Odds And Ends: Wieters, Guerrero, Gonzalez
A few links for Saturday morning…
- Steve Melewski of MASN.com spoke with the Orioles Director of Player Development, David Stockstill, about Matt Wieters, who left last night's minor league game with an apparent right hamstring cramp.
- More bad news for Angels fans, as Vladimir Guerrero is out for at least a month.
- Luis Gonzalez tells Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post that he's already missing baseball and he wouldn't ask for much salary-wise.
- Ozzie Guillen still doesn't have an answer in center field according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Cowley wrote earlier in the week that the Giants are looking to unload Aaron Rowand.
- ESPN.com's Keith Law discusses high school prospect Donovan Tate, who's the son of former NFL running back Lars Tate. Law says Tate is the "top prep position player in this draft."
White Sox Acquire Andy Phillips
According to MLB.com's Jen Langosch, the Pirates traded utility man Andy Phillips to the White Sox for minor league pitcher Michael Dubee. Phillips had signed a minor league deal with Pittsburgh during the offseason. The 32 year-old spent most of his career in the Yankees organization, and also spent time with the Mets and Reds. Dubee joined with White Sox in July of '07, when they sent Tadahito Iguchi to Philadelphia.
Giants Looking To Unload Rowand?
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times:
The San Francisco Giants are looking to unload the $44 million they still owe Aaron Rowand through 2012. The one problem? The Giants would have to be willing to pick up a big chunk of the deal to even get [White Sox GM Ken] Williams on the phone.
I'd venture to say the Giants would have to assume at least half of Rowand's contract to make it viable to the White Sox. The Sox were reportedly in on Rowand when he was a free agent in December of '07. Cowley also does a little speculating, suggesting the Sox should instead bring Washington's Willie Harris back to Chicago once he's healthy. What do you think the Sox should do about center field?
White Sox Agree To Deal With Scott Podsednik
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the White Sox agreed to a minor league deal with Scott Podsednik.
Podsednik, of course, played for the Sox from 2005 to 2007. They designated him for assignment after '07 and he landed with the Rockies, hitting .253/.322/.333 in 181 plate appearances. The Rox re-signed him in January but released him in April. Rosenthal explains why the Sox brought Pods back:
The move became necessary when center fielder Dewayne Wise left Monday's game with a separated right shoulder. Wise will be placed on the disabled list and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Manny Would Like A Second Indians Stint
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Manny Ramirez would like to play for the Indians one more time before the end of his career. He even talked to Jim Thome about reuniting in Cleveland. Of course, it takes two to tango and the Indians have Travis Hafner locked in at DH through 2012.
Back in the 2000-01 offseason, it seemed that Manny wanted to stay in Cleveland but his agent Jeff Moorad steered him toward the more lucrative Boston offer. The Indians topped out at $138MM over eight years, but Ramirez received $160MM from the Red Sox. Manny reportedly regretted his decision by the summer of '01, according to his authorized biography Becoming Manny.
Ken Gurnick and John Schlegel of MLB.com have follow-up comments from Manny and Scott Boras.
Odds And Ends: Hudson, Alvarez, Anderson
Links for Saturday…
- The Astros claimed 25-year-old pitcher Wilton Lopez off waivers from the Padres and assigned him to Double-A, according to this AP article.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic relays some recent Orlando Hudson comments. O-Dog said the D'Backs made him an offer this offseason, it just didn't appeal to him.
- Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog suggests that we could see the Mets release Marlon Anderson today to make room for Livan Hernandez.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle sounds confident about the Astros' chances this year.
- John Perrotto of Pirates Report anticipates a 2009 MLB debut for Pedro Alvarez.
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald discusses Scott Boras in light of the Nick Adenhart tragedy.
- MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports that the White Sox still haven't found a fit for their leadoff spot.
Odds & Ends: Lackey, Sheffield, Luis Gonzalez
Links for Thursday…
- Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald learned that while White Sox GM Ken Williams seeks a leadoff hitter, he does not have interest in Juan Pierre or Gary Matthews Jr.
- In an article yesterday, MLB.com's Lyle Spencer said all is quiet on the John Lackey extension front. Angels GM Tony Reagins said Lackey's initial Opening Day deadline was never a factor for the team.
- Murray Chass says Gary Sheffield's clubhouse presence is a positive.
- Luis Gonzalez, a free agent, hopes to play in 2009. But when he retires, he'll do so as a Diamondback according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro wrote in praise of Florida starter Josh Johnson.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock says the Padres introduced Tom Garfinkel as the new president and chief operating officer in charge of non-baseball operations.
- I wrote about Blue Jays starter David Purcey over at RotoAuthority.
Jermaine Dye Talks About The Future
MLB.com's Scott Merkin talked to White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye about his future, though Dye didn't say much. He faces a $12MM mutual option for 2010 with a $1MM buyout. Dye hit .292/.344/.541 in 645 plate appearances last year and his defense was not highly regarded.
Back when the White Sox were seemingly talking about Dye trades in December, his contract seemed reasonable. But since then Bobby Abreu signed at $5MM a year, Adam Dunn at $10MM, and Pat Burrell at $8MM.
White Sox Sign Jimmy Gobble
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports the White Sox have signed Jimmy Gobble to a minor-league deal. The 27 year old left-hander will report to Triple-A Charlotte this week.
Just five years ago, Gobble was a top prospect for the Royals but never found success against right-handers and was released by Kansas City on March 17th. The Rangers signed Gobble to a minor league deal but opted to go with lefties Eddie Guardado and C.J. Wilson instead, cutting Gobble on March 30th.
Gobble held left-handed hitters to a .200/.246/.323 line in 2008 and can be retained by his new team for 2010 as an arbitration-eligible player.
Jerry Owens Clears Waivers
WEDNESDAY: Gonzales says Owens cleared waivers and will head back to Triple A Charlotte.
MONDAY: According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, White Sox outfielder Jerry Owens said he was waived today. DeWayne Wise and Brian Anderson will split center field duties. We'll wait for more details on Owens' situation.