Jose Contreras Rumors

Contreras Considering Move To Japan?

According to Japan's Nikkan Sports, via Patrick Newman's NPB Tracker, free agent right-hander Jose Contreras may be seriously considering a move to Japan. Contreras is heading across the Pacific next week to set his 16-year-old son up in a Japanese high school exchange program. He might also be looking for a new employer, Contreras, 37, posted a 4.92 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 106/53 K/BB ratio in 23 starts (131 2/3 innings) during the 2009 season. His fastball averaged 92 MPH, according to FanGraphs. Japan's Sanspo ran a report last week claiming that Contreras reached out to the Hanshin Tigers,...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Decline Option On Rafael Betancourt

The Rockies declined their $5.4MM club option on reliever Rafael Betancourt, tweets Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post he'll continue to negotiate with Betancourt. Betancourt, 35 in April, found the NL to his liking after coming over in a trade with the Indians. He posted a 1.78 ERA with 29 strikeouts and five walks in 25.3 innings for the Rockies. Betancourt is a Type A free agent, and if he gets to December 1st unsigned it'll be interesting to see if the Rockies offer arbitration. Other teams would find Betancourt...   Continue Reading

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Tigers Join Aroldis Chapman Chase

9:42pm: MLB.com's Jason Beck reports that the Tigers have confirmed interest in Chapman. Tom Moore, Detroit's Director of International Scouting, said to Beck: "We're basically just at the interest level. Because of the nature, I think it's a situation where they're going to take the time to allow clubs to spend some time with the player and see who he is." 8:18pm: Add the Detroit Tigers to the list of teams in pursuit of Aroldis Chapman, according to a report by Melissa Segura in SI.com. Segura writes that "several industry sources expect Chapman will command more than the $32 million...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Notes: Marquis, Betancourt, Giambi

Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies examines Colorado's commitments for 2010, and the decisions they'll face regarding potential free agents and arbitration cases. Here are a few of his thoughts: Jason Marquis has said he wants to sign with the Mets and likely won't be back in Colorado. There's a good chance that lefty Alan Embree will retire. Jose Contreras is interested in returning in a middle relief capacity, but Matt Belisle is a younger option for the team in that role. The club would like to retain Rafael Betancourt, but his contract would have to be reworked. Betancourt has...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Rumors: Betancourt, Marquis, Hawpe

With the Rockies' 2009 season over, Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post is already discussing 2010. Here's the latest: Look for GM Dan O'Dowd to receive a new contract soon. O'Dowd will then attempt to re-sign manager Jim Tracy. Rafael Betancourt has a steep $5.4MM club option for 2010. The reliever wants to return, and Renck finds it possible. He says catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who has a $4MM mutual option, is less certain to remain with the team. The Rockies are expected to let free agent starter Jason Marquis leave and replace him with Jeff Francis. Presumably the Rockies...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Hillman, White Sox, Japanese Pitchers

Let's start the evening off by rounding up a few spare links... According to The Associated Press (via ESPN), Royals manager Trey Hillman will return to the team next season. Kansas City GM Dayton Moore, who originally hired Hillman, had his contract extended through 2014 earlier this week. White Sox GM Kenny Williams was asked if the Jim Thome and Jose Contreras trades indicate that he was throwing in the towel according to Scot Gregor of The Daily Herald, and Williams replied "Hell no. We're still in it to win it.” Patrick at NPB Tracker passes along a report saying...   Continue Reading

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Williams Discusses Thome and Contreras Trades

ESPN's Peter Gammons has a long-awaited interview with White Sox GM Ken Williams about the trades that sent Jim Thome and Jose Contreras packing. Williams argues that the trades did not amount to "a raising of the white flag" and says he was trying "to do right by players who certainly did right by us." Williams says that he assured Thome that he would not be traded against his wishes. "He told me he was more interested in winning another ring than hitting 600 homers," the GM said. "We wanted to accomodate [him] so that he could finish the season...   Continue Reading

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Olney On White Sox, Rangers, Yankees

ESPN.com's Buster Olney says Giants catching prospect Buster Posey is probably more likely to be on the team's Opening Day roster, now that they club started his service time clock. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors: Olney says Kenny Williams has a responsibility to publicly discuss the moves that sent Jim Thome and Jose Contreras elsewhere. Olney hears that the Rangers will likely consider various infielders now that Michael Young is hurt. A player like Jamey Carroll could help the Rangers, but Olney doubts they'll make a move. Here's a suggestion for the Yankees from Olney: offer both Johnny...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Penny, Hardy, Hoffmann

Some links to check out while you try to figure out what's for dinner... ESPN's Keith Law says that both Jim Thome and Jon Garland have value to Dodgers in the roles they were acquired to fill, pinch hitter and innings eater. KLaw also notes that Jose Contreras is better option than anyone currently in the Rockies' organization, and that he might benefit from a move to the NL. R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs says that people should be focusing more on the draft picks the White Sox gave away (Thome projects to be a Type-A free agent) than the fact...   Continue Reading

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Garland, Contreras Trade Reactions

A couple of heroes of the 2005 postseason, Jon Garland and Jose Contreras, were acquired by NL West teams yesterday. Let's round up reaction links. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports likes the stability Garland provides the Dodgers, and wonders if they should exercise his $10MM option for 2010. The Rockies and Rangers both had interest in Garland, who turns 30 this month. His contract states that he cannot be offered arbitration if he's a Type A free agent, but that's irrelevant since Garland is currently battling just for Type B status. ESPN's Buster Olney says the D'Backs are paying the...   Continue Reading

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