March 2015 - Baseball Wiretap

Jose Abreu Wants To Improve English, Leadership Role

Sep 30, 2015 5:18 PM

Jose Abreu wants to extend his leadership abilities with the Chicago White Sox even further and will make an attempt to learn English this winter.

"That's my goal. I want to be a leader and I know that for that, I have to learn the language," Abreu said through an interpreter Tuesday. "And that's my focus for this offseason. It's one of the things that I have on my list. I know if I can learn a little bit more of the language, I can express myself in a better way with my teammates and my coaches. It's going to help our relationship."

Robin Ventura has said Abreu's leadership skills are evident in his work ethic, even with his limited grasp of English. But he applauds Abreu's desire to learn more.

"It's a good thing to hear because we know how he operates," Ventura said. "We know how he comes in every day and how he prepares and how he plays the game. Any time a guy like that wants to step up and lead, we're happy to hear that."

Doug Padilla/ESPN

Tags: Chicago White Sox, Misc Rumor

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Mets Don't Know How They'll Use Steven Matz In NLDS

Sep 30, 2015 5:16 PM

The New York Mets don't know how they'll be able to use Steven Matz in the NLDS after he was scratched from Thursday's start against the Philadelphia Phillies because of continued upper-back stiffness on his right side.

Matz originally was scheduled to start on Wednesday, but had been pushed back a day because of the back discomfort.

"I just don't feel comfortable putting him out there," Terry Collins said. "I know he'll go out there, but we don't need to subject him to having it get worse."

The left-hander may now end up getting left off the Division Series roster, with Bartolo Colon instead joining a rotation with Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Tags: New York Mets, Misc Rumor

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A's Hire First Female Coach In MLB History

Sep 30, 2015 8:08 AM

The Oakland Athletics have hired Justine Siegal as a guest instructor for the team's 2015 instructional league.

Siegal will work with players Oct. 4-17 at the Lew Wolff Training Complex in Mesa, Ariz. She was the first woman to throw batting practice for a Major League team a few years ago.

"This was a great moment," Siegal said. "I feel qualified for this job. I have a lot to learn, but I feel I've worked my way up the ranks. I can't stress enough how thankful I am for the opportunity."

The Athletics are the first Major League team to hire a female coach. In 2009, Siegal also became the first woman to be hired as a coach at any professional level, when she served as first-base coach for the Brockton Rox, an independent baseball team.

Alyson Footer/MLB

Tags: Oakland Athletics, Misc Rumor

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Red Sox Had Hoped To Retain Jerry Dipoto

Sep 30, 2015 8:04 AM

Jerry Dipoto, who was officially hired as general manager of the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, worked for a few months as a member of the Boston Red Sox front office.

Dipoto evaluated Boston's minor-league talent as a consultant after he stepped down as general manager of the Los Angeles Angels.

"I wish he would have been able to stay," president Dave Dombrowski said. "I figured once Seattle started interview him it was probably a long shot. But, sure, I wish he would have been able to stay."

Dipoto left a mark on the Red Sox despite his short stay.

"His basic task was to review our personnel in the organization and then report on them, which he did. He would have continued to watch us in the Instructional League, but that’€™s obviously over now," Dombrowski said. "So he did all of that. He did a great job, had a very thorough assessment of our talent, and gave me the information. He also, when he was around, contributed to other ways in talking about general baseball. But we never got a chance to pursue any of that because of the circumstances.

"It was great. He supplemented the information I already had from people in the organization, so the combination of getting that from within, but while also getting it from an outside observer, was great. It was very good and really good information. And now I obviously have all that information for future reference."

Rob Bradford/WEEI

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Misc Rumor

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Dodgers Clinch Third Straight Division Title

Sep 30, 2015 7:59 AM

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 8-0 on Tuesday night to clinch their third straight National League West title.

Clayton Kershaw, who has struggled in the postseason, tossed a one-hitter against the rival Giants. The Dodgers will face the New York Mets in a best-of-five division series.

"I've been through it now a bunch; I think this is my fifth postseason now," Kershaw said. "I don't know if you can get wiser from failing all the time. I know what that feels like."

The Dodgers earned a third straight playoff berth for the first time in franchise history and did so by snapping a seven-game losing streak at AT&T Park this year. It's also their sixth postseason berth in 10 years.

Associated Press

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Misc Rumor, Team Achievement

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Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez Defend Walt Weiss

Oct 2, 2015 8:19 PM

The Colorado Rockies won't make a decision on his future until after the season, but some players have come out in support of Walt Weiss.

The Rockies are in last plate in the National League West.

"I think Walt did a good job. I really do. You can't blame him for the way we played," Nolan Arenado told the Denver Post. "At the end of the day, we weren't very good this year. ... The blame doesn't go to him. He puts the best guys out there and we need to go perform. We weren't able to do that this year. Hopefully, we'll have some guys next year ready to play and give him a better chance to win."

For the second straight season, Colorado has the worst ERA in the Major Leagues.

"It's tough on him because you don't have the guys any manager would ask for, rotation-wise," Carlos Gonzalez told the Post. "There's always a different guy pitching. I can't imagine how hard it would be for a manager. But at the same time, he's handled it very well.

"... He's showing you he wants to win every night, even if they aren't the guys he wants. It's the same way for all of us. We have to put our uniform on and play hard."

ESPN

Tags: Colorado Rockies, Misc Rumor

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Bryce Harper Sets Franchise Mark With 124th Walk

Sep 30, 2015 7:49 AM

Bryce Harper set a franchise record Tuesday with his 124th walk of the season, breaking a mark set in 1973 by Ken Singleton.

Harper also has set career highs in his fourth season with 41 home runs and 117 runs scored.

Singleton set the mark in his third MLB season with the Montreal Expos, a season in which he played in all 162 games.

ESPN

Tags: Washington Nationals, Misc Rumor, Stats

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Jerry Dipoto Begins 'Dream' Job With Mariners

Sep 29, 2015 4:28 PM

The Seattle Mariners introduced Jerry Dipoto as their general manager on Tuesday, a position he called his "dream job."

The 47-year-old was among the top choices for Mariners president Kevin Mather since Jack Zduriencik was dismissed on Aug. 28.

Dipoto has spent the past 3 1/2 seasons as a GM in the American League West, working in the Los Angeles Angels' front office. He resigned on July 1 after reported conflicts with longtime manager Mike Scioscia.

"I believe my decision to leave the Angels was in the best interest of the Angels, was in my best interest and I left it at that," Dipoto said. "In life, we have decisions to make. I'm heavily invested in many players on that Angels roster and the organization as a whole. … But sometimes, it's just right to move on for everybody's benefit and the growth of everyone."

Joey Nowak/MLB

Tags: Seattle Mariners, Misc Rumor

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Reds Could Bring Bryan Price Back For 2016

Oct 2, 2015 8:13 PM

The Cincinnati Reds are considering retaining Bryan Price for the 2016 season despite a disappointing year.

However, no staff decisions will be made until after the season, according to Major League sources.

The belief would be that Price can't be blamed for injuries and trades that depleted the roster.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Misc Rumor

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Stephen Piscotty Released From Hospital

Sep 29, 2015 4:20 PM

Stephen Piscotty has been released from the hospital following Monday night's scary collision in the outfield with Peter Bourjos.

The St. Louis Cardinals outfielder "had a couple of bruises but overall everything checked out very clean.  He had a couple more tests today and things came back as positive as we could hope for, so that was very fortunate," Mike Matheny said.

Piscotty lay motionless in the outfield in Pittsburgh after accidentally getting kneed in the head by Bourjos. He was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Charlie Wilmoth/MLB Trade Rumors

Tags: St. Louis Cardinals, Misc Rumor

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McClendon Has 'Great' Meeting With Jerry Dipoto
Lloyd McClendon met with new Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto for about two hours on Monday morning.

Greg Johns/MLB

Cubs Will Work On Extension For Epstein After Season
The Cubs want to work on a contract extension for Theo Epstein, but those talks won't come until after the season, according to owner Tom Ricketts.

Gordon Wittenmyer/Chicago Sun-Times

Angels Sign Mat Latos
He won't be eligible for the playoffs should L.A. qualify, but Latos can pitch in the final week of the season.

Charlie Wilmoth/MLB Trade Rumors

Yankees Missing Teixeira Against Left-Handers
The Yankees have gotten strong production from rookie Greg Bird in the wake of Mark Teixeira's injury, but Joe Girardi points out that the club misses the veteran against left-handers.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN

Troy Tulowitzki Expects To Return For Playoffs
Troy Tulowitzki, out since Sept. 12 when he cracked his scapula and bruised muscles in his upper back, expects to return to the Blue Jays in time for the playoffs.

Associated Press

Papelbon Jerseys Removed From Nationals Team Store
The Nationals suspended Jonathan Papelbon for four games following his dugout confrontation with Bryce Harper earlier this week.

Whitney Medworth/SB Nation

Adam Wainwright Awaiting Doctor's OK To Return
After throwing 27 pitches during a simulated inning on Saturday, Adam Wainwright only needs a doctor's OK to return to the Cardinals.

Jenifer Langosch/MLB

Nationals Suspend Papelbon Four Games For Harper Incident
The Nationals have suspended Jonathan Papelbon for four games without pay for his role in a dugout incident during which he choked teammate Bryce Harper.

Eddie Matz/ESPN

Jerry Dipoto Hired As Seattle's GM
Jerry Dipoto replaces Jack Zduriencik, who was fired in late August after seven disappointing seasons in which the club failed to end its playoff drought.

ESPN

Rajai Davis Wants To Remain With Tigers
Rajai Davis would like to remain with the Tigers, but the decision isn't entirely up to him.

Chris Iott/MLive

Dombrowski Has Retained Several Red Sox Employees
In addition to hiring internal candidate Mike Hazen to be his general manager, Dave Dombrowski has retained several members of the Red Sox front office.

Peter Gammons

Cardinals Still Hope To Re-Sign Jason Heyward
The Cardinals traded for Jason Heyward last offseason, planning to use the 2015 season as time to evaluate whether or not they should re-sign the outfielder.

Derrick Goold/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Mariners Search For GM Nearing Completion
The Mariners, who fired Jack Zduriencik as general manager about a month ago, are nearing the end of their search for his replacement.

Bob Dutton/News Tribune

Andrew McCutchen 'Never Bringing' Dreadlocks Back
Andrew McCutchen does not plan to regrow his dreadlocks, bristling at the idea that the long hair was his trademark.

ESPN

MLB Embracing Trend Of 'Title Inflation' In Front Offices
A popular trend in the MLB is to hire presidents of baseball operations in the $5 million to $7 million per year range and then hiring a general manager as well.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe

Billy Eppler Could Become GM Of Angels
Many believe the biggest factor for the Angels is hiring a general manager who can co-exist with Mike Scioscia.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe

David Ortiz's 2016 Option Maxed Out At $16M
David Ortiz has had a productive second half of the season and turns 40 in November.

Zach Links/MLB Trade Rumors

Red Sox To Try Hanley Ramirez At First Base In 2016
Hanley Ramirez had an OPS of just .717 in 2015 and has become a liability on defense.

MLB Network Radio

Bryce Harper, Jonathan Papelbon Get Into Physical Fight In Dugout
After Bryce Harper flied out in the eighth inning Sunday, he and Jonathan Papelbon exchanged words.

ESPN

Blue Jays Clinch Playoff Spot For First Time Since 1993
The Blue Jays have ended their 22-year playoff drought by clinching at least a spot in the American League Wildcard game.

ESPN