March 2016 - Baseball Wiretap

Theo Epstein's Extension Worth At Least $50M

Oct 1, 2016 4:40 PM

The five-year contract extension Theo Epstein received from the Chicago Cubs could be worth more than $50 million, according to reports.

Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports that Epstein could make more than $50 million through incentives.

Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod also received new five-year deals from the Cubs.

Jon Heyman/Fan Rag

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Stolen Jose Fernandez Jersey Returned To High School

Sep 30, 2016 4:16 PM

A high school jersey once worn by Jose Fernandez and stolen after his death has been returned to the school.

Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) said in a news release that the jersey was returned Thursday.

It was taken Wednesday night following a vigil for the 24-year-old, who died over the weekend in a boating accident in Miami Beach.

Fernandez attended Alonso High in Tampa in 2011.

Associated Press

Tags: Miami Marlins, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Indians Hope To Bring Mike Napoli Back For 2017

Sep 30, 2016 7:45 AM

The Cleveland Indians hope to re-sign Mike Napoli this offseason, according to a report.

It isn't yet known if the Indians will extend Napoli a qualifying offer.

Cleveland could still use a first baseman/designated hitter to pair with Carlos Santana and there appears to be multiple interest.

Napoli has performed well, swatting 34 home runs in 631 plate appearances and compiling a .242/.338/.473 slash this season.

Jon Heyman/Fan Rag

Tags: Cleveland Indians, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Rockies, Nolan Arenado Have Yet To Discuss Extension

Oct 1, 2016 4:40 PM

The Colorado Rockies have yet to approach Nolan Arenado about a contract extension.

Arenado and his agent told the Denver Post that no talks have taken place about seasons beyond his current arbitration control.

The 25-year-old just played out his Super Two year and has three more years of control remaining. He remains under Colorado's control through 2019.

Patrick Saunders/Denver Post

Tags: Colorado Rockies, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Cubs-Pirates Play To MLB's First Tie Since 2005

Sep 30, 2016 4:21 PM

The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates played to the first tie in Major League Baseball since June 2005 on Thursday.

Rain forced the teams to stop playing in the sixth inning with the score tied 1-1 and led to a delay of nearly 90 minutes. Because the game has no effect on postseason positioning and the teams aren't scheduled to play again this season, MLB decided the game would not be made up and officially declared it a tie.

All stats from the game will count.

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Stats

Discuss
Phillies Likely To Pursue Veteran Arm

Sep 29, 2016 4:01 PM

Matt Klentak says the Philadelphia Phillies have placed a priority on adding a veteran pitcher this offseason.

In recent months, Pete Mackanin has publicly stated his desire to add an experienced bat or two.

"I don't think we will ever have the luxury of ignoring starting pitching," Klentak said. "Starting pitching is the name of the game. We saw it for the first month or two of the year. Every night we were pitching. Our starters were performing. ... We were competitive almost every night. At times, throughout the rest of the season, we've sputtered along. ... But if you can dictate the pace of the game on the mound, you always have a chance to win. We're never going to ignore that."

Jim Salisbury/CSN Philly

Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

Discuss
Nationals Hopeful Daniel Murphy Will Contribute In Postseason

Sep 29, 2016 3:53 PM

Daniel Murphy is unlikely to play again during the regular season, but the Washington Nationals are hopeful he'll contribute in the playoffs.

Murphy hasn't played in the field or run the bases since suffering a strained buttocks on Sept. 17.

Game 1 of the National League Division Series is Oct. 7.

ESPN

Tags: Washington Nationals, Injury

Discuss
Jeurys Familia Becomes First Dominican To Save 50 Games

Sep 29, 2016 7:22 AM

Jeurys Familia hit a milestone on Wednesday night, becoming the first Dominican-born pitcher to notch 50 saves.

The save also extended Familia's franchise record and he becomes the 13th Major League to reach the 50-save mark.

"I go back to last year when we lost Mejia. I just turned to a kid who had good stuff and said, 'Do you think you can close?'" Terry Collins said. "And you look up now, he's got, what? Ninety-three saves in two years? I can't tell you what a great job he's done and how much he's meant to us."

Familia has a 2.23 ERA since the start of the 2015 season, third among all pitchers with at least 150 innings.

Anthony DiComo/MLB

Tags: New York Mets, Stats

Discuss
CC Sabathia Hopes To Pitch Beyond 2017 Season

Sep 30, 2016 7:46 AM

CC Sabathia will pitch under the final year of his contract next season, but he's looking at a longer stay with the New York Yankees.

"It's definitely gone by quick," Sabathia said of his eight years with the Yankees. "I know I want to pitch after next year, but I haven't thought about where or what. Hopefully it will be here. We'll see."

Mark Teixeira said this past March that he hoped to play five more seasons, only to change his mind five months later and announce his retirement after this year.

"I just know myself," Sabathia said. "I know I feel like it's not my time yet. Barring any crazy injuries, I know I can pitch past next year.

"I feel like this is just the beginning of what I'm trying to do. I feel like there's a lot more still to learn and a lot better to get. It's exciting."

Mark Feinsand/New York Daily News

Tags: New York Yankees, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Pete Rose Appeals To Restore Hall Of Fame Eligibility

Sep 29, 2016 7:04 AM

Pete Rose has directly appealed to baseball's Hall of Fame to restore his eligibility, arguing the lifetime ban he agreed to in 1989 was never intended to keep him out of Cooperstown.

Rose makes his case in a seven-page letter to Hall president Jeff Idelson.

"At the time Pete agreed to the settlement, the consequences of being placed on the ineligible list were clear and specific -- and did not include a Hall of Fame prohibition," according to the letter, signed by Rose's longtime attorney Raymond C. Genco and attorney Mark Rosenbaum.

The Hall of Fame changed its bylaws two years after Rose's banishment to make permanently banned players ineligible for Cooperstown.

"We believe that the institution of Baseball will be strengthened by this act of grace -- an act that would give Pete Rose the same treatment that every other Major League Baseball player and manager received throughout the first 55 years of the National Baseball Hall of Fame," the letter said.

Associated Press

Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Indians Confident Corey Kluber Will Pitch In ALDS
Corey Kluber's timetable for returning to game activity is a week to 10 days.

ESPN

Cubs Also Extend Contracts Of Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod
In addition to Theo Epstein, the Cubs have also agreed to new contracts with top executives Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod.

Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports

Tim Tebow Hits Home Run On First Instructional League Pitch
Tim Tebow was batting second against the Cardinals' team and took left-hander John Kilichowski deep.

David Adler/MLB

Cardinals Expected To Retain Mike Matheny For 2017
The Cardinals are expected to retain Mike Matheny as manager for the 2017 season, the last year of his deal.

Jose de Jesus Ortiz/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Cubs, Theo Epstein Agree Upon Five-Year Extension
Theo Epstein's initial contract with the club was set to expire after the season.

ESPN

Drew Pomeranz Won't Make Another Start This Season
Drew Pomeranz has felt soreness in his left forearm and is at a career-high 169 1/3 innings.

Rob Bradford/WEEI

Lourdes Gurriel Setting Up Private Workouts
Lourdes Gurriel, who hosted a showcase attended by two-thirds of Major League teams earlier this month, is setting up private workouts with roughly six teams, according to a report.

Jon Heyman/Fan Rag

David Ortiz Annoyed By Gary Sanchez's Mound Visits
"They tricked me tonight. Too much talking between the pitcher and catcher," David Ortiz said. "I'll trick them tomorrow."

Associated Press

Corey Kluber Out 7-10 With Quadriceps Strain
Corey Kluber has a mild quadriceps strain and will be sidelined for 7 to 10 days, an MRI has confirmed.

ESPN

Dodgers Set Playoff Rotation; Yasiel Puig To Make Roster
Dave Roberts says Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda will start the first three games of the NLDS, in that order.

Doug Padilla/ESPN

Teammates Turned Down Invite From Jose Fernandez To Go On Boat
Marcell Ozuna and at least two other members of the Marlins turned down invitations to go out on the water with Jose Fernandez and tried to discourage Fernandez from going out.

ESPN

Giants To Acquire Gordon Beckham From Braves
Gordon Beckham provides insurance for the Giants in the infield with Eduardo Nunez dealing with a hamstring injury.

Mark Bowman/MLB

Marlins Agree To Three-Year Extension With Martin Prado
The Marlins have signed Martin Prado to a three-year, $40 million contract extension, according to a source.

Jim Bowden/ESPN

Wilson Ramos Done For Season With Torn ACL
It is the same leg that Wilson Ramos injured in May 2012, when he tore his ACL and MCL.

Eddie Matz/ESPN

Baseballs Signed By Jose Fernandez Wash Up On Shore
A bag of baseballs autographed by Jose Fernandez, who died in a boating accident early Sunday morning, was found by a beach-goer after washing ashore Monday on Miami Beach.

ESPN

Twins Expected To Hire Derek Falvey To Oversee Baseball Operations
Derek Falvey is currently serving as the assistant general manager of the Indians.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Marlins To Retire Jose Fernandez's No. 16
Jose Fernandez, who fled Cuba for a better life, pitched 471.1 innings over what was too brief of a career.

Craig Davis/Sun-Sentinel

Rubby De La Rosa Hoping To Avoid Tommy John With Stem Cell Treatment
Rubby De La Rosa is set for free agency before the start of the 2019 season.

Nick Piecoro/Arizona Republic

Dee Gordon Hits First Homer Of Season, Breaks Down Rounding Bases
Dee Gordon hit his first home run of the season on Monday night in the first at-bat for a Marlins player since the tragic death of Jose Fernandez over the weekend.

James Walker/ESPN

Wilson Ramos Hurts Knee; Nationals Aren't Optimistic
Wilson Ramos hurt his right knee on Monday night and the Nationals aren't optimistic about his availability over the short-term.

ESPN