Eric Byrnes Rumors

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Byrnes, Orioles

Links for Wednesday... Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times doesn't expect much to change with the Cubs under the Ricketts family. He says to expect a payroll around $143MM. That might leave GM Jim Hendry with around $8MM to work with. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic believes Eric Byrnes' time with the Diamondbacks might be nearing an end. They may attempt to trade him before releasing him. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer wouldn't be surprised to see the Reds release center fielder Willy Taveras, who is still owed $4MM. Sox Machine reader Chris Pummer makes the case...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Cubs, Nationals, Myers, Hudson

A slew of Thursday night links from around the majors.... Jon Heyman of SI.com reports (via Twitter) that coveted hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo appears likely to join the Chicago Cubs. Byron Kerr of MASN.com doesn't expect Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to name a new manager until at least November. According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the team will consider Chip Hale, Bobby Valentine, Bob Melvin, and perhaps Dave Duncan (if he's available), in addition to interim skipper Jim Riggleman. Meanwhile, another managerial search continues in Houston. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com writes that candidate Ned Yost thinks he benefited from a...   Continue Reading

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Diamondbacks Rumors: Webb, Byrnes

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic spoke to General Managing Partner Ken Kendrick of the Arizona Diamondbacks about the team's future. Here are a few of the highlights: The team has "every intention" of exercising Brandon Webb's $8.5MM option. Like GM Josh Byrnes said earlier in the week, there's no guarantee the team will hang on to outfielder Eric Byrnes just because of his bloated contract. Kendrick said the deal "looks like a mistake." The payroll for 2010 should be in the $75MM-$79MM range, after the team spent $73MM in 2009. Josh Byrnes could then have up to $20MM to...   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Talk: Davis, Tracy, Eric Byrnes

Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes was forthcoming, talking to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic today. Highlights: Payroll will likely be higher than the season-ending mark of $73MM. They have about $60MM committed for 2010, assuming Conor Jackson is retained. GM Josh Byrnes may have $15MM+ to spend. Byrnes has until the December 12th non-tender deadline to decide on Jackson, who must be paid at least $2.44MM if tendered a contract. Byrnes intends to use that time to gather information, but his comments had a positive vibe. Free agents Doug Davis and Chad Tracy are not expected to return in 2010...   Continue Reading

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D'Backs To Release Eric Byrnes This Winter?

Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune suspects that the Diamondbacks will consider cutting ties with Eric Byrnes this offseason and would be willing to eat the final year of his three-year, $30MM contract. Arizona's outfield is set for 2010, and it doesn't include the injury-plagued Byrnes. Conor Jackson will start in left field, Chris Young is expected to start in center and Justin Upton will play right. Gerardo Parra, after a fine rookie campaign in 2009, will operate as the fourth outfielder but should find regular playing time. D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes will certainly try to work out a...   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Trade Candidates

The D'Backs are out of the playoff hunt and they have a number of players who could appeal to contenders, as Bob Young of the Arizona Republic notes. GM Josh Byrnes says he's not looking to reinvent the team's core, but he does want to build "talent for the long term." He recognizes that the D'Backs are out of the race and is now open to making deals. Here are some D'Backs trade candidates: There's no market for Eric Byrnes and his salary, so Young wonders whether it could be time for the D'Backs to eat the remainder of what...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Pedro, Wood, Pudge, Gonzalez

Ken Rosenthal weighs in on a few of the recent hot topics... Like we heard earlier, Rosenthal says the Dodgers would only be willing to add Pedro Martinez to the mix if he is willing to "pitch for pay" and accept an incentive-laden contract. Rosenthal adds that Martinez' agents reached out to the Dodgers and that the Dodgers contacted Pedro's personal trainer but deny that any serious conservations have occurred. Rosenthal feels that the Dodgers have a better shot of landing a starter if they trade Delwyn Young who is out of minor league options. Rosenthal says Brandon Wood has...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Jays, Mets, Red Sox, Nats, Yankees

On this date 32 years ago, commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended Braves owner Ted Turner for one year for tampering. Turner had announced publicly that the Braves would sign free agent-to-be Gary Matthews. Unfortunately, 30 years later, nobody was disciplined when the Angels signed free agent Gary Matthews Jr. to a $50MM contract. In the first two years of the deal, Matthews has been paid $15MM and his play has been worth -$600K (yes, that is negative) according to Fangraphs. With several big free agents still looking for new teams, will any of them be the next Matthews Jr? Only time...   Continue Reading

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Brewers Not Close To Looper Deal

5:41pm: Brewers GM Doug Melvin confirmed interest in Looper but denied that they're close to a deal. Melvin would not say whether the Brewers made an offer, but suggested Looper and the Brewers' other targets want multiyear deals. 10:28am: In the "Etc." section of his Sunday update, Nick Cafardo has some updated information on a few free agents, as well as some potential trades. Updating a key part of the back-of-the-rotation market, Cafardo says Braden Looper is "close to signing with the Brewers." The Diamondbacks and Red Sox may soon revisit the possibility of an Eric Byrnes trade. Such a...   Continue Reading

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Gammons' Latest: Teixeira, Cameron, Montero

The latest blog post from ESPN's Peter Gammons is up. Gammons talked to a source close to Mark Teixeira who says Tex and the Red Sox are not that far apart. The Yankees backed off on the Mike Cameron trade because Melky Cabrera is showing improved plate discipline in winter ball (his walk rate is up, though it's only 15 games). Additionally, Brett Gardner has believers in the organization. The Diamondbacks were unwilling to trade catcher Miguel Montero to the Red Sox for Daniel Bard, while the Sox wouldn't part with Michael Bowden. Gammons says it hasn't been seriously discussed...   Continue Reading

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