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Rays not considering Ivan Rodriguez
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A return to the state of Florida is unlikely for future Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Tampa Bay Rays are not considering the veteran catcher as an option for their backstop needs.
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Athletics release Landon Powell
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According to a team announcement, the Oakland Athletics have released catcher Landon Powell. Here’s more information from the team’s press release:
“Powell was a non-roster invitee this spring and was 2-for-6 (.333) in three games with the A’s. He spent nearly the entire 2011 season with Oakland but appeared in just 36 games, batting .171 with a home run and four RBI. The 29-year-old switch hitter spent his third consecutive season as the back-up catcher to Kurt Suzuki and has appeared in 123 games over the last three years with Oakland. Powell is a .207 career hitter with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in his three seasons in the majors. He was outrighted off the 40-man roster Jan. 5.”
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Marlins talking extension with Giancarlo Stanton?
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The Florida Marlins have talked about a contract extension for Giancarlo Stanton (Mike Stanton), Buster Olney of ESPN reports. Olney adds that the team talked “about presenting a big, crooked number in a contract”.
However, Peter Gammons adds that the Marlins have not reached out to Stanton.
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Twins sign Glen Perkins to 3-year extension
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According to a team press release, the Minnesota Twins have signed left-handed pitcher Glen Perkins to a three-year extension that will keep the pitcher under contract through the 2015 season. The deal is worth a guaranteed $10.3 million and includes a club option for 2016.
“We are very pleased to reach this agreement with Glen”, said Twins Executive Vice President/General Manager Terry Ryan. “He has been a reliable reliever for us and has helped stabilize the back end of our bullpen in the set-up role. When we were looking for someone to step up last year, it was Glen who seized the opportunity and pitched the way we knew he could, after selecting him out of the University of Minnesota.”
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Carlos Guillen announces his retirement
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The Seattle Mariners posted on Twitter that Carlos Guillen has announced his retirement after a 14-year career. The 36-year-old split his career with the Seattle Mariners from 1998-2003 and with the Detroit Tigers from 2004-2011.
Guillen wrapped up a four-year, $48 million contract with the Tigers after the 2011 season and had returned to the Seattle Mariners on a Minor League contract.
Matt Cain and Giants continue to talk contract extension
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The San Francisco Giants and Matt Cain’s representatives have been speaking daily, Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com reports. Cain is a free agent after this season and Baggarly adds that the pitcher wants to stay in San Francisco and the Giants want to keep him. The two sides have “reached greater common ground in recent weeks.”
If the Giants and Cain fail to come to an agreement, Cain will be able to test free agency for the first time in his career and he could fetch one of the largest winter contracts when he’s on the open given his stamina and the perception of a being a number one pitcher on most team’s staffs.
Boras thinks trade deadline activity will decrease in time
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Here’s the latest from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
– Agent Scott Boras thinks that the top spenders in baseball are going to save money on the luxury tax and won’t spend money on the draft due to restrictions so trade-deadline activity will decrease in time. Here’s what Cafardo adds: “Boras is taking this tax-savings scenario a step further. He figures the savings will simply be profit because the money can’t go toward scouting and player development. Eventually, he reasons, minor league systems will have less depth and ultimately teams won’t be able to make big deals because they won’t have much to give up.”
– Cafardo wonders if Terry Francona could end up managing the Mets.
– Boras is taking the patient approach with client Johnny Damon.
– J.D. Drew has not announced his retirement.
– Adam Jones’ name is rumored to be in trade discussions with the Nationals.
– Free agent Roy Oswalt is still in play and Cafardo speculates that the Red Sox could make a play for him.
– Gavin Floyd could be a trade candidate between the White Sox and the Blue Jays or Red Sox.
– Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez is in wait-and-see mode.
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Yadier Molina and Cardinals agree to contract
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In a Tweet by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, he reports that Yadier Molina and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to extension terms. The deal is believed to be $75 million over five-years. The contract is expected to be finalized soon.
On Monday, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said that both sides are “very optimistic” and the terms are “all but finalized” and several unconfirmed reports (via FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal) indicated that the deal is in the range of $70 million or $75 million.
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Yadier Molina and Cardinals close on 5-year extension
Posted by: | CommentsCatcher Yadier Molina and the St. Louis Cardinals are closing in on a five-year contract extension. Several unconfirmed reports (via FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal) indicate that the deal is in the range of $70 million or $75 million.
Earlier today, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said that both sides are “very optimistic” and the terms are “all but finalized”.
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Ryan Braun has positive drug test overturned
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In a report by Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel, 2011 National League MVP, Ryan Braun, had his positive drug test overturned by an arbitration panel. He was originally suspended for 50-games.
Adam McCalvy of MLB.com blogged Braun’s statement after the decision was announced:
“I am very pleased and relieved by today’s decision.
“It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side.
“We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances.
“I have been an open book, willing to share details from every aspect of my life as part of this investigation, because I have nothing to hide. I have passed over 25 drug tests in my career, including at least three in the past year.
“I would like to thank my family and friends, my teammates, the Brewers organization led by Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin, Gord Ash and Ron Roenicke, and other players around the league who have expressed their support and our great fans in Milwaukee and around the country who stuck by me and did not rush to judgment.
“I’d also like to offer special thanks to Michael Weiner and the Players Association for believing in me since day one and to my attorneys.
“I’d like to thank my agent Nez Balelo and Terry Prince of CAA Sports and Matthew Hiltzik of Hiltzik Strategies for all of their help and counsel through the process.
“This is not just about one person, but about all current and future players, and thankfully, today the process worked.
“Despite the challenges of this adversarial process, I do appreciate the professionalism demonstrated by the Panel Chair and the Office of the Commissioner.
“As I said before, I’ve always loved and had so much respect for the game of baseball.
“Everything I’ve done in my career has been with that respect and appreciation in mind.
“I look forward to finally being able to speak to the fans and the media on Friday and then returning the focus to baseball and working with my Brewers teammates on defending our National League Central title.”
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