travis Buck, Daryl Jones and Beau Jones
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Here’s a running list of Minor League signings reported by Matt Eddy of Baseball America:
– The Houston Astros agreed to a deal with outfielder Travis Buck.
– The Cincinnati Reds signed outfielder Daryl Jones.
– The Florida Marlins signed left handed pitcher Beau Jones.
Diamondbacks and Bloomquist reach two-year deal
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The Arizona Diamondbacks and Willie Bloomquist have reached a two-year, $3.8 million deal, according to sources close to CBSSports.com, as reported by Scott Miller.
The infielder/outfielder had declined a $1.1 million mutual option last week. Bloomquist hit .266/.317/.340 with the 2011 National League West Division winners.
Phillies and Madson waiting for approval on four-year deal
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The Philadelphia Phillies’ GM, Ruben Amaro, and Ryan Madson are waiting on approval on a four-year, $44 million deal, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated Tweets. The deal is awaiting the okay from Phillies’ CEO, David Montgomery, before it can become official. The deal also includes a vesting option.
Jayson Stark of ESPN first reported on November 7, that the Phillies were making a “strong push” for the reliever.
Boston Red Sox discussing Carlos Beltran
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Sources close to ESPNBoston’s Gordon Edes say that free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran has been discussed by members of the Boston Red Sox organization. However, the team may go with a cheaper platoon option of Josh Reddick or Ryan Kalish.
The 34-year-old Beltran hit .300 with 22 home runs and 84 RBIs in 142 games last season with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. Beltran was traded by the Mets to the Giants in a July deal that sent pitching prospect Zack Wheeler to New York.
Toronto Blue Jays looking for an experienced closer
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The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to become contenders next season, and according to Buster Olney of ESPN, they would have to add a “shutdown” closer to do so. Olney points out that the Blue Jays were tied for third in blown saves in 2011 with 25.
This winter, the closer market has a lot of interesting choices, like Heath Bell, Matt Capps, Joe Nathan, Ryan Madson, Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Rodriguez. Olney says Bell, Papelbon and Nathan have come up in the conversations.
Another name that has been mentioned is Andrew Bailey, although they would have to trade for him because he’s not a free agent. If they decide to go after a free agent they would have to pay a “premium salary” and surrender a draft pick. If they decide to trade for Bailey the would have to surrender prospects, but they would have control over Bailey through the 2014 season.
According to Olney, Blue Jays GM, Alex Anthopoulos, places a “very high value on player control,” giving the edge of this competition to Bailey. He also adds that it would make sense for the Athletics to trade Bailey now. They won’t be contenders in 2012 and they would get a better deal in return now before Bailey becomes pricey through arbitration.
Bailey was 0-4 with a 3.24 ERA and 24 saves in 41.2 innings for the Athletics in 2011.
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Diamondbacks make offer to Aaron Hill
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The Arizona Diamondbacks have decided to make an offer to second baseman Aaron Hill according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. He adds that the deal has an expiration date, and although it is unknown by him, the team expects Hill to wait until the last moment to make a decision.
Hill was traded from the Blue Jays to the Diamondbacks back in August. In 33 games with the D’backs, Hill hit .315/.386/.492 with 2 HR’s and 16 RBI’s in 124 AB’s.
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