Joe Borowski Rumors

Odds and Ends: Bay, Clement, Fuentes, Cabrera

We've got plenty of links today. There is speculation that Andruw Jones could be sent back to the minors. Joel Sherman wonders if MLB should've gotten involved when Manny Ramirez decided to orchestrate his own exit. Kind of reminds me of Gary Sheffield intentionally botching plays to force a trade out of Milwaukee in '92. Gordon Edes stands by his report that Manny pledged to give full effort if the Red Sox dropped his options. That phone call between Scott Boras and Theo Epstein occurred within an hour of his trade to the Dodgers. Jon Heyman takes us inside the...   Continue Reading

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Week in Review: 7/27 - 8/2

We saw the non-waiver trade deadline come and go this week, and plenty of action to go along with it. Let's recap the big moves of the week: The Dodgers, Pirates, and Red Sox completed a three-team, blockbuster trade that sent Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles, Jason Bay to Boston, and Andy LaRoche, Bryan Morris, Craig Hansen, and Brandon Moss to Pittsburgh. The Pirates got a pretty nice haul, and while Bay won't necessarily replace Manny's production, he's much more affordable, signed through '09, and doesn't disrupt the clubhouse. The Dodgers add the big bat they need for a push...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Offer Minor League Deal To Borowski

The Red Sox offered a minor league contract to reliever Joe Borowski, who was released by the Indians about a month ago. He's not the setup man acquisition fans hoped for, but there's no risk in adding him. Borowski, 37, posted a 7.56 ERA in 16.2 innings this year. He injured his triceps in a spring game, and that lingered into May. The Indians had picked up his $4MM option in November of '07.   Continue Reading

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Week In Review

Continuing with Tim's new tradition, here's my take on some of the top rumors of the week from June 29 - July 6: The C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes is nearing an end, with the Brewers' Matt LaPorta package being the frontrunner. We'll let everyone know the full story as soon as possible. The Phillies extended Brad Lidge to a three-year contract. Lidge looks like his old self - great deal for Philadelphia. Looks like this means Brett Myers will remain in the rotation if he can get back on track. We heard a lot about the Rays' growing interest for Colorado...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: LaRoche, Bonds, Salazar

As America collectively recovers from yesterday's festivities, here are some odds and ends from the world of baseball. The Rangers signed 33 year-old reliever Kiko Calero to a minor league deal. Calero is currently pitching with a torn rotator cuff. The Dodgers' Andy LaRoche commented to XM Radio on the idea of a C.C. Sabathia acquisition. He doesn't seem to acknowledge that he could be part of such a deal. Larry King chatted with Barry Bonds a couple of weeks ago. His impression is that Bonds would like to play but doesn't expect an offer. King also mentions an interesting...   Continue Reading

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Borowski Designated For Assignment

According to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, the Indians have designated reliever Joe Borowski for assignment. Rick Bauer was designated as well in the bullpen shakeup. The Indians will now move to a committee approach for the ninth innings. Borowski, 37, battled injuries en route to a 7.56 ERA in 18 appearances. Maybe the Marlins could bring him back and try to get something out of him.   Continue Reading

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Indians Shifting Into Sell Mode

The Indians are currently in fourth place in the AL Central, 8.5 games out. Baseball Prospectus' projections suggest their playoff chances are less than 3%. Many key players are injured. That's enough for Terry Pluto - he says we should stick a fork in the Tribe. Pluto says the Indians have been listening on C.C. Sabathia, "but nothing has been serious." The Indians are known to be scouting eight organizations as potential destinations for Sabathia, though about 20 have expressed interest. Jayson Stark says the Indians will not be offering a negotiation window to sign Sabathia. Paul Hoynes talked to...   Continue Reading

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Ocker On Blake, Marte, Dellucci, Borowski And Lee

Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal does some speculating on the Indians' third base, left field, and closer situations. Casey Blake's contract expires at the end of the season, and at age 35, Ocker doesn't believe that Indians' GM Mark Shapiro will re-up for him. Ocker points to two reasons why Andy Marte probably won't work out as the in-house solution to Blake's potential absence: he could be lost on waivers if he doesn't make the team as a utility man coming out of Spring Training, and he shows no sign of figuring things out and becoming an impact...   Continue Reading

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Indians Sign Joe Borowski

Baseball Digest Daily is reporting that the Indians have signed reliever Joe Borowski to a one-year deal with an option for '08. Fantasy leaguers, take note - he'll remain a closer. Looks like the Tribe has changed their bullpen philosophy after last year's disaster   Continue Reading

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Gammons On The Boston Closer

Peter Gammons, in his blog yesterday morning, mentioned a few options for the Red Sox's closer vacancy: "Would Seattle deal J.J. Putz for Manny? Dubious. Scott Boras would like to get Eric Gagne to Boston; problem is, are the medicals real or off the set of General Hospital? Joe Borowski has been calling now that his medicals were declined in Philly." With Manny and Matsuzaka at the forefront, it's easy to forget that Boston is also in the market for a closer. No sleep for Theo. Perhaps he'll be speaking to Dave Littlefield in hopes of acquiring Matt Capps or..   Continue Reading

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Phils Deal With JoBo Nixed

The Phillies were about to seal a multiyear deal with Joe Borowski, but they are reconsidering after giving him a physical. That Borowski may have been pitching with some shoulder issues does not surprise me; he always seemed to have a "tough it out" mentality with the Cubs. Borowski will be 36 next season. A rotator cuff surfaced in his right shoulder way back in the summer of 2004, but Dr. Lewis Yocum suggested rehab at that time. A three-year, $12MM deal or something similar could be bad news   Continue Reading

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Speier and Stanton close to finding new homes

The big news this morning is that the Angels are close to a four-year deal with Justin Speier, who is very possibly the best reliever on the market this year. Tim predicted that Speier would get a three-year deal worth $17M-my guess is that the money per year is right, just with that extra year, for a total of $21-$22M or so. Speier was a possible closer for many teams, so it's something of a surprise that the team that ponied up for him already has a great closer and a solid setup man in Frankie Rodriguez and Scot Shields...   Continue Reading

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