Jose Valverde Rumors

Valverde Could Return To Astros

The agent for Jose Valverde says there's mutual interest between the Astros and their free agent closer, according to MLB.com. The Astros have communicated to Jose their desire to bring him back," Gene Mato explained. "He really enjoyed his time there and is open to the idea of returning." Valverde wants to explore free agency, so the Astros are just one of his options. As a Type A free agent, he'll cost a top draft pick if the Astros offer arbitration. That's not a sure thing, since the reliever could cost about $10MM next year, but rival GMs tell ESPN.com's...   Continue Reading

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Olney On Wagner, DeRosa, Betancourt, Wolf

The free agent rankings are out, so ESPN.com's Buster Olney breaks down the winners and losers. Here are the details from his latest blog post: Billy Wagner is a Type A free agent, so teams will have to surrender a draft pick to sign him if the Red Sox offer arbitration, as expected. This hurts Wagner's value, since he's coming back from Tommy John surgery and teams will hesitate to give up a top pick for an injury risk. Olney wouldn't be surprised to see Mark DeRosa field two and three year offers. The versatile 34-year-old is a Type B...   Continue Reading

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Astros Rumors: Valverde, Hawkins, Manager

The Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice has a five-point plan to solve the Houston Astros' problems -- or at least to point the team in the right direction. Here are some of his ideas: Bring Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins back to the bullpen. Focus on pitching and defense, which would mean installing players like shortstop Tommy Manzella, second baseman Edwin Maysonet, and catcher Jason Castro (a 2008 first-round pick) into the 2010 starting lineup. Sign a "reliable" free-agent starting pitcher to add to a rotation led by Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. Justice's wishlist includes most of the market's biggest...   Continue Reading

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Ed Wade On Biggio, Bagwell, Matsui, 'Pen

Astros GM Ed Wade told Houston Chronicle readers that he doesn't expect Craig Biggio or Jeff Bagwell to become the team's next manager. Here are the details from Wade's online chat with fans: The Astros are looking for an experienced manager who relates well with players. Wade expects Kaz Matsui to be the team's everyday second baseman next year. Expect the Astros to be younger next year. Wade says he'd "love" to have LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde back next year, but doesn't say whether he thinks the club has a realistic shot at re-signing either free agent-to-be. The Astros...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Vazquez, Valverde, DeRosa, Pavano

In today's column over at Baseball Prospectus, John Perrotto says nobody has been better at making deadline deals in the previous two seasons than Theo Epstein. I might agree but would love to hear some counter arguments. As usual, Perrotto has his share of rumors from around the league: The Braves need offense and are considering dealing Javier Vazquez to get it. Don't expect Jose Valverde to return to Houston next season. He plans to test free agency and will likely find a better paycheck elsewhere. The White Sox plan to re-sign Freddy Garcia to be their fifth starter. The...   Continue Reading

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Astros Unlikely To Be Significant Players in Free Agency

Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle writes that the Astros are "unlikely to be significant players in free agency this winter." The team is trying to lower payroll and get younger, something signing free agents generally won't accomplish. Justice does say that the club would like to retain relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde, both of whom will be free agents after this year. Houston started the season with close to a $103MM payroll according to Cot's, but they could shed $17.75MM by letting Miguel Tejada, Mike Hampton, and Darin Erstad walk as free agents. However, a significant chunk of...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Sweeney, Padres, Saito

Some links for the morning... We already knew Mike Sweeney would consider signing with the Mariners and Angels after the season. Now MLB.com's Jim Street adds the Padres to Sweeney's list of preferred clubs. Like GM Kevin Towers, Padres CEO Jeff Moorad expects the team to be "competitive" next year, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports that Takashi Saito will make $500k when he appears in his next game. Even more incentives kick in if he continues picking up appearances throughout the season's final month. Pirates GM Neal Huntington tells...   Continue Reading

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Jose Valverde Age Discrepancy

7:42pm: Valverde told the Houston Chronicle's Jose De Jesus Ortiz Wednesday evening that the age discrepancy was out of his hands. "My (birth year) is 1978," he confirmed. "Go to the Dominican and check it out. It doesn't matter if it's '78 or '79, I'll still be a free agent after this season." 2:42pm: Lisa Gray and I stumbled across an age discrepancy with Astros closer Jose Valverde yesterday. Some sources had his birth date as July 24th, 1979, while others had it as March 24th, 1978. The Astros confirmed to me that the latter date is correct; Valverde will...   Continue Reading

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Valverde Will Test Free Agent Market

Astros closer Jose Valverde told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart today that he plans to test the free agent market after the season. He'd prefer to return to the Astros, but McTaggart finds Houston unlikely to pony up the cash. Valverde will come with the added cost of a draft pick, assuming the Astros offer arbitration to the Type A free agent. The closer noted that aside from the Astros, the Cubs may be in need of a closer. They seem likely to continue with Carlos Marmol, though. Valverde, 32 in March, will be the top free agent closer on the market...   Continue Reading

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Astros Will Not Trade Valverde

The Astros pulled Jose Valverde back off of waivers after another team claimed him, meaning he won't be traded this month, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. There's a small chance the Astros could put him on waivers again if they decide to shed a portion of their closer's $8MM salary, but they would no longer have the right to pull him back. Valverde should be a Type A free agent after the season, so the Astros can obtain draft picks if they offer Valverde arbitration. The Astros dealt Ivan Rodriguez earlier in the week, but GM Ed...   Continue Reading

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