RealGM Baseball Wiretap

NBA Wiretap Headlines

Hamilton Puts Contract Talks 'On Back Burner'

Josh Hamilton discussed his recent drinking relapse on Friday, when he admitted that he wished he was addressing a new contract with the Rangers instead.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way," Hamilton said. "It would have been nice if it had been about a contract. We'll put that on the back burner for a while."

Hamilton can become a free agent after the season and has said he will stop talks on an extension with the start of spring training.

Via Dallas Morning News


Blue Jays Consider Adding Grass Surface

The Blue Jays are thinking about installing a natural-grass surface at Rogers Centre.

The team has examined the possibility of replacing the current AstroTurf surface with real grass.

The hope would be to have a more player-friendly field that limits the wear and tear on athletes and makes Toronto a more desirable location for free agents.

"We're actually examining the ability of bringing grass in here," Blue Jays president Paul Beeston said. "This is a multi-purpose facility -- it doesn't mean we're going to do it, but we're looking into the possibility of doing it.

"We've brought grass in here before for soccer, so it can work. We can bring grass in here if it was just [for the] baseball season and we did not have football, we did not have concerts, we didn't have those other things."

Via MLB.com


Girardi Hoping Yankees Add A Lefty Hitter

With the offseason winding down, Joe Girardi hopes to see the Yankees add a left-handed hitter.

Girardi wants the hitter to take some of the time at designated hitter that Jesus Montero would have gotten.

"I think it's important to our club that you add that other bat," Girardi said. "The American League is tough."

The manager acknowledged that the Yankees have considered several hitters, including free agents Johnny Damon, Raul Ibanez and Hideki Matsui as potential solutions.

Via New York Daily News



Cashman's Wife Files For Divorce After Allegations

The wife of Brian Cashman filed for divorce on Friday, a day after her husband was publicly accused of a second affair.

This time a woman has been charged with trying to shake down the Yankees general manager.

Mary Cashman, 42, submitted divorce papers in Stamford, Conn., Superior Court, listing her husband as "B.M. Cashman" and writing that the marriage "has broken down irretrievably."

She is seeking permanent alimony, a split of their property, and joint custody of their 13-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son.

Mary has been living apart from Brian Cashman in the family's $3.7 million Darien mansion with the kids, sources said.

Via New York Post


Cecil Fielder Believes Prince Needs 'To Grow Up'

The relationship between Prince Fielder and his father, Cecil, is still rocky.

Prince, 27, demurred on questions about his father when introduced as a Tiger in a news conference Jan. 26.

"He can't hide behind (agent) Scott Boras with 'no comment' to all the questions," Cecil said. "I say he has to grow up, and sooner or later, he will grow up. You don't want to stay stuck in whatever cocoon you are in, stay stuck in your cocoon."

Cecil Fielder's divorce with Prince's mother and financial issues with his son reportedly contributed to the riff in their relationship.

The father expressed "disappointment" with his son over the estranged relationship he said his son had with "the whole family."

Cecil said his son did not communicate with anybody on either side of his extended family.

Via Detroit Free-Press


Nationals Won't Restrict Harper, Who Can Make Team This Spring

Davey Johnson has made it known that he wants top prospect Bryce Harper, 19, to make the team out of Spring Training.

As the season nears, Harper appears more and more likely to make the Nationals and be in the lineup on Opening Day.

"We're going to take a look at him and see where he's at developmentally. If we feel he's ready to play at the major-league level, we're not going to restrict him," general manager Mike Rizzo said.

"We'll be cautious yet open-minded. If he gives us the best chance to win, we'll keep an open mind and see where it takes us."

Via Jon Heyman/CBS Sports


Dodgers, Coffey Agree To $1.3M Contract

The Dodgers have agreed to terms with Todd Coffey on a one-year, $1.3 million contract with a club option for 2013.

The move solidifies their bullpen.

Coffey, a right-hander who has seven big league seasons with three clubs, will get $1 million this year with an option year at $2.5 million and a $300,000 buyout.

Via Tony Jackson/ESPN.com


Jose Reyes Gets Dreads Trimmed On Television

Jose Reyes had his dreadlocks trimmed during a nationally televised haircut Friday on the MLB Network.

"A little bit lighter. It's going to take me a couple of days to get used to it," the shortstop said.

The Marlins have a new team rule prohibiting hair below the helmet line.

"It's going to be a little bit emotional because I spent three years with this hair. But at the same time, I understand this rule of my new team," Reyes said before the haircut started.

Via Associated Press


Rockies Add Year To Belisle's Contract

The Rockies and reliever Matt Belisle have agreed to a two-year contract that includes a mutual option for 2014 and adds an additional $4.35 million.

The agreement adds a $4.1 million salary for 2013 and a $4.25 million option for 2014 with a $250,000 buyout.

Via Associated Press


Rays Beat Niemann In Arbitration

A three-man panel ruled for the Rays over pitcher Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration Friday.

Niemann will earn $2.75M instead of his request for $3.2M.

Via ESPN.com


Posey Uncertain How Ankle Will Respond

So many questions await Buster Posey about his injured ankle this spring, according to an San Jose Mercury News report on Friday.

He's still not 100% recovered from last season's devastating injury.

"I guess questions like these are just hard to answer without playing, you know?" he said, squinting a bit. "Without being back in the action."

Via San Jose Mercury News