On this date in 2002, the Diamondbacks signed Carlos Gonzalez as an amateur free agent. Two blockbuster trades and one breakout season later, CarGo has agreed to a seven-year extension with the Rockies. Here are today's links…
- Andy Pettitte told Brian Costello of the New York Post at his home in Texas that he's just "chilling out, hanging" and still hasn't decided whether he'll play in 2011.
- The Mariners have officially asked Chone Figgins to move back to third base, reports Kirby Arnold of the Daily Herald. Figgins has played more games at third than at any other position, but he played second base last year.
- The Giants will likely rely on players already in the organization for infield depth now that Edgar Renteria has agreed to sign with the Reds, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- Trevor Hoffman is leaning toward retirement, according to Heyman (on Twitter). The reliever has drawn some interest this offseason, but he had hoped for the chance to close in 2011.
- Michael Girsch will replace John Abbamondi as the Cardinals' assistant GM, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
Lunchbox45
I would LOVE for the jays to get Figgins out of Seattle.
Joe
what do you think it would take from the Jays to make that happen??
Lunchbox45
I think it would take a starter and 2 mid level prospects… no one that highly ranked because the Mariners would be shedding the contract.
I’d look at a Marc Rzepcynski, Eric Thames and Mastroianni..
Something like that, take the full contract.
Andy Mc
too much.
Jayson
That’d be an interesting trade, potentially good for both teams
Lunchbox45
I think he’s a perfect match for the Jays, 3B who can lead off. His salary is unappealing, but Jays shed so much payroll its worth it for them to take the chance, Move Bautista back to RF
Figgins 3B
Escobar SS
Lind 1B
Bautista RF
Wells C
Snider LF
Encarnacion DH
Arencibia C
Hill 2B
Not a bad looking lineup
Jayson
Yeah I’ll give you that, that’s a pretty good lineup. I’m a Mariners fan, and I think it’d be a good idea to trade him if we can still get some value out of him; it’d give the M’s some needed payroll flexibility.
Lunchbox45
exactly, thats why it works with both teams… If Figgins has another down year, then the rest of his contract is probably going to be unmovable and an anchor to a team that has some up and coming prospects and the best pitcher in the AL, they need to flexibility to fill holes as they see fit.
TartanElk
I’m not a Yankees fan, my loyalty lies with the Tigers, but man is Pettitte being a huge a-hole. He has an entire team waiting on his decision, teammates he’s had for years waiting for him to say something. He has an entire organization waiting to do anything based on what he decides, and all he’s doing is “chilling and hanging?”
Kickme Inthenads
Allow me to translate “chilling and hanging”.
“Waiting for a number from Cashman so ludicrous that I have no choice but to cease chilling and hanging.”.
I say a deal gets done at 1 year and 17-18 million.
Since_77
I agree he’s waiting for the right offer but the danger is he could wait too long.
The Cubs just made a trade for a starting pitcher maybe Zambrano or Dempster are available for a trade.
Lunchbox45
Why would the cubs add garza then lose z or dempster… not making a lot of sense here
Since_77
Because both Zambrano and Dempster make a lot more money the Garza. Maybe they can also pick up other pieces to fill other holes they have on the team or just get prospects.
Lunchbox45
but trading zambrano or dempster, despite of what they make, would create a hole in itself.
Cubs have no rotation depth at this point, adding Garza but losing z or dempster is completely counter productive and makes zero sense
guest_54
“Garza would join Ryan Dempster, Tom Gorzelanny, Randy Wells, Carlos Zambrano and Carlos Silva in a crowded Chicago rotation. If the Rays-Cubs deal goes through, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cubs starters appear in trade rumors before long.”
Chuck345
Unload some dough.
Taylor
Because it’s an upgrade and Zambrano has a ridiculous contract for how bad he is.
Vmmercan
They offered him 12…..I can’t see it going past 16 which is what they offered him in his first one year deal. I think it gets done in the 14-15 range.
flickadave
Might be that he saw the way Jeter’s contract negotiations were made public and the PR shellacking Jeter took and he is just going to wait for the Yankees to make him an offer he can’t refuse. Remember, he’s a free agent not Yankees property. If the Yankees don’t feel like waiting, they can just go a different direction.
Vmmercan
Brian Cashman, along with everyone who has publically spoken on behalf of the Yankees has said Pettitte’s decision has no impact on what they do for the remainder of the offseason. I don’t know why people keep making this same comment. Even if the Yankees go make a trade for a starter tomorrow, Pettitte is still useful at the right price, all it would mean is Nova starts the year at AA or AAA.
TartanElk
Of course they’re going to say that. Would you want your team to say “Yeah if Pettitte retires, we’re screwed and we have no idea what to do for next year?”
It’s the same reason politicians say the things they do. They have to.
Vmmercan
Except it makes sense and I just explained why. Cashman has enough spots in the rotation for two starters. Even if Andy comes back, he should make a trade for the right price. Without Pettitte, he’s still not making a deal for a starter unless it makes sense.
Flharfh
No one is going to trust Trevor to close after his meltdown last year. The best he can hope for is to sign with a non-contender, pitch well, and take over the job mid-season after a trade or injury.
monkeyspanked
Maybe the M’s will get even smarter and have Figgy bat leadoff so Ichiro can knock him in all the time. They had it all backwards last year. Figgins walks (or has the potential to walk) more than Ichiro. And you KNOW Ichiro hits better than Figgins. It’s a no-brainer that I don’t know why they didn’t figure out. He was most effective as a leadoff hitter for the Angels and then the Mariners go and hit him 2nd.
AKstratofan
I agree with Figgins hitting leadoff. Only makes sense to have the player with averages over 200 hits to hit 2nd and the player with the 100 bb potential to hit 1st…
MB923
Uhh, come on Andy, decide!
Chuck345
Pettitte jus’ chilling having a beer. I love the sense of urgency.
Chuck345
Did someone really ask Pettitte, “How’s it hangin?”
Lunchbox45
short, shrivelled and always to the left
Chuck345
Always knew he was a little soft.
Since_77
If he was retired why wouldn’t he just say so. Sounds like he is waiting to be paid.
In 2007 the Yankees needed a pitcher in June and they paid Clemons over 20 million to come back. I bet he thinking about that.
Chuck345
Perhaps Andy is planning a mid-season signing like Clemens in 2007 so Suzyn Waldman can go ape**** on the radio again.
DunkinDonuts
I’m pretty sure it will take at least $16-17M to get him to stop shootin’ some b’ball outside of the school…
MB923
ANDY PETTITTE IS IN HANK’S BOX
Yanksfan2010
I can’t believe that Pettitte is just chillin out and relaxing. The entire team is waiting for him to make up his mind. Hurry up already.
Lamar S
It’s all about the mighty dollar. If Hank ain’t upping the ante, Pettitte will be sitting on his fanny.
Fangaffes
If Pettitte doesn’t come back and there’s a big gaping hole in the Yankees rotation, who will be blamed – Pettitte or Yankees management?
Lunchbox45
If he wants to retire thats his prerogative. at this point the yankees are just holding on because they are desperate. Realistically if the rotation looked good they would have TOLD andy to stay home by now.
Chuck345
Please don’t use that big word in there.
Lamar S
Wow how could you blame Pettitte? That’s the responsibility of the front office. It’s like the year they didn’t have a strong rotation and thought bringing in Clemens mid season would do the trick. That wasn’t Clemens fault it was managements.
RepOak
I can already see giants having infield issues next year. Injuries, depth, ect. Might have to start calling up their minor leaguers…
gigantes2425
Guys like belt and crawford? I’m okay with that. The only guy that’s always hurt is sanchez though and derosa can cover that. And for tejada, other then 2007 when he played 133 games, he’s played in at least 156 games starting in 1999. That includes 6 consecutive seasons playing all 162.
RepOak
Giants will not want play tejada everyday. Higher risk of injury. Plus giants might want to start playing their rookies. How about 3rd base? You really think Sandoval can handle that position if he even makes the team?
gigantes2425
Guys like belt and crawford? I’m okay with that. The only guy that’s always hurt is sanchez though and derosa can cover that. And for tejada, other then 2007 when he played 133 games, he’s played in at least 156 games starting in 1999. That includes 6 consecutive seasons playing all 162.
Chris Montgomery
Thats weak. The giants are so loaded with infield prospects its ridiculous, Belt and Crawford for example. We got Derosa sitting on the bench, so he can play 3rd or 2nd… and after Sanchez recovers from this surgery then i see him playing pretty much full time at 2nd. But as far as the giants having infield issues next year that is just absurd. The Giants pitching will get them back deep into the postseason and maybe another championship.
K.C.
Cubs and Mariners trade? What about Fukudome and a prospect for Figgins?
MB923
Maybe you meant Fukodome FOR a prospect and Figgins????
Or
Figgins and a prospect for Fukudome?
CrustyJuggler
Fukudome doesn’t fit with the M’s, so I can’t see how that works.
Zeppelin5083
Andy Pettite is chillin out, maxin, relaxin all cool and all shootin some b-ball outside the school?
Andy Mc
dream on.
$3081341
2-3 mid-level prospects for Figgy should get it done. 1 O.F. & 1 infielder.