March 2009 - Baseball Wiretap

ESPN Hires Dave Winfield

Mar 1, 2014 4:17 PM

Dave Winfield is joining the large group of ESPN baseball analysts, the network announced. Winfield will work mostly on Sundays and some Mondays on the "Baseball Tonight" show with host Karl Ravech and fellow analysts Peter Gammons and John Kruk. Winfield's first appearance will be Sunday at 4 p.m. Pacific time on ESPN2, on the show leading in to the opening night game between World Series champion Philadelphia and Atlanta. ?We?re thrilled to add Dave Winfield to our 'Baseball Tonight team,? said Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production. ?He will be able to draw from his experiences as a Hall of Fame talent and world champion who has been a pioneer for the game in various capacities, both on and off the field. We welcome his unique voice and believe he will be a great addition to ESPN.?

Los Angeles Times

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Mariners Looking For Help With Batista's Deal?

Oct 5, 2014 7:38 PM

Miguel Batista will make $9 million this season and if the Mariners are going to trade him, they'll want his new team to take on at least part of his contract.

News Tribune

Tags: Seattle Mariners, Trade Rumor

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Ortiz: I Can Hit Without Manny

Sep 17, 2014 8:14 AM

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is determined to prove to his critics that he can hit without Manny Ramirez in the same lineup. "People need to realize that having Manny behind me, I still led the league (in 2006 and 2007) in walks," Ortiz said. "So it wasn't like the pitchers were like, 'Here, (hit it).' Two years, I led the league in walks, with Manny behind me. Manny was injured a whole bunch of times and I still hit without him. So now, because I injured my hand and I came back and I had a tough year, they're going to point at it? That tells you a lot. I hit without Manny before, didn't I? They pitched me tough with Manny (in the lineup), didn't they? So why should I worry about what they say?" Ortiz also said on Monday that his hand is fully healed. "My hand is pain-free," he said. "It's a huge difference. (Last season), I was wondering if I could swing at pitches inside, outside, low fastball, high fastball and thinking about how I was going to feel afterward. I don't have to worry anymore."

Boston Herald

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Misc Rumor

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Indians' Lara Returns To Action After Nearly Killed In 2007 Accident

Sep 22, 2014 11:33 PM

Cleveland pitcher Juan Lara will be back in a minor league uniform this week after he was nearly killed in a car crash in November of 2007. His car had stopped at a traffic light when it was hit by a speeding motorcycle in his native Dominican Republic. Lara was left with severe brain trauma, a fractured spine, two broken ribs, a broken arm and punctured lung.

ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Indians, Misc Rumor

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A-Rod's Rehab Will Move To Tampa Soon

Sep 17, 2014 6:53 PM

Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez will move his rehab location from Colorado to the team's spring training complex in Tampa by April 13. "We're still talking about it," Cashman said. "Everything is going well. He's working extremely hard. Everything is going as planned." Rodriguez has started swinging a bat, and manager Joe Girardi received a message from him saying he was set to resume throwing this week. "He was going to up his work level a little bit more," Girardi said. "His rehab is taking another step. Seemed like he was in a good frame of mind. We miss him and he misses us."

ESPN

Tags: New York Yankees

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Phillies Looking At Sheffield

Oct 20, 2014 3:28 PM

The Phillies have released veteran Geoff Jenkins and have reportedly begun to pursue Gary Sheffield, who was cut loose by the Tigers on Tuesday morning. Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said that the team has reached out to Sheffield's agent. Any team that signs Sheffield would only have to pay him $400,000, because Detroit guaranteed his $14 million salary for this season.

MLB.com

Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Free Agent Rumor

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Park, Happ Still Battling For Phils' 5th Spot

Oct 29, 2014 9:58 PM

Chan Ho Park and J.A. Happ are still battling for the final spot in the pitching rotation of the Phillies. "We haven't made up our mind yet," manager Charlie Manuel said. There have been hints that Philadelphia is leaning towards Happ, especially since they were impressed with Park as a reliever in Los Angeles last season. However, Park has a different outlook. "I'm expecting their decision to make me as the starter," said Park. "That's my goal. That's why I signed with this team."

News Journal

Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Misc Rumor

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Dodgers Sign Ohman To Minor League Deal

Mar 2, 2014 5:56 AM

The Dodgers have signed left-handed reliever Will Ohman to a one-year minor league contract. Ohman will reportedly receive $1.35 million guaranteed in the deal and can earn an additional $425,000 in performance bonuses. The Dodgers claim they hold a team option for a second season.

ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Signing

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Rangers Unsure Of What To Do With Andruw

May 27, 2014 7:02 AM

The Rangers still aren't sure what to do with outfielder Andruw Jones, who is battling veteran Frank Catalanotto for the team's last open roster spot. "It's a tough one to call," said manager Ron Washington.

ESPN

Tags: Texas Rangers, Misc Rumor

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Mets Confirm Livan As Fifth Starter

Sep 30, 2014 10:09 PM

Mets manager Jerry Manuel confirmed on Monday that Livan Hernandez will be the team's fifth starter, effectively closing the door on Pedro Martinez's return. "I'm not going to be perfect," Hernandez said. "I'm not going to throw a no-hitter every time I go on the mound. The only thing I have is to give 100%. I'm a winner, and I like to win. I like the competition. And I like to pitch in big games."

New York Daily News

Tags: New York Mets, Misc Rumor

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Hamels Will Be Ready For April 10th Start
Phillies ace Cole Hamels is expected to make his season debut on April 10th against the Rockies, after being pushed back from his Opening Day start.

Philadelphia Daily News

Chipper Signs $40M Extension
The Braves and third baseman Chipper Jones have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension worth more than $40 million.

MLB.com

Tigers Release Gary Sheffield
In a surprise move, the Tigers released slugger Gary Sheffield, who has 499 career home runs, on Tuesday morning.

MLB.com

Reds Send Jacque Jones To Minors
The Reds sent outfielder Jacque Jones, 33, to the minors on Monday.

Yahoo!

Scout Raves Over Cuba's Aroldis Chapman
A Major League scout working at the Cactus League raves about hard-throwing Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, whom he saw in Mexico City.

Chicago Tribune

Ankiel On Trade Rumors: They Were Stimulating
Cardinals pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel wasn't overly bothered by trade rumors involving his name this past winter.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ricciardi Hints Halladay Might Be Dealt
Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi commented on rumors that the team could shop Roy Halladay at midseason recently.

Boston Globe

Pettitte: This Is Best Yankee Rotation I've Been In
Andy Pettitte believes this is the best five-man rotation he has been a part of during his many years with the Yankees.

Boston Globe

Ex-Prez Bush To Throw Out First Pitch For Rangers
Former President George W. Bush will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Rangers home opener, the club announced Monday.

Star-Telegram

Tigers Land Josh Anderson From Braves
The Tigers filled their outfield vacancy on Monday by acquiring Josh Anderson from the Braves in return for minor league pitcher Rudy Darrow.

Detroit Free Press

Source: Dozens Of MLB Prospects Detained
Bud Selig has given Major League Baseball's security division unlimited capital in an attempt to clean up off-field scandals in the Dominican Republic and other foreign countries.

ESPN

Big Unit Thinks He's Ready For Season
Randy Johnson, who signed with the Giants this past winter, believes that he's ready to begin the 2009 regular season and march towards 300 wins.

Yahoo!

Holliday: Don't Worry About Tulowitzki
Matt Holliday, who was traded from the Rockies to the Athletics this offseason, isn't worried about the struggles of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

Denver Post

Citi Field Opens With College Game
Citi Field opened on Sunday as St. John's lost to Georgetown 6-4 in a college baseball game.

ESPN

Tigers-Mets Trade Falls Apart Over Reliever
The Tigers and Mets were close to a trade involving reliever Brian Stokes and utilityman Ryan Raburn, but talks fell apart when New York determined Stokes will likely be a part of their starting rotat

Detroit Free Press

Lasorda Defends Piazza On Steroid Allegations
Mike Piazza is among a handful of players that have been singled out as a steroid user in a new book by Jeff Pearlman, and Tommy Lasorda has rushed to the former catcher's defense.

Los Angeles Daily News

Gardner To Start In Center For Yanks
The Yankees have decided that Brett Gardner will start over Melky Cabrera in center field to begin the season.

New York Times

Rangers Snag Koshansky Off Waivers
The Rangers, concerned about their depth at first base, have claimed first baseman Joe Koshansky off waivers from the Colorado Rockies.

MLB.com

Lowe Is 'Honored' To Open Season For Braves
Derek Lowe says that he is "honored" to have been named the Opening Day starter by Braves manager Bobby Cox.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Morrow: I Made Decision To Be Reliever
Brandon Morrow claims that he came to the Mariners with the idea of remaining in the bullpen, a move he feels as though will allow him to help the team most.

Herald Net