MLB News

 3-14-2011
Scott Kazmir, no longer considered a key part of the rotation, is Angels trade bait. The BOSTON GLOBE reports the Halos are shopping Kazmir this spring, but he’s struggled so far to get hitters out. The lefty has allowed 12 hits and 5 walks in his first eight innings of the Cactus League following a 15 loss season in 2010

With Chase Utley possibly out until mid season, the Phillies are looking for infield help, and the Boston Red Sox could have the answers. The BOSTON GLOBE speculates that infielders Jed Lowrie and Marco Scutaro, in the final year of his contract, may interest Philly GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Boston’s Mike Cameron might also be on the Phillies wish list. Starting pitcher Joe Blanton would be the trading chip that would head to Fenway.
Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez cold be traded later this season. CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports Hernandez is a trade possibility at the midseason trade deadline. Cincinnati’s Ryan Hanigan is considered the best backup catcher in the game and the Reds have a Triple-A catcher, Devin Mesoraco, who’s had a solid spring

Kelly Shoppach might end being traded this spring. The Rays backup catcher is on the Astros radar. Houston is looking for catching help and Shoppach could be the answer. CHICAGO TRIBUNE reports that the Rays would like to add some bullpen help for Shoppach.  Tampa has been impressed with catcher Robinson Chirinois this spring, he could split time with John Jaso.
 3-3-2011

Youngest Remaining Free Agents


We're weeks into Spring Training now, so few notable free agents remain. But some players (min. 50 PAs) and pitchers (min. 20 IP) remain unsigned. Here's a look at the remaining free agents who will play the 2011 season while no older than 32:
  • Willy Aybar (28) - The Rays declined Aybar's option and non-tendered him, but he can play first, second and third and has a career .341 OBP. He wouldn't be in line for more than a minor league deal if he signs. 
  • Jeremy Bonderman (28) - Bonderman may sit the season out, but you have to think he can help someone (the Cardinals?) despite the 5.53 ERA he posted in 171 innings last year. He's only 28 and he has recovered from shoulder surgery.
  • Manny Corpas (28) - Corpas will miss the 2011 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. He posted a 4.62 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 62 1/3 innings last year, and defense independent pitching stats suggest his ERA should have been lower, so he would have drawn interest if healthy.
  • Hank Blalock (30) - Blalock averaged 29 homers per season from 2003-05, when he made two All-Star teams. That power was nowhere to be seen last year, when he posted a .254/.319/.349 line in 69 plate appearances for the Rays. Blalock just turned 30 last fall, but he probably needs to rebuild value in the minor leagues to make a complete comeback.
  • Dustin Nippert (30) - Nippert has always struggled with walks (career 4.6 BB/9), but he posted a 4.29 ERA in 56 2/3 innings last year. Nippert was a little lucky last year and doesn't induce many grounders (career 38.6 GB%). His 93 mph fastball hasn't been enough to land him a deal so far.
  • Bobby Crosby (31) - Three teams were interested in the former AL Rookie of the Year earlier in the winter, but he remains on the open market. In 189 plate appearances for Pittsburgh and Arizona last year, Crosby hit .220/.294/.298 and played all four infield positions. 
  • Ryan Church (32) - Church, who was traded with Crosby from Pittsburgh to Arizona last summer, also struggled in 2010. He posted a .201/.265/.352 line, though he had 59 extra base hits as recently as 2007.
  • Ben Sheets (32) - If he wasn't going to miss the season with flexor tendon surgery, Sheets would likely have found a team by now. He won't sign this year.

2-28-2011
FRANCONA ORDERS JENKS GUILLEN CEASE-FIRE
Stepping in to halt the war of words between his new reliever and the pitcher's former manager, Red Sox manager Terry Francona yesterday declared a cease-fire between Bobby Jenks and bombastic White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen. "That's over," Francona said yesterday. The Red Sox manager indicated he had spoken with Jenks and that he also sent messages "back and forth" to Guillen through White Sox third base coach Joey Cora.

PIRATES SHOPPING DOUMIT
There is still a chance that Ryan Doumit will be in a different uniform before the Pirates open the season in Chicago. At this point, though, no trade appears imminent. The Pirates haven't ruled out dealing Doumit, who is in line to make $5.1 million this year in a backup role. The trouble has been finding another team that has interest in the catcher/outfielder and is willing to offer Pittsburgh an attractive package in return.

 PUJOLD DOWNPLAYS CONDITIONING
Albert Pujols has impressed many by his conditioning, though he insists he is at the same playing weight and didn't do that much more than in previous winters. "Nothing changed," he said. His winter differed for two reasons: Pujols was denied his third consecutive and fourth overall MVP but also avoided surgery. To hear him, neither fact represented a tectonic event. "Same thing," Pujols said regarding his pain-free winter. "Same thing I did last year; same thing that I've been doing the last five years. Nothing changed."





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