March 2009 - Baseball Wiretap
Pirates, Ledezma Agree On Minor League Deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates Monday agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Wilfredo Ledezma on a minor
league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
The 28-year-old Ledezma was a member of Washington's 2009 Opening Day roster, and made five relief appearances before being designated for assignment on April 20.
Ledezma also made 18 relief appearances for Syracuse (Nationals' AAA), where he went 0-2 with one save and a 4.19 ERA in 18 relief appearances before being released on July 4.
Mets, Cora Agree To One-Year Deal
The Mets have agreed to a one-year deal with infielder Alex Cora.
The deal is reportedly worth $2 million for the 2010 season.
Cora, 34, can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses.
Angels Vote Adenhart Estate Full Playoff Share
The Angels have voted to give a full postseason share to the estate of Nick Adenhart.
Adenhart, a rookie pitcher, was killed in April in a car accident that was allegedly caused by a drunken driver.
The Angels' shares were worth $138,039.
Average Salary Just Short Of $3M
The average baseball salary fell just short of $3 million this past season.
The 926 players in the major leagues before rosters expanded in September averaged $2,996,000, according to the annual report of the players' association.
The figures represent a 2.4 percent jump from last year's numbers, the lowest increase since the 2004 season.
The World Series champion Yankees had the highest average at $7.66 million per player.
Sizemore: Photos Stolen From Girlfriend
Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore has contacted Major League Baseball to help him stop publication of steamy photographs.
Sizemore says the photos were stolen from his girlfriend's e-mail account and then posted online.
"We fully support Grady as he deals with this personal matter," the Indians said in a statement Monday. "The posted photos were stolen from his girlfriend's e-mail account and a legal investigation is under way."
He is partially nude in some of the photos.
Yankees Postseason Share Amounts To $365k Each
A full postseason share for the 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees totaled a record $365,052.73, while a full share for the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies amounted to $265,357.50, Major League Baseball announced today. The record full share for the World Series Champion Yankees eclipsed the previous mark of $362,173.07 per full share for the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the American League Championship Series runners-up, voted a full share for the estate of Nick Adenhart.
The players? pool, formed from 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series and 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of the League Championship series and the World Series, was divided among 12 clubs: the World Series participants, the League Championship Series and Division Series runners-up, and the four regular season second-place clubs that were not Wild Card participants.
Jeter Named SI's Sportsman Of The Year
Derek Jeter has been named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, the first time a member of the Yankees has ever won the honor.
"It's unbelievable. It was completely unexpected. It came out of the blue," Jeter told The Associated Press during a break in the photo shoot. "When I heard it, what can you say? It's one of the greatest honors you can achieve in sports."
Swimmer Michael Phelps was last year's recipient.
"That's even harder considering all the great Yankee players that have played for this organization," said Jeter, standing under the banners depicting Yankees greats that hang in the Great Hall of the new stadium. "So I hope I've done them proud."
Some other baseball players to win the award are Sandy Koufax (1965), Tom Seaver (1969), Cal Ripken Jr. (1995); and the recent nemeses of Jeter's teams, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling (2001), and the Boston Red Sox (2004).
Report: No Truth To Hanley Rumors
There is reportedly no truth to rumors that the Red Sox and Marlins are discussing a possible trade involving shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
A report in the New York Daily News on Sunday suggested that the two clubs, who agreed to a trade earlier this decade involving Ramirez, were talking about a blockbuster deal.
"There is no truth to the rumor that the #Marlins are in trade talks with the #Red Sox -- or anyone else -- for shortstop Hanley Ramirez," Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald wrote on his Twitter page.
Boston Focusing On Lackey, Not Halladay
The Red Sox are said to be focusing their attention on John Lackey instead of Roy Halladay.
Boston doesn't like the idea of giving up Clay Buchholz and Casey Kelly in a deal for Halladay, and signing Lackey could give them the flexibility to make a trade for a hitter.
The Boston Globe reports that unless the Blue Jays lower their asking price, the Red Sox will court Lackey and possibly deal Buchholz for a guy like Miguel Cabrera or Adrian Gonzalez.
Sources: Rockies Likely To Keep Spilborghs
The Rockies plan to keep outfielder Ryan Spilborghs unless they are overwhelmed by an offer, sources told FOX Sports.
Spilborghs is eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career and several teams have expressed interest in the outfielder.
The Braves and White Sox are among the teams that like Spilborghs, but Colorado isn't expecting to receive a big enough offer to move him.
He hit .241 with eight home runs and 48 RBI in 352 at-bats last season.
GM: Marlins Aren't Dealing Johnson
Josh Johnson will absolutely not be dealt.
Orioles Could Bring Tejada Back
Miguel Tejada left Baltimore on good terms.
Cardinals Will Offer Holliday Arbitration
The Cardinals are still trying to re-sign Matt Holliday.
Jays Looking For Compensation Picks
The Blue Jays are prepared to let Rod Barajas and Marco Scutaro walk in order to get picks in return.
Eight Teams Interested In Saito
The White Sox, Cubs, Braves and Mets are among those interested in Takashi Saito.
Brewers Haven't Asked Rangers About Millwood In Weeks
The Brewers and Rangers haven't discussed Kevin Millwood recently.
McGee May Be Headed To Rays' Bullpen
Jake McGee has recovered from Tommy John surgery.
Multiple Teams Looking At Tejada
Miguel Tejada could find a home in San Francisco, Texas, Baltimore or Seattle.
Rangers Aren't Inclined To Move Millwood
Kevin MillwooT is expected to remain in Texas.
Agent: Marlins Unlikely To Deal Ace
Josh Johnson is expected to remain in Florida.
Angels Will Be "Creative" With Payroll
The host of players have come off the Angels' payroll, but they really only have $12 million to spend.
Cardinals, Pujols In No Rush To Reach Deal
The Cardinals and Albert Pujols are both prepared to play the waiting game.
Twins "Getting Serious" About Re-Signing Mauer
Joe Mauer just might give the Twins a hometown discount.
Willingham Drawing Interest From Teams
The Giants, Mariners, Braves and Red Sox could sign Josh Willingham.
Boston Has Inquired About Stephen Drew
The Red Sox are looking all over for a shortstop.
Lowe Wants To Remain In Atlanta
Derek Lowe has heard trade rumors.
Red Sox, Marlins Talking Hanley Deal
Could Hanley Ramirez be headed back to Boston?
Scutaro: Four Teams Have Shown Interest
Marco Scutaro says the Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and Rangers have contacted him.
Market Could Keep Boston From Trading Lowell
The market is full of competent third baseman.
Rangers Have No Interest In Scutaro
Texas won't be a suitor for Marco Scutaro.