Mariners Rumors

Heyman On Jaramillo, Holliday, Mets, Nationals

By Luke Adams 2 | October 20, 2009 at 11:24pm CDT

11:24pm: Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com says the Cubs will announce the signing of Jaramillo tomorrow. The Cubs paid up for the hitting coach's services – three years, $2.42MM.

6:01pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman discusses a variety of hot stove topics in his latest column and in an appearance on WFAN, which Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog summarizes. Here are a few of Heyman's main points….

The Mets will be the main player for Matt Holliday, with the Giants and Braves in the mix as well. In addition to the Cardinals, the Red Sox and Yankees are also contenders for the star outfielder.
Rather than make a run at Roy Halladay, the Mets may be more inclined to sign free agents and keep their top prospects.
Intermin manager Jim Riggleman is the favorite to manage the Washington Nationals in 2010.
The Mariners' management is glad that Kenji Johjima opted out of his deal, since they "never thought much of him as a player." That's Heyman's quote, not anything from the team.
Rudy Jaramillo, who seems likely to become the Cubs' hitting coach, has had success working with Alfonso Soriano in the past. Heyman hears that Jaramillo will sign a multi-year deal with Chicago that will make him the highest-paid hitting coach in the league.

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Pujols, Indians, Lincecum

By Luke Adams 2 | October 20, 2009 at 6:52pm CDT

A few more evening links….

Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times says that Kenji Johjima's opt-out is "an early Christmas present" for the Mariners.
Meanwhile, Rob Johnson has one surgery down and one to go, according to MLB.com's Jim Street. Johnson will battle for time behind the plate in Seattle next season, with Johjima's departure resulting in one less competitor.
Speaking of offseason surgeries, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting that Albert Pujols will have elbow surgery tomorrow. Breathe easy though, Cardinals fans: according to Rosenthal, Pujols expects to be fully healthy for spring training.
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com breaks down four of the confirmed finalists for the Cleveland Indians' managerial opening.
Of the candidates for the Indians' job, Manny Acta would be the best choice for appealing to the team's Latino players, writes Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Pluto anticipates Latinos to make up about a third of the team's 25-man roster in 2010.
The San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman looks at the Super Two rule, and explains why Tim Lincecum's extra week of major-league service could mean a big payday for the Cy Young winner.

Odds & Ends: Johjima, Rockies, Kikuchi

By Tim Dierkes | October 20, 2009 at 10:01am CDT

Links for Tuesday…

Chat today, 2pm CST.
The Hanshin Tigers are interested in Kenji Johjima, according to Kyodo News.
The Rockies are expected to re-sign GM Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy this week, according to Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.
Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says the Dodgers "are mindful that [signing Yusei Kikuchi] could harm the club's long-standing ties in Japan." Kikuchi told Kyodo News that interviewing with 12 NPB and eight MLB clubs made his decision even more difficult. NPB Tracker has more.
Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says Brad Lidge for Michael Bourn has been "the perfect trade." In that November 2007 deal, the Phillies also received infielder Eric Bruntlett and the Astros also acquired Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo (Geary is now a free agent). I'd say the Astros may ultimately win the deal if Bourn's breakout season holds up, since they gave up one year of Lidge for five of Bourn. But, as Justice noted, the Phillies have a ring.
Always fun…Dave Cameron's 2010 offseason plan for the Mariners at U.S.S. Mariner. My one beef is the John Danks acquisition…I don't think it fits from Chicago's point of view.
Viva El Birdos takes a look at the Cardinals' 2010 commitments.
MLB.com's Mychael Urban discusses Justin Duchscherer's future.

Kenji Johjima Opts Out Of Contract

By Tim Dierkes | October 19, 2009 at 5:16pm CDT

5:16pm: Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times talked to Johjima's agent Alan Nero, who confirmed the Mariners are free of the $16MM left on his client's contract. It is rare, but not unprecedented, for a ballplayer to walk away from that kind of money. Nero explained Johjima's opt-out clause in further detail to Baker as well.

Zduriencik wouldn't comment on the allocation of the found money, but you have to think the Mariners now have extra flexibility in free agency. On the other hand, they now need a veteran catcher.

12:34pm: According to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, there was no buyout.

11:36am: Catcher Kenji Johjima has opted out of the final two years of his contract, according to a press release from the Mariners. He'll resume his career back in Japan. The Mariners are freed from the $16MM they'd have owed Johjima over 2010-11, though Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune says the parties "came to an agreement on a buyout."

Johjima originally signed with the Mariners as a free agent; he agreed to a three-year, $16.5MM deal in November of 2005. His success in '06 and '07 made that entire contract worthwhile, but Johjima's April '08 three-year extension for $24MM was widely panned.

Odds & Ends: Eyre, Rockies, Red Sox

By Tim Dierkes | October 19, 2009 at 9:45am CDT

Links for Monday…

Slate's Craig Fehrman writes about "the sports media's unique mindset toward [online] aggregators" and how MLBTR fits in.
On his MLB.com blog, Phillies reliever Scott Eyre suggests he and catcher Paul Bako are reconsidering retirement because they're having so much fun.
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler that he offered four players to the Indians for Cliff Lee back in July. Lee instead landed with the Phillies and shut down the Dodgers last night.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star believes it's very difficult for fans and reporters to create realistic trade scenarios. Do you agree?
The Rockies are "ready to finalize deals with general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy," according to Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies.
The Yusei Kikuchi talks are moving along, says NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman. U.S.S. Mariner's Jay Yencich gives his scouting report on Kikuchi. In another post, Newman runs down the interested MLB teams. He notes that the Rangers sent pitcher Derek Holland along with Jim Colburn.
WEEI's Alex Speier passes along a Dale & Holley appearance by ESPN's Buster Olney. Olney guesses the Red Sox might stop at four years for Jason Bay, and their primary competition will come from the Mariners and Giants.
ESPN's Peter Gammons discusses Jed Lowrie as Boston's short-term answer at shortstop, with Jose Iglesias as the long-term answer.
Pete Grathoff of the KC Star writes about the 35-year anniversary of Tommy John surgery.

Odds & Ends: Mattingly, La Russa, Kikuchi

By Zachary Links | October 18, 2009 at 5:55pm CDT

Let's take a look around the web as we get ready for Dodgers-Phillies:

Dodgers' hitting coach Don Mattingly tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that he is ready to be a manager. Donnie Baseball expects to be interviewed for openings and would strongly consider accepting one if he is given such an offer.
Although it has been suggested that Cards' skipper Tony La Russa could take a year off and return to manage in 2011, the 65-year-old won't consider that as an option, writes John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Mariners are in pursuit of Japanese pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, according to Larry Stone of The Seattle Times. This is not the first time we've heard Seattle linked to the 18-year-old lefty as they are said to be one of at least seven MLB teams interested in his services.

Yusei Kikuchi To Meet With Seven MLB Teams

By Tim Dierkes | October 14, 2009 at 9:01am CDT

NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman has the latest on amateur lefty Yusei Kikuchi, based on reports from Nikkan Sports and Sanspo. Kikuchi still hasn't decided whether to start his career in MLB or NPB, but he's meeting with teams starting Friday. He'll first meet with a dozen NPB teams, followed by seven MLB clubs.

Nikkan's list of MLB suitors: the Giants, Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, Mariners and Indians. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince confirms the Indians' interest. Newman tells us all about Kikuchi in this post.

Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Baldelli, Papelbon

By Mike Axisa | October 13, 2009 at 5:30pm CDT

Boston's season may have ended prematurely, but that just means the New England hot stove fires up sooner. Here's some notes from Amalie Benjamin of The Boston Globe and Joe McDonald of The Providence Journal:

To no one's surprise, Jason Bay indicated that he'll dip his toe in the free agent waters, saying he'd be doing himself "a disservice" if he didn't look around.
Alex Gonzalez's $6MM club option "might be a little rich for the Sox," so the two sides are likely to sit down and find a more palatable number. Nick Green could also come back, though it would strictly be a depth signing.
Unless Boston attempts to rekindle talks with the Mariners about Felix Hernandez, their 2010 rotation looks fairly settled.
As Benjamin notes, Boston's farm system doesn't offer much at the upper levels of the minors, so instead the team is "faced with re-signing their players, checking out a less-than-stellar free agent market, or going the trade route."
Rocco Baldelli's future with the club is up in the air, as GM Theo Epstein said they'll "sit down and talk about what the fit looks like next year –– if there is one."
In a radio appearance this morning, ESPN's Steve Phillips said he expects Boston to dangle Jonathan Papelbon, perhaps for an impact bat, according to WEEI's Alex Speier. The free agent market for closers isn't great, and at least Papelbon offers two years of club control. Those will be two expensive years, though.

Odds & Ends: Rangers, Hawpe, Griffey, Matsui

By Mike Axisa | October 10, 2009 at 11:52am CDT

Are you over that back-and-forth, edge of your seat Yankees-Twins game yet? If not, here's some links to calm you down…

Jeff Wilson of The Dallas Morning News provides a quick breakdown of each of the three bidders that are considering purchasing the Rangers. He notes that there is still no timetable for a sale to be complete.
Jim Armstrong of The Denver Post wonders about Brad Hawpe's future in Colorado after Jim Tracy used three lefthanded pinch hitters during Game Two of the NLDS, none of whom was Hawpe. With several younger, more athletic, and (perhaps most importantly) cheaper outfielders on the roster, Hawpe could be the odd man out.
When asked if he wanted to play in 2010, Ken Griffey Jr. replied "Um, yeah," according to Phil Rogers of The Chicago Tribune. Junior also qualified that by saying he'll do what's best for his family and for the Mariners.
Could Hideki Matsui stay in New York next year? Newsday's David Lennon thinks it may be possible, with the Mets instead of the Yankees. The one they call Godzilla has insisted he could play the outfield all season, yet the Yankees have only used him at DH because of his surgically repaired knees. Lennon notes that Matsui has also "told people he would consider trying first base," which would fit great for the team from Flushing.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Burrell, M’s, Jays

By Cork Gaines | October 9, 2009 at 10:50am CDT

On this date 43 years ago, Frank Robinson accounted for the only run in game four of the World Series with a home run, completing a four game sweep. It was Robinson's first season with the Orioles, having been traded to Baltimore the previous winter for Jack Baldschun, Milt Pappas and Dick Simpson. With the regular season over, rumors of trades that could impact next season's World Series have already begun. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Jorge Says No! sees the Mariners as a nice fit for Milton Bradley.
Blue Jay Hunter looks at what it might take for the Blue Jays to land Bradley.
Trop Talk breaks down the arguments for Bradley, and yet still wants the Rays to stay away.
Dock of the Rays explains why the Rays are so eager to rid themselves of Pat Burrell.
Rays Index notes that the Burrell-for-Bradley rumor still has a number of unanswered questions, even if the deal comes down to just money.
The Rays Party is not thrilled with the idea of the Cubs dumping a player on the Rays because of personality issues.
Cubs Locker wants Bradley out of town, even if it takes cash and a relief pitcher.

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

« Previous Page

Load More Posts

Show all

Headlines

Mariners Rumors

Navigation

MLBTR INFO

Connect