http://mlbfleecefactor.com Providing MLB Rumors & Transactions and Deciding Who Gets FLEECED. Fri, 16 May 2008 16:19:53 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en David Murphy of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Phillies GM Pat Gillick is still hesitant about giving ace Cole Hamels a contract extension in the near future, even in light of the recent deals for Scott Kazmir and Ryan Braun. Gillick sounds like he is certainly open to the idea of an ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/16/hamels-extenstion-unlikely-this-year/ John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Reds GM Walt Jocketty still has not had any trade talks with any club regarding Ken Griffey, Jr. "I've had no trade discussions," Jocketty said.  "I've talked with him. Not knowing Junior that well, I wanted to make sure we had a line of communication ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/16/griffey-still-a-red-bruce-waits/ The Milwaukee Brewers have announced a record contract extension with outfielder Ryan Braun that will pay the second-year player $45 million over the next eight seasons. This contract takes the recent deals of Troy Tulowitzki and Evan Longoria (both similar players in terms of experience and proximity to arbitration years) and spits ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/15/ryan-braun-gets-some-serious-cheddar/ White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen tells Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times that he doesn't believe his club will add any significant pieces to their lineup. Says the loose cannon manager, "Not much we need.  Look at the lineup. Believe me, if we need something right away, [GM] Kenny [Williams] will do it. ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/15/guillen-white-sox-offense-may-stand-pat/ Soxfan Asks: I just made two pretty huge trades in my league, and was curious what you thought of them. (i.e., was i fleeced or did I apply the fleece?). the league is 7X7 (standard 5X5 + batting K’s and OPS, and pitching L’s and HOLDS). Trade 1: I get: Manny Ramirez I give: Justin ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/14/fantasy-qa-trades-involving-manny-and-soriano/ UPDATE: (5/14, 10:05pm EST) - Vote in the poll. Who got fleeced?!   May 14, 8:33pm (EST) - The Tampa Bay Rays have extended young ace Scott Kazmir. The deal is said to be for 3 years, worth a reported $28.5 million. There is also a club option for the 2012 season, which could bring the total ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/14/rays-extend-kazmir/ The L.A. Dodgers will start Chan Ho Park on Saturday against the Angels.  Sure, he's been somewhat effective out of the bullpen this year, but come on, L.A.  I guess the Dodgers aren't familiar with Park's history of fleecing teams.  Good luck on this one, Torre.  Anyway, get your Angels hitters ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/14/chan-ho-park-to-start-on-saturdayseriously/ The Boston Red Sox have placed starting pitcher Clay Buchholz on the 15-day DL due to a broken finger nail. The move is retroactive to May 13th. Justin Masterson is expected to get the call to make the spot start this coming weekend. This isn't the worst thing in the world for Boston.  ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/14/buchholz-hits-dl/ UPDATE: (5/14, 8:03 pm EST) - The deal is done and is just pending a physical now.  Edmonds should start on Thursday for the Cubs.  Chicago will pay him just $284K, with San Diego and St. Louis are on the hook for a combined $7.7M. Fleeced. UPDATE: (5/13 10:54pm EST) - According to Gordon ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/14/cubs-could-sign-jim-edmonds/ Troy Renck of the Denver Post has a couple notes at the bottom of his column today worth mentioning.  First, the Rockies remain interested in pitcher Julian Tavarez, who was recently DFA'd by Boston.  Colorado is not willing to give up pitching prospect Brandon Hynick in any deal, however. Also, former Rockies reliever Jose ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/14/rockies-notes-tavarez-capellan/ According to Yahoo Sports, federal prosecutors have issued new indictments to "home-run king" Barry Bonds*. He is now being charged with 14 counts of lying to a grand jury, as well as 1 count of obstruction of justice. Initially, Bonds* had been charged with 4 counts of perjury. All counts are ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/13/breaking-news-feds-issue-more-bonds-indictments/ According to Metsblog.com, the Mets have designated pitchers Jorge Sosa and Nelson Figueroa for assignment. Figueroa did a nice job for New York spot starting while Pedro Martinez is out. Even though he posted a 5.12 ERA in 6 starts, the Mets won 3 of the 6 games in which he ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/13/sosa-and-figueroa-dfad-by-mets/ According to Peter Abraham at the LoHud Yankees Blog (The Journal News), MRI results on Alex Rodriguez' injured quad showed progress, but the All-Star third baseman is not yet ready to play in any rehab games. A return this week has been ruled out, and he isn't expected back for ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/12/yankees-notes-a-rod-kennedy/ According to Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally placed shortstop Rafael Furcal on the 15-day disabled list on Monday. The All-Star SS is suffering from a lower back injury. According to the piece, the Dodgers are seeking an emergency replacement for Furcal, who it hitting .366 with 34 runs scored ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/12/furcal-heads-to-dl/ As reported by the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have designated reliever Julian Tavarez for assignment. This was done in order to make room for Sean Casey, who has been activated from the disabled list. We know the Colorado Rockies have had interest in acquiring Tavarez. A deal could still be worked out ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/12/julian-tavarez-designated-for-assignment/ I am sure many of you could be familiar with this story, as I have seen it floating around some media outlets and blogs this morning. But in this article written by Dan Graziano of the Star Ledger, we learn of an "interesting" exchange between Graziano himself, and David Sloane (the agent ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/12/off-field-fleeces-a-surly-sloane-gets-ruined/ According to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com), Eric Gagne finally got his wish, and has been pulled as the team's closer. After yet another embarassing outing on Saturday, where Gagne gave up 2 runs and recorded the loss, he was practically begging the organization to remove him at the club's stopper. The ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/11/game-over-gagne-out-as-brewers-closer/ The San Diego Padres have acquired right-handed relief pitcher Bryan Corey from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be name later or cash. Corey was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket on April 30 by the Red Sox.  In 7 appearances with the Red Sox this year, the 34-year-old poste a 10.50 ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/11/padres-acquire-corey-from-red-sox/ Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Dispatch believes that it is almost a given that Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes will be dealt soon. Of the fact that Reyes, who was once considered one of the game's top pitching prospects, was once again demoted to the minors last week, Strauss writes, "This year, however, the club ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/11/cards-appear-to-be-done-with-anthony-reyes/ Tim Sullivan of The San Diego Union-Tribune points out that future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux could very well become available for trade if the Padres struggles continue. Maddux earned his 350th career win last night and, at age 42, could be in his final season before retirement.  With San Diego struggling ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/11/greg-maddux-could-become-available-via-trade/ Given their unlikely hot start to the season, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that the Florida Marlins (of the $22M team payroll) may actually look to add veterans as the trade deadline approaches if their success continues.  Frisaro write that "a high-ranking team source on Friday said the team would seriously entertain ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/10/marlins-might-be-buyers-still-in-on-jacque-jones/ UPDATE: (5/10/08, 11:30am) Yankees manager Joe Girardi doesn't think David Wells is a good idea.  In fact, Girardi RUINED Wells by telling CBS Sportsline, "I don't know if he's capable of pitching, still." May 9th, 8:45am: As per Mike Puma of The New York Post, 45-year-old southpaw David Wells believes he could ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/10/david-wells-wants-to-join-the-yankees/ According to Juan C. Rodriguez of The Florida Sun-Sentinel, Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez has "told an acquaintance he has agreed to the framework of a six-year, $70 million extension." The contract, which is pending a physical and will not be announced until at least early next week, would rank as the ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/10/hanley-ramirez-closing-in-on-70m-deal/ Brewers' reliever Derek Turnbow has cleared waivers, and accepted an assignment to AAA Nashville. The former all-star has struggled this season, and has opted to report to AAA as opposed to free agency because he'd be walking away from over $3 million. He'll report to Nashville on Monday. This season, Turnbow ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/09/turnbow-clears-waivers-heads-to-aaa/ Richie Sexson has been issued a 6-game suspension for starting a bench-clearing brawl in Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. Felix Hernandez had hit two Texas batters (one being Ian Kinsler, who had earlier taken King Felix yard), and when a pitch from Ranger's pitcher sailed high in the following inning, ... http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/09/sexson-nets-6-game-suspension/