Nomar Garciaparra to announce retirement today
By · Comments
3/10: 07:11am: Lou Merloni of WEEI says that Garciaparras had put in callas over the last couple years to Red Sox GM Theo Epstein to see if there was a possibility to return to the Sox. Unfortunately, that never happened.
Garciaparra was intereted in playing this year for any team, but the opportunities never materialized. He’ll start a new career as a baseball analyst with ESPN.
3/10: 6:11am: WEEI Lou Merloni says that Garciaparra will sign a one-day, Minor League contract with the Boston Red Sox and then announce his retirement as a member of the organization.
3/10: 6:00am: According to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, the Boston Red Sox have called a press conference for this morning to announce the retirement of Nomar Garciaparra.
Garciaparra, 36, played in 65 games with the Oakland Athletics in 2009 where he hit .281 with 3 home runs and 16 RBIs. With the Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers and Athletics, Garciaparra hit a total of 229 home runs, drove in 936 RBIs and had a lifetime average of .313. You can see Garciaparra’s contract history and statistics here.
According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Twins could be shopping left-handed pitcher Glen Perkins. In his recent outing versus the Cardinals on Tuesday, Perkins pitched one inning and gave up two hits. Those in attendance to witness his work were scouts from the Pirates, Rockies and Blue Jays.
It was reported earlier that the Twins are interested in Blue Jay’s relief pitcher Jason Frasor. Other trade candidates that Joel Christensen of the Star Tribune suggests to replace the injured closer Joe Nathan include Indians closer Kerry Wood, Padres closer Heath Bell and Reds closer Francisco Cordero. Christensen says, “the Padres likely would ask for top prospects in return for Bell, who is two years from free agency. And Cordero has $24 million remaining on his contract.
Perkins, 27, was 6-7 with a 5.89 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) for the Twins in 2009. You can see Perkins’ contract history and statistics here.
According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says the Minnesota Twins are interested in Blue Jay’s relief pitcher Jason Frasor. This comes one day after Twins closer Joe Nathan was diagnosed with a torn ulnar colateral ligament in his elbow making him a candidate for Tommy John Surgery which may cause him to miss the 2010 season.
Frasor, 32, had a 7-3 record with a 2.50 ERA and 11 saves in 2009. He will be a free agent after the season. The Chicago Cubs have been interested in Frasor now that that Angel Guzman could be out for the year. You can see Frasor’s contract history and statistics here.
Almost through the week. Here ya’ go!
- Jordan Bastian of MLB.com says that right-handed pitcher Dustin McGowan of the Toronto Blue Jays is a candidate to make the starting rotation for Opening Day. McGowan threw two innings in a simulated game with GM Alex Anthopoulos present.When asked if McGown could be in the starting rotation,”right now, you can’t rule that out,” Anthopoulos said. “It’s too early to rule that out.”
- Right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg threw two scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers. The 2009 Golden Spikes Award winner allowed two hits and struck out two batters. His pitches were clocked no lower than 96 mph. (Bill Ladson, MLB.com)
- Chris Haft of MLB.com, says future Hall of Famer Omar Vizquel could continue playing beyond this year. “I’m just letting my body tell me when,” Vizquel said. Vizquel also has interest in managing a Major League team soon. In a side note, Vizquel almost joined a school for bullfighters in the off season.
- The Colorado Rockies are preparing for a bullpen plan B since Huston Street and Rafael Betancourt may not be ready by Opening Day. Candidates that will be there to help include: Franklin Morales, Manuel Corpas and Matt Belisle. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)
- According to WEEI.com Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is planning to pitch for at least another decade. “I think both personally and from a family standpoint we’re all enjoying our lives over here in the U.S., and if at all possible I would like to play over here as long as I can,” Matsuzaka said. He notes that Nolan Ryan and his ability to pitch into his 40’s made a big impression on him during his youth.
- Concerns over Jose Reyes‘ overactive thyroid prevents him from participating in baseball activities. It also puts up a big question mark regarding his ETA on returning to action. (Mike Puma, New York Post)
- According to ESPNDeportes.com, Jose Reyes is fine. Reyes said, “The specialists who took care of me in New York have told me that I’m fine and that there’s nothing wrong with my thyroid. The test [taken to follow one conducted during his physical] showed that I’m fine. We just have to wait for the results of the additional test. The [doctors] found inflammation in my throat and no medicine to treat the thyroid or any other condition has been prescribed.”
- Carol Slezak of The Sun Times says that it’s unlikely the Cubs will trade for Kerry Wood from the Cleveland Indians. Slezak says, “Because the Cubs aren’t about to spend $10.5 million on anyone — let alone a player with a lengthy history of injuries.”
Could the New York Yankees have a new short stop, closer and manager next year? The possibility exists as Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and manger Joe Girardi are all in the last year of their respective contracts. Jeter, is entering the final year of a 10-year, $189 million deal, and Rivera, is in the last of a three-year, $45 million contract. Girardi’s three-year contract is also set to expire after 2010.
While the possibility is there, the over whelming opinion of people in and out of the organization is that all three will be back next year with new contracts. The Yankees as an organization have a policy not to negotiate contract extensions during the season. “People just have to understand that everybody does business in a different way,” Steinbrenner said to reporters including Bailey Stephens of MLB.com following Tuesday’s news conference to announce the details of the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl. “I just don’t believe in contract extensions, and that’s throughout the organization, no matter who it is. Hopefully, nobody takes that personally, it’s just business.”
Though the trio will not receive a contract until November at the earliest if Steinbrenner stays true to his policy, I have no doubt that all three will be back next year wearing pinstripes.
Here are your Tuesday afternoon PRO Rumors:
- David O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal Constitution makes a prediction on prospect Jason Heyward, “I think Jason Heyward is going to be the Braves’ right fielder on opening day. There. I’m on the record.” Heyward currently has a .417 average, .611 OBP and .833 slugging percentage in 18 plate appearances over six games. O’Brien suggests that the Braves make a a long-term offer to Heyward before his second season in the majors.
- Peter Schmuck and Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun discuss the Orioles renewing the contracts of those players on their 40 man roster. There are pro and cons and both the owners and players aren’t necessarily happy about everything, but it’s how the collective bargaining agreement is set. “There’s no need for both sides to get into any war,” Adam Jones said. “Let’s just play out this year. If it’s all going to work out, it works out. Before you’re arbitration-eligible, I guess they can do whatever they want.” Jones, 24, hit 19 home runs and drove in 70 RBIs for the 2009 Orioles, but because of his lack of Major League service time he is not arbitration eligible, so he’s stuck at whatever the Orioles want to pay him (in this case $465,000 – not too bad). Had he played one more day, he would have been eligible for arbitration. Adam Jones is interested in staying with the Orioles for quite some time. “If they want me to be here for a long time, I would love to be here for a long time”
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com talks about White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and is pending free agency after this season. Morosi says, “It’s difficult to imagine him wearing another uniform, isn’t it?”
- Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News says the waiver claim of left-handed pitcher Jay Marshall has been voided by the commissioner’s office based on a shoulder injury. He will be returned to the Oakland Athletics.
- Robert Slye Jr. of Bleacher Report talks about the Oakland A’s offense.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com says that Chris Young of the Padres could be a trade candidate if he’s healthy.
White Sox prospect switches positions and hires Boras
By · CommentsJorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN The Magazine writes about the Chicago White Sox’s 21-year-old Cuban prospect Dayan Viciedo, his position switch and hiring of super agent Scott Boras.
Arangure says that Viciedo parted ways with his agent Jaime Torres, who negotiated his current four year, $10 million contract. To replace Torres, Viciedo hired Scott Boras. Luckily for the White Sox, Viciedo has three years left on his contract, so they won’t have to deal with Boras until after the 2012 season.
On the field, the White Sox have asked their prospect to switch positions from third base to first base. The 245 pound athlete has prepared for the switched by changing his training program in the off season.
“My position is third base,” Viciedo told MLB.com through a translator. “But I’ll play wherever they tell me to play.”
Arangure predicts that Viciedo could start for the White Sox next season as incumbent, Paul Konerko, will be playing in his final season.
Joe Nathan could have Tommy John Surgery
By · CommentsJoe Christensen of the Minnesota Star-Tribune says that Twins closer Joe Nathan has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar colateral ligament in his elbow making him a candidate for Tommy John Surgery. Nathan will decide within two weeks to have the surgery, and if he does he will miss the entire 2010 season. Christensen follows up later saying that the Twins are considering contingency plans at closer.
The plans over the next two weeks are let the soreness and swelling subside, and build strength in the muscles around the joint, before a final decision about surgery, according to the Associated Press. Nathan will seek a second opinion, surgeon Dr. James Andrews.
“If I’m able to go out there and throw, then I’ll definitely give it a shot,” Nathan told reporters in Fort Myers. “The only reason that I would get a surgery done is if I’m just unable to go out there.”
Nathan, 35, was 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 47 saves with the Twins in 2009. He has a salary of $11.25 million. You can see Nathan’s contract history and statistics here.
Yankees trade RHP Edwar Ramirez to Rangers
By · CommentsAccording to Jack Curry of The New York Times, the New York Yankees have traded right-handed pitcher Edwar Ramirez to the Texas Rangers for cash.
| Team | Acquires |
| Yankees | Cash |
| Rangers | RHP Edwar Ramirez |
Ramirez was recently designated for assignment by the Yankees on February 28 to make room for Chan Ho Park Park.
Ramirez, 29 later this month, pitched in 20 games for the Yankees in 2009. He was 0-0 with a 5.73 ERA. You can see Ramirez’s contract history and statistics here.
Jermaine Dye Rumors: Would the Giants be interested?
By · CommentsAndrew Baggarly of The San Jose Mercury asks if the Giants would be interested in free agent outfielder and Bay Area native Jermaine Dye. When GM Brian Sabean was asked about Dye, he said, “I don’t know. The price must be high if he’s not in anyone’s camp. It’s an interesting name.”
According to Ted Sillanpaa of Bleacher Report, free agent Jermaine Dye may have contacted the San Francisco Giants at some point this off season. Earlier reports had Dye demanding a contract that promised a starting job, but Dye may be backing down from those demands. The Yankees could also develop a late interest in Dye as insurance to Nick Johnson.
“‘I still feel like I’m a productive player and feel like I can contribute, but teams want me as a backup player,” Dye said in the Chicago Sun Times. ”I feel undervalued. I don’t think I have to go out there and prove anything. My numbers the last five or six years show I can help someone.”
Currently Nate Schierholtz is the Giants starting right fielder, but it lack of consistency may be a liability for the team. A veteran like Dye could give the Giants what they need for a playoff run.
Dye, 35, hit 27 home runs and drove in 81 RBIs in 2009. You can see Dye’s contract history and statistics here.