Misc Rumor - Baseball Wiretap
Germano Accepts Triple-A Assignment
Indians right-handed reliever Justin Germano has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus.
Germano will attend Spring Training with Cleveland as a non-roster invitee.
He appeared in 23 games for the Tribe in 2010, posting a 3.31 ERA with a .206 opponents' batting average across 35 1/3 innings.
Syracuse Tops Kansas State At Yankee Stadium
Syracuse defeated Kansas State on Thursday to win the first-ever Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
It was the first college football bowl game in New York City in nearly 50 years.
The Orange won 36-34 in a game highlighted by a number of gadget plays.
"Here I am, born and raised in the Bronx," said Syracuse coach Doug Marrone. "I always tell people I was born a Yankee fan, and there was a moment out there tonight where I truly almost did break down and go to my knees. ... I thank these players for making, again, [for] just a simple kid from the Bronx, a dream come true."
Man Who Brought Rangers To Texas Dies At 84
Tom Vandergriff, the former Dallas-area mayor who lured the Rangers out of Washington nearly 40 years ago, died Thursday at age 84.
The former Arlington mayor's son, Victor Vandergriff, said his father died of natural causes at a Fort Worth hospital. He had been dealing with Alzheimer's disease in recent years.
Vandergriff brought the Rangers to Arlington in 1972.
Twitter Comments Upset White Sox GM
White Sox general manager Ken Williams said Oney Guillen's recent shots at former closer Bobby Jenks via Twitter may have compromised the integrity of the White Sox clubhouse.
The comments referenced a private communication between Jenks and manager Ozzie Guillen.
"It is an issue I trust Ozzie to manage as there are obvious peripheral issues that are in direct conflict to what we believe and could directly compromise the integrity of clubhouse privacy, privacy that is vital to a team's unity and success," Williams told the Chicago Tribune.
Williams also said Jenks, who signed with the Red Sox after spending his first six seasons in Chicago, owes Ozzie Guillen an apology for saying he's looking forward to playing "for a manager who knows how to run a bullpen."
Kemp, Rihanna End Relationship
Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp and pop star Rihanna have ended their relationship, according to a report in US Weekly.
The couple became an item early last year, around the time Kemp began to struggle. Fans quickly blamed the high-profile relationship for his performance.
US Weekly painted the breakup as a mutual thing.
Rihanna was reportedly "just over it" and Kemp was "sick of always following after her like a puppy dog all over the world."
Guillen's Son Calls Jenks A 'Punk'
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's son Oney is firing back at Bobby Jenks after the former closer criticized his father.
Jenks, who signed a two-year deal with Boston last week, expressed disappointment to MLB.com that the White Sox decided not to re-sign him.
He told the website he was "looking forward to playing for a manager who knows how to run a bullpen."
Oney Guillen called Jenks an ungrateful "punk" in a series of Twitter posts.
In one, he writes that Jenks "cried in the managers office bc u have problems now u go and talk bad about the sox after they protected u for 7 years."
Former Tigers GM Lajoie Dies At 76
Bill Lajoie, who was the general manager for the 1984 World Series-winning Tigers, died Tuesday at age 76.
Lajoie had been working as a special assistant to the Pirates.
"Bill played an integral role in building the Detroit Tigers into a world championship team in 1984 and a division title winner in 1987," Tigers general manager David Dombrowski said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Bill was a respected and highly regarded baseball executive who made significant contributions to the Tigers franchise and the game of baseball."
"Mr. Lajoie impacted the lives and careers of a countless number of players, scouts and front office executives," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement. "He was a terrific evaluator of talent, an outstanding baseball man, a tremendous mentor and a better friend."
Teixeira: Pettitte Leaning Towards Retirement
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira has been exchanging text messages with Andy Pettitte and says the left-hander is leaning towards retirement.
"I think, like everyone else [thinks], if he's leaning one way, he's probably leaning towards retiring," Teixeira said.
"I think that's what he's publicly said. It's no secret right now. That's probably where he's leaning. But in a month and a half, a lot can happen."
New York general manager Brian Cashman echoed similar sentiments about Pettitte earlier this month.
Dodgers Dismiss Three Executives
The Dodgers have parted ways with three vice presidents, the latest in a long line of front-office changes in the last two years.
Ray Maytorena was one of the executives let go. He is a former Secret Service agent that was hired as head of security two years ago.
The Dodgers also cut ties with Steve Spartin, who was in charge of developing corporate partnerships, and Joe Walsh, who oversaw human resources and fan service initiatives.
Texas Appears Intent On Moving Hamilton To Left Field
The Rangers like the idea of moving slugger Josh Hamilton to left field, where they feel he'd be less likely to suffer an injury.
"Well, we feel that between [Julio] Borbon and our young center field prospect [Engel] Beltre that we have two center field prospects that could possibly come in and play everyday," Nolan Ryan told the Dallas Morning News.
"And if they did, then obviously, that would move Josh to left field and give us the luxury of playing him in a position where we don?t think it?d be as hard on him and he?d probably be less inclined to sustain an injury."
Webb's Contract With Texas Full Of Incentives
Brandon Webb has pitched just four innings over the last two seasons.
Jenks Frustrated With White Sox Over Departure
Bobby Jenks felt disrespected by the White Sox during his final days with the team.
Cubs Amending Proposal For Wrigley Renovations
The Cubs plan to change their renovation plan.
Gammons: Bagwell Deserves HOF Call
Peter Gammons believes Jeff Bagwell deserves to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Reds Couldn't Afford To Re-Sign Rhodes
Arthur Rhodes could make $8 million over the next two seasons in Texas.
Cordova's Daughter In Coma After Accident
The 15-year old daughter of Marty Cordova was in a car accident and has been in a coma for 11 days.
Experts Still See Beckett As Key To Boston's Success
If the Red Sox are really going to succeed in 2011, one executive feels Josh Beckett has to be on the top of his game.
Uggla, Braves Should Have Extension Soon
Dan Uggla and the Braves should have an extension in place by early January.
Mets May Use Carrasco In Starting Rotation
D.J. Carrasco was signed as a reliever, but he could begin the season at the back end of the rotation.
Twins Adjusting After $100M-Plus Payroll In 2010
The Twins boosted their payroll past $100 million as they opened their new ballpark in 2010.
A-Rod Feels Yankees Will Be Fine Without Cliff Lee
Alex Rodriguez expects pitcher Ivan Nova to step up.
Arizona's Offseason Plans Nearly Complete
Arizona has added pieces to their bullpen, while dealing Mark Reynolds.
Halladay Thrilled To Have Christmas Song About Him
Roy Halladay's name is featured in a new original Christmas song.
Marlins Have $41.5M Committed To Nine Players
The Marlins will have $41.5 million committed to nine players and they are projected to pay the remainder of their roster just $13.5 million.
Gallardo Thrilled With Greinke Trade
Yovani Gallardo could slide down to the No. 3 spot for the Brewers in 2011.
Editor Finds Error In Ruth's Hall Of Fame Exhibit
Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run in Toronto, not the United States.
Hoffman Thrilled To Have Reached 600 Saves With 2011 Uncertain
Trevor Hoffman isn't sure a team will give him a chance to pitch in 2011.
Pettitte No Sure-Fire Hall Of Famer
The New York Times polled nine writers and only two said they would vote for Andy Pettitte to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Gonzalez Told Red Sox He Won't Seek Pujols-Like Deal
Adrian Gonzalez isn't going to ask for more money in an extension with Boston if Albert Pujols signs a mega-deal in the interim.
Epstein: Papelbon Remains Boston's Closer
The Red Sox kept Jonathan Papelbon in the loop as they upgraded their bullpen.