Doug Mientkiewicz Rumors

Gammons' Latest: Iglesias, Magglio, Valentine

In his latest blog post at ESPN, Peter Gammons writes that the NL West has quietly become very competitive thanks to three California pitcher's parks that make it such a pitching dominated division. Through the help of scouts and team executives, he points out all the great young talent in the division, highlighted by the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Tim Lincecum, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Pablo Sandoval, Troy Tulowitzki, and Mark Reynolds. Here's a roundup of Gammons' rumors... Gammons jokes that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti "could be arrested for shoplifting," because in the last two seasons...   Continue Reading

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Doug Mientkiewicz To Make Dodgers?

Ramona Shelburne of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that Doug Mientkiewicz "seems to have played himself into contention for a spot on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster." Just a month ago, Mientkiewicz was pondering retirement. Now he's being viewed as an ideal left-handed pinch hitting option for a squad with legitimate playoff aspirations. "Doug's certainly got our attention," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said Friday. "I told him, `If somebody else sees you and you and you get an opportunity to play someplace else that's fine.' But he just won't let up. As Yogi (Berra) would say, he's trying to...   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Sign Doug Mientkiewicz

6:35pm: Jackson reports that Mientkiewicz passed his physical and signed the contract. 10:41am: According to Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News, the Dodgers have agreed to terms with Doug Mientkiewicz on a minor league contract. Mientkiewicz will join spring training camp once he passes a physical. He's no Manny Ramirez, but, as Jackson writes, he "might have a good chance of making the club to fill that role that Nomar Garciaparra filled last year." Mientkiewicz, 34, hit .277/.374/.379 last season with two home runs and 30 RBI in 285 at-bats for the Pirates.   Continue Reading

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Pirates, Eric Hinske Agree To Terms

4:30pm: Kovacevic says Hinske and the Pirates have agreed to terms one a one-year deal with a base salary around $1.5MM. THURSDAY, 12:20am: Dejan Kovacevic says Friday is more likely than Thursday for Hinske to sign. WEDNESDAY, 5:23pm: Jon Heyman agrees. He says the Pirates are in serious discussions with Hinske, working towards a deal worth roughly $1.5MM. 11:22pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Pirates are closing in on a one-year contract with Hinske. An agreement could be reached Wednesday that would pay Hinske $1-2MM plus incentives. Dejan Kovacevic also has the story, noting that the signing would end Doug Mientkiewicz's...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Interested In Braden Looper

Let's gather up assorted pieces of Pirates information from Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from the past few days... We already knew about Pedro Martinez; Kovacevic says the Pirates also have an eye on free agent starter Braden Looper. The Dodgers and D'Backs are other teams in the market for the 34 year-old hurler. Team president Frank Coonelly says free agents are "still asking for prices based on yesterday's market." Kovacevic suggests the Pirates may sign another bench player soon, someone other than fan favorite Doug Mientkiewicz. GM Neal Huntington ruled out free agents Rich Aurilia, Joe Crede, and...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Notes: Maholm, Mientkiewicz, Alvarez

The latest on the Pirates, from Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Extension talks with Nate McLouth are dormant, but talks with Paul Maholm are not. Maholm is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, so he's under team control through 2011. Doug Mientkiewicz was overwhelmed by the support he's getting from Pirates fans. Scott Boras apparently told the Pirates Pedro Alvarez was working very hard to stay in shape while their negotiations dragged, but team president Frank Coonelly says Alvarez "was not in good condition" when he showed up for the Florida Instructional League in September.   Continue Reading

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Mientkiewicz Believes Return To Pirates Unlikely

WEDNESDAY: Dejan Kovacevic talked to Huntington, who "blamed Mientkiewicz's lingering frustration with the team's lack of communication on Mientkiewicz's now-former agent." Huntington said the door remains open for Minky. MONDAY: First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com that he doubts he'll return to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization this season. According to Mientkiewicz, the Pirates have not made an offer or any attempts to get in touch with him as the offseason has progressed. He has not spoken with general manager Neal Huntington or manager John Russell, a close friend of Mientkiewicz's, since the season ended, Langosch wrote. Mientkiewicz,...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Padres, Manny, Braves

Links for Sunday... John Moores will remain majority owner of the Padres for three or four years even if he agrees to sell the team to Jeff Moorad, according to Tom Krasovic. Major league executives say Padres CEO Sandy Alderson is likely to leave if Moorad takes over. In a recent poll, Giants fans were divided on the idea of signing Manny Ramirez. The Pirates haven't offered Doug Mientkiewicz a contract. Thomas Stinson looks at an offseason of "mediocrity" for the Braves. Bobby Cox likes the looks of Kenshin Kawakami. Larry LaRue asks who's on first for the Mariners this...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Pursuing Rocco Baldelli

Pirates rumors from the tireless Dejan Kovacevic... Kovacevic says the Pirates are in pursuit of free agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli. The Bucs are serious about him, having spoken to his agents several times. The Reds, Phillies, Red Sox, and Yankees are considered other suitors. The team's interest in Ty Wigginton has dropped off. Doug Mientkiewicz remains on the radar, but no offer has been made. Nothing cooking on the Jack Wilson front; he's likely to remain the Pirates' shortstop. The Pirates offered slightly more than the $2.6MM Daniel Cabrera signed for with the Nationals. D-Cab wanted to remain in the...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Rumors: Eckstein, Wilson, Turnbow

5:29pm: A handful of teams have expressed interest in Doug Mientkiewicz, reports Jenifer Langosch. He expects to sign within a few weeks, and his agent will meet with the Pirates this week. 4:56pm: Kovacevic confirmed that the Pirates are in negotiations with Eckstein. The Orioles and Padres are also said to be in on him. As for Wilson: the Dodgers are said to be exasperated by the Pirates' asking price. 12:10am: Let's check in with Dejan Kovacevic and Rob Biertempfel for the latest on the Pirates. Kovacevic on Jack Wilson: the Tigers are out, the Dodgers are quiet lately, and...   Continue Reading

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