Results tagged ‘ Jesus Montero ’

Gio Gonzalez rumors continue to swirl

On Thursday, the list of suitors for Athletics starter Gio Gonzalez was deemed by FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal to essentially look like this: Mets, Mariners, Marlins, Red Sox, Reds, Rangers and Nationals. On Friday, a few more-specific rumors were thrown around regarding the 26-year-old left-hander.

CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman tweeted that the Mets wouldn’t include Jonathan Niese, Ike Davis, Matt Harvey, Jenrry Mejia or Jeurys Familia in a deal for Gonzalez, making it really hard to even fathom them in the race considering the A’s previous demands. Oakland, Heyman added, seeks a huge package for Gonzalez, who’s arbitration-eligible for the first time after combining to go 31-21 with a 3.17 ERA with 368 strikeouts and 183 walks the last two seasons.

The Tigers are only deemed to be on the “outskirts” for Gonzalez, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, and the Yankees are unwilling to surrender top prospects Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances, according to Heyman. MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reports that the Nationals are “all but out” on Gonzalez because of that asking price.

The Rangers, however, could be in play, considering they have top prospect Mike Olt and the A’s are looking for a future third baseman, notes FOXSports.com’s Jon Paul Morosi. However, as ESPN.com’s Buster Olney says, 20-year-old Rangers lefty Martin Perez would “almost have to be” included in a deal between the A’s and Rangers.

For now, the situation remains awfully fluid.

And it should gain a lot more steam once the Yu Darvish situation is settled.

– Alden Gonzalez 

Yankees keeping an eye on Danks

The Yankees have been linked to White Sox left-hander John Danks for some time, with little movement on the situation. Meanwhile, Brian Cashman has been talking about how he’s made his calls, but some teams seem to be asking for too much from New York’s farm system.

This could be an example. Jon Heyman tweets that the White Sox asked the Yankees for both catcher Jesus Montero and left-hander Manny Banuelos in exchange for the 26-year-old Danks. The Yankees weren’t interested at that price, but they will keep listening with regard to Danks, who was 8-12 with a 4.33 ERA in 27 starts this year for Chicago.

- Bryan Hoch

Girardi: Yankees’ rotation may be set

Yankees manager Joe Girardi tells the New York Daily News that he expects to go into the 2012 season with a rotation that includes CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, Freddy Garcia and A.J. Burnett.

“I think we’ll look at maybe possibly adding some more depth to it, but I feel pretty good about these guys,” Girardi told the newspaper in a Tuesday telephone interview. “Our pitching was really overlooked last year, I thought. We threw the ball well all year long. Will we try to add one more veteran arm? It’s possible, but I feel pretty good about the guys we have in camp right now.”

Girardi does not seem to be expecting a big free agent along the lines of C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle or Edwin Jackson to be arriving in the Bronx.

“I think our club is starting to try to develop a little bit more,” Girardi said. “Sometimes you feel that you can overpay for pitching and it can cost you.”

The Daily News indicates the Yankees may be interested in trading for the Cubs’ Matt Garza, but are unwilling to move blue chip prospects like Jesus Montero or Manny Banuelos for him. The New York Post also notes that the Yankees could consider dealing Dellin Betances to the White Sox for John Danks.

- Bryan Hoch

Yankees may not make a big move

It is little secret that the Yankees would like a big-time arm to slot behind CC Sabathia in their rotation, given the uncertainty their current hurlers may offer come October, but the Rockies’ asking price for Ubaldo Jimenez is still believed to be too rich.

The New York Post reported Wednesday that the Yankees have spent more time discussing relievers and, internally, have pessimism that they will be involved in a major deal before the Trade Deadline. Ownership is also not pushing general manager Brian Cashman to make a big move.

The Rockies’ original asking price for Jimenez, according to the Post, was left-hander Manny Banuelos, right-hander Dellin Betances and catcher Jesus Montero, plus right-hander Ivan Nova.

Cashman has been generally protective of those players, though he was willing to part with Montero last July when the Mariners were dangling Cliff Lee. He balked at including Nova in that deal.

– Bryan Hoch

If Phil is right, do the Yankees need Ubaldo?

That’s the question Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is likely pondering as the non-waiver Trade Deadline nears.

Anybody would want Ubaldo Jimenez — but at what cost?

With regards to the Yankees, the names that have surfaced as potential pieces to a deal are the likes of Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Ivan Novaand Jesus Montero (though SI.com is reporting Monday that Montero wouldn’t be the centerpiece of the potential trade, since the Rockies don’t view him as a catcher).

Since Jimenez is under club control for a while, is pretty affordable and isn’t really having a great year, the Rockies don’t feel much pressure to move him at this point. So it isn’t surprising that they’re asking so much for his services.

An added wrinkle is what took place on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre, when Phil Hughes registered his best start of the year — the type that made you feel he was getting awfully close to being the 18-game winner of 2010.

Now, the question is: If Hughes really is back, should the Yankees — with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Hughes at the top of their rotation, and Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Nova filling out the back end — give the Rockies what they want for Ubaldo?

Bombers Beat has more on that dilemma …

– Alden

Yankees one of many interested in Ubaldo

The Yankees were one of 17 teams watching Ubaldo Jimenez pitch in Colorado on Thursday night, according to The New York Post, which attributed talent evaluators in saying New York has a “better than average” chance at acquiring the ace pitcher.

Jimenez has struggled to a 5-8 record and a 4.08 ERA in his first 18 starts this year, which could make him more attainable than in recent years — especially considering the Rockies are 8 1/2 games back of first place. An anonymous source told the Post Jimenez has pouted this year because Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez received large contract extensions this offseason and he didn’t.

“They are annoyed at him,” the source told the newspaper.

The Post added that the Rockies are interested in catching prospect Jesus Montero — who they see as a first baseman — along with Minor League pitchers Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances.

The sense around baseball has been that those guys are untouchable. But Montero — activated from the 7-day disabled list on Friday — hasn’t been great in Triple-A this year. It’ll be interesting to see if the Yankees change their mindset if Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia scontinue to struggle in the second half.

Jimenez is surely affordable. He’s making $2.8 million in 2011 and is slated for $4.2 million in 2012. The Rockies then hold back-to-back club options for 2013 and ’14 (at $5.75 million and $8 million, respectively).

– Alden Gonzalez 

Joba is not a starting pitching option for Yankees

NEW YORK — There you have it. You can put that to rest now. Joba Chamberlain will not be returning as a starting pitcher for the Yankees, even though the club has serious questions after the first two spots in its rotation.

“No, Joba’s in the ‘pen,” general manager Brian Cashman assured Thursday.

That day, the Yankees announced the signing of Russell Martin as their new starting catcher, which gives them the flexibility to perhaps use highly rated prospect Jesus Montero as a trade chip to acquire pitching help — something the Yankees’ skipper believes his club needs.

“We need to add another guy to our rotation,” manager Joe Girardi said, “there’s no doubt about it.”

Meanwhile, the Yankees have been linked to a few relievers recently. ESPNNewYork.com reported that they’re making “a little progress” with lefty Pedro Feliciano, and Rafael Soriano’s name has come up a lot (though it seems like a long shot because of his asking price). Jon Heyman of SI.com and MLB Network wrote that the Yankees’ search for lefty relief could also turn them to Brian Fuentes and Arthur Rhodes.

– Alden Gonzalez   

Russell Martin close to a deal with the Yankees?

NEW YORK — While the Yankees await on the decision of one Cliff Lee, they have “continued to be aggressive” on free-agent catcher Russell Martin, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported on his Twitter account Monday, adding that it “would not be a surprise if we heard at any time of an agreement” between the two sides. 

Martin’s agent, Matt Colleran, didn’t immediately return a phone call from MLB.com seeking comment.

Non-tendered by the Dodgers, Martin has reportedly garnered the most serious interest from three American League East clubs — the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays. Of the three, the Red Sox appear to be the least interested.

With the aging Jorge Posada serving mostly as a designated hitter next year, New York is expected to go into the season with Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Francisco Cervelli competing for playing time behind the plate. But general manager Brian Cashman has said he’s open to acquiring outside help. As of now, Montero is deemed by many as the favorite.

Martin, 27, was a back-to-back All-Star and among the National League’s best catchers from 2007-08. But after a down year in 2009, he was limited to 97 games in 2010 because of a broken hip.

– Alden Gonzalez  

Martin catching several AL East offers

Russell Martin has received interest from the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays, according to a report Friday in the New York Post.

Agent Matt Colleran named the three American League East teams among those having “serious discussions” about the backstop. The newspaper reported that the Yankees have extended a contract offer to make Martin their starting catcher, according to Colleran. 
The Yankees tried to trade for Martin before he was non-tendered by the Dodgers, dangling Francisco Cervelli, before pulling away due to health concerns. Rookie Jesus Montero is currently envisioned as the Yankees’ starting catcher, with Jorge Posada transitioning to the designated hitter role.
– Bryan Hoch

Yankees could be in the market for a catcher

NEW YORK — You can never really rule out any free agent with the Yankees, so even though Jorge Posada is coming back mostly as a designated hitter next year to pave the way for a youngster like Jesus Montero, New York could still pursue a safety net in the open market.

General manager Brian Cashman volunteered that on Thursday, saying he “wouldn’t even close the door on looking out in the marketplace to see if I can secure somebody else out there as a cushion.”

Posada, 39 and coming off knee surgery, will spend most of, if not all of his time at DH in 2011, so it’ll come down to prospects Montero and Austin Romine, as well as backup Francisco Cervelli. Free-agent catching options include A.J. Pierzynski, Rod Barajas, John Buck, Gerald Laird, Matt Treanor and a host of others (you can probably rule the top prize, Victor Martinez, out of the equation, though). 

“We’re certainly not handing a job to anybody,” Cashman said. “We have some serious young, good catching coming. They have to earn it, though. They have to earn it for the next level. No one’s going to be handing anything to anybody.”

– Alden Gonzalez

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