Players mov'in the news

AL & NL hitters and Pitchers

Maicer Izturis SS Los Angeles Angels

Angels agreed to terms with infielder Maicer Izturis on a one-year, $1.6 million contract.
Fantasy Source spin: Izturis asked for $1.885 million and was offered $1.4 million in his second year of arbitration. The 28-year-old is a utility player for the Angels, but only injuries have prevented him from reaching 400 at-bats the last couple of years. With Erick Aybar still not having established himself and Howie Kendrick not yet proving he can stay healthy, Izturis is looking at plenty of playing time again in 2009.

Jason Kubel DH Minnesota Twins

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Jason Kubel's two-year contract with the Twins is worth "about $7 million" with a $5 million team option for 2011.
Fantasy Source spin: If those are indeed the terms the Twins did very well, giving themselves the option of buying out Kubel's first season of free agency for a mere $5 million while avoiding any real risk. He's expected to make around $2.75 million in 2009.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Mike Lowell 3B Boston Red Sox

Mike Lowell swung a bat Tuesday for the first time since October hip surgery, taking 50 hacks off a tee.
Fantasy Source spin: Meanwhile, Lowell has been removed from Puerto Rico's provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic because of his uncertain health status. He remains on track to be ready for opening day, but it's unclear how much action he'll get during spring training.
Source: WEEI.com

Eric Hinske OF Tampa Bay Devil Rays

The Pirates are close to signing free agent Eric Hinske to a deal worth $1 million-$2 million.
Fantasy Source spin: It's not the right-handed bat the Pirates would prefer, but it's clearly better than settling for Luis Gonzalez. Hinske is no longer more than an emergency third baseman, but he holds his own defensively at the outfield corners and he was able to hit 20 homers in just 381 at-bats last season. He'll be the Pirates' best option to start in left, though he'll probably be penciled into a reserve role initially.
Source: FOXSports.com

AL Pitchers

Joaquin Benoit RP Texas Rangers

Joaquin Benoit underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn rotator cuff and will miss at least the first half of the season.
Fantasy Source spin: It was obvious that Benoit was nowhere near 100 percent while he was on the mound last season, so this doesn't come as much of a surprise. "Joaquin was affected most of last season, and it didn't allow him to perform to his abilities," said Rangers GM Jon Daniels. "He attempted to rehab the injury this offseason. He worked hard but the results weren't there. From all accounts, the surgery went well and he can begin the process of strengthening his shoulder now." Benoit is entering the final season of a two-year, $6 million deal and will be a free agent at season's end.
Source: Dallas Morning News

Garrett Olson SP Baltimore Orioles

Mariners acquired LHP Garrett Olson and infielder Ronny Cedeno from the Cubs for RHP Aaron Heilman.
Fantasy Source spin: That the Mariners are getting Olson here suggests that they had the chance to trade Heilman for Felix Pie and turned it down. Olson, who was traded from the Orioles to the Cubs for Pie last week, brings a 10-13 record and a 6.87 ERA with him to Seattle. He's still a decent bet to make it as a fourth or fifth starter, but he belongs in Triple-A right now. The Mariners have enough rotation candidates to send him down for the start of the year.

Jon Garland SP Los Angeles Angels

The Arizona Republic reports that Jon Garland and the Diamondbacks have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with an option for 2010.
Fantasy Source spin: According to the newspaper, "Garland's guaranteed money is believed to be in the $6 million to $8 million range" and it sounds like the option is a mutual one. Garland reportedly turned down a two-year, $14 million offer from Arizona last week.
Source: Arizona Republic

Javier Vazquez SP Chicago White Sox

Vazquez seems like an ace based on his strikeout-to-walk ratio, but he allows so many extra-base hits that his great strikeout rates don't matter. He can make a claim as one of the durable pitchers in the game, making at least 32 starts in each of the last nine seasons. Still, we have to forget about him as a potential ace since he had a better than league average ERA only once since getting out of Montreal in 2003.
Fantasy Source spin: Good for strikeouts and wins to carry in mixed leagues, but his ERA will hurt.
Source: Fanball.com


Andrew Brown RP Oakland Athletics

Andrew Brown said Tuesday that he's scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews this week and expects to undergo shoulder surgery.
Fantasy Source spin: Brown had a 2.05 ERA and .169 opponent's batting average through 30 appearances last season, but gave up four runs on July 25 and didn't pitch again because of shoulder problems that apparently haven't improved. "Hopefully, it's nothing major and I'm only out until the All-Star break," Brown said. "I know there is a small labrum tear, and the rotator cuff has some damage, but it might just be irritation. The MRI is not conclusive."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Jon Garland SP Los Angeles Angels

MLB.com reports that the Diamondbacks and Jon Garland "are closing in on a deal."
Fantasy Source spin: Garland previously turned down a two-year offer that the Arizona Republic pegged at around $14 million and the Diamondbacks are said to be up against their projected payroll numbers, so it'll be interesting to see which side blinks.
Source: MLB.com
NL hitters

Mike Lowell 3B Boston Red Sox

Mike Lowell swung a bat Tuesday for the first time since October hip surgery, taking 50 hacks off a tee.
Fantasy Source spin: Meanwhile, Lowell has been removed from Puerto Rico's provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic because of his uncertain health status. He remains on track to be ready for opening day, but it's unclear how much action he'll get during spring training.
Source: WEEI.com

NL Pitchers

Joaquin Benoit RP Texas Rangers

Joaquin Benoit underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn rotator cuff and will miss at least the first half of the season.
Fantasy Source spin: It was obvious that Benoit was nowhere near 100 percent while he was on the mound last season, so this doesn't come as much of a surprise. "Joaquin was affected most of last season, and it didn't allow him to perform to his abilities," said Rangers GM Jon Daniels. "He attempted to rehab the injury this offseason. He worked hard but the results weren't there. From all accounts, the surgery went well and he can begin the process of strengthening his shoulder now." Benoit is entering the final season of a two-year, $6 million deal and will be a free agent at season's end.
Source: Dallas Morning News


Andrew Brown RP Oakland Athletics

Andrew Brown said Tuesday that he's scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews this week and expects to undergo shoulder surgery.
Fantasy Source spin: Brown had a 2.05 ERA and .169 opponent's batting average through 30 appearances last season, but gave up four runs on July 25 and didn't pitch again because of shoulder problems that apparently haven't improved. "Hopefully, it's nothing major and I'm only out until the All-Star break," Brown said. "I know there is a small labrum tear, and the rotator cuff has some damage, but it might just be irritation. The MRI is not conclusive."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle


Ultimate Fantasy Source

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Player's mov'in the News

Jays face 'challenges' in wake of significant pitching losses

By Paul White, USA TODAY

The Toronto Blue Jays farm system has been responsible for the team's rise to the top of the American League in pitching. Homegrown pitchers started 122 of the team's games last season, and that number could increase in 2009. It might have to.
And the surrounding circumstances could keep the Jays from making any gains in an AL East that is even more difficult than usual.

"I'm not nervous," manager Cito Gaston says. "A little bit excited, because it's a challenge. I like challenges. They're fun."

Challenge enough would have been trying to revive a Toronto offense that has fizzled from nearly five runs a game in 2006 to 4.7 in 2007 to 4.4 last season. Now, even if that flourish were to happen with pretty much the same cast as last season, Gaston can't count on anything similar to the pitching staff that led the AL in ERA, fewest runs, fewest hits, fewest home runs and most complete games in 2008.

Gone is free agent A.J. Burnett, who was 18-10 and provided 34 of the 40 starts in 2008 that didn't come from products of the Toronto farm system. He has joined the New York Yankees, who are aggressively trying to catch up to the division's two playoff teams from last season, the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox.

Also gone for 2009 is Shaun Marcum, who was 9-7 in 2007 with a 3.39 ERA that was second on the Toronto rotation to ace Roy Halladay's 2.78. Marcum is expected to miss the season after elbow surgery. Plus, Dustin McGowan will be out until at least May after shoulder surgery.

The only potential outside addition to the rotation is Matt Clement, who signed a minor league contract after being out of the majors the last two seasons because of shoulder problems.

So that leaves the Blue Jays to sort through more homegrown candidates.

David Purcey, who got his first 12 major league starts after the injuries hit last season, is almost a sure thing for a rotation spot. Casey Janssen, who has been a starter and a reliever but missed last season because of a shoulder injury, will be in the spring competition.

So will prospects ranging from the top two pitchers in the system (Brett Cecil and Brad Mills); to lefty Ricky Romero, the sixth overall pick in the 2005 draft; to Scott Richmond, who had five big-league starts last season.

If all else fails, the Blue Jays would consider dipping into their deep bullpen for help.

"They can count," Gaston says. "When they go into spring training, they can see that we have three starters, at the most. They know there's a couple of jobs open."

Gaston didn't spend much time lamenting the loss of Burnett. In fact, the injuries make it easier to take.

"If we had McGowan back this year (2009) and we had Marcum back this year, then you really might go after A.J. this year," Gaston says. "But without those two guys, does it really mean we're going to win with A.J., you know?"

If that sounds like a rebuilding year, the question arises about patience. Gaston has it, having just begun his second term as Toronto manager after replacing John Gibbons in June.

But with a search on for a club president after Paul Godfrey stepped down, any slippage from 2008's 86 victories could increase pressure on general manager J.P. Ricciardi.

"This team is moving in the right direction," Gaston says. "I see them for the next five years being a competitive team after this year. This year, we're going to be OK. It depends how well we pitch."

As for that offense, rookie Travis Snider is the one likely newcomer in left field, the spot Adam Lind took over last season. Lind is still plenty capable, but Gaston likes defense better and plans to move Lind to DH.

While the Blue Jays could use better seasons from first baseman Lyle Overbay and third baseman Scott Rolen, a key question on the offense is second baseman Aaron Hill. He is coming back from a concussion suffered last season in a collision with David Eckstein and says the symptoms are gone, but his status won't be certain until he begins playing every day.

"I think challenges are good," Gaston says, "because is just gives you an edge."

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Top 15 Prospects 1st baseman and catcher's

Top 15 Catching Prospects

1 Matt Wieters C Put up videogame-esque .355/.454/.600 line between A+, AA; .918 OPS (33 AB) in AFL 22.4 BAL AA
2 Buster Posey C No. 5 overall pick off to solid start; having his way with HWB pitchers: .478/.545/.543 (56 PA) 21.6 SF SS
3 Carlos Santana C/DH Call it a breakout: went .326/.431/.568 in '08 after .223/.318/.370 showing in '07; 16.5% BB 22.5 CLE AA
4 Max Ramirez C/1B Conquered AA (.465 wOBA), defeated in AAA (.310), MLB (.327); 29.2% K in AAA, bigs 24.0 TEX MLB
5 Jesus Montero C/DH Hard not to be impressed: .322/.373/.488, .371 wOBA (571 PA) in first full season as a pro 18.8 NYY A
6 Taylor Teagarden C Olympian looked good in limited MLB playing time; didn't fair as well in AA, AAA (.693 OPS) 24.8 TEX MLB
7 Kyle Skipworth C No. 6 overall pick, Gatorade Nat'l H.S. Player of the Year pick got off to slow start (.254 wOBA) 18.6 FLA R
8 Hank Conger C/DH King Conger's '07, '08 stats in A, A+ eerily similar: 319 PA, 12% LD, 42% GB; wOBA up to .356 20.7 LAA A+
9 Josh Donaldson C Liked CAL (.405 wOBA in 207 PA) far more than MID (.276 wOBA in 252 PA); in PHX for AFL 22.8 OAK A+
10 Angel Salome C/DH 5-foot-7 with power: 30 2B, 13 HR, .559 SLG in 411 AA PA; .412 wOBA after .346 in '07 22.4 MIL AA
11 Bryan Anderson C One of AAA's youngest players showed on-base ability (12.6% BB), little power (.098 IsoP) 21.8 STL AAA
12 Jason Castro C/DH No. 10 overall pick didn't make a bad first impression: .276/.382/.381, 14.5% BB in 159 PA 21.3 HOU SS
13 Austin Romine C/DH 07 2nd-rounder went .300/.344/.435, .342 wOBA (436 PA) in 1st pro season; .135 IsoP 19.9 NYY A
14 J.P. Arencibia C Went .298/.322/.527, 41.4% XBH rate in 1st full pro season; just 18 BB in 539 PA (3.3%) 22.8 TOR AA
15 Lou Marson C Other Olympic backstop put up impressive .381 wOBA in AA; .389 BABIP, 12% LD a concern

Top 15 First Base Prospects

1 Lars Anderson 1B All he did was follow .398 wOBA showing in Cal League with .415 wOBA in Eastern League 21.1 BOS AA
2 Justin Smoak 1B No. 11 overall pick had .372 wOBA (62 PA) in Low-A; .450 wOBA, 40% XBH in 48 AFL PA 21.9 TEX A
3 Eric Hosmer 1B No. 3 overall pick brings advanced approach to the plate for a high schooler; some power, too 19.0 KC R
4 Yonder Alonso 1B No. 7 overall pick sporting a .327/.436/.541 line (117 PA) in HWB; both power, patience 21.5 CIN A+
5 Kila Ka'aihue 1B/DH After posting .347 wOBA last year, Hawaiian sat above .450 this season; walks a ton 24.5 KC MLB
6 Logan Morrison 1B As if his .386 wOBA in the Florida State League hasn’t impressive, he's at .484 in the AFL 21.1 FLA A+
7 Freddie Freeman 1B From .294 wOBA, 9% LD in '07 to .386, 19% in '08; 2007 2nd rounder could break out in '09 18.8 ATL A
8 David Cooper 1B No. 17 overall pick had .333/399/.502 vital (303 PA) across three levels in professional debut 20.6 TOR A+
9 <Chris Marrero 1B Missed most of the '08 season with broken right fibula; .337 wOBA, .205 IsoP in 287 PA 20.3 WAS A+
10 Nick Evans 1B/LF Improved .321 wOBA in '06 to .364 in '07, .390 in '08; MLB struggles: .295 wOBA (119 PA) 22.7 NYM MLB
11 Chris Carter 1B/3B/DH Had his way in the Cal League: .389 wOBA, 39 HR, 57% XBH; lots of strikeouts, too (26%) 21.8 OAK A+
12 Beau Mills 1B Had 58 XBH (544 PA), .507 SLG in A+; SLG has dropped to .386 (.313 wOBA) in 72 AFL PA 22.2 CLE A+
13 Kyle Blanks 1B 6-foot-6, 270-pounder's .396 wOBA last season up slightly from .393 in Cal League in '07 22.1 SD AA
14 Angel Villalona 1B Potential, yes; results, not so much: .264/.313/.436 in Low-A; no BB (3.6%), high K's (23.5%) 18.2 SF A
15 Chris Parmelee 1B/RF Little contact (.239 AVG, 28.7% K), lot of walks (18%) and power .257 IsoP; .378 wOBA 20.6 MIN A

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Player's Shak'in the News

Sidney Ponson SP Yankees

The Orioles and Sidney Ponson have reportedly agreed to a settlement in their three-year dispute over $11.2 million that the club refused to pay the right-hander after he was cut in 2005 for off-the-field transgressions.

The case was finally set to go to arbitration three years and two months after the Orioles voided Ponson's deal. Terms of the settlement weren't released, but it sounds like Ponson recovered a significant portion of the money.
Source: Baltimore Sun


Katsuhiko Maekawa RP Nationals

The Cardinals have reportedly signed left-hander Katsuhiko Maekawa to a minor league deal.

The Nationals signed Maekawa a year ago, but he was denied a U.S. visa and never did pitch in the country. The 30-year-old had a 5.26 ERA in 609 career innings in Japan. He's probably nothing more than a Triple-A pitcher.
Source: Sponichi.co.jp


Andy Pettitte SP Yankees

Manager Joe Girardi said Thursday that Andy Pettitte remains interested in re-signing with the Yankees.

New York has far less of a need for Pettitte after signing both CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, but are still open to bringing him back on a one-year, $10 million deal. "I talked to him recently and he is still excited about coming back," Girardi said. "They continue to talk; it takes time. He is very excited about the additions to the club and he wants to be here. I think he could help."
Source: New York Post


Cole Hamels SP Phillies

Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge have both declined invitations to play in the World Baseball Classic.

Teammate Jimmy Rollins has committed to being on the team and Ryan Howard has yet to decide on his invite.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
Related: Brad Lidge


Matt Treanor C Tigers

The Detroit Free Press reports that Matt Treanor's one-year contract with the Tigers is worth around $750,000.

Treanor will back up Gerald Laird after being released last week by the Marlins.
Source: Detroit Free Press

Henry: Red Sox will be outbid for Teixeira

Red Sox owner John Henry wrote Thursday that he doesn't expect the team to "be a factor" in the final bidding for Mark Teixeira.

"We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him," Henry said. "After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor." Negotiating ploy or the end of Boston's flirtation? We're guessing agent Scott Boras was still presenting the Red Sox with some unrealistic expectations during the face-to-face negotiations Thursday. It's pretty clear that the Red Sox won't go beyond eight years in a deal for the first baseman. Dec. 18 - 10:56 pm et
Source: Boston.com

Angels re-sign Juan Rivera to 3-year deal

Angels signed outfielder Juan Rivera to a three-year, $12.75 million contract.

A reasonable salary, but a three-year commitment is somewhat surprising for a player who's totaled just 299 at-bats over the past two seasons and has never topped 450 at-bats. With Garret Anderson departing Rivera figures to play every day between the outfield and designated hitter, and the 30-year-old career .284/.331/.468 hitter is capable of smacking 20-plus homers if he can stay healthy. Dec. 19 - 2:46 pm et

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Braves: Furcal Contract expected

12/16/08 5:24 AM EST
MLB.Com

Rafael Furcal

The Braves appear to be on the cusp of bringing back shortstop Rafael Furcal, one of the most productive players in the team's recent history, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

A Major League source told Fox Sports that Furcal has decided to return to his first franchise, with a contract agreement expected to be announced Tuesday, conditional on Furcal passing a physical. The deal is believed to be for three years with a vesting option for a fourth.

Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told FOXSports.com on Monday night before the report broke, "[The Braves] are in deep. He's seriously considering it."
The Oakland A's have been the front-runner to acquire the shortstop's services, offering what is believed to be the only four-year deal that Furcal received. However, Furcal is said to prefer returning to either one of the two franchises for which he's played: the Braves or the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Furcal played six seasons for the Braves, winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 2000 and making the All-Star team in 2003, when he finished third in the National League in runs scored with 130. He then signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Dodgers. Furcal was limited by back issues in 2008, but did hit .357 with 16 RBIs in 36 games.

The Braves already have a potential All-Star caliber shortstop in Yunel Escobar. The strong-armed Furcal could conceivably move to second base, or the Braves could use Escobar as trade bait. Escobar had previously been mentioned in trade talks for San Diego ace Jake Peavy. The Padres recently broke off talks with the Cubs for Peavy, but didn't rule out revisiting talks with other teams.

Manny Ramirez
If not Mark Teixeira, why not Manny Ramirez?
It's a question that has come up frequently as the Angels continue to wrestle with the possibility that they will surrender Teixeira to an East Coast team, with the Red Sox, Orioles, Nationals and Yankees all in the hunt for the switch-hitting first baseman.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia, while attending the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, said he didn't understand why people assumed he couldn't get along with Ramirez, adding, "He'd be a fit on our club."

And on Monday with AM 830 KLAA, the Angels' flagship radio station, Scioscia expanded on that viewpoint.

"I don't know know how some of these things get started," Scioscia said. "Our staff has been together for 10 years here. Really, we've had maybe one well-documented thing with Jose Guillen, and that's it. I don't think we demand anything from our players that any other organization, any other manager, doesn't demand from their players."

Guillen was dismissed from the team over his demeanor late in the 2004 season after producing 27 homers and 104 RBIs in 148 games. He was dealt that winter to Montreal for Juan Rivera and Maicer Izturis.

"Manny Ramirez is a guy, as long as he's practicing the game hard, playing it hard and producing, and is understanding of the team concept -- which from everything I've heard from guys he's played with, he is -- he's a guy who works very, very hard at what he does," Scioscia said. "He'd be a fit on a lot of clubs, including our own.

"I don't think it's anything like that is going to keep Manny from being considered to play for our club. It's certainly length of contract, resources, things like that -- that would affect any other player."

With Teixeira drawing heightened interest -- and the Angels making an eight-year offer that was beyond their initial projections -- Ramirez has been pushed into the background.

Ramirez, who produced a sensational second half for the Dodgers, figures to cost about half as much as Teixeira in length of terms and dollars. Ramirez, at 36, is eight years older than Teixeira.

There was radio speculation by host Dan Patrick on Monday that a potential Teixeira deal with Boston could go as high as $200 million over eight years.

Scott Boras, representing both Teixeira and Ramirez, made a case that Teixeira is worthy of a 10-year deal while Ramirez warrants a six-year pact.

Asked if he'd be for it if things could be worked out with Ramirez, Scioscia said, "Absolutely. Talent like Manny's is real. He's a winner. Whether it happens or not remains to be seen. But we would not rule him out.

"We have discussions obviously on character and makeup. We would not rule Manny out. When he's motivated -- and he showed that in the last part of the season -- this guy is one of the best talents in the game."

The Angels have firsthand knowledge of what Ramirez can do on the big October stage. He helped knock them out in the American League Division Series in 2004 and '07 with his lethal bat.

In the six games of those two series sweeps, Ramirez was 8-for-21 (.381) with three homers and 11 RBIs.

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K-Rod boast Mets 2009 winning season

NEW YORK Francisco Rodriguez has a message for the Philadelphia Phillies and the rest of the NL East.

Despite back-to-back September collapses, Francisco Rodriguez is confident the Mets will win the NL East in 2009. Here's how the division stacked up
"Of course, we're going to try to win the division. Of course, we're going to be the front-runner. Of course, we're going to be the team to beat," he said Saturday.

Four days after agreeing to a $37 million, three-year contract, K-Rod was confident the Mets will put consecutive September collapses behind them and overtake the World Series champion Phillies in ruling the NL East.

"I don't want there to be a controversy or the other ballclubs in that division to take it personally or take it in a bad way," he said. "If they ask me, 'Oh, which ballclub is going to win the National League East?' It's going to be the Mets. Easy question."

In 2007 and 2008, the Mets treated their fans much the same way Lucy dealt with Charlie Brown trying to kick a football: They promised everything would be different this time only to yank the ball away at the end. September leads evaporated, and they were eliminated on the last day of the regular season.

On Thursday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels took a shot at the Mets.

"For the past two years they've been choke artists," he said on WFAN radio.

Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins began the verbal sparring before the 2007 season when he said the Phillies were the team to beat in the division -- even though the Mets came within one win of reaching the World Series the previous year.

"Everybody knows what happened, unfortunately. They didn't get the job done. Unfortunately, you know, it happens," Rodriguez said Saturday from Venezuela during a conference call. "We cannot be living with the past. We've just have to get that behind us and get focused."

In a span of four days, the Mets reached a $37 million, three-year deal with K-Rod, acquired J.J. Putz from Seattle and exiled three of the guilty, trading Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith and Scott Schoeneweis. The Mets want to forget a season in which they blew 29 of 72 save chances.

Rodriguez saved a major league record 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels last season and says he's ready for a changed atmosphere at Citi Field. He was animated with the Angels, and is looking forward to the energy of the Mets' fans. He wants to earn their respect.

"New York's atmosphere is totally different. The fans are really passionate," he said. "A lot of players like to be on that stage. I'm the kind of guy that likes to be on the big stage."

He's not used to charged-up fans at home.

"In Anaheim, they're more calm," he said. "They're really relaxed when they're watching the game."

Already a three-time All-Star, Rodriguez turns 27 next month. He claimed his drop in velocity last season was caused by his development of a changeup. He tried to throw all his pitches at the same arm speed.

K-Rod thinks his velocity will be back up next year.

"People, they're looking at velocity and not worried about what I've done," he said. "To me it's not a concern. It's not something that I really worry about right now."

He joins fellow Venezuelan Johan Santana on the Mets, and can sense the excitement when "walking the street, going to the mall, doing groceries."

At a dinner with the Mets last Sunday night, he spoke with Santana, who had called team executive Tony Bernazard.

"They told me all the best things of New York and some of the bad things, too," he said. "Like I say, he gave me a little advice."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press


LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Angels made an eight-year offer to first baseman Mark Teixeira during winter meetings in Las Vegas.

Team spokesman Tim Mead said Friday that no financial details are being revealed about the offer to the free agent, who is being sought by numerous teams.

Boston, Washington and Baltimore all have expressed interest in the 28-year-old Maryland native, who also met with the New York Yankees ahead of the winter meetings.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Updated: December 13, 2008, 6:03 PM ET

Kerry Wood Signs Two-Year Deal With IndiansCLEVELAND -- Kerry Wood wasn't concerned the Cleveland Indians would find a red flag in his massive medical records.

He was certain the elbow X-rays, MRI exam results on his shoulder and confidential documents would meet approval, clearing him to sign his first free-agent contract.

"With what I've gone through and what I've come back from, there was no doubt in my mind," Wood said. "I was just worried they would need a dolly or two to get it over to them.

"You play for 10 years and a lot can happen."

Wood would know.

The former Cubs right-hander, who has revived his injury-riddled career as a reliever, finalized a $20.5 million, two-year deal on Saturday with the Indians, whose high expectations in 2008 crashed in a succession of early-season blown saves by an underachieving and unpredictable bullpen.

In 10 years, Wood, who saved 34 games in his first season finishing for Chicago, has gone from rising star to a question mark, from the front of the rotation to the back of the bullpen, and now from one league to the other.

The closer is starting over.

The 31-year-old gets $10 million next year and $10.5 million in 2010. An $11 million option kicks in if Wood has 55 games finished in either of the next two years.

Cleveland's investment is being viewed by some as risky. After all, Wood has been on the disabled list 12 times. But his only visit last season was for a blister on his right index finger, and the Indians are confident they're making a sound move after scouting Wood and giving him a physical.


Kerry Wood RP Chicago Cubs

"Not only did he hold up for the season, but he was able to pitch three days in a row multiple times," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "He was dominant as he as ever been in his career."

After pitching in 22 games as a setup man in 2007, Wood went to spring training and won the closer's job -- vacated when the Cubs made Ryan Dempster a starter -- over Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry. He went 5-4 with a 3.26 ERA and made the All-Star team.

But he fell out of Chicago's plans this winter, when the Cubs acquired reliever Kevin Gregg from Florida as a setup man and moved Marmol to closer. Wood has no resentment toward the team that gave him his pro start by drafting the 6-foot-5 Texan in 1995.

"I understand it," Wood said. "That's part of the game and it's time to move on."

Moving into the closer's role seemed to suit the hard-throwing Wood, who can still pump his fastball into the mid-90s. He now has a nasty curve to go with it. He said the adjustment to closing took him only three weeks, a transition made easier because of his background as a power pitcher.

"I could come in and let it go," he said from his home in Arizona . "The thing I impressed myself with was the walks and command. My command was a lot better coming in for a short time."

Wood's statistics back that up. He struck out 84 batters and walked just 18 in 66 1/3 innings over 65 appearances.

More importantly, Wood felt as if his arm had been reborn.

"I've talked to relievers who said they felt better the morning after they throw," Wood said. "I could never understand that, as a starter. Because it would take me every bit of four days to be able to go again. After making the transition and coming out of the bullpen, I saw there's a lot of validity to it. The more I threw, the better I felt and the better I did."

Wood also relished the opportunity to take the mound several days in a row instead of just once per week.

"I enjoy coming to the park every day with a chance to get in the game," he said.

The Indians went into the offseason with a closer as their top priority. The market was deep and included Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman, the career saves leader.

In Wood, though, Cleveland saw more than a big arm. The Indians coveted Wood because of his experience and a presence that can be felt in the middle of the diamond and clubhouse.

"Kerry was our No. 1 choice," Shapiro said. "I'm not sure there was anyone available who we would want to pitch the ninth inning for us. He fits our culture perfectly. We get the best of both worlds with Kerry."

The Indians haven't had a right-handed closer with stuff similar to Wood's since Jose Mesa in the 1990s.

"We've had some guys who have been unconventional, but still effective," Shapiro said. "What Kerry does is give us that prototypical closer, as well as the temperament that Joe Borowski and Bob Wickman brought."

Wood is not the same pitcher who struck out 20 Houston Astros in his fifth major league start in 1998, but the Indians don't need him to do anything more than get the last three outs.

Cleveland's courtship of Wood was helped by the club's recent opening of a new year-round training facility in Goodyear, Ariz. The Indians' new spring home is not far from Wood's in Scottsdale.

But what mattered most to Wood was the Indians, more than the other teams he and his agent talked to recently, made it clear that they wanted him.

"They came at me hard from Day 1," he said. "That was something I looked at. I looked at the records of the teams, and they had one of the best records in the second half. The talent is there. It's a great city, a great town, solid fans and a beautiful stadium."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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Offseason Player Watch

By Jayson Stark
ESPN.com
Updated: December 11, 2008

LAS VEGAS Mark Teixeira is still shopping. Manny Ramirez is still weeks maybe months from learning where he'll be parking his dreadlocks. And 150 free agents got to spend another fun-filled week on the unemployment line.

Once, there was a time when all the marquee free agents would have been wrapped up like a Christmas gift by the time the winter meetings ended. Well, not anymore.

So let's take a look at the many loose threads that are still dangling as the 2008 meetings fade into oblivion:

The Teixeira Watch

No agent who ever lived moves slower than Scott Boras. So even though CC Sabathia and Frankie Rodriguez already have managed to find their next homes, the Scott Boras Negotiating Olympiad has barely begun for guys such as Teixeira.

So all of a sudden, the crazy bidding rumors are flying. Eight years, $160 million from the Nationals. Seven years, $140 million from the Orioles. Seven years, $160 million from the Angels. No formal offers whatsoever from the Red Sox Yet.

You can believe those numbers if you want to. You can believe none of them if you're as wary of Boras spreading inflated negotiating fiction as many people in baseball are. But somewhere in there, you can find the plot line that's beginning to form here.

The Nationals have decided they need to make Teixeira the face of their franchise. (Hey, it beats Elijah Dukes.) That's the sales pitch they've been throwing at Teixeira and Boras relentlessly.

It's also helpful that they've been throwing more money at Teixeira than they've paid their entire baseball team in the past three seasons combined.

But will it work? And will it work even if the Nationals outbid everybody else which seems entirely possible? That's the question people in baseball keep asking.

How much money will Mark Teixeira really get? We'll have to wait and see.
"Here's what I wonder," one GM said. "Let's say the Nationals' bid is $5 million higher than the Red Sox or Angels. What happens then? Scott's clients always take the most money. But if Teixeira goes to the Nationals, how does he spin it? He sure can't say it was about winning. I guess he'll have to say it's about going home. Playing the family card always works."

Maybe that going-home speech is already in the hands of Boras' speechwriters. But in the meantime, you can bet Boras will be working 28 hours a day trying to prod the Angels and Red Sox to step up and outbid the losingest team in baseball this year.

The Manny Watch

Of all the free agents on your handy-dandy free-agent tote board, only one of them slugged over .600 this season. And it wasn't Teixeira.

It was good old Manny Ramirez, a guy who also hit .332 and had a .430 onbase percentage the seventh time in his career he has joined the .300 .400 .600 club, most of any active player.

So you'd think a hitter that legendary would have more job offers than Julia Roberts. But because he's Manny and there are certain, well, issues, he's a man who seems to have just about no market whatsoever.

Which means it's one of the greatest challenges of Boras' career to venture out into the marketplace and create one.

The popular theory has been that Boras would drive Teixeira to a team such as Boston, which he knows can't possibly pursue its old friend Manny. And that would leave all the losers in the Teixeira sweepstakes to turn their attention to Ramirez.

But there's a problem with that theory. The Angels keep insisting they have no interest. The Nationals don't need any more outfielders. And it takes a massive leap of the imagination to conceive of Peter Angelos' giving Ramirez a three, four or five year deal.

So where's he going? Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said Thursday that when he and Boras talked about Ramirez this week, he was still looking for a contract of four or five years. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are stuck on the two-year deal they offered a month ago. Colletti hinted that the dollars could still be negotiable if the length is short enough. But that's not happening not before somewhere around Valentine's Day, anyway.

Which means Boras likely is going to trot out a strategy he has used many times before: parking Manny in the waiting room.

He's a good bet to leave Ramirez hanging out there for as long as it takes, position him as Clearly The Best Hitter Left At The Unemployment Office and hope somebody gets desperate. His best shot here, though, might not be desperation. It might be a decision by a team such as the Yankees to swoop in at the final hour and see whether it can make an out of the blue score.

Could happen. But get back to us in a month. Or in the spring.

Rafael Furcal

Agent Paul Kinzer said this week that he has four teams with serious interest in Furcal -- the Royals, A's, Blue Jays and Dodgers. And all those teams know, he said, that it's going to take a three- or four-year contract (at $9-10 million a year) to get a deal done.

It's hard to figure whether the market for Rafael Furcal really is as hot as it seems.
But the market might not be as hot on Furcal as it's been portrayed. Kansas City, for instance, has been rumored to be the high bidder. But despite GM Dayton Moore's longtime admiration for Furcal from their Atlanta days, he doesn't have $35-40 million to spend. And one source with knowledge of the Royals' thinking said they haven't done much more than kick the tires on Furcal.

The Blue Jays are in a similar mode, and would have to move money to pay a player this pricey. The A's are still interested, but the popular theory among other clubs is that if Furcal wanted to be in Oakland, he'd already be there. And the Dodgers haven't gone beyond two guaranteed years, plus a vesting option.

So an official of one team that checked in says that Furcal "seems like a guy who's waiting for something to happen that hasn't happened." Our best guess is: He wants to return to L.A. But is he willing to give up a guaranteed year or two to do it? We might be about to find out.

A.J. Burnett

This one is simple. Does Burnett want to be a Yankee? Or does he want to be a Brave?

True, the Yankees have the high bid out there 5 years, $85 million, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick). But the Braves have made it clear there's a fifth guaranteed year, for a total of $80 million, there for Burnett to grab if he merely says the magic words: "I want to be in Atlanta."

"If he just wants the most money, he'll be a Yankee," said an executive of one team that once had interest in Burnett. "When the New York Yankees decide they're not going to be outbid, they're not going to be outbid. And I think that's the decision they've made."

But in reality, this is Burnett's decision. And it might be a "where" decision, not a "how much" decision. Both teams say all there is to do now is wait.

Derek Lowe

Lowe's market didn't exactly collapse this week. It just seemed that way -- but only because it was obviously overblown by Boras' leak squad in the first place.

It's now apparent that neither the Phillies nor the Red Sox made an offer at all. And they no longer seem any more than mildly interested.

The Yankees are still an option -- but maybe not for long. If Burnett and Andy Pettitte say yes to offers already on the table, the Yankees are out. And although the Mets maintain interest, it appears they want no part of the 4 year, $72 million price tag Boras was tossing out there early on. But there's a scenario in the making in which they become the last serious bidder standing. So maybe this will turn out to be Omar Minaya's lucky winter.

more hitters



There are close to 100 bats still on the market. And most of them look as if they're going to have big trouble getting anywhere near the paycheck they had in mind.

The Phillies, Angels and Mets have serious interest in Raul Ibanez, so he'll be fine. The Cubs and Rays have zeroed in on Milton Bradley. And you can bet your inauguration tickets that Adam Dunn will land in Washington if Teixeira doesn't. But guys such as Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell and Jason Giambi look as though they're in for hefty pay cuts and maybe no more than a two-year deal. And everybody else would be best advised to grab for the first decent paycheck that comes along.

Other arms

The biggest question is what will become of the two big free-agent closers still out there Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman. The Cardinals look like Fuentes' most serious pursuer. But Hoffman, one of the most underrated pitchers of all time, is scrambling.

The Dodgers have a smidgen of interest. The Tigers have interest, but not the budget. And Milwaukee and Texas might still be options. San Diego manager Bud Black tried to open the door this week for Hoffman to return to the Padres. But with Jake Peavy staying, it probably would have to be for a pay slash that Hoffman might find tough to digest. A pitcher this great deserves a happier ending than Hoffman seems headed for.

Of those other starting pitchers, Randy Wolf, Ben Sheets and Jon Garland are well-positioned to lead off the second tier once Burnett and Lowe sign. The Mets will try to bring back Oliver Perez if he ever comes off that five-year, $65 million talk. And Randy Johnson could land in Chicago, San Francisco, Texas or Oakland for a year.

But the most intriguing free-agent starter left might be John Smoltz, who had seven teams looking at his medical records this week amid rumors he's open to leaving Atlanta. Smoltz has been a Brave for so long that he was once a teammate of Bruce Sutter and Ken Griffey Sr. So can he really leave? Can Atlanta really allow him to leave? Might be the most riveting story line of the whole offseason.

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Players Mov'in the News

Thursday Dec. 11, 2009 8:00am

Mets acquire Putz in 3 team, 12 player deal

Mets acquired RHP J.J. Putz, OF Jeremy Reed and RHP Sean Green; Mariners acquired OF Franklin Gutierrez, RHP Aaron Heilman, 1B Mike Carp, OF Endy Chavez, LHP Jason Vargas, OF Ezequiel Carrera and RHP Maikel Cleto; Indians acquired RHP Joe Smith and 2B Luis Valbuena.

The Mets will be praised for this, and they might even deserve it. However, Putz never did recover his best stuff after last season's elbow problems, and it's an open question of how he got his best stuff in the first place. In 2006 and 2007, he was about as dominant as any reliever in the game, amassing a ridiculous 186/26 K/BB ratio in 150 innings. However, he never showed that kind of potential in previous seasons and he didn't ever look like the same guy last season, even if he did finish with 56 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings. Odds are that the Mets are getting a very good setup man. However, he'll probably never again be the pitcher he was in 2006 and 2007 and he'll be quite expensive to keep beyond next season. He's due $5.5 million in 2009 and $9.1 million if his option for 2010 is picked up.

Oliver Perez SP Mets

Mets GM Omar Minaya put the chances of re-signing Oliver Perez at "50/50."

The Mets probably won't be in on Derek Lowe or A.J. Burnett, leaving Perez as the top free agent starter they could possibly sign. It's believed he's asking for $70 million over five years, and agent Scott Boras has indicated the Mets won't get a discount.
Source: Newsday


Brad Penny SP Dodgers

The Rockies have reportedly decided against making an offer to free agent Brad Penny.

The Penny market remains quiet, and there's been no indication that he's received offers as of yet. The Red Sox and Giants are believed to have some interest.
Source: Rockies.mlb.com

Juan Morillo RP Rockies

According to MLB.com, Juan Morillo could be the other player in a proposed Willy Taveras-Tim Redding deal between the Rockies and Nationals.

Morillo is considered expendable in part because he's out of options. The hard-throwing right-hander had another disappointing season in 2008 and didn't pitch in the majors outside of a brief callup in July.
Source: Hot Stove Blog


Eric Byrnes OF Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks and Red Sox are reportedly discussing a trade of Eric Byrnes and Julio Lugo.

This makes a lot more sense for Boston than the Tigers talks, though they'd have to have some idea that Byrnes is willing to be a fourth outfielder in order to make the deal. Byrnes is owed $22 million over the next two years, while Lugo is due $18 million. If acquired, Lugo would take over as the Diamondbacks' second baseman.
Source: ESPN.com



Kyle Farnsworth RP Tigers

A source told ESPN's Steve Phillips that Farnsworth has agreed to a two-year, $9.25 million deal with the Royals.

We'd just love to see a sensible explanation of what makes Farnsworth worth $4.6 million per season in a multiyear deal in a world in which Bob Howry gets $2.75 million for one season. Farnsworth has finished with ERAs of 4.36, 4.80 and 4.48 ERA the last three years and hasn't thrown 70 innings in a season since 2005. His back issues often seem to have him day-to-day and prevent him from pitching on back-to-back days. Also, there was no hint that the Royals had any competition for his services. Like with Jose Guillen a year ago, Dayton Moore was probably bidding against himself.
Source: ESPN.com


Mark Teahen OF Royals

Royals manager Trey Hillman admitted Wednesday that he doesn't currently have Mark Teahen in his projected lineup.

Hillman seemed to like the same lineup we had written out when the Coco Crisp deal went down last month: CF Crisp, SS Mike Aviles, LF David DeJesus, RF Jose Guillen, 1B Mike Jacobs, DH Billy Butler, 3B Alex Gordon, C Miguel Olivo and 2B Alberto Callaspo. The extreme lack of OBP in the fourth and fifth slots is a major problem, but those were probably two of Hillman's easiest calls.
Source: Kansas City Star


Jack Wilson SS Pirates

Royals GM Dayton Moore denied that his team had any interest in trading for Jack Wilson.

The Royals would like to create payroll space for Rafael Furcal, but they're not going to make the effort to bring in an expensive, less-talented shortstop. There are no serious suitors for Wilson at the moment. The Twins and Dodgers could reconsider him at some later date, but they clearly have higher priorities.
Source: Kansas City Star

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Players mov'in the News

Matt Wieters-C-Orioles Dec. 9

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he is "looking forward to seeing" Matt Wieters in the majors next season if the team completes a Ramon Hernandez trade.

"I think everybody is," Trembley added. If the backstop vacancy opens up with Hernandez moving elsewhere, Wieters is definitely going to be given a shot. The Orioles might, however, sign a capable veteran that could ease Matt's transition.
Source: Baltimore Sun



George Sherrill-R-Orioles Dec. 9

Orioles manager Dave Trembley suggested Monday that George Sherrill and Chris Ray could share closing duties next season.

"I don't think there will be competition,'' Trembley said. "I think I'm going to be afforded the luxury of having two guys that have done it... I don't think it's inconceivable that we could somehow share that role." It's way too early to buy much into that comment, but it does show that the Orioles have faith in Chris Ray being healthy to start the season. He is coming off Tommy John surgery. We'd still consider Sherrill the frontrunner to take the job full time.
Source: Baltimore Sun



Kris Benson-S-Phillies Dec. 9

Free agent Kris Benson said the Blue Jays, Indians and Dodgers have expressed interest in him.

Benson spent 2008 working his way back from rotator cuff surgery and went 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in the Phillies' minor league system. He believes he's fully recovered now, so there's the chance he could turn into an adequate fifth starter.
Source: MASN Sports

Francisco Rodriguez-R-Angels Dec.

SI.com's Jon Heyman expects the Mets and Francisco Rodriguez to agree to a three-year deal worth about $37 million.

K-Rod certainly would have had more earnings potential if he had elected for a one-year deal with the chance to go back on the market next winter. However, the difference between $12 million per year and $15 million per year has a lot more to do with status than any real world consequences. At least this deal is still bigger than the three-year, $34 million contract he turned down from the Angels a year ago.
Source: SI.com


Alex Rios-OF-Blue Jays Dec. 9

When asked, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi wouldn't rule out dealing Alex Rios.

There was considerable momentum behind a Rios-for-Tim Lincecum deal last winter, though the Giants did end up passing. Rios later signed a seven-year, $70 million deal with Toronto. "I think we'd be open to talk abut anybody, but if you trade a guy like Rios, how do you replace him, too?" Ricciardi said. "We're not actively shopping Rios. Last year it made sense because we knew [A.J.] Burnett may leave and Lincecum would have stepped right in. But I don't know if there's that type of deal out there that would make sense." Almost certainly not. Rios was a lot more attractive before landing the big contract and turning in a disappointing season.
Source: National Post


Mark Teixeira-1B-Angels Dec. 9

A front-office official for a team on the outside looking in at the Mark Teixeira chase said he expects the first baseman to sign with Boston.

"I think he’ll sign with the Red Sox," the official said. "They want him. They have a good relationship with (agent Scott) Boras, and in the end, they have the dollars to make it happen." While the Yankees, Orioles and Nationals all met with Teixeira in D.C. last week, his supposed strongest suitors -- the Red Sox and Angels -- have yet to sit down for a face-to-face. It's unclear whether any team has made an actual offer.
Source: Yahoo! Sports


Ramon Vazquez-3B-Rangers Dec. 9

Free agent Ramon Vazquez is telling people that the one-year offer he received from Arizona was way too low and that he already has a two-year offer from another team.

The Diamondbacks may be offering more playing time, but since Vazquez is 32 and hasn't made all that much money in his career -- his $810,000 salary in 2008 was his highest to date -- he may figure he's best off taking the high contact on the table. We could see the Yankees, White Sox or Phillies signing him for a utility role.
Source: Arizona Republic

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Players Mov'in the news

Mike Lamb-3B-Brewers Dec. 8 5:38 pm et

The Brewers are working to re-sign free agent Mike Lamb, MLB.com reports.

Lamb barely played after joining the Brewers on Sept. 5, going 3-for-11 the rest of the way, so it's something of a surprise that Milwaukee wants him back. Because Lamb is already getting $3 million in 2009 after the Twins cut him in the first year of a two-year deal, finding a team that will give him playing time should be his priority. In Milwaukee, he'd stand to compete with Bill Hall for starts at third.
Source: Hot Stove Blog


Erik Bedard-S-Mariners Dec. 8 5:34 pm et

Erik Bedard (shoulder) received the green light to begin a throwing program, MLB.com reports.

The favorable report should be enough to ensure that Bedard is tendered a contract before the Friday deadline. The Mariners could actually have an excess of pitching if Bedard is ready for the season. They have Brandon Morrow, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Silva, Ryan Rowland-Smith and Miguel Batista to go along with Felix Hernandez and Bedard.
Source: Mariners.mlb.com


A.J. Burnett-S-Blue Jays Dec. 8 5:30 pm et

According to ESPN's Steve Phillips, indications are that the Braves and A.J. Burnett are moving closer to a deal.

Peter Gammons seems to think the same thing, though there are no quotes anywhere to back it up. The Cardinals' reported interest has failed to materialize, and it looks like Atlanta's four-year offer with a vesting option for a fifth year is the best proposal on the table.
Source: ESPN.com


Jerome Williams-S-Athletics Dec. 8 5:28 pm et

Athletics signed RHP Jerome Williams to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Williams got off to a really nice start in Puerto Rico this winter, but he had struggled over his last three starts and is now 1-3 with a 5.04 ERA and just 14 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings. He had a 3.25 ERA in five starts and eight relief appearances in the Dodger system last season. He'll probably be a part of Triple-A Sacramento's rotation.

J.J. Putz-R-Mariners Dec. 8 5:19 pm et

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times believes a J.J. Putz-to-Detroit deal could get done.

The Tigers are pretty short on talent to trade for someone who would be as sought after as Putz would be if put on the open market Baker believes the Mariners would have interest in Jeff Larish, but he's more of a No. 2 player in a Putz-type deal. Seattle would need to get a bigger talent along with Larish. The Indians have more to offer, and at $5.5 million for 2009, Putz is cheap enough that a team like the Red Sox or Yankees could potentially target him as a setup man.
Source: Seattle Times



CC Sabathia-S-Brewers Dec. 8 5:06 pm et

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said it's "a possibility" the Dodgers could make an offer to free agent CC Sabathia.

Sabathia reportedly told Colletti he "wants to be a Dodger" in a chance meeting Sunday night. The speculation has long been that he'd prefer to join the Dodgers or Giants if the money is there.
Source: Hot Stove Blog


David Eckstein-SS-Diamondbacks Dec. 8 5:03 pm et

According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, free agent David Eckstein is drawing interest from five teams, most of which want him as a second baseman.

He doesn't name the teams, though he speculates that Baltimore and San Diego have openings at shortstop for him. The Orioles are known to prefer Cesar Izturis.
Source: FOXSports.com

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Player News

Players in the News
provided by: Rotowire


Darren Oliver
Oliver accepted the Angels' arbitration offer before ...Oliver accepted the Angels' arbitration offer before the Sunday night deadline.

Fantasy Spin: Of the 24 free agents offered arbitration, only Oliver and David Weathers accepted. This means Oliver will be back on a one-year deal with the Halos, despite receiving some interest on the free agent market.

News:
Laird has officially been dealt to the Tigers for pitching prospects Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo, according to MLB.com.

Spin: After trading away Ivan Rodriguez and announcing that Brandon Inge would play third base, it was pretty clear that the Tigers were going to acquire a catcher this offseason. By trading for Laird, they've also decided that they're not comfortable with opening the season with Dusty Ryan as their starting catcher. Laird will get hurt by the change in ballparks, but in he gets some job security.

News:
Reds GM Walt Jocketty vehemently denied a Dayton Daily News report that a deal to send Dye to the Reds for Homer Bailey and others had been struck, the Reds' official site reports.

Spin: It's no secret that Dye has been the subject of trade talks, and that the Reds at least at one point were involved, but apparently those talks haven't been recent. "Wrong. It's not even close," Jocketty said. "We haven't had any discussions with the White Sox since before Thanksgiving."

News:
Weathers accepted the Reds' arbitration offer before Sunday's deadline, the Reds' official site reports.

Spin: This means he'll be back for one more season with the team, presumably at a rate higher than the $2.75 million he made with them in 2008.

The Mets are desperate to move Castillo to create a spot for Orlando Hudson, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.

Fantasy Spin: The only way to do it would be to exchange Castillo's contract for another of similar value, which is a difficult task. When the Mets asked the Rangers about a Castillo-for-Vicente Padilla ? a swap that would require the Rangers to move Ian Kinsler to left field ? they were told, "No thank you." The Mets will either need to take on someone with an equally bad contract or eat a lot of cash to move Castillo, which will be a more likely occurrence.

Francisco Rodriguez
Mets GM Omar Minaya is expected to ...Mets GM Omar Minaya is expected to meet face-to-face with Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman, as well as possibly Kerry Wood or his agents, during the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, the NY Daily News' Mets blog reports.

Fantasy Spin: Minaya may make offers to several or all of the players, similar to what he did several years when looking for a catcher, with the first person to accept the offer to get the job as the closer. K-Rod is expected to demand the highest salary, with the Mets unlikely to go the five years, $75 million he originally wanted. Jon Heyman of the SI.com is reporting that Mets management has been internally discussing a three-year contract, and might include a fourth-year vesting option to Rodriguez.

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Who will bailout free agency ?

Winter Meetings Preview
by John Perrotto


As has been well-documented, the free-agent market has been extremely slow to develop; to date only 11 of the 171 players who filed for free agency have signed contracts. There is no word yet if Donald Fehr has asked Congress for a bailout.

It's already been quite the offseason for trades however, and we haven't even reached the Winter Meetings yet. Among the notable names who have been dealt since the Phillies put the finishing touches on their World Series victory are Matt Holliday, Nick Swisher, Javier Vazquez, Coco Crisp, Huston Street, Khalil Greene, Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen, Josh Willingham, Kevin Gregg, and Greg Smith.

With the Winter Meetings beginning on Monday in Las Vegas, there is likely to be more player movement this week, and most executives and agents expect to see some of the bigger-name free agents begin to come off of the shelves during the four-day affair, along with the possibility of more trades being consummated.

Here is a team-by-team look at how the 30 clubs shape up at this point of the offseason, and what might be on their wish lists as they descend upon Las Vegas:

Diamondbacks: A second baseman to replace Orlando Hudson tops their priority list, and they may settle on a platoon of free-agents Damion Easley and Ramon Vazquez; they feel free-agent Mark Loretta and the Cardinals' Adam Kennedy are too expensive. They'll make outfielder Eric Byrnes available, choosing to stay with Conor Jackson in left and Chad Tracy at first base, but with two years and $22 million left on Byrnes' contract and coming off of a bad season shortened by a torn hamstring, he could be tough to deal. Catcher Miguel Montero could also be traded now that Chris Snyder has entrenched himself as a regular behind the plate.

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Maddux to announce his retirement

Greg Maddux SP Maddux to announce his retirement

Greg Maddux has thrown his last pitch. The four-time Cy Young winner will announce his retirement Monday at the baseball winter meetings in Las Vegas, his hometown, according to his agent, Scott Boras. Maddux, who turns 43 in April, ranks eighth on the career wins list with 355. He went 8-13 with a 4.22 ERA last season with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. The last-place Padres traded Maddux to the Dodgers on Aug. 19 for two minor leaguers to be named or cash. He went 2-4 in seven starts for Los Angeles. His last regular-season game for the NL West champions was a gem - he beat the Giants 2-1 at AT&T Park on Sept. 27, giving up one run and two hits in six innings. Maddux then made three relief appearances in the playoffs for the Dodgers - he had an 0.00 ERA over four innings - and then filed for free agency amid speculation he would retire. Maddux finished one win ahead of Roger Clemens on the career victory list. Overall, "Mad Dog" was 355-227 with a 3.16 ERA, and is considered a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible after five years. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Braves sign free agent David Ross

The Atlanta Braves added catching depth by signing free agent David Ross to a two-year deal on Friday. Ross, a 31-year-old Georgia native, likely will replace Corky Miller as the primary backup to starter Brian McCann. Ross is a career .222 hitter. He hit .231 in 52 games with Cincinnati last season before he was released Aug. 18. He signed with Boston and appeared in eight games late in the season. He hit only .203 with 17 homers for the Reds in 2007, when he set a career high with 311 at-bats. His best season was 2006, when he hit .255 with 21 homers and 55 RBIs. Ross has hit 41 homers the last three seasons, the 11th-highest total among major league catchers. The Braves signed Ross one day after trading their top catching prospect, Tyler Flowers, and three other players to the White Sox for starting pitcher Javier Vazquez and left-handed reliever Boone Logan. (Houston Chronicle)

Greene, Khalil SS StL

A welcome fresh season for the shortstop now includes a fresh team as well. The Cardinals acquired their new starting shortstop from San Diego in a three-player swap this week. Greene hit .213 with a meager .260 on-base percentage last season, but the production was as uncharacteristic as the punch. In his four previous seasons as the Padres' starter, Greene averaged 18 home runs and 72 RBIs a season. (St Louis Post-Dispatch)

Burnett, A.J. SP
Braves talking five-year deal with Burnett.

The Braves are ready to offer A.J. Burnett a five-year deal worth $75 million. The Braves started with a four-year, $60 million deal that included a vesting option for a fifth year but are willing to guarantee the fifth season. "He would have to take that because of the length," an industry source with knowledge of the Braves' plans said. "Even if somebody else gave him $18 million a year for four years that's still less [$72 million]." Burnett has indicated he wants a no-trade clause. However, the Braves historically don't do no-trades. "He shouldn't worry about that because his contract is his no-trade; that's a lot of money," the source said. (New York Post)

Teixeira, Mark 1B
Nats are serious about Teixeira.

The Nationals, who are looking for fans as well as wins, are expected to make a bid to try to blow the field away for Mark Teixeira, the almost hometown kid from an hour away in Severna Park, Md. A Nationals person said their priority is to find a left-handed slugger, and there's no better one than Teixeira. They probably also wouldn't mind tweaking Orioles owner Peter Angelos, who hasn't exactly made friends with his neighbor and has coveted Teixiera since he starred in high school about three miles from Camden Yards. Still, most folks still see the incumbent Angels as the slight favorite to keep him, with the Red Sox also a major factor and the winning bid expected to hit or exceed $160 million over eight years. Owner Arte Moreno and manager Mike Scioscia are said to love Teixeira (though some of their baseball people might actually prefer a run at CC), and the guess is that Moreno will outbid the Red Sox, Yankees and other East Coast suitors. (SI.com)

Peavy, Jake SP SD
Cubs have the money for Peavy.

The Cubs' payroll could climb by perhaps 10 percent or more from the final 2008 figure of about $130 million, a greater increase than initial reports this offseason -- and the kind of increase that could allow general manager Jim Hendry to fit both the left-handed bat the team seeks and the Cy Young pitcher the San Diego Padres are trying hard to sell. Two Cubs sources told the Sun-Times this week that the Cubs still are interested in Padres right-hander Jake Peavy, including one saying he expects Hendry to acquire the former Cy Young winner. If the Atlanta Braves, who appeared to be Peavy's strongest pursuer last month, close the deal they're seeking for free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett, (Chicago Sun Times)

Ramirez, Manny LF
Manny forced to play the waiting game.

It appears Manny Ramirez is going to have to be patient. The Dodgers, the team that badly needs him, isn't anxious to spend yet. And at 36, even after his superhuman saving of the Dodgers' season, he appears to be a fallback option for a couple big spenders, including the Angels and his hometown Yankees (he's from Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan, just across the East River from the Bronx), who can't be counted out here, either. While Ramirez doesn't crave to go home like Sabathia, he does admire the dollar, and has said -- and shown -- he's ready to go the highest bidder, whomever that may be. (SI.com)

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MLB Headlines

Padres shortstop Khalil Greene signs with Cardinals
CC Sabathia-S- Brewers Dec. 5 - 2:32 am et

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman plans to meet face-to-face with CC Sabathia at the winter meetings, sources told FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.

Unless they're standing up, in which case it'd be face-to-chest. At $140 million over six years, the Yankees are believed to have by far the highest offer out to Sabathia.
Source: FOXSports.com

Paul Byrd-S- Red Sox Dec. 5 - 2:29 am et

Free agent Paul Byrd has made it known that he'd like to pitch closer to his home in Atlanta.

It looks like the Braves would prefer to go after a big-name pitcher, but they might be better off spending $7 million or so on Byrd and using the savings to upgrade their outfield. If Atlanta isn't a fit, Byrd might instead join the Orioles or Nationals. The Red Sox have offered him arbitration, but he's expected to decline it.
Source: FOXSports.com

Jorge Julio-R- Brewers Dec. 5 - 2:24 am et

Jorge Julio is guaranteed $950,000 under the terms of his deal with the Brewers.

He can earn an extra $950,000 in incentives, including $600,000 based on games and $300,000 based on games finished, which he'd only reach if he becomes the Brewers' closer.

Khalil Greene signs with Cardinals

ST. LOUIS -- In a slow-moving market, the Cardinals are acting quickly. St. Louis answered the biggest question in its 2009 lineup on Thursday, trading for Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. A day earlier, the Cards signed reliever Trever Miller to a one-year contract.
The Redbirds announced the trade on Thursday evening after a day of reports and speculation. St. Louis will send relief prospect Mark Worrell and a player to be named later to San Diego.
More news: MLB.com

Make no mistake, the New York Mets' first choice is Francisco Rodriguez and not merely because he passes his 27th birthday next month. Younger, more accomplished and seemingly more ready to embrace a hire-wire role in a big market, K-Rod is what the Mets see. And the only reason they haven't pushed more to this point is that they have seen no reason to do so. They don't want to extend an offer and be the ones to establish the first parameter of the K-Rod market, according to MLB.com.

The Mets don't anticipate returning from Vegas with Putz, or any other closer, for that matter, on their roster. They view Putz and free agent Brian Fuentes are comparables and not merely because each has passed his 30th birthday. Neither is comparable, in the Mets' view, to Francisco Rodriguez.
Source: MLB.com

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MLB Heads Up News

The Rays don't expect B.J. Upton to be ready to play in time for the first spring training games following November shoulder surgery.

Upton probably wouldn't have been on the team anyway, but there's no chance of him participating in the WBC now. The Rays do expect him to be at full strength for the beginning of the regular season.
Source: Tampa Tribune


Mark Worrell-R-Cardinals Dec. 4 - 2:27 pm et

The Padres will get Mark Worrell and a player to be named from the Cardinals for Khalil Greene, according to MLB.com.

Worrell deserves a chance to make it as a middle reliever or setup man and will probably have some success at Petco. Still, unless the second player is better than he is, this will go down as quite a deal for the Cardinals.
Source: Hot Stove Blog


Edgar Renteria-SS-Giants Dec. 4 - 1:50 pm et

Giants signed shortstop Edgar Renteria, who had been with the Tigers, to a two-year, $18.5 million contract.

Renteria will probably resume hitting back in the National League -- he finished at .332/.390/.470 for the Braves in 2007 -- but whether he'll be an adequate shortstop remains to be seen. He's clearly lost some range the last couple of years, and he absolutely has to get into better shape if he hopes to stick around long enough to reach 3,000 hits (he's at 2,070 through his age-32 season). Frankly, we'd like him better at third base at this point of his career. The Giants, though, figure to drop out of the Rafael Furcal chase and keep Renteria at short. That makes Emmanuel Burriss part of the competition at second base with Kevin Frandsen and Eugenio Velez.

Mike Lincoln-R-RedsDec. 4 - 1:42 pm et

The Reds have re-signed free agent Mike Lincoln to a two-year, $4 million contract, according to the Denver Post.

Bob Howry gets $2.75 million for one year and Lincoln gets two?
The 33-year-old Lincoln was an adequate reliever for the Reds in his comeback season, finishing with a 4.48 ERA in 70 1/3 innings. Of course, it was his first major league action since 2004. Just once in his career has he thrown at least 50 innings and posted an ERA under 4.00. There's simply no reason to be giving such a pitcher a two-year guarantee.
Source: Denver Post


Randy Johnson-S-Athletics Dec. 4 - 1:29 pm et

The A's are targeting free agent Randy Johnson to be their fifth starter, sources told FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.

Oakland is used to dealing with injury-prone pitchers and does need the depth after trading both Rich Harden and Joe Blanton. Johnson, though, may prefer to stay in the NL.
Source: FOXSports.com


Andy Pettitte-S-Yankees Dec. 4 - 1:27 pm et

Free agent Andy Pettitte remains focused on the Yankees, but is holding out for a better off than the one the team has on the table.

The Yanks are believed to be offering $10 million, which is down from $16 million last year. "I mean, to tell you the truth, like I’ve told you all a hundred times, I’ve made it loud and clear where I’d like to play at," Pettitte said. "I’m just basically sitting here letting my agents do their job really." $13 million would be a reasonable compromise.
Source: New York Times

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Latest MLB News

Sources told FOX 26 Sports that the Astros have agreed to terms with Mike Hampton, pending a physical.

There was nothing to indicate this was close to happening, but it hardly comes as a surprise. The Astros were known to have interest in the left-hander, and it was assumed that Hampton wanted to get closer to his family in Arizona. Hampton pitched for the Astros from 1994-99 and won 22 games in his final season with the club. Dec. 1 - 4:05 pm et
Source: FOX 26 Houston

Yanks decline to offer arbitration to Abreu

The Yankees have declined to offer arbitration to Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez, Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Chad Moeller.

We imagine the Red Sox and Rays are plenty pleased to see that the Yankees won't be getting any extra draft picks next year. Having Abreu back for about $16 million wouldn't have been such a bad thing for the Yankees, and odds are that he would have left and brought back two picks. Now the Yankees are facing the possibility of not having their regular first-round pick or any supplemental first-round picks. They will have the 29th pick in the draft after not signing their first-round pick from 2008. Dec. 1 - 5:46 pm et
Source: SI.com

Sources told FOX 26 Sports that the Astros have agreed to terms with Mike Hampton, pending a physical.

There was nothing to indicate this was close to happening, but it hardly comes as a surprise. The Astros were known to have interest in the left-hander, and it was assumed that Hampton wanted to get closer to his family in Arizona. Hampton pitched for the Astros from 1994-99 and won 22 games in his final season with the club. Dec. 1 - 4:05 pm et
Source: FOX 26 Houston

Yanks decline to offer arbitration to Abreu

The Yankees have declined to offer arbitration to Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, Ivan Rodriguez, Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Chad Moeller.

We imagine the Red Sox and Rays are plenty pleased to see that the Yankees won't be getting any extra draft picks next year. Having Abreu back for about $16 million wouldn't have been such a bad thing for the Yankees, and odds are that he would have left and brought back two picks. Now the Yankees are facing the possibility of not having their regular first-round pick or any supplemental first-round picks. They will have the 29th pick in the draft after not signing their first-round pick from 2008. Dec. 1 - 5:46 pm et
Source: SI.com

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Harden should start playoff opener

By Barry Rozner
Daily Herald Columnist
Updated: 8/28/2008 7:17 AM

Baseball people rarely talk about tomorrow, let alone a month from now.

Superstitious as they are, and terrified of upsetting the baseball deities, they don't speak of the postseason until the moment they clinch.

But since the playoffs are inevitable, and having zero belief in jinxes and curses, I fear not a bit tackling a hypothetical Cubs playoff rotation.

As we've said all along, Rich Harden is and will be the Cubs' best pitcher as long as he's healthy, so the Cubs will watch his rest carefully while pitching him in as many games as possible.

At the same time, Ryan Dempster is the best among those who have been here all year, and untouchable at Wrigley Field.

That leaves the erstwhile ace, Carlos Zambrano, who throughout his career has been better on the road (.654) than at home (.571), and in 4 postseason starts, while never having won, he's been very good in two and both were on the road.

So here's a view as it stands now, five weeks before the first postseason game against Arizona:

The first thing the Cubs would have to do is sit Zambrano down and explain why he's not leading off.

If he pouts, breaks things, or cries, and looks like he'll tank it, this won't work at all and you scrap the idea before you start.

But if they believe he'll buy into it, you go with Harden first at home in Game 1 of the NLDS.

This allows you to come back with Harden in a decisive Game 5 at home on five days' rest if necessary, and it also gives you the option of using Ted Lilly in relief after 5 innings of Game 1 if Harden has reached his pitch count, forcing batters to look at a lefty throwing slow curves after the right-handed Harden fires bullets.

Lilly also has three days' rest after his inning of work and should be good to go in Game 4, if necessary.

Dempster goes in Game 2 at home and is also available for Game 5 at home on his normal four days' rest if Harden isn't ready.

Game 3 is Zambrano on the road, and if needed, Lilly goes in the fourth game. Game 5 at home is Harden or Dempster.

Either way, one of them gets an extended rest and is ready to go in Game 1 of the NLCS, which arrives eight days after Game 1 of the NLDS.

Let's assume a four-game NLDS, which the Cubs win, 3-1. They have Harden back for Game 1 of the NLCS on seven days' rest and Dempster for Game 2 on seven days, a fabulous scenario for your two best pitchers in October.

You should leave for the middle three of the League championship series up 2-0, especially if it's the Brewers and CC Sabathia is forced to pitch in a Game 5 of the NLDS for Milwaukee.

You have Zambrano in Game 3 on the road, Lilly in Game 4, and Harden comes back to pitch Game 5 on a comfortable five days off in between starts.

If a Game 6 is necessary, Dempster goes again on six days' rest at - guess where? - Wrigley Field, where he should win and send the Cubs into the World Series for the first time since Moses was in diapers.

Worst case, the Cubs have to play a Game 7 at home, and you've got Zambrano pitching. At that point, he'll probably be ready to tear someone's head off and pitch the game of his life - assuming he doesn't break his hand punching a wall between innings.

Even under those circumstances, if Harden has to pitch Game 5 in the NLCS, he's available to come back in Game 1 of the World Series on six days' rest.

And even if Dempster starts Game 6 of the NLCS, he's ready for Game 2 of the Series on five days' rest.

If Zambrano goes in Game 7 of the NLCS, he'll have six days off before the Cubs need him in Game 3 of the World Series, and Lilly goes in Game 4 with almost two weeks off unless he pitches in relief, which is quite possible.

But, aye, there's the rub.

Harden would have to come back in Game 5 of the Series on the standard four days' rest, and that's pushing it for him at that time of year.

Dempster would be better suited for that, so if the Cubs can win the NLCS early, and don't need him for Game 6, they might want to go to Dempster in Game 1 and Game 5 of the Series, with Harden in Games 2 and 6, when he'll have five days off between outings.

That might be the smart choice, and it means Dempster pitches at home in Game 5, whereas in Games 2 and 6 he's on the road.

Tough call.

As for Game 7 of the World Series?

Carlos Zambrano to win it all, a chance to clinch all three series for his team, and a solid selling point when they try to convince him this will work.

If you were betting, you'd say the Cubs will go the safe route, avoid anger, criticism and second guessing, and go with Zambrano first, followed by Dempster, Harden and Lilly.

But does it make the most sense?

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Players Future

August 28, 2008
Future Shock
by Kevin Goldstein

It really was the statement heard 'round the world, as from the time of its release until the end of the day, my phone has been burning in non-stop discussions with teams, agents, players, and other members of the media all looking to talk about the Pedro Alvarez situation. The statement issued by the Pirates is very strong in tone, and tells us quite a bit in only 575 words. We all know that Pittsburgh team president Frank Coonelly has a close relationship with the commissioner's office, and the document almost sounds as if it came straight from New York. Let's take a word by word look at it, and talk about what is actually known, what is merely rumored, and what may eventually happen.

At the Pirates' request, the Office of the Commissioner today placed Pedro Alvarez on Major League Baseball's Restricted List. The Pirates were forced to request that Pedro be placed on the Restricted List because we were informed by his agent, Scott Boras, that Pedro will not sign the contract to which he agreed on August 15. Boras further informed us that Pedro will not report to the Club unless we renegotiate his contract and agree to pay him more than the $6 million signing bonus to which he agreed

The first sentence simply describes a legal maneuver meant to protect the Pirates' best interests. It's important to note here that Pedro Alvarez has not signed a contract. That's not unique. As we get to the final hours of the deadline, teams are in one place, agents in another, and players are often in a third. All a team has to do is to notify the Commissioner's Office that the terms to a deal have been reached. This is an important point that we'll get back to later on, when we attempt to figure out what Scott Boras is trying to achieve. Having Alvarez put on the restricted list is the way that the Pirates make a claim to their control of the player; it prevents anyone else from talking to him, and also gives them a legal leg to stand on should the Alvarez camp try going the independent-ball route. This is also the first of several mentions that Boras wants to renegotiate the deal, and it's one of the main sticking points here. If one follows the letter of the rule, Alvarez has either signed and is a Pirate, or he hasn't signed and the deadline has passed, which now forces him to wait a year to re-enter the draft. But that's not what Boras is looking for—he's looking for a renegotiation, and believe it or not, these aren't totally uncharted waters.

The Major League Rules provide that a player who refuses to sign a Uniform Player Contract to which he has agreed and report to the signing Club shall, upon a report of the signing Club, be placed on the Restricted List until he signs a contract reflecting the terms to which he has agreed. Such a player may not sign a contract with or play for any other Club. While demanding that we renegotiate his contract and pay Pedro more than the $6 million signing bonus to which Pedro agreed, Mr. Boras has contended that the contract we reached with Pedro was consummated after the August 15 deadline. This claim was not raised on the evening of the 15th when we informed Mr. Boras that Major League Baseball had confirmed that the contract was submitted in a timely fashion. Mr. Boras asserted this claim several days later, after all of the draft signings had become publicized

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Fantasy Baseball News

Bay, Red Sox Blast Yankees - 08/28/2008
BY Aaron Gleeman

Johnson's four-hit gem leads Fish over Braves

Rangers' Hamilton out with abcessed tooth

Hamilton scratched from Rangers' lineup

Official: Red Sox acquire Kotsay from Braves

Report: Red Sox close to acquiring Kotsay

MLB to begin instant replay Thursday

Report: Drew headed to disabled list

As expected, the Red Sox made the trade for Mark Kotsay official Wednesday by sending 20-year-old outfield prospect Luis Sumoza to the Braves. My analysis of the deal from Boston's point of view can be found in yesterday's column, so let's focus briefly on Sumoza. A corner outfielder who didn't do much in his first two pro seasons, he's hit .301/.366/.549 in 51 games at low Single-A this year. While far from a top prospect, he's intriguing enough to be a nice haul for Kotsay.

* Meanwhile, Boston's blockbuster deal last month continues to pay off for the Red Sox, as Jason Bay drove in four runs Wednesday versus the Yankees and is now hitting .347/.387/.558 with four homers and 24 RBIs in 23 post-trade games. Of course, Manny Ramirez has been even better for the Dodgers, batting .380/.473/.620 with six homers and 21 RBIs in 24 games. In fact, only the Pirates have failed to get good value from the trade thus far.

Andy LaRoche was the centerpiece of the trade for Pittsburgh, but he's in a brutal 0-for-27 slump and has hit .119 in 21 games overall. Craig Hansen was demoted to the minors Wednesday after going 0-2 with an! 8.10 ER A in nine outings with the Pirates and 21-year-old pitching prospect Bryan Morris has been shut down for the remainder of the year at Single-A with biceps soreness. Only Brandon Moss has had any kind of success, and even he missed time with an ankle injury.

* Josh Johnson continues to look stronger and stronger in his return from Tommy John surgery, tossing his first career complete game Wednesday night while holding the Braves to one run on four hits. Johnson is now 4-0 with a 3.12 ERA and 48-to-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 57.2 innings spread over nine starts since coming off the disabled list, and as discussed previously in this space has actually increased both his fastball and slider velocity since going under the knife.

* Remember the criticism Aubrey Huff took following an offseason appearance on the Bubba the Love Sponge radio show? Huff said some negative things about Baltimore and interacted with a naked woman, which got him in all kinds of heat with fans and the local media. Oddly enough, that seems to have been forgotten now that he's having the best season of his career. Perhaps hanging out with BTLS, Spice Boy, Brent Hatley, and Melissa Midwest isn't so bad after all.

Huff went 3-for-4 with a homer in Wednesday night's victory over the White Sox and is now hitting .307/.366/.566 with 28 homers, 71 total extra-base hits, 84 runs, and 94 RBIs in 129 games. He ranks among the AL's top 10! in homers, runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, and OPS after pos! ting a m odest .280/.337/.442 mark with just 15 homers and 72 RBIs in 151 games last season. In his last 81 games-exactly half a season-Huff has hit .344 with 23 homers and 70 RBIs.

* David Purcey was talked up in this space as a worthwhile pickup in AL-only leagues when the Blue Jays called him up from Triple-A, which looked pretty silly after he went 2-4 with a 6.55 ERA through his first seven big-league starts. However, Purcey finally showed some of his potential in a losing effort Wednesday, tossing eight innings of one-run ball against the Rays while racking up 11 strikeouts versus zero walks.

His overall numbers remain ugly, but with a strong 176-to-50 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 179 innings between Double-A and Triple-A over the past two years Purcey strikes me as an underrated long-term bet. The former first-round pick is still relatively young at 26 and has above average stuff for a left-hander, working with a low-90s fastball and mid-80s slider. He could have some value down the stretch in AL-only leagues and makes a nice stash-away candidate for keeper leaguers.

* Manager Jerry Manuel laid out his plans for the Mets outfield Tuesday, saying that Ryan Church will play every day in right field while Fernando Tatis, Daniel Murphy, and Nick Evans split time in left field. Manuel indicated that Murphy will get most of the starts against right-handers, with Tatis and Evans sharing time against left-handers, but that could change if Murphy comes back down to e! arth a bit. It's tough to keep Tatis out of the lineup when h! e's hit .300/.365/.494 in 78 games.

AL Quick Hits:
Evan Longoria's fractured wrist hasn't healed enough for him to swing a bat yet, suggesting that he may not be ready to return next week .
Josh Hamilton was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with an abscessed tooth and may need a root canal .
Dustin Pedroia's first career grand slam Wednesday put an exclamation point on the Red Sox's blowout win over the Yankees . With Victor Martinez (elbow) on the verge of returning, Kelly Shoppach went 3-for-5 with a homer Wednesday to lead the Indians to their 10th straight win .
Troy Percival (knee) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and remains on track to come off the disabled list when eligible Saturday .
George Sherrill (shoulder) played catch Tuesday and said afterward that he's hoping to return next week .
It took 14 tries, but Ryan Feierabend finally turned in his first Quality Start in a no-decision Wednesday . David Murphy (knee) said Wednesday that he's hoping to return once rosters expand next week .
Ivan Rodriguez has just one RBI through 18 games with the Yankees after going hitless Wednesday and the team fell to 5-9 when he starts.

NL Quick Hits:
Carlos Delgado hit just .229/.306/.396 through June 25, but after going deep twice Wednesday he's batting .310 with 19 homers and 58 RBIs in 56 games since .
Mike Hampton lost Wednesday, but tossed eight innings of three-run ball for his fourth Quality Start in five tries this month .
Ryan Zimmerman homered Wednesday for the first time in 31 games since coming off the shelf . Manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday that Colby Rasmus won't be called up next month because "he hasn't earned it" while being injured for much of the season . Khalil Greene will have the cast removed from his fractured hand Friday, but remains unlikely to play again this season .
Zach Duke lost Wednesday, but allowed just two runs and completed eight innings for the first time in 47 starts dating back to September of 2006 .
Andrew Miller (knee) is expected to come off the disabled list when rosters expand next week, but may do so as a reliever . Hitting .278/.374/.465 with 13 homers and 20steals at Double-A, 21-year-old outfield prospect Cameron Maybin has been sidelined for the past week after being bit on the face by a spider.

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