March 2008 - Baseball Wiretap
Mets Have Roughly $26M To Spend
The Mets will have roughly $26 million to spend on free agent this winter, with a number of major salaries coming off the books.
Pedro Martinez ($11 million), Moises Alou ($7.5 million), Oliver Perez ($6.5 million) and Orlando Hernandez ($6.5 million) will all come off the books, cutting $31 million in salary.
However, raises for Johan Santana, Jose Reyes and David Wright offset that number by $5 million.
Cardinals Sign LaRue To One-Year Deal
The Cardinals signed backup catcher Jason LaRue to a one-year contract on Friday.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
LaRue, who was one of six Cardinals to file for free agency, appeared in 61 games in 2008 and batted .213 with four homers and 21 RBIs.
Will Phillies Let Burrell Walk?
The Phillies are still newly-minted World Series champions, but with free agency beginning a decision will have to be made regarding Pat Burrell.
Burrell, popular in the clubhouse, has posted averages of 30 home runs and 90 RBIs in the last four seasons.
The left fielder, 32, reportedly turned down a 2-year, $22 million offer from Philadelphia.
Mets Pick Up $12M Option On Delgado
The Mets picked up the $12 million option on the contract of Carlos Delgado for the 2009 season on Friday.
Delgado hit .271 with 38 homers and 115 RBIs even after a rough start to the season.
"Carlos is a key part of our plans for 2009, and we wanted to let him know as quickly as allowed that we wanted him back," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said in a statement.
"Yesterday -- the day following the conclusion of the World Series -- was the first day that we could pick up the option per the contract. It was our full intent to promptly close our deal with Carlos, and that's what we did."
Yanks Add LHP De La Rosa, RHP Hacker To Roster
The New York Yankees announced today they have added left-handed pitcher Wilkin De La Rosa and right-handed pitcher Eric Hacker to the 40-man roster.
De La Rosa, 23, was 9-4 with a 2.11 ERA (106.2IP, 72H, 35R, 25ER, 44BB, 125K) in 32 combined games (11 starts) with Single-A Charleston and Single-A Tampa in 2008, ranking fifth in the organization in strikeouts. He began the season in the bullpen and was 3-1 with a 2.74 ERA (49.1IP, 15ER) in 21 relief appearances. In his 11 starts, he went 6-3 with a 1.82 ERA (59.1IP, 12ER), limiting opponents to 2ER or less in each start.
Signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent in November 2001, De La Rosa was converted to a pitcher in 2007, going 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 12 relief appearances with the GCL Yankees in his first action on the mound (24.0IP, 32K). The Dominican Republic native played his first five professional seasons (2002-06) as an outfielder, batting a combined .224 with three home runs and 88RBI in 287 games.
Hacker, 25, was 9-6 with a 2.43 ERA (144.1IP, 121H, 47R, 39ER, 37BB, 115K) in 26 combined starts with Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton in 2008, ranking second in the organization in ERA. He limited opponents to three runs or less in all but one start, including a stretch of four straight starts without giving up an earned run from 4/8-24 w/ Tampa (27.0IP, 7H, 2R, 2BB, 18K). On 4/8 vs. Dunedin (TOR), in his second start of the season (w/ Tampa), he threw 7.0 no-hit innings but did not record a decision. Hacker went 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA in two postseason starts for the Double-A champion Trenton Thunder, recording the win in Game 1 of the Eastern League Division Series and Game 1 of the Championship Series.
In six minor league seasons (2002-08), Hacker owns a 30-15 record with a 2.70 ERA in 75 games (67 starts). He was selected by the Yankees in the 23rd round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft.
Boston Picks Up Wakefield's Option
Tim Wakefield?s $4M option for next season has been exercised by the Red Sox, according to an Associated Press report on Friday.
The 42-year-old knuckleballer was 10-11 with a 4.13 ERA in 30 starts this year.
Jays Exercise $2.5M Option On Barajas
The Blue Jays on Friday exercised a $2.5M option on catcher Rod Barajas, rewarding the 33-year-old after he batted .249 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs last season, according to an Associated Press report.
65 Players File For Free Agency
Manny Ramirez, Ben Sheets and Jason Varitek were among the 65 players who filed for free agency Thursday, the first day players were eligible to file.
Ryan Dempster, Milton Bradley and Joe Crede were other notables that filed.
Dempster is one player that hopes to remain with his current team.
"Absolutely. I love it here," Dempster said two days after the Cubs were swept from the NLDS. "I love the city. I love playing here. Hopefully, everything works out."
Andruw Jones Wants To Be A Brave?
Former Brave Andruw Jones, who is currently under contract with the Dodgers, would like to call Atlanta home once again.
"I?ve got one more year in my contract," said Jones. "Hopefully, I can come back to Atlanta. I would love to finish my career here."
Jones had a horrendous first year with the Dodgers. He hit .158 with three homers and 76 strikeouts in 209 at-bats before going on the disabled list in early September.
"I?ve been rehabbing, working out again," he said. "I feel good."
Rays Hope To Give Baldelli New Deal
The Rays hope to begin talks with Rocco Baldelli regarding a new contract soon.
Baldelli, who hit a solo homer in Game 5 of the World Series, played both right field and designated hitter for Tampa Bay in the second half of the season after returning from a mitochondrial disorder.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Rocco on and off the field," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Thursday.
"We do have a special relationship. To be a part of what he's gone through, and see him at the lowest of moments, I think, has created that personal relationship. I'm sure we'll talk in the next few days."
Abreu Files For Free Agency, Done In New York?
Right fielder Bobby Abreu filed for free agency on Thursday and isn't a lock to return to the Yankees even though he has said he'd like to remain in New York.
Could M's Bring Griffey Back To Seattle?
New M's GM Jack Zduriencik on Thursday refused to say whether the club will make a push to sign free agent Ken Griffey Jr.
O's Look To Extends Deals Of Markakis, Roberts
Orioles president Andy MacPhail reiterated on Thursday that extending the contracts of Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis are among the team's offseason priorities.
Reds Could Make Offer To Mulder
The Reds are expected to at least explore the idea of signing free agent pitcher Mark Mulder this off-season.
Tigers Buy Out Renteria, Decline $11M Option
The Tigers have declined the option on shortstop Edgar Renteria's contract, choosing to give him a $3 million buyout instead of retaining him for $11 million in 2009.
White Sox Decline Griffey's $16.5M Option
The White Sox have declined the $16.5 million option on the contract of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., making him a free agent this winter.
Burnett To Decide On Opt-Out by Monday
Blue Jays' starting pitcher A.J. Burnett is expected to decide whether to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract by Monday, when the Major League Baseball general managers' meetings begin.
Macha Hired To Manage Brewers
Former A's manager Ken Macha was hired on Thursday as the new manager of the Brewers.
Reports: Brewers Expected To Hire Ken Macha
According to two reports on Thursday, the Brewers are expected to name Ken Macha as their new manager.
Royals Acquire Jacobs From Marlins For Nunez
The Kansas City Royals have acquired first baseman Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins in exchange for right-handed pitcher Leo Nunez.
Colletti Says Dodgers Hope To Talk With Manny's Agent Soon
Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti said on Wednesday that he hopes to speak with Scott Boras, the agent for Manny Ramirez, in the coming days.
Yankees Could Gun For Manny
Several baseball sources believe that the Yankees will make a serious push to sign Manny Ramirez this winter.
Royals, Marlins Closing In On Deal?
The Royals and Marlins could be closing in on a deal that would send first baseman Mike Jacobs to Kansas City for a relief pitcher.
Selig: World Series Was 'Drama At Its Best'
Commissioner Bud Selig called the events surrounding Game 5 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park "baseball drama at its best."
'Relieved' Tazawa Not Drafted In Japan, Eyes MLB
Junichi Tazawa, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who wants to play in the major leagues, was not taken in Japan's amateur draft on Thursday.
Hamels Named World Series MVP
Phillies' starting pitcher Cole Hamels was named the MVP of the World Series after the team's five-game defeat of the Rays in the Fall Classic.
Phillies Are World Champs
Game 5 of the World Series resumed on Wednesday night after nearly a 46-hour delay, and a little more than an hour later the Phillies defeated the Rays 4-3 to win the World Series.
Giambi Wants To Remain In New York
Free agent first baseman Jason Giambi would like to remain with the Yankees through the winter.
Fox: We Didn't Orchestrate Suspension Of Game 5
Fox Sports president Ed Goren says that the network didn't orchestrate the sixth-inning suspension of Game 6 of the World Series.
Marlins Appear Happy With Fredi Gonzalez
The Marlins haven't discussed a contract extension for manager Fredi Gonzalez, but the team appears happy with his performance during the 2008 season.