The Yankees signed Orlando Hernandez to a four-year, $6.6MM contract on this date 14 years ago. El Duque posted a 3.96 ERA in six seasons with New York and also made a number of memorable postseason starts as the Yankees won three consecutive World Series titles. Hernandez expressed interest in making a comeback as recently as last year, before officially retiring in August. Here are today's links…
- Agent Fern Cuza told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Vladimir Guerrero “still wants to play.” Guerrero is waiting the right opportunity and has a strong preference for contenders (Twitter links).
- Free agent first baseman Derrek Lee is open to the right opportunity and doesn’t plan to officially retire, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.
- Negotiations between the Royals and Alex Gordon are in their early stages, but are expected to pick up later this spring, according to Rosenthal. Gordon will almost certainly look to sign for more than $55MM, the current Royals record, Rosenthal writes.
- It’s too early to predict which team will select high school right-hander Lucas Giolito, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). Giolito sprained the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow yesterday.
I still think Derrek Lee has something to offer a team. Hope he ends up somewhere.
I think he makes sense for the Twinks. Morneau is no guarantee, and if Doumit or Mauer see much time at first, the Twins offense will be far worse.
We have Parmelee and Mauer to back Morneau up. Doumit would be okay in the case that Mauer plays first.
Yankees only spent $6.6MM on El Duque? Boy, times sure have changed.
Yankees spent 6.6m and got him and Boston spent??? To rent the entire hotel and attempt to keep NY away from him the day he signed as recall.. It was a comical affair.. Heard Epstein threw chairs, had a real fit after NY nailed that deal down..
Edit.. I meant “The Duke”.. Not Epstein above….
that was contreras dude in 1998 epstein was in college
Contreras? I remembered it was one of those Cuban pitchers.. Funny story anyway..
Thx for reminder on who it was..
Giolito will be going to UCLA. He’s done for the year and with the current draft spend limitations there is no chance he’ll be willing to take supplemental round money when he’s got 1-1 talent and hype.
At first, I thought the Yankees signed El Duque today, and he’s making a comeback.
The story about Vlad wanting $5 million was a fabrication; his agent weeks ago said so. NYY said he was looking at $1-2 million, and most other rumours state the same, he’s not out to break the bank.
The fact that his agent says he wants to play for a contender, and not talk about stats or money, shows that Vlad is still Vlad; a guy who plays hard, is a strong leader, has fun, and gives the fans some gratitude. A great team player. I read a report today out of Baltimore about how they’ll miss him, who will lead in his way, making everyone welcome and motivated? Who knows if anyone will sign him but I figure the odds are in his favour when you see so many teams lacking for leadership and hitting. Tampa, San Fran even is rumoured, so who knows for sure, anyone can speculate but who thought he’d be an Oriole last year?
I’m surprised Lee is still available; he still hits and plays a solid 1B. Minnesota, Seattle, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Philly, Atlanta, and more could use him and be glad. Damon is a lot more expendable but may yet get a job.
The story about Vlad wanting $5 million was a fabrication; his agent weeks ago said so. NYY said he was looking at $1-2 million, and most other rumours state the same, he’s not out to break the bank.
The fact that his agent says he wants to play for a contender, and not talk about stats or money, shows that Vlad is still Vlad; a guy who plays hard, is a strong leader, has fun, and gives the fans some gratitude. A great team player. I read a report today out of Baltimore about how they’ll miss him, who will lead in his way, making everyone welcome and motivated? Who knows if anyone will sign him but I figure the odds are in his favour when you see so many teams lacking for leadership and hitting. Tampa, San Fran even is rumoured, so who knows for sure, anyone can speculate but who thought he’d be an Oriole last year?
I’m surprised Lee is still available; he still hits and plays a solid 1B. Minnesota, Seattle, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Philly, Atlanta, and more could use him and be glad. Damon is a lot more expendable but may yet get a job.
vladi is old……he doesnt have the speed to play like before……so the best is….american leaque
Except for Vlads lack of HR power and inability to take a walk he is fine. He can still hit a single or double.
I wish him luck but there isn’t many places looking for a DH.
Yeah other than a lack of power, on-base skills, or defensive ability, he’s a great option.
yup. Exactly. He has grit and leadership abilities. Umm and a really big ego
The two teams that come to mind for me for Derrek Lee are the Pirates and Brewers. Pretty sure Lee > Garrett Jones and for the Brewers, he’d represent a great hedge should Mat Gamel not cut it this spring.
Oh, and add “my” Dodgers to the mix. I’m 90% sure that the Dodgers would have been better off with Lee at first base on the cheap with the Loney money redirected towards bringing back Kuroda.
I agree with you, but playing for the Pirates is clearly beneath Lee… remember, he turned down arbitration from them (which most certainly would have meant a raise on his 2011 $7.25M salary).
I agree with you, but playing for the Pirates is clearly beneath Lee… remember, he turned down arbitration from them (which most certainly would have meant a raise on his 2011 $7.25M salary).
lol vlady “has a strong preference for contenders”. thanks for the update. in other news, can someone find me one free agent who prefers losers.
if those losers overpay, the agents love them
Doesn’t Vlad realize he’s limited to the A.L., and how many teams really need a DH at this point, esp. one that hit a whopping 13 homers last year. We get it, Vlad, you want stats. You ain’t getting them….go home.
If the Royals sign Gordon for more than $7 million a year they are absolutely crazy. He’s had one good season.
I wish I could do that in my job – do really well one year out of five and get a 3000 percent pay raise.
The thought is that if he repeats that season (and he certainly has the talent to do so) then you’l be on the hook for even more money. It’s a risk/reward situation.
Beggers can’t be choosers Vlad.
I doubt it’ll happen, but the Giants should sign Lee. They have Belt, Pill, and Huff. Belt and Pill play solid outfield, and if Huff doesn’t work out, they have an option. If Huff does well, trade him for a hitter at a position where someone gets hurt (most likely second base).
Apparently Vlad has received three offers to play but is in negotiations with a more winning team News is heating up about other FA’s too, with some teams now seeing how bad they hit or pitch and their real lack of depth. Weird year
Seattle Mariners would be a perfect fit for Vlad Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, or Johnny Damon considering how long Franklin Gutierrez will be out w/ an injury up to a month or longer. One of them would make sense either coming off the bench or starting in left field or first base to help the young team what it takes to have a winning tradition year in & year out. Hopefully either will be signing a one year contract to make the season debut sometimes when the team is in Oakland or Texas to face the A’s or Rangers. Please sign one of them GM Jack Z.