Corey Koskie Retires
According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune Corey Koskie is retiring. Koskie has struggled with concussion-related problems over the last few years and he felt light-headed this week after diving for a ball at third base.
Koskie says he's reitiring because he no longer wants to worry about getting another concussion. He still sounds confident in his abilities.
Stephen Strasburg Price Tag
ESPN.com's Peter Gammons heard from some club officials that top amateur pitcher Stephen Strasburg and his agent, Scott Boras, could demand $50MM over six years if he's selected first overall by the Nationals in the June draft. If the Nationals pick Strasburg and seem unwilling to pay him as much as he wants, Boras could threaten to send the prospect to pitch in Japan for a year. If the Nats are scared off, the Mariners and Padres are next in line for Strasburg.
Odds And Ends: Gonzalez, Hill, Koskie
Links for Saturday…
- According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, the Yankees demoted righty Phil Hughes. He had a nice spring and figures to be the first in line when the team needs another starter.
- Tracy Ringolsby of Inside the Rockies reports that Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall spoke with Luis Gonzalez about re-joining the D'Backs once he retires as a player.
- Dave Perkin of Baseball America highlights some amateur players worth keeping an eye on.
- Check out Tim's Interview over at 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba.
- Cameron Smith of the Washington Post thinks Shawn Hill and the Blue Jays should work out a deal because it would benefit both sides.
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports that Corey Koskie's baseball future could be in jeopardy. Koskie felt light-headed after diving for a ball yesterday in Spring Training.
- ESPN.com's Peter Gammons spoke with Matt Holliday about his home-road splits and his new Oakland teammates. Like Buster Olney, Gammons suggests the Red Sox, Yankees and Angels are possible fits for Holliday after the season.
Possible Bidders For Holliday
ESPN.com's Buster Olney previews the Matt Holliday derby that's likely to take place once the left fielder becomes a free agent at the end of the season. He's poised to become the biggest name available and has Scott Boras representing him:
- Olney starts off by saying "Oakland will not re-sign him," bringing up Mark Mulder, Barry Zito,Tim Hudson and Miguel Tejada to make his point.
- The Cardinals may not have the money to become involved and the Mets aren't spending quite as freely these days. The Cubs have already made commitments to Milton Bradley and Alfonso Soriano and the Dodgers won't have much flexibility if Manny Ramirez is still around.
- The Angels could pursue Holliday as a replacement for Vladimir Guerrero, whose contract also expires this year.
- The Red Sox have some aging offensive players, but Olney writes that their front office was "livid" with Boras over the Mark Teixeira negotiations.
- The Yankees could pursue Holliday to replace Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui. At least one scout thinks Holliday's swing is perfect for (the new) Yankee Stadium.
- Olney writes that Holliday could work for the White Sox, but says it's no accident they don't sign many Boras clients.
Padres Looking For Relievers
According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney the Padres are aggressively looking for relief help. They could fill as many as four bullpen spots with pitchers they pick up through trades or waivers.
Pudge Passes Physical
According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle Ivan Rodriguez passed his physical for the Astros to finalize his one year deal. Pudge says all the right things about joining his new team.
Odds And Ends: Tejada, Manny, White Sox
A few links for Thursday night…
- Good news for the Astros: The AP (via ESPN) reports that a federal prosecutor recommended that Miguel Tejada get probation, but no prison time for his involvement with PEDs.
- MLB.com's Ken Gurnick passes along a memorable Manny Ramirez quote: "No more cricket. I'm not signing to play cricket. Well, I can be a free agent after this year, so we'll see. But don't ask me about cricket."
- Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald writes that the White Sox need to make a deal for a center fielder who can bat leadoff. He thinks GM Kenny Williams is "probably close" to making a deal. Gregor doesn't like Jim Edmonds or Juan Pierre for the job, but he doesn't rule out Kenny Lofton.
- This isn't a rumor, but MLB.com's Mark Sheldon has a quirky anecdote. Micah Owings and Norris Hopper hit home runs with the same bat today. I might be more surprised that Hopper hit one.
- Ivan Rodriguez is looking forward to joining the Astros, according to this article in the Detroit Free Press.
- Padres CEO Sandy Alderson says it was a huge mistake to let Joakim Soria slip away through the Rule 5 draft in this article by Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Brewers Not Talking Trades
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel checked in with Brewers GM Doug Melvin and heard that the Brewers aren't talking trades with any team. Jayson Stark heard rumblings that the Yankees could be interested in Mike Cameron again, but Melvin said: "We're not talking trade with any team now."
Melvin said he spoke on the phone in general terms today without bringing Cameron's name up. Melvin also said the Astros haven't inquired about trading for a third baseman.
Andruw Won’t Be On 40-Man Roster
According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News Rangers GM Jon Daniels confirmed that Andruw Jones won't be added to the Rangers' 40-man roster by tomorrow. This decision gives Jones the chance to opt out of the minor league deal he signed with the Rangers.
Jones has said throughout the week that he'd discuss his options with agent Scott Boras if he doesn't make the roster. He can either re-enter the free agent pool or accept a minor league assignment from the Rangers. Jones is six for his last 17 after a very slow start, but he has 14 strikeouts in 31 spring at bats. It'll be fun to see how Boras handles this.
Pedro Hopes For Return To Mets?
According to Newsday's Jim Baumbach a friend of Pedro Martinez's says the righty still hopes to sign a deal with the Mets, though the Dodgers also appeal to him. This afternoon Jon Heyman reported that the Mets have offered Pedro a deal worth $1-2MM, so it appears Pedro can return if he's willing to lower his asking price.
Baumbach adds that Pedro isn't selling the house he owns on the New York-Connecticut border in case he can work out a return to the Mets. Last Tuesday, his return seemed unlikely, but a lot changes in a week.