Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Mariners Rumors

Odds & Ends: Hardy, Tejada, Cardinals, Mariners

By | at

Here's a few links to close out the night…

  • Tony Massarotti of The Boston Globe says that the Red Sox "had been engaging with the Brewers in on-and-off discussions involving (J.J.) Hardy since the trading deadline." Massarotti's source says the Brewers wanted either Clay Buchholz or Daniel Bard, but Boston was only willing to part with Michael Bowden.
  • MLB'com's Brian McTaggart tweets that Astros' GM Ed Wade said “At this point, we’re prepared to commit to Tommy Manzella playing shortstop," but noted that Miguel Tejada could return as a third baseman.
  • Matthew Leach of MLB.com takes a look at some outfield options for the Cardinals should Matt Holliday depart as a free agent.
  • The Mariners don't really have any non-tender candidates, according to Larry Stone of The Seattle Times. He also mentions that Brandon Morrow, Jason Vargas, and Jack Hannahan fell a little short of qualifying as Super Twos. 
  • ESPN's Peter Gammons says it's possible, though highly unlikely, that the Red Sox and Josh Beckett's agent Michael Moye are so far apart during contract ngotiations that the team would consider dealing their ace. He also says that unless there is "some unexpected understanding," Beckett will hit the free agent market after 2010.
  • J.C. Bradbury debunked some common Hot Stove Myths.

Jack Wilson, Mariners Discussing Extension

By | at

The Mariners are discussing a multiyear extension with shortstop Jack Wilson, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  Kovacevic believes the Ms offered a two-year deal worth more than $8MM.  Soon, the Mariners must decide between Wilson's $8.4MM option for 2010 and a $600K buyout.

Given Wilson's defensive prowess and the scarcity of shortstops, bringing him back at around $4MM a year isn't a bad idea.  The free agent market doesn't offer much beyond Marco Scutaro, and J.J. Hardy was just plucked off the trade market by the Twins.

Odds & Ends: Matsui, Belcher, Cuddyer, Griffey

By | at

Links for Friday…

Odds & Ends: Crosby, Gonzalez, Mariners

By | at

More items from a busy opening day of baseball's hot stove season…

  • Consider it a formality, but John Lackey, Matt Holliday, and Jason Bay were among the 79 players filing for free agency today according to MLB.com's Tom Singer.
  • Free agent Bobby Crosby told MLB.com's Mychael Urban that he doesn't expect to be back in Oakland next season.
  • Alex Gonzalez has yet to hear from the Red Sox in regards to whether or not they will exercise his $6MM option for next season, says The Boston Herald's Michael Silverman.
  • Jim Street of MLB.com breaks down Seattle's free agents, noting that Russell Branyan and Ken Griffey Jr. "are the most likely to return," and that if Griffey comes back, it would likely mean that the Mariners wouldn't re-sign veteran Mike Sweeney.  Street also reported that right-hander Miguel Batista feels he won't be back in Seattle next season, with Batista going so far as to say there is a "99.9 percent chance" he will be in another team's uniform in 2010.
  • Texas introduced former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle as their new hitting coach on Thursday.
  • John Harper of the New York Daily News feels that Hideki Matsui's World Series MVP award made the Yankees' decision whether or not to re-sign the free agent slugger much more difficult.  Even before Matsui's huge Game Six performance, MLBTR's Luke Adams outlined the factors behind any decision to put Matsui back in pinstripes in 2010.
  • Randy St. Claire has been hired as the Marlins' new pitching coach, reports Barry Jackson and Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

Petit, Slaten Claimed Off Waivers

By | at

According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, right-hander Yusmeiro Petit and left-hander Doug Slaten have been claimed off waivers.

Petit, 24, was scooped up by the Mariners.  He went 3-10 with a 5.82 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 74/34 K/BB ratio in 17 starts (89 2/3 innings) this season with the D'Backs.  As Piecoro notes, Petit has allowed 1.96 HR/9 through 229 1/3 major league innings, tied for the worst rate in MLB history.

Slaten, who turns 30 in February, was claimed by the Nationals.  He allowed five earned runs and 11 total baserunners in 6 1/3 innings with the Diamondbacks in '09, but posted a 3.09 ERA and a 40/15 K/BB ratio in 43 2/3 innings at Triple-A Reno.  He hasn't been the same since undergoing knee surgery at the end of 2007.

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Riggleman, Crisp, ‘Stros

By | at

A few leftovers as the Phillies and Yankees do battle in Game 6…

  • According to ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure, recently-defected Cuban first baseman Jose Julio Ruiz has impressed scouts in workouts the past two weeks.  The Red Sox and Tigers are known to have some level of interest.
  • Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner thinks the M's should "kick the tires" on several undervalued starters this offseason.  He lists Ben Sheets, Rich Harden, Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson, among others, as possible targets.
  • MASN's Byron Kerr spoke Wednesday with Jim Riggleman, who's hoping to be named the Nationals' permanent manager shortly after the World Series ends.  He went 33-42 as Washington's interim skipper last season.
  • According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals have shown "little inclination" that they plan to pick up Coco Crisp's 2010 option worth $8MM.
  • Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle lays out some advice for Astros owner Drayton McLane, including this nugget: "Give GM Ed Wade a five-year extension and give him the freedom to reshape the roster and the organization. If there's any doubt he knows what he's doing, check out the 2008-2009 Phillies. Ed Wade acquired the core of those teams."

Jarrod Washburn Discusses The Future

By | at

MLB.com's Jim Street talked to free agent lefty Jarrod Washburn recently.  Washburn, a 35-year-old Scott Boras client, posted a 3.78 ERA in 176 innings this year for the Mariners and Tigers.  A few highlights from their chat:

  • Back in Spring Training, Washburn was planning to retire after the '09 season.  He wasn't enjoying the game anymore.  However, Washburn's improved performance and the Mariners' clubhouse chemistry ended the retirement plans.
  • Washburn will be ready for Spring Training 2010 after having his knee cleaned out surgically.  He said the knee limited him with the Tigers, for whom he posted a 7.33 ERA in 43 innings.
  • Washburn says the Mariners are "definitely toward the top of my list."  His desired contract length is unknown, except that he doesn't want to play for another four years.  It's not known whether the Mariners want him back.  SI's Jon Heyman expects the Brewers to be in the mix; Washburn was born in Wisconsin.
  • Washburn's performance with the Tigers pushed him out of Type B status, so there's no reason for them to offer arbitration.

Discussion: Russell Branyan

By | at

On December 3rd, new Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik made his first free agent signing: Russell Branyan on a one-year, $1.4MM deal with $350K in incentives.  Zduriencik said at the time he was prepared to "give Russell as many at-bats as he's had in his career."  That held true, as Branyan racked up 505 plate appearances in 2009.  The playing time led to a .251/.347/.520 line with a career-best 31 home runs.  However, perhaps due to a back injury, Branyan was only productive for the season's first three months.

Based on comments made by Zduriencik and Branyan, interest in a new contract is mutual.  Branyan turns 34 in December, and his rough finish to the season should lead to another one-year deal (perhaps with a club option for 2011).  The Mariners have money to spend, though Mike Carp is lurking after hitting .271/.372/.446 at Triple A.  Since the Ms have a DH vacancy as well, they could easily fit in both players if Carp shows he can hit big league pitching.

The stars are aligned for Branyan to re-sign with the Mariners.  What would constitute a fair offer?  FanGraphs valued Branyan's performance at $12.5MM this year, and the free agent market typically overvalues power.  Branyan can point out that among free agents, only Jason Bay hit more home runs.

Rogers On Chapman, Vazquez, Valentine, Gonzalez

By | at

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune looks at a few hot stove topics from around the league in his latest article. Here are some of his thoughts:

  • He speculates that the Seattle Mariners' interest in Aroldis Chapman stems from their desire to still have a front-line starter if they eventually decide to move Felix Hernandez.
  • Rogers is skeptical that the two Chicago teams have the resources to compete seriously in the Chapman sweepstakes. Be sure to check out MLBTR's complete Chapman review.
  • With Tim Hudson on the verge of re-signing with the Braves, Ken Rosenthal indicated that Javier Vazquez or Derek Lowe could be shopped for a bat. Rogers suggests it'll be Vazquez that's put on the trading block.
  • Bobby Valentine could be out of the mix for a major-league managerial spot this season, as the Washington Nationals look likely to give Jim Riggleman their full-time gig.
  • Rogers thinks it's "wishful thinking" to expect new Padres GM Jed Hoyer to deal Adrian Gonzalez to Hoyer's former employer, the Boston Red Sox.

Olney On Potential Non-Tenders And Bradley

By | at

In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney indicates that there is belief among general managers that the "financial restructuring that has been occurring across the landscape is about to hit the arbitration-level players like a tidal wave." He mentions underperforming, but well paid players like Garrett Atkins and Kelly Johnson are prime non-tender bait, especially since their clubs have replacements ready and it's unlikely they'll be able to trade them. Make sure you check out MLBTR's list of non-tender candidates.

Olney also talks about some bad contracts the Cubs could acquire in exchange for Milton Bradley, adding that this morning's Vernon Wells rumor "would be a stunner" if it happened. Some of the players he mentions as possible fits include Carlos Silva, Derek Lowe, Gary Matthews Jr. (who said he wants out of Anaheim), Barry Zito, Aaron Rowand, Oliver Perez, and Dontrelle Willis, among others. Any other ideas?

Show all

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

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top