Some links to check out after the Rangers clinched their first AL West title since 1999…
- Brandon Webb will meet with new Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers next week to discuss his immediate future, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert and Andrew Pentis. Webb acknowledged that he's not 100% back from shoulder surgery, but he wants to be activated next week to showcase himself before hitting the free agent market.
- Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com says that the Pirates have begun the process of evaluating their relievers. It's safe to say that Evan Meek and Joel Hanrahan are the only guys guaranteed jobs next year.
- Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times tweets that Ozzie Guillen said the Cubs would be an option if he does not return to the White Sox next season.
- Carlos Pena doesn't think his struggles this season (.200/.329/.412) are the result of him putting too much pressure on himself in advance of free agency, writes Tony Fabrizio of The Tampa Tribune.
- Michael Baron of Metsblog.com says that the Mets shouldn't rule out any kind of trade that can improve the roster, even if it includes David Wright or Jose Reyes.
- Felipe Lopez told FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal that he rejected the Padres' waiver claim because he wouldn't have felt like part of the team (all Twitter links). Lopez wouldn't have been eligible for San Diego's playoff roster if he helped them clinch a playoff spot.
- ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider req'd) says that some within the Orioles organization view Victor Martinez as someone who could serve as a backup catcher and mentor to Matt Wieters while still getting plenty of at-bats at first base and designated hitter. We learned of Baltimore's interest in V-Mart yesterday.
- With their contracts set to expire after the season, the futures of long time Tigers Jeremy Bonderman and Brandon Inge are up in the air, writes Lynn Henning of The Detroit News.
- Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune reports Ozzie Guillen indicated that any decision about his future will first go through his family. Ozzie's status beyond this season has been uncertain of late.
- MLB president and COO Bob DuPuy is expected to move out of his current role according to Olney, though the timing of the move is unclear. DuPuy was viewed by some as a potential successor to commissioner Bud Selig, who has indicated that he will retire when his contract is up in two years.
- Last, but certainly not least, hello to MLBTR reader Aaron Hill! He was caught checking out MLBTR in this clubhouse video tour with Shaun Marcum.
Isn’t it the Phils’ 4th consecutive division title? Not 5th. ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10
You’re right, I miscounted at B-Ref.
Congratulation to MLB trade rumors! You have hit the big time!
There’s actually quite a few baseball players that read this site.
My favorite story about a player reading MLBTR was when Scott Hairston found out he was traded to the Padres after reading MLBTR.
Is that you Aaron?
No, I’m Dave.
No, I’m Dave.
No, I’m Dave.
wait victor martinez backup cather??
Read further, they also said he’d get plenty of at bats as first baseman and DH. Basically reprising his role in Cleveland.
So Felipe Lopez rejected claim because he won’t make the playoff roster. Instead, he signs with Boston who most likely will miss the playoffs? Doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.
He probably thinks he’d get more playing time on the Red Sox, thus showcasing himself for his impending FA. Granted, not many games to “showcase,” but I’m assuming that’s his mindset.
If you’re not going to play in the playoffs anyway, why not play in a massive hitters park in the AL as opposed to Petco Park, which we all know is death to hitters.
The Mets won’t trade Wright. They wouldn’t get back enough anyway.
The same can be said about Reyes. I’m not a fan of either, but but the Mets have gotten their monies’ worth from both these two. Reyes has been hurt the past 2 yrs, but before that, he’s always played well. His negatives have been his antics and immature behavior at times.To trade him and get equal value would be a major undertaking that this Mets FO seems highly incapable of pulling off.
Reyes’ “immaturity” is exaggerated. No one said anything before the Phillies started whining about it in 2007.
I’ve been watching Reyes since he came up. His silly antics were tolerated during his early years because he was all the Mets had at the time. Dancing in front of the dugout and going through all kind of silly rituals after hitting homeruns while his team was 3 runs behind got old after a while and has annoyed not just the Phillies. And the thing is he never stopped doing it. I’ve seen him slam his glove on the ground when Delgado failed to make a catch at first. Two years ago he made Manuel look bad in front of the entire Stadium, when he refused to come out of a game when he was clearly hurt. Ask the Marlins why they love to beat the Mets more than any other club. I’ll grant you that these last two years, because of the injuries, he’s seemed to grow up a bit, but it’s been too little and too slow.
I’m in the “who cares what he does as long as he produces” camp. But as I said, no one cared before the Phillies started whining (even though they have players who pull the same kind of things). I’m sure the Marlins love to beat the Mets. But who cares? These guys aren’t playing to make friends and be liked by everyone. And the Marlins need something to give their season meaning thanks to their penny-pinching owner.
Exactly. All of that Reyes stuff is overblown. Tons of players are doing that kind of stuff after home runs, including Phillies and Marlins players. Dancing is not a reason to trade him.
agreed they won’t trade Wright. but reyes could/should be shopped.
Yeah. Even with Reyes…I can imagine about 15 teams would call the Mets and it will be really, really fun to follow the Reyes rumors and make proposals because I think the Mets coul get at least 2 top 100’s and 1 150-200 prospect. I see the Red Sox, Rays, Nationals, Braves, Twins, Tigers, Cardinals, Reds, Brewers, Astros, Padres, Giants, and A’s as potential teams.
Seems a bit steep for a guy who hasn’t been good since 2008 and has just one year left before hitting free agency after 2011.
Perhaps you didn’t join the chat last week nor did the read the article by Ken Davidoff or whoever it was. Many think Jose can command 1 top prospect, two mid-level prospects, and a decent prospect. So figure 45, 90, 115, and 225.
Overpayment, especially for a player that’s not great and he is a rental.
I at first thought the idea was riduclous as well, but I really do think it makes sense. You are getting the chance to have one of the potentially best players in Baseball on your team for one season to win a world series plus two draft picks. I think it makes sense. Its extremely hard to find that kind of player with speed like Reyes does.
still an overpayment for a 1 year rental. now if this was midseason of this year, offseason of last year, you might have an argument because than reyes had the potential of helping X team in 2 playoff pushes. but thats way too much for reyes. the mets can keep him and his 10million dollars(thats another aspect, he isn’t cheap either).
One of the best players in baseball? What is this, 2007? Come on man. You’re an intelligent guy from what I’ve seen.
thanks Dave, but what I said was he has potential to be one of the best players in Baseball. Remember, this is his first season back from injury so you can’t really blame him if he doesn’t steal 50+ bases and get on Base 36% of the time. I still say next season his line will be something like this… .295/380/460 16 hr’s and 72 RBI’s with 55 SB’s and 15 triples.
I read that the Tampa president & Vice-president gave Matt Garza a motorcycle as a gift for throwing a no-hitter. Am I missing something here? I mean if I’m Joe Maddon, do I want one of my best pitchers riding a motor bike?
With how stacked the Rays are in pitching at every level, I don’t think he cares.
if he gets hurt they can just have hellickson in the rotation
Damn you Jeff Kent!!!
Motorbikes aren’t really health risks.
I mean, if MLB players can, I don’t know, smoke cigarettes and surf and do construction work (different players, but all legit), I think the injury risk is the least of Maddon’s concerns.
he has a better chance injuring himself with a torn ligament than he does on a motor bike.
besides, what are you, his mom? he’s an adult. if he wants to ride a motor bike, he’s gonna ride a motor bike. if he wants a cookie, he’s gonna have a cookie.
“besides, what are you, his mom?”
hahaha.. well done sir.
The bike is only for display, not for riding. The post I read cited that fact specifically.
its comforting to know that baseball players also don’t have anything better to do than refresh mlbtraderumors…
And have your first baseman sit next to you.
They’re not going to trade Wright or Reyes because fans wouldn’t come back. Reyes’ value is too indifferent to be determined if he will be traded or not.
are you the real ike davis?
Doubtful…are you a secret inspector?
Derp
the lord knows i was 100% serious.
Doesn’t seem like the brightest idea to throw when your shoulder isn’t 100%. I understand where Webb is coming from, but the shoulder is the worst possible thing to injure as a pitcher.
He’s still Brandon Webb. Get yourself back to 100%, pitch well in a legit winter league for a start or three, and you’ll get someone to throw a couple million your way with a large option year and generous buyout.
I can appreciate that Webb wants to pitch, but on the other hand, the D’Backs are under no obligation to allow him to, especially if he’s not quite 100%. I can understand them not wanting him to take that risk.
No, Brandon. Keep getting yourself ready, and go pitch somewhere this winter.
Congrats MLBTR! PTI was on tv there too. When looking through and seeing the Jenifer Langosch article, it caught my eye as I didn’t see she was talking specifically about relievers. I was thinking, hold up, Alvarez and McCutchen not guaranteed spots? Lesson to the kids, read closely ha.
Do players check out MLBTR out of curiosity or paranoia?
boredom.
Lopez chose Boston because they might actually offer him arbitration at the end of the year. No way SD does.
And through arbitration is the only way Lopez will make more $ then he did this season. Maybe not much, but it will be a couple 100K more and he will have a job. Something he might not be able to say if he hits the FA market. There he is looking at a league minimum deal or a minor league contract.
The Red Sox can afford to give him 1M and change for being the teams utility player. And given their injury woes this season, I wouldn’t mind seeing him on the roster next season.
I think the big bat the orioles should try to get is Adam Dunn. Dunn would be stupid to not try free agency before hooking back up with Nationals. The Orioles should offer him 4 years 60 million. He would not have to make a huge move from DC to Baltimore.
The Orioles should then offer Manny Ramirez 1 year 10 million dollars to play LF. I know he is getting old but the man knows how to get to the playoffs and he knows how to hit. Then also try to bring Wigginton back for 1 year 6.5 million. And for the big pitcher we go after it should be Brandon Webb. Lets give him a another chance. He is great when healthy. Lets offer him 1 year 7 million plus a one year op for 10 million.
The Orioles should then offer Manny Ramirez 1 year 10 million dollars to play LF. I know he is getting old but the man knows how to get to the playoffs and he knows how to hit. Then also try to bring Wigginton back for 1 year 6.5 million. And for the big pitcher we go after it should be Brandon Webb. Lets give him a another chance. He is great when healthy. Lets offer him 1 year 7 million plus a one year op for 10 million.
Ozzie Guillen would never manage the Cubs.. If he doesn’t stay with the White Sox . he should retire.. He needs a good team the Cubsare far from even being decent.. Yes they have a lot of young talent, but they don’t like to utilized them.. They rarely stay in house when they have it.. they didn’t need fukudome they never needed Bust Bradley.. they had plenty of in house players that were ready.. they don’t need any new players this winter either..
Don’t drink anymore beer.