Sunday, February 20, 2011

Former AL MVP looking for a job in Japan






By WAYNE GRACZYK

One of baseball's most colorful and controversial figures is looking to make a comeback as a player at age 46, and his agent thinks Japan might be the place where Jose Canseco can resume his checkered career.

Nello Gamberdino, based in Chicago, represents the former major league superstar, and he has recently contacted all 12 Central and Pacific League teams, asking for a tryout for the one-time big league home run king and American League MVP.

Though it is obviously a long shot, Gamberdino thinks there is a chance some club will realize the potential of having the Canseco name in its lineup, despite the age factor, his history of using performance-enhancing substances and other off-the-field problems.

What has the agent excited is the fact Canseco played a stint last season in independent league ball with the Laredo Broncos (where he hit .385 with four homers and 13 RBIs in just 39 at-bats) and, according to Gamberdino, he went into the league out of shape but still looked good and hit some monster shots as he did regularly 15 or 20 years ago in the majors.

"He's been working out and is in great shape now," said Gamberdino, who added, "I know age is definitely an issue trying to land him somewhere, but I see where Japanese teams last season listed 16 players over the age of 40, including one (pitcher Kimiyasu Kudo of the Seibu Lions) who was 47.

"A second obstacle (in trying to get him a contract) is that people think it's a joke or publicity stunt; that he's only in it for the money, but Jose would play for free."

Gamberdino adds he wouldn't let his client play for nothing but would not be asking for a huge amount either.

Regarding the slugger's revelation of having used the banned substances and authoring a tell-all book, naming others who cheated, Gamberdino had this to say: "He took steroids and admitted so, but it's not so much what he did; rather the way he disclosed it by writing a book. Others who took steroids still enjoy playing and coaching (at a high level).

"I was not involved with him at that time and, as far as I am concerned, that is all water under the bridge. He is not taking steroids now and has not taken them in several years.

"Before deciding to take him as a client, I checked on him, and everyone with whom I talked who knew Jose said he was a great teammate; the first person to pick up a bill at a restaurant . . ."

Gamberdino has never been to Japan and never placed a player in Japan, so he does not have the contacts as do agents who have been regularly doing business with the Japanese teams. Canseco has experience playing in Japan as a member of the Major League Baseball's 1986 postseason All-Star touring team. That's when he was just breaking in with the Oakland Athletics at age 22 and was named the American League Rookie of the Year.

Gamberdino said he has sent a faxed letter to all 12 Japanese pro teams, trying to attract some interest. He had the message translated into Japanese and also sent it by regular post.

He confided that seven teams have responded, and four — Hanshin, Hiroshima, Softbank and Rakuten — said politely their foreign player rosters are full and they have no interest.

However, he said, as of Thursday, three clubs have left open the door for a possible connection, though he declined to name them. The other five teams have not responded.

Should a Central or Pacific League team decide to take a chance on Canseco, a contract would presumably have to be approved by the NPB, and there is precedent for a commissioner stepping in to dissuade a Japanese club from hiring an American player with a questionable background.

The late Steve Howe, in March of 1987, was invited to spring training by the Seibu Lions, but the former Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher left the country after then-Japanese Commissioner Juhei Takeuchi said he would prefer Howe, suspended by Major League Baseball seven times for drug use, not play in Japan.

"There is no way we can know for sure (if Canseco can still play) unless some team gives him a chance. He would definitely put people in the seats, as attendance would skyrocket," said Gamberdino.

"He can still crush the ball and hit home runs, and it would not be a bad business decision. Work him out, and see if you don't think he can contribute as a first baseman or DH."

They are also trying the Korea Baseball Organization.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Rangers Sign Brett Tomko


Veteran starting pitcher Brett Tomko has signed a minor league contract with the Rangers and has been invited to Spring Training.

Tomko, who has played for 10 teams over 13 years, has a career record of 100 wins against 102 loses with a 4.65 ERA. After determining that Scott Feldman, who is still recovering from micro-fracture surgery, won't be ready until possibly mid-season, Tomko represents added depth for the Rangers.

Tomko is the second veteran starter the Rangers have added to their roster via minor league deal, the first being 7-year vet Dave Bush.

Rangers off season in review

Major League Signings:
Arthur Rhodes, RP (1-year, $3.9 million + option year)
Brandon Webb, SP (1-year, $3 million + incentives)
Yorvit Torrealba, C (2-year, $6.25 million)
Adrian Beltre, 3B (5-year, $80 million + option year)

Minor League Signings:
Seth McClung, RP
Dave Bush, SP
Brian Barden, 2B
Endy Chavez, OF
Yhency Brazoban, RP
Zach Jackson, SP
Omar Quintanilla, UTL
Barret Loux, SP ($312K)
Kevin Cash, C

International Signings
Yoshinori Tateyama, RP (1-year + 2 option years)
Hirotoshi Onaka, OF (minor league contract)
Rougned Odor, SS ($450K, Venezuela)
Alberto Triunfel, SS ($300K, Dominican Republic)


Trades and Claims:
Mike Napoli, C/1B (acquired from Toronto)
Ryan Kelly, RHP (acquired from Oakland, assigned to Hickory)
Mason Tobin, RHP (acquired from Chicago Cubs)


Notable Losses:
Cliff Lee, SP (signed w/ Philadelphia)
Vladimir Guerrero, DH (signed w/ Baltimore)
Frank Francisco , RP (traded to Toronto)
Bengie Molina, C (free agency)
Jeff Francoeur, OF (signed w/ Kansas City)
Max Ramirez, C (designated for assignment)
Clay Rapada, RP (designated for assignment, signed by Baltimore)
Brandon McCarthy (signed w/ Oakland)
Guillermo Moscoso (traded to Oakland)
Dustin Nippert (free agency)
Warner Madrigal (signed w/ New York Yankees)
Cristian Guzman (free agency)
Rich Harden (signed w/ Oakland)
Jorge Cantu (signed w/San Diego)
Nathan Haynes (outright release)
Doug Mathis, SP (signed w/ Cleveland)
Willie Eyre, RP (signed w/ Oakland)

Summary: After making their first ever World Series appearance, Texas now goes from being the hunter to the hunted. However, despite the losses of All-Stars Cliff Lee and Vladimir Guerrero, and reliever Frank Francisco, the Rangers will begin 2011 an improved roster over what they had Opening Day 2010.

'Depth' seems to be the key word for this off season as Texas has made several moves to give themselves greater flexibility with both their lineup and their pitching staff. The acquisition of multi-dimensional player Mike Napoli (C/1B/DH) and the free agent signing of All-Star 3B Adrian Beltre allows Texas to make All-Star (and current unhappy camper) Michael Young their primary DH and 'Super-Sub' player. Assuming Young isn't traded (which has gone from being imminent to unlikely) Texas is hoping to give him time at every position around the infield. Underrated player Andres Blanco adds to the depth as he not only plays 2B & SS, but spent some time at both Catcher and OF during Winter League play.

Also of note is the loss of hitting instructor Clint Hurdle, who helped steer the offense to a league leading .276 batting average. Hurdle left after just one season to fill the vacant managerial job in Pittsburgh. He was replaced by former big leaguer Thad Bosley. Despite the change, Texas is going to hit the ball, that's a given. There's far too much talent on the roster to expect otherwise. What is in question is what the change in philosophy, if any, will mean for the offense overall.

Cliff Lee going back to Philadelphia definitely hurt the Rangers rotation but it was far from a surprise. Texas wasted no time in at least trying to rebuild their rotation, signing former NL Cy Young winner Brandon Webb. Webb is an unknown quantity, coming off two years of arm troubles but Texas is hopeful a 1-year deal coupled with a healthy arm will produce a good year from the former ace. The Rangers also signed righty Dave Bush to a minor league deal with the belief that he can provide some back of the rotation depth should young guys like Derek Holland and Michael Kirkman come up short.

Texas is also counting on yet another 40-year old reliever to stabilize their bullpen. Last season, old man Darren Oliver had a nice season, posting a 2.48 ERA in 64 appearances. However, Oliver wore down as the season went on and was largely ineffective throughout most of the playoffs. The signing of fellow 40+ left-hander Arthur Rhodes is expected to take some of the pressure off Oliver and keep him fresh for the entire season. Rhodes, who made the All-Star team last season for the Reds, is a 19-year veteran and has extensive playoff experience. Texas also added sidewinding Japanese pitcher Yoshinori Tateyama and traded for a live arm in Mason Tobin. Both pitchers are expected to at least make a push for a spot in the bullpen.

Lastly, Texas made a couple of moves with an eye towards the future, signing former 1st round draft pick Barrett Loux along with a pair of athletic shortstops, Rougned Odor and Alberto Triunfel. Pitching, defense and speed continue to be the focus not only at the Major League level, but in the Minor League and Developmental levels as well.

Most people will point to the loss of Cliff Lee as something that pushes Texas out of the upper echelon in the AL, but this sort of thinking is short-sighted and exactly the sort of thing the Rangers can use to make yet another run to the World Series. Losing Lee hurts. He was unquestionably 'the man' in the playoffs, and without him Texas never would have made it to the World Series. However, Texas was far was inept prior to Lee's arrival. Fact is, Texas had a better regular season record without Lee (50-36), than with him (40-36). Moving forward, there's no reason to believe 2010 breakout stars C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis can't continue to make strides and carry the rotation, at least until Jon Daniels and Co. are able to make a deal for another arm. If they pitch as expected, and if players like Tommy Hunter can continue to grow, the Rangers should once again find themselves in the hunt for another AL West title with an eye towards another run at the World Series.