According to the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks and ace Brandon Webb have once again started dialogue in regards to a long-term contract extension to keep the Cy Young award winning pitcher in Arizona. “Yeah, some progress has been made…We’ve been talking a little bit more. We’ve made some headway. We’ll see where it goes”, said […]
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According to the East Valley Tribune, Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson had requested in the neighborhood of $15 million/season while trying to work out a new deal with the D’Backs. We had previously commented on this article, deeming it a blatant fleece attempt by the second baseman. While Hudson is an amazing defensive player, and […]
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We’re only 25 games or so into the 2008 season, but there are a number of teams who may have already begun shopping some of their higher priced veterans, according to Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports. Here is a brief breakdown of some of the players’ names we may be hearing all summer in regards to trade rumors:
Cincinnati Reds: […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers | No Comments »
We’re only 24 or 25 games into the 2008 season, and one thing is pretty clear: The D’Backs are nasty. They’re a talented bunch filled with youth, and after last year’s tough loss to the Rockies in the NLCS, they’re full of hunger too. At 16-6, they sit comfortably atop the N.L. West division, as […]
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The 2008 payrolls were released earlier this month by Major League Baseball, and there were a few surprises. What isn’t much of a surprise is that the New York Yankees were once again #1 on that list, topping $209 million (yet another payroll record).
Of interest though is that both the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets have leap-froged the […]
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Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune reports that contract talks between the Arizona Diamondbacks and impending free agent 2nd baseman Orlando Hudson, “appear so far apart that it would take a major move by one to rekindle meaningful dialogue.”
Magruder writes that the D-Backs have had talks with Hudson about an extension throughout the winter […]
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According to Steve Gilbert at MLB.com, the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired left-hander Jon Coutlangus from the Cincinnati Reds yesterday for outfielder Daniel Perales. Coutlangus appeared in 64 games for the Reds last season in relief, and he was optioned to the D-Backs AAA affiliate upon completion of the trade. He went 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA […]
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UPDATE: (4/7) 4:32pm (EST) - As per Steve Gilbert at MLB.com, the two sides have agreed on a 6-year deal that should be announced on Thursday. ESPN.com is reporting that the deal is for 5 years, with a team option that would cover Young’s first year of free agency.
Apr 7, 9:35am (EST) - According to Nick […]
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In some extremely sad news today, we learn from Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic that Diamondbacks left-hander Doug Davis has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Despite that, Davis was expected to make his start Friday night at Chase Field.
Davis is expected to make his next few starts actually, before undergoing surgery sometime in late […]
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UPDATE: (3/16) 12:07pm (EST) - According to rotoworld.com, Randy Johnson continues to show progression in his comeback from injury. In his most recent outing, the “Big Unit” allowed just one hit (a Gary Matthews Jr. homer) in three innings of work. He should be ready to pitch for the Diamondbacks by early-mid April.
Update: (2/28) […]
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Here’s a rundown of some decent MLB rumors and notes from baseball guru Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports:
Seven teams have expressed interest in left-hander Horacio Ramirez after he was released by the Mariners, according to the pitcher’s agent, Steve Canter. Ramirez was a bust for the M’s (check out our review of his time in Seattle here) […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays | 2 Comments »
The Fleece Factor crew continues to work hard to complete in depth previews of all thirty major league teams as the 2008 season quickly approaches. These MLB team outlooks should be finished soon, at which point we will put ourselves on the line and make our own individual predictions. So stay tuned for those!
We have […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, _Team Outlooks (2008) | No Comments »
UPDATE: (3/8) 10:49pm (EST) - As per Jim Molony at MLB.com, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said the team has no interest in signing Ponson.
Mar 6, 8:51pm (EST) - Free agent pitcher Sidney Ponson threw in front of scouts for the Cardinals, Royals, Mariners and Diamondbacks today, bringing truth to the idea that the meat of […]
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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 »
UPDATE: (2/21) 10:56am (EST) - Jerry Crasnick at ESPN is reporting that Nixon has agreed to a minor league contract with the D’Backs.
UPDATE: (2/21) 9:06am (EST) - As per Steve Gilbert at MLB.com, the D-Backs want to sign Nixon as insurance in case Chad Tracy isn’t ready to begin the season after offseason knee surgery. However, the […]
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According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Diamondbacks starting catcher job was expected to be filled by “the up-and-coming Miguel Montero - and probably sooner than later in the eyes of some.” He also mentions that the organization had viewed Synder as a “light-hitting, defensive-minded catcher,” and the prospect of getting Montero’s […]
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As per Foxsports, Randy Johnson has begun spring training recovering from back surgery. Johnson, 44, is just 16 wins shy of 300 for his career. Should more back issues arise for the “Big Unit”, he doesn’t think he can endure any future surgeries. If another surgery is required, Johnson says he is 99.9% sure he […]
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UPDATE: (2/12) 12:21pm (EST) - As per Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Mark Sweeney have agreed to a 1-year pact, worth a reported $600,000. Sweeney can earn a roster bonus of $125,000 if he makes the Opening Day roster, and additional performance bonuses can push the total value of the […]
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According to Tom Krasovic at the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres have agreed to terms on a 1-year contract with free agent 1B Tony Clark. The prelimary talks have the deal valued at around $900,000 but it could take another day or so to work out the final terms.
As mentioned in the piece, the Arizona Diamondbacks […]
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UPDATE: (2/8) 10:56am (EST) - As per the North County Times, Clark is also drawing at least minor interest from Los Angeles and Cincinnati.
UPDATE: (2/7) 8:11pm (EST) - According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres and Tony Clark are deep into negotiations.
Feb 6, 12:09pm (EST) - According to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, the San Diego Padres […]
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Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter, recovering from July Tommy John surgery, is aiming for a return to the starting rotation by mid-season, preferably before the All-Star break. Recovery time for Tommy John surgery is typically 10-12 months, putting a best case scenario for Carpenter at an early June return. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that “Carpenter […]
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According to Jim Street at MLB.com, the setup roles and the closer job have already been determined for the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen. Bob Melvin, the team’s manager, said today, “Brandon Lyon will be the closer, and Chad Qualls and Tony Pena will set him up. All three of these guys are tremendous pitchers, and I […]
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The Boston Red Sox offered out a few contracts today, and I just wanted to recap them all…
According to The Boston Globe, the Red Sox agreed to terms with OF Bobby Kielty. It is a non-guaranteed contract, and Kielty will earn $800,000 if he makes the big-league squad. There is also an extra $300,000 in […]
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According to Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune, the Arizona Diamondbacks have settled on the order of their starting pitching rotation already, with about 2 weeks to go before pitchers and catchers even report to Spring Training. And there might even be one small surprise.
Assuming that Randy Johnson recovers fully from back surgery, newcomer […]
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UPDATE: (1/27) 6:15pm (EST) - As per the NY Daily News, the New York Mets will not offer Livan Hernandez or any other starter, including Kyle Lohse, a contract until the Johan Santana situation finally comes to a conclusion. Omar Minaya and the Mets’ front office is still hopeful they will be the team winning the […]
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I just wanted to round-up some other news and transactions from around the league today:
The D-Backs feel good about the chances of Randy Johnson being in their rotation to open the season (as per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com).
The Pittsburgh Pirates have apparently offered Freddy Sanchez a long-term contract (Jenifer Langosch, MLB.com).
It seems Brian Sabean is less likely to […]
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The Baltimore Orioles have yet to acquire an established closer to take the place of injured Chris Ray and Danys Baez. They had previously been interested in Octavio Dotel, but he has since signed with the Chicago White Sox.
Orioles GM Andy MacPhail has checked in with the Baltimore Sun regarding this subject. Since a veteran acquisition seems unlikely at this […]
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Keith Foulke pitched to a group of representatives from more than 20 MLB teams last week and at least one team walked away impressed enough to offer him a contract - the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The D’Backs interest was originally reported on January 9th.
Since having bone-chips removed from his elbow […]
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From Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, we learn today that the Diamondbacks may be poking around the free agent scrap heap looking for a left-handed corner infielder, should Chad Tracy’s return from knee surgery take longer than expected.
Piecoro reports that GM Josh Byrnes is interested in former Red Sox and Blue Jay Eric Hinske, […]
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Ken Rosenthal provides us with a brief update on free agent first baseman Tony Clark. Rosenthal writes, “The Mariners, Giants and Red Sox have expressed varying degrees of interest (in Clark).”
Clark had been previously linked to the Twins and Rangers, but may have had those suitors pass him by as he continues to hold out for […]
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Once again, we’ve already brought you a bunch of these today, but here - courtesy of Rotoworld.com and Yahoo Sports - we bring you a list of the important Friday signings that avoided arbitration for the players and teams involved. All deals are for 1 year.
OF Rick Ankiel, Cardinals: $900,00; incentives could be the total of the pact to $1 million
SP […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays | No Comments »
Orioles young stud Jeremy Guthrie agreed to a $770,000 salary for 2008. Guthrie, 28, is not even arbitration eligible but deserves the raise. Last year, the former 1st round pick (by the Indians) broke out, going 7-5 with a 3.70 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. He struck out 123 in 175 innings. To think, he will make about 1/20th of […]
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Nick Cafardo is the national baseball writer for The Boston Globe, and was recently kind enough to participate in a brief question and answer session with MLB Fleece Factor. This is a great honor for us as I consider Cafardo one of the finest sports writers in the business. I look forward to his work regularly, especially his Sunday morning column in the […]
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As per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks and reliever Brandon Lyon are discussing a contract extension but nothing is imminent. Lyon is in the last year of arbitration and will become a free agent at the end of the year.
This situation presents this top set-up man with a serious dilemma. Here are his choices:
Option 1 […]
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The Arizona Diamondbacks are keeping their sights on formerly retired closer Keith Foulke, according to Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com. The D’Backs will watch Foulke throw next month, and may bring the Arizona native on board if he shows that he is over the knee and elbow problems that forced him to retire last winter.
The 2008 […]
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