Quick Hits: Hunter, Garza, Padres, Betemit
The Twins pounded out 20 hits en route to a 10-9 victory over the Angels today at Target Field. Josh Willingham hit his third homer in as many games for Minnesota, and Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau also went yard — the first time the duo have homered in the same game since July 6, 2010.
Here are some notes from around the majors…
- Torii Hunter hasn't had any discussion with the Angels about a contract extension but understands why, he tells Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. "I don't want to bother those guys," Hunter said. "They've had so much going on. I definitely feel no rush. It'd be nice (to get an extension offer) but if not, I understand….They have other guys like (Erick) Aybar they need to lock up. Plus they've got (Mike) Trout lying in the weeds." Hunter is a free agent after this season and will be 37 on Opening Day 2013. He said he wants to return the Angels, but if not, he wants to play for another contending team.
- Nez Balelo, Matt Garza's agent, is scheduled to be in Chicago during the Cubs' homestand, reports Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said that a potential long-term deal with Garza is the sort of "big-picture issue" that can't be measured by how Garza performs early this season or even throughout 2012.
- Separate ownership groups led by agents Dennis Gilbert and Arn Tellem could be interested in buying the Padres, reports Dan Hayes of the North County Times. A source tells Hayes that any potential buyer could bring a Padres legend like Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield or Steve Garvey to serve as the public face of the ownership group. Garvey is known to already be fronting a group that is interested in the Padres after falling short in a bid to buy the Dodgers.
- White Sox GM Kenny Williams discusses new manager Robin Ventura, several players and his expectations for the team as a whole for 2012 in a Q&A with the team's TV crew (transcribed on MLB.com).
- The well-traveled Wilson Betemit is playing for his seventh team in 10 years but is only focused on helping the Orioles, writes Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
- Andre Ethier is very focused on playing well in 2012 and putting himself in line for a big contract either with the Dodgers or with another club when he hits free agency this winter, sources tell ESPN Los Angeles' Tony Jackson.
Quick Hits: Phillips, Dodgers, Dipoto
The Athletics announced that right-hander Joey Devine will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery. It's his second time having the procedure, and he will have some other repairs made to his elbow as well. Here's the latest from around the league as Tuesday turns into Wednesday…
- "I thought I was gone … I really didn't think this was going to happen," said Brandon Phillips to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon after signing his new extension. He was concerned that Joey Votto's deal meant his days with the Reds were numbered.
- MLB and FOX expressed relatively minor concerns about the sale of the Dodgers, "virtually assuring" that the deal will receive court approval on Friday according to Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times.
- Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register spoke to Angels GM Jerry Dipoto about his use of statistics. "I like to believe myself to be balanced and I think in making any balanced decision you want to be as objective as you can in making that decision," said Dipoto. "What statistical analysis does is allow you to be as objective as you can be."
Quick Hits: Dodgers, Pujols, Lannan
Jackie Robinson signed a Major League contract with Dodgers GM Branch Rickey on this date in 1947. Robinson played in his first MLB game five days later and went on to be named Rookie of the Year. Here are some notes from around MLB on the anniversary of that historic day…
- Things are looking up for the Dodgers now that they've put 2011 behind them and are about to undergo an ownership transition, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports writes.
- Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com suggests the Cardinals will be fine this season, even with longtime star Albert Pujols playing for the Angels.
- The Orioles, Cubs, Tigers, Red Sox, Astros and Tigers have expressed interest in John Lannan, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. However, the Nationals are inclined to hold onto the left-hander. "We feel he's a solid major-league starting pitcher," GM Mike Rizzo said. "But we feel we have five guys who are better than him." The Tigers haven't ruled Lannan out, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.
- High school center fielder Byron Buxton and college catcher Mike Zunino top Keith Law's list of amateur player eligible for this summer's draft (ESPN Insider link).
Poll: When Will The Dodgers Contend?
After the much maligned Frank McCourt sold the team to a group headed by Stan Kasten and Magic Johnson, it's once again a good time to be a Dodgers fan. In the short-term, the news is likely to spark attendance at Dodger Stadium. In the long-term, patrons are hopeful that they will see the club spend the money necessary to win. Despite being in the nation's No. 2 media market, the Dodgers have just the 12th highest payroll in baseball this season after spending about $50K more than the Twins and about $50MM less than the Phillies.
While they didn't make a Prince Fielder-sized splash this winter, they did manage to lock up Matt Kemp to an eight-year, $160MM deal that will keep him in L.A. through his age-34 season. They also signed Clayton Kershaw to a two-year, $19MM deal, but they'll really have to break out their checkbooks to sign the left-hander into his free agent years. They'll also have to dole out major money to keep Andre Ethier next winter if the outfielder stays healthy and plays up to his ability in 2012.
The Dodgers might not be ready to play with the big boys just yet, but they do have pieces in place and it appears that they'll have the money needed to build on that. However, it's not yet clear when they'll start spending and how soon those dollars can translate to wins. Some have speculated that the Dodgers could add to their payroll prior to the deadline if they appear to be in the mix for the playoffs. Others think that the club will hold off on their spending splurge until the offseason. All things considered, when do you think the Dodgers will find themselves back in contention?
When Will The Dodgers Be Contenders?
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2013 28% (2,774)
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2012 27% (2,697)
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2014 21% (2,100)
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Not anytime soon 18% (1,773)
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2015 5% (510)
Total votes: 9,854
NL West Notes: Padres, Gwynn, Rockies, La Russa
It's a good time to be a Dodgers fan with the club under brand new ownership and the team out to a 3-0 start after taking the first three of a four-game set with the Padres. Here's more out of the National League West..
- Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times hopes to see Tony Gwynn to be involved with the next ownership group to take over the Padres. Gwynn has not heard from any prospective Padres owners, but says that he would listen to what they had to say. "That's something I would really consider," Gwynn said. "I love the Padre organization. I love what they represent. We really care about people in this town."
- Tony La Russa was reportedly in line to be a key part of Stevie Cohen's failed bid to buy the Dodgers, and people close to La Russa say he is now itching to get back into the game with a team, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. For now, La Russa is serving as an adviser/consultant to MLB and working on special projects. Don't expect to see the skipper back with the Cardinals or with the Astros, whose GM is former Cards exec Jeff Luhnow.
- With the additions of Marco Scutaro and Michael Cuddyer, Troy Renck of the Denver Post believes that the Rockies could possibly contend in a weak division. Renck also notes that Colorado was arguably the most aggressive pursuer of Grady Sizemore and dodged a bullet as the outfielder will be sidelined until June with a back injury.
Dodgers Release Carlos Monasterios
Today's minor moves..
- The Dodgers have released right-hander Carlos Monasterios, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. The 26-year-old pitched in 32 games for the club in 2010 but has since required two elbow operations. In that season, Monasterios posted a 4.38 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 13 starts and 19 relief appearances for the Dodgers.
NL West Notes: Giants, Villalona, Padres, Dodgers
After getting caught up on the details of the Dodgers sale earlier this evening, let's take a look at other news out of the National League West..
- Giants Vice President Bobby Evans says that Angel Villalona is once again on the restricted list, according to Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter). This leaves San Fran with 39 player on the 40-man roster, making things easier if they need to purchase Joaquin Arias' contract or tack on a pitcher (Twitter link). Villalona, 21, is facing legal issues in his native Dominican Republic.
- A source familiar with negotiations told Dan Hayes of the North County Times (via Twitter) that the Padres' stake in FOX Sports San Diego is 20%, not the 51% figure that has been previously reported. A deal will likely be announced next week between Tuesday and Thursday.
- Scouts have told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (video link) throughout Spring Training that the Dodgers are a sleeper team in 2012. With new ownership, many believe that they'll be able to address their team needs with a deal prior to the trade deadline. Rosenthal also gives the Giants a thumbs-up for their extension of Matt Cain.
Latest On Dodgers Sale
More details have surfaced about the term of the Dodgers' sale to a group of investors including basketball legend Magic Johnson. All news is courtesy of Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, via Twitter..
- The final purchase price of the Dodgers amounts to $1.588 billion in cash with $412MM in debt assumption, Shaikin tweets. CFO Peter Wilhelm says that the new group will assume no debt beyond that $412MM figure (Twitter link).
- Ned Colletti is listed as the club's General Manager in the sale documents (link). For the time being, Wilhelm is staying as treasurer and CFO (link).
- Former owner Frank McCourt and vice chairman Jeff Ingram will resign, while language in the deal forbids buyers from "speech that disparages, criticizes or is injurious to the reputation of" McCourt.(Twitter links).
- In filing, Dodgers attorneys called the sale "a remarkable outcome." The team filed for bankruptcy on June 27th as they declared that they were short of cash to make payroll on June 30th, Shaikin tweets.
- The Blackstone Group, the global investment firm that handled the sale for McCourt, says that 15 parties submitted bids for the team (via Twitter).
NL West Notes: Padres, Dodgers, Phelps
Three NL West teams — the Giants, Diamondbacks and Rockies — open their seasons today. Here are some links from the NL West…
- The Padres' 20-year TV deal with FOX Sports San Diego is "all but finalized" and should be announced within one or two days, Dan Hayes of the North County Times reports. The deal could be worth $1 billion or more. "Life is good and I'll leave it at that," Padres majority owner John Moores said.
- MLB officials are concerned that the winning bidders for the Dodgers have been slow to produce details about themselves and their bid, Tom Verducci of SI.com reports. Some owners are questioning why the group fronted by Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten hasn't filed a more detailed Purchase and Sale Agreement.
- Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports that the terms of the Dodgers’ sale are scheduled to be filed in court today.
- The Giants originally requested right-hander David Phelps from the Yankees for catcher Chris Stewart, George A. King III of the New York Post reports. The Yankees ultimately sent right-hander George Kontos to San Francisco.
Dodgers Place Ronald Belisario On Restricted List
The Dodgers have placed Ronald Belisario on the restricted list, the team announced. The move opens up a 40-man roster spot. Players on the restricted list do not accrue service time and do not always get paid.
Belisario, 29, was just activated off the restricted list two weeks ago. The right-hander hasn't pitched since the middle of 2010 due to a substance abuse problem, and he recently failed a drug test that requires him to serve a 25-game suspension at some point. Belisario owns a 3.36 ERA in 126 career innings, all with the Dodgers.