A roundup of some news on this Thursday night…
- In an interview on CSNNE's Sports Tonight show, Josh Beckett said he would "probably not" negotiate with the Red Sox about a new contract once the season begins. WEEI's Rob Bradford reports on Beckett's appearance here.
- Bobby Cox thinks Chipper Jones will play out the final three years on his contract, reports David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jones was hinting at retirement last fall in the wake of his disappointing (for him) 2009 campaign, but thus far in spring training, O'Brien reports that Jones has been nothing but enthusiastic about Atlanta's chances this season.
- In an interview with Jane Lee of MLB.com, Jack Cust confirms what we all thought about this winter's crop of free agents at outfield and DH: "it just wasn't a very good market unless you're Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. Even for those guys, I don't think the interest level was as high as they may have thought it to be. Unless you're one of those big dudes, you take what you can get."
- Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com says that the Cubs have some interest in Luke Gregerson and/or Jason Frasor.
- Jon Paul Morosi tweets that there is "not much new" going on with the negotiations between Joe Mauer and the Twins.
- MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that Alex Rodriguez offered Johnny Damon some free agency advice this winter. Oh, so THAT's why it took so long for Damon to sign…
- We had heard about Toronto's possible interest in Jose Julio Ruiz, and MLB.com's Jordan Bastian now reports that the Jays may be looking at another Cuban prospect: Adeiny Hechevarria.
- Dick Kaegel of MLB.com reports that the Royals agreed to terms with Josh Fields and Kila Ka'aihue on one-year contracts. Terms were not disclosed, but Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star tweeted that neither deal is expected to exceed $500K.
I could have told you that the Cubs wanted another reliever. It’s pretty much common knowledge.
I think it’s especially true now that Guzman is sitting for a few days with shoulder soreness. If it was a 99.9% chance before, it’s now 100%…it’s just a matter of time now. They’ll have Calero or Looper or trade for someone like Frasor before spring training is over.
I don’t think that there’s a chance they get Gregerson. He’s one of the reasons why the Padres bullpen is so deep.
As for the Royals, I really don’t understand why Kila K’aihue hasn’t played in the bigs since 08, nor do I understand why he isn’t in the Royals plans in 2010 and why Josh Fields is…If only Dayton Moore could turn this huge slew of position players in to some good pitching…
His away splits are god awful. The park is the only reason he’s good.
Oh, so THAT’s why it took so long for Damon to sign…
So, it actually turns out A-Rod suggested to Damon that he wait for Warren Buffett’s call before he does anything.
And wait… and wait …
FA advice lessons from ARod to Damon: 1) Why didn’t you announce your FA during the world series… you totally would have taken attention away from Matsui! 2) Remember, dating a washed up pop star will keep you in the papers.
advise? how about he does something useful and takes 29 million the next two years and him and cashman could have made a 2/20 offer. that would have been arod’s most productive day as a yankee
“Alex Rodriguez offered Johnny Damon some free agency advice this winter”
You’ll do better if you ditch Boras? Apparently Johnny didn’t listen.
Gregerson and Frasor, huh? Are the Cubs just limiting themselves to local products?
I didn’t realize the Padres had any intention of moving Gregerson.
You’d think they’d keep him as the heir apparent if/when the Padres decide to trade Heath Bell.
Either chiper is greedy and wants that last 30mil on his contract or he really thinks he will rebound at age 37.
I guess only time will tell.
Maybe both, but I think it really means so much to Braves nation that he remains with the Braves.
Chipper has taken pay-cuts and hometown discounts to allow the Braves to bring in other guys in the past. He also is on record saying that he would rather retire than be financial burden if he has another “down year”. He is getting paid for sure but he is far from the ‘greedy in it for the money ball player’.
Really greedy?
Why can’t it be both? I’m sure he wants to rebound and show he can still play, but the 30 mil doesn’t hurt.
after we signed that 18 year old, i think his time in Atlanta is running out. I am not saying he will be traded, but I just feel he will trying and stay at 3rd base as much as possible.
Oh, on Beckett? I think its smart to not negoite just yet, after The Sox lost in the first round last year, and I bet either the Mets or yankeess will try and pick him up if he becomes a free agent.
I think it is tough to call someone greedy for holding the team to the agreed upon contract. Plus, let’s not forget how much money $30 million really is. I know we get jaded when we talk about these huge pro salaries, but 30 mil is still a giant sum of money. When a team signs an aging player to a long term deal, they know what they are getting into. It sounds like Chipper is giving his best still, and that is all that can be asked for.
Ferrariman = Tony Tag.
Dammit Neal, I wanna hear something about YOU being interested in Hechevarria. The only decent looking middle infield prospect in the Pirate’s system is Chase d’Arnaud. Signing him would also make up for the Sano fiasco, even though it wasn’t entirely Neal’s fault.
Ka’aihue would of been a really good fit for the Giants.
Ka’aihue would be a good fit for any team in need of a power bat. I don’t know why the Royals haven’t used him…They should trade him then. Maybe a Brandon Crawford/Kila Ka’aihue trade?
I think Dayton Moore and OBP are not on good terms.
I don’t think that Dayton Moore and Talent are on good terms.
There was a video just yesterday or Tuesday where Moore said he thought OBP was important. No joke, MOORE said HE thought OBP was IMPORTANT!
I couldn’t stop laughing.
Was that the Jim Bowden video ? That was hilarious at the end. haha.
Yea, it was. I thought the ENTIRE video was hilarious, but you’re right, Bowden especially made a fool of himself at the end.
Unless the pads are overwhelmed, there’s no way Gregerson gets moved. He’s very valuable and affordable. Towers did a great job getting him for Greene….
Chipper Jones is a serious liability at third base. I mean 22 errors is really pitiful.
yeah, but see its age bias. The younger guys can move faster and have more flexitbility yet he doesn’t because hes older now, and he moves slower.
Chipper Jones has been there for the braves since 95, he downgrades his contracts to allow money for Atlanta to bring in a winning team.. 22 errors is pitiful..But teaching hewyard, mccan, escobar, prado, mclouth, diaz, cabrera and many more to come how to play the game the correct way..and also how to excel in the majors.. I think that definally makes up for it.
Chipper Jones has been there for the braves since 95, he downgrades his contracts to allow money for Atlanta to bring in a winning team.. 22 errors is pitiful..But teaching hewyard, mccan, escobar, prado, mclouth, diaz, cabrera and many more to come how to play the game the correct way..and also how to excel in the majors.. I think that definally makes up for it.
22 errors is pitiful for Chipper. Just think though, one less error and he could have won a gold glove. Just ask David Wright
Further proving the Gold Glove is an offensive award.
..Chipper doesn’t “downgrade” his contracts..he restructures them…he makes every bit the money he signed to make..but on a different schedule (deferring)….
That would be fine if Chipper was the hitting coach..
Does it confuse anyone as to what all the hesitation & speculation on Boston’s part regarding whether or not Beckett is worth bringing back is about? The guy is a top 2 starter on just about every team in the league, including but not limited to their main divisional rival, but there seems to be a line of thought that he’s some guy to maybe take a flier on. I don’t get it.
Beckett will not be back. The F O will low-ball him like they did with Damon and Bay then Theo will come up with a graph to show he was not worth the money.
“Jon Paul Morosi tweets that there is “not much new” going on with the negotiations between Joe Mauer and the Twins.”
I would have surmised as much had he simply not tweeted anything.
“Jack Cust confirms what we all thought about this winter’s crop of free agents at outfield and DH:”
What, that there is no market for steroid users that can’t play in the field?
No need to talk Sh*t on Moore and the Royals. We are getting better year by year. Wait til our players develop. We may not have good OBP players but we do have the BEST pitcher in baseball….ZACK GREINKE!!! Cy young in 2010!!!