Jim Edmonds Rumors
By Joe Pawlikowski [May 28, 2009 at 1:46pm CST]
A look at the remaining 2009 free agents reveals a number of household names still without a job. True, most of these are over the hill veterans, but in many cases they can help contending teams fill roster gaps. Over the next few weeks we'll look at which team/player combinations make sense. Since we're right around the 1/3 mark of the season, now is the time for teams to take chances on these guys. Since they'll probably need at least a few weeks to get into game-playing condition, acting soon would mean having them around the halfway mark. The 23-23...
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By Tim Dierkes [May 20, 2009 at 4:45pm CST]
Newsday's Ken Davidoff runs through six current free agents, digging up new information about a few. Paul Byrd never received a call from the Angels, so he'll continue to wait until later this summer to see what's available. Frank Thomas is working with hitting coach Mike Easler, who believes "Frank might give it to the All-Star break." Easler says another client of his, Jacque Jones, could help a club. Jim Edmonds would play in the right situation, but his agent Paul Cohen doesn't know if there will be an offer. Damion Easley, another Cohen client, would also like to continue...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [May 16, 2009 at 10:23am CST]
SI.com's Tom Verducci links two of the year's most-discussed trends: the demand for young players and the demand for good defense, writing that "the renewed emphasis on defense hasn't helped the value of older players." As a result, teams are reluctant to sign older free agents like Frank Thomas and Jim Edmonds. Many of the older players who signed contracts this offseason are struggling; Verducci mentions Edgar Renteria and Orlando Cabrera among others. Of course it's too early in the season to make sweeping generalizations, but Verducci concludes that baseball's "a young man's game." Verducci adds that teams like the...
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By Tim Dierkes [April 22, 2009 at 12:52pm CST]
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has a new article up looking at a bunch of free agents. Crasnick talked to one American League exec who views Pedro Martinez as "strictly a National League pitcher." Coupled with his price tag and long layoff, the market isn't big for Pedro. Ben Sheets is weeks away from a throwing program. He's probably a ten-start guy this year, but interest figures to be strong. Jim Edmonds hopes to sign by May. He'll need two to three weeks to get ready. Mark Grudzielanek also wants to play, and tells friends he only needs a week. He'll look...
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By Tim Dierkes [April 21, 2009 at 9:04am CST]
The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports... Jim Edmonds still wants to play in 2009. Rosenthal learned from his agent that the outfielder intensified his workouts recently. It still may take him up to three weeks to be game-ready. Rosenthal finds the Astros' decision to exercise Cecil Cooper's 2010 option questionable. Rosenthal had wondered earlier in the week if Cooper might be the first manager fired. While we're on the topic, Ron Washington's job in Texas does not seem to be in jeopardy according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Rosenthal notes that calling up Derek Holland now instead of letting...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [March 28, 2009 at 12:43pm CST]
With little more than a week remaining before the regular season begins let's check the list of unsigned free agents.. Pedro Martinez is the biggest name out there. The Dodgers don't like his asking price of $5MM and Omar Minaya says Pedro's not coming back to the Mets. Orlando Hernandez, Mark Mulder and Will Ohman are still on the market. And don't forget about Paul Byrd and Ben Sheets, who could return midseason. Richie Sexson, Mark Grudzielanek and Ray Durham are some of the more interesting free agent infielders Dave Roberts and Jim Edmonds could offer outfield depth, but haven't...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [March 19, 2009 at 7:10pm CST]
A few links for Thursday night... Good news for the Astros: The AP (via ESPN) reports that a federal prosecutor recommended that Miguel Tejada get probation, but no prison time for his involvement with PEDs. MLB.com's Ken Gurnick passes along a memorable Manny Ramirez quote: "No more cricket. I'm not signing to play cricket. Well, I can be a free agent after this year, so we'll see. But don't ask me about cricket." Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald writes that the White Sox need to make a deal for a center fielder who can bat leadoff. He thinks GM...
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By Tim Dierkes [March 6, 2009 at 3:48pm CST]
3:48pm: McCalvy has more on the outfield topic. The Brewers have heard from Roberts' agent, but not Edmonds'. 2:15pm: MLB.com's Adam McCalvy talked to Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash, who said it'd be "impossible" for reliever Eric Gagne to make the big league roster. Gagne is getting a second opinion on his shoulder; he's in camp on a minor league invite. Ash added that the Brewers don't have interest in Gagne rehabbing in the minor leagues for them. In other Brewers news, Anthony Witrado of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says the team is "keeping a casual eye on the market for...
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By Tim Dierkes [February 20, 2009 at 4:58pm CST]
The latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman... Red Sox GM Theo Epstein says he's had "casual conversations" about a contract extension with Jason Bay. We learned a few days ago that Bay is open to an extension but doesn't consider it the "end-all, be-all." Jonathan Papelbon says he's a "gambling man," and he prefers to go year-to-year rather than sign long-term. Boston's offer was far off his expectations, and he wants to set the market for closers. Papelbon is under team control through 2011, and will earn $6.25MM in his first arb year. Heyman says there's "some indication Dodgers owner Frank...
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By Tim Dierkes [February 19, 2009 at 1:12pm CST]
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick talked to Braves GM Frank Wren, who says the Braves are more likely to try their young outfielders than acquire a veteran outfielder after failing to sign Ken Griffey Jr. Crasnick adds that the Braves "aren't very excited" about Garret Anderson and have little to no interest in Jim Edmonds and Luis Gonzalez. He says the salaries of Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher might be prohibitive. Pure speculation on my part - the Braves could definitely afford Luke Scott if he's available for trade.
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