Yankees Rumors

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rasmus, Tazawa, Manny

By Cork Gaines | September 12, 2008 at 12:10pm CDT

Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Cardinals Diaspora reads between the lines and feels the Cards will shop their top prospect, Colby Rasmus, this winter.
The Detroit Tigers Weblog would like to see the Tigers go after Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa.
East Windup Chronicle looks at the Japanese free agent crop.
River Ave. Blues thinks the Yankees and Manny Ramirez would be a "perfect fit" despite those that say it won’t happen.
Drunk Jays Fans thinks the Mets should inquire with the Jays about the availability of B.J. Ryan.
Rays Index takes a look at the Rays’ ’09 roster and sees too many starting pitchers and not enough chairs, which could lead to one or two being traded this off-season.
McCovey Chronicles projects the Giants’ ’09 roster and sees all positions spoken for except possibly third base, but still wonders if Brian Sabean will feel the need to sign an impact free agent.
Lone Star Ball takes a look at the Rangers’ ’09 40-man roster.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Ellis, Patterson, Sweeney

By Tim Dierkes | September 12, 2008 at 9:47am CDT

Rounding up today’s links…

Willie Bloomquist may have played his last game with the Mariners.
The Rays feel they can be consistent contenders with a new stadium, as they could raise their payroll to the $80MM range.
Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire takes a look at the free agent market.
Athletics Nation notes the price on second baseman Mark Ellis has dropped.
MLB.com’s Mark Bowman explains the Braves’ working agreement with the Hanshin Tigers. The Tigers don’t have any of the big name free agents, but Frank Wren could still consider adding Koji Uehara or Kenshin Kawakami to his rotation.
The Padres added pitcher Scott Patterson, formerly of the Yankees. Paul DePodesta weighs in on Patterson and Charlie Haeger.
Mike Sweeney hopes to sign with another club for the final few weeks of the season.
Andrew Baggarly would be surprised to see the Giants trade Randy Winn this winter.
Mike Hindman on Michael Young’s huge contract extension, which kicks in next year. Click here to see the reaction from MLBTR readers at the time of the signing.

Tazawa Headed To MLB

By Tim Dierkes | September 11, 2008 at 11:51am CDT

As expected, amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa has decided to forego Japanese baseball and sign with an MLB team. The Braves, Tigers, Red Sox, Pirates, Mets, and Yankees are thought to be in on him. Patrick Newman has a slew of links and videos on Tazawa here.

I am curious what NPB fans think of this development.

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Pavano, Penny, Burnett

By Tim Dierkes | September 11, 2008 at 9:24am CDT

Random links to start the morning…

Ben Shpigel says Billy Wagner’s $10.5MM for ’09 is not covered by insurance, making the Mets unlikely suitors for K-Rod (hat tip to MetsBlog).
The Padres claimed knuckleballer Charlie Haeger. You have to like the move; he’s only 24.
Ken Davidoff writes about Nationals pitcher Tim Redding, who dreams about returning to the Yankees one day.
Davidoff also says that contrary to popular belief, C.C. Sabathia did not buy a home in Southern California.
In another post, Davidoff lists the worst trades of ’08.
Nats GM Jim Bowden will probably bring in a veteran first baseman next year due to health concerns with Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young.
Not much cooking on the Pedro Alvarez front…Bud Selig testified yesterday, and the next part of the hearing isn’t until September 23rd.
Andrew Baggarly explains Bengie Molina’s contentious relationship with the Giants.
From Saturday: Carl Pavano’s side of the story. Can Pavano be a useful pitcher next year?
Larry Borowsky would like to see the Cardinals enterain an extension for Todd Wellemeyer. He’s eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.
Joel Sherman isn’t sure the Yankees will invite Andy Pettitte back next year.
Brad Penny says he pitched through a shoulder injury because of uncertainty around his ’09 option.
Interesting fact…A.J. Burnett is second in MLB with 3286 pitches thrown (Sabathia jumped into the lead last night). Many of the ’07 leaders in pitches thrown came down with injuries this year.
Michael O’Keefe sits down with agent Scott Boras.
ESPN’s Buster Olney notes that the Blue Jays will pursue a shortstop this winter.
All you ever wanted to know about Dr. James Andrews.
Jed Hoyer explains where Curt Schilling learned his negotiating tactics.

Heyman’s Latest: Hawpe, Pavano, Fuentes, Lowe

By Tim Dierkes | September 10, 2008 at 1:36pm CDT

Let’s dig into the latest columns from SI.com’s Jon Heyman, found here and here.

Brad Hawpe had choice words in response to team criticism from Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd.
Heyman says Carl Pavano tried to "weasel out of" paying his former agent $2MM in commission from his current contract, signed in December of ’04. You get the impression Pavano is not well-liked among members of the media.
Heyman wonders if Rickie Weeks could be the odd man out in the Milwaukee infield next year.
The Mets are more likely to pursue Brian Fuentes than Francisco Rodriguez this winter. K-Rod’s agent hinted that his client would be a good fit in L.A. or New York, but the Mets will have to make the rotation their priority.
Heyman says Derek Lowe prefers the East Coast.
Heyman figures A.J. Burnett will consider the $24MM remaining on his contract "pocket change," and will surely opt out.

Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Hampton, Tazawa, Blalock

By Tim Dierkes | September 10, 2008 at 10:25am CDT

Let’s round ’em up…

Chat today, 2pm CST.
Andy Pettitte seems to want to play next year, but Peter Abraham believes he may have to take a pay cut.
Gerry Fraley writes about the Rockies and Mike Hampton. It’s safe to rule out a return to Colorado for Hampton, who is currently auditioning for his next team.
The Royals dismissed their scouting director Deric Ladnier, offering him another position in the organization. Craig Brown reflects on Ladnier’s tenure.
More Royals linkage: Rany Jazayerli defends the Gil Meche signing and implores the team to lock up Zack Greinke this winter. Jazayerli would also like the team to pick up knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, recently designated for assignment by the White Sox.
Patrick Newman continues to update us on Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who is coveted by several MLB teams. If Tazawa starts a trend, an interesting debate could follow. Newman also has a running list of Japanese free agents for this winter.
Bobby Valentine may be clashing with his boss over in Japan.
Will the Rangers cut Hank Blalock loose, or exercise his $6.2MM option? Blalock’s ability to play third base remains a question mark, but he will try to improve his arm strength this winter.
Neither the Pirates nor Pedro Alvarez’s people will be present at today’s hearing. ESPN’s Buster Olney says Alvarez can’t win – he’s either villified in Pittsburgh or forced into next year’s draft. In the latter case, Alvarez could lose money down the line.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Orioles, K-Rod, Bradley

By Cork Gaines | September 8, 2008 at 5:09pm CDT

A few more notes from the MLBiverse…

Dejan Kovacevic is reporting the Pedro Alvarez case may not be settled until well after the season. While there is a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, some feel that the case is too complex for a single hearing.
P eter Schmuck feels the O’s will sign a "couple of Paul Byrd-type pitchers," rather than open the pocketbook for a front-of-the-rotation starter.
It is just speculation, but Nick Cafardo feels the Tigers and Cardinals will be the front-runners for Francisco Rodriguez…Of course this was written prior to the news that Billy Wagner will be out for the ’09 season.
Manager Ron Washington said he wants Milton Bradley back with the Rangers in ’09, adding that he is not worried about having too many outfielders.
Peter Abraham says the trades made by the Yankees prior to the deadline have backfired, with only Xavier Nady proving to be a valuable pickup.
The Phillies have designated RJ Swindle for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Swindle made three appearances for the Phillies earlier this season. In Triple A, Swindle had 51 strikeouts in 36.1 innings, with a 1.98 ERA in 27 appearances.
Athletics Nation takes a look at the outfield logjam the A’s have for ’09. While a trade or two seems like the obvious solution, Athletics Nation is worried the pieces are currently undervalued.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Yankees Send Michael To Japan

By Cork Gaines | September 8, 2008 at 9:20am CDT

Mark Feinsand is reporting that the Yankees have sent Gene Michael to Japan to scout potential acquisitions for ’09.

That Michael was sent to Japan for the first time signifies a shift for the Yankees, who have relied on their Pacific scouts for several years. Following the disastrous signing of Kei Igawa, however, the Yankees aren’t taking any chances, sending one of their most trusted talent evaluators to look at potential acquisitions.

Feinsand notes that it is unclear which players the Yankees are interested in, but does list several players that could be available including right-handers Koji Uehara, Kenshin Kawakami and lefty Hitoki Iwase, a reliever.

Feinsand does not mention the biggest potential prize, Yu Darvish. Previously the Yankees were listed as one of the teams with a scout at the Olympics to watch Darvish. While nobody is certain that Darvish will be posted this winter, if rumors of a $75MM posting fee are even close to accurate, the Yankees will have to be involved.

In July we looked at some potential free agents from Japan and last winter East Windup Chronicle ranked several Japanese pitchers, none of whom have yet to make the jump to the US.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Heyman’s Latest: Colletti, Maddux, Burnett

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 12:59pm CDT

The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is "fixated" on the team’s recent unsuccessful free agent signings. You have to wonder if he’ll direct Ned Colletti to exercise caution this winter. Heyman’s sources say McCourt intends to stick with Colletti for ’09.
Greg Maddux is "said by friends to want to return next year." Tim Keown wrote in April that Maddux told teammates this is his last season.
Heyman is now saying Larry Lucchino is likely to remain Red Sox president.
Heyman considers Hank Steinbrenner’s suggestion of interest in A.J. Burnett "the clearest example of tampering in recent history."
Miguel Olivo has a reputation as a player who does not get along with his manager.

Odds and Ends: Soto, Joba, Colletti, Tazawa

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 11:08am CDT

Let’s dig in with today’s links!

As you know, the Steinbrenners want Brian Cashman back for ’09. Now it’s up to him.
Geovany Soto was discussed as a throw-in on the trade that ultimately sent Sammy Sosa to Baltimore back in ’05. One that did get away that year: Ricky Nolasco (in the Juan Pierre deal).
Michael Gluckstadt interviewed ESPN’s Buster Olney.
CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler takes a look at the deep free agent class of starting pitchers. Dave Cameron considers this "the greatest collection of free agent arms to hit free agency at the same time in the history of the game."
Joel Sherman disagrees with the ’09 Joba Rules.
Ned Colletti, the game’s best GM? It’s hard to tell if T.J. Simers is being entirely serious here.
Nick Piecoro gives a scout’s take on Chad Beck, who the D’Backs sent to Toronto for David Eckstein.
The Red Sox, Braves, and Mets are eyeing Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, and Patrick Newman has more details.
John Perrotto says Pedro Alvarez is coming across as a punk.

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