White Sox Sponsorships Expire In 2010
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is not presently concerned about any adverse effects the recession might have on his club in 2009. One indicator is that ticket sales for the ’09 season are surprisingly ahead of last year’s pace.
The 2010 forecast is a bit foggier. Several of the White Sox sponsorships expire at the end of this season and contract renewals have made for difficult negotiations, according to Gonzales. Still, Reinsdorf remains optimistic. Gonzales writes,
"Reinsdorf said the projected shortfall in sponsorships in 2010 should not affect the player payroll. ‘Even if we have a decline in revenue in 2010, I don’t see it having an effect on the players we want to have.’"
Dodgers’ Orenduff Outrighted To Triple-A
According to Ken Gumick of MLB.com, right-handed pitcher Justin Orenduff cleared waivers today and has been outrighted to Triple-A, Albuquerque. Orenduff was designated for assignment by the Dodgers ten days ago to make room for Manny Ramirez on the 40-man roster.
Gumick notes Orenduff "was a supplemental first-round pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft as compensation for the loss of free agent Paul Quantrill."
Angel Guzman Out Of Options
The Cubs have a decision to make with one-time prospect Angel Guzman who is out of minor league options, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald. Miles writes,
He’s unlikely at this point to make the team, and the Cubs risk losing him on waivers if they try to send him to the minor leagues at the end of camp. "Guzman’s had a tough spring, a tough spring," Lou [Pineilla] said. "No consistency."
Guzman has a 14.40 ERA this spring in the Cactus League.
Lugo To Have Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Julio Lugo is going to have his knee scoped to determine the severity of a torn meniscus, reports Dan Barbarisi of the Providence Journal. Recovery from a meniscus tear can be a matter of weeks or months.
Lugo has a $9MM vesting option for 2011 that requires 600 plate appearances in 2010 (and 2400 PAs from ’07-’10) for it to kick in. That now looks improbable.
Jennings Competing For Rotation Spot
Jason Jennings is trying to make a comeback after two consecutive injury riddled seasons reports Jeff Wilson of the Forth Worth Star Telegram. Good news for the Rangers who are trying to maintain as much starting pitching depth as they can. Wilson writes,
"The former Mesquite Poteet and Baylor star remains willing to open the season in the minor leagues to build up arm strength if he’s unable to do so over the final three weeks of spring training.
But the minor league contract Jennings signed last month has two opt-out dates – April 1 and April 25. Plenty of scouts have seen him pitch, and more will watch him as those dates draw near."
Jennings’ flexor tendon has torn each of the last two seasons. This spring, there’s added velocity to his fastball, now recorded in the upper 80s. Rangers Manager Ron Washington is optimistic and expects it to reach 90mph by the time the club breaks camp.
As recently as 2006, Jennings recorded a 3.78 ERA and held opponents to a .258 average over 212 IP while playing half of his games for the Rockies in Coors Field.
Pudge Rodriguez Rumors: Saturday
10:16pm: Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that, despite the strong potential for Joe Mauer to miss the first few weeks of the season, Twins General Manager Bill Smith "made it clear that signing free agent Ivan Rodriguez" is not considered an option. They’re looking internally for a temporary solution.
10:15pm: Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says that the Giants "have explored the idea" of signing Rodriguez. Orlando Cepeda talked to Pudge about the Giants’ interest at the WBC and says "he’s very happy about it. He would love to play here."
7:39pm: Danny Knobler at CBSSports.com writes that the Astros are showing interest in Pudge, though "it is not yet clear how serious the Astros’ interest is." Last night MLB.com’s Alyson Footer seemed quite certain the Astros would not be signing Rodriguez, after talking to GM Ed Wade.
5:35pm: La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says he has heard nothing from the Twins to indicate that they are interested in Rodriguez. The Twins are waiting for an update about Joe Mauer’s back, but Neal writes that, "as of now, there is nothing the Twins have heard that suggests Mauer will be out a long time."
2:03pm: As noted by Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the "Marlins have nothing to discuss with" Pudge if he is still demanding a good chunk of playing time.
1:17pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Twins and Giants have emerged as new potential landing spots for Pudge. He’d be a nice fill-in for the ailing Joe Mauer in Minnesota, and San Francisco reportedly may think about using him at first or third base.
9:19am: few Ivan Rodriguez rumors for the morning…
- According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com Pudge could sign shortly. When he was asked when we’ll know where he’s playing this year Rodriguez said "You’ll see soon."
- The Miami Herald has more quotes from Pudge, who repeats that he considers himself an everyday player. His agent is communicating with the Marlins, but Pudge says "nothing’s happening" right now.
- According to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro Pudge is open to playing first or third base. He played a little first base for the Tigers in 2006 (and even a game at second) but he’s never played third in the majors.
Odds and Ends: Selig, Wrigley, Ordonez, Wade, Macha
A few links for your Saturday night enjoyment:
- Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times details Bud Selig’s concern about how the state of the economy will effect baseball. Selig says that he "used to think we were recession-proof" but that "this is different."
- The economy might also effect the business of selling rooftop seats near Wrigley Field, writes Nancy Armour of the Associated Press.
- Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated writes about the political stance that has Magglio Ordonez getting booed at the WBC.
- Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal has excerpts from a press conference with Astros GM Ed Wade. Wade, the former Phillies GM, talks about last year’s World Series and discusses the Brad Lidge trade.
- John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that Ken Macha’s challenge with the Brewers is reminiscent of one he faced with the A’s in 2005.
Beimel Close To Choosing An Offer
3:44pm: Corey Brock of MLB.com spoke Saturday with Padres GM Kevin Towers, who said plainly that the Friars "are not in the mix" for Beimel. Brock surmises that it’s all "about money."
1:25pm: MLB.com’s Ed Eagle adds the Rockies to the mix of interested teams.
11:15am: According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com Joe Beimel is close to choosing between offers. Oakland and San Diego are apparently in the running for the lefty reliever. The Dodgers were still interested a week ago.
Dennys Reyes, who held lefties to a lower average than Beimel last year, signed a two-year deal worth $3MM with the Cardinals that will likely be comparable to the deal Beimel eventually gets.
Padres Ink Chris Snelling
According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, the Padres have agreed to terms with outfielder Chris Snelling on a minor league contract.
Snelling will take a physical then head to Padres camp in Arizona. The 27-year-old Australian has been plagued by injuries for much of his career. He managed just four at-bats with the Phillies last season, but hit .385 with two homers for Team Australia in the first round of the World Baseball Classic.
Mets Claim Fernando Nieve
According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, the Mets have claimed right-hander Fernando Nieve off irrevocable waivers from the Astros.
Nieve squeezed in just 10 2/3 innings last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2007. He could be used in middle relief in New York, but will need a really nice showing over the last few weeks of spring training to make the squad. Nieve posted a 4.20 ERA over 96 1/3 innings during the 2006 season.