Guardians Rumors

Odds & Ends: Pudge, Indians, Orioles, Jeter

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 12, 2010 at 4:17pm CDT

Links for Friday, four years to the day after the Cubs signed Aramis Ramirez to a five-year $75MM contract. He has 93 homers and a .287/.356/.510 line since signing the deal…

MLB executives predicted the destinations for some top free agents along with Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.
Ivan Rodriguez told Raul Alzaga of Primera Hora that he works out for three or four hours per day and feels physically fit enough to play three more years (link in Spanish).
Yankees manager Joe Girardi told Vincent M. Mallozzi of the New York Times that he's happy to help recruit free agents.
The Royals announced that they promoted Lonnie Goldberg to scouting director.
Cleveland GM Chris Antonetti has spoken to the agents for former Indian Jake Westbrook, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. When he was traded to the Cardinals, Westbrook said he was open to re-signing in Cleveland after the season.
The Indians are looking for a third baseman, and they don't have much money to spend, but they have discussed potential trades.
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun that the O's have talked to "a wide variety" of free agents already.
Derek Jeter and GM Brian Cashman told Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News that they're hopeful they can work out a contract.
For what it's worth, Joe Torre, Jeter's longtime manager, told Peter Botte of the New York Daily News that he can't envision the shortstop playing elsewhere.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post argues that no team can "allow the heart to rule the brain in on-field decisions."

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Cox, Crawford, DeJesus

By Mike Axisa | November 12, 2010 at 12:00pm CDT

Two years ago today the Athletics acquired Matt Holliday from the Rockies in exchange for Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, and Greg Smith. Holliday hit .286/.378/.454 in exactly 400 plate appearances with Oakland before being dealt to the Cardinals for a package led by Brett Wallace at the 2009 trade deadline.

Street has battled injuries but has been solid when on the mound for Colorado, pitching to a 3.30 ERA with 9.5 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 109 innings. Smith has appeared in just eight games for the Rox (all starts), putting up a 6.23 ERA. The real get was CarGo, who will certainly be in the MVP mix after a .336/.376/.598 season with 34 doubles, 34 homers, 26 stolen bases, and a batting title.

The hot stove league will certainly bring us more blockbuster trades, but for now you'll have to settle for this long collection of links, the best the blogosphere had to offer this week…

SPANdemonium interviews Twins prospect Niko Goodrum.
M.C. Antil reflects on Bobby Cox's time as a GM and manager (part one, part two).
We Should Be GMs lists the longest tenured player on all 30 teams.
Sabernomics dispels some hot stove myths.
U.S.S. Mariner lays out their plan for Seattle's offseason.
FanSpeak does the same, just for the Baltimore Orioles.
Meanwhile, Prospect Insider comes up with some trade ideas for the Mariners.
Baseball Time In Arlington examines the idea of the Rangers signing Carl Crawford.
Meet The Mess looks at some potential free agent targets for the Mets.
Royals Review wonders who the "real get" in the David DeJesus trade is.
At Home Plate thinks the DeJesus deal shows that Kansas City wants to win.
Drunk Jays Fans chimes in on Zack Greinke and the Blue Jays as only they can.
The Process Report explains why trading B.J. Upton now makes sense for the Rays.
Ivy Report believes the Cubs need to strike fast and trade for Adrian Gonzalez.
SD Sports Net lists some outfielders that could help the Padres next year.
Athletics Nation provides a scouting report on Hisashi Iwakuma with some help from PitchFX.
Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness looks at Tsuyoshi Nishioka as a second base option for the Dodgers.
Red Sox Beacon muses about Boston picking up David Ortiz's option.
Wahoo Blues looks at some backup plans for the Indians in case Carlos Santana has a setback from his knee injury.
Examiner wonders if a Prince Fielder for Edwin Jackson trade makes sense.
Analyze This looks at Jorge de la Rosa as a dark horse free agent.
Yankeeist examines some designated hitter options for the Yankees.
Baseball Analytics breaks down Ryan Howard's fall from grace.
Redleg Nation wants to discuss how valuable Jay Bruce is.
True Grich rants about the Angels and their offseason.
Crashburn Alley reflects on Jamie Moyer's playing career.
Mets Gazette provided part one of their top 50 free agents list with predictions. Here's Tim Dierkes' list for comparison.
Fantasy Rundown compiles links for all of the various prospect lists out there.
Last, but certainly not least, Pine Tar And Pocket Protectors provides your 2011 Montreal Expos roster.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Gonzalez, Pirates, Elias

By Mike Axisa | November 5, 2010 at 10:10am CDT

On this date way back in 1976, the Mariners and Blue Jays each selected 30 players in the expansion draft. Seattle drafted outfielder Ruppert Jones from the Royals with the first pick, then Toronto grabbed the versatile Bob Bailor from the Orioles with the second pick. The full results of the expansion draft can be found here.

We had to do some expanding of our own this week – get ready for what I'm certain is the largest BBWI in MLBTR history…

Baseball Time In Arlington thinks the Rangers need to wave goodbye to Vladimir Guerrero after declining his option.
Royals Review asks what Kansas City should do, and will do with their arbitration eligible players.
The Friarhood breaks down the trade market for Adrian Gonzalez.
Pirates Propects examines what the impact would be if Andrew McCutchen qualified as a Super Two next year.
Capitol Avenue Club looks at some options to address the Braves' need for a fourth outfielder.
Amazin Avenue explains why they don't want the Mets to hire Wally Backman to serve as manager.
Pittsburgh Lumber Co. wonders if the Pirates should start spending on free agents this winter.
Meanwhile, Wahoo Blues believes the Indians are poised to make a free agent splash.
Crashburn Alley says the Phillies need to give Domonic Brown 600 plate appearances in 2011.
Disciples of Uecker explains why Justin James was an interesting waiver claim.
Prospect Insider thinks that the Elias free agent ranking system needs to go.
The Process Report tries to find a fit for Matt Garza with the Mets.
Randall on Baseball reviews Jack Zduriencik's moves as the Mariners GM.
SD Sports Net thinks the Padres should go out and acquire Dan Uggla.
The Love Of The Game likes what the Yankees have in 2010 rookie Ivan Nova.
Fan Speak tries to figure out what the Nationals should do with Josh Willingham (part one, part two).
Cubs Billy Goat Blog (formerly Cubs Pack) asks what the Cubbies can learn from more successful teams.
1 Blue Jays Way re-lives Toronto's 2010 season, top ten style.
River Ave. Blues comes up with a list of the players the Yankees shouldn't even think about acquiring this winter.
MLB Depth Charts is putting together early looks at each team's 2011 roster.
Baseball Prospectus' Analyze This reviews how the World Champion San Francisco Giants were built in a two part series (part one, part two). No subscription is required.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.

Andy Marte Hits Free Agency

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 5, 2010 at 8:27am CDT

Andy Marte has hit free agency, according to the Indians. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer correctly predicted this week that Marte, who would have been eligible for arbitration, would lose his roster spot. The 27-year-old batted .229/.298/.382 in 188 plate appearances for the Tribe in his fifth season in Cleveland.

Marte was a top prospect in the Braves system for years, but he has yet to have extended major league success. He posted a .707 OPS as a 22-year-old in 2006 and has not matched that mark since. Marte rose through the minors as a third baseman and has since spent considerable time at first base.

Odds & Ends: Indians, Jeter, Ellis, Giants, Chen

By Mark Polishuk | November 3, 2010 at 10:26pm CDT

Happy 92nd birthday to one of baseball's all-time great pitchers, Bob Feller. "Rapid Robert" piled up 266 wins and 2581 strikeouts in his Hall of Fame career. In tribute to Feller, it's only appropriate that we start this batch of news items with something from Cleveland…

Infielder Drew Sutton is eligible for free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A by the Indians, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The article notes that Andy Marte is expected to be removed from the Cleveland roster before the Rule 5 draft deadline. Also from Hoynes (via Twitter), the Phillies claimed shortstop Carlos Rivero on waivers from the Tribe. Rivero has a .676 OPS in 2156 minor league plate appearances, none above the Double-A level.
Hal Steinbrenner's recent comments about the Derek Jeter talks strike ESPN's Buster Olney "as if he's preparing the NYY fans for an ugly Jeter negotiation" (Twitter link).
Now that the A's have exercised Mark Ellis' option for 2011, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets that the team will look into an extension for the veteran second baseman.
Buster Posey and Brian Wilson are the key reasons why the Giants have a chance to win another World Series, says Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com. "How many teams can say, right now, they have zero interest in upgrading at the need-to-have positions of catcher or closer?", Morosi asks. He cites just the Phillies and Twins, and even those two clubs come with question marks.
Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com thinks the Giants should sign Eric Chavez to a minor-league contract. (Twitter link)
Bruce Chen wants a multiyear deal but the Royals are "unlikely" to make the left-hander such an offer, tweets The Kansas City Star's Bob Dutton.
It could be a bad omen for David Ortiz's $12.5MM option that another slugging DH (Vladimir Guerrero) had his $9MM option for 2011 declined by Texas earlier today, writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.
Tampa Bay added Elliot Johnson to its 40-man roster, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Without the move, Johnson would've become a free agent. Johnson had a breakout minor league campaign in Triple-A last season, posting a .319/.375/.475 line and winning the International League MVP award.
In response to a fan mailbag question about Adam Dunn, MLB.com's Bill Ladson warns about the dangers of the Nationals offering a long-term deal to a defensively-challenged slugger. He points out how fans were also wishing the Nats signed Alfonso Soriano to an extension, but in hindsight Washington made the right move.
Nationals right-hander Collin Balester is looking for members to join his 'Movember' team. Click here to sign up and join Balester in raising money and awareness in the fight against prostate cancer.

Odds & Ends: Long, Romanick, Falkenborg, Carlin

By Tim Dierkes | November 1, 2010 at 11:44am CDT

Links for Monday, as Cliff Lee looks to leave a strong last impression on his 2010 season against Tim Lincecum and the Giants…

The Yankees and hitting coach Kevin Long agreed to a three-year deal, reports George A. King III of the New York Post. He'll be getting a raise on his previous $400K salary.
The Athletics named Ron Romanick their new pitching coach, tweets Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
King's colleague Joel Sherman doesn't believe Brian Falkenborg will be the next Colby Lewis, as Falkenborg is likely to remain in Japan.
The Indians removed catcher Luke Carlin from the 40-man roster, according to the team's Twitter account. Carlin, 30 next month, hit .238/.332/.336 at Triple-A this year. The Indians' 40-man roster is at 38. Andy Marte is another candidate to find his way off the 40-man, in my opinion.
If Carl Crawford has similar offers elsewhere, he'd need to be convinced to join a former rival like the Yankees or Red Sox says ESPN's Buster Olney.
The Seibu Lions have again denied Hiroyuki Nakajima's appeal to be posted, according to a report passed along by NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman on Twitter. The Japanese shortstop was said Saturday to be holding out hope.
Check out the voting for the 2010 Fielding Bible Awards.

Odds & Ends: Crawford, Indians, Lopez, Brewers

By Mike Axisa | October 30, 2010 at 9:22pm CDT

A few links to check out after the Rangers picked up their first World Series win in franchise history…

Torii Hunter is at the World Series for TV work, though he did mention liking the idea of Carl Crawford in an Angels' uniform according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter links). Hunter wouldn't confirm if he's been lobbying the soon-to-be free agent outfielder.
In a mailbag piece, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer answers questions about the Indians chances of signing quality free agents and whether or not Javier Vazquez is a fit for them.
FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal tweets that Giants' lefty reliever Javier Lopez will fall short of qualifying for free agency this offseason by just five days of service time. It's a shame he won't be able to cash in on his dominant postseason (5.2 innings, one hit, one walk, six strikeouts).
Rosenthal also says that the Brewers are just doing their due diligence, and are expected to name a manager shortly after the World Series (Twitter link).
Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune lists the hurdles the White Sox would have to clear if they want to acquire Colby Rasmus. He also noted that St. Louis had people watching ChiSox prospects at a recent Arizona Fall League game.
Chad Jennings of The Journal News provide an offseason to-do list for the Yankees.
MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli tweets that the announcement of the Orioles' coaching staff is being held up by Don Wakamatsu. He'll be their bench coach unless he lands a managerial gig elsewhere.
Joel Sherman of The New York Post explains what impressed him about Sandy Alderson's introductory press conference yesterday.
Meanwhile, Newsday's David Lennon wonders if Alderson's hiring will boost ticket sales (via Twitter). Mets' attendance has dropped from an average of 51,165 fans per game in 2008 to 32,401 in 2010 despite the opening of CitiField last season. Obviously the economy is part of the problem.
Jennings also passed along a lengthy quote from Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who explains his desire to make his team younger without sacrificing their ability to be competitive.
Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle compares the path the Rangers and Giants took to the World Series to some of the moves the Astros made a few seasons ago.

Gimenez & Reyes Become Free Agents

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 29, 2010 at 4:55pm CDT

Catcher Chris Gimenez and right-hander Anthony Reyes are free agents, the Indians announced. The Tribe outrighted Gimenez and Reyes today, along with right-hander Hector Ambriz. Gimenez, 27, batted .190/.288/.328 in 67 plate appearances this year. He has struggled to hit at the big league level in two short stints with the Indians.

Reyes, a former top prospect with the Cardinals, rose quickly through the St. Louis system after being selected in the 15th round of the 2003 draft. He struck out more than a batter per inning with excellent command in the minors from 2004-06, but soon lost his top prospect status.

This year, the 29-year-old struggled through 10.0 minor league innings and did not pitch in the majors. Last year, he made eight starts for the Indians and posted a 6.57 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 in 38.1 innings. Reyes does have one major postseason accomplishment; he pitched eight innings of four-hit, two-run ball against the Tigers in the opening game of the 2006 World Series.

Odds & Ends: Boras, Antonetti, Girardi, Cubs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 29, 2010 at 4:04pm CDT

Links for Friday, as Josh Hamilton and the Rangers rest before trying to make up ground against the Giants. Incidentally, it was nine years ago today that the Rangers signed Edinson Volquez, the player they later flipped to Cincinnati for Hamilton…

The Phillies contacted Scott Boras about Jayson Werth this week, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. At this point, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says "There's really not much to say" about possible negotiations with the free agent right fielder.
Bill Lubinger of the Cleveland Plain Dealer offers up a must-read profile of Indians GM Chris Antonetti. Pirates GM Neal Huntington says Antonetti is similar to former GM Mark Shapiro – to an extent. “I would say Chris is going to seek out maybe more opinions and he's going to be more inclusive," Huntington said. "Mark will seek out the opinions that he thinks are more crucial to the decision. Chris may get outside that narrow circle a little bit more than Mark."
We heard lots of buzz about Joe Girardi and the Cubs, but the manager says he "didn't really think about leaving the Yankees," according to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger (on Twitter). The skipper agreed to a three-year extension yesterday.
The Cubs selected catcher Robinson Chirinos from Double-A and outrighted Jim Adduci to Triple-A and off of the 40-man roster.
Former Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi wants to get back into baseball operations and has been in contact with the Red Sox about working for them, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff. We heard yesterday that Sandy Alderson contacted Ricciardi about joining the Mets.

Amateur Signing Bonuses: Indians

By Mike Axisa | October 23, 2010 at 10:51am CDT

Next up in our series looking at each team's top amateur signing bonuses, the Indians…

Danys Baez, $4.5MM (1999)
Jeremy Guthrie, $3MM (2002)
Drew Pomeranz, $2.65MM (2010)
Jeremy Sowers, $2.475MM (2004)
Alex White, $2.25MM (2009)

Baez's bonus was part of the four-year, $14.5MM contract Cleveland gave him after he defected from Cuba as a 22-year-old. After a year in Triple-A, the Indians gave him a rotation spot in 2002 and watched Baez post a respectable 4.41 ERA, 7.1 K/9, and 4.5 BB/9. Overall, Baez had a 3.92 ERA in 291.1 innings with Cleveland in a variety of roles (starter, setup man, closer) before they cut ties with him after the 2003 season.

Guthrie, the 22nd overall pick in 2002, never hit his stride in Cleveland, appearing in just 16 games (37 IP, 6.08 ERA) for the Tribe before being designated for assignment and subsequently claimed off waivers by the Orioles in January 2007. Sowers' tenure with the Indians was just as forgettable, though he got a much longer look. The sixth overall pick in the 2004 draft started 71 games for Cleveland from 2006-2009, though he pitched to just a 5.18 ERA with a measly 3.9 K/9 in exactly 400 IP. He spent 2010 in their minor league system.

White and Pomeranz are the team's two most recent first round picks. White (15th overall in 2009) split the 2010 season between the Single-A and Double-A levels, posting a 2.45 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 150.2 IP. Pomeranz (5th overall in 2010) signed right at the August 16th deadline and will start his professional career next season.

« Previous Page

Load More Posts

Show all

Headlines

Guardians Rumors

Navigation

MLBTR INFO

Connect