John McDonald Rumors

Blue Jays To Sit Out Free Agent Market?

Beyond attempting to re-sign starter A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi does not intend to dabble in free agency this year. He told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian he'd probably stay in-house. Ricciardi shot down rumors of interest in Jason Giambi, Milton Bradley, and Rafael Furcal. Drunk Jays Fans doesn't buy the talk, though. Trades are Ricciardi's ideal route, though Richard Griffin notes J.P. has rarely dealt prospects for Major Leaguers. Griffin believes big league trade chips may include B.J. Ryan, John McDonald, and Lyle Overbay. Jason Frasor could be another.   Continue Reading

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Tigers Want Short-Term Shortstop

According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers seek a short-term solution at shortstop. The Tigers like the idea of using prospect Cale Iorg in 2010. That means they won't be signing free agents Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal. The Tigers view the relief market in the way - they like their long-term options (Ryan Perry, for example). The Tigers have "mild interest" in Khalil Greene, who is signed through 2009. They don't like his $6.5MM price tag, which might mean Jack Wilson is also too pricey. John McDonald is a more affordable name on the...   Continue Reading

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Angels Eyeing Backup Shortstops

FRIDAY: Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi confirmed he's in discussions with the Angels about his shortstops. THURSDAY: With Maicer Izturis out for the season and Erick Aybar day-to-day, the Angels are looking to acquire a veteran backup shortstop. Backup at second base wouldn't be a bad idea either, in case Howie Kendrick's injury is serious. Mike DiGiovanna names John McDonald, David Eckstein, Marco Scutaro, Juan Castro, and Jamey Carroll as targets. The numbers on these guys: McDonald: .222/.269/.292 in 162 PAs. Owed $350K in '08, $1.9MM in '09. Eckstein: .274/.353/.357 in 293 PAs. Owed $830K in '08. Scutaro: .265/.347/.348 in...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Hart, Ellis, Mientkiewicz, Varitek

Today's random links... Ken Rosenthal discusses possible changes at various GM positions. Jon Heyman says Pat Gillick could take a high-ranking role with the Blue Jays if not the Mariners. Former Indians and Rangers GM John Hart is interested in the Mariners job. The Mariners hope to have their permanent GM hired by the end of October. A Japanese pitcher invented a new pitch called the shake. Eddie Bajek wonders if Mark Ellis could handle shortstop. It's good to think out of the box given the free agent market at the position. Doug Mientkiewicz would like to spend another season...   Continue Reading

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Vernon Wells, John McDonald Placed On Waivers

According to Sportsnet.ca, the Blue Jays have placed Vernon Wells and John McDonald on waivers. Keep in mind that many players on placed on waivers every year even when the team has no intent of making a trade. Wells stands a good chance of clearing waivers, though a trade is unlikely. He has a complicated, massive backloaded contract. From 2009-14 he will earn $100MM in salary, plus another $17MM as part of his signing bonus. He has a full no-trade clause and opt-out clause after '11. McDonald, a defensive whiz at shortstop, is signed for '09 at $1.9MM. He probably...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Manny, McDonald, Bradford, Bowden

Collection o' links... Craig Monroe has cleared waivers and become a free agent. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick talks to Pirates GM Neal Huntington about his deadline deals. Pirates players Chris Duffy and Franquelis Osoria cleared waivers and will head to Triple A. Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi says manager Cito Gaston will be back next year. Yesterday Dan Shaughnessy wrote a few sentences about the commissioner's office investigating Manny Ramirez's final hours with the Red Sox. It's become a national story. More on the situation from the L.A. Times. Sean McAdam wonders if the Red Sox could acquire Toronto shortstop John...   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Inquire On Michael Young

From Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger: The Dodgers continue to look everywhere for a shortstop, and tons of names have come up in connection with their search. They don't seem likely to land the Pirates' Jack Wilson, but they're scouring other organizations for options, having touched base with Toronto about John McDonald, the Yankees about Alberto Gonzales, the Twins about Adam Everett and even the Rangers about Michael Young, though it's unclear whether or why Young would be available. Young is new to the discussion. The 31 year-old shortstop is hitting .298/.345/.421 in 469 plate appearances this year. He's...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: K-Rod, Maddux, Wolf, Street

Rumor guru Ken Rosenthal is at it again. Angels GM Tony Reagins is doing his due diligence on available hitters. Rosenthal admits his own suggestion of a Mark Teixeira/Will Ohman blockbuster acquisition is unlikely. Rosenthal believes Francisco Rodriguez's expected asking price to be five years, $75MM. The Angels would not bite on that. Greg Maddux only wants to be traded to a West Coast team. He might accept a trade back to the Dodgers, if Ned Colletti and Kevin Towers want to go down that road. The Orioles would trade George Sherrill if someone wants to overpay. Tons of teams...   Continue Reading

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Johan Santana Rumors

Let's check in on Johan Santana. It's kind of a big deal when the best pitcher in baseball becomes available. Ken Davidoff spoke to an NL official who believes the Twins will hold onto Santana and try to win with him in 2008. Re-signing him long-term seems unlikely. Davidoff believes every team in baseball would be interested, but the Mets would have to part with Jose Reyes to get him. Nonetheless Don Burke says the Mets will "pounce" on Santana if he becomes available. Joe Christensen spoke to Twins people who believe re-signing Santana is almost impossible. The Twins won't..   Continue Reading

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Blue Jays Sign John McDonald To Extension

The Blue Jays today signed defensive-minded 32 year-old shortstop John McDonald to a two-year, $3.8MM deal. It's still cheap enough where he can be used as a backup, which is important because shortstop is Toronto's biggest need. I could be wrong but it seems that no amount of defense short of Ozzie Smith himself could justify a .600 OPS over a full season   Continue Reading

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