Rumors for November, 2011
David Ortiz has interest from more than 1 team
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The demand for designated hitter David Ortiz is increasing this off-season. According to a source close to Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald, the Ortiz is getting “serious interest” from more than one team. The source adds that “he has lots of options.”
Ortiz was offered arbitration last week, but it isn’t known whether he would accept or decline it. Accepting it would pay the hitter a little more than the $12.5 million that he made in 2011.
The designated hitter is seeking a three-year deal, but Silverman speculates that he may have to wait for awhile for such a contract to get in front of him.
Image by Kevin Dirksen under the Creative C0mmons License.
Nelson Cruz wants to sign multi-year deal with the Rangers
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Rangers outfielder, Nelson Cruz, said last Tuesday that he would like to sign a multi-year deal with the Rangers before the start of the 2012 season according to the Associated Press (via LiderEnDeportes.com).
“We’ll wait for some sort of negotiation. We’re hoping we could get to a long-term deal,” said Cruz. “Although no contract talks have been held because the arbitration cases are going to be solved in January.”
Cruz also said that he received an offer for a five-year deal with the Rangers before the 2011 season, but he rejected it because he wasn’t happy with the money the team was offering. The 31-year old outfielder also talked about his latest injuries and how he’s preparing to get through them.
“The heat in Texas, the humidity, that has affected me,” he said. “But we’re working with trainers specialized in athleticism to strengthen my legs and try to avoid some of the problems that have been bothering me.”
Cruz hit .263/.312/.509 with 29 HR’s and 87 RBI’s in 475 AB’s for the Texas Rangers in 2011.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Tampa Bay Rays sign Jose Molina
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The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a deal with veteran catcher Jose Molina according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports adds that the deal is for one-year at $1.5 million, with a club option for 2013 for $1.5mm with a $300k buyout. Last week, we learned that the team was close to an agreement with Molina. The veteran backup catcher made only $1.2 million last season, fitting perfectly with the Rays’ price tag.
The 36-year old also has a lot of experience catching in the AL East. In 2011, Molina hit .281/.342/.415 with 3 HR’s and 15 RBI’s in 171 AB’s for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Houston Astros dismiss GM Ed Wade
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In a press release by the Houston Astros, the team announced that they have dismissed general manager Ed Wade and president of baseball operations, Tal Smith.
The press release continues:
“The search for a new General Manager begins immediately. We are searching for a candidate who has the knowledge, skills and experience to build a winner and a strong commitment to player development in order to sustain success. Our goal is to consistently compete for a championship, and we know the first step towards that goal is to develop one of the top farm systems in baseball. We will hire the best candidate available to achieve our goal.
“Our Assistant General Manager Dave Gottfried will serve as Interim General Manager until the new General Manager is hired. Dave is not a candidate for the permanent position.”
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Mail Time with PRO Rumors
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Here is our first addition of “Mail Time with PRO Rumors” where we answer your questions. Here are just a few questions that we received from our readers. Thanks to those who participated and keep the questions coming! You can send your questions to Mailbag@prorumors.com
1. What are the chances Manny Ramirez plays baseball next season?
As time goes on, the chances of Manny returning to any field decreases. He recently had a tryout with a Japanese team in Miami, that did not go well. With Manny, teams have to look and see if his productivity is worth the headaches that also come with Manny. Manny also still has a 100 game suspension that he has to serve prior to being eligible to play. In the end, I think Manny will take his talents to his neighborhood softball league.
2. Who are the oldest active MLB players and are they still producing?
The oldest player that set foot on a diamond this year was Tim Wakefield, at 45 years old. Though he won the award this year, Jamie Moyer is looking to return after sitting out 2011 due to injuries and would have won the award this year as he is 48 years old (49 on Nov 18th). Wakefield who is known for his knuckle ball, posted a 7-8 record with a 5.12 era while earning $3.5mm in the second year of his two-year deal $7mm deal.
The oldest player to ever play in a game goes to Satchel Paige who was 59. In 1965, he signed a one-day contract with the Kansas City Athletics. On September 25, he took the mound against the Boston Red Sox allowing only one hit in three innings (info obtained from wikipedia).
3. Where will Albert Pujols sign?
Because of the limited market as far as only a handful of teams being able to afford a $200mm contract, I think Pujols will end up returning to St. Louis. Stay up to date with all signings with our Free Agent Tracker.
4. What was the worst free agent signing last offseason?
Purely on the past season statistics, Jayson Werth and Adam Dunn immediately pop into mind. If you are looking at only performances, Dunn wins the award. Dunn posted a .159 avg,while hitting 11 home runs while striking out 177 times. Sure some critics will say it was in part because he switched leagues but he just flat out sunk. In 2010 with the Nationals, he hit .260 with 38 home runs. This past season while putting up dismal numbers, he went on to make $12mm, or about $1.1mm per home run he hit as the full time DH for the White Sox.
But if you take into consideration total years and money I would say Jayson Werth at seven years $126mm was the worst signing (Dunn was four-years, $56mm). Werth had a career year in 2009 when he hit .268 with 36 home runs and 99 rbi’s. But that was on a different team where he was not the big stick on the team. He had plenty of protection infront of him and behind him. This past season as the main threat for the Nationals, he hit .232 with only 20 home runs.
By the end of the 2012 season, the jocking for the worst contract during the 2010-2011 offseason should be over and we will be able to crown Dunn or Werth the winner.
Broxton decision likely coming soon
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Jonathan Broxton is likely to select a team soon, according to his agent BB Abbott via Mark Hale of the New York Post. The New York Mets who are a team in need of a closer appear to be out on Broxton as Abbott told Mark Hale, “I don’t think it will be New York for him.”
Last week we heard as many as ten teams were showing interest in Broxton. The 27-year-old former All Star was limited in 2011 due to injury and is coming of minor elbow surgery, though he should be ready for Spring Training. In 14 games last season, the right-hander was 1-2 with seven saves in 14 appearances.
In 2011, Broxton made $7mm in the second year of his two year deal.
In 2009, Broxton had a career year where he posted a 2.61 era while saving 36 games and striking 114 out along the way.
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Rays acquire Lueke from Mariners for Jaso
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The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired right-handed pitcher Josh Leuke and a player to be named later (or cash) from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for catcher John Jaso, according to a Mariners’ press release.
“John gives us a left-handed-hitting catcher with some big league time who is still young,” Mariners’ GM Jack Zduriencik said. “His left-handed bat will be a nice compliment to our right-handed hitting group. He’s a tough kid with post-season experience and should be a nice fit with us.”
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
Wily Mo Pena close to deal with Japanese team
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The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan are closing on a two-year deal with Wily Mo Pena that will pay him a seven-figure annual salary, according to sources close to Alex Speier of WEEI. If signed, the deal will keep Pena in Japan until he’s 31-years-old. He can then pursue a Major League contract afterwards.
The former Red Sox outfielder hit .204/.250/.416 in 39 games in 2011.
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Indians trade Valbuena to Blue Jays for cash
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According to several sources, including Jordan Bastien of MLB.com, the Cleveland Indians have traded Luis Valbuena to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations. The Indians previously designated the infielder for assignment on November 18.
The 25-year-old native of Venezuela hit .209/.227/.279 in 17 games for the Indians in 2011. He spent most of his time at second base, but also had stints in left field and shortstop last season.
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Red Sox and Rays check in on Luis Ayala
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According to a Tweet by Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, sources tell him that the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays have checked in on free agent reliever Luis Ayala.
Ayala pitched for the Yankees in 2011 after signing a Minor League deal in February 2011. He went 2-2 in 52 appearances and was signed to a $650,000 contract in 2011.
Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.
