Orlando Hernandez is still working out and throwing because he wants to play in the majors again, according to Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com. El Duque, 44, says he's willing to start or relieve. His agent says several teams are interested, but not quite yet. They'd prefer to wait until after Spring Training to assess their needs.
Hernandez, who signed with the Rangers last year but never made the club, is throwing 82-83 mph, according to Reds scouting director Chris Buckley. Hernandez is focused on returning to the majors for the first time since 2007, but he can see himself working for his agency once he stops pitching.
Hernandez already played a role in recruiting Jose Julio Ruiz for his agency, Legacy Sports. Agent Mike Maulini, who also represents Hernandez, says he's likely to hold an open workout for the many clubs interested in Ruiz soon to "re-establish his market." We heard he was close to signing last month, before he switched agencies.
satchelprice
I’ll always love El Duque because of his contributions to the ’05 White Sox, but I’d be surprised if he’s still any good after pitching just 27 minor league innings in the past two years.
Guest 2135
Not going to get a Major league Deal.
empathizerightonyourbehind
the boldest prediction i’ve heard in a long time 😉
Guest 2137
empathizerightonyourbehind it’s you!!!!!! Say something funny please!!!!!!!!!!
empathizerightonyourbehind
well, i can’t tell if you’re serious or not, but i will say this: citing his 7 seasons in the american league, i think “the duque” is a virtual lock for a sub-2.00 ERA if he signs with an NL club. look, that’s not my opinion, that’s just baseball science.
Guest 2138
I was being serious. I think your humor really shines when the discussion is on the Tigers off-season.
empathizerightonyourbehind
ha. thanks, i appreciate it buddy. but i can’t take much credit, dombrowski puts those jokes on a tee. a 35-year-old, 8-million-dollar tee.
Guest 2139
You bet.
I bet Dombo didn’t even expect to go after Valverde or Damon. Getting younger is a necessity but as you said, with the way things went this off-season,
They should trade Austin Jackson to free up 400k to sign Carl Crawford next off-season to a 6 year 90MM dollar deal!!!
ReverendBlack
Still got a quality breaking ball or two? Might pass as a reliever.
empathizerightonyourbehind
so… wait… according to mlbtraderumors, el duque was 39 last june but 44 right now. ouch, time has ben rough on ol’ highsocks.
Guest 2136
He’s almost on dog years.
icedrake523
If he hadn’t injured his foot before the NLDS, the Mets easily would have won the pennant in 2006. He was also their best starter in 2007 and one of the big reasons why they fell apart at the end.
empathizerightonyourbehind
no…no…no.
adam wainwright curveball FTW!
icedrake523
Wrong. If El Duque was pitching, that means you don’t have Trachsel’s start (people didn’t think he’d be well enough to pitch and wouldn’t have if El Duque was available). So the Mets would have won in 6 games.
empathizerightonyourbehind
yeah, that seems like something you can safely predict. similarly, if mulder and izzy wouldn’t have gotten hurt, the cardinals would have won in 2 1/2. science.
icedrake523
Of course it comes with the assumption that everything else occurred just as it did.
How about being rational about the discussion? You clearly aren’t if you think they could have won a best of 7 series in 2.5 games.
Why am I even bothering asking?
empathizerightonyourbehind
if you have some spare time in the afternoon, do yourself a favor and google “jokes, getting them.”
but seriously… sorry for the tough time.
peace and baseball.
icedrake523
I can never tell who is serious and who is joking here.
Guest 2140
I think the key is knowing that everyone on MLBTradeRumors.com is in a good mood most of the time.
satchelprice
I was surprised to see that he had a 3.97 tERA in 147 innings in his final year with the Mets. His fastball that year was 12 (!) runs above average. Pretty nuts.
vtadave
So El Duque is listed at 44. Guessing in that case he’s really pushing half a century.
I’ll venture a guess he winds up in SF camp to compete with Todd Wellemeyer for the eight starts that will be available until Madison Bumgarner is brought up for good.
Yankees10
Really who would sign this guy. The sad part is some team will.
empathizerightonyourbehind
probably some poor, scrubby team that doesn’t have two hundred million dollars to blow every year on salary.
Yankees10
Im guessing you were trying to diss the Yankees.
empathizerightonyourbehind
wow, great guess. nothing’s getting past you, Yankees10.
Yankees10
Honestly do you no me have we talked to each other before or is it just that you are jealous that your team doesnt win like the Yankees so you just make yourself feel better by dissing Yankee fans. Get a life.
ryanisgoodlooking
Satchel Paige was 60-something when he played. nothings impossible. rangers released him for his poor velocity. but Moyer had a fine career overall.
Big Davey
Well, now that we’re on the subject of awesome old players from the 90s, who wants to hear about my SUPER TEAM? Everyone? Well, since you asked….
C Pat Borders
1B Travis Lee (I don’t know if he played in the 90s or not, but he was an amazing fielder in MVP 04. Get over it.)
2B Roger Clemens/David Wells platoon
3B Joe Randa
SS Desi Relaford
LF John VanderWal
CF Carl “fuggin” Everett
RF Rusty Greer
SP Homer Bush
SP Todd Van Poppel
SP Gabe White
SP Enrique Wilson
SP Hideki Irabu
Relief pitchers and bench players are for godless pussies. Deal with it.
So there you have it. My SUPER TEAM.