According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland A’s third-baseman Eric Chavez was scheduled to have an epidural in his back due to increasing stiffness. He has had surgery on his back, so this serves as somewhat of a set-back for the slugger. He is expected to be out “at least 4 or 5 days” as a […]
Filed under: Oakland Athletics | 2 Comments »
UPDATE: (3/1) 12:42AM (EST) - According to mlb.com, Berkman has been cleared by the medical staff to play in a grapefruit league game vs. the Nationals. He has felt good in recent days, and will try to give it a go.
UPDATE: (2/27) 11:01am (EST) - According to the Houston Chronicle, Berkman said some of the […]
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Update: (3/1) 12:39am (EST) - According to ESPN, the previous testimony of Bonds has revealed a number of other positive tests.
Feb 29, 2:31pm (EST) -We have more good information here from Foxsports, as a federal judge plans on “unsealing” Barry Bonds’ grand jury testimony in regards to his potential (haha, sorry, have to be politically […]
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The numerous players that are still active in major league baseball that were named on George Mitchell’s report investigating the use of performance enhancing drugs are apparently safe from any suspensions or other league penalties, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Bud Selig has not made a final determination in regards to this issue, but MLB officers and […]
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Update: (2/29) 4:44pm (EST) - According to rotoworld.com, Schmidt was unhappy with his bullpen session on Tuesday. He is not sure when he’ll throw again. “It could be tomorrow”, Schmidt said. That seems unlikely, as the Dodgers might slow him down a bit in his rehab.
Feb 27 - The L.A. Times is reporting today that […]
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As per Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the Detroit Tigers are looking to sign their “prize” of the off-season, Miguel Cabrera, to a long-term extension. Cabrera, 24, has come to camp as “slim as ever” (he’s apparently down 20-25 lbs.), as he is trying to show his new team that he has dedication and desire. Cabrera has […]
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As per Ken Rosenthal, the Reds and free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton have seemingly broken off talks for the time being. The reason, of course, was the Reds’ failure to offer Lofton a major league contract. Similar talks broke off with Shannon Stewart, who was also not interested in a minor league deal.
The Minnesota Twins […]
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According to Foxsports, some people inside the Mets’ organization is still kicking around the idea of signing free agent starter Kyle Lohse. This, of course, due in large part to the fragile nature of their current 5th starter Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez. Mike Pelfrey is currently slated at the team’s 6th starter behind El Duque, […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals | 8 Comments »
According to the Cincinnati Inquirer, Reds’ shortstop Alex Gonzalez has a fractured knee and will be re-evaluated in roughly three weeks. The team had been saying Gonzo was day-to-day with the injury, as it appears previous tests did not pick the fracture up. He should not miss an extended period of time. If he should miss the […]
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According to the Washington Post, Lastings Milledge will have more freedom to play as himself in Washington under Manny Acta, which includes stealing more bases. The Nationals seemingly fleeced the Mets for Milledge back in November. Milledge was once the Mets’ top young prospect, but while in New York the Mets had restraints on Milledge, who was […]
Filed under: Washington Nationals | 13 Comments »
San Francisco second baseman Ray Durham’s sore right shoulder caused him to undergo an MRI last night, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Results are not known at this time.
This is troubling news for an already anemic Giants offense as well as it’s infield defense. The Giants have also lost shortstop Omar Vizquel for 4-6 weeks to due knee […]
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The New York Post has published a brief 5 question interview with legendary Hall of Fame analyst, baseball guru, and oracle Peter Gammons. Here are the highlights:
Gammons thinks there is not a single legitimate Major League suitor for Barry Bonds* in the United States and that Japan may be the controversial slugger’s only option if he […]
Filed under: Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants | No Comments »
UPDATE: (2/29) 8:23am (EST) - As per Arnie Stapleton of the AP, the total value of the deal could be worth $22.775 million over 6 years. After the 4-year extension, the team has options for 2012 worth $6 million ($250K buyout) and 2013 worth $8 million (with a $500K buyout).
Feb 28, 7:13am (EST) - According to Tracy […]
Filed under: Colorado Rockies | 1 Comment »
UPDATE: (2/28) 9:41pm (EST) - Jon Heyman at SI.com notes that Colon can opt for free agency if he is not in the majors by May 1st.
UPDATE: (2/26) 2:44pm (EST) - The Boston Herald notes that Colon will earn a $1.25 million base salary on the major-league team, and can make an additional $5.75 million […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox | 10 Comments »
Andruw Jones has rolled up to Dodgers camp at a hefty 240 pounds, according to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constiution. This, after signing a “fat” two year contract worth $36.2 million with Los Angeles.
The 240 pounds represents a 15 pound increase from the 6 foot, 1 inch outfielder’s alleged playing weight last year (LA […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers | 13 Comments »
According to the New York Post, outfielder Shawn Green has decided to retire. Green is only 35 years old, but he has decided to walk away from baseball. He says there had been interest from 6 or 7 teams in his services for 2008, but he did not want to move too far from home at […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays | 3 Comments »
The 2007 season brought the Colorado Rockies and their fans on a dizzying, joy-filled ride. The Rox made an improbable 2nd half run just to make the playoffs… going 20-8 in the month of September, winning 14 of their last 15, and 11 in-a-row to close out the regular season. They followed that up with a National League […]
Filed under: Colorado Rockies, _Polls, _Team Outlooks (2008) | 16 Comments »
As per Joe Frisaro at MLB.com, mega-stud shortstop Hanley Ramirez is comfortable hitting in the leadoff spot, and Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez sees no reason to change things up. Really? Even despite the fact that the team traded slugger Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers, and Ramirez is developing into a legitimate power threat? With his speed […]
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According to Danny Knobler of Tigers Insider, Jim Leyland has announced his plans for the makeup of the 2008 batting order, and there might be one surprise… Miguel Cabrera is hitting fifth, and not third as most people expected. Jim Leyland might be afraid of 39-year old Garry Sheffield too, and slotting him in the […]
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According to the Detroit News, Jim Leyland insists that Brandon Inge’s trade status has not changed, despite backup catcher Vance Wilson’s slow recovery from off-season arm surgery. Inge has been working out at catcher, which he had played in his earlier year in Detroit. He wants to be a full-time third-baseman, however, which means a […]
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Mike Piazza’s Hall of Fame career might be coming to an end, but then again, it might not, according to Mark Hale of the NY Post. Within the next week or so, Piazza is supposed to decide between retiring or giving it one more shot in the big leagues.
The 39-year old’s agent Dan Lozano said […]
Filed under: New York Mets, Oakland Athletics | 7 Comments »
According to the Boston Herald, free-agent right-hander Freddy Garcia has visited the Boston Red Sox clubhouse. It should also be noted that no confirmation of a signing has been announced, and reports are that Garcia was just being evaluated by team officials. The team had just signed Jabba… er, Bartolo Colon only a few days ago.
As a reminder, Garcia could be […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, New York Mets | 2 Comments »
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune tells us today that Joe Crede is progressing well after back surgery, even flashing some of his gold glove caliber defense at yesterday’s intrasquad game in Tuscon, Arizona. Crede himself tells Gonzales, “Everything is feeling good. Nothing’s bothering me. So far, so good.”
Crede’s health bodes well for the White Sox if […]
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Strange story out of Joel Sherman in the NY Post this morning regarding a near connection between the NY Mets and Brian McNamee. It appears that before the 2007 season, both hitting coach Rick Down (since fired) and manager Willie Randolph approached Omar Minaya about bringing McNamee on board as a BP pitcher and to help […]
Filed under: New York Mets, _Mitchell Report/Steroids | 2 Comments »
Baseball America has issued it’s list of the 100 best prospects heading into the 2008 season. I’ve listed the top 25 below, but definitely check out Baseball America’s list in it’s entirety. And don’t forget to also check out MLB Fleece Factor’s very own interview with Baseball America’s Jim Callis.
Without further ado, here are the top 25 according […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays | 12 Comments »
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel has chosen Brett Myers to be the opening day starter over lefty Cole Hamels. Myers will be returning to the rotation after finishing up 2007 as the team’s closer. Myers has been outspoken about his preferred role as the closer, so this could be a “good […]
Filed under: Philadelphia Phillies | 24 Comments »
Giants’ SS Omar Vizquel will miss roughly 4-5 weeks because of knee soreness, as per rotoworld.com. He will have surgery this week, and there is a strong possibility that he’ll miss opening day. As a result, Kevin Frandsen may have to cover shortstop until Vizquel is ready to return. We noted in our 2008 Giants’ […]
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According to Marty Noble at MLB.com, Pedro Martinez will not approach the New York Mets about a contract beyond the 2008 season, even though he has already stated his intentions to keep pitching beyond then. He will, of course, be open to negotiations if the team came to him about an extension.
Pedro, 36, understands that […]
Filed under: New York Mets | 8 Comments »
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Cubs have numerous veterans competing for the last starting rotation spot or two this spring. The Cubs are set 1-3 with Carlos Zambrano, Rich Hill, and Ted Lilly. The Tribune assumes Ryan Dempster could earn a rotation spot, leaving Jon Lieber and Jason Marquis to battle for the […]
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UPDATE: (2/25) 11:51pm (EST) - As per Bill Ladson at MLB.com, Bret Boone was battling a drinking problem, which prompted him to walk away from baseball 2 years ago.
Feb 18, 11:01am (EST) - The Washington Nationals have signed 2nd baseman Bret Boone to a minor league contract, according to the Washington Post.
I’m not sure what GM Jim Bowden is […]
Filed under: Washington Nationals | 3 Comments »
A volcanic eruption occurs when pressure on the magma chamber well below the mountain’s peak causes the chamber to succumb and allow magma to seep up through the volcano’s vents, sometimes resulting in magnificent explosions. Some volcanoes can remain dormant for many years before an inevitable explosion.
Well, the volcano that is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays has […]
Filed under: Tampa Bay Rays, _Polls, _Team Outlooks (2008) | 10 Comments »
According to Foxsports, the Tampa Bay organization has had internal discussions about possibly offering a deal to Barry Bonds*. Manager Joe Maddon acknowledged that some minor discussions have indeed taken place, but says they have not gone past that.
Bonds’ agent, Jeff Boris, says Bonds* is NOT retiring and will play somewhere next season. He went […]
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According to Jim Street at MLB.com, Seattle Mariners manager John McLaren mentioned this offseason that centerfielder Ichiro Suzuki could steal 80 bases in 2008. Said McLaren, “He has done everything so well in his career, winning batting battles and Gold Gloves, that the bar is set high for him. He’s a numbers guy, and I just like […]
Filed under: Seattle Mariners | 5 Comments »
UPDATE: (2/25) 9:41pm (EST) - As per Jon Heyman at SI.com, Orioles owner Peter Angelos didn’t like what was being offered for Brian Roberts, but a deal isn’t dead yet. The names so far being thrown out there from the Cubs end: pitchers Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher, OF Matt Murton and INF Ronny Cedeno. […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs | 2 Comments »
According to Sports Illustrated, free agent outfielder Sammy Sosa is looking for a team that will give him 450 at-bats in 2008. His agent, Adam Katz, says Sosa is looking “for the right job, not just any job.” Sosa apparently has some offers for part-time work, but is holding out for a full-time job. In […]
Filed under: Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers | No Comments »
