Thanks again for stopping by, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the article with your thoughts or any rumors you feel that I may have missed. There's a lot to cover this week so let's get to it.
General Rumors
- Multiple reports cite that the Cubs are hoping to have a new owner by Opening Day 2009, but it is uncertain whether or not that will be possible. Help will be needed from Bud Selig to speed up the approval process once the Cubs choose a new owner.
- HoustonChronicle.com is reporting that Astros owner Drayton McLane will not allow Roger Clemens to appear at spring training this year or to interact with their minor league players. The article also cites that McLane doesn't plan on making any other moves this off season, which means they will stand pat at their $107 million dollar payroll.
- An Associated Press article (accessed through FoxSports.com) cites Jim Hendry claiming that he will continue to explore player movement options, which could include Jake Peavy, however, it is unlikely that he will end up in Chicago. The current Cubs ownership situation is limiting them in their spending abilities, however, it hasn't stopped the Cubs from increasing their payroll this off-season.
- It appears that Bartolo Colon is set to sign with the White Sox, a team he played for in 2003 where he pitched a whopping 242 innings.
- Many baseball insiders feel that the Dodgers will release outfielder Andruw Jones tomorrrow, after failing to trade him this week. Jones was spotted tonight at the Georiga Tech v. Duke basketball game sporting an Atlanta Braves hat, so one can only assume he may end up there.
- TampaBay.com is reporting that pitcher Scott Kazmir has gained 20 pounds this off-season since participating in a new conditioning program to help improve his balance. The article also mentions that Evan Longoria would prefer to play for the USA over Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, but is still unsure on his decision.
- Scott Boras appeared on radio stations in San Francisco today promoting his client, Manny Ramirez, on the same day that Fred Lewis claimed the starting left field spot.
- Multiple sources feel the Braves are still searching for a power hitting outfielder. It's undetermined whether or not Frank Wren feels Andruw Jones can fit that role, but Adam Dunn is another name that has been thrown around a lot the past few days.
- T.R. Sullivan, a Rangers beat writer, wrote today that the Rangers are looking into signing Ben Sheets, but believes there is little evidence that the Rangers will sign him at this point.
- It's a long ways away, but FoxSports.com is already running an article that points out that John Lackey may be the most sought after free agent next off-season.
- Adam Kilgore of Boston.com wrote an article yesterday discussing the different options at catcher for the Red Sox this off-season. Among the names mentioned was former Red Sox captain Jason Varitek who still remains on the free agent market.
- There was a rumor circulating that the Angels and White Sox were discussing a deal that would send Jermaine Dye to Anaheim, however it appears that deal is dead.
- It is likely that pitcher Freddy Garcia will sign soon- possible teams include the Mets, Yankees, Rangers, and White Sox. With the White Sox bringing in Colon, it appears unlikely that he will go there, and the Mets have already added a lot of depth this off-season.
- An article on FloridaMarlins.com today cited that the Marlins are interested in Chad Cordero, along with about a dozen other teams including the Brewers and Diamondbacks, whom we mentioned last week.
- Johan Santana is still unsure whether or not he will pitch in the World Baseball Classic after enduring off-season knee surgery.
Latest News
- Rickey Henderson has announced that he would still be interested in playing the major leagues. This NYPost.com article points out that he believes he can out-steal every current major league player, which would be an incredible feat at the age of 50.
- Preston Gomez, a former Major League manager, passed away at the age of 85 yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gomez family. Gomez spent six generations working in baseball.
- The Cardinals have dropped plans to purchase the Memphis Redbirds after the economy has taken a toll on the team's spending money.
- TampaBay.com has pictures posted of the Rays' new alternate jerseys that they will be wearing at select games this year. Is it just me, or are there hardly any changes?
- Paul Byrd has announced that he will sit out the first half of 2009, in order to prove that his duty will not be to eat innings, and then he can be utilized as a fresh arm in the second half of the season.
- It appears that B.J. Upton will miss the first week of the season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. The Rays have also announced the signing of former major league catcher Todd Greene, who will be coaching catchers.
Spring Training Invites/Minor League Deals
-There have been a lot of articles that have come across my 'desk' (sounds better than "rss reader") in the past week about spring training invites and players singing minor league contracts, so the following is a list of players and the team they will be attending spring training with.
- Josh Towers, Washington Nationals (Minor league deal - MLB.com)
- Scott Podsednik, Colorado Rockies (Minor league deal - ESPN.com)
- Chris Woodward, Seattle Mariners (Spring training invitee - The Seattle Times)
- Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers (Spring training invitee - MLB.com)
- Kyle Skipworth, Florida Marlins (Spring training invitee - Palm Beach Post)
- Craig Monroe, Pittsburgh Pirates (Minor league deal - PittsburghLive.com)
- Jay Gibbons, Florida Marlins (Minor league deal - The Seattle Times)
- Mark Prior/ Chris Burke, San Diego Padres (Minor league deal - Multiple)
- Kirk Saarloos/ Greg Aquino, Cleveland Indians (Minor league deal - Associated Press through Cincinatti.com)
- Russ Ortiz, Houston Astros (Minor league deal - Associated Press)
One Year Deals
-Similar to minor league deals and spring training invites, I've also received a lot of stories detailing one year contracts, most of which are to avoid arbitration. Here's a list similar to the one above:
- Fernando Rodney, Detroit Tigers ($2.7 million - DetNews.com)
- Marcus Thames, Detroit Tigers ($2.275 million - DetNews.com)
- Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ($5.7 million - Associated Press through CBSSports.com)
- Jack Cust, Oakland Athletics ($2.8 million - ContraCostaTimes.com)
- Gabe Gross, Tampa Bay Rays ($1.255 million - TBO.com)
- Chris Ray, Baltimore Orioles ($850,00 - MLB.com)
- Jose Valverde, Houston Astros ($8 million - FoxSports.com)
- Guillermo Mota, New York Mets (N/A - DailyNews.com)
- Alex Cora, New York Mets ($2 million - multiple)
That's about it for this week- considering I'm about to reach my word count limit.
Questions
- Which of the minor league signings do you think have the best chance to make it to the majors this year?
- Do you think the Cubs will make any more moves this off-season?
- Any comments/questions/improvements for the Rumor Central column?
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