GaryMrMets
01-30-2003, 02:35 AM
http://www.sportsline.com/u/partners/aol/index.html?http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/MLB_SC-RUMOR
Offseason Rumor Mill
SportsLine.com staff
Updated Jan. 29, 2003
Offseason Rumor Mill
Team Hot Rumors
Astros The Houston Chronicle reported Astros owner Drayton McLane and Craig Biggio's agent didn't make much headway after exchanging different "ideas" on a contract extension for Biggio.
Cardinals The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan believes 35-year-old Cal Eldred could be a surprise for the Cardinals. Duncan flatly told the newspaper Eldred would be one of the top four starters if he proves to be healthy after missing two seasons with arm problems. "If Eldred is legit and he looks like he can take the ball as a starter and perform the way he's performed in the past, that gives you four pretty solid guys in the rotation," Duncan said.
Diamondbacks The Arizona Republic reported veteran infielder Randy Velarde said he seriously considered an offer from the Diamondbacks, but he has decided to stay retired. ... Little more than a week after the Republic reported third baseman Craig Counsell might need more time to build strength in his right shoulder following off-season neck surgery and may not be ready by opening day, the Houston Chronicle said the D-Backs were so encouraged that Counsell will make a complete recovery manager Bob Brenly has penciled him in as his every-day third baseman.
Dodgers The Los Angeles Times reported the Dodgers don't feel the urgency to make a deal for a fifth starter although Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort are returning from injuries, and other possibilites remain question marks (injury-plagued lefty Wilson Alvarez, journeyman Calvin Maduro and reliever Giovanni Carrara). "I don't have a real obsession with adding another starter," GM Dan Evans said. "Gio could be an emergency guy, and Maduro and Alvarez are options. I think we're OK with the group we have now."
Mets The Newark (N.J.) Star Ledger reported Mets officials are resigned to the idea of Ty Wigginton being their every-day third baseman. "At this point, it looks like it's going to be Ty Wigginton," said one source. "We'll keep looking, but we're very confident in him." The Mets would prefer to have a cheap veteran behind Wigginton, 25, in case he isn't ready, much the way they signed shortstop Rey Sanchez to keep the seat warm for Jose Reyes. .. The newspaper also said Mets officials watched Jose Reyes take batting practice in the Dominican Republic last week and reported that he looks 100 percent after straining his left quad last month.
Orioles The Washington Post reported the Orioles worked out B.J. Surhoff, who is 38 and coming off knee surgery. "He's a guy with local ties who has had some success, and if he's healthy he's still a good player," Executive VP Jim Beattie said of the former Oriole. "It's something we're looking at. It's a low-risk and potentially high-reward situation."
Pirates The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Pirates GM Dave ittlefield will turn his attention to acquiring an outfielder, preferably a right-handed hitter, though an option for center field is free-agent lefty swinger Kenny Lofton.
Rangers The Dallas Morning News reported the Rangers continued to look at free agents such as Rickey Henderson and Kenny Lofton as possibilities to fill the need for a lead-off hitter.
Red Sox The Boston Globe, citing MLB sources, reported Kevin Millar will not report to the Chunichi Dragons and has informed the Japanese team of his intentions. The newspaper said Millar is attempting to have his contract voided so he can play for the Red Sox. Chunichi signed Millar to a three-year, $6.2 million contract after purchasing him from the Marlins. The Globe also said the BoSox remain interested in adding another starter, perhaps lefty free agent Kenny Rogers.
Rockies The Rocky Mountain News reported the Rockies were prepared to give veteran lefty pitcher Darren Oliver pitcher an opportunity to revive his career. Oliver will accept an assignment to Colorado Springs (Triple-A) if he doesn't earn a spot on the Colorado roster. ... The Denver Post reported Colorado remains interested in adding a veteran, preferably on a minor-league deal. The possibilities include Jeff Suppan and Robert Person, whom the Rockies like but aren't sure he'll be healthy by opening day after missing much of last season because of a shoulder injury.
Yankees The New York Post reported a person familiar with the organization's thinking said Jeff Weaver, not Jose Contreras, would make the Yankees' rotation. "It is Weaver's [rotation] job to lose," said the source, who added the Yanks are intrigued about what Contreras' 95-mph fastball would look like setting up closer Mariano Rivera.
Offseason Rumor Mill
SportsLine.com staff
Updated Jan. 29, 2003
Offseason Rumor Mill
Team Hot Rumors
Astros The Houston Chronicle reported Astros owner Drayton McLane and Craig Biggio's agent didn't make much headway after exchanging different "ideas" on a contract extension for Biggio.
Cardinals The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan believes 35-year-old Cal Eldred could be a surprise for the Cardinals. Duncan flatly told the newspaper Eldred would be one of the top four starters if he proves to be healthy after missing two seasons with arm problems. "If Eldred is legit and he looks like he can take the ball as a starter and perform the way he's performed in the past, that gives you four pretty solid guys in the rotation," Duncan said.
Diamondbacks The Arizona Republic reported veteran infielder Randy Velarde said he seriously considered an offer from the Diamondbacks, but he has decided to stay retired. ... Little more than a week after the Republic reported third baseman Craig Counsell might need more time to build strength in his right shoulder following off-season neck surgery and may not be ready by opening day, the Houston Chronicle said the D-Backs were so encouraged that Counsell will make a complete recovery manager Bob Brenly has penciled him in as his every-day third baseman.
Dodgers The Los Angeles Times reported the Dodgers don't feel the urgency to make a deal for a fifth starter although Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort are returning from injuries, and other possibilites remain question marks (injury-plagued lefty Wilson Alvarez, journeyman Calvin Maduro and reliever Giovanni Carrara). "I don't have a real obsession with adding another starter," GM Dan Evans said. "Gio could be an emergency guy, and Maduro and Alvarez are options. I think we're OK with the group we have now."
Mets The Newark (N.J.) Star Ledger reported Mets officials are resigned to the idea of Ty Wigginton being their every-day third baseman. "At this point, it looks like it's going to be Ty Wigginton," said one source. "We'll keep looking, but we're very confident in him." The Mets would prefer to have a cheap veteran behind Wigginton, 25, in case he isn't ready, much the way they signed shortstop Rey Sanchez to keep the seat warm for Jose Reyes. .. The newspaper also said Mets officials watched Jose Reyes take batting practice in the Dominican Republic last week and reported that he looks 100 percent after straining his left quad last month.
Orioles The Washington Post reported the Orioles worked out B.J. Surhoff, who is 38 and coming off knee surgery. "He's a guy with local ties who has had some success, and if he's healthy he's still a good player," Executive VP Jim Beattie said of the former Oriole. "It's something we're looking at. It's a low-risk and potentially high-reward situation."
Pirates The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Pirates GM Dave ittlefield will turn his attention to acquiring an outfielder, preferably a right-handed hitter, though an option for center field is free-agent lefty swinger Kenny Lofton.
Rangers The Dallas Morning News reported the Rangers continued to look at free agents such as Rickey Henderson and Kenny Lofton as possibilities to fill the need for a lead-off hitter.
Red Sox The Boston Globe, citing MLB sources, reported Kevin Millar will not report to the Chunichi Dragons and has informed the Japanese team of his intentions. The newspaper said Millar is attempting to have his contract voided so he can play for the Red Sox. Chunichi signed Millar to a three-year, $6.2 million contract after purchasing him from the Marlins. The Globe also said the BoSox remain interested in adding another starter, perhaps lefty free agent Kenny Rogers.
Rockies The Rocky Mountain News reported the Rockies were prepared to give veteran lefty pitcher Darren Oliver pitcher an opportunity to revive his career. Oliver will accept an assignment to Colorado Springs (Triple-A) if he doesn't earn a spot on the Colorado roster. ... The Denver Post reported Colorado remains interested in adding a veteran, preferably on a minor-league deal. The possibilities include Jeff Suppan and Robert Person, whom the Rockies like but aren't sure he'll be healthy by opening day after missing much of last season because of a shoulder injury.
Yankees The New York Post reported a person familiar with the organization's thinking said Jeff Weaver, not Jose Contreras, would make the Yankees' rotation. "It is Weaver's [rotation] job to lose," said the source, who added the Yanks are intrigued about what Contreras' 95-mph fastball would look like setting up closer Mariano Rivera.