Aroldis Chapman Drops API
11:46pm: Here's the link to Arangure's story at ESPN, which contains quotes from API and Chapman.
11:11pm: Aroldis Chapman has dropped Athletes Premier International as his agents, according to ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. The move was first reported by Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald, who also said that Chapman is now represented by the Hendricks Brothers. Randy Hendricks, who already represents one Cuban defector in Kendry Morales, confirmed the switch to Arangure.
The timing of a switch seems a bit odd, because Chapman has just finished up meeting with several clubs, including the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets. Presumably API was present and involved during those meetings, though I can't say that with any certainty.
Dodgers, Blue Jays Discussing Halladay
SATURDAY 10:45pm: Citing a source close to the situation, Brown says the deal looked "highly unlikely" as of last night.
FRIDAY 8:26pm: Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports tweets that the Dodgers and Blue Jays are once again discussing Roy Halladay. Earlier today we learned that Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos had contacted the Cubs about moving Halladay, and as Brown said, it looks like he's "restarting the process of moving Doc."
Red Sox Looking At Alternatives To Bay?
Jason Bay rejected Boston's contract offer of four years and close to $60MM two days ago, and now it seems the Red Sox maybe be looking to alternatives. SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that even though the team plans to keep in touch with Bay, "competing execs believe they're looking at hard at alternatives now."
Yesterday we learned that Boston expressed interest in four Scott Boras clients, one of whom was Matt Holliday, and he can certainly be classified as an alternative to Bay. However, outside of Holliday no one on the free agent market can replicate Bay's offensive production, so an alternative would certainly be a downgrade.
Royals Re-Sign Vance Wilson
MLB.com's Dick Kaegel mentions that the Royals have re-signed catcher Vance Wilson to a minor league contract. The 33-year-old Wilson hit .270/.342/.461 in 229 plate appearances with Kansas City's Double-A affiliate in 2009 after not playing at all in 2008 due to injury. He last played in the big leagues back in 2006.
Pirates Designate Two For Assignment
Friday was the deadline for teams to set their 40-man roster for next month's Rule 5 Draft, and MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports that the Pirates cleared up two spots for prospects by designating Robinzon Diaz and Justin Thomas for assignment. They also designated Jeff Karstens for assignment yesterday.
Diaz, a 26-year-old catcher, hit .279/.307/.357 in 138 plate appearances for Pittsburgh in 2009. Thomas, a 25-year-old lefty reliever, had a 4.48 ERA in 60.1 innings with Seattle's Triple-A affiliate.
Among the players the Pirates added to the 40-man roster were righthanders Brad Lincoln and Bryan Morris, as well as outfielder Gorkys Hernandez. Lincoln was the 4th overall pick in the 2006 draft, while Morris was acquired in the Manny Ramirez/Jason Bay trade, and Hernandez in last summer's Nate McLouth deal.
Hoyer Met With Gonzalez’s Agent
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that new Padres' GM Jed Hoyer met with John Boggs, agent for Adrian Gonzalez, on Friday. The two-hour lunch meeting was said to be more of a "get-acquainted session" than a formal negotiation. Said Boggs:
"There wasn't any kind of negotiating or exchanging of numbers or anything like that. I'm sure we're going to keep the dialogue open, but nothing is imminent at this point. The way we're looking at it, Adrian is a Padre until something happens . And they're the ones who are really in control of the situation.''
Hoyer declined comment, but Boggs said the two sides "agreed to stay in contact over the coming weeks."
Gonzalez is the biggest name on the trade block (non-pitcher division), and several clubs, including the Red Sox, Mets, and White Sox are said to be interested in the first baseman. The 27-year-old Gonzalez hit .306/.402/.643 with 28 homers in 80 games away from Petco Park last year, and is owed just $10.25MM over the next two seasons, assuming his 2011 option is picked up.
Odds & Ends: Orioles, Brewers, Green, Sellers, Astros, Byrd, Vizquel, A’s
Some more links as the weekend begins…
- Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun notes that the Orioles didn't make any contract offers on the first day of free agency.
- Nick Green doesn't expect to back with the Red Sox, according to Dan Barbarisi of The Providence Journal.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Marlins, Royals, Tigers and Reds are currently baseball's most active sellers.
- The Astros signed minor league free agent Jose Valdez, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com (via Twitter).
- The Brewers agreed to sign Santo Aybar, according to ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. The 16-year-old shortstop has to pass an age investigation for the deal to go through.
- Marlon Byrd repeated to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan that he wants to return to the Rangers in 2010. He's looking for a multi-year deal "at the right numbers." The Rangers have interest in re-signing the outfielder.
- Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen knows the White Sox are talking to Omar Vizquel. Guillen didn't confirm anything other than his intention to continue wearing number 13.
- WEEI.com's Rob Bradford breaks down the suitors for Jason Bay, starting with the Red Sox, Angels and Mets.
- John Sickels of Minor League Ball spoke with A's GM Billy Beane, who says his club's currently rebuilding. Check out the entire interview for more on the team's direction.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Brewers are "kicking the tires" on every available pitcher.
Gammons & Edes On Boston’s Offseason
In a piece for ESPN Boston, Peter Gammons and Gordon Edes answered five key questions about the Red Sox and the upcoming offseason. There's not many hard rumors in the piece, but there's plenty of discussion topics, so let us know what you think…
- Both Gammons and Edes believe the Sox will retain Jason Bay (Gammons guesses the contract will be in the four year, $64MM range), and neither is sure who will compete with them for his services.
- The Red Sox "can easily" keep shortstop Alex Gonzalez at a reduced rate even though they declined his option earlier this month. Gammons feels the team needs depth and mentions Marco Scutaro, while Edes doesn't think it would be wise to make a long-term commitment that would block prospect Jose Iglesias.
- When it comes to blockbuster trades, Gammons thinks the only way the team pulls one off is if they a) get frustrated during contract extension negotiations with Josh Beckett, or b) can get Adrian Gonzalez or Felix Hernandez.
- Edes says it wouldn't be a Red Sox offseason if they didn't explore a big trade, but he thinks it's a longshot that they'll acquire Gonzalez. He says another run at Roy Halladay is more likely.
- Gammons notes the Sox would like to add a righthanded batter than could play center and right, and they've long been intrigued by Cody Ross. He mentions that the Marlins tried to get Manny Delcarmen in July.
- Both writers believe they will make a run at Rich Harden, and Gammons thinks they'll go after Ben Sheets as well.
- And finally, Gammons says the team believes they will not be the high bidder for Aroldis Chapman, but they made a strong case for Boston as the place he'd want to be.
Red Sox Express Interest In Four Boras Clients
The Red Sox have expressed interest in four players – all Scott Boras clients – early in the hot stove season, according to Mike Silverman of The Boston Herald. Those four players would be Matt Holliday, Adrian Beltre, Mike Gonzalez, and Rick Ankiel.
Silverman notes that the Sox consider Holliday and alternative to Jason Bay, should they fail to re-sign him. Gonzalez could replace Billy Wagner, although Ankiel is somewhat redundant after the team acquired Jeremy Hermida earlier this month. Beltre could replace Mike Lowell at third, who Silverman says may "wind up being traded if the Red Sox go out and find a big-slugging first baseman," mentioning Adrian Gonzalez.
Blue Jays Contacted Cubs About Halladay
The Blue Jays want to move Roy Halladay this offseason and have contacted the Cubs about a potential trade, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. However, it's unclear if the Cubs have room for another $15.75MM in payroll. Plus, they'd have to be willing to part with top prospects, such as shortstop Starlin Castro, to obtain the Jays' ace.