Rumors for November, 2011
Verlander unanimously wins AL Cy Young
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The Baseball Writers’ Association of America unanimously selected Justin Verlander as the winner of the 2011 American League Cy Young Award. The 28-year-old pitcher was named first on all 28 ballots for a score of 196 points. Jared Weaver of the Los Angeles Angels finished second with 17 second place votes and a total of 97 points.
Verlander was 24-5 over 251 innings pitched in 2011. He limited batters to an impressive .192 batting average.
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Padres offer Heath Bell a two-year deal
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The San Diego Padres are not too optimistic about keeping closer Heath Bell, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reports. Heyman says the team has offered a two-year deal, but he speculates that the free agent reliever can get a three-year, $30+ million deal outside of San Diego.
At the July trade deadline, several teams were rumored to be interested in the All Star closer to help them for their pennant run. Candidates includes the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Angels and C.J. Wilson have mutual interest
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In a series of Tweets by Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, a source says that the Los Angeles Angels have interest in left-handed pitcher C.J. Wilson. GM Jerry Dipoto is scheduled to speak with Wilson’s agent this week during the GM meetings.
Wilson’s agent confirm his client’s interest in another Tweet by DiGiovanna, “CJ is extremely interested (in Angels). We’re going to talk some more.”
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Detroit Tigers interested in Martin Prado
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Sources close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports report that the Detroit Tigers are interested in Atlanta Braves’ Martin Prado. It’s possible that the team could trade left fielder Delmon Young for the right handed hitting second baseman, but it’s not known whether the Braves have interest in acquiring Young.
Detroit may not be the only team interested in Prado, earlier this month, the Rockies were reported to have contacted the Braves about their second baseman.
Prado is arbitration-eligible and is in line to make $4.5 million on a one-year deal.
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Mark Ellis and Dodgers reach two-year agreement
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The Los Angeles Dodgers and second baseman Mark Ellis have agreed to a two-year, $8.75 million deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Buster Olney of ESPN first reported that the sides were close to a deal earlier today.
Rosenthal adds that the Dodgers have a club option for 2014.
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Dodgers agree to eight-year extension with Matt Kemp
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According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, Matt Kemp has agreed to an eight-year, $160mm extension with the Dodgers. The deal also includes a full no trade clause, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports. Dodgers’ GM Ned Colletti had set signing Kemp to an extension as a top priority this Winter as Kemp had indicated that he did not want to negotiate during the season.
The signing of Kemp may even help the value of the Dodgers when Frank McCourt goes to sell the team, knowing that one of the MLB’s top players will be in Chavez Ravine until 2019. McCourt also benefits from the signing as he will end up not spending a penny on Kemp as a new owner should be in place at the start of the season.
Kemps deal becomes the richest deal handed out by the Dodgers as he surpassed the previous record holder Kevin Brown and his $105mm deal in 1998.
Aaron Hill and Diamondbacks agree to two-year deal
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The Arizona Diamondbacks and Aaron Hill have agreed to a two-year deal worth approximately $11 million, sources tell Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.
It was late last week that reports were coming out regarding the Diamondback’s intent of re-signing the second baseman.
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Ryan Doumit rejects offer from Dodgers
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Ryan Doumit, who became a free agent after the Pirates elected not to exercise their $7.25mm team option has generated interest from a handful of teams. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported yesterday that Doumit had already received numerous contract offers from several AL clubs and received an offer from an NL club yesterday.
One NL club that was interested in Doumit was the Dodgers, as Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times is reporting the club offered him a one-year, $3mm deal. Doumit though made $5.1mm in 2011 decided to pass on the deal. DiGiovanna adds that the Angels have yet to contact Doumit.
In 2011, Doumit was limited to only 236 plate appearances due to injuries and hit .303 avg, with 66 hits, 8 home runs.
Cardinals name Mike Matheny as new manager
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The St. Louis Cardinals have named Mike Matheny as the team’s new manager, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports.
Matheny takes over for the recently retired and long-time manager Tony La Russa. La Russa announced his retirement shortly after winning the 2011 World Series. In 33 years as a Major League manager with the White Sox (8 years), Athletics (10 years) and Cardinals (16 years) La Russa was 2728-2365 with six league pennants and three World Series championships.
Sources close to Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch add that the team will officially name Matheny as the team’s skipper on Monday, November 14, 2011.
Matheny was a catcher for the Cardinals in 2000-2004 and is familiar with the team’s Minor League talent.
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Rockies showing interest in Sizemore
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According to an article by Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Grady Sizemore.
ESPN’s Jim Bowden predicted Sizemore would receive a one-year, $5 million contract this winter.
In 2011, Sizemore hit .224/.285/.422 with 10 HR’s and 32 RBI’s in 268 AB’s in another injury plagued season with the Indians.
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