Rumors for New York Yankees
Cliff Lee ready to sign with New York Yankees this winter?
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A baseball man close to Cliff Lee said via ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, that the left-handed pitcher will go to the New York Yankees this winter despite any attempts the Texas Rangers have on re-signing him. Lee will be a free-agent after this season, and can command a $20+ million per year contract.
Stark says that the reason that Lee will go to New York is because the Yankees are the best bet to “outbid the rest of civilization.”
“Cliff,” Starks’ source said, “would go to Siberia if they offered him the biggest contract.”
Alex Rodriguez fires agent Scott Boras
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According to a source close to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, New York Yankees’ third baseman, Alex Rodriguez, has fired his agent Scott Boras. He is now being represented by Pittsburgh attorney Jay Reisinger and Washington lawyer Jim Sharp.
Reisinger, a certified agent with the players association, confirmed that he and Sharp are Rodriguez’s attorneys, in an e-mail to the Daily Pitch. Reisinger represented Rodriguez during his admission to using steroids.
Boras will not publicly discuss his business relationship with Rodriguez, but he negotiated the two highest contracts in baseball for him. However, his current one, 10-years at $275 milion, required Rodriguez to interject himself into the negotiations.
List of six GM candidates for Arizona Diamondbacks is taking shape
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FOXSports’ Jon Paul Morosi says the Arizona Diamondbacks’ list of potential general manager candidates is starting to take shape. According to sources close to Morosi, the Diamondbacks plan to speak with the following six people:
- Jerry Dipoto, Diamondbacks interim GM
- Peter Woodfork, Diamondbacks assistant GM
- Kevin Towers, former Padres GM and current Yankees adviser
- Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees vice president of amateur scouting
- De Jon Watson, Dodgers assistant GM for player development
- Logan White, Dodgers assistant GM for amateur and international scouting
Sources says that the Diamondbacks’ superiors were happy with the job that Dipoto did at the July 31st trade deadline. Among Dipoto’s accomplishments this season are: Dan Haren trade with the Los Angeles Angels, Edwin Jackson trade with the Chicago White Sox, Chad Qualls trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chris Snyder trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Fredi Gonzalez is at the top of Chicago Cubs managerial list
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Sources close to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times say that former Florida Marlins manager, Fredi Gonzalez, is at the top of Cubs’ general manager Jim Hendry’s wish list at this stage of the process. Wittenmyer adds that Hendry prefers a manager with Major League experience, so sentimental favorite, Ryne Sandberg, may not get his opportunity to lead his former team.
”I don’t have anything I can tell you,” Hendry said, ”except Jim and I go back to my high school days. He coached one of the opposing teams when I played. And we worked together with the Marlins.”
Hendry declined to comment on whether Gonzalez had interviewed or expected to interview. But indications are that he’s in the first group of candidates on Hendry’s list. Hendry is expected to complete his interview with Sandberg this week.
Other candidates include interim manager Mike Quade and current New York Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, should he become available.
Los Angeles Dodgers intend to pursue multi-year deal with Ted Lilly
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According to sources close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Los Angeles intend to pursue a multi-year deal with left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly. ESPN’s Buster Olney adds, “Ted Lilly’s agent says the pitcher wants to work out something to stay in L.A. — and the Dodgers want the same thing. Talks to come.”
Lilly was acquired by the Dodgers before the July 31st trade deadline. With an outside chance of making the playoffs, it was believed that Los Angeles may try to save on payroll and dump players such as Lilly.
The New York Yankees were awarded a waiver claim on Lilly before August 31, and they may continue to pursue acquiring Lilly with the hopes to add him to their post season roster.
New York Yankees to use loophole to acquire Ted Lilly and use him in postseason?
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A source close to The New York Daily News says the Yankees were awarded a waiver claim on Tuesday for Los Angeles Dodgers’ left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly, and should the Yankees acquire the pitcher they would like to use a “loophole” to use him in the postseason. A Yankees’ source says the team will continue to push to make a deal for Lilly.
The Daily News says, “the Yankees believe there is a loophole because they were awarded the claim before the first of the month, they could use Lilly on their postseason roster.”
By trading Lilly, the Dodgers would save about $2 million. However, GM Ned Colletti still believes his team is a Wild Card contender. The Dodgers are currently 6 1/2 games out of the Wild Card lead.
Quiet Aug 31 trade deadline expected?
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Many people in the know, close to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, expect this year’s August 31st deadline to be the quietest in years. Most executives expect that only a few bullpen and bench pieces will get moved before tonight’s midnight deadline to have player on your roster eligible for post season player.
“It’s not as very attractive list,” one AL GM said. “Most guys got claimed, even guys making money.”
Here are few highlights from Heyman:
- Some big names that could be available include starting pitcher Kevin Millwood of the Baltimore Orioles, but he brings a relatively high price tag.
- The San Diego Padres and New York Yankees are looking for starting pitching help.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers Ted Lilly was placed on waivers but the team considers themselves in the race so they are unlikely to trade him.
- Other available players include: Carlos Beltran, Geoff Blum, Craig Counsell, Edwin Encarnacion, Kelly Johnson, Adam LaRoche, Lyle Overbay, George Sherrill and Brian Tallet.
Roger Clemens pleads not guilty to purjury charges
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The Associated Press reports that former Major League right-handed pitcher Roger Clemens has entered a not guilty plea Monday to charges of lying to Congress about whether he used steroids or human growth hormones.
If convicted, Clemens could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine in addition to damages to his reputation, future earning potential and chances of getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 24 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros, Clemens was 354-184 with a 3.12 ERA.
Here’s the latest from The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
Cafardo says Manny Ramirez could make the Chicago White Sox a playoff team, but it will come down to the Los Angeles Dodgers deciding to trade him or keep him by the Tuesday deadline. If they trade him, he could be facing the Boston Red Sox next Friday.
Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker hopes he does not have to take part in the managerial free agency frenzy that is expected this winter. “I was out there a few years back working for ESPN and there were seven openings and I didn’t get one of them,’’ said Baker. “I love it right where I am and we’re in the middle of trying to work something out to stay. I love the organization, love working with Walt [Jocketty, the general manager], I love my team. I feel like we’ve built this team together, and it’s been a challenge at times, but it’s paying off for us.’’
Red Sox tried to get right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson back at the trade deadline. Masterson was traded by the Red Sox to the Indians in last year’s deal for Victor Martinez.
There will be a market for free-agent-to-be Victor Martinez this winter, and the Detroit Tigers could be an excellent fit. The Red Sox and Martinez have had preliminary conversation about a contract extension, but nothing of substance. Read More→
Dodgers asst. GM Logan White a likely candidate for Diamondbacks GM job
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Los Angeles Dodgers assistant GM, Logan White, is likely a candidate for the vacant Arizona Diamondbacks general manager job, according to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, but the D-backs have not asked the Dodgers for permission to interview him.
“I’d like to have a GM in place before the season ends,” Hall said last week. “You allow teams to get through the draft, get through the trade deadline and then start the ball rolling (in the interview process).”
Arizona has been without a permanent GM since they fired Josh Byrnes on July 1st. Jerry Dipoto has been the team’s interim GM. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports said last weekend that Hall is very pleased with Dipoto and interim manager Kirk Gibson. Read More→
