Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rocco Baldelli

Cafardo’s Latest: Teixeira, Ramirez, Baldelli, Furcal

By | at

The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo has a new article up with a few Red Sox rumors, and one for Oakland:

  • Cafardo thinks Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez will not change jerseys this offseason because, while their teams might struggle to afford them, they can’t afford to lose them. Teixeira is the protection and future replacement for Vladimir Guerrero that they have been seeking for a long time. He doesn’t rule out the Yankees however.
  • Rocco Baldelli could be Coco Crisp’s replacement as Boston’s fourth outfielder.  Cafardo says Baldelli met with the Red Sox last week.
  • He continues to hit on the Julio Lugo for Dontrelle Willis or Nate Robertson deal, but now suggests Theo Epstein may also eat some of Lugo’s salary and deal him elsewhere.
  • The A’s are looking closely at Rafael Furcal.

Odds and Ends: Wade, Crisp, Holliday

By | at

Links for Thursday…

Crisp-Ramirez Trade Reactions

By | at

The Red Sox traded center fielder Coco Crisp to the Royals for reliever Ramon Ramirez today; tip of the cap to Brian McRae for the scoop.  Let’s round up the reactions and consequences.

Odds & Ends: Padres, Baldelli, Hillenbrand

By | at

Some linkage for your Sunday afternoon reading pleasure…

  • Buster Olney takes a look at the dark time that’s ahead for the Padres, likening it to the state the franchise was in when John Moores took over back in 1994.
  • Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal talked to Rocco Baldelli about his amazing comeback this season, and the next step in his career.
  • We already saw the main portion of this article from Nick Cafardo talked about today, but it’s worth highlighting that Cafardo sat down to talk with Shea Hillenbrand, who would like to make a comeback and feels he can still play. Hillenbrand says he’s learned a lot and hit .340 playing Independent Ball in 2008. He could be an interesting low-risk, high-reward player for a team in need of a DH or corner infielder. Cafardo also points out that for all of the talk about needing closers, George Sherrill is quietly available.

Red Sox Rumors: Crisp, Lugo, Burnett, Baldelli

By | at

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has the latest on the Red Sox.

  • GM Theo Epstein says there’s one deal he might be able to do before the winter meetings, possibly involving Coco Crisp or Julio Lugo.  The free agent market for center fielders and shortstops is weak this year.
  • Cafardo doesn’t believe the Sox are in on C.C. Sabathia or A.J. Burnett, and he says they’re unsure about Derek Lowe.  However, Buster Olney says "there is an expectation within other quarters of the AL East that the Red Sox will get in on the Burnett bidding."  Cafardo does see Boston adding a starter of some kind, possibly a Japanese free agent.
  • Catchers on Epstein’s radar to varying degrees: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Jeff Clement, Bengie Molina, and Ivan Rodriguez.
  • Cafardo says the Red Sox are "more than intrigued" by Rocco Baldelli, who could fill their fourth outfielder role if and when Mark Kotsay leaves.
  • Tony Massarotti discusses Mark Teixeira in-depth at his blog.

Phillies Rumors: Baldelli, Hairston, Mench

By | at

5:44pm: MLB.com’s Ken Mandel says the Phillies have Rocco Baldelli, Jerry Hairston Jr., and Kevin Mench on the radar in the event they don’t re-sign Burrell.  The Phillies have long liked Baldelli, though the Rays hope to talk contract soon.  Reds GM Walt Jocketty recently met with Hairston’s agent, and feels he made progress.  And the Hanshin Tigers hope to lure Mench to Japan.

9:38am: Checkin’ in on the Phillies…

  • GM Ruben Amaro Jr. had an informal five-minute talk with Casey Close, who represents Ryan Howard and Joe Blanton.
  • Talks have not yet begun with free agents Pat Burrell, Jamie Moyer, and Scott Eyre.  Conversations will begin soon with Moyer and Eyre.
  • Curt Schilling would be open to returning to the Phillies if he pitches next year.  Amaro says he hasn’t even considered the possibility yet.  He would make a nice fifth starter if they can re-sign Moyer.
  • The Phillies control setup man Ryan Madson through 2009, but he’s represented by Scott Boras.  Boras compared Madson to Mariano Rivera circa 1996, so don’t look for an affordable long-term deal.
  • Amaro talked to at least 27 other GMs at the meetings.
  • No word yet from the Philly writers on Andrew Baggarly’s rumor that the Phils will listen on Jimmy Rollins.

Phillies’ Offseason Agenda

By | at

12:47pm: Scott Lauber has the latest from the Amaro press conference. 

  • Manny Ramirez seems unlikely as a left field solution.  Execs surveyed by Jerry Crasnick felt the same.
  • Burrell switched to a Philly-based agent, and talks will begin soon with the Phillies.
  • Pat Gillick will remain with the Phillies as a paid consultant.

11:13am: The Phillies locked up Ruben Amaro Jr. as their GM through 2011.  Items on his to-do list:

  • Left fielder Pat Burrell could be back if he accepts a two-year deal.  Otherwise, the Phils will kick the tires on Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, and Magglio Ordonez.  Jim Salisbury also notes that the Phillies have long liked Rocco Baldelli.  They’ve also been linked to Garrett Atkins.
  • Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard are in for large raises through arbitration; Amaro may attempt to sign them long-term.
  • Salisbury sees free agent lefties Jamie Moyer and Scott Eyre re-signing.  Scott Lauber suggests the Phils don’t want to go beyond one year for Moyer, though.
  • The team had a $104MM payroll in ’08, and that is expected to increase.
  • The Phillies (along with the Tigers and Nationals) have interest in free agent utility man Pete Orr.

Rays Hope To Talk Contract With Baldelli

By | at

According to MLB.com’s Bill Chastain, Rays executive VP of baseball operations hopes to talk to Rocco Baldelli’s agent about a contract soon.  Baldelli may be viewed as a free agent bargain, but he’s a lifelong Ray with a special relationship to the club.  Dealing with a rare mitochondrial disorder, Baldelli hit .263/.344/.475 in 90 plate appearances and nailed two home runs in the playoffs.

Cafardo’s Latest: Hot Stove, Twins, Gordon, Pedro

By | at

Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe has a nice article up catching up on some Hot Stove news, with a few other odds and ends tied in. Let’s hit the highlights here:

  • Cafardo seems to think the Yankees could entice C.C. Sabathia to pitch on the East Coast, and that the Angels would be crazy not to re-sign Mark Teixeira at whatever the cost. He also points out Joe Maddon’s connection to Francisco Rodriguez from his days as a coach with the Angels, and covers other top names such as Jake Peavy, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, Manny Ramirez, Pat Burrell, Matt Holliday, and Garrett Atkins.
  • The Minnesota Twins were ranked as the #1 team in young talent by the 2009 Bill James Handbook. Minnesota had ten players in the top 150: Joe Mauer, Delmon Young, Justin Morneau, Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, Carlos Gomez, Nick Blackburn, Jason Kubel, Denard Span, and Glen Perkins.
  • The article includes a Q&A with Tom Gordon, who has high praise for the Phillies, particularly Brad Lidge. Gordon says that having avoided Tommy John Surgery, he feels he can continue his career, and would love to pitch in Philadelphia next year. Gordon will understand if his option is declined, but is emphatic in saying he’s "going to pitch somewhere." Plenty of teams need bullpen help, and even with his injury, I can’t imagine him having a hard time finding work.
  • Cafardo likes the idea of either Rocco Baldelli or Gabe Kapler as a fourth outfielder for the Red Sox.
  • Would Pedro Martinez consider an incentive-laden contract to be Boston’s fifth starter next season?
  • Red Sox catching prospect Mark Wagner has shown improvement the Arizona Fall League. This only adds to the Jason Varitek dilemma that Boston is faced with.

Jayson Stark’s Latest: Rays

By | at

Jayson Stark touches on a few rumors circling around the Tampa Bay Rays…

  • The Rays and the Phillies both made multiplayer offers to the Indians for Casey Blake, but neither was willing to offer a top prospect and a second prospect close to the big leagues.
  • With Blake and Xavier Nady both traded, the Rays are leaning towards eventually filling their need for a right-handed outfielder with Rocco Baldelli who played in the outfield this week on a rehab assignment. It was his first outfield action since May of ’07 and will play 5 more innings today.
  • After discussing Mark Teixeira, the Rays have decided to pass, not wanting to move Carlos Pena to DH.
  • While the Rays would still like to acquire a relief pitcher, they feel the price is too high for Brian Fuentes and they have little interest in Huston Street. Stark notes that last year’s top pick, David Price, could be called up to provide insurance for the bullpen.

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

Show all

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

hide arrows scroll to top