Odds & Ends: Hamels, Giants, Yankees
Links for Monday…
- Cole Hamels is flying to Philadelphia to have his sore left elbow examined. Hamels threw 3,914 pitches in total last year, the most in baseball (two more than C.C. Sabathia). Hamels thinks he’s fine and it’s not a big deal.
- Julian Tavarez on why he chose the Nationals.
- MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says the Marlins returned Rule 5 lefty Zach Kroenke to the Yankees.
- Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball looks at postseason ticket revenue over the last decade.
- Dan Brown of the San Jose Mercury News talked to John Dewan about the Giants’ defense.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes about the fraternity in the Yankees’ revamped rotation.
- Athletics Nation talked to Jason Giambi, who was very close to re-signing with the A’s before he signed with the Yankees.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker asks if Yankees starter Kei Igawa, owed $12MM over the next three years, is movable.
Pudge Rodriguez Rumors: Saturday
10:16pm: Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that, despite the strong potential for Joe Mauer to miss the first few weeks of the season, Twins General Manager Bill Smith "made it clear that signing free agent Ivan Rodriguez" is not considered an option. They’re looking internally for a temporary solution.
10:15pm: Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says that the Giants "have explored the idea" of signing Rodriguez. Orlando Cepeda talked to Pudge about the Giants’ interest at the WBC and says "he’s very happy about it. He would love to play here."
7:39pm: Danny Knobler at CBSSports.com writes that the Astros are showing interest in Pudge, though "it is not yet clear how serious the Astros’ interest is." Last night MLB.com’s Alyson Footer seemed quite certain the Astros would not be signing Rodriguez, after talking to GM Ed Wade.
5:35pm: La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says he has heard nothing from the Twins to indicate that they are interested in Rodriguez. The Twins are waiting for an update about Joe Mauer’s back, but Neal writes that, "as of now, there is nothing the Twins have heard that suggests Mauer will be out a long time."
2:03pm: As noted by Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the "Marlins have nothing to discuss with" Pudge if he is still demanding a good chunk of playing time.
1:17pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Twins and Giants have emerged as new potential landing spots for Pudge. He’d be a nice fill-in for the ailing Joe Mauer in Minnesota, and San Francisco reportedly may think about using him at first or third base.
9:19am: few Ivan Rodriguez rumors for the morning…
- According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com Pudge could sign shortly. When he was asked when we’ll know where he’s playing this year Rodriguez said "You’ll see soon."
- The Miami Herald has more quotes from Pudge, who repeats that he considers himself an everyday player. His agent is communicating with the Marlins, but Pudge says "nothing’s happening" right now.
- According to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro Pudge is open to playing first or third base. He played a little first base for the Tigers in 2006 (and even a game at second) but he’s never played third in the majors.
Marlins Release Jay Gibbons
According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the Marlins released outfielder Jay Gibbons today.
Gibbons and Jose Guillen were the first players to be suspended without failing a drug test. Gibbons was slapped with a 15-day penalty in December of ’07 after SI.com learned that he’d received shipments of steroids and hGH. He was released by the Orioles in March of ’08 (they ate $11.9MM), and shortly thereafter the Gibbons and Guillen suspensions were rescinded. Gibbons wrote an impassioned letter to all 30 teams, and then spent ’08 with the Long Island Ducks before signing a minor league deal with the Brewers.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Pedro, Wood, Pudge, Gonzalez
Ken Rosenthal weighs in on a few of the recent hot topics…
- Like we heard earlier, Rosenthal says the Dodgers would only be willing to add Pedro Martinez to the mix if he is willing to “pitch for pay” and accept an incentive-laden contract. Rosenthal adds that Martinez’ agents reached out to the Dodgers and that the Dodgers contacted Pedro’s personal trainer but deny that any serious conservations have occurred.
- Rosenthal feels that the Dodgers have a better shot of landing a starter if they trade Delwyn Young who is out of minor league options.
- Rosenthal says Brandon Wood has given up hope that the Angels will trade Chone Figgins to clear a spot for Wood on the roster. Wood does have a minor league option remaining. Rosenthal says the Angels would need to find another leadoff hitter if they let Figgins walk at the end of the season as a free agent.
- Rosenthal adds that the Marlins are “warming to the idea” of signing Ivan Rodriguez, but that playing time remains an issue as Pudge wants to play five days a week.
- According to Rosenthal, Luis Gonzalez is willing to resign with the D-Backs, but it may only happen if Eric Byrnes continues to have problems with his hamstring.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Rosenthal On Pedro, Wood, Pudge, Gonzalez
Ken Rosenthal weighs in on a few of the recent hot topics…
- Like we heard earlier, Rosenthal says the Dodgers would only be willing to add Pedro Martinez to the mix if he is willing to "pitch for pay" and accept an incentive-laden contract. Rosenthal adds that Martinez’ agents reached out to the Dodgers and that the Dodgers contacted Pedro’s personal trainer but deny that any serious conservations have occurred.
- Rosenthal feels that the Dodgers have a better shot of landing a starter if they trade Delwyn Young who is out of minor league options.
- Rosenthal says Brandon Wood has given up hope that the Angels will trade Chone Figgins to clear a spot for Wood on the roster. Wood does have a minor league option remaining. Rosenthal says the Angels would need to find another leadoff hitter if they let Figgins walk at the end of the season as a free agent.
- Rosenthal adds that the Marlins are "warming to the idea" of signing Ivan Rodriguez, but that playing time remains an issue as Pudge wants to play five days a week.
- According to Rosenthal, Luis Gonzalez is willing to resign with the D-Backs, but it may only happen if Eric Byrnes continues to have problems with his hamstring.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds & Ends: Manny, Papelbon, Pudge, Peavy
Links for Thursday…
- The Nationals remain interested in Duaner Sanchez, says Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post.
- Yahoo’s Jeff Passan talked to Mark Prior.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post heard Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras consider the contract with the Dodgers a one-year deal with a safety net. Sherman wonders if the Yankees and/or Mets could get involved depending on how Manny’s 2009 season plays out.
- Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon commented about Manny to Chris Jones in the April issue of Esquire. It’s a good article and there’s a lot more to it than the Manny comments.
- Free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez is working out at first base, according to Will Gonzalez of MLB.com.
- The Padres have the third pick in the June draft. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune asks whether they’ll finally take a player with big upside.
- Jake Peavy‘s agent Barry Axelrod seems to be writing off the Padres, in comments to Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune: "It’s tough with the Padres’ situation. They are not very good and it looks like it is going to be another long year for them."
- Marlins shortstop Robert Andino is out of options, so Mike Phillips of the Miami Herald says this is his audition.
- ESPN’s Buster Olney says Mark Mulder‘s audition is drawing closer and he’s throwing well. Olney also says Luis Gonzalez is waiting by the phone. For a look at the other remaining free agents, click here.
Pudge To Marlins Not Likely
Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports that a reunion between Ivan Rodriguez and the Marlins is not likely and the biggest factor is playing time.
"Obviously the issue is playing time,” [Scott] Boras said Tuesday, adding he also is talking to teams that might be willing to give Rodriguez, 37, a bigger role than the Marlins are offering.
Capozzi added that the Marlins are offering contract worth less than $1MM that would come with performance incentives. Boras added that the economics of the deal may have also been a hurdle, but that the playing time issue needed to be addressed first.
Yesterday, Pudge said that he would like to play for the Marlins again, while Jon Heyman thinks the Astros are interested and Jim Baumbach reported that the Mets have their eye on the catcher.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Rosenthal On Pedro, A-Rod, Beimel, Ohman
Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…
- One executive tells Rosenthal Pedro Martinez seeks a contract similar to the one John Smoltz received (a $5.5MM base plus $5.5MM incentives). Rosenthal’s speculative candidates for Pedro include the Dodgers, Marlins, Indians, and Mets. He says the A’s, Orioles, Nationals, and Brewers are out.
- Rosenthal does not expect a major acquisition by the Yankees to cover for Alex Rodriguez. He adds that the Yanks will not collect insurance on A-Rod’s salary.
- In addition to Orlando Cabrera, Manny Ramirez has a clause in his contract prohibiting his team from offering arbitration if he’s a Type A free agent after the season. Orlando Hudson and Bobby Abreu do not have such clauses.
- Two GMs told Rosenthal Joe Beimel wants a one-year, $2.5MM deal, but the pitcher’s agent Joe Sroba says they have’t gotten that specific. Sroba says new teams are in the mix for Beimel and he’s waiting for one to be "aggressive and sincere in their pursuit."
- The White Sox and Dodgers are two teams in on free agent lefty Will Ohman.
Ivan Rodriguez Prefers Marlins
David Quinones of the Miami Herald talked to free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who said, "We have something going on with the Marlins, but I’m not too sure where we are right now." Based on his home in Miami and World Series season with the team, Rodriguez would like to play again for the Marlins. MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro seems to like the Marlins’ chances. He says the holdup is playing time rather than money, though.
Pudge added that two or three other teams are in the mix. SI.com’s Jon Heyman believes the Astros are still in, and Jim Baumbach of Newsday reported that the Mets are scouting him.
Heyman On Pudge, Pedro, Catalanotto
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up; let’s take a look.
- Heyman says Oakland’s "win now" mandate this winter came from owner Lewis Wolff.
- The Astros and Marlins are interested in Ivan Rodriguez, "no matter what they say publicly."
- Heyman says Pedro Martinez is "talking up a Dodgers reunion." So far, there’s been no indication the Dodgers are entertaining it.
- Edgar Renteria‘s agent was initially asking for a three or four-year deal.
- It’s no surprise that Frank Catalanotto is available, but the $6MM owed to him is an obvious impediment.
- According to Heyman, Andruw Jones told Rangers brass he’s flexible on the March 20th decision date in his contract.
- Heyman describes the Josh Hamilton extension talks as "just getting going" and believe the John Lackey discussions have only been preliminary.