Archive for December, 2010

Thursday December 23, 2010 Day in Review

December 23, 2010

Carlos Gonzalez Closing on 80 Million Extension with Rockies?

http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2010/12/23/no-deal-with-rockies-cargo-despite-reports/5342/

Rangers Sign Arthur Rhodes

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/23/2725807/rangers-will-add-arthur-rhodes.html

Matt Lidstrom Traded to Rockies

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101223&content_id=16364640&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

Padres on Verge of Deal with Brad Hawpe

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/23/whos-first-padres-close-signing-hawpe/

Johnny Damon Unlikely to Play for Yankees in 2011

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/12/23/2010-12-23_no_bronx_redux_for_damon_yet.html

Yankees Discussing Adding Manny Ramirez

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/23/yankees-have-discussed-manny-ramirez/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Pirates Sign Garret Atkins to Minor League Deal

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_715193.html

Sean Burnett Signs with Nationals

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/23/burnett-signs-two-year-deal-nats/

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Rockies and Carlos Gonzalez Discussing Extension

December 23, 2010

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports the Rockies are discussing a contract extension with Carlos Gonzalez. But talks of a 7 year 80 million deal are premature.

The Rockies are probably making a wise business decision by trying to lock up the budding superstar to a long-term deal now.

Rangers Interested in Arthur Rhodes?

December 23, 2010

Jon Heyman from SI.com is reporting the Rangers are interested in signing Arthur Rhodes. The 41 year old Rhodes was very effective in a setup role for the Reds in 2010 earning his for All Star selection.

It is surprising that the left-handed Rhodes has not received more attention this off season. Quality left-handed relief pitching is always in demand.

Sean Burnett to Sign with Nationals

December 23, 2010

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com is reporting Sean Burnett will sign a 2 year deal with the Nationals pending a physical.

Deal is reported to be for 2 years 4 million dollars with a 3.5 million mutual option for 2013.

 

Wednesday December 22, 2010 Day in Review

December 22, 2010

Driver Sentenced to 51 Years to Life in Nick Adenhart Death

http://www.ocregister.com/news/gallo-281330-adenhart-driving.html

Yankees Interested  in Signing Johnny Damon

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-damon-discussing-possible-reunion-1.2562562

Five Teams Interested in Jeff Francis

http://twitter.com/#!/jcrasnick/status/17566350843060224

Is Andy Pettitte Leaning Towards Retirement?

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/12412/cashman-pettitte-leaning-towards-retirement

Are the Phillies Looking to Trade Joe Blanton?

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/the_latest_on_blanton/3837255?new_post=true

Zack Greinke is Helping Increase Brewers Ticket Sales

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5947435

Reds Interested in Scott Podsednik?

December 22, 2010

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting the Reds may be interested in signing Scott Podsednik.

The Angels have also reportedly expressed interest in signing Podsednik.

Andy Pettitte Leaning Towards Retirement?

December 22, 2010
Wallace Matthews from the ESPN New York Blog is reporting that Yankees General manager Brian Cashman says Andy Pettitte is leaning towards retiring.

This would be a blow to the Yankees rotation going to 2011 as the list of available quality starting pitchers is thin.

Latest on Adrian Beltre, Brandon Webb and Jeff Francis

December 22, 2010
It is a slow day so far as Christmas approaches. Only a couple of minor updates this morning. 

The Adrian Beltre situation is getting more interesting every day. His Agent Scott Boras is reportedly asking for around 90 million over 5 years. The only two offers that have been publicized are a 5 year 64 million dollar offer from the Athletics that has reportedly been pulled. And a 5 year 70 million dollar offer from the Angels which has also reportedly been pulled.

Other teams have been mentioned as possible suitors for Beltre including the Rangers. But no other teams appear to have significant interest at the moment.

This appears to be a situation of Boras trying to get the Angels to bid against themselves. Angels owner Arte Moreno is a smart businessman and knows the biggest spending teams including the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies are almost assuredly are not interested in signing Beltre.

My guess is the Angels will end up signing Beltre.

Brandon Webb rumors were rampant on Tuesday including a deal with the Rangers was eminent. These rumors were quickly rebuffed and Webb remains unsigned as of this morning. The teams most linked with Webb at this point are the Ranges, Nationals and Cubs. The were also whispers of a “mystery team” The idea of a mystery team sounds funny until you remember a mystery team ended up signing Cliff Lee.

Jeff Francis has been linked with five teams including the Mets, Nationals, Pirates, Rangers and Yankees. Francis has never lived up to his early career hype and battled shoulder problems. At this point in his career he is a low cost pitcher with some upside for a team looking to take a flier on a fifth starter.

Phillies Looking to Deal Joe Blanton?

December 22, 2010
It was reported last week that the Phillies were trying to trade Joe Blanton after the Cliff Lee signing. But those rumors quickly died down.

This morning Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting the Phillies are indeed looking to trade Joe Blanton.

Blanton is scheduled to make 8.5 million in 2011 and 2012 which might be considered a little below market value when compared to deals being signed this off season. It has been widely reported that the Phillies would try to trim payroll to help recover money alloted to Cliff Lee when they signed him last week.

Jenks Can Earn 1 Million Bonus for Closing Games

December 21, 2010

Rob Bradford of the WEEI Full Count Blog reports that Bobby Jenks can earn a bonus of up to 1 million dollars for “closing games”

Not to split hairs but the article does not say saving games. I am operating under the assumption that Jenks would generally be earning saves if he is closing games.

Jenks can earn an additional $200,000 when he reaches 30, 40, 50, 55 and 60 games finished.

This is curious since Theo Epstein plainly stated Jonathan Papelbon was the Red Sox closer for 2011.

Maybe this is merely insurance to compensate Jenks in the event he becomes the Red Sox closer for any reason?

Sounds like the Red Sox bullpen situation could get very interesting in 2011.