Red Sox-Yankees battle over Buc lefty
According to today’s edition of the New York Post, another bidding war is currently being waged between the rival Yankees and Red Sox, this time for Pittsburgh Pirates lefty Mike Gonzalez. A top-shelf, power-lefty who throws in the low 90s (according to scouts who liken him to a Mike Stanton or Alan Embree in their prime) Gonzalez was 24-24 in save opportunities last year (with lefties batting a mere .163) before tendonitis ended his season in August. Doctors have reportedly announced him fully healthy. The Pirates, the report continues, are looking for an inexpensive bat in return – and the Heckler can only wonder – why aren’t the Detroit Tigers linked to this guy? With one main off-season priority already fulfilled by adding Gary Sheffield (well-done) the American League champs still have yet to address their lefty bullpen need that opened with the departure of Jamie Walker to Baltimore. Nonetheless, the only names surfacing right now are the Yankees’ Melky Cabrera along with pitcher Scott Proctor. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have allegedly dangled Coco Crisp. Gonzales turns 29 this season. Stay tuned.
Elsewhere . . . the Pirates-Tigers connection continues to get even stronger, as Bruce Tanner has accepted the position of advance scout with Detroit, leaving his post as Class A Williamsport pitching coach. The son of former Bucs’ manager Chuck Tanner, Bruce had spent the previous five seasons as the Pirates’ bullpen coach. “This opportunity was just too good for me to pass up. This opens up so many wonderful new doors for me,” Tanner told the New Castle News.
In other Tigers’ news, outfielder Luke Scott is another name being to a possible three-way deal between Detroit, Baltimore and Houston. Rodrigo Lopez would be spun to Houston, with Marcus Thames going to the Orioles, Scott to Motown.
Lastly – in other news - the Rangers are reportedly set to offer a contract to lefty Barry Zito, fresh off their signing of centerfielder (and seemingly ageless) Kenny Lofton . . . the Red Sox are reportedly preparing to offer a record-setting contract to Daisuke Matsuzaka for someone never having pitched in MLB. No figures announced, but agent Scott Boras’ has repeatedly said his client is worth in excess of $100 million . . . the Astros’ Jeff Bagwell will announce his retirement this week pending the finalization of a personal services contract with the club. He leaves as the team’s all-time homerun leader, and is also the only first baseman amid 10 players all-time to hit 400 homeruns and steam 200 bases. All told, over 15 seasons, the four-time NL All-Star and 1994 NL MVP hit .297, 449 homeruns, 1,529 RBI and 202 steals over 2,150 games.
- The Heckler