Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Freddy Garcia

The Dodgers’ Rotation

By | at

They're 15-8, in first place in the NL West, but the Dodgers face questions about a rotation that includes three ERAs of 5.50 or more. Behind Chad Billingsley and Randy Wolf, they have Clayton Kershaw, who hasn't pitched out the the fifth inning his last two starts, James McDonald, who has walked a batter an inning this year, and Eric Stults, who's allowing two baserunners an inning. Yahoo's Tim Brown takes stock of the rotation and how Ned Colletti will progress with it.

  • Brown says it's unlikely the Dodgers will add Pedro Martinez, Paul Byrd, Odalis Perez or Freddy Garcia.
  • One scout's analysis: "There's plenty of pitching available. None you'd want."  
  • Brown suggests the Dodgers need a club like the Indians, Reds or Mariners to fall from contention so some quality arms become available.  
  • If David Price pitches his way into the Rays' rotation, Jeff Niemann could become trade bait.  

The Dodgers could rely on pitchers already in the organization. Hiroki Kuroda is rehabbing, though MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports the righty is likely weeks away from a return. Jason Schmidt is rehabbing too, according to Gurnick. Jeff Weaver pitched well against the Padres last night and Eric Milton and Shawn Estes are stashed away in the minors.

Odds & Ends: Nationals, Garcia, Bonds

By | at

Links for Wednesday…

Mets Release Freddy Garcia

By | at

10:54am: According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets released Garcia today.  Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post talked to Garcia's agent Ed Greenberg, who says his client is "way too young to retire" at age 32.  Greenberg was surprised by the Mets' move, and blames cold weather for Garcia's rough start.

9:25am: Things aren't going well for Freddy Garcia in Triple A.  Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports:

Garcia has an 8.18 earned run average and has lost both his starts for the Herd. He threw 80 pitches Monday, 54 for strikes. He twice hit 85 mph and had a few other pitches in the low 80s. He was mostly in the mid-70s and was throwing offspeed stuff in the mid-60s.

I imagine a good chunk of the MLBTR audience can throw in the mid-70s.  Garcia isn't healthy, and sounds like he's considering retirement:

"I want to do the best things I can the next couple days. I want to feel better.  Hopefully it will work out for me but I don't know. I'm working really hard to try to get right but my shoulder doesn't respond.  I'm going to try my best. If not, I guess I'll go home. I don't know. That's it, man."

Garcia sports a 4.07 ERA in 1716.6 career innings, with 118 wins for the Mariners, White Sox, Phillies, and Tigers.  He also won six postseason games for the Mariners and White Sox.

The Mets' rotation currently ranks 14th in the NL with a 5.35 ERA in 104.3 innings.  They've got question marks behind Johan Santana, but at least John Maine looked good yesterday.  How about Tim Redding?  He's close to returning from a rotator cuff strain, after one Triple A rehab start this week.

Heyman On Bonifacio, Lincecum, Garcia

By | at

A look at Jon Heyman's new column at SI.com…

  • Heyman writes in praise of the Marlins for acquiring Emilio Bonifacio as part of the Josh Willingham–Scott Olsen deal last November.  Contrast that with Ken Rosenthal, who spoke to a scout a week ago who was not impressed with Bonifacio.
  • Heyman hasn't found any evidence that the Giants are close to signing Tim Lincecum to an extension.
  • Heyman says that Freddy Garcia's contract doesn't have an out clause, but "it's generally understood that if another big-league team is ready to give him a shot, the Mets would either try to find room for him or let him go."  Garcia has apparently looked good in extended spring training.

Mets Retain Freddy Garcia

By | at

According to Ben Shpigel of the New York Times, the Mets reassigned starter Freddy Garcia to minor league camp today.  Garcia softened his stance on the minors, as he'll work at extended Spring Training or else head to Triple A as a member of the Mets organization.  The move solidifies Livan Hernandez as the Mets' fifth starter, at least for now.

Freddy Garcia Not In Mix For Fifth Starter Job

By | at

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post suggests Freddy Garcia is no longer in the mix for the Mets' fifth starter job, which Livan Hernandez has all but locked up with the demotion of Jon Niese today.  Hubbuch says general manager Omar Minaya didn't even mention Garcia when discussing the No. 5 starter job.

Garcia is on a non-roster deal, but Hubbuch told me he said on the first day of camp he's not willing to pitch in the minors.  So the situation should come to a head soon.

Hubbuch adds that GM Omar Minaya "once again specifically ruled out signing Pedro Martinez."

Mets To Dump Freddy Garcia?

By | at

6:24pm: According to Brian Costa of the Newark Star-Ledger, Mets manager Jerry Manuel stopped just short of naming Hernandez his fifth starter on Wednesday.

"I tell you what, he was pretty good today," Manuel said. "He has a good presence about him on the mound, in the dugout, teammates seem to really – it's like he brings a little bit different energy for us. So I would have to say that he's put himself in a real good position."

2:53pm: The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch writes that "it's probably safe to say Freddy Garcia won't be long for Mets' camp."

It's just speculation at this point without word from manager Jerry Manuel or GM Omar Minaya, but it's pretty clear that the Mets have better rotation options.  Garcia gave up four runs on four hits in just one inning Wednesday against the Braves and is still, as Hubbuch writes, "throwing what amounts to batting practice with his surgically repaired right shoulder."

Livan Hernandez and Jon Niese are both enjoying decent spring campaigns, and Tim Redding's contract should eventually land him a spot on the squad.  Dumping Garcia would save the Mets around $8.5MM in potential incenctives.

Rosenthal On Manny, Garcia, Greinke

By | at

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column…

  • Rosenthal speculates that the Giants may not be the right fit for Manny Ramirez, given a challenging ballpark and questionable supporting cast of hitters.  Rosenthal suggests a contract that might work for Manny and the Dodgers: two years with a third-year player option, with no-trade protection covering only the first two years.
  • Many remaining free agents – Adam Dunn for example – may prefer a one-year deal because it will increase their options and allow them to re-enter the market after the season.
  • The White Sox found the price for Freddy Garcia to be too high ($1.5MM plus $6.5MM in incentives).  Rosenthal deems Oliver Perez a bad fit for the Sox in part because he’s a flyball pitcher.  Also there’s the whole Scott Boras thing.
  • Among the right-handed hitters the Phillies are mulling, Rosenthal feels that Nomar Garciaparra and Rich Aurilia make the most sense.
  • The Angels may go to Spring Training with their current club.
  • Zack Greinke received "very minor" no-trade protection in the first two years of his new deal, with seemingly no protection when his salary shoots up to $13.5MM in 2011.

Mets To Sign Freddy Garcia

By | at

FRIDAY, 8:50am: Jon Heyman explains that Garcia felt the Mets gave him a better opportunity to pitch/start as compared to the Yankees.  Garcia apparently had some concern that the Yankees will re-sign Andy Pettitte.

THURSDAY, 7:32pm: According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets have agreed to a minor league deal with Freddy Garcia. Rubin heard that the deal could be worth $8-9MM if Garcia makes the team and reaches all his incentives.

Newsday’s Anthony Rieber confirms that Garcia has agreed to a minor league deal. Like Danielle Sessa, Rieber writes that the Mets still have the money to sign a starter like Randy Wolf, Ben Sheets or Oliver Perez.  Ken Rosenthal says they still intend to sign another starter and Perez remains atop the list.

Rosenthal On Perez, Manny, Pirates

By | at

Another new column from the hard-working Ken Rosenthal.

  • Rosenthal doesn’t believe that the market for Oliver Perez is limited to the Mets; it’s more that they’re the only interested team we know about.  Two teams we can cross off are the Rangers and Cubs.  The Mets want to do three years for Perez while Scott Boras wants five.  The Mets’ plan is to sign one of Perez, Randy Wolf, or Ben Sheets and then add a cheaper arm like Freddy Garcia.
  • Rosenthal believes the Giants could justify signing Manny Ramirez as an attempt to "max out" while they still have Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum (they have Cain through 2011, Lincecum through 2013).
  • Rosenthal notes that free agents who accept offers of arbitration do not have guaranteed contracts.  However, players such as Orlando Cabrera and Jason Varitek would’ve had to be released for clear baseball reasons, not to save money.  Otherwise the teams would be in hot water with the Players Association.
  • Rosenthal notes that Scott Boras has worked out two-year deals covering arbitration years for past clients such as Matt Holliday and Mark Teixeira, so the current Prince Fielder talks don’t signify a change.
  • The Pirates have no need to shed payroll.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top