Kerry Wood Rumors
By Zach Links [November 21, 2009 at 8:37pm CST]
The Indians are not likely to deal Kerry Wood this winter, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. In order to trade the 32-year-old, Cleveland would have to eat a significant portion of his $10.5MM salary. Even then, Wood's value is not quite as high as it could be with the wide array of relievers available on the open market. The post suggests that the Indians would be better off holding on to Wood until June or July. If they are not contenders at that point, then they can shop him when he is owed just...
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By Cork Gaines [November 20, 2009 at 12:00pm CST]
On this date two years ago, Mike Lowell re-signed with the Red Sox for three-years, $37.5MM. In this first two years of the deal, Lowell has taken in $25.5MM, and according to his WAR has been worth $19.9MM. In '10, Lowell will be 36 as he enters the final year of his deal. Today is the first day of free agency, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere... Howard Megdal and Chris Pummer of The Perpetual Post debate the Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe signings of a year ago. The Ghost of Moonlight Graham looks...
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By Mike Axisa [November 13, 2009 at 8:36pm CST]
Some more links to check out as you celebrate the end of the work week... MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez confirms that the Red Sox did indeed meet with John Lackey's agent. This morning we learned that Boston expressed preliminary interest in the free agent hurler. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Rangers asked the Rays about outfielder B.J. Upton as part of their offseason routine, but no talks are ongoing. Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd said that they will only look at a one year deal for the arbitration eligible Jorge De La Rosa, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post....
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By Tim Dierkes [November 12, 2009 at 12:03pm CST]
A few notes from ESPN's Buster Olney... Via Twitter, Olney's heard from other teams that the Reds would love to move closer Francisco Cordero. Of course, closers are plentiful and Cordero is set to earn $25MM over the next two years. I mentioned in our Reds Offseason Outlook that the team would have to eat half of that to make him mildly appealing. Similarly, the Indians would definitely listen on Kerry Wood, who is set to earn $20MM over the next two years. Olney believes other teams could join the Reds and Tigers in cost-cutting mode. He says the teams...
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By Tim Dierkes [October 27, 2009 at 3:03pm CST]
Links for Tuesday... The Blue Jays announced today that Paul Beeston will remain the team's president and CEO on a three-year deal. The Cub Reporter has three potential offseason targets: Rajai Davis, Jeremy Hermida, and Kelly Johnson. Kerry Wood replied, "Never say never" when asked on ESPN 1000's Waddle and Silvy show about returning to the Cubs after his Indians contract expires. I was surprised the Cubs didn't offer Wood arbitration a year ago. The Marlins hired Randy St. Claire as their new pitching coach; he received a two-year deal according to Barry Jackson and Clark Spencer of the Miami...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [September 22, 2009 at 11:33am CST]
ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that the Rangers probably wouldn't welcome Milton Bradley back. Here's the latest on the now-suspended outfielder, along with the rest of Olney's rumors: Olney says the Cubs will likely have to eat a huge portion of Bradley's contract to move him, perhaps as much as $18-19MM. The Cubs owe the 31-year-old $21MM over the next two years. The Padres may be looking for a corner outfielder this offseason, so they could have interest in Bradley. Olney says baseball people presume Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi will be fired. (What do you think?) If the Jays cut ties...
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By Mike Axisa [September 18, 2009 at 9:31pm CST]
We've been following a few vesting options this month, including Josh Beckett's and Magglio Ordonez's, but there's one player whose vesting option we haven't touched on: Kerry Wood. If he finishes 55 games this season, his $11MM option for 2011 will be guaranteed, however Wood is sitting on 45 GF at the moment with just 16 games left in Cleveland's season. Considering the team's financial plight and Wood's substandard year, I think it's safe to say this is one option the Tribe would have gone out of its way to make sure it didn't vest. It seems like it would...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [August 12, 2009 at 10:28am CST]
Indians GM Mark Shapiro told Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the Indians plan to rebuild in "mini cycles" and could contend again soon: Some of the Indians' deadline deals were "financially motivated," but Shapiro distinguishes them from pure salary dumps like the Alex Rios deal. Shapiro doesn't see any of the Indians' division rivals becomining dominant forces in the near future. He expects to be the team's GM next year despite rumblings that he could ascend to another front office role. He says he has "unfinished business" as GM, but he acknowledges that he could move on...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 20, 2009 at 1:55pm CST]
Indians GM Mark Shapiro has no idea if he'll make any trades this July, but he's "extremely busy and active," according to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. Though he's not sure he'll make a deal, Shapiro knows he would want to acquire pitching in return for any of his players. The Indians are expected to be open-minded about Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez in case a team wows them with an offer. Because fewer teams can spend money, more players are expected to clear waivers, which will likely lead to more trades than usual in August. Players like Kerry Wood and Jamey...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 13, 2009 at 4:51pm CST]
Just about every team could improve its bullpen and some clubs, like the Marlins and Rockies, are working aggressively to add relievers. Here are some of the names to consider, ordered from highest 2009 salary to lowest. Kerry Wood - He's been a disappointment in Cleveland, and the Indians owe him about $15MM before the end of next year, and possibly more in 2011. Rafael Soriano - Could the Braves get creative and deal Soriano ($6.1MM) or Mike Gonzalez ( $3.5MM), who will also become a free agent this winter. Danys Baez - At $5.5MM, he's an expensive option, but...
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