Yankees Rumors

Yankees Release Humberto Sanchez

By | April 25, 2009 at 2:50pm CDT

According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, the Yankees have released right-hander Humberto Sanchez.

The move opened a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Mark Melancon. Sanchez, 25, was unable to make the big league roster this spring after developing forearm tightness early on. He pitched two innings for the Yankees in 2008, allowing one earned run.

Sanchez was traded from the Tigers to the Yanks back in 2006 as part of a package for Gary Sheffield. He underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2007 and hasn't been healthy since. We'd expect another organization to pick him up and give him a shot at Triple-A.

Odds And Ends: Sanchez, Strasburg, Big Unit

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | April 25, 2009 at 12:51pm CDT

Links for Saturday…

Baseball America's John Manuel reports that 22-year-old Twins first base prospect Henry Sanchez has been suspended 50 games for violating minor league baseball's drug policy. Sanchez was the 39th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
John Maffei of the North County Times reports on Stephen Strasburg's latest start, one in which the top prospect struck out 14, though he did allow a home run (hat tip to Buster Olney). His strikeout to walk ratio now exceeds 10-1.
Ever wonder how much Japanese teams spend on their players? Ryo Shinkawa of NPB Tracker has the figures and their payrolls range from $18-45MM this year.
ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski reviewed some old scouting reports on Randy Johnson with the Big Unit himself.
And there are more injuries piling up: Chien-Ming Wang and Cody Ransom for the Yankees and Brian McCann and Garret Anderson for the Braves.

Pedro Martinez May Sign Soon

By Tim Dierkes | April 24, 2009 at 6:47pm CDT

6:47pm: Just to clarify, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo says the team maintains mild interest in Pedro.

1:41pm: For what it's worth, Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post would like to see the Nationals ink Pedro. He believes the organization has more than enough money, citing the recent Forbes findings, to match the right-hander's high salary demands.

FRIDAY, 8:53am: MLB.com's Bill Ladson has a source saying the Nationals haven't had interest in Pedro since Spring Training. The door remains just a crack open in the event that Martinez becomes amenable to an inexpensive contract. Otherwise, Ladson's Nationals source says, "We are satisfied with our rotation even though there is going to be some bumps along the way. We wouldn't want to make any changes there."

Meanwhile, here's Dodgers GM Ned Colletti talking about Pedro.

THURSDAY: According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Pedro Martinezcould decide on his next team within two weeks. He's set to begin throwing off a mound tomorrow. Rosenthal says Pedro is open to both contending and rebuilding teams, but continues to demand a $5MM salary. ESPN's Jayson Stark suggested today that Martinez's exorbitant asking price may be a way of delaying his return.

A rundown of possible suitors, from Rosenthal:

Angels GM Tony Reagins recently admitted to contacting Pedro's agent, but Rosenthal says "the two sides have not spoken in more than two weeks."
Rosenthal learned from Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo that the team has mild interest in Pedro and scouted him in March. Martinez's asking price is the issue.
The Rangers have some interest.
Rosenthal's Yankees source denies interest in Pedro, despite the pitcher telling friends the opposite. There is a Dominican newspaper report floating about suggesting a Pedro-Yankees union, but we'll trust Rosenthal's source.
The Indians don't have the money, the Dodgers don't like the price, and the Mets aren't interested.
Rosenthal does not mention the Orioles, Cardinals, or Pirates, teams that have been linked to Pedro in the past.

Matt Holliday Interested In Yankees

By Tim Dierkes | April 24, 2009 at 8:26am CDT

FRIDAY: Kevin Kernan of the New York Post asked Holliday specifically about playing for the Yankees. He said:

"I think a little bit as a human being you can't help but to think that if the Yankees are interested I would definitely consider it. I wouldn't be looking around if I were under contract for the four years, but I think I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be interested, especially with the Yankees being such a storied franchise. So yeah, you take a look around; you never know what's going to happen. This is a beautiful place."

WEDNESDAY: Not a big surprise, but Newsday's Ken Davidoff learned that Matt Holliday is willing to play in New York. The Mets or Yankees could consider the Scott Boras client, who is a free agent after the season. For what it's worth, Holliday's father Tom told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times in November that he'd like to see Holliday traded to the Yankees, or at least an East Coast team.

What's your prediction for Holliday's next contract? Will he top the four year, $82MM extension offered by the Rockies? And will the A's trade him in July?

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Mulder, Pedro, Cabrera, Holliday

By Cork Gaines | April 24, 2009 at 8:09am CDT

On this date 32 years ago, Carlos Beltran was born. Beltran is still one of only 19 players to ever sign a contract for at least $100MM (four currently play for the Yankees). With three years left on Beltran's seven-year, $119MM deal signed in 2005, let's take a look a what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Feeling Dodger Blue wonders if Mark Mulder is the Dodgers' best option.
Never Forget '69 wonders if the Mets should explore adding Pedro Martinez.
The Detroit Tigers Weblog addresses the recent rumors that the Tigers will look to trade Miguel Cabrera.
The Baseball Opinion takes a closer look at the Nationals' attempt to remake their roster.
River Ave. Blues says the Yankees' series against the A's was an audition for Matt Holliday.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Odds & Ends: Valuations, Figueroa, Thome

By Tim Dierkes | April 23, 2009 at 9:18am CDT

Links for Thursday…

Forbes' MLB team valuations are out. The Yankees top the list at $1.5 billion, while the Marlins are 30th at $277 million.
Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News says Nelson Figueroa will refuse the Mets' assignment to Triple A and become a free agent.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports talked to Jim Thome about many topics, including his future and the Cleveland discussion with Manny.
Peter Gammons spoke to Yankees GM Brian Cashman yesterday at Southern Connecticut State University. This AP article has a few tidbits, but let me know if you find a transcript. Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant has a few quotes.
MLB.com's David Singh has the story of Darren O'Day's interesting day.

2010 Options: New York Yankees

By Tim Dierkes | April 22, 2009 at 3:38pm CDT

It turns out the Yankees do not have any players with options for 2010 (unless you count Sergio Mitre, who will be arbitration-eligible even if his option is declined). Instead, they'll be finished with the contracts of Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady, Andy Pettitte, and Jose Molina. The Yanks figure to be in the market for an outfielder. Matt Holliday is just one of many options; click here to see the 2009-10 free agent list.

Crasnick On Remaining Free Agents

By Tim Dierkes | April 22, 2009 at 12:52pm CDT

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has a new article up looking at a bunch of free agents.

Crasnick talked to one American League exec who views Pedro Martinez as "strictly a National League pitcher." Coupled with his price tag and long layoff, the market isn't big for Pedro.
Ben Sheets is weeks away from a throwing program. He's probably a ten-start guy this year, but interest figures to be strong.
Jim Edmonds hopes to sign by May. He'll need two to three weeks to get ready. Mark Grudzielanek also wants to play, and tells friends he only needs a week. He'll look for a contender, and the Royals will hope he signs before June so they get that supplemental draft pick. Jacque Jones is another guy who still hopes to play.
Geoff Jenkins is taking grounders at first base to increase his versatility.
Jay Payton suffered a shoulder injury lifting weights last month, but once he's healthy a few months from now he still wants to play.
Nothing appears to be cooking for Frank Thomas and Luis Gonzalez, who could be forced to retire. Dave Roberts hasn't officially retired, but a comeback appears unlikely.
Paul Byrd's plan remains unchanged: sign with a contender around July.
Jon Lieber's agent says the pitcher has retired. 131 wins, including 20 in '01. Lieber finishes with a 4.27 ERA in 2,198 innings for the Pirates, Cubs, Yankees, and Phillies. He earned over $46MM, according to Baseball Reference.

Odds & Ends: Nady, Doumit, Boyer

By Tim Dierkes | April 21, 2009 at 3:13pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

SI.com's Jon Heyman says Xavier Nady will not require elbow surgery and may return within a month.
Bad news for the Pirates: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says catcher Ryan Doumit will likely miss 8-10 weeks due to wrist surgery.
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says Matt Murton belongs in the Majors.
Wallace Matthews and Ken Davidoff of Newsday each write about Jason Giambi's time in New York.
With news that Demetri Martin will play Paul DePodesta in the Moneyball movie, Jon Weisman says not to judge the film before watching it. Personally I am looking forward to the movie. Martin is hilarious and Brad Pitt can be very good (12 Monkeys being the best example).
Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders why the Mets paid Fernando Tatis $1.7MM if they weren't committed to using him.
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has quotes from Cardinals GM John Mozeliak about the Brian Barton–Blaine Boyer swap.
Via NPB Tracker, a comeback for Hideki Irabu?
RotoAuthority looks at Geovany Soto's slow start.

Odds & Ends: Hunter, Keppinger, Swisher

By Tim Dierkes | April 20, 2009 at 10:54am CDT

Links for Monday…

Become a fan of MLB Trade Rumors on Facebook! We're up to 9,828 fans.
Jed Lowrie will have wrist surgery, and Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe learned that he could return by the All-Star break. Julio Lugo, recovering from knee surgery, should be ready to take over soon.
ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. says "negotiations between the New York Yankees and Cuban exile prospect Felix Perez have broken down because of the outfielder's problem in obtaining a visa." Perez was set for a bonus north of $3MM, but questions have been raised about his age. The Yanks may have interest in a couple of other Cuban players, Noel Arguelles and Jose Iglesias, once they're declared free agents.
According to Phil Miller of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Torii Hunter would seemingly like to finish his career with the Twins.
MLB.com's Alyson Footer says sending Drew Sutton to the Reds for Jeff Keppinger was "a great, great deal for the Astros." Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle explains why the move was made.
Aaron Gleeman weighs in on the Twins' decision to swap out Philip Humber for Juan Morillo.
David Pinto of Baseball Musings gives his opinion of the Ryan Zimmerman extension.
South Side Sox and Sox Machine discuss the minor tiff between Ozzie Guillen and Nick Swisher.
Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News says the Dodgers signed pitcher Chuck Tiffany to a minor league deal. They'd traded him to the Rays in '06 as part of the Danys Baez deal, and the Rays released him in March of this year.

« Previous Page

Load More Posts

Show all

Headlines

Yankees Rumors

Navigation

MLBTR INFO

Connect