Jon Heyman is reporting Pettitte is upset about the Yankees underpaying him in 2010 and he will not play for a low salary in 2011. But Heyman says Pettitte’s family supports him coming back for another season. The Yankees are obviously not excited about the prospect of starting the year with Sergio Mitre in their rotation.
Archive for December, 2010
Is Andy Pettitte Coming Back in 2011?
December 15, 2010Jesse Crain Signs 3 Year Deal With White Sox
December 15, 2010This according to Peter Gammons. Crain has been a good setup man for several years and this should strengthen the White Sox bullpen. More details to follow.
Rich Harden Signs with the Athletics
December 15, 2010| The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting the A’s will sign Rich Harden to a 1 year 1.5 million deal that could reach 3 million with incentives.
When healthy Harden has had electric stuff in his career. Problem is he has never been healthy for an extended period of time. Like the Yankees with Mark Prior the A’s are taking a flier on the oft injured Harden hoping to get some semblance of production from him out of their bullpen. Good luck. |
What’s New on The Adrian Beltre Front?
December 14, 2010With Cliff Lee off the board Adrian Beltre is arguably the biggest name left on the free agent board. The most persistent rumor was the Athletics had offered Beltre a 5 year 64 million dollar deal. But Beltre seemed to show little interest beyond using the offer as leverage against other teams. The A’s finally figured out they were being used as leverage and pulled the offer off the table.
With the A’s as well as the big spending Yankees and Red Sox seemingly out of the question the Beltre situation should be interesting.
Multiple reports state the Angels have money to spend but have been unable to land any of the top free agents thus far this off season. Multiple reports said Carl Crawford turned down a near identical offer from the Angels to sign with the Red Sox. And that was after heavy recruitment from Torii Hunter.
Although recent rumors say the Rangers will make a serious run at Beltre you would have to think the Angels will step up their efforts to sign him. The Angels know they can’t sit back and let the Rangers pull away from them in the AL West. Of course maybe the Rangers are merely feigning serious interest in Beltre to drive the price up for the Angels.
This should be interesting as Beltre is probably going to end up getting in the area of 5 years 75 million. He has a history of playing great in walk years and leveling off after signing new deals. One would have to think there is a great chance Beltre will underachieve on the deal he is sure to get.
Yankees Sign Mark Prior to 1 Year Minor League Deal
December 14, 2010The Yankees have signed Mark Prior to a 1 year incentive laden deal. If he makes the Major League roster he will make $750,000 with a chance to earn up to $1,500.000. I don’t think this is exactly the consolation prize the Yankees were looking for after losing out on Cliff Lee.
Prior looked to be the type of pitcher that would earn a Cliff Lee type deal someday. But now he is relegated to taking any offer he can get as he makes another attempt to salvage any semblance of a Major League Career.
Prior last pitched in the Major’s for the Cubs in 2006.
Where will Matt Garza be in 2011?
December 14, 2010| Multiple reports are saying the Rays are actively shopping Matt Garza. Garza has been linked to numerous teams the last few days. With Cliff Lee off the board the attention of teams looking for available top line starters will turn to Garza and Zach Greinke. But the price on both is going to be steep in terms of prospects. It should be interesting to see if the Rangers or Yankees inquire about Garza as a consolation prize after missing out on Cliff Lee. |
Russell Martin to Sign with the Yankees
December 14, 2010| As reported yesterday multiple sources are reporting Russell Martin is set to sign with the Yankees. If Martin signs the Yankees catching situation will be interesting in 2011 with Jorge Posada being slated for full time DH and Jesus Montero waiting in the wings. |
Joe Blanton to Red Sox Deal Near?
December 14, 2010| Multiple sources are reporting the Phillies are close to dealing Joe Blanton to the Red Sox. The Cliff Lee signing has left the Phillies looking to cut salary in other places. |
Cliff Lee Signing Leads to Huge Hype for Phillies Big 4
December 13, 2010With the announcement of Cliff Lee signing with the Phillies the hype of the Philles “Big 4” has already started. Comparisons are already being thrown around with the best rotations of the past 40+ years. Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine and insert Neagle-Avery etc. Dobson, Cuellar, Palmer and McNally.
Lets not forget the supposedly big bad unbeatable 4 lost a total of 5 games to the Giants in the 2010 postseason. Yes I am biased and yes the Giants were a hot team. But nobody will ever confuse the Giants for murders row. I know the thought of Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels sounds sexy but only Hamels owns a World Series ring.
The Phillies starting lineup is full of guys in their 30s. And Dominic Brown was reportedly sent home from winter ball after going 2-29. And don’t forget Jayson Werth and his 70+ extra base hits will have to be replaced.
So before we hand over the 2011 World Series Trophy or the National League Pennant lets consider a couple things.
Outside of Brad Lidge the Phillies bullpen is well, pretty terrible. Just ask Hudson, Mulder and Zito about their glory days with the A’s and how many wins a bad bullpen cost all of them.
The Braves are no joke. They were under appreciated in the 2010 Postseason. Hudson, Lowe and Hanson all pitched well and the Braves were a break or two away and a couple of Brooks Conrad errors away from knocking off the Giants in the NLDS. With the addition of Dan Uggla and a very tough bullpen the Braves figure to be neck and neck with the Phillies all season in 2011.
And finally the Giants “Big 4”. Outside of Lincecum although not as established as the Phillies “Big 4′ are a force to be reckoned with. On any given day any of the four has the stuff to shut down anybody. Just ask the Rangers and their powerful lineup that was one Nelson Cruz game 5 swing away from being shut out 3 times in the World Series.
One thing for sure. 2011 is shaping up to be a very interesting season.
Phillies Win Cliff Lee Sweepstakes
December 13, 2010There have been lots of erroneous Tweets about Cliff Lee tonight. But multiple sources are reporting the Rangers have been told Lee is going to sign with the Phillies. Deal with the Phillies is reported to be 5 years 100 million. It seems unbelievable Lee would leave 50 million on the table. The Lee signing would seem to make the Phillies prohibitive favorites in the National League next season.
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