Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for May 2010

Frank Catalanotto Will Likely Retire

By | at

After being designated for assignment by the Mets earlier in the week, Frank Catalanotto says that "chances are" he will retire, according to Michael Obernauer, Matt Gagne, and Andy Martino of the Daily News.

The Long Island-native made the major league squad after signing a minor league deal with the Mets in January.  Catalanotto was brought aboard to be the team's left-handed bat off of the bench, but hit just .160/.192/.200 in 26 plate appearances.  On Monday, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy suggested that the 36-year-old could be a fit for the Brewers who are seeking minor league depth.

In 14 big league seasons, Catalanotto has a career .291/.357/.445 slash line.

Roy Oswalt Open To Trade

By | at

Pitcher Roy Oswalt says he's open to being traded if it helps the Astros rebuild.  Oswalt spoke candidly on the matter in an interview with Rob Dibble and Jim Memolo on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM.

"When you get to a point where you need to start rebuilding they're going to start with a guy that's got a lot of value and I understand that if I'm throwing well that they maybe can get two or three guys that can fill holes that they need.  I told them from the very beginning when they get to that point I would be open to [being traded]."

The 32-year-old righty explained that if traded, he would want to go to a  "true contender".  Oswalt's deal, which calls for him to earn a combined $31MM in this season and next, has a full no-trade clause.

Jayson Stark of ESPN recently reported that a friend of Oswalt believes the hurler's preferred destinations are Texas, St. Louis, and Atlanta, though it's hard to imagine any of those teams being a fit.  Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes that Oswalt might be the best starter available at this year's trade deadline.

When asked by Memolo how much longer he planned on pitching, Oswalt responded that he would assess his future in two years.  Oswalt's contract holds a $16MM club option for 2012 with a relatively meager $2MM buyout.

Royals Fire Trey Hillman

By | at

The Royals fired manager Trey Hillman, according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan (via Twitter). Former Brewers manager Ned Yost will take over the club. The 12-23 Royals already trail the first place Twins by 10.5 games in the AL Central. Hillman was in the last year of a three-year contract that he signed after the 2007 season. Hillman led the Royals to a 152-207 record in two-plus seasons.

Royals GM Dayton Moore said earlier in the week that the Royals were not close to making any moves and praised Hillman for doing a "terrific job." Hillman says he believes in the Royals; he told Passan that "it will work" in Kansas City (Twitter link).

Yost, 55, led the Brewers to a 457-502 record when he managed them from 2003-08.

Odds & Ends: Abreu, Torrealba, DeRosa, Strasburg

By | at

Links for Thursday, as we await an Opening Day rematch between Josh Johnson and Johan Santana…

Rays Notes: Bush, Bennett

By | at

Notes on one pitcher who may appear on the Rays this year and one who won't:

  • Matt Bush, the player the Padres selected first overall in the 2004 draft, may make it to the majors with the Rays, according to Tom Krasovic of Fanhouse. Bush has only pitched three innings at A ball this year, but the Rays people Krasovic spoke to wouldn't be surprised to see Bush in the majors this year.
  • The Rays released Jeff Bennett, according to Cork Gaines of RaysIndex. The team's media relations department confirmed the release to MLBTR. Bennett, now 29, made 11 appearances for the Rays last year. In 10.2 innings at Triple A Durham, Bennet posted 8.4 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 this year.

Washburn May Not Pitch In 2010

By | at

Jarrod Washburn does not expect to sign soon and may not pitch in 2010, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The 35-year-old lefty has not ruled out pitching, but it doesn't sound like he'll return to the mound soon.

"Never say never, but I am very happy at home with my family," Washburn told Morosi.

Washburn's agent, Scott Boras, said last month that as many as five teams were interested, but it's been quiet since. The Royals and Mariners were reportedly interested in April, but Washburn turned the Mariners' offer down. The Dodgers, Brewers and Nationals could all become suitors for Washburn if he decides to pitch again this season.

Stark On Mariners, Lee, Werth, Berkman, Zambrano

By | at

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that Ken Griffey Jr. will always get "the respect and dignity he deserves" in Seattle, so don't expect the Mariners to push Junior out of the way now that it seems convenient to do so. As one executive tells Stark, that's not an easy thing to tell a player like Griffey. Here are the rest of Stark's hot stove-related notes from Seattle and around the major leagues:

  • Zduriencik says talk that the Mariners are trying to deal for a bat is "overblown" though he concedes that he's always "making phone calls" to other clubs.
  • The Mariners will "wait and see what happens" with Cliff Lee, Zduriencik says. Lee becomes a free agent after the season and expects to get paid like an ace.
  • The man who traded for Lee last summer, Ruben Amaro Jr., says the Phillies aren't as well-equipped to make a blockbuster move in 2010. "To be frank, I don't know if we have the resources to trade people to get that kind of guy," the GM said.
  • Another GM believes one of Amaro's current players, Jayson Werth, may benefit from a relative shortage of right-handed power outfielders this offseason.
  • A friend of Lance Berkman's thinks the first baseman would be prepared to accept a trade and leave Houston for a couple months. But the friend is less certain that Berkman would accept a deal if his new club was sure to exercise his 2011 option. At $15MM, there's no guarantee that will happen, in spite of Berkman's recent hot streak.
  • Executives on other teams see Carlos Zambrano as a guy who "hasn't pitched like a top-of-the-rotation starter for two years."

Free Agent Stock Watch: Jason Varitek

By | at

Jason Varitek won't sign another $40MM deal, but his chances in free agency are looking much better than they were a couple months ago. Let's face it: few of us imagined that Varitek's slugging percentage would exceed Victor Martinez's on base plus slugging this far into the season. Varitek's six homers give him a .342/.419/.868 line, but be warned: Varitek has only batted 43 times.

Martinez and Varitek share more than Boston's catching duties. Both are headed for free agency and both stand to gain or lose a considerable amount depending on their play in the next four and a half months. Varitek's fly ball percentage (66%) and home run to fly ball ratio (33%) are not at all sustainable, so that .868 slugging percentage will probably be halved by the end of the season. Still – no one can take Varitek's hot start away from him, even if no one expects him to sustain it. 

Given the two-year deals Jason Kendall, Ivan Rodriguez and Brian Schneider signed last offseason, it appears that teams are willing to pay a premium for veteran catchers. With Scott Boras by his side and Joe Mauer off of the market, Varitek could ask for a multi-year deal if he keeps his walk rate around his career average, maintains some power and throws out more than the occasional baserunner. That's a challenge for any catcher, let alone a 38-year-old, but let's not count Varitek out.

Rangers Appear Content With Current Catchers

By | at

The Rangers are content with the production they're getting from Max Ramirez and Matt Treanor, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com. Manager Ron Washington told Durrett that he's pleased with the game calling and defense his current catchers provide.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported earlier in the week that the Rangers are looking at other catching options. Today's report doesn't necessarily mean Rosenthal's report is off-base, since club executives can eye opposing players even when they're content with their current club. 

One catcher the Rangers definitely have their eye on plays at Triple A Oklahoma. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is working on his throwing, but his .343/.400/.552 line stands out, especially on a team that's getting a .193/.302/.266 line from its backstops.

"No one has forgotten about Salty," Washington said. "We know what he brings to the table."

Other clubs do, too, so it wouldn't be a shock if the Rangers were the ones trading from catching depth this summer. Rosenthal suggested the Astros – who could use some offense – and the Red Sox – who could use some defense – could look to acquire catchers. The Rangers could consider dealing with either one of those teams or any other club looking for a catcher.

Eric Byrnes Retires

By | at

When Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik offered to call other teams up and measure interest in Eric Byrnes, the left fielder told him not to. Byrnes told Zduriencik and Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu that he is ‘done,’ writes Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle.

"To be honest, I don't really have any interest,” Byrnes said. “I've never been scared for it to be done, for life after baseball, and it's not because I didn't love the game."

Byrnes, who first told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports of his retirement from the game, now plays softball every Wednesday for a slow pitch team (check the Chronicle article out for some memorable photos). Byrnes told Morosi it's time for him to surf, golf and read his daughter bedtime stories.

"Am I retired from baseball? Yes. Am I retired from life? Not even close."

Reports hinted that Byrnes could retire earlier in the month, after the Mariners released him. He wraps his career up with a .258/.320/.439 line compiled with five teams. He will have pocketed a total of $39MM by the end of the season, according to Baseball-Reference. The D'Backs are paying Byrnes most of his $11MM salary this year, with the Mariners contributing $400K.

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top