 1. Fielder a 'rare commodity,' agent says
2. Ortiz: I don't want one-year pact
3. Buck Showalter to Take Over as Orioles Manager This Weekend
4. Capps wants to remain with Nationals
5. Hart wants to stay with Brewers
6. Jays sign pair of top Venezuelan prospects
7. Cards interested in Alex Gonzalez?
1. Fielder a 'rare commodity,' agent says
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting It's easy to see why the Milwaukee Brewers' initial talks with Scott Boras, the agent for Prince Fielder, went nowhere in terms of working out a contract extension at some point.
Boras said Monday he views Fielder as a "rare, rare commodity" for what the slugging first baseman accomplished by age 25. Fielder, who turned 26 in May, already has 181 home runs in 764 major-league games.
"Every other player that has that by his age is a Hall of Famer," said Boras, in attendance at the all-star interview sessions for players from both leagues.
The Brewers opened talks with Boras earlier this year on an extension for Fielder, who can be a free agent after the 2011 season. Word among agents attending the All-Star Game is that the Brewers made an initial offer of five years at just over $100 million.
Boras must have let the Brewers know that wouldn't be nearly enough because talks broke off and nothing has happened for weeks. The common belief is that the Brewers will have to trade Fielder, either before the July 31 trade deadline or during the coming off-season to get something in return other than draft picks when he becomes a free agent.
Boras declined to categorize the nature of those talks but made it clear he considers Fielder a top-dollar player.
"We sat down and talked about exploratory elements of the process of free agency," said Boras. "To suggest anyone is putting deadlines or timelines on it is wrong."
To read more..
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/98289849.html
2. Ortiz: I don't want one-year pact
Espn is reporting David Ortiz insisted he has not talked about his contract with the Red Sox, but on Monday, Boston's All-Star DH sounded like a man certain of his future. Never mind the option the Red Sox hold on his 2011 contract. Ortiz wants an extension.
"I'm going to tell you, I ain't going nowhere,'' Ortiz said while sitting in the third-base dugout at Anaheim Stadium before winning Monday night's All-Star Home Run Derby, in his fourth try.
"I don't want one year. Why should I return for one year and go through the same [stuff] I'm going through now, just because it's my last year? No. I like to be left alone when I'm playing baseball. I know how to clean my [stuff] up.''
The Red Sox hold a $12.5 million contract on the 2011 season for Ortiz, and there is no buyout. Theoretically, Ortiz has no say in the matter. But on Monday, he made it clear he has no appetite for returning under those cir*****stances.
"I haven't talked to no one,'' Ortiz said about whether he has conveyed his desire for an extension to the Sox.
A club source confirmed Monday night that since the season began, no negotiations have taken place with Ortiz regarding his contract option or the possibility of an extension, and said that it is highly unlikely that anything would happen until after the season. The Red Sox are certain to monitor what the Padres' plans are for Adrian Gonzalez, and the Brewers' plans for Prince Fielder, both of whom are eligible for free agency after the 2011 season and could be on the trading block.
If the Red Sox decided to negotiate an extension with Ortiz, they conceivably could offer a base salary with a lower average annual value than the $12.5 million they would owe him in 2011, with incentives that would allow the slugger to match or exceed that figure if he attains certain performance levels.
Does Red Sox owner John W. Henry, who once memorably presented Ortiz with a plaque proclaiming him as the "greatest clutch hitter in the history of the Boston Red Sox," want him back?
"That's a question you have to ask him,'' Ortiz said. "I don't know. Probably. Yeah.''
Henry did not respond to an e-mail Monday night asking for comment."
To read more..
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5375146
3. Buck Showalter to Take Over as Orioles Manager This Weekend
AOL Fanhouse is reporting "Buck Showalter is expected to take over as Orioles manager on Saturday or Sunday, a source familiar with the organization told FanHouse on Monday.
Showalter, who has managed for the Yankees, Diamondbacks and, most recently, the Rangers from 2002-06, emerged as the front-runner for the Baltimore job over the last week, with numerous reports tipping him as the next skipper to take the helm in the Charm City.
Another source said "nothing is imminent." Showalter is scheduled to work for ESPN, his current employer, through the weekend.
The Orioles, who come into the All-Star break with the worst record in the majors at 29-59, fired Dave Trembley on June 4. Juan Samuel, previously the club's third base coach, has stepped in to manage the club on an interim basis since."
To read more..
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/07/12/buck-showalter-to-take-over-as-orioles-manager-this-weekend /
4. Capps wants to remain with Nationals
Mlb is reporting "Reliever Matt Capps has heard his name in trade rumors, but made it clear recently that he would like to remain a member of the Nationals.
At the break, the All-Star closer is off to the best start of his career, saving 23 games -- third in the Majors -- with a 3.18 ERA. Capps' best month came in April, which he finished with a big league-best 10 saves, converting each of his save opportunities in 12 appearances. Capps, 26, posted a 0.68 ERA, recorded 15 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .226 batting average in his first month with Washington.
"The Nationals have been first class to me from Day 1," Capps said. "I have really enjoyed my time. I hope to make it a much longer time."
To read more..
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5375146
5. Hart wants to stay with Brewers
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting "The Corey Hart trade rumors continue to fly.
First, it was the Giants after him. Then the Braves. Now, the hot rumor is Tampa Bay being willing to part with a young pitcher to acquire him.
Hart is well aware of the rumors as he prepares for All-Star Home Run Derby tonight at Angel Stadium. But the resurgent rightfielder remains adamant that he wants to stay with the Brewers.
In fact, before agreeing to any deal with another club, Hart would like the Brewers to make an offer for a contract extension. He can be a free agent after 2011 and is making $4.8 million after beating the club in arbitration last winter."
to read more..
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/98271099.html
6. Jays sign pair of top Venezuelan prospects
Mlb is reporting "The Blue Jays added some more international talent to their farm system on Tuesday, signing pitcher Adonis Cardona and third baseman Gabriel Cenas to professional contracts. Adding Cardona and Cenas -- both signed as 16-year-old amateur free agents -- continues Toronto's aggressive pursuit of international prospects under general manager Alex Anthopoulos. Cardona and Cenas are viewed as two of the top prospects coming out of Venezuela this summer."
to read more..
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100713&content_id=12229752&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
7. Cards interested in Alex Gonzalez?
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting "Nothing from the Cardinals' side on this, but as Joe Strauss reported in today's Post-Dispatch, the Toronto Blue Jays were among the teams that dispatched a scout to the Cards-Astros series.
The Jays, possibly in a sell mode as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, are believed willing to deal shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who leads AL shortstops with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs."
To read more..
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/article_db13e972-8dc3-11df-81fa-00127992bc8b.html
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