Links from Spanish-language news sources, highlighted by a rumor-packed tweet from un hombre de Bristol (links in Spanish).
- Enrique Rojas at ESPN Deportes says the A's are working hard to sign yet another third baseman. Only this time, it's Adrian Beltre, who reportedly turned down a three-year, $24MM offer from the team last winter.
- In the same tweet, Rojas says the Dodgers are interested in Edgar Renteria and his willingness to play second base, notes that there is a "good market" for Miguel Tejada, and revives an old rumor with a question: "Vic-Mart with the Rays?"
- According to Jorge Ebro at El Nuevo Herald, 17-year old Cuban centerfielder Yasiel Balaguer has defected to Nicaragua with hopes of signing with a Major League team. Ebro cites reports saying Balaguer's big draws are his explosive speed and throwing arm, though he has shown some offensive power as well in the Cuban National Series.
- Former Mariner and Red Wladimir Balentien has told his usual Venezuelan Winter League team, the Leones de Caracas, that he can't play this winter because he has signed with a team in Japan, reports Cesar Augusto Marquez at Lider en Deportes. Marquez doesn't say which team Balentien has joined.
Yes please sign with us Adrian Beltre!!!!!!!!!!!! Please make ammense for your mistakes!!!!! Please!
Hope Adrian Beltre joins Dan Uggla on the DL because he tripped over a painted line and and sprained his ankle. Nothing life threatening. Just enough to send a human being a wake up call that when someone in this world offers you 24 and 48 MILLION dollars to play a game for a few years you don’t say know. As there dominant characteristics are greed and stupidity they’re two players I wouldn’t want on my team.
Yeah because players should just turn down offers when they can get better offers. Got it.
You obviously must work for minimum wage then because asking for more would be greedy, right? I hope that wishing physical harm on people just because you think they make too much money helps you sleep well at night. Seek help.
So, who gets the money then, if Beltre signs for less than market value. The owners? I gurantee that teams wont be saying, “hey we signed a free agent on the cheap, were lowering ticket costs.” I know it sounds like an insane amount of money to pass up, but I gurantee if you were in the same position, you would do the exact same thing.
Then the owners must be filled with greed and stupidity to sign these players. Players have marketable talents you get paid based on that.If you could somehow hit a baseball being thrown at you for 1 second, or catch a 100 mile per hour line drive then you would also deserve the money.If you do not like it you have the right not to go to a game.
Just FYI, the word you’re looking for is “amends.”
Renteria don’t be like MJordan, when you could’ve gone out on top to playing for a crappy team..especially the Dodgers. yeesh
When I first heard he was reconsidering retirement that was my first reaction as well. “Go out on top, Edgar.”
Then I got to thinking about it. Why? It’s a good story I guess: “Man wins world series in last year of career!” But that’s it.
He obviously still wants to play, which is frankly the one and only checkmark on the pro-con list that should matter. He’s going to make an extra million or maybe even few million dollars. Even if he doesn’t care about that personally he could do a lot of good with that money back home. He has a chance–however small–to win yet another World Series. And did I mention he gets to spend another year doing something he still wants to do?
What’s the worst thing that happens? He tanks so badly he gets released. He’s referred to as one of those guys who held on too long. But nobody can take away his ring, his WS MVP, his gold gloves, his all-star selections, or his 14 quality years in Major League Baseball. He still gets the money. He’s free to spend the rest of his free time exactly as he would had he retired.
Really, I’m not seeing the downside.
So long as he wants to play and somebody’s willing to give him a job, I say go for it.
Rent to the Dodgers…after one loud ovation coming back to AT&T it will be nothing but the boo birds. After one of my favorite players Jason Schmidt went to the Dodgers it was nothing but misery for that dude, don’t make that mistake RENT!
Renteria would be a nice pick up for the Dodgers.It would be a nice double play combo. Furcal at Shortstop and Renteria at second base.
Are the A’s serious about putting together a winning team this year? We know they are going to have solid pitching all year as they always do. Now with DeJesus added to the offense it seems to be headed in the right direction. If they are serious about landing Beltre and do, and a DH (Maggs, Manny or Thome) they are going to have a pretty decent chance of hanging around in the AL West until the end.
How about Matsui?
He would work too, I heard they were in the market for a DH so I just listed the first names that came to my head.
That’s still asking a lot. They can still improve greatly, but as the team stands now, they are about 3 hitters away from even a Giants-esque offense
I’m not saying they’re going to WIN the AL West, all im saying is they have pitching good enough to not score many runs and still win. Adding a couple good hitters doesn’t hurt.
Honestly, if Texas losses Lee they would have a shot to be in it for the division. I don’t see them going far beyond that, but it would be an improvement. Would prefer they just stay down like they are now, but it’s not that far-fetched. Would Beltre seriously consider them? They seem like an underdog in this race
Boston should sign him (Renteria) and play him only when Cliff Lee pitches!
The A’s? After having his numbers nosedive in Seattle I think Beltre is gonna try and steer clear of cavernous ballparks…
2010 Beltre: He really, really swung it well last year…
Home OPS: 881
Away OPS: 953
I’d take that away OPS in a heartbeat. Go A’s!
Adding Beltre would be a stroke of genius by Beane, for not only would he be landing the best 3rd baseman the free agent market will see over the next few years, but Beane will have hoarded a few of the remaining 3rd baggers in Encarnacion and Kouzmanof. The very teams that lose to the Athletics for Beltre will have to deal with them to acquire the best alternatives. Beane has already made similar moves to control the pitching and outfield market. I am impressed indeed.
Adding Beltre would be a stroke of genius by Beane, for not only would he be landing the best 3rd baseman the free agent market will see over the next few years, but Beane will have hoarded a few of the remaining 3rd baggers in Encarnacion and Kouzmanof. The very teams that lose to the Athletics for Beltre will have to deal with them to acquire the best alternatives. Beane has already made similar moves to control the pitching and outfield market. I am impressed indeed.
screw McCourt….other teams are looking at beltre, dunn, etc….and we are trying to upgrade with Renteria???? give me a break…