Francisco Rodriguez Rumors
By Zach Links [October 4, 2009 at 9:40pm CST]
With the 2009 postseason picture nearly in place, it's time to identify some of the late-season pickups that can make a huge splash in this year's playoffs. In 2002, the Angels may not have won the championship without the help of a young pitcher by the name of Francisco Rodriguez. Because of multiple injuries to their bullpen, the Angels called up the 22-year-old in mid-September. Rodriguez was able to pitch in just five regular season games for the club before being thrown into the postseason fire. The hard-throwing righty responded to the pressure beautifully, posting an ERA of 1.93 and...
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By Howard Megdal [July 22, 2009 at 7:37pm CST]
Usually, getting shut out five times in 13 games as the trade deadline nears while falling ten games behind the division leader is a good excuse to get a team to waive the white flag. But the Mets are no ordinary team, with executives challenging minor leaguers to fights, having altercations with closer Francisco Rodriguez, and an injury a day- this one to Alex Cora, who has been filling in for the injured Jose Reyes. So it should come as no surprise that Mets GM Omar Minaya says New York will be buyers, not sellers at the trade deadline, according...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 13, 2009 at 6:58pm CST]
Some links to peruse in between home runs... Here are the latest minor league transactions from Baseball America. CBS Sports reports that Indian pitcher Rinku Singh picked up his first win as a pro. Check out Dejan Kovacevic's article on Singh's team, the Bradenton Pirates, which has players from five continents on its roster. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports has a source who believes a Roy Halladay deal is more likely in the winter. It's hard to imagine Halladay's value being much higher than it is now. Francisco Rodriguez told Kevin Baxter of the LA Times that he enjoys baseball...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 20, 2008 at 1:27pm CST]
Links for Saturday... RotoAuthority looks at projections for Chris Davis. 35 home runs next year? Bill Madden suggests Paul Kinzer screwed up in both the Rafael Furcal and Francisco Rodriguez negotiations. More details on Dan Johnson - the Rays are selling him to a Japanese team for $100,000-500,000. Tim Redding's agent says "the Mets are very much in the mix" for the righty. Juan C. Rodriguez confirms the Marlins' interest in Derrick Turnbow, but says they aren't going after Ray King. The Rockies could pursue Braden Looper. The Orioles have expressed interest in Phillies catcher Chris Coste. New National Josh...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 12, 2008 at 8:51am CST]
The latest from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Mets GM Omar Minaya recently admitted he did not expect to pursue A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe, saying, "I'm probably not going to be in there right now, financially. Not after spending all the money that I did on K-Rod." Sherman isn't sold, though - he thinks Lowe's price could drop and give the Mets a shot. The Dodgers haven't received a counter-offer to their two-year, $45MM proposal, so they won't be making another bid. Sherman adds that they are planning to non-tender Takashi Saito. The A's remain the frontrunners...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 11, 2008 at 7:00am CST]
Stray links I've collected over the past few days... John Manuel and Jonathan Mayo get us ready for the Rule 5 draft. Manuel has a second post on it here. Sarah Green looks at A.J. Burnett's possible commutes. LEN3 suggests the Twins might be part of Adrian Beltre's limited no-trade clause. K-Rod signing analysis from Dave Cameron, Jesse Spector, and Keith Law. Also check out the usual solid analysis over at Ken Davidoff's blog. Law also takes on the Edwin Jackson, Ramon Hernandez, J.J. Putz, and C.C. Sabathia moves. The Red Sox are likely to non-tender Kevin Cash. Josh Bard...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 10, 2008 at 5:57pm CST]
5:57pm: K-Rod's agent Paul Kinzer said the Cardinals did not offer his client a similar contract. 9:08am: According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made a bid for Francisco Rodriguez in the neighborhood of the Mets' successful three-year, $37MM bid. The search continues. Strauss says the Cards plan to explore trades before escalating talks with Brian Fuentes. Potential trade targets: J.J. Putz, Matt Capps, and Jon Rauch. Talks for Jose Valverde "stalled abruptly earlier in the week." The trade bait will probably be on of the Cardinals' outfielders. Strauss adds that GM John Mozeliak met with...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 10, 2008 at 4:47pm CST]
WEDNESDAY, 4:47pm: The Mets officially announced the three-year deal with K-Rod. David Lennon and Ben Shpigel give inside looks at the negotiations. TUESDAY, 4:43pm: The Angels didn't get a chance to match the Mets' offer. 3:42pm: Sherman agrees on the fourth year, $14MM vesting option mentioned by Rosenthal. 2:31pm: Sherman says the Mets agreed to terms with K-Rod on a three-year, $37MM deal. He gets about half as much money as was originally floated. The Angels will receive the Mets' #25 pick in next year's draft as well as a supplemental pick. 2:12pm: Sherman says K-Rod may be in New...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 8, 2008 at 11:56pm CST]
11:56pm: Rodriguez's agent Paul Kinzer on whether the rumored two-year, $25MM offer with a third-year option is true: "Absolutely not." It will require three guaranteed years at least to sign K-Rod. 8:43pm: K-Rod gave some quotes to the media, nothing interesting. 7:14pm: Stark says the Mets finished their meet with Fuentes; Hoffman is up next. Wood is not in Vegas. Stark adds that the Mets discussed concepts but did not make a formal offer to K-Rod. 6:45pm: Sherman now says the Mets' offer was for $25MM over two years plus a third year option. 6:03pm: Rodriguez's agent Paul Kinzer told...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 8, 2008 at 8:55pm CST]
8:55pm: Rosenthal says the Indians met with Kerry Wood's agent today and remain interested in Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman. 1:03pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Indians hope the Mets sign Francisco Rodriguez, as they'd like to get a bargain on Brian Fuentes. The Tribe could also attempt to acquire J.J. Putz from the Mariners.
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