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Archives for June 2010

Marlins Release Renyel Pinto

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The Marlins released lefty Renyel Pinto, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). It's been a busy day for the Marlins, who fired manager Fredi Gonzalez and have already started contacting potential replacements. Pinto was designated for assignment a week ago, so his release is less of a surprise than his former manager's firing.

Pinto, 28 next month, had a 2.70 ERA in 16.2 innings for Florida this year, striking out 16 and walking nine. He is under team control for both the 2011 and 2012 seasons, so he figures to draw some interest as a free agent. 

The Marlins released left-hander Hunter Jones yesterday and it looks like he'll undergo Tommy John surgery. Unlike Jones, Pinto can help a team this year.

Red Sox Interested In Adam Everett

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The Red Sox have some interest in Adam Everett, a source tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. The defense-first shortstop is a free agent and would cost Boston only $220K. The Tigers, who released Everett, would be responsible for the rest of his salary.

Everett's salary would not prevent the Red Sox from adding him, but roster space could. Bradford says the Red Sox won’t likely sign Everett or anyone else until a roster spot opens up. Everett seems like a fit, since Boston is looking to add a defensively-oriented shortstop to back up Marco Scutaro, according to assistant GM Ben Cherington. The Red Sox, who now have Bill Hall backing up at short, drafted Everett back in 1998.

Greg Dobbs Clears Waivers, Heading To Minors

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WEDNESDAY: Dobbs cleared waivers, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki (via Twitter). Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer hears from agent Dan Horwits that Dobbs will accept a minor league assignment.

TUESDAY: The Phillies designated Greg Dobbs for assignment, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki (via Twitter). In related moves, the Phillies activated Jimmy Rollins from the DL, put Carlos Ruiz on the DL and called up Mike Zagurski (Twitter link).

Dobbs, 32 next week, has about $770K remaining on the two-year $2.5MM deal he signed before last season. He can play all four corner positions, but has posted just a .152/.222/.242 line in 73 plate appearances this season. The Phillies rely on Dobbs off the bench, but he is just 10/79 as a pinch hitter in 2009-10. Back in 2008, Dobbs set the franchise record for pinch hits in a season with 22.

Valentine Interested In Managing Marlins; Not O’s

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Bobby Valentine has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Orioles' managerial opening and confirmed that he has interest in managing the Marlins. Valentine, who had been a candidate to take over in Baltimore, told ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian that he is no longer interested in managing the Orioles.

"At this time in my career, I feel I should direct my energies in another direction," Valentine said.

The former Mets skipper confirmed to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel that he is interested in managing the Marlins, who have yet to formally contact Valentine. Kurkjian notes that Valentine has been a friend of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria for decades. Edwin Rodriguez will now take over for Fredi Gonzalez in Florida, but Valentine figures to interview for the permanent job. 

The Orioles, who now must move on without Valentine, are interviewing Buck Showalter today and have already interviewed Eric Wedge. Click here for reactions to the Marlins' decision to fire Gonzalez.

Olney On Rangers, Sheets, Gonzalez, Orioles

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Lawyers in the game say the Rangers don’t have a good chance of completing their ownership transfer by the July 31st trade deadline, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. That means Roy Oswalt won’t likely play for the Rangers this year. But GM Jon Daniels, who would like to add a veteran starter, could acquire Cliff Lee if he gets creative. Taking on salary would be a challenge, since the Rangers have borrowed $20MM or more from MLB to operate. Here are the rest of Olney’s rumors:

  • The A’s can afford to cover some of the $5.5MM remaining on Ben Sheets’ contract in a trade if it means they acquire better prospects. Since few teams want to take on payroll, the A’s, who paid part of Matt Holliday’s salary after trading him to the Cardinals last year, could improve the return they get for Sheets by absorbing money again.
  • Olney says recently-fired manager Fredi Gonzalez has been “a dead man walking” since the end of the 2009 season.
  • The Orioles aren’t in a rush to trade their veterans, partly because the team is struggling so much.

Rockies In No Rush To Acquire Infielders

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The Rockies are interested in Ty Wigginton and will monitor the market for infielders, but they will wait to see if the club remains in contention before dealing for infield help. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that for now, the Rockies will rely on Clint Barmes and Jonathan Herrera while Troy Tulowitzki's broken wrist heals. If the Rockies remain in contention after they play seven consecutive series against winning teams, they could pursue infield help.

If the 37-33 Rockies are contending in mid-July, Rosenthal suggests Wigginton and Dan Uggla as possible targets. Other infielders such as Adam Kennedy, Akinori Iwamura, Jayson Nix and Ryan Theriot could also draw interest from GM Dan O'Dowd and the rest of the Rockies front office. But at least for now, the team is in wait-and-see mode. 

Fredi Gonzalez Firing Reactions

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Barely an hour has passed since the Marlins fired manager Fredi Gonzalez and replaced him with Edwin Rodriguez, but the reactions have already started streaming in. The early verdict: Gonzalez deserves another chance and he'll probably get one. Here are some takes on the dismissal from around the league:

  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wonders who is good enough for Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria if Joe Girardi and Gonzalez are not.
  • Braves GM Frank Wren told MLB.com's Mark Bowman (Twitter link) that he respects Gonzalez, but will not comment further until Bobby Cox has managed his last game.
  • Bowman wonders if the Braves will find room for Gonzalez in their organization this season.
  • Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports suggests (via Twitter) that Bobby Valentine could be the Marlins' next manager.
  • Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says there's "some belief in the game" that the Marlins already have an agreement with Valentine. Price also suggests Loria had unfairly high expectations for Gonzalez.
  • Gonzalez seemed to be taking the news well, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. The Marlins players, however, were walking around the team hotel "in shock."
  • MLB.com's Joe Frisaro calls the firing "a stunning move." 
  • Jon Heyman of SI.com says Gonzalez deserves an award, not a dismissal, for standing up to Hanley Ramirez (Twitter link).
  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that the Marlins were "strongly considering" firing Gonzalez before his public clash with Ramirez (Twitter link).

Mets Sign Ramon Ortiz

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The Mets signed Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal, according to Gerard Guilfoyle of SNY (via Twitter). The Dodgers signed Ortiz in February and designated him for assignment in May after he posted a 6.30 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9. Despite those numbers, they still had interest as recently as last week, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (via Twitter).

The 37-year-old right-hander relies on a 91 mph fastball, a slider and a change, according to data on FanGraphs. Ortiz will start in Triple A Buffalo tonight. The Mets' rotation has been strong, thanks to surprising performances from R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi and Mike Pelfrey's breakout year. Ortiz provides minor league depth, in case they lose a pitcher to injury.

Marlins Fire Fredi Gonzalez; Rodriguez To Manage

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The Marlins fired manager Fredi Gonzalez and two coaches, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Edwin Rodriguez, who had been managing the organization's Triple A affiliate, will replace Gonzalez as interim manager, according to ESPN.com. The 34-36 Marlins also replaced coaches Carlos Tosca and Jim Presley with Brandon Hyde and John Mallee.

Gonzalez has a 276-279 record in three-plus seasons managing the perennially low-payroll Marlins. Earlier in the season he and superstar Hanley Ramirez attracted national attention after Gonzalez benched Ramirez for lack of hustle.

Rodriguez, who turns 50 this summer, has led the New Orleans Zephyrs to a 33-37 record so far this year. It's his second season managing the Zephyrs and his eighth in the Marlins organization. Rodriguez played in parts of three seasons for the Yankees and Padres from 1982-85.

Like the manager he replaced, Joe Girardi, Gonzalez is well-respected and other teams will presumably be interested in his services. Jon Heyman of SI.com has often suggested that Gonzalez, a longtime Braves coach, could replace Bobby Cox in Atlanta in 2011. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes (via Twitter) that Gonzalez "immediately moves to top of the list of potential Cox replacements."

Aubrey Huff Wants To Stay In San Francisco

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Aubrey Huff told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that he “would love” to return to the Giants in 2011. But the 33-year-old knows the Giants will have to be interested if he is to return when his one-year $3MM contract expires after the season

“I'd love to be back,” Huff said. “But it's up to the front office. I've just got to go out and play my game and see what happens."

Huff, who is 15 pounds lighter this season, has impressed the Giants with his batting and flexibility, according to Shea.  He has played first base, left field and right field, posting a .311/.401/.549 line in the process. That kind of production would interest a number of teams, so if the Giants want to bring Huff back as much as he wants to return, they will probably have to give him a raise.

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