Some of baseball's ageless wonders seem to have found themselves in new uniforms for the upcoming season. And we're glad that the names Clemens or Bonds will be stitched on any of them.
Kenny Lofton has been talking with the Cincinnati Reds as of late. According to rotowire.com, if this move happens, Reds outfielder Jay Bruce will likely start the season in the minors.
Tony Armas signed a minor league deal with the Mets, leaving him with a very outside chance to crack the team's rotation.
Baseball's slowest pitcher Steve Traschel, signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles and received a spring training invite. Traschel started last season with the O's, before being traded to the Cubs in late August.
The Pirates signed defensive wiz Doug Mientkiewicz to a minor league deal. Mientkiewicz
will be competing for the backup first base job/pinch hitter role left open by Josh Phelps departure to St. Louis.
The Royals fan favorite Mike Sweeney agreed to join the Oakland Athletics, accepting a minor league deal and an invite to spring training.
Showing posts with label Rumors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rumors. Show all posts
2/12/08
1/17/08
Baseball Roundup: 1/17/08
As the week is coming to an end we like to take a look back on any wheeling and dealing from the front offices of Major League Franchises around the country.
In an interesting move that could be a huge pickup, the Yankees signed
ex-Astro outfielder Jason Lane to a minor league contract. Lane is expected to compete for the first base as well as a spot as a reserve outfielder. Lane was pushed out of the Astros' outfield with the signing of Carlos Lee to a long term deal and with the emergence of rookie sensation Hunter Pence. He might be a great insurance policy in case Matsui, Abreu, or Damon begin to show signs of old age.
The Cubs took 3.5 million dollar, one year gamble on right hander Jon Lieber. Lieber last pitched for the Cubs during the 2001 season, winning 20 games. Last season Lieber was plagued with injuries that led to inconsistent performances and a demotion to the bullpen.
The Tigers and left handed pitcher, Nate Robertson, avoided arbitration by agreeing on
a three year contract extension with a nice raise tacked on. Robertson was eligible for free agency after the 2009 season. His contract averages out to be about 7 million dollars per year, pretty impressive for someone whose best season was a 13-13 record.
The Texas Rangers lassoed free agent Jason Jennings in with a one year, $4 million offer. Jennings returns home (he's a Dallas native and pitched for Baylor University during college)
after a dismal performance in Houston. An injury shelved Jennings for the remainder of the season, after piling up a 2-9 record for the Astros. This was Texas' second move in as many days; they signed Marlon Byrd on Wednesday.
The Devil Rays continue to piece together a pitching staff, signing Mark Hendrickson and Dan Wheeler and added Jonny Gomes to their lineup; again.
Doug Mirabelli re-signed with the Red Sox, allowing Nation Fans and Tim Wakefield to breath a collective sigh of relief. Theo also receives a Smiley Sticker for not having to re-acquire him in a trade that loses the Sox valuable young talent.
Ancient Arthur Rhodes signed a minor league deal with Seattle.
He'll be my third pick in our upcoming fantasy baseball draft.
In an interesting move that could be a huge pickup, the Yankees signed
ex-Astro outfielder Jason Lane to a minor league contract. Lane is expected to compete for the first base as well as a spot as a reserve outfielder. Lane was pushed out of the Astros' outfield with the signing of Carlos Lee to a long term deal and with the emergence of rookie sensation Hunter Pence. He might be a great insurance policy in case Matsui, Abreu, or Damon begin to show signs of old age.
The Cubs took 3.5 million dollar, one year gamble on right hander Jon Lieber. Lieber last pitched for the Cubs during the 2001 season, winning 20 games. Last season Lieber was plagued with injuries that led to inconsistent performances and a demotion to the bullpen.
The Tigers and left handed pitcher, Nate Robertson, avoided arbitration by agreeing on
a three year contract extension with a nice raise tacked on. Robertson was eligible for free agency after the 2009 season. His contract averages out to be about 7 million dollars per year, pretty impressive for someone whose best season was a 13-13 record.The Texas Rangers lassoed free agent Jason Jennings in with a one year, $4 million offer. Jennings returns home (he's a Dallas native and pitched for Baylor University during college)
after a dismal performance in Houston. An injury shelved Jennings for the remainder of the season, after piling up a 2-9 record for the Astros. This was Texas' second move in as many days; they signed Marlon Byrd on Wednesday.The Devil Rays continue to piece together a pitching staff, signing Mark Hendrickson and Dan Wheeler and added Jonny Gomes to their lineup; again.
Doug Mirabelli re-signed with the Red Sox, allowing Nation Fans and Tim Wakefield to breath a collective sigh of relief. Theo also receives a Smiley Sticker for not having to re-acquire him in a trade that loses the Sox valuable young talent.
Ancient Arthur Rhodes signed a minor league deal with Seattle.
He'll be my third pick in our upcoming fantasy baseball draft.
8/15/07
Free Agent All-Stars
While everyone is making playoff predictions and crossing fingers as teams vie for that elusive championship (see Chicago Cubs), we're looking ahead to what figures to be an interesting off-season. Your teams needs some back end pitching help? One big bat away from sneaking into next years playoff? Looking to patch up a bullpen that's springing leaks and you just ran out of duct tape? Assuming that A-Rod and other players who have options/out clauses in their contracts stay on their current team, look no further than the 108 Red Stitches Free Agent All Star Lineup.
Color Key: Injury Prone, Offensive Nightmare, Likely to Resign With Old Team, Bargain Buy, Franchise Savior.
Catcher
- Jorge Posada: Having an unbelievable season behind the plate, offensively and
defensively. Currently is batting .337 with 14 home runs and 68 RBI. His "timely" hitting (yeah yeah, there's no such thing as clutch hitting) has been the key to many of NY's wins this season, and has only let four balls get past him while behind the plate. Good luck signing him though, as he's a home town favorite and the Yankees would be crazy to let him go. Especially when the Captain says he wants him back.
Runner Ups: Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Kendall, Paul LoDuca
First Base
-Sean Casey: Probably the best, and only option in this years thin crop of free agents at first base. He's a clubhouse leader and a veteran that would provide excellent leadership and knowhow in a young locker room.
Runner Ups: Craig Wilson, Shea Hillenbrand
Second Base
-Tadahito Iguchi: has seen a bit of a rebirth with his trade to Philly, but will be expendable once Chase Utley recovers from a broken hand.
Runner Ups: Mark Loretta, Mark Grudzielanek,
Short Stop
- David Eckstein; another clubhouse leader whose dedication to the game is second to none. Plays hard day in and day out, David would be a welcome addition to any clubhouse. Good luck prying him away from the Cardinals.
Runner Ups: Tomohiro Nioka (Yomiuri Giants), John McDonald, Omar Vizquel
Third Base
- Mike Lowell; see previous blog post. This guy is on a tear this season, batting in a very dangerous Boston lineup. The only way Lowell becomes available is if A-Rod leaves NY and signs with the Sox.
Runner Ups: Geoff Blum, Aaron Boone, Pedro Feliz
Outfield:
The year of the outfielder. This year's crop of outfield free agents is the strongest its been in years. Here's 108 RS's rankings:
Starting Pitching:
Ace: Carlos Zambrano
Middle Rotation: Curt Shilling, Jeff Weaver, Jason Jennings.
Back End Help: Eric Milton, Freddy Garcia, Josh Fogg
Long Shots: Matt Clement, Kris Benson, Bartolo Colon
Relief Corps
Best Bets: Francisco Cordero, Mike Timlin, Scott Linebrink, Luis Vizcaino,
Bargain Bin: Kerry Wood, Antonio Alfonseca, Ray King, Mike Myers, Joe Kennedy.
Color Key: Injury Prone, Offensive Nightmare, Likely to Resign With Old Team, Bargain Buy, Franchise Savior.
Catcher
- Jorge Posada: Having an unbelievable season behind the plate, offensively and
defensively. Currently is batting .337 with 14 home runs and 68 RBI. His "timely" hitting (yeah yeah, there's no such thing as clutch hitting) has been the key to many of NY's wins this season, and has only let four balls get past him while behind the plate. Good luck signing him though, as he's a home town favorite and the Yankees would be crazy to let him go. Especially when the Captain says he wants him back.Runner Ups: Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Kendall, Paul LoDuca
First Base
-Sean Casey: Probably the best, and only option in this years thin crop of free agents at first base. He's a clubhouse leader and a veteran that would provide excellent leadership and knowhow in a young locker room.
Runner Ups: Craig Wilson, Shea Hillenbrand
Second Base
-Tadahito Iguchi: has seen a bit of a rebirth with his trade to Philly, but will be expendable once Chase Utley recovers from a broken hand.
Runner Ups: Mark Loretta, Mark Grudzielanek,
Short Stop
- David Eckstein; another clubhouse leader whose dedication to the game is second to none. Plays hard day in and day out, David would be a welcome addition to any clubhouse. Good luck prying him away from the Cardinals.Runner Ups: Tomohiro Nioka (Yomiuri Giants), John McDonald, Omar Vizquel
Third Base
- Mike Lowell; see previous blog post. This guy is on a tear this season, batting in a very dangerous Boston lineup. The only way Lowell becomes available is if A-Rod leaves NY and signs with the Sox.Runner Ups: Geoff Blum, Aaron Boone, Pedro Feliz
Outfield:
The year of the outfielder. This year's crop of outfield free agents is the strongest its been in years. Here's 108 RS's rankings:
1. Torii Hunter; CF 7. Kosuke Fukudome (Chunichi Dragons, Japan) RF
2. Corey Patterson; CF 8. Trot Nixon; RF
3. Aaron Rowand; CF 9. Milton Bradley; RF
4. Barry Bonds, LF 10. Brad Wilkerson; LF
5. Bobby Abreu; RF 11. Ryan Klesko; LF
6. Jermaine Dye; RF 12. Mike Cameron; CF
2. Corey Patterson; CF 8. Trot Nixon; RF
3. Aaron Rowand; CF 9. Milton Bradley; RF
4. Barry Bonds, LF 10. Brad Wilkerson; LF
5. Bobby Abreu; RF 11. Ryan Klesko; LF
6. Jermaine Dye; RF 12. Mike Cameron; CF
Starting Pitching:
Ace: Carlos Zambrano
Middle Rotation: Curt Shilling, Jeff Weaver, Jason Jennings.
Back End Help: Eric Milton, Freddy Garcia, Josh Fogg
Long Shots: Matt Clement, Kris Benson, Bartolo Colon
Relief Corps
Best Bets: Francisco Cordero, Mike Timlin, Scott Linebrink, Luis Vizcaino,
Bargain Bin: Kerry Wood, Antonio Alfonseca, Ray King, Mike Myers, Joe Kennedy.
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