News
Reliever Guardado not retiring
Left-hander encouraged by diagnosis of left knee
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
11/23/09 8:19 PM EST
Hot rumors and cool talk around Monday's Hot Stove: Guardado still wants to have his dayAdd Eddie "Every Day" Guardado to the list of free-agent veterans who are not retiring, as originally suspected. Guardado's agent, Kevin Kohler, tells MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan that the left-hander, who appeared in 48 games for the Rangers last season, was encouraged by Dr. Lewis Yocum's diagnosis of his troublesome left knee and will "continue with somebody."
Torrealba on Giants' radar
Giants GM Brian Sabean confirmed to MLB.com's Chris Haft his club's interest in free agent Yorvit Torrealba as a bridge to highly touted catching prospect Buster Posey. With Posey on the horizon, the Giants aren't prone to make their own free-agent receiver, Bengie Molina, a multiyear offer. This is potentially a return to the Bay Area for Torrealba, the Giants' backup catcher from 2001-05.
Only one team can sign top pitching free agent John Lackey, and if they aren't the ones, the Mets' alternate high-return choices include hurlers returning from injury. Of these, sources tell FOXSports.com that the Mets rate Ben Sheets ahead of others like Kelvim Escobar, Erik Bedard, Mark Mulder and Brett Myers. Dye is cast as first baseman?
Jermaine Dye, who has played right field in 1,630 of his 1,649 career games, is drawing considerable interest as a potential first baseman and his agent, Robert Bry, tells FOXSports.com that the free-agent veteran is open-minded about the position switch. The White Sox had declined their 2010 option on Dye after he had slumped to a .179 batting average in the second half of the season. Big Unit undecided
According to agent Barry Meister, who dined with Randy Johnson during the weekend and relayed their conversation to FOXSports.com, the 303-game winner has not decided on whether to continue pitching in 2010 and is in no hurry to make that call. Johnson, who turned 46 in September, last season went 8-6 with the Giants, but didn't start after straining his left shoulder on July 5. Vizquel in White Sox fold
As anticipated for nearly a week, veteran free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel's one-year agreement with the Chicago White Sox became official when the club announced signing him to a $1,375,000 contract on Monday. Red Sox hail Hale for bench
DeMarlo Hale, Boston's third-base coach the last four seasons, is taking over as Terry Francona's bench coach, replacing Brad Mills, the Astros' new manager. Added to the Red Sox's staff to coach first base was Ron Johnson, who has been a Minor League manager the last 18 seasons, most recently of Boston's Triple-A club at Pawtucket. Red Sox dangle Lowell
Boston is determined enough to upgrade at a corner infield position to cover half of Mike Lowell's $12 million salary in a deal involving him, says FOXSports.com. A new first baseman (Adrian Gonzalez, via trade?) would nudge Kevin Youkilis to third, or the Red Sox could get a new third sacker (free agent Adrian Beltre?). Cantu staying put
The Marlins are known to keep an open ear when it comes to trade feelers for any of their players, but according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, apparently you can cross Jorge Cantu off the list of those likely headed elsewhere. Puerto Rico date for Mets-Marlins?
If Major League Baseball strikes a deal with a promoter to switch one of Florida's regular-season series to Puerto Rico, the Mets would be the likely visiting team, the N.Y. Daily News reported. Puerto Rican natives on the Mets' roster -- Carlos Beltran, Pedro Feliciano, Angel Pagan and Omir Santos -- would make them a natural draw. Damon cooling his heels
Everyone seems anxious to know the fate of Johnny Damon -- except for Damon himself who, prior to embarking on a European vacation, acknowledged that free agency is a slow process and he's OK with waiting it out. Capuano still Brewin'
Lefty Chris Capuano, who hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2007 and underwent his second Tommy John surgery in May '08, has signed a Minor League contract with the Brewers, which includes an invitation to Spring Training, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Brewers looking at Pavano, et al.
Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin, planning to add a couple of starters a little more serviceable than a project such as Capuano, has had "informal" talks with Carl Pavano's agent, Tom O'Connell confirmed to the Journal Sentinel. The last time he was in the NL, Pavano went 18-8 for the 2004 Marlins.
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
