March 2017 - Baseball Wiretap

Ichiro Suzuki Wants To Play Until 'At Least 50'

Oct 2, 2017 1:17 AM

Ichiro Suzuki has no desire to stop playing baseball as he nears his 44th birthday, saying he wants to return to the Marlins in 2018 -- and beyond.

How much longer? "At least 50," Ichiro told reporters through his interpreter on Friday.

The Marlins hold a $2 million team option for next season, and they have yet to decide on the backup outfielder's future with the team.

"There's no reason not to be back," Ichiro, who turns 44 on Oct. 22, told reporters. "It's definitely a place I would want to be."

ESPN.com

Tags: Miami Marlins, Misc Rumor

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Pete Mackanin Won't Manage Phillies Next Season

Oct 2, 2017 1:17 AM

Pete Mackanin will not return as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018, the team announced Friday.

Mackanin instead has agreed to an extension to serve as the special assistant to general manager Matt Klentak "for 2018 and beyond," according to a team statement.

ESPN.com

Tags: Philadelphia Phillies, Misc Rumor

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Royals Will Make Serious Effort To Keep Eric Hosmer

Sep 30, 2017 2:36 AM

The Kansas City Royals will make a serious push to retain Eric Hosmer this offseason.

They expect competition from big-market clubs, but the Royals could offer more than $100 million to re-sign the first baseman.

Kansas City has a long list of free agents among core players, but have placed importance on Hosmer.

The Royals won the World Series in 2015, but have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.

Jon Heyman/FanRag Sports

Tags: Kansas City Royals, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Blue Jays Aren't Expected To Retain Jose Bautista

Sep 29, 2017 7:40 AM

As the season winds down for the Toronto Blue Jays, it's likely that Jose Bautista's run with the franchise is as well.

Bautista has hit .204/.311/.370 with 23 home runs and 165 strikeouts in 578 at-bats this season.

He signed a one-year, $18 million deal to return to the Blue Jays in January. The deal includes a mutual $17 million option for 2018 and a $20 million vesting option for 2020.

Gregor Chisholm/MLB

Tags: Toronto Blue Jays, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Mets Ownership Kept Executives From Firing Terry Collins

Sep 29, 2017 7:33 AM

Terry Collins isn't under contract past this season and the New York Mets have given no indication that they are trying to extend his deal.

Collins, 68, has said he doesn't plan to retire.

According to a Newsday report, owner Fred Wilpon protected Collins from being fired on several occasions during the manager's seven-year tenure, even as his son, Jeff Wilpon, the team's COO, and general manager Sandy Alderson sought Collins' dismissal.

ESPN

Tags: New York Mets, Misc Rumor

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A's Extend Bob Melvin's Deal Through 2019

Sep 29, 2017 7:25 AM

The Oakland Athletics have given Bob Melvin an extension through the 2019 season.

The manager had been signed through next season in a deal he reached in September 2015.

"Excited to continue being part of a great organization," Melvin said. "With our younger group of players, I believe we are headed in the right direction. Very appreciative to Billy [Beane], David [Forst] and ownership for their continued support."

Melvin took over the Athletics during the 2011 season following the firing of Bob Geren.

Associated Press

Tags: Oakland Athletics, Misc Rumor

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Cubs, Twins Clinch Playoff Berths

Sep 29, 2017 7:46 AM

The Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins each clinched playoff berths on Wednesday night.

Chicago defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 to lock up the National League Central title. It's the third-straight playoff appearance for the Cubs.

Minnesota, coming off a 100-loss season, clinched when the Los Angeles Angels fell to the Chicago White Sox.

The Twins are the first team to make the playoffs the year after a 100-loss season.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Misc Rumor, Team Achievement

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Andrew Romine Will Try To Play All Nine Positions In Finale

Sep 28, 2017 7:53 AM

The Detroit Tigers have gone 4-22 in September and have already made it known that Brad Ausmus won't return as manager next season.

Barring a late change, the Tigers will attempt to play Andrew Romine at all nine positions Sunday at the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins have clinched the second American League Wild Card, so the game has no meaning in the playoff picture.

Romine has appeared in 25 games at second base, 22 in center field, 21 at first, 21 at third, 16 in left, 10 in right, nine at short and one at pitcher so far this season. He's played every position but catcher.

Only five players in Major League history have appeared at all nine positions in the same game, none since 2000.

Matt Snyder/CBS Sports

Tags: Detroit Tigers, Misc Rumor

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Tigers Sign Pedro Martinez, Jr.

Sep 28, 2017 7:44 AM

The Detroit Tigers have signed Pedro Martinez, Jr. as part of the international signing period.

Martinez, the son of Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, received a bonus of more than $750,000, in addition to student fees, for signing a minor league deal.

The announcement was made in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"This is a dream come true," Martinez said. "I wanted to be a professional player and extend the Martinez dynasty. Being part of the Martinez family is not a pressure, it's a motivation for me. Now I'm going to focus on my career and try to make a name for myself."

The 17-year-old prospect is a third baseman.

Enrique Rojas/ESPN

Tags: Detroit Tigers, Misc Rumor

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Matt Cain Will Retire After Saturday Start

Sep 29, 2017 7:46 AM

Matt Cain will retire after starting at home for the San Francisco Giants on Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

The right-hander spoke to his teammates in a closed clubhouse on Wednesday.

"This organization has meant so much to me. It's meant so much to my family. I'm just grateful it's been a part of my life. I've enjoyed it so much," Cain said.

"I think we've been through the full gamut of everything. That is something that is satisfying. I know I am able to hang my hat at the end of the day and say I put everything I could into this and I've experienced it all and enjoyed every bit of it."

Cain threw the only perfect game in Giants history and helped them win two World Series titles.

Associated Press

Tags: San Francisco Giants, Misc Rumor

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Ian Kinsler Reaches Benchmark For 2018 Vesting Option
Ian Kinsler reached 600 plate appearances on Tuesday night, which means his option for next season has vested.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Shohei Otani Has Begun Interviewing Prospective Agents
Shohei Otani has begun interviewing prospective agents as he inches closer to Major League Baseball.

Jon Heyman/FanRag Sports

Dodgers Clinch Home-Field Throughout NL Playoffs
The Dodgers defeated the Padres 9-2 on Tuesday night to lock up home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs.

Associated Press

Terry Collins Has No Plans To Retire, Would Like To Stay With Mets
Terry Collins has no plans to consider retirement and would like to remain with the Mets.

ESPN

Zack Greinke Expected To Start Wild Card Game For Arizona
The Diamondbacks will host the National League Wild Card Game on Oct. 4 and are expected to start Zack Greinke.

Dayn Perry/CBS Sports

Aaron Judge Breaks Mark McGwire's Rookie Home Run Mark
Aaron Judge clubbed two home runs against the Royals on Monday afternoon to give him 50 for the season.

ESPN

Yasiel Puig Benched For Arriving Late To Team Workout
Yasiel Puig wasn't in the lineup on Sunday, either, after he made a base-running error the previous day.

Associated Press

Draft: Current 2018 MLB Draft Order
We could still see some significant shuffling at the top of the draft order over the final week of the regular season.

RealGM Staff Report

Rays Will Listen To Offers For Chris Archer, Alex Colome
The starting rotation is expected to look different for the Rays next season.

Marc Topkin/Tampa Bay Times

Dave Roberts Would Take Issue With Anthem Protest
Bruce Maxwell became the first Major League player to take a knee in protest during the National Anthem on Saturday.

Mark Townsend/Big League Stew

Cubs Hoping To Clinch Division In St. Louis Against Cardinals
The Cubs will play four games in St. Louis this week with a chance to clinch the National League Central against the rival Cardinals.

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Diamondbacks To Host NL Wild Card Game
The Diamondbacks defeated the Marlins 3-2 on Sunday to secure home-field advantage in the National League Wild Card game.

Associated Press

Miguel Cabrera Out With Two Herniated Disks
Miguel Cabrera left Saturday's game because of tightness in his lower back.

ESPN.com

Harper Could Return To Nats' Lineup Monday
Bryce Harper has been on the DL with a bone bruise in his left knee since August 12.

ESPN.com

A's Maxwell Kneels During National Anthem
Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem on Saturday.

ESPN.com

Jeff Banister Leaves Rangers To Be With Ill Mother
Bench coach Steve Buechele will manage the Rangers the next two games.

ESPN.com

Ned Yost Plans To Return To The Royals Next Season
The Royals are unlikely to make the playoff this season.

ESPN.com

Brian Snitker Hopes To Manage Braves Next Season
Brian Snitker hopes the Braves' front office brings him back despite his 127-148 record.

ESPN.com

Jeter Asks Marlins To Fire Four Baseball Luminaries
Prospective Marlins boss Derek Jeter has asked David Samson to fire four special assistants, including Andre Dawson and Tony Perez.

ESPN.com

Yankees Trying To Get Under Tax Threshold For 2018
The Yankees plan to get below the luxury tax threshold for the 2018 season, which rises to $197 million next year.

Jon Heyman/FanRag Sports