Misc Rumor - Baseball Wiretap
Phil Hughes Focusing On 2009
Yankees' pitcher Phil Hughes spoke with Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News recently, saying that he is focused on the 2009 season.
He has kept tabs on New York's pursuit of a number of high-profile free agents.
"It's just one of those wait-and-see things," Hughes said. "We'll sign whoever we sign this winter, and I'll go to spring training with the same attitude that I always do. I don't worry about the things I can't control."
Hughes suffered from a rib injury during the 2008 season, meaning that - depending on free agent signings - he may have to fight for a spot in the team's rotation.
"Especially the way my season went, that's realistically going to be the case," Hughes said. "I had the same attitude in spring training when I was 19 and had no shot at making the team as I did last year when everyone expected I would. I'll just work hard and see where that takes me."
Will Rice Make Hall On Final Attempt?
Legendary Red Sox slugger Jim Rice is on this year's Hall of Fame ballot for the fifteenth time this year, his final year of eligibility.
If Rice isn't named on at least 75 percent of the ballots, he will be dropped from the ballot and have to rely on the reconstituted Veterans Committee to install him in Cooperstown someday.
Rice missed election by only 16 votes last year and was named on nearly 72 percent of the ballots. No player who has ever received 70 percent of the vote in a prior year has ever failed to be elected.
Red Sox Hire Bogar From Rays
The Red Sox have hired former major leaguer and Rays' coach Tim Bogar as their new first base coach.
Bogar replaces Luis Alicea, the only member of last year's staff who was not offered a contract for the 2009 season. Boston GM Theo Epstein announced Bogar's hiring Friday.
Report: MLB Will Not Share Amphetamine Test Data
Major League Baseball told the New York Times that it would release the number of players who had first-time positive tests for amphetamines in 2008.
However, on Thursday, the league said the number of tests would not be included in the report on the drug-testing program that will be released in January.
"The report will detail the number of tests conducted this year, the number of positives for steroids, the names of the substances players tested positive for and the number of therapeutic-use exemptions but will not include the total number of amphetamine positives," executive vice president for labor relations Rob Manfred told The Times.
Madonna Unofficially Confirms Relationship With A-Rod
Madonna unofficially confirmed her relationship with Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez on Wednesday night during a concert in Miami.
Madonna, who was first romantically linked to Rodriguez in July, smiled at him as he passed her a bottle of water from the front row.
A source said, "It was easy for him to hand it to her because he was sitting in the front row. He was all excited watching her perform."
Yankees May Bid Up To Get Sabathia
If the Angels deliver a competitive offer to CC Sabathia, the Yankees could increase their offer in order to get their man.
The issue is being debated by Yankee brass but a majority of the front office appears to support the idea of bidding up to reel in Sabathia, a person familiar with the situation told Newsday on Wednesday.
The Yankees could go up to $150 million over six years if the Angels come to Sabathia with a six-year, $130 million contract offer.
Stottlemyre Won't Return As M's Pitching Coach
Mel Stottlemyre will not return as pitching coach of the Mariners next season.
He spent one season with Seattle after coaching with Joe Torre in New York for ten years.
"I had a desire to come back, but at the same time, I let them know that a new manager should be able to bring in his own coaching staff," Stottlemyre told The Seattle Times.
Former Athletics' and Mets' coach Rick Peterson is rumored to be a candidate to replace Stottlemyre.
New Marlins Stadium To Open In 2012
Plans for a new ballpark for the Marlins are still on but have been pushed back another year.
According to Marlins president David Samson, the team's new home will open in 2012, rather than 2011 as hoped.
The delay is a result of a lawsuit brought on by South Florida auto dealer Norman Braman, who unsuccessfully challenged the public funding portion of the project.
Ozzie On Board With Youth Movement
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is on board with the idea of injecting the team's roster with new, young players this winter.
"I love it, for two reasons," said Guillen. "We have the people where we still can compete. And all of a sudden, we have to go more to our Minor League system and to our players to say we appreciate what you guys do for us -- all the coaches, instructors, scouts.
"Those guys deserve it, and they have the credentials to play here. That's not going to hurt the lineup."
Tribune Sets Deadline For Cubs Bids
Bids to acquire the Chicago Cubs from the Tribune Co. are reportedly due the week of December 1.
Representatives from the four bidding groups have met in recent weeks with executives from the commissioner's office in New York.
Tribune, which owns the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, put the Cubs on the block in April 2007.
Yankees' Matsui Will Not Play In WBC
New York's Hideki Matsui will not play in the 2009 World Baseball Classic in the wake of left knee surgery.
Mets' Stadium Naming-Rights Deal Safe
The recent downturn in the United States economy has affected Citigroup, but the Mets claim that the company will still fulfill their naming rights deal.
Mussina: My Time Was Up
Mike Mussina revealed on Friday that he had known since spring training that 2008 would be his final season in the Major Leagues.
Piniella: 'We Are Focused On 2009'
Cubs' manager Lou Piniella hasn't spoken to his team since the team lost to the Dodgers in the playoffs seven weeks ago.
Jeter: 'Mussina Is A Hall Of Famer'
Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina officially retired on Thursday just weeks after recording his first 20-win season, and New York captain Derek Jeter weighed in on his decision.
Matsuzaka: I'm Playing In WBC
Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka claims that he will play in the World Baseball Classic for Japan next spring.
Nine Innings In Playoff Games Ensured
Commissioner Bud Selig announced on Thursday that in the future all playoff games will be a minimum of nine innings.
Writer That Left Pedroia Off Ballot: 'I Was Wrong'
One writer that submitted a ballot in the American League MVP race, admitted on Tuesday that he was wrong to leave the winner, Dustin Pedroia, off his submission.
Damon: 'I Want Sabathia And Burnett'
Yankees' outfielder Johnny Damon isn't normally a greedy guy, but he'd like to see his team sign both CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett this offseason.
Pujols Backing St. Louis Bid For MLS
Cardinals' first baseman Albert Pujols is joining a group that is working to bring an MLS expansion team to St. Louis.
Source: Wakamatsu To Manage M's
ESPN's Peter Gammons on Tuesday reported that a source has indicated that A's bench coach Dan Wakamatsu has been named the Mariners new manager.
Dodgers Trying To Pluck Lucchino From Red Sox?
The Dodgers, according to Peter Gammons, haven't given up on getting Larry Lucchino to go west and bring their business into the 21st century.
Rays To Raise Ticket Prices In 2009
After coming within a few wins of a World Series title, the Tampa Bay Rays are raising their ticket prices for the 2009 season.
Japanese Schoolgirl Drafted By Pro Team
A Japanese schoolgirl is attempting to become the first woman to ever play professional baseball in Japan.
MLB Stars Visible At Palms Casino
Tim Lincecum, the NL Cy Young winner, was among a group of several big leaguers at the Palms Casino this weekend for a poker tournament.
New Hall Of Fame Classic To Debut In 2009
Legends and old-timers will play in a new Hall of Fame Classic game beginning in 2009.
Yanks To Play First-Ever Exhibition Game On April 3rd
The Yankees announced Monday that they will play the first-ever exhibition games at the new Yankee Stadium against the Cubs on Friday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m.
Press Release
Will Howard Be Phils' 3rd Straight MVP?
Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols are rumored to be the leading candidates to win the NL MVP this season.
GMs Agree Instant Replay A Success
A number of MLB executives believe that the implementation of instant replay to the game this season was a success.
Arbuckle Hired By Royals As Adviser
Mike Arbuckle was hired by the Royals on Friday as senior adviser for scouting and player development.