Rumors for Los Angeles Angels
Florida Marlins looking to add another catcher
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Yesterday we heard that the Florida Marlins would be looking to add another catcher during the off-season in the wake of Ronny Paulino’s recent 50 game suspension for violating MLB’s substance abuse policy. Today is appears that the team isn’t going to wait until the off-season to make the move. Manager Edwin Rodriguez says that the team is in the process of signing another catcher, according to Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald.
Catchers that are free-agents after this season include Bengie Molina, Jason Varitek, Victor Martinez, Rod Barajas, Yorvit Torrealba and A.J. Pierzynski. Yesterday, Angels‘ Mike Napoli said he wanted more playing time, and with the Angels being likely crowded next season behind the plate, he could be a good fit for the Marlins. Napoli is also under team control, so he wouldn’t be a short-term rental.
Minnesota Twins send RHP Loek Van Mil to Angels
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To complete the trade for left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes, the Minnesota Twins have sent right-handed pitcher Loek Van Mil to the Los Angeles Angels, according to Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune.
Van Mil, 25, is best known for being the tallest pitcher in the Minor Leagues at 7′1″. He was designated for assignment by the Twins on August 28.
He has not played in the Major Leagues, but was added to the Twins 40-man roster last November. In High-A and Double-A in 2010, Van Mill is 1-3 with a 6.15 ERA in 26 games. He has a 1.960 WHIP and 1.23 SO/BB ratio.
| Team | Acquires |
| Los Angeles Angels | RHP Loek Van Mil (PTBNL) |
| Minnesota Twins | LHP Brian Fuentes |
Boston Red Sox have talked to Victor Martinez about a two-year contract
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The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo says the Red Sox have spoken with free-agent-to-be, Victor Martinez , regarding a two-year contract. Carfardo suggests that the Sox are trying to throw something out there to let him know that they want him, and keep him away from free agency.
Last month, Cafardo said that there have been preliminary talks regarding an extension with Martinez. At the time, he said that Martinez may fall into the four-year, $60 million range, and the Sox may not believe he may be worth that.
The Sox made an attempt at acquiring Los Angeles Angels catcher-first baseman Mike Napoli, but the deal fell through. Napoli would like to get the opportunity to play everyday. If the teams could work out a deal this winter, he could be a cheaper option for the Sox. Napoli could be signed to a long-term deal between what the Colorado Rockies’ three-year, $8.35 million deal with Chris Iannetta and the Oakland Athletics’ four-year, $16.25 million deal with Kurt Suzuki (approximately $3-4 million per season).
Florida Marlins looking for a new catcher this offseason
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MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says the Florida Marlins are strongly considering moving in another direction at catcher in the wake of Ronny Paulino’s recent 50 game suspension for violating MLB’s substance abuse policy.
Paulino is under team control, and could see a salary increase to $3 million for 2011, but the Marlins may be cautious about paying that much money to a player coming off a suspension.
The other internal option the Marlins have is John Baker, but he has been out with elbow issues since mid-May. He will likely undergo surgery on his right elbow.
Catchers the Marlins could go after this off-season include Bengie Molina, Jason Varitek, Victor Martinez, Rod Barajas, Yorvit Torrealba and A.J. Pierzynski. We talked earlier today about the Angels‘ Mike Napoli wanting more playing time, and with the Angels being likely crowded next season behind the plate, he could be a good fit for the Marlins.
Will Mike Napoli be a Los Angeles Angel in 2011? Revisit talks with Boston this winter?
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Although catcher-first baseman Mike Napoli is under team control through 2012, he isn’t too sure if he’ll be with the team next season, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
Napoli said, “It could go either way; I’d say it’s 50-50.”
“I want to play every day,” Napoli continued. “I feel I could potentially help the team a lot by being in there every day. I just like to play. … I’m not in there again today.”
Napoli was almost traded to the Boston Red Sox on Monday, but the two teams could not come to an agreement after the Sox made a waiver claim on Napoli.
The Angels home run leader is clearly frustrated by his lack of playing time. “Yeah,” said Napoli, who shares catching duties with Jeff Mathis and the first base job with Juan Rivera. “I’m having one of the best years of my career, and I’m not playing much. I guess I don’t get it done on the defensive side. I have to clean things up.”
Despite leading the team in home runs he also leads the team with 108 strikeouts (7th most in the American League).
“I’m an Angel now,” Napoli said. “I want to help this team. I love everyone in this clubhouse. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I want to play. If there are other teams that want to give me an opportunity, I will always do my best.”
With the crowded catcher and first base positions in Los Angeles, it’s likely that the Angels could move Napoli in the off-season. They shouldn’t close the book with Boston given the uncertainty of Victor Martinez re-signing with the team.
Update – No deal to trade Mike Napoli from Angels to Red Sox
Posted by: | Comments8/29 14:14: According to a source close to Alex Speier of WEEI says the Red Sox and the Angels did not reach an agreement to trade catcher Mike Napoli despite the Sox being awarded a waiver claim.
A second source close to Speier said the Angels were “not really looking to move” Napoli right now.
8/29 17:21: The Angels will likely pull Napoli back as they can create more of a trade market for him over the winter, a league source told John Tomase of the Boston Herald. The Red Sox had interest in Napoli but also needed to put a claim in to block the Rays from obtaining him.
8/29 14:50: According to ESPN’s Joe McDonald, the Boston Red Sox have claimed Mike Napoli. McDonald adds that is is unlikely the Red Sox will complete a deal.
8/28 23:01: Major League sources close to FOXSports.com say that Los Angeles Angels catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli was claimed on trade waivers by an unknown team. The Angels and the claiming team now have until Monday afternoon to work out a deal.
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says the team is probably another American League club. Possible candidates include the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers. All of those teams could use help at catcher, first base and/or designated hitter.
Since the return of catcher Jeff Mathis from the disabled list in June, Napoli has spent more time at first base.
Napoli is earning $3.6 million this season and is on track to be a free agent after the 2012 season. He is hitting .249 with 21 home runs and 60 RBIs in 112 games.
Ken Rosenthal on Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Here’s the latest from FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal via his Full Count Video:
The addition of relief pitcher Brian Fuentes to the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen via trade from the Los Angeles Angels adds almost $2 million more to the Twins’ payroll, but it could be well worth it. Fuentes gives the Twins another closing option, but he fits best in left-on-left situations. Fuentes has held left-handed hitters to a .132 batting average. Left-hander Jose Mijares could come back to Minnesota in the last few weeks of the season – giving the Twins three left-handed options out of the bullpen.
Part of the reason the Texas Rangers made a claim on Manny Ramirez this week was to keep him away from two potential playoff opponents – the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. It’s probably best that the Rangers did not win the claim due to Ramirez’s defensive liability. Rosenthal says the Rangers should be fine with Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler expected to come off the DL shortly. The Rangers had been looking into acquiring a fourth outfielder – somebody like the Dodgers’ Reed Johnson.
If the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to part with Ramirez comes down to the outcome of their next three games, then Rosenthal says the pitching matchups will be critical. Rosenthal points out that Monday’s matchup will be between Hiroki Kuroda versus the Philadelphia Phillies Roy Halladay. The Dodgers could let Ramirez go regardless of the outcome of their next three games because he hasn’t really been a factor for the Dodgers’ this season.
With three teams making a claim on Ramirez this week, and the possibility of inheriting the $4 million that he’s due, Rosenthal points out that teams are more robust financial than what we are led to believe.
Join PRO Rumors on ESPN 1420am with The Sports Animals
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Join PRO Rumors on ESPN 1420 AM Honolulu, Hawaii tonight at 8:35pm PST (5:35pm Hawaii Time) with The Sports Animals Chris Hart and Gary Dickman. You can listen live at http://www.espn1420am.com
Minnesota Twins acquire Brian Fuentes from Angels
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FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal says the Minnesota Twins have acquire left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes from the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later.
| Team | Acquires |
| Los Angeles Angels | Player to be named later |
| Minnesota Twins | LHP Brian Fuentes |
Rosenthal adds that Fuentes will give the Twins another option to close with Matt Capps.
There were questions earlier this month if the Angels were going to re-sign the free-agent-to-be Fuentes.
Fuentes is in the final year of his two-year, $17.5 million deal that he signed before the 2009 season. There is a $9 million option for 2011 that will automatically vest if he finishes 55 games this season. He’s currently at 33 games finished, so it’s unlikely that the option will vest.
Fuentes, was 4-1 with a 3.52 ERA and 23 saves this season for the Angels.
8/26 11:30: Former Rays’ teammate and now Los Angeles Angels pitcher Scott Kazmir may help in the recruiting efforts. According to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com Kazmir said he would be happy to reach out to Crawford this winter.
“If they’re really serious about him, yeah,” Kazmir said. “I’d love to have him on the team. I don’t think there’s anyone in the league who has the skills he has, who brings so much to the table. He creates stuff, he’s an excellent outfielder and he has power. He pretty much has it all. I think everyone would love to have him.”
8/25 11:45: Free-agent-to-be Carl Crawford could be headed to Southern California if the rumors of Torii Hunter’s recruiting efforts are true. Despite the rumors, Hunter is denying any attempts at luring his friend to the Los Angeles Angels.
“Everybody and their mama’s going to want Carl Crawford,” Hunter said according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. “So you never know what can happen.”
“People forget he’s my friend, he’s one of my best buddies in the game,” Hunter said. “People are making it out like I’m trying to recruit him and everything. I’m just his friend, like always. But since he’s a free agent they think I’m trying to recruit him. I’m not.
“I was a free agent once, so if he asks me about free agency I’m going to help him out, whether he joins the Angels or not. He’s my friend first.”
Crawford will draw heavy interest from those that could afford him. It’s expected that he could command a contract over $70 million that breaks down to the $12-14 million per season range. The Rays are unlikely to have him back since the team’s payroll will be under $60 million next year. The Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have previously expressed interest in Crawford. At the time when Crawford was told that the Yankees were interested in him, Crawford said, “I don’t think about other teams. I’m only concerned with what goes on with the Rays.”
“I’m pretty sure he would love to stay with the Rays,” Hunter said. “But I’m pretty sure he has to think about that turf and that dome, and you have to think about your future first. Baseball is No. 1, and if you can’t play it because you’re sore every day, you learn that.”
