Red Sox Option Buchholz

The Red Sox announced today that pitcher Clay Buchholz will be optioned to Triple-A. Although this comes as a surprise to many Boston fans, it just shows how much pitching they have. The Red Sox can afford to do this with Bartolo Colon pitching well, and it will allow Buchholz to get back into a groove. Buchholz will likely be down in Triple-A for a couple weeks, maybe a month, to work himself into a good rhythm. Pitching prospects Justin Masterson and David Pauley are wheeling and dealing down in Triple-A also, so the Red Sox can be patient with Buchholz.

I think this will be good for Buchholz and the Red Sox in the long run, but more for Buchholz. To be able to go down to Triple-A and pitch and analyze his pitching away from the spotlight should help him better develop his stuff. The Red Sox are currently one game out of first place, but face the first place Rays at home next week, so we could see a change in the standings by the end of next week.

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Tigers Pitching Options

According to sources, the Tigers are looking to make a move at the deadline for a starting pitcher. With Robertson and Bonderman both struggling, it makes sense that they would look into another long term investment. Here are a couple options:

• Rich Harden, Athletics: Although he is oft-injured, Harden would be a great addition for the Tigers. He is 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA and is just twenty-six. The only problem with that is that it would be a big risk for the Tigers to take. They are better off trading for Joe Blanton.
• Vicente Padilla, Rangers: Padilla has been inconsistent throughout the years, but he is 7-2 with a 3.67 ERA so far this season and has done fairly well at Comerica Park.
• Jon Garland, Angels: Angels pitcher Jon Garland is doing fairly well for the Angels so far compiling a 5-3 record with a 3.89 ERA. He is a free agent after this season and the Angels could trade him because of their pitching depth.
• Randy Wolf, Padres: If the Tigers are looking for a short term replacement, Wolf would be that guy. He is inexpensive and he wouldn't cost the Tigers nothing but a pair of mid level prospects.

Of course there are better options, but it would hurt the Tigers minor league system even more. One of the younger guys from the list above makes sense, or buying low on a struggling pitcher elsewhere. The Tigers don't currently have anyone dominating in the minor leagues, so a replacement down there isn't likely. Rick Porcello won't be ready probably till late next season, at the earliest.

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Saturday Headlines

Here is what is making news this Saturday:

• People are starting to pay closer attention to Cardinals pitcher Todd Wellemeyer. He has put together pretty good years here and there, but never as good as this one. He is 6-1 with a 3.16 ERA in twelve starts this season and it is starting to sink in that he is no fluke. One theory is that pitching coach Dave Duncan taught him a better way to attack the strike zone. If the Cardinals pitching keeps it up, it is safe to say that Duncan is the top pitching coach in baseball.
• Cubs set up man Carlos Marmol is starting to receive some contract extension talk, and the Cubs would be smart to lock him up soon. He is 1-1 with a 1.54 ERA with 52 K in 28 games. The Cubs are not ones to give out long term deals for pitchers, but they might need to make an exception.
• June is when we start seeing teams top prospects after they have proven themselves in the minor leagues. Jay Bruce has come out for the Reds and is dominating, and we saw Athletics top prospect Carlos Gonzalez as well.
  
• More and more umps are starting to come around to instant replay, but for homeruns. The fact that instant replay has not been used all this time shows just how good these umps really are.
  

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Mets Looking To Make Move?

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Mets GM Omar Minaya is looking to acquire an outfielder or first baseman. The paper mentions Jason Bay, Kevin Millar, and Xavier Nady as possibilities. The Mets were in serious discussions a couple of months ago about Nady, so he makes the most sense. He is a former Met, and would fit nicely in both left and right field. Not only that, but Nady is hitting .321 with 9 HR in 52 games this season and is not a free agent until 2010. As for Bay, he would cost the Mets more players and more money in the long run, so they would probably look at him as a last resort. He is also drawing interest from the Indians and Padres, so the Pirates would be smart to look to those teams first because they are definitely more desperate than the Mets right now.

Millar looks like a late season pick up, if at all, for the Mets. He is hitting .241 with 8 HR in 52 games, which isn't that much better than Delgado. The Mets definitely need a corner outfielder, and I think Nady would make all the difference for the Mets

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Giants Fire Sale Update

The Giants are starting to make some noise about a fire sale. Here is what they are doing as of late:

• Giants GM Brian Sabean recently told reporters that veteran players Randy Winn, Ray Durham, and Rich Aurilia are all available. All three are not big impact players, but could be picked up if there is an injury on a different team.
• The Giants have some interest in Angels DH Juan Rivera, but nothing is serious just yet.
  
• The Giants have told several teams that all relievers except Brian Wilson are available. So take your pick of Tyler Walker, Jack Taschner and Vinnie Chulk. Sabean also said that Triple-A pitchers Erick Threets and Brad Hennessey are available as well.

The Giants really don't have much to offer when it comes to trades. What they need to do is trade what they can for some low level prospects and hope they can live up to their potential. It is hard to say with the draft, but I recommend taking the best college player available when there spot comes and hope he can make it to the MLB by 2011 or 2012, at the latest.

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Cards Option Duncan

The Cardinals announced today that they are sending outfielder Chris Duncan down to Triple-A Memphis. Duncan is hitting .252 with 4 HR in 47 games this season, but has good power and should have been given time to find his swing. The Cardinals will call up Joe Mather, who is tearing it up in Triple-A batting .315 with 12 HR in 28 games. The Cardinals have never been very high on Duncan, so this move isn't very surprising. I wouldn't be surprised if a team like the Indians moved in to make a move. Duncan would give the Indians a corner outfielder who might turn it around and live up to 2006 potential.

In 273 major league games, Duncan has hit .269 with 48 HR and 132 RBI.

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The Morning Word: Cubs Need To Protect Arms

The Cubs have gained a reputation for over using their pitchers, going back to 2003 with Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Although this may not be the case, the everyday fan believes it is. They back up their point with examples like top pitching prospect Angel Guzman, who missed most of last season and is expected to be out most of this one as well. This season, the Cubs are relying heavily on Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster to anchor the rotation. Ted Lilly is doing his part as well, but Marquis is struggling and rookie Sean Gallagher has not proven to be consistent, yet.

Let's start with Carlos Zambrano, who is 7-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 81.0 innings of work. In his last start, he through 130 pitches in a game where he wasn't pitching like himself. He was wild, his release point was inconsistent, and the offense really wasn't there. In his start before that, he threw 109 pitches, so the Cubs really weren't thinking when they extended him like they did. Personally, I think they are pitching him to win the Cy Young, and not to help the Cubs. The Cubs bullpen has been very good in the later innings with Howry, Marmol, and Wood closing it out, and it would nice to see the Cubs show some faith in that tandem.

Ryan Dempster has been one of the biggest surprises this season, compiling a 6-2 record with a 2.56 ERA. Despite moving from the bullpen to the rotation, the Cubs really have not spent much time easing him in to the pitch counts. Over his last four starts, he has averaged 115 pitches over about seven innings each time out. Dempster has already pitched in more innings than he did last season, so the stress they are putting on his arm really could hurt them in the long run. Maybe I am being cautious, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs pitching crumble in September or October because of the excessive amount of stress put on their arms.

One good sign coming from this story is that Lou Piniella acknowledged the amount of pitches being thrown and said he plans to limit Zambrano in his next couple of starts. Hopefully, this does not come back to haunt the Cubs.

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Astros Sign Sosa

The Astros have agreed to a minor league deal with Jorge Sosa. Sosa will work with pitching coach Burt Hooten, who has worked with several of the teams major league relievers lately. Sosa has had success at the major league level before, so the Astros are hoping that Hooten can help him find his command. Sosa went 9-8 with a 4.47 ERA last year for the Mets, but struggled early on in 2008.

His best year came in 2005 when he went 13-3 with a 2.55 ERA with the Braves. If he can come back and return to 2007 form, he should help the Astros as they surprisingly make a run for the playoffs.

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Hatteberg to Mariners?

Scott Hatteberg, who was recently DFA'd by the Reds, has been linked to the Mets recently, but it appears the Mariners are his top suitor. Hatteberg has lived in Seattle most his life and they would love to bring him in to replace Richie Sexson, who has a .197 OBP through May.

Hatteberg put up good numbers last year for the Reds, but struggled to find his swing in a pinch hit role. Moving back to a starting role could benefit him, and it would definitely benefit the struggling Mariners.

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Padres Smart To Wait On Headley

Although Padres prospect Chase Headley is hitting .302 with 9 HR in 49 games at Triple-A, the Padres are smart to wait on calling him up. Yes, left fielder Paul McAnulty is hitting just .209 with 3 HR, but calling up Headley now would only put pressure on him to turn around the struggling Padres. Calling him up now while the Padres clubhouse is down in the dumps won't do his first taste at the big leagues any good. Not to mention that there really isn't anyone to send down to the minors. McAnulty is out of options, Huber is out of options, and it wouldn't make sense to send down any reliever at this point.

Of course money is somewhat of an issue, but history proves calling up players to struggling teams does not work. The Cubs called up top prospect Angel Guzman in 2006 when they were in a fight to stay in contention. Guzman, at the time, was considered the next Cubs phenom. However, he struggled to get into a rhythm as the Cubs clubhouse was 'down in the dumps.' Guzman went 0-6 with a 7.39 ERA as the Cubs finished 66-96. This is just one example of many, but the Padres are smart to have patience, as it should pay off in the end.

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Hernandez On The Block?

Livan Hernandez has earned the reputation as a work horse, having pitched in at least 200 innings over the last ten seasons. Not to mention that he is very consistent in the playoffs as well. He couldn't find too much interest during the offseason but landed with the Twins for modest five million dollars. So far, he is earning every penny. Hernandez is 6-2 with a 4.22 ERA in eleven games, and will likely be traded if the Twins fall out of contention. Hernandez has proved that he can pitch early on, but always improves as the season goes on. A team in playoff contention that has a solid young prospect to spare may bite on Hernandez for that final push.

Hernandez would definitely help an NL team more than an AL team, mostly because of his ability to keep a lower ERA in the NL. A team like the Astros, whose pitching is okay now but could use a push for the end of the season, would be a good fit. The Phillies pitching is weaker than expected and they could use a push to compete in the second half of the season. Cubs manager Lou Piniella is not happy with Jason Marquis and may push upper management to get a solid innings eater like Hernandez for the second half. All three teams make a lot of sense, and I expect Hernandez to be traded by the All-Star game to help the Twins offense for this season and beyond.

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Quick Hits: Soriano, Giants, Hatteberg, Street

Quick hits:

• Alfonso Soriano enjoyed a nice reunion with Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, who he hadn't seen in eleven years. The two happened to be dorm mates when they were in the Japan minor leagues together.
• The Giants seem poised to trade veteran Randy Winn, Rich Aurilia, and Ray Durham at the trade deadline. All three have big time contracts and probably would not get much in return on the market, but it is time for the Giants to shake things up.
  
• The Reds called up Jay Bruce to be there everyday center fielder and designated Scott Hatteberg for assignment. The Mets had interest in Hatteberg before Delagdo started showing signs of life. Delgado still does not own a good batting average, but he is doing better than Hatteberg. The Giants seem like a good fit.
  
• Although the Athletics are playing well, you cannot help but believe they will try and make a move at the deadline. Whether it is Joe Blanton or Huston Street, something will go down. The Brewers could have interest in Street, and the Rockies seem like a good fit for Blanton. We'll see what happens.
  

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Fielder Safe, Sheets On Block

Despite Fielder's slow start, the Brewers have no intention of trading Prince Fielder, who is hitting .276 with 6 HR and 25 RBI. The Brewers are low on pitching, but Fielder is still years from free agency, so it does not make sense to give up on him so early. Fielder is still a big part of this Brewers lineup, who will hurt you if you make a mistake. He is adjusting early right now and is having trouble. Ryan Howard went through a similar transition, and although he has not returned to form, he has not fallen off the charts.

The Brewers, however, won't be as patient with pitcher Ben Sheets. Sheets has battled injuries but is starting to prove that he is healthy. He is 5-1 with a 2.93 ERA in 10 games this season, and if he continues to pitch well, they will likely trade him while his stock his high. Maybe the Orioles and Brewers could line up on a trade with Sheets and a package that included George Sherrill. Seems risky for the Orioles, who are 5.5 games out of first. The Phillies seem like a good fit as well.

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Lofton to Mets?

Free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton has been rumored going just about everywhere since the beginning of last off season, but might finally be closing in on a home. The Mets are in need of a back up outfielder who can play everyday, mostly to protect Moises Alou. Lofton's speed, consistency at the plate, and above average fielding make him a good, low risk pick up for the Mets.

This signing would likely make Randolph's job a little bit easier, mostly because it would allow him to shake up the lineup. No deal appears imminent, and don't be surprised if the Cubs swooped in and made a move. Jim Edmonds is playing worse than prospect Felix Pie was and bringing in Lofton would allow the Cubs to drop Edmonds and play Lofton, who had great success in Chicago. This is speculation on my part, but it definitely makes sense. Lofton is a career

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Draft Tidbits

Here is what is making news in the draft:

• Boras client and high school prospect Eric Hosmer might be leaning towards heading to college. He will likely be a late first rounder because of signability issues.
  
• The White Sox are very interested in Gordon Beckham and Brett Wallace. Coincidentally, I had the White Sox taking Brett Wallace last week and Gordon Beckham this week.
• The Brewers are interested in Anthony Hewitt, but will look to see if he is around in later rounds. His struggles with a wood bat will drop his back a couple of rounds.
  
• Look for the Phillies to select Jason Knapp with their sandwich or second round pick. He is a pitcher with poor command, but has some upside.
• One of the biggest sleepers in the draft in is Ryan Westmoreland, who has set his signing bonus demands very high, but has a lot of upside. His above average fielding and good bat make him a candidate to rise fast in any system. The Red Sox are known to be interested.
  
• I talked with one scout who said the Cubs and Rockies are pondering taking Jake Odorizzi with their first round pick. For what it is worth, Odorizzi is a native of Illinois.
• The Cubs are also interested in Zach Collier, but he is drawing serious interest from the Nationals, who invited him to their tryout in Washington.
• The Mets are interested in catcher Adrian Nieto, but I talked with one scout who said he is not as high on the Mets draft board is people may think.
  
• As for first pick speculation: It is all up in the air. From what I am hearing, though, it is down to four players: Tim Beckham, Pedro Alvarez, Aaron Crow, and Buster Posey.
  

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Brewers Close In On Tavarez

The Brewers and Julian Tavarez are closing in on a deal with pitcher Julian Tavarez, suggesting that Jeff Weaver will likely opt out of his contract. Tavarez will not take a 'rehab' assignment in the minors. Once he passes his physical he will join the bullpen as a long reliever. Tavarez was 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in nine games for the Red Sox, but the Brewers are hoping he will turn around his season and return to 2007 form.

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Fantasy: Stock Rising or Falling

The fourth edition of Stock Rising or Falling:

Evan Longoria, Rays: Although he is batting .247, Longoria is turning into Mr. Clutch for the Rays. If he has not been picked up in your league, sign him soon.


Bengie Molina, Giants: Molina would be a great pick up for your team right now if available. He is batting .652 over the past six games and is really carrying the Giants. If you have a surplus of pitching, he would be a cheap pick up.


Jesse Litsch, Blue Jays: Litsch was good was for the Blue Jays last year but is off to an excellent start this year. He pitched a complete game in his last start to improve to 6-1.


Honorable Mention: Jason Bay, Pirates

Fausto Carmona, Indians: A hip injury has sidelined him for over a month.



Willie Randolph, Mets: He has a meeting with owners next week to talk about his job, and if things go bad, he could be gone.


Colorado Rockies: They are ten games out of first and are now without Tulowitzki, Barmes, Hawpe, and Matt Holliday.

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Brewers To Dump Hall?

The Brewers called up Russell Branyan today in an attempt to help the Brewers versus righties. That means that Bill Hall, who is hitting .189 versus righties, will likely lose playing time. Hall is batting .220 with 9 HR in 47 games this season, and if he doesn't pick it up, he will likely be traded. Hall is twenty-eight and has the ability to hit for power, but not a very good average. The Giants remain a good possibility with Jose Castillo at third. The Rangers could be in need of a corner infielder with Hank Blalock on the DL for an extended amount of time. Hall would be a cheap investment for them who could help short term. Teams have not been afraid to designate players with little interest on the market, and it is possible that could happen to Hall as well.

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Quick Hits: Tavarez, Davis, Indians, Edmonds

Quick Hits:

• Pitcher Julian Tavarez opted for free agency instead of accepting his minor league assignment. The Rockies were not interested in making a trade for Tavarez after Glendon Rusch pitched well in Triple-A, but now that he is a free agent, it is possible they would sign him.
  
• The feel good story so far this season: Just a month after being treated for thyroid cancer, Doug Davis pitched seven strong innings to beat the Braves 11-1. "Every time I hugged somebody I felt like I was, you know, I don't know," he said. "I just felt blessed to have them behind me as much as they are." Davis has always been a middle of the road pitcher, but with his team and the fans behind him, he could be in for a good year.
• Indians GM Mark Shapiro refused to comment on other players, but it is becoming apparent that the Indians will make a move at the deadline. Whether it is for Garrett Atkins or Matt Holliday, the Indians will make a move.
  
• Cubs outfielder Jim Edmonds is off to a slow start with the Cubs, despite a savvy defensive catch in Houston. He if 2-for-15 with the Cubs and looks lost at the plate. His swing is inconsistent and looks completely different than what it was in 2007 or 2006. If he does not turn it around soon, the Cubs will likely release him and recall Felix Pie, who was actually doing better than Edmonds.
  

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Minor Leaguer Traded For Ten Bats

Minor league pitcher John Odom was traded by the Calgary Vipers to the Laredo Broncos for ten maple bats. "I don't really care," Odom said Friday when asked about the trade. "It'll make a better story if I make it to the big leagues." Odom never actually pitched for the Vipers because of passport issues, prompting a trade. You would have thought that the Vipers GM would have been able to land a player, at most. "They just wanted some bats, good bats -- maple bats," Broncos general manager Jose Melendez said. Odom originally pitched for the Giants for three seasons down in Low-A, but never really made the adjustments that would have pushed him through the system. We'll know who this trade benefits soon enough.

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Long Term Deal For Hamilton?

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is off to the best start of his young career and may have a long term deal in his future. Hamilton, 27, is batting .335 with 12 HR and 53 RBI in 48 games this season, but does not even have two years of major league service time. He was taken in the Rule 5 Draft by the Cubs before the 2007 season, but was traded to the Reds. You would think that Hamilton would be excited about the possibility of earning that big contract, he is just happy to be alive, healthy, and helping the Rangers win: "I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be. I feel like I mix well with these guys and have felt that way since the first day at spring training. Since I started playing baseball, this is the most comfortable I've ever felt."

Hamilton is probably looking at a four or five year deal worth 12-16 million dollars, at most. Although he has played well over his MLB career, he is a lot older than most of these guys getting long term deals.

Here are a couple other guys that should have long term deals in their future:

- Hunter Pence, Astros

- Justin Upton, Diamondbacks

- Nate McLouth, Pirates

- Geovany Soto, Cubs

- Cole Hamels, Phillies

- B.J. Upton, Rays

- Joba Chamberlain, Yankees

...to name a few.

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The Morning Word: Top Five Managers To Be Fired

Several managers are off to rocky starts this season and are on the firing line. Here is a look at the top five candidates:

1. John McLaren, Mariners
- John McLaren did a good job for the Mariners towards the end of last season, but is not off to a good start this season, even with the improvements of GM Bill Bavasi. With Bavasi on the wire as well, he may look to shake things up and fire McLaren, who could easily be replaced by former manager and current bench coach Jim Riggleman.

2. Ned Yost, Brewers
- Ned Yost's aggressive attitude in the clubhouse and on the field has turned some players off, in turn, dampening the mood in the clubhouse. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder have expressed a lack of confidence and that comes directly from the manager's attitude in the clubhouse.

3. Willie Randolph, Mets
- The Mets stacked lineup and solid pitching should have given them the easy ride to the playoffs, but manager Willie Randolph has not been able to put it together. Not only has he compiled a 22-23 record, 4th in the NL East, but he continues to dig a deep hole with New York media. Eliminating his distraction alone could turn this team around.

4. Bud Black, Padres
- The Padres have the worst record in baseball and they will soon have to look for someone to blame. General manager Kevin Towers is the longest tenured GM in baseball and is very close with manager Bud Black, so this isn't imminent. But, if the offense does not pick up, expect a move to shake things up.

5. Ron Washington, Rangers
- A couple weeks ago, the Rangers were a total mess. They were not showing any signs of life on the field or in the clubhouse. With the offense asleep, it looked as if Washington was going to be fired. However, the Rangers are starting to turn it around and are now just one game under .500. Still, the Rangers' plan to bring in play their young players should be under the guidance of an experienced manager, and it appears President Nolan Ryan knows that and will make a move when he feels the time is right.

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Kershaw To Be Called Up?

Dodgers top pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw was pulled after just one inning, suggesting that he is on his way to the majors. Kershaw is 0-3 with a 2.28 ERA in Double-A, but he has not gotten the run support needed to put wins on the board. Having thrown one inning of baseball with pregame warm ups, it is possible to see him pitch Saturday, giving Brad Penny an extra day of rest. Kershaw was taken in the first round of the 2006 draft and has risen fast in the Dodgers system. However, he has only played in forty-four games in his minor league career, compiling a 10-10 record. Spending more time in Double or Triple-A would definitely help in the long run, but the Dodgers are desperate for a change.

We'll likely see him in Tuesday's game against the Cubs if not this Saturday, replacing Brad Penny.

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Mark Ellis To The White Sox?

In thirty-eight games so far this season, White Sox second baseman Juan Uribe is hitting just .198 with 3 HR and an OBP of .262. The White Sox have shopped him to several teams, but no one is willing to pick up the majority of his five million dollar salary. Back up Alexei Ramirez isn't hitting much better, so they cannot play him, making a move likely for the first place White Sox. The Chicago Sun-Times reported this past off season that the White Sox had interest in Brian Roberts, but the Orioles high asking price pushed them away. If the Sox are still in first by the All-Star game, don't be surprised if they make a move for a second baseman, especially if Uribe is still struggling. Several teams have not been afraid to dump big salaries, and that could be the case with Uribe this season.

The White Sox probably would not make a push for Dan Uggla, but they could go after Mark Ellis of the Athletics. Ellis is notoriously a slow starter and picks it up towards the end of the season. Although he could be a free agent after this season, bringing him in for the final push makes sense for the White Sox, who could easily surprise everyone again like they did in 2005. Although they surrendered three prospects to the A's earlier this off season, trading a pair of prospects wouldn't hurt their depleted farm system too much anyways.

Speaking of the farm system, the White Sox have taken big steps in Latin America and are looking to be big players come the International signing date in July. This hopefully would jump start their minor league system.

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MLB Mock Draft: Updated

Over the past couple of days, I have had time to think the Mock Draft over and read up on the latest news. I have made a few changes, not too extreme, but a few.

1) Tampa Bay Rays -- Tim Beckham, SS
Last Week: Buster Posey, C

2) Pittsburgh Pirates -- Pedro Alvarez, 3B
Last Week: Tim Beckham, SS

3) Kansas City Royals -- Brian Matusz, LHP
Last Week: Brian Matusz, LHP

4) Baltimore Orioles -- Justin Smoak, 1B
Last Week: Pedro Alvarez, 3B

5) San Francisco Giants -- Aaron Crow, RHP
Last Week: Aaron Crow, RHP

6) Florida Marlins -- Yonder Alonso, 1B
Last Week: Tim Melville, RHP

7) Cincinnati Reds -- Eric Hosmer, 1B
Last Week: Gordon Beckham, SS

8) Chicago White Sox -- Gordon Beckham, SS
Last Week: Brett Wallace, 3B

9) Washington Nationals -- Christian Friedrich, LHP
Last Week: Tanner Sheppers, RHP

10) Houston Astros -- Kyle Skipworth, C
Last Week: Kyle Skipworth, C

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Is Zambrano DL Bound?

Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano is off to a great start this season, but has complained of shoulder/neck stiffness since his last start against the Pirates. Zambrano said he slept the wrong way and that is why he was sore on Saturday, but he doesn't need to make excuses for every bad start. Zambrano has thrown over two hundred innings over the past five seasons, and has thrown over one hundred pitches in seven of his last nine starts. Cubs trainers said the stiffness is minor, and that no one should worry, but Cubs officials should watch Zambrano's next start very closely to make sure he is okay, because he is really holding the rotation together right now.

So far this season, Zambrano is 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 46 K.

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White Sox Still Interested In Figgins

The White Sox have expressed interested in Angels infielder Chone Figgins for nearly a year. His speed, consistency, and above average fielding makes him a desirable lead off man for the Sox. Crede is hitting .275 with 8 HR in 42 games this season, and it is likely they will trade him if he continues to hit well by the trade deadline. The Giants remain interested in acquiring Crede, but the Brewers have shown some interest as well. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Angels are interested in signing free agent to be Joe Crede this coming off season and moving Brandon Wood back to his original position at shortstop.

This would not be a problem if Josh Fields was doing well at Triple-A, but he is hitting just .240 with 4 HR. If the White Sox packaged a pair of prospects with a reliever, they might be able to land Figgins for an infield role. Figgins is hitting .306 with 0 HR in 32 games this season, but has an OBP of .421. The White Sox will continue to build up Crede's value to the deadline, but do not be surprised if either player is traded following the All-Star Game.

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Victorino On The Block?

With Jayson Werth doing well in center field, the Phillies have the option to shop Shane Victorino for pitching help. Victorino is a career .270 hitter with 21 homeruns since entering the league in 2003. He drew a lot of trade interest last season and would probably draw a significant amount around this time too. If Victorino was put on the market with a prospect or two, it is possible they could land someone like Chris Young, that is, if the Padres go through with their fire sale. Phillies top prospect Carlos Carrasco is doing fairly well in Double-A right now, but the Phillies won't push him to the big leagues. Other than him, they do not have any standout pitching prospects that could try out for a big league spot.

With two question marks in the rotation, it would make sense for the Phillies to trade Victorino and a pair of mid level prospects for a Grade B type pitcher.

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MLB Prospect Report

-- BATTERS --
TEAM		CLASS		PLAYER, POS		AB		R		H		BI		AVG
ATL		LoA		Heyward, Jason RF		5		1		2		1		.329
BAL		AA		Reimold, Nolan RF		5		1		2		1		.280
BOS		LoA		Tejeda, Oscar SS		4		1		3		0		.244
BOS		HiA		Still, Jon 1B		4		2		3		6		.306
CHC		LoA		Donaldson, Josh C		4		0		1		0		.203
CIN		LoA		Mesoraco, Devin DH		4		2		1		1		.154
CIN		HiA		Stubbs, Drew CF		4		1		2		0		.272
CIN		AA		Valaika, Chris SS		4		1		2		0		.250
CLE		AA		Rodriguez, Josh SS		1		2		1		0		.260
CLE		AAA		Brown, Jordan 1B		3		1		2		0		.283
COL		AA		Fowler, Dexter CF		4		1		2		1		.289
COL		AAA		Stewart, Ian 3B		4		0		1		1		.288
DET		AA		Ramirez, Wilkin LF		4		1		2		0		.314
DET		AAA		Hollimon, Michael 2B		4		1		1		0		.259
FLA		AA		Coghlan, Chris 2B		3		1		2		2		.311
FLA		AA		Maybin, Cameron CF		5		2		2		1		.247
FLA		AA		Raynor, John LF		4		1		2		1		.289
HOU		LoA		Cusick, Matt 2B		3		1		1		0		.350
HOU		AA		Einertson, Mitch CF		4		0		3		1		.233
KC		LoA		Moustakas, Mike SS		5		0		1		0		.238
LAD		LoA		Lambo, Andrew LF		4		0		2		1		.265
LAD		AA		De Jesus, Ivan SS		3		1		2		0		.314
LAD		AAA		LaRoche, Andy 3B		1		1		0		2		.300
MIL		LoA		Gindl, Caleb RF		4		1		3		0		.271
MIL		AA		Gamel, Mat 3B		4		1		2		2		.372
MIL		AA		Escobar, Alcides SS		5		0		2		1		.287
MIN		LoA		Revere, Ben CF		4		0		3		2		.432
MIN		AA		Plouffe, Trevor SS		4		1		3		1		.294
NYM		AA		Murphy, Danny 3B		5		1		4		1		.329
NYY		AAA		Gardner, Brett CF		4		1		2		2		.288
OAK		AAA		Gonzalez, Carlos CF		4		1		1		0		.305
PHI		LoA		Galvis, Freddy SS		4		0		2		1		.196
SD		LoA		Carvajal, Yefri LF		5		1		2		0		.255
SD		HiA		Hunter, Cedric CF		5		1		2		2		.318
SD		AA		Huffman, Chad DH		4		1		2		1		.340
SD		AAA		Headley, Chase LF		4		0		1		0		.289
SEA		AA		Saunders, Michael CF		5		2		3		0		.301
SEA		AAA		Clement, Jeff C		4		0		1		0		.390
SF		HiA		Rohlinger, Ryan 3B		4		2		3		2		.301
SF		AAA		Schierholtz, Nate RF		4		2		2		2		.308
STL		AA		Craig, Allen 3B		5		1		3		0		.294
TB		AA		Jaso, John C		3		1		2		1		.252
TEX		LoA		Beltre, Engel CF		6		0		0		0		.254
TEX		HiA		Whittleman, John 3B		5		2		4		1		.296
TEX		AA		Davis, Chris 1B		4		1		3		2		.323
TEX		AA		Ramirez, Max C		3		1		1		1		.377
TEX		AAA		Teagarden, Taylor C		5		1		1		2		.283
TOR		LoA		Tolisano, John 2B		3		0		1		0		.252
-- PITCHERS --
TEAM		CLASS		PITCHER		IP		H		R		ER		BB
DET		LoA		Hamilton, Brandon		4.0		5		3		3		3
FLA		AAA		Hernandez, Gaby		5.0		4		2		2		0
LAD		HiA		Loaiza, Esteban		3.0		3		1		1		0
MIN		AAA		Duensing, Brian		5.0		6		3		3		1
MIN		AA		Rainville, Jay		7.0		3		1		0		0
NYM		LoA		Rustich, Brant		1.0		2		1		1		0
OAK		HiA		Cahill, Trevor		5.0		9		8		8		2
OAK		LoA		Italiano, Craig		5.0		5		1		0		5
SD		AA		Garrison, Steve		5.2		6		4		4		2
STL		AAA		Garcia, Jaime		5.0		8		5		5		1
STL		AA		Mortensen, Clayton		6.0		9		3		3		0
TB		HiA		Hellickson, Jeremy		5.0		7		4		4		0
TEX		AA		Hunter, Tommy		7.0		5		1		1		0
TOR		HiA		Rodriguez, Kenny		7.0		5		2		2		0

Courtesy of Baseball America

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News and Notes: Mike Piazza Retires

12-time All-Star Mike Piazza officially retired today, putting an end to his sixteen year career. "After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it was time to start a new chapter in my life," he said in a statement released Tuesday by his agent, Dan Lozano. "It has been an amazing journey ... So today, I walk away with no regrets." Piazza did not find much interest on the market this past off season, cutting short his career, but he knew the end was coming: "I knew this day was coming, and over the last two years I started to make my peace with it. I gave it my all and left everything on the field." Piazza is one of the best steals in draft history, being taken in the 62nd round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over his career in which he played for the Dodgers, Marlins, Mets, Padres, and Athletics, Piazza hit .308 with 427 HR and 1,335 RBI. He is remember by teammates and fans as friendly, a leader, and one of the great catchers in the history of baseball.

"It's the end of a Hall of Fame career," Mets manager Willie Randolph said.

Martinez to retire?: Pedro Martinez is hoping to spend more time with his family, something he feels he has not done enough recently, and may retire at the end of this season. His injuries recently make this possible, but Martinez's dad has cancer, and he would like to be there for him and his family.

Padres to have fire sale?: The Padres have always been able to put a good team together, but their hitting really has not connected this season. It is possible they will build their team around Kevin Kouzmanoff and Jake Peavy, and trade away the rest. As for players they could trade, they have: Adrian Gonzalez, Khalil Greene, Greg Maddux, Brian Giles, and Chris Young.

Cabrera switching to DH sooner than expected?: Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is slowing down faster than expected, and it is mostly because he refuses to condition. Many feared that he would stop after he got his big contract, and so far, they are correct.

Tavarez to Rangers?: The Rockies recently signed Glendon Rusch, suggesting that Tavarez is not heading there. The Rangers need some help at the pitchers spot and could make a trade for Tavarez without surrendering much.

Rivera to Pads or Giants?: According to Angelsbaseball.com, Angels outfielder/DH Juan Rivera is drawing interest from the Padres and Giants. He would be a huge addition to both teams, considering their offenses are among the worst in baseball.

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Orioles To Trade Sherrill?

When the Orioles traded Erik Bedard, the supposed center piece of the deal was Mariners closer George Sherrill. However, it is becoming more apparent that Sherrill was acquired to only swing in a different deal this season and the younger pitchers they got were really the future of the team. Sherrill is currently 1-0 with a 3.43 ERA and 17 SV, and would likely net several prospects in a trade. Several teams need a closer right now and could trade for him at the deadline. The Rockies could trade for Sherrill and move Fuentes to a set up role, knowing that he will likely leave via free agency this off season. The Rockies have several solid prospects and the Orioles and Rockies are on pretty good terms when it comes to making a trade. The Cardinals currently do not have a closer and could trade for Sherrill, but it could cost them a top prospect or two. Sherrill is very cheap and very good, so it might be worth it for the Cardinals.

Other options, although less likely at this point, include the Brewers, Padres, Angels, Indians, and Braves.

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Is Mauer A Better 'Jason Kendall'?

Twins catcher Joe Mauer was considered the top catcher in baseball in 2006 after hitting .316 with 28 HR and a .390 OBP in 306 games. However, he is starting to settle around the .300 mark and averaging anywhere between 7 and 10 homeruns. Mauer is currently hitting .316 with 0 HR in 38 games, but is not doing bad for the Twins. He has nine doubles and eighteen walks, so he is getting on base and scoring runs, in turn, helping the team win. Jason Kendall got his MLB career off to a similar start, and hit 3-6 homeruns over a span of four or five seasons. In his first three seasons, Kendall hit .307 with 23 HR and a .390 0BP, so you can see how similar they really are.

Mauer is much better than Kendall, but it is very possible that Mauer will become a leadoff type hitter hitting .300 with 3-6 homeruns like Kendall has. It is early and Mauer could easily breakout, but the Twins might have made a big investment to a future leadoff man who will add little offensive help for the Twins. If I were GM Bill Smith, I would definitely look to add a power hitting outfielder or corner infielder next offseason to provide protection for Justin Morneau, because it is likely that the Twins will try Mauer in different spots in the lineup.

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What A Story: Lester Throws No-Hitter

Not two years ago, Jon Lester was sitting at his Boston home wondering if his career was over. It was then that Jon Lester was diagnosed with large cell lymphoma, and it was uncertain how long it would take to recover. When he was clear to play before the start of the 2007 season, the Red Sox planned to work him in very slowly, hoping he would find his 'top prospect' stuff. During the 2007 season, Lester worked his way through the minors building up his stamina and arm strength, and was surprisingly overpowering most hitters. He made his debut in 2007 and helped the Red Sox win the World Series against the Rockies. Lester wass 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA and 42 K before his last start tonight, in which he threw a no-hitter. Although he walked two, he did not surrender a hit or run. The last hitter to be thrown was also by a Red Sox, and it was by his close friend Clay Buchholz. The Red Sox expect these two to lead the rotation in a couple years. With no-hitters under their belts, they will be more than ready.

Another great story, although not nearly as exciting, came in Houston. Cubs catcher Geovany Soto has been with the Cubs since 2001, when he was taken out of Puerto Rico at the age of 18. He was once regarded as the future catcher of the Cubs, before a couple years ago when the Cubs felt he would never be ready. In 2007, Soto lost nearly thirty pounds and came back showing that he could be the everyday catcher. He won the Pacific Coast MVP and came up and helped the Cubs in the playoffs. Soto was hitting .321 with 8 HR before tonight's game, where he added an inside the park homerun, and caught a great game to get the Cubs the win.

A great day in baseball.

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Has Smoltz Thrown His Last Pitch?

John Smoltz was closing in on a return from the disabled list but faced another setback that could lead to surgery. Smoltz faced the setback in his Thursday bullpen session when he reported discomfort in his throwing shoulder. The discomfort was still there Saturday during his next session, and it is likely the Braves will shut him down indefinitely. Smoltz said he could return as early as next week, or as late as next season, if he pitches: "It could be anywhere between the [late May] timetable I discussed and a lot longer."

This brings up the possibility that John Smoltz may never throw another pitch in the major leagues again. Smoltz has dealt with shoulder problems periodically throughout his career, but has always had time to come back successfully. With time not in his favor, the future Hall of Famer might have to hang it up.

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What Is Pedroia Worth?

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is currently getting paid 575,000 dollars and is in for a big pay day. After breaking out in 2007 and proving in 2008 that it was not a fluke, it is unclear whether he has a long term deal in his future. He is hitting .307 with 2 HR in 46 games, but his defense shoots his value up even more. Pedroia will be twenty-five in August, and a four or five year does make sense. However, he is not a huge force in the lineup and does play second base, a position that is easy to fill on the field. Jose Lopez of the Mariners received a four year deal worth 6.07 million dollars, but Pedroia is definitely better and more proven than Lopez.

A four year deal worth between 13-14 million dollars seems reasonable, considering Pedroia has not been in the league for two full seasons yet. It has not gotten to Pedroia yet, but several teams are starting to lock up young players which brings into question when the Red Sox will do so with Pedroia.

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Uggla Will Likely Be Traded

Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla is proving to Marlins executives that last season was an adjustment period and that he has the potential to be an All-Star. He is currently batting .316 with 13 HR in 42 games and is just 28. The Marlins could give him a deal similar to Joe Mauer, who signed a four year deal worth 33 million dollars in 2007. That seems pricey for the Marlins payroll, but they could adjust his annual salary to work it into their payroll. However, there are several other players on the Marlins who will need extensions that could force the Marlins to make a tough decision. There are several teams in need of a second baseman though that would be willing to part with several top prospects to acquire Uggla, making him the obvious choice to go.

The Rockies seem like the perfect fit. Jayson Nix struggled at the MLB level and bringing in Uggla would definitely help their offense. The Marlins could probably use a couple of their solid pitching prospects, maybe Brandon Hynick or Franklin Morales. If the Rockies were interested in signing Garrett Atkins long term, they could trade Ian Stewart as well. Another option for Uggla is the Dodgers, who will have an opening next season when Jeff Kent departs. The Dodgers do have other in house options and will have to sign Furcal first, but it is a possibility. The Indians seem very serious about getting offensive help and have the prospects that could suit the Indians. They probably do not want to part with a top pitching prospect with Sabathia unsigned, but I wouldn't put it past GM Mark Shapiro to sneak in and make a deal.

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Hernandez to Reds?

The Orioles first round draft pick last year Matt Wieters is tearing it up in Single-A batting .338 with 11 HR and 29 RBI in 40 games this season. He has a call up to Double-A in his future and could see time in the MLB if he does well. That is the beauty of drafting a solid player out of college. Most first round picks out of college already have the ability to play at the level of Single or Double-A players, so they jump into the minors and nothing changes. Ramon Hernandez is batting .209 with 3 HR in 35 games this season and won't be eligible for free agency until 2009. The Reds have one unproven catching prospect in Devin Mesoraco, but he won't be ready for a couple years. The Reds currently have Paul Bako starting at catcher, and Hernandez would definitely be an upgrade.

It may take a pitcher or two to satisfy the Orioles, who typically demand a lot in trades. It is possible the Reds and Orioles would swap big salaries and trade Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo is making 3.95 in 2008, but will make 9.5 in '09 and 11 '10. Hernandez is making between 9-10 million over the next two years, so they would match up pretty well. And a change a scenery could benefit both.

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Rosenthal: Delgado, Sexson, Crisp, Byrd

Ken Rosenthal has some good ideas in his Latest Full Count:

• With Carlos Delgado and Richie Sexson both struggling, Rosenthal suggests the idea of swapping the struggling first basemans. Delgado is hitting .228 with 5 HR while Sexson is hitting .197 with 7 HR. Sexson is making 14 million in the final year of his contract while Delgado is making 16, with a four million dollar buyout for 2009. If the Mets were to include cash with the deal, it makes perfect sense.
• The Red Sox would be smart to hold onto Coco Crisp until the offseason, because free agent center fielders are not abundant like last off season. A team desperate for a good center fielder might offer something worth the Red Sox while.
• When Jake Westbrook comes off the DL, the Indians will have a crowded pitching staff. Rosenthal believes they will want to keep Aaron Laffey in the rotation, forcing the veteran Paul Byrd out. The Brewers are looking for pitching and could offer a low level prospect or two for Byrd to help their pitching. The Indians, in turn, could use that prospect, along with others, to go out and land a bigger name player to help their offense. Perhaps Garrett Atkins or Brian Roberts.
  

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Royals Lock Up Soria

The Royals and Joakim Soria have agreed to a six year deal through 2014 worth a total 32.75 million dollars. He will make 8.75 million over the next three seasons, but then club options kick in for the final three seasons. So far this season, Soria is 0-0 with a 1.04 ERA and 11 SV. Soria was taken from the Padres organization in 2006, and put together a great 2007 season for the Royals. Dayton Moore has done a great job keeping his young players together, in turn, keeping the players happy: “Oh, I’m very happy,” he said. “It’s a big deal for me, for my career and my family. It’s a lot of security for me and my family.” There are several perks in the deal for Soria, but this is very good deal for the Royals that doesn't make a huge dent in their payroll.

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Marlins Close In On Jones

The Marlins and Jacque Jones are closing in on a one year contract, according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Jones is looking to get back on the field as soon as possible and the Marlins make a lot of sense, considering they have had interest in him since July of last season. Jones saw a huge drop in power from 2006 to 2007, leading to him being traded in the off season. He was batting .165 with 1 HR in 24 games for the Tigers this season, but the Marlins hope a move could jump start his season.

Jones typically does not get off to the best starts, usually heating up in July. That was the case last season, and I'm sure the Marlins would like him to help lead the Marlins to a surprising first place finish. His agent, Damon Lapa, denied a comment on the deal, but said there are still other teams in on Jones' services.

A deal should come by early next week.

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Would The Phillies Trade Howard?

Back in 2006, Ryan Howard was the best first baseman in baseball. He hit for power (58), had a good average (.313), and kept the Phillies in the playoff hunt for most of the season. The following season, Howard still hit for power, but his average dropped dramatically and strikeouts went way up. He is back again in his third full season, but has failed to make the proper adjustments. He is batting .188 with 9 HR and an OBP of .294. That is not going to cut it as your three hitter. Luckily, Chase Utley has stepped up big time early on and kept the Phillies in it. Howard is making 10 million dollars this season and won't be a free agent until 2011, so that is bound to go up.

The Phillies minor league system has decent depth, but it is not great, and trading Howard would help fill that. He appears DH bound at some point in his career, but he could probably handle first base for another couple of seasons. It is a little early, but several teams could use his bat in their lineup. Teams that go after Mark Teixeira will likely look to Howard sometime next season as a fall back option. The Yankees and Phillies are on good trade terms and could swing a deal similar to the one that sent Bobby Abreu to the Yankees.

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Will Rockies Host Fire Sale?

The Rockies have several players closing in on free agency that would draw considerable interest on the market. Several journalists are already calling Matt Holliday the 'Mark Teixeira' of this years trade deadline. Holliday is a free agent after the 2009 season and with Boras as his agent, it is unlikely that they would negotiate during the season to keep him there. There are several teams with deep farm systems that could use a power hitter like Holliday, but might not be willing to surrender the prospects the Rockies will be looking for. The Rockies are going to be looking for top of the line prospects while the team acquiring him will only want to surrender mid to low level prospects. This is because Holliday's road numbers are so slanted. Holliday is a career .364 hitter at home with 73 HR while hitting .274 with 36 HR on the road. A team acquiring him might not want to pay him 100 million dollars to a player if he is only going to hit around .280 with 20 HR.

As for teams that could be interested, the Yankees seem like a good fit. They need a middle of the lineup type of hitter and bringing him in would allow them to shop one of their aging outfielders. I doubt the Red Sox would try to respond and fight the Yankees for him, but if they are not interested in brining Manny Ramirez back, Holliday would be a good option in left field. The Cardinals need a hitter to protect Albert Pujols in the lineup and Holliday would definitely do that job. Not to mention that he would be a big upgrade over Chris Duncan in left field. It could cost them several prospects, but it would be worth it for the Cardinals.

Rockies closer Brian Fuentes is off to a good year and will probably also be traded by the Rockies before he becomes a free agent. One possible option for him is the Cardinals because they need a closer with Jason Isringhausen unable to find his groove. Packaging him and Holliday makes a lot of sense.

For more on Garrett Atkins, click here.

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Should The Rays Move?

The Rays are working very hard to get out of Tropicana Field as soon as possible. They have a waterfront stadium picked out, and are taking the other steps required in hopes of passing the referendum. However, if the referendum fails, don't expect the Rays to wait until 2027, when the lease on their current stadium runs out. Owner Stuart Sternberg said that the stadium has become obsolete among other stadiums and moving to a new one should motivate players and fans. It has worked in D.C. so far with the Nationals, and it should with the Rays, who appear on the brink of being a serious contender in the American League.

I spoke with one MLB player (who asked to remain anonymous) through email and he said that Tropicana Field is a "dry place." He went on to say that having a stadium that looks like other stadiums would motivate players and fans: "Everyone would be happy, and it would probably show in the standings." Staying in Tampa is their number one choice, but it is possible they would move to Charlotte to start their new franchise. I doubt a move to Las Vegas would happen because that would throw off the whole standings alignment, so Charlotte seems like the best fit.

Nothing will be solved for a couple seasons, but if it doesn't look good for the Rays, we could start hearing rumors that they are planning a move. Any change for the Rays would probably be for the better.

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Brewers Looking For Pitching?

The beauty of having pitching depth is that when someone goes down, you have more to back it up. However, the Brewers lost both Yovani Gallardo and Chris Capuano, limiting their options. It is unfortunate because their offense is such a force in the league, but teams win on pitching. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, the Brewers have room in their payroll to add another pitcher, opening up speculation to who that could be.

Ben Sheets is going to be a free agent at the end of this season and I think they would be smart to lock him up. Unless they are going to open the bank on CC Sabathia, there really aren't too many other pitchers that could step up and be their ace. Here are a couple options for the Brewers to look at this trade deadline:

• Joe Blanton, Athletics: Blanton is 2-6 with a 3.69 ERA, but really has not been pitching bad. A move to the NL and playing on a run scoring team would definitely help his numbers. Although, it would probably cost the Brewers several low level prospects.
• Greg Maddux, Padres: Maddux has been mentioned recently about possibly going to the Braves or Cubs, but don't rule out reunion in Milwaukee. Maddux's brother, Mike, is the pitching coach for the Brewers.
• Mark Hendrickson, Marlins: If Hendrickson continues to pitch well, the Marlins could trade him while his stock is high for a couple of prospects. The Orioles did it last year with Steve Trachsel, and got two pretty good prospects. Because Hendrickson is younger and pitching better, he could net the Marlins a pretty good prospect or two.

Don't forget, the Brewers do have Jeff Weaver in Triple-A, so he could help them out if he can continues to be consistent. He is familiar with the NL Central, so that is a definite possibility.

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Vizquel to Boston?

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, there is a rumor circulating through baseball that the Red Sox have interest in Omar Vizquel. This doesn't make any sense considering the Red Sox have Jed Lowrie, but a trade for a shortstop is possible. Furthermore, Lugo is batting .285 in 35 games, so he is not doing terrible for them. Vizquel is batting .385 in four games, but has started to slip over the past couple of seasons. Vizquel has 5.2 million dollar club option for 2009, but that will probably be bought out 300,000 dollars.

The Red Sox may very well be scanning the market for a shortstop, but they wouldn't get serious until closer to the deadline.

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The Morning Word: 2008 MLB Mock Draft

I have been hesitant to get to work on a Mock Draft, mostly because it is early and so much will change between now and June 5th, but I decided to get to work on it anyways. Here is a look at what I think will go down on June 5th:

1) Tampa Bay Rays -- Buster Posey, C
- It has come out in recent weeks that the Rays are very high on Buster Posey. The Rays have been weak at the catcher position and Posey is a good catcher with a great eye at the plate. I expect him to spend some time in the minors to gain more experience, but he should be a pretty good catcher for them.

2) Pittsburgh Pirates -- Tim Beckham, SS
- The best shortstop in the draft, Beckham has been compared to the Upton brothers in high school. Taking a chance on Beckham from high school will be cheaper than some of the other hitters, and it could turn out even better for the Pirates than other teams because of his upside.

3) Kansas City Royals -- Brian Matusz, LHP
- The Royals are not afraid to hand out big money, so don't rule out Alvarez or Hosmer, but Matsuz is the best lefty in the draft and is expected to rise fast. He is very high on draft boards right now and would be hard to pass up.

4) Baltimore Orioles -- Pedro Alvarez, 3B
- The Orioles are not afraid to hand out big money either. They drafted Matt Weiters in the last draft, which makes me think they might go with pitching. If that is the case, I see them taking Aaron Crow. If my mock draft comes true, it would be hard for the Orioles to pass up on Alvarez, who was ranked number one before the start of the season.

5) San Francisco Giants -- Aaron Crow, RHP
- Crow has electric stuff and has put together great outings in college, including a scoreless inning streak of over forty innings. The Giants need help, and it would be hard to pass up on this guy if he drops to five.

6) Florida Marlins -- Tim Melville, RHP
- The Marlins really like to take chances on good high school players, and Melville is that guy. He is a hard throwing right hander with an advanced second pitch for his age.

7) Cincinnati Reds -- Gordon Beckham, SS
- The Reds really like Beckham and is his ability to swing the bat. He is in the midst of one of the best seasons in the career, a sign for the Reds and other teams that he is starting to mature.

8) Chicago White Sox -- Brett Wallace, 1B
- Wallace has really turned it on as of late and that should help his draft stock. He is a big guy with good raw power.

9) Washington Nationals -- Tanner Sheppers, RHP
- He has great raw ability and would really help the Nationals. He throws very hard and should be a candidate for the rotation within a couple years.

10) Houston Astros -- Kyle Skipworth, C
- The Astros would really like to add some good talent to their minor league system and it starts with the college guys. Skipworth would be a steal if he is still around and he probably wouldn't cost the Astros too much.

I would love to go down to fifteen and add a couple more guys that I think are right up there, but predicting ten already seems like too many. Let me know what you think, and if you are up for it, leave me your own prediction.

In other news...

Hank Steinbrenner is getting on the nerves of several Front Office executives and players, according to a source close to the Yankees. This will likely lead to a major shake up this off season. Brian Cashman appears as good as gone.

Padres pitcher Mark Prior is heading back to Dr. James Andrews for another exam. It is possible he will need another surgery.

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Cubs Sign Korean Shortstop

The Cubs have signed Korean shortstop Lee Hak-ju out of high school and sent him to the Australian Baseball Academy to prepare for American minor league baseball. Hak-ju, 18, was signed by scout Steve Wilson, who recently signed Cubs pitching prospects Hung-Wen Chen and Dae Eun Rhee. Both Rhee and Chen are off to good starts for the Peoria Chiefs, something you have to like to see considering the Cubs have always struggled to find good pitching. Hak-ju has been compared to Ichiro mostly because of his speed and ability to make contact, but his fielding is what is really impressive. Scouts have said that his fielding tools are better than Derek Jeter's at that age. He has room to grow, and probably will, considering he is 18. He is listed at 6'0 170, but people who have watched him say he is closer to 6'2 185. We'll know more when makes his professional debut in the States.

Rhee, Chen, and Hak-ju are all apart of the Cubs new plan to improve their scouting in the Pacific Rim. If you are a Cubs fan, you better hope the Cubs can use these players along with their money to lure Japanese phenom Yu Darvish when he becomes a free agent.

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Rays Extend Kazmir

The Rays and Scott Kazmir have agreed to a four year extension guaranteeing him 28.5 million dollars. The deal holds a club option for 2012, which would guaranteed him 39.5 million and lock him up for his first year of free agency. This is a great deal for the first place Rays, who are finally starting to see their talent shine. With older teams like the Red Sox and Yankees getting off to slow starts, the Rays have a legitimate chance at the playoffs. The pitching rotation is solid, and will only get better with young pitchers Jacob McGee, Wade Davis, and David Price coming up soon. Kazmir hasn't been given too much run support over the past couple years, but has still found a way to put up good numbers. If he stays healthy for the rest of the season and the Rays continue to play like they are playing, he should be in for a big year.

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News and Notes: Rangers to Trade Blalock?

The Rangers are currently in third place with a record of 20-21. They are determined to rebuild with prospects through the draft and trades, and may explore that this upcoming trade deadline. Hank Blalock, who is in the final year of his contract, is batting .299 with 3 HR. He does have a club option worth 6.2 million dollars, so any team that goes out to acquire him would have him for at least one full season. Blalock is a two-time All-Star and is just twenty-seven. He hits for good power which should improve as he enters his prime (Average prime: 28-32). As for teams that could be interested, the Indians seem like a good fit. They are looking for a corner infielder and Blalock would certainly help in that role. The Astros have Ty Wigginton struggling at third base right now and may look to add Blalock to their lineup. Their minor league system isn't as strong, but they have enough to get a trade done. There will always be a surprise team that jumps in, but it is a little early to see. If Evan Longoria is struggling in July, maybe the Rays would make a move on Blalock. He would give them the push they need for the playoffs (actually!) and they could always hold on to him as insurance in 2009. They have minor leaguers that are expendable, and they are good enough for the Rangers to bite on.

Rockies will wait for Tavarez: The Red Sox are asking for pitcher Brandon Hynick in exchange for Tavarez, and the Rockies are not interested. They will most likely wait until he is released.

Marlins to sign Jones: Now that Jacque Jones is a free agent, the Marlins are expected to finalize a deal within the next day or so.

Edmonds to Cubs: The Cubs and Jim Edmonds have agreed to a one year deal, according to ESPN.com. The Cubs will send down Felix Pie and will send him to work with the coach that helped Ronny Cedeno develop his swing. Hopefully, that will make his ready for 2009.

Rays expected to draft Posey: Several executives are hearing that the Rays are leaning heavily towards drafted catcher Buster Bosey.

Mariners ready for Griffey: The Mariners have scouted him, talked about him, and have checked out his salary to make sure it fits the payroll. It does. It appears as if Griffey will be a Mariner.

Kawakami prefers Red Sox: Japanese phenom Kenshin Kawakami would rather sign with the Red Sox than the Yankees or Mets next season.

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The Morning Word: Rafael Furcal's Free Agent Options

The fact that several executives and scouts are talking about Rafael Furcal suggests that almost every team in need of a shortstop has their on eye on him. Although Furcal is on the DL, he has hit .366 with 5 HR, 16 RBI, and 8 SB in 32 games this season. He is the best shortstop on the market this upcoming offseason and will make at least thirteen million dollars, his current salary this year. Furcal has averaged 14 homeruns from 2003 to 2006 and has hit for a .288 average. In 2007, he suffered from back problems and his numbers were affected by it. However, he is off to a good start this season and LA Times beat writer Tony Jackson believes he will be the X-factor for the Dodgers this year: "Rafael Furcal, he's the guy. He is now healthy, he is going to get on base, run, and allow other guys to drive him in."

The next best shortstop on the market is White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Not only is Cabrera three years older than Furcal, but his numbers since 2003 don't even come close.

2003-	AVG	HR	OBP
O. Cabrera	.272	10	.329
R. Furcal	.298	12	.349

Furcal's numbers speak for themselves, and will likely get better if he continues to play like he is. Furcal is going to be thirty-one, and will probably land a three or four year deal this off season. Here is a run down of the best possible options for Furcal if he does part ways with the Dodgers:

Cardinals: The Cardinals have Cesar Izturis at shortstop, batting .240 with 0 HR in 32 games. Although he is good with the glove, he does not have what it takes to be an everyday shortstop anymore. The Cardinals have SS Peter Kozma developing fast in the minors, but he won't be ready to play everyday for another three seasons, at least.

Yankees: The Yankees will decline Jason Giambi's 22 million dollar option this offseason, making him a free agent. That would open up a spot at 1st base. Derek Jeter, although he claims to be more explosive at short, has a position change in his future. He will most likely move to first, opening up the shortstop position. Why not move him next offseason and bring in Furcal, who could serve as a upgrade at the leadoff spot and at short.

Cubs: The Cubs are looking for a lefty (Furcal is a switch hitter) middle infielder to lead off for them. They had their eyes on Brian Roberts and Orlando Hudson, but Furcal seems like an obvious choice if they can't land either. The Cubs pursued Furcal back when he was a free agent back in 2005, and would love to have him as their starting shortstop and lead off hitter. Any signing, however, would move Theriot to second base and Mark DeRosa to a utility role.

Red Sox: If the Red Sox are able to dump Julio Lugo, Furcal would fit nicely there. A switch hitter, probably in the second spot, would open up a lot of opportunities for Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz to drive in runs. David Ortiz is a .302 hitter with runners on base while Ramirez is a .329 hitter. Furcal's consistent bat and speed at the top would help generate even more runs for this team, who are starting to face better competition within their division this season.

Indians: The Indians need to make a splash and that will most likely come in the form of a middle infielder. Garrett Atkins has been mentioned, but with Asdrubal Cabrera and Johnny Peralta hitting a combined .202 with 7 homeruns, they could try and add Furcal to fill in at one of the spots. The only problem with that is that Peralta is locked up till 2010 with an option for 2011.

The season is still early and a lot will change by seasons end. With Furcal seeing success in LA again and the team starting to show signs of life, he might be better off staying. However, the Dodgers have handed out several big contracts since handing him his back in 2005 that have not gone well for them (Jason Schmidt 3/45, Juan Pierre 5/44, Andruw Jones 2/36.2). Dodgers ownership might not be willing to give out another big contract, forcing them to go with prospect Chin-Lung Hu.

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Mets Designate Figueroa, Sosa

According to Metsblog.com, the Mets have designated Nelson Figueroa and Jorge Sosa for assignment. Figueroa was 2-3 with a 5.12 ERA so far this season, but it is possible he was designated because of his comments made towards the Nationals after they beat the Mets last night. The Mets called up Claudio Vargas in his place, who was a better option anyways, to take over in the rotation. As for Sosa, he was 4-1 with a 7.06 ERA but was struggling with his command. From previous years statistics, someone will take a chance on Sosa, but it is unclear who it will be. The Mets called up Fernando Tatis in his place.

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Atlanta Reunion For Maddux?

According to Braves.com, Braves officials are not shooting down the idea of bringing back Greg Maddux for the second half of the season. While this may make for a good story -- Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz all together again -- it would be a waste of prospects for the Braves and it would leave their pitching rotation in the trash for 2009. Maddux and Glavine are expected to retire at the end of the season, so it would be smart to go out and add someone younger with more upside than Maddux.

The Braves offense is pretty good, but if they do not have a solid number three, four, or five pitcher, they will not be able to seriously contend. Mark Teixeira is a free agent at the end of this season and it is possible the Braves could swing him in a deal for a pitcher. I doubt that will happen because the Braves hope to sign him long term, but if he continues to under perform it is a possibility. This offseason, the Braves need to go after a front of the line starter to back up Tim Hudson. Jon Garland would be a good fit, mostly because he is young, healthy, and a switch to the NL should benefit him.

I talked with GM Frank Wren recently, and he has a plan to starts with pitching and defense to get the Braves back into playoff contention.

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Prospect Report

-- BATTERS --
TEAM		CLASS		PLAYER, POS		AB		R		H		BI		AVG
ATL		LoA		Heyward, Jason RF		4		0		3		0		.331
BOS		AAA		Lowrie, Jed SS		3		1		2		2		.214
BOS		LoA		Kalish, Ryan RF		4		0		2		0		.267
BOS		LoA		Lin, Che-Hsuan		4		0		0		0		.288
CHC		AA		Colvin, Tyler CF		4		2		4		5		.247
CIN		AAA		Bruce, Jay CF		4		2		4		2		.348
CIN		AAA		Bruce, Jay LF-RF		3		1		1		0		.348
CLE		HiA		Weglarz, Nick LF		2		2		1		1		.283
COL		AAA		Stewart, Ian 3B		3		1		1		1		.267
COL		AA		Fowler, Dexter CF		4		2		2		0		.275
COL		AA		Nelson, Chris SS		3		1		1		3		.246
CWS		LoA		Martinez, Jose RF		4		4		3		0		.293
DET		AAA		Hessman, Mike 3B		3		2		2		1		.313
DET		AAA		Hollimon, Michael 2B		5		1		1		1		.233
DET		AAA		Larish, Jeff 1B		4		1		2		2		.280
FLA		AA		Coghlan, Chris 2B		3		2		3		3		.319
KC		LoA		Moustakas, Mike SS		5		0		2		0		.230
LAA		AAA		Wood, Brandon SS		5		0		1		2		.269
LAD		HiA		Bell, Josh 3B		2		1		1		1		.274
MIL		AA		Escobar, Alcides SS		5		2		3		1		.274
MIN		AAA		Span, Denard RF		5		2		3		2		.324
MIN		LoA		Benson, Joe RF		4		1		2		0		.234
NYY		AAA		Gardner, Brett CF		4		1		2		1		.291
OAK		AAA		Gonzalez, Carlos CF		5		0		1		0		.305
OAK		HiA		Doolittle, Sean 1B		3		1		1		4		.353
PHI		LoA		Mattair, Travis 3B		4		1		2		0		.244
PIT		AAA		McCutchen, Andrew CF		3		0		2		0		.290
PIT		AAA		McCutchen, Andrew DH		4		0		1		0		.282
PIT		AAA		Pearce, Steve RF		4		1		1		1		.241
PIT		AAA		Walker, Neil 3B		3		1		1		0		.200
SD		AAA		Venable, Will CF		4		2		3		4		.300
SF		LoA		Villalona, Angel 1B		4		1		1		1		.203
SF		AAA		Schierholtz, Nate RF		5		1		2		1		.305
STL		AAA		Rasmus, Colby CF		4		0		0		0		.200
STL		LoA		Kozma, Pete DH		5		1		3		0		.306
TB		AAA		Brignac, Reid SS		4		2		3		2		.258
TEX		AAA		Mayberry, John RF		4		1		2		2		.370
TEX		AA		Andrus, Elvis SS		4		0		1		0		.271
TEX		LoA		Beltre, Engel CF		5		1		2		0		.271
TOR		AA		Snider, Travis DH		5		2		2		3		.192
WAS		LoA		Burgess, Michael RF		4		1		3		2		.224
-- PITCHERS --
TEAM		CLASS		PITCHER		IP		H		R		ER		BB		K		ERA
ATL		LoA		Locke, Jeff		5.1		6		2		2		4		3		4.95
BAL		HiA		Erbe, Brandon		5.0		8		6		6		1		3		5.53
CIN		AAA		Maloney, Matt		7.0		2		0		0		2		7		5.23
CIN		AA		Thompson, Daryl		6.0		4		1		0		4		5		1.28
CLE		LoA		Miller, Ryan		6.0		2		1		1		3		6		1.15
CWS		HiA		Poreda, Aaron		6.0		3		0		0		2		5		2.34
FLA		AA		Thompson, Aaron		5.0		10		6		5		2		5		4.97
KC		AA		Pimentel, Julio		6.0		6		5		5		4		1		3.72
KC		HiA		Wood, Blake		7.0		3		3		3		1		7		3.38
LAD		AAA		Meloan, Jon		6.0		5		1		1		4		6		3.73
LAD		AA		Kershaw, Clayton		3.1		5		5		5		0		3		2.21
LAD		HiA		Adkins, James		6.2		4		1		1		4		3		3.40
MIN		AA		Swarzak, Anthony		4.0		5		3		1		4		3		3.96
MIN		LoA		Van Mil, Loek		2.2		1		0		0		0		1		2.08
NYM		LoA		Rustich, Brant		1.0		0		0		0		0		0		10.80
NYY		AAA		Kennedy, Ian		1.0		1		0		0		0		0		0.00
OAK		AA		Mazzaro, Vin		6.0		3		1		1		1		8		2.31
SF		HiA		Snyder, Ben		7.0		7		0		0		0		5		0.73
SF		LoA		Bumgarner, Madison		6.0		5		1		0		1		7		2.65
TB		LoA		Cobb, Alex		5.0		4		2		2		3		5		2.44
TOR		HiA		Ginley, Kyle		7.0		1		0		0		3		4		0.75

Courtesy of Baseball America

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The Morning Word: Do Pitchers Pitch Better in the NL?

Fans have always been quick to jump the gun and say a pitcher will do better in a switch to the National League. That the eight batters you face do not stand a chance against the nine hitters you see in the AL. The National League has been made out to be a place for struggling pitchers to hide from the power hitting AL lineups and face the weaker NL lineups. In most cases this happens to be true, but now all. Some teams have paid big prices for assuming this would happen.

Between 2000 and 2005, twenty nine pitchers (with at least 20 starts) moved from the American Leage to the National League. Of the twenty-nine, average ERA's dropped nearly 85 points, from 4.79 to 3.94. While this does not always put wins in the win column, it does help the individual pitcher get their team closer to adding more wins. Changing leagues should not really affect ones ERA though, but history shows that it has made a big difference.

In the case of Bronson Arroyo, the move from the Red Sox to the Reds paid off big time. Although Arroyo put up the same win totals in 2004 with the Red Sox and 2005 with the Reds, his ERA dropped 1.22 points and we saw his strikeouts jump by 84 K's. He pitched in thirty-five more innings than the previous year, something that facing the bottom of the order attributes to.

A similar circumstance came about with Chris Young of the Padres. In his final year with Texas, he went 12-7 with a 4.26 ERA and 137 K. At first glance, this looks like a good year for a twenty-six year old pitcher in his first season. However, after joining the Padres in 2006 and seeing his ERA drop .80 points, you see that he is much better off in the National League. Not only that, but his strikeouts have increased from 137 to 164 in just one season. While this may be an example of maturity, facing the bottom of the order definitely tacks on a few each game. Opposing batting average also dropped 0.026 points, further supporting the notion that the NL is a safer place for pitchers.

That is not always the case though. When Barry Zito made the switch from the American League to the National League during the 2007 offseason, many thought he would be come the best pitcher in the National League. His 102-63 record with the Athletics made him one of the winningest pitchers in the American League since 2000. His ERA was only above 4.00 once, and he had a Cy Young under his belt as well. However, when he joined the Giants in 2007, he tied his career high in losses (14), set a new high in ERA (4.53), a set a new low in strikeouts since becoming an everyday starter (131). He is 0-7 to start the 2008 campaign with a 6.95 ERA and he hasn't shown any signs of turning it around.

Statistically, the numbers don't lie. Most pitchers fare better in the National League. I wouldn't rest my franchise in the hands of a pitcher switching leagues, but it is definitely something to take notice of if the situation presents itself.

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Interview with Ian Stewart

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to talk with Rockies prospect Ian Stewart. Stewart is currently a third baseman in the Rockies system, but is showing promise as their third baseman of the future. He has great power which should improve up in Coors Field, and we should get another opportunity to see him up with Colorado this season. I want to thank him again for doing this interview for me, I really appreciate it. I also want to thank everyone at the Colorado Sky Sox, I appreciate it as well.

ELI: Being in high school, can you tell me a little bit about what was going through your mind as the draft was coming up?

IAN: I started thinking about the draft some as it got closer, but I didn't let it get to me. I played well enough so when I got a call from my agent that the Rockies were interested, I thought that they might take me with their first pick, which was pretty cool.

ELI: As you progress through the levels, you face better pitchers more frequently. How did you improve your game to be able to compete with those guys once you got to Double and Triple-A?

IAN: I think it is something you adjust to naturally. Of course you have to make adjustments to improve you game, but I think you figure it out as you move forward. I talked with our hitting coaches about the approach pitchers take at the higher levels, what to look for in certain counts, and other things like that. But I really think you adjust naturally to those things.

ELI: What was it like to get the call up to the big leagues? Can you tell me how you found out?

IAN: I found out around midnight at my apartment with my wife. I got a call from my manager and he was really excited for me and I was really excited too. I called my family, friends, everybody. The next morning I drove up to Denver and I was in the starting lineup, it was great.

ELI: Your first hit came off of Kerry Wood. Can you tell me what you were thinking when you came up to bat?

IAN: I have no idea what I was thinking. I was caught up in the moment, there was so much adrenaline. Cubs fans draw the best on the road. There were about 40,000 fans at the game, and I would say half were Cubs fans. It was really cool.

ELI: Not two weeks later, your first homerun, a grand slam, came. What was that like?

IAN: That was unbelievable. I'm not sure what inning it was or what the score was, but it was close. I was just trying to get a run in, but I made pretty good contact. At first, I was thinking, 'Sac Fly.' But it kept going so I was like, "Double." But the outfielder kept going back and it got out. It was great.

ELI: Playing in Colorado, what do coaches tell you to do to avoid altitude sickness after returning from a long road trip?

IAN: Nothing really. Were not gone long enough to really have a problem. Maybe a headache here or there, but it isn't bad. Conditioning is hard though. You get winded much easier in Colorado than other places, that is an adjustment.

ELI: You played in the Futures Game last year. What was that like to be playing with the best young players in baseball?

IAN: It was nice -- a good feeling. I didn't have a great season the year before so some were thinking that I topped off, but it was reassuring for me to be included in it. The game was great, it was my first time playing in a major league stadium.

ELI: This past spring training you tried out second base, what did you notice about the position that were hard to adjust to?

IAN: Probably regular ground balls. At third base, nearly every ball is hit hard. At second, most plays are pretty routine. I had trouble with getting around the ball, adjusting my feet, taking my time. It was something I just wasn't used to.

ELI: You are known for being very fan friendly. Signing autographs, taking pictures, etc. Is there an experience from your childhood with a professional player that made you like that or is it something you enjoy doing?

IAN: It is nice to get an autograph as a kid. When I was a kid, I would go over to a friends house and we would write letters to players asking for an autograph card or batting glove, and every once and a while we would get a response. It makes kids happy, I'm not sure why, but it means something to them.

ELI: If you had the opportunity to meet one major leaguer, from the past or present, who would it be?

IAN: Probably Ted Williams. He was such a great hitter. I would like to see the drills he did because his numbers speak for themselves. A present day player would probably be A-Rod or Griffey. I was big fans of them in high school when they were with the Mariners.

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Thames To Padres, Mets?

The Tigers have informed teams that Marcus Thames is available, despite more at-bats being available in the Tigers lineup. With Gary Sheffield in left field, the DH spot is open for several different hitters, and Thames seems like the obvious choice for that spot. However, the Mets have shown serious interest in Thames and could trade him to the Mets for bullpen help. With Angel Pagan and Ryan Church playing well though, that possibility doesn't seem likely.

The Padres, on the other hand, need an outfielder as they are struggling to generate runs. Paul McAnulty is hitting just .221 with 2 HR, and really isn't the kind of player that should be playing everyday. Thames is hitting .260 with 2 HR, but playing everyday and in the National League could improve that. The Padres have a reliever or two that they could spare, and if I were them, I would make the move.

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The Morning Word: Dbacks Recipe For Success

There has never been a perfectly run baseball team. However, the Diamondbacks, led by GM Josh Byrnes and Assistant Peter Woodfork, have turned the league’s 2004 laughing stock into a National League favorite in just three years. Here’s a look at how the team ranked 23rd in payroll has become one of baseball’s best teams.

Good Drafting

The 2005 draft yielded top overall prospect Justin Upton along with starting pitchers Micah Owings and Greg Smith (sent to Oakland in the Dan Haren deal). In 2006 they selected starting pitcher Max Scherzer with the 11th overall pick. It wasn’t clear the Diamondbacks would be able to sign Scherzer, but they recognized his talents and overpaid for his services. On Saturday he looked great in his second major league start (no earned runs in six innings against the Cubs), and can be expected to be a member of the rotation for years to come.

Good Player Evaluation – Both Internally and Externally

Javier Vazquez had a decent year for the Diamondbacks in 2005, going 11-15 with a 4.42 ERA (100 ERA+) and 192 strikeouts in 215.7 innings. Rather than retain him at a high salary ($11M) and hope he would continue to perform at that level, the Diamondbacks decided to sell high. They traded Vazquez to the White Sox for Orlando Hernandez, Luis Vizcaino and Chris Young. Young now looks like a potential star. Vazquez has pitched well for the White Sox, going 30-23, but at $12M+ per year, he’s not the type of value the Diamondbacks need to succeed on a small payroll.

As a side note, the Diamondbacks spun Hernandez into Jorge Julio, who then was used to acquire Yusmeiro Petit. Each move saved the Diamondbacks money and got them a younger player.

After the 2006 offseason, the team recognized it needed more pitching depth and managed to steal Doug Davis from Milwaukee. Not only did they part with spare parts to get Davis (Dave Krynzel, Johnny Estrada, Greg Aquino and Claudio Vargas), they also got pitcher Dana Eveland from the Brewers. Eveland was packaged to Oakland for Haren.

Currently the Diamondbacks are working on an offer for star pitcher Brandon Webb. Webb is 8-0 this season and 42-18 since the start of the 2006 season. He is baseball’s most underpaid pitcher. After locking up Webb, the Diamondbacks hope to lock up Haren long-term – for whom they gave up six prospects. That’s a lot of prospects to give up for one player, but the Diamondbacks have built up an excellent minor league system they can leverage in this manner. Their farm system and ability to smartly evaluate players, both on their own team and others’ teams, will enable them to stay competitive for seasons to come.

Edited in part by DugoutCental.com

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Cubs After Edmonds?

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs have some interest in Jim Edmonds, mostly because lefty Felix Pie has had no affect on the offense of the team. Cubs officials did not shoot down the report, making this seem like legitimate possibility.

The Cubs should let Felix Pie just play through this. Every young player needs to get through the growing pains, especially a player that was signed at an early age. Edmonds, although experienced in the NL Central, would hurt the teams defense and would probably have no major affect on the team. They are better off giving Micah Hoffpauir a shot.

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Red Sox Make Move, Work On Another

The Red Sox shipped Bryan Corey to the Padres today in exchange for cash or a player to be named later. Corey will remember his time in Boston fondly, but is excited about the opportunity in San Diego: "To be a part of that -- to be there, experience it -- it was pretty special," said Corey. "The ring, no one can ever take away from you." Corey wasn't off to the best starts, but he goes on hot streaks when he plays key roles in the bullpen. This move is typical for Kevin Towers, who further bolsters his pitching depth. If the offense can pick it up, the depth in the bullpen will put this team back in contention.

According to Boston.com, the Red Sox are in discussions with the Rockies about a deal that would send Julian Tavarez to the Rockies for a prospect or two. Tavarez is 0-1 with a 7.15 ERA, so it might be hard to land a solid prospect. Catcher Michael McEnry is a good possibility.

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Fantasy: Stock Rising or Falling

The third addition of Stock Rising or Falling:

Evan Longoria, Rays: Although he is batting .247, Longoria is turning into Mr. Clutch for the Rays. If he has not been picked up in your league, sign him soon.


Bengie Molina, Giants: Molina would be a great pick up for your team right now if available. He is batting .652 over the past six games and is really carrying the Giants. If you have a surplus of pitching, he would be a cheap pick up.


Jesse Litsch, Blue Jays: Litsch was good was for the Blue Jays last year but is off to an excellent start this year. He pitched a complete game in his last start to improve to 6-1.


Honorable Mention: Jason Bay, Pirates

Fausto Carmona, Indians: A hip injury has sidelined him for over a month.



Willie Randolph, Mets: He has a meeting with owners next week to talk about his job, and if things go bad, he could be gone.


Colorado Rockies: They are ten games out of first and are now without Tulowitzki, Barmes, Hawpe, and Matt Holliday.

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Brewers Remove Gagne From Closer Role

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, Gagne asked Brewers management to remove him from the closer spot. "He probably needs a little bit of a mental break," Yost said. "He's really pushing himself really hard and taking it really, really hard. We'll probably just mix and match." Gagne did call it a mental issue and it is unclear what his new role will be with team. The closing spot will most likely be by committee, with Salomon Torres and Guillermo Mota taking the majority of the opportunities.

One possibility is that the Brewers will put him on the disabled list and call up Jeff Weaver. This would give Gagne about week to five days to clear his head, and then the Brewers could send him to the minors for a couple 'rehab' assignments to find his confidence. This may sound fishy, but teams have done this before.

So far this season, Gagne is 1-2 with a 6.89 ERA and 9 saves.

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The Morning Word: What The Reds Need To Contend

The Reds are beginning to show signs of life with three emerging young pitchers behind ace Aaron Harang. Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, and Homer Bailey are all pitching well at their respective levels and will make a significant impact on the team in the years to come. Johnny Cueto turned heads in his first start, earning the nickname “Little Pedro” among Reds fans. Cueto’s fastball tops out at 97 mph with a devastating slurve and a deceptive changeup. He has the makings to pass up Harang as the ace of the rotation, and that is a lot to say considering he hasn’t even made ten major league starts.

While Cueto has everyone excited, the player that came over in the Josh Hamilton trade is actually pitching better. Edinson Volquez mixes a hard fastball with a slider and a fading changeup. He is beginning to show signs of maturity – something that gives scouts a reason to project fifteen wins for the 24-year old pitcher.

Former top prospect Homer Bailey did not have the best 2007 with the Reds, but it was a good learning experience, and that’s showing in Triple-A. He is 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 39/12. Pitchers coming out of high school need more time than pitchers from college to develop, usually, so I’m sure they will give him another month or so until he gets another call up. He has drawn comparisons to Josh Beckett with his ability to strike out batters with his hard fastball.

Here is what their rotation will look like in 2009:

Aaron Harang
Johnny Cueto
Edinson Volquez
Bronson Arroyo
Homer Bailey

When facing that rotation, you’ll have to face one potential number one starter each series. If only the offense could pick it up they’d be taken seriously in the division. They are currently tenth in the National League in average (.255), twelfth in runs batted in (144), and eleventh in hits (308). The outfield will likely look completely different next season, with prospect Jay Bruce highlighting the change. Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey will likely be traded, opening the spots up for free agents or other in-house options. Here is a look at the possible lineup:

C David Ross
1B Joey Votto
2B Brandon Phillips
3B Edwin Encarnacion
SS Alex Gonzalez
LF Free Agent/Ryan Freel
CF Jay Bruce
RF Free Agent/Norris Hopper

Although Joey Votto and Edwin Encarnacion will likely anchor the offense, the Reds need an on-base guy at the top to get on base and generate some runs. Their regular lead off guy, Corey Patterson, is hitting just .200 with 4 HR. That isn’t going to cut it. Alex Gonzalez, who is currently on the DL, makes for a solid number two guy, but he hasn’t made a significant impact on the Reds since coming over from the Red Sox. The top shortstop available next offseason is Rafael Furcal, who is hitting .366 with 5 HR and 8 SB. He will likely be looking for more than the $13M he is getting paid now if he keeps it up, and that might not be out of the Reds’ price range, especially if they trade Griffey and Dunn.

The Reds are going to have to fight to compete with the Cubs, Brewers and Cardinals, but there is no doubt that their young pitching could put them in strong contention for the division for the next several years to come.

QUICK HITS

With Jason Isringhausen out as closer, the Cardinals are reportedly taking a look at both Huston Street and George Sherrill. One possible, less expensive option is Rockies pitcher Manny Corpas.

Shortstop Tim Beckham was rated the top draft prospect by Keith Law. Will the Rays bite? He looks like a better option for the Pirates.

FANTASY

Here is someone you should pick up if you haven’t already:

Randy Flores, Cardinals: Flores is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 14 games and is moving into the closer spot. With the Cardinals still in first place, he should see plenty of save opportunities.

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Wells Breaks Wrist

Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells broke his wrist and will miss the next six to eight weeks. Wells, who is currently hitting .281 with 5 HR, is a big part of the Blue Jays lineup and you hate to see him go down. The Blue Jays made two upgrades yesterday with Wilkerson and Mench, so they will probably split time in right. Wrist injuries are pretty bad, but most players come back and recover pretty well.

Derrek Lee had a similar injury in 2006 and missed most of the season, but didn't find his power swing until this season. He was a good hitter in 2007, but only hit 22 homeruns. I expect something similar to Wells, mostly because they are both power hitters. Blue Jay pitchers are doing very well, but the offense has not come around. With Wells out, they are going to have to step up even more.

MLB Rumors elsewhere: Check out my article published over at Dugout Central! Hopefully, it will be the first of many.

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MLB.com: Marlins to Sign Ramirez

According to MLB.com, the Marlins and Hanley Ramirez have reached a tentative agreement worth seventy million dollars over the next six years. This is a great deal for the Marlins because Ramirez is an excellent player at the age of 24 and doesn't plan on slowing down for the next decade. He brings speed, power, and consistency to the Marlins lineup -- something they haven't had in awhile. Ramirez would have probably been looking at Carlos Lee money, maybe even Vernon Wells money on the market, so this deal already looks good. So far this season, he is hitting .336 with 8 HR in 35 games, but is a career .314 hitter with 54 HR in 349 games. If you are the Red Sox, you cannot necessarily be upset you gave this guy up because you acquired two key players in their 2007 World Series run, but I'm sure they would like him now with Julio Lugo struggling.

Although they went to the bank with Ramirez, I doubt they will do the same with any of their other players. Maybe Scott Olsen, but he is still under contract for awhile. Dan Uggla looks gone with Robert Andino and Chris Coghlan both playing well, but other than that, it looks like they will stay the same. If Jeremy Hermida can prove that he can stay healthy, maybe they would offer him a multi year contract.

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The Morning Word: Why Wells Doesn't Make Sense For Yankees

Former Yankee David Wells has been training for the past couple months in preparation for a team possibly signing him midway through the season. However, Wells will be 45 in about two weeks and is well past his prime. Although he was 9-9 last season, he had a high ERA on two different teams that put up runs for him. Out of the twenty-nine games he pitched in last season, he had just one game where he gave up no runs while he had just four games that he gave up just one run. Not pitching to live batters and going back to the AL could cause this to rise, a risk the Yankees shouldn't take.

Although Kei Igawa was rocked for eleven hits and six earned runs tonight, David Wells might not do much better. His strikeouts have dropped significantly, his walks have gone up, and his homeruns have jumped as well. Although the Yankees are a run scoring team, Wells would not do the job that could be done by one of their younger pitchers.

David Wells’ Recession
Year	ERA	WHIP	BAA
2004	3.73	1.14	.266
2005	4.98	1.31	.296
2007	5.33	1.50	.309

NOTE: 2006 is not included because he was injured most of the year.

If you look at the chart, you notice that Wells' ERA rose significantly despite a switch to the NL. His WHIP also rose nearly twenty points each year and his batting average jumped significantly as well. Obviously, his veteran know-how is a factor that the Yankees are weighing, but if the Yankees were smart they would stay away from him. His power is gone and is curveball was inconsistent last year.

Joe Blanton would make for a good replacement at the trade deadline. Although it would cost them several low level prospects, the Yankees would be smart to make the move. Blanton is known for turning it on in the final months having compiled a 17-9 record with a 3.71 ERA in August and September. However, if the Yankees need someone to come in within the next couple of weeks, a guy that would be good and is probably available is Vicente Padilla.

The Rangers would probably be willing to sell high on Padilla while he is hot and take on most of his salary for a pair of decent prospects. This is just speculation on my part, but it known that the Rangers are unhappy with the contracts they are holding in both Padilla and Millwood. Trading one of them is a priority for the Rangers this season.

QUICK HITS

The Rockies are very serious about landing a big name pitcher at the trade deadline, according to sources. My money is on them going after Joe Blanton.

With Ryan Ludwick showing he can play successfully everyday, it opens up speculation that the Cardinals will trade Chris Duncan. The Indians are a possibility.

FANTASY

Here are two guys you should pick up if you haven't already.

Justin Duchscherer, Athletics: He is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 4 games. He is keeping his walks down and hitting his spots, something that he wasn't always doing last season.

Chris Iannetta, Rockies: After taking over at catcher from Yorvit Torrealba, Iannetta is hitting .345 with 3 HR and 14 RBI. Iannetta was once regarded as a top prospect, but struggled in his first couple years. It looks like he is finally starting to come around.

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Neshek Out For Season?

According to GM Bill Smith, the current goal for the Twins is to get pitcher Pat Neshek, who has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, healthy for spring training. Neshek will not be able to throw for three months, but it is likely they will shut him down for the season to prevent further damage. Neshek is key to the bullpen and is a big blow to them right now. Matt Guerrier and Juan Rincon will likely split time, but the Twins really don't have anyone that can come up and step into a big role.

In his career, Neshek is 11-5 with a 2.91 ERA in 121 games, all with the Twins.

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Interview with Mark Reynolds

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure to talk with Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds. Reynolds propelled the Diamondbacks pass the Cubs in last years playoffs, and was a key member of the team all the season. The Diamondbacks have had trouble find a third baseman and finally have one that could be there for the next decade. I want to thank him for donating his time for doing this interview, I really appreciate it. I also want to thank everyone over at Beverly Hills Sports Council for getting this done for me, I really appreciate it as well.

ELI: Coming into the draft, did you think you were going to be taken? Where?

MARK: I had a pretty good feeling I was going to be drafted, I just didn't know where. I was told anywhere between the third and tenth round. I was taken a little later, but it was good enough.

ELI: You jumped right into professional ball after being drafted, was there any adjustment period for you?

MARK: Yeah, but it wasn't baseball related. I didn't have trouble with the wooden bats because I had played in summer leagues -- I think it was more of the lifestyle. I lived on the East Coast and went out to the West Coast, where I had never been before. It is apart of the game though.

ELI: You made the jump from Double-A to the MLB, was there any adjustment period then?

MARK: Yeah, but it was probably everything off the field. Getting use to the media, the crowd, the traveling, the stadiums -- you have to adjust to the lifestyle of a professional. Don't get me wrong, it was great to get the call up -- it has been my dream since I was a kid.

ELI: You played baseball in Virginia with several current major leaguers: B.J. Upton, Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright. What was it like growing up with those guys?

MARK: It was great. Me, Dave [Wright], Zim [Ryan Zimmerman], and B.J. [Upton] all played together on travel teams for years. I have known B.J. [Upton] since I was ten years old.

ELI: Wow. How good were you guys?

MARK: [Laughs] I don't remember losing too much. But it was great to play at the level with such good players. It really pushed me to get better, and that is one of the reasons I am where I am today.

ELI: Coming into Game 1 of the playoffs, were you nervous at all?

MARK: There were definitely some butterflies before the game. It was a great atmosphere though -- hopefully, we will be there many more times.

ELI: Can you take me through the at-bat against Carlos Marmol where you hit that big homerun?

MARK: He has excellent stuff. I was looking for my pitch to hit, like I do every at-bat. I faced him earlier in the season at Wrigley and knew once he got ahead, it was all sliders. I sat back on a 2-1 count, looking fastball, and got a hold of one.

ELI: After the season ended, was there anything you tried to work on in the off season?

MARK: I was just trying to be the best player I can be.

ELI: How has Dan Haren adjusted to the clubhouse in Arizona?

MARK: We have a pretty lose clubhouse. He is real quiet. We've gotten him to open up over the past couple weeks though.

ELI: Do you have a favorite place to go to on the road?

MARK: Probably D.C. or Cinci. I have family in Kentucky and Maryland so I'll get to see my family -- see my dog.

ELI: Who is the most talkative guy in the clubhouse?

MARK: Orlando Hudson. He won't stop calling you a rookie until you are three or four years into the league. He'll pick you up when your down, but he is usually all over the field giving guys crap. He's a good teammate.

ELI: What would you say was your welcome to the MLB moment?

MARK: Probably walking into the clubhouse after being called up. I got there around four o'clock, saw Randy Johnson, Orlando -- I walked over to the board and saw that I was starting that night. That was a great moment.

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Yankees Eye Wells?

David Wells, 44, has been working out near his home in hopes of finding one more job before he calls it a career. The Yankees, who are in need of pitching after both rookie pitchers failed to find success in the MLB, might be looking. "I've thought about it," Steinbrenner told The Post concerning David Wells. "I saw him on TV, and I did think about it when I was watching." The Yankees plan to discuss this internally before they go out and make an offer, but a lot rests with how Kei Igawa and Darrell Rasner do. Wells finished 9-9 with a 5.43 ERA for the Padres and Dodgers last season, and went unsigned over the winter.

According the sources, the Yankees will give it about two weeks before they seriously consider signing Wells. That will give them time to see if Rasner or Igawa can handle a full time job in the MLB. Despite being 245 pounds, Wells feels fine: "I'm in shape, I'd just have to fine-tune a couple of things," Wells said. "I'd need a little bit of time, but not much. Physically I feel fine, real good." Wells would give them even more playoff experience, something they could use as they push their way to the top of the division.

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Padres Release Edmonds

The Padres released the struggling Jim Edmonds today after hitting just .178 with 1 HR in 26 games. Edmonds never really showed signs of turning it around after a down year in St. Louis last season, so this really could be the end for him. The Padres called up Joey Gerut in his place who was hitting .308 in Triple-A.

If Gerut comes up and can't handle the MLB everyday, it is hard not to see the Padres going out and getting either Reggie Willits or Kenny Lofton. The Padres have good pitching, but the offense is dry. If they can get an on-base guy for the top of the order, they will be able to play to their potential and compete in the division.

I don't see Edmonds finding another job, but maybe he will get a one day contract from the Cardinals to retire. Over sixteen major league seasons with the Angels, Cardinals, and Padres, Edmonds has hit .286 with 363 HR and 1127 RBI.

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Jays Grab Two Outfielders

The Jays today acquired Kevin Mench from the Rangers and signed Brad Wilkerson, who was released by the Mariners last week. Wilkerson was hitting .232 with 0 HR and 5 RBI before he was released while Mench was hitting .282 with 3 HR and 18 RBI in 29 games at Triple-A. Both will be on the major league roster with both Blue Jay shortstops on the DL. Mench put up impressive power numbers in his first two years, but has failed to continue that streak since then. Nevertheless, he will provide a good bat off the bench.

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Would Atkins Help The Indians?

Garrett Atkins of the Rockies is off to a great start in Colorado hitting .326 with 6 HR and 24 RBI. He is a career .304 hitter and is certainly on pace for another 20 homerun season, possibly thirty. The Rockies appear ready to go with Ian Stewart either later this season or early on next season, so Atkins could be on his way out to avoid a long term contract. However, Atkins is a career .274 hitter on the road and a jump to the AL might bring that down some more. He is a great hitter, and will probably hit with a lower average but around the same power if he does go to the Indians.

The Rockies could probably get a couple solid prospects from the Indians. A package including Aaron Laffey would probably do it.

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MLB Prospect Report

-- BATTERS --
TEAM		CLASS		PLAYER, POS		AB		R		H		BI		AVG
COL		LoA		Rike, Brian RF		4		3		3		0		.311
CWS		AAA		Getz, Chris 2B		4		0		2		0		.289
DET		AAA		Clevlen, Brent RF		3		0		2		3		.305
DET		AAA		Hollimon, Michael 2B		5		1		1		1		.235
FLA		AA		Coghlan, Chris 2B		5		2		3		2		.287
KC		LoA		Lough, David CF		5		3		3		0		.252
KC		LoA		Moustakas, Mike SS		4		0		0		1		.213
LAD		AAA		LaRoche, Andy 3B		3		0		2		0		.292
LAD		AA		De Jesus, Ivan SS		3		1		1		1		.292
MIL		AA		Gamel, Mat 3B		3		0		0		0		.364
MIL		AA		LaPorta, Matt RF		4		0		0		0		.330
NYM		AA		Martinez, Fernando CF		5		0		2		3		.250
NYM		LoA		Veloz, Greg 2B		5		1		2		0		.242
PHI		AA		Donald, Jason SS		2		3		1		3		.350
PHI		AA		Golson, Greg CF		5		2		3		0		.310
PIT		AAA		Walker, Neil 3B		4		1		1		0		.188
SD		AA		Blanks, Kyle 1B		5		2		2		1		.306
SD		AAA		Headley, Chase LF		3		0		2		1		.275
SEA		AAA		Chen, Yung Chi 2B		4		0		2		0		.274
SEA		AAA		LaHair, Bryan 1B		5		2		2		0		.294
SEA		AA		Moore, Adam C		4		0		2		1		.303
SF		AAA		Schierholtz, Nate RF		5		1		2		4		.308
STL		AAA		Rasmus, Colby CF		5		0		0		0		.200
STL		AA		Craig, Allen 3B		4		2		2		3		.284
TB		AA		Jaso, John C		5		2		3		1		.238
TB		AAA		Brignac, Reid SS		4		1		2		0		.250
TEX		AA		Andrus, Elvis SS		3		1		1		0		.266
TEX		HiA		Borbon, Julio CF		5		2		3		4		.305
TOR		HiA		Arencibia, J.P. C		4		2		2		0		.261
WAS		HiA		Marrero, Chris 1B		2		1		2		3		.245
-- PITCHERS --
TEAM		CLASS		PITCHER		IP		H		R		ER		BB
BOS		AA		Bowden, Michael		6.2		1		0		0		1
BOS		LoA		Bard, Daniel		2.0		3		2		2		0
CIN		AAA		Maloney, Matt		7.0		7		2		2		0
CIN		AA		Thompson, Daryl		6.0		5		4		4		2
CLE		AA		Huff, David		7.0		4		1		1		0
COL		AAA		Reynolds, Greg		2.0		2		0		0		0
DET		HiA		Nickerson, Jonah		7.0		8		4		4		1
FLA		AA		Thompson, Aaron		6.0		7		5		3		2
LAD		AAA		Meloan, Jon		5.0		6		4		4		2
LAD		AA		Kershaw, Clayton		1.0		0		0		0		0
LAD		HiA		Adkins, James		6.0		6		2		2		0
MIN		AA		Swarzak, Anthony		4.2		8		5		5		3
SD		AAA		Geer, Josh		6.0		7		6		6		4
STL		AAA		Boggs, Mitch		6.1		9		4		4		3
STL		AAA		Perez, Chris		1.0		0		0		0		1
STL		AA		Todd, Jess		3.1		2		0		0		3
TB		LoA		Gibson, Glenn		5.0		4		3		3		3

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Rockies Looking To Make Over?

According to the Denver Post, the Rockies never had serious interest in Kevin Millwood or Derrick Turnbow. However, they do have interest in Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes and are shopping outfielder Cory Sullivan. They probably won't swap Sullivan for Reyes, but Sullivan is tearing it up in Triple-A. The Rockies main problem is that they do not have pitching. Matt Herges and Aaron Cook are the only two pitchers on their entire staff with a winning record. However, Herges is just 1-0.

Reyes and pitching coach Dave Duncan are not friends, and that has affected his development. The best thing the Cardinals can do is trade him to get rid of the controversy in the clubhouse. The Giants seem like a good fit, despite Barry Zito's somewhat good return. As for Sullivan, his track record in the MLB is pretty good, so he could probably land a bench or platoon job. If the Pirates trade their outfielders, there would be an opening. The Marlins are looking for an outfielder and could take a chance on him. The Rays would like a righty, but could settle for Sullivan who could play all three spots for them.

UPDATE: THE PIRATES ACQUIRED OUTFIELDER JASON MICHAELS FROM THE INDIANS FOR A PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER, SO YOU CAN REMOVE THE PIRATES FROM LIST THAT COULD USE SULLIVAN.

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Webb, Dbacks Close In On Contract

Brandon Webb and the Diamondbacks are working on a deal to lock up the ace for the next several seasons. Webb is 7-0 this season with a 2.49 ERA and 37 K. He will be twenty-nine tomorrow, so a five to seven year deal seems likely. Considering he has won double-digits in four of five of his previous seasons, he is in for big money.

Nevertheless, this is a great deal for the Diamondbacks who will have Webb and Haren locked up till at least 2010. By then, Max Scherzer should be settled into the MLB and prospect Jarrod Parker should be coming close. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The deal has not affected his focus yet, but we'll see how he does today versus the Phillies.

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Is Teixeira Yankee Bound?

Mark Teixeira is starting to heat up for the Braves hitting .258 with 4 HR and 18 RBI. If he can put up similar numbers to last year, he will definitely be seeking a Miguel Cabrera like deal. That puts the Braves out of it right there, unless GM Frank Wren can convince ownership to hand over that kind of cash. Don't rule them out yet though. The Braves have several young players with modest salaries that help the payroll in two or three years. If the Braves were to give him 17-19 million dollars annually, they could pay him 10-12 million the first year or so, and then raise it so it works into their payroll over the next several seasons. However, it looks as if the Mets, Yankees, and Orioles will be gunning for him next off season. The Mets will let Carlos Delgado walk as will the Yankees with Jason Giambi, and the Orioles will hope he would look to return home with the Orioles. All three are possible, so whoever is willing to pay up will probably get him. My money is on the Mets, mostly because he will be staying in the same division, where he already has success.

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News and Notes: Rays Eye Michaels

The Indians designated Jason Michaels for assignment and he is already drawing interest. The Rays, who need help from the right side of the plate, could use his bat at the plate and at all three outfield positions, if needed. Michaels is hitting just .207 this season but is a career .277 hitter. He has been an average hitter all his career, but he could help the Rays from the bench. The Rays are also looking at Jacque Jones, Brad Wilkerson, and Kenny Lofton. What about Sammy Sosa or Barry Bonds? Probably not. The main reason Bonds has not been signed is because no one wants to pay 15-20 million for one year to a guy who will hit between .260-.280 with 20-30 homeruns -- not to mention the cloud of reporters he would bring to the clubhouse. If he could still hit 40 or maybe 50 homeruns he would be valuable, but until he lowers his asking price, he won't be signed.

Griffey looks Seattle bound: It is becoming more and more apparent the Ken Griffey will be dealt at the deadline. The Mariners and Griffey have acknowledged a Seattle reunion, making the deal likely. As for Adam Dunn, it is possible the Red Sox would trade move J.D. Drew elsewhere and bring on Dunn.

Catalanotto to Yankees?: According to the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers may send Catalanotto and Laird to the Yankees for a couple of prospects. This would give the Yankees a solid catcher and first baseman while opening up the way for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Pudge out, Inge In?: Brandon Inge is willing to be the Tigers full time catcher if the Tigers are not willing to pay Ivan Rodriguez to stay any more. That appears likely considering his offense and defense have been slipping.

Perez out of New York?: Perez is 2-3 this season and people are calling his maturity the main reason he is not successful. I doubt they ship him out, but they might need to work with him to help him better find his focus. The impending free agency might be a problem though.

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Hangin' With Mr. Hunter

Torii Hunter is doing a little segment with FOX called, 'Hangin' with Mr. Hunter.' I had a chance to watch a couple of them and it is pretty cool to see the life of player away from the field. Check it out:



To see Part Two, Click here.

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Marlins, Padres Interested In Jones

According to MLB.com, the Marlins and Padres are interested in outfielder Jacque Jones. I mention that the Padres would be interested in this piece, so this further confirms that they are in on him. The Marlins nearly traded for Jones last season, but the deal was shot down by the Commissioners Office because of the amount of money being moved. Gonzalez and Ross are struggling in the outfield and adding Jones would really help in both spots. The Marlins and Tigers are familiar with eachother, so a trade could work out nicely.

The Padres could use a center fielder to play everyday with Jim Edmonds struggling. Jones would give them a solid spark, something Edmonds is not doing. He is a better fit for the Marlins though, who would use him in the lead off spot.

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Rockies Looking For Pitching

According to the Denver Post, the Rockies are kicking the tires on three possible pitchers to come in and help their struggling staff.

• The Dragon Slayer, Josh Fogg was great for the Rockies last year and everyone would probably welcome a return. He is struggling with the Reds so far this season, but returning somewhere he is comfortable could turn that all around.
• Julian Tavarez has struggling in seven games this season, but is one of the best spot starters in the league. He once pitched for the Rockies, so he if probably familiar with their style and philosophy.
• Kevin Millwood of the Rangers has come up recently in talks, but the Rangers are not looking for someone to take a salary, they are looking to get good players in return.
  

They have also looked at Rich Harden and Joe Blanton, but nothing has come of that yet. They remain a favorite to land Blanton, in my eyes. The Rockies need for pitching could push a deal to get done soon, probably for Josh Fogg.

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Furcal Contract Update

According to Buster Olney, Rafael Furcal will walk if he does not get a deal by mid-season. Furcal is hitting .366 with 5 HR this season, and is really carrying the Dodgers this season. The Dodgers might not want to give him a deal so soon if Chin-Lung Hu continues to hit well. However, if they lose Furcal, he will ask for big money on the market, bigger than the money he got three years ago from the Dodgers.

The Red Sox look like an obvious choice. Julio Lugo is struggling at shortstop and bringing in Furcal would make that infield one of the best. The Cardinals currently have Cesar Izturis at shortstop, and opening up the wallet for Rafael Furcal would make this team a lot better in 2009. The Orioles are another option, but he probably wants to go to a contender.

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News and Notes: Griffey to Detroit?

The Reds will likely shop Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn at the trade deadline in hopes of improving their team for the future, opening up speculation to where he could go. The Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs, and Tigers make the most sense and with the Tigers recent opening in the outfield, it makes sense they could bring him in for the final push into the playoffs. If the Reds continue to struggle and are in last or second to last at the deadline, the Tigers might not be forced to give up too much in order to land Griffey. Griffey could easily be slotted in right, left, or at DH --- giving them a powerful lefty in a very powerful lineup.

Meek to stay with Pirates?: The Pirates and Rays are talking a trade that would allow them to hold on to Evan Meek without keeping him on the major league roster. Meek shows potential, but should probably stay in Double or Triple-A this season.

Braves acquire Norton: The Braves acquired Greg Norton from the Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later and cash. Interesting move, but probably a non-issue this season.

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Tigers Cut Jones

The Tigers only gave Jacque Jones twenty-four games to prove he could hit, but he got off to a slow start. Jones is a career .278 hitter and has the potential to hit 20 homeruns, but will likely fall somewhere between 10-15 this season. Jones is in the final year of his three year, sixteen million dollar deal, so the Tigers probably don't want him in their minors. They will probably look to make a trade, or give him his release.

As for teams that could be interested, the Padres seem like a good fit. They could use an outfielder and definitely need a spark in the outfield. The Nationals could use an outfielder with all three struggling as well. For now though, it is all speculation. We will know more next week.

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Turnbow to Mets?

According to the Journal News, the Mets are showing interest in Brewers reliever Derrick Turnbow. Turnbow was designated for assignment by the Brewers last week, and the Mets believe a change of scenery would benefit him and the Mets.

More details soon...

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Bale Breaks Hand

Add John Bale to the list of pitchers who take their frustration out on a wall or door. Bale was reportedly frustrated over the time it is taking for his shoulder to recover. Now, he will have about two months to heal his shoulder while his hand recovers. “I’m not pleased, obviously,” manager Trey Hillman said before Sunday’s series finale against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. “Players have to think before they do things." The Royals were planning on optioning pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta to make room for Bale, but Yabuta will stay with the team while Bale is out.

One person I can think of off hand who did that was Kevin Brown. Kyle Farnsworth kicked a fan out of frustration one time. When will we see clubhouses implement punching bags?

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The Next D.R. Phenom: Micheal Inoa

For the next month, the Dominican Republic will draw hundreds of scouts, executives, and coaches all hoping to find the next Pedro Martinez or David Ortiz. This year, they might have that opportunity. Micheal Inoa, a sixteen year old right hander, is 6-foot-7 with sound mechanics. His fastball is consistently in the 91-93 mph range, but lacks a solid number two pitch. He can throw a curveball and splitter, but both are inconsistent. However, he shows a lot of upside. "Everything’s really easy and the fastball has good life," said one international scouting director. "For as big as he is, you’d expect him not to be able to repeat as well as he does. But he stays within himself and once he grows more into that frame, you’ll see that velocity start to climb . . . and that’s a scary thing."

It looks like every team will be in on this guy, so it hard to see where he will go. But he will definitely be signed soon after the July 2nd international signing day.

Here are a couple other guys that will be signed by the signing day:

Carlos Perez: 6-foot-2 right hander has fastball that has reached 90, but usually sits between 87-89. He needs to develop a second pitch to really be taken seriously.

Johenser Cevallos: He is a big right hander, with a lot of upside, but doesn't have much control over his secondary pitches.

Yorman Rodriguez: He is the best outfielder coming out of Venezuela and will likely receive a big a bonus. He combines power and speed and could rise fast through a minor league system.

Ezdra Abreu: He is an infielder who projects to swing a big bat.

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Where Will Cashman Go?

Brian Cashman admitted to reporters that the Phillies job interested him, likely meaning that he will leave the Yankees next season when his contract is up. This is just speculation, but the way Hank and Hal Steinbrenner are acting in just their first year will likely put one of the smartest General Managers in baseball away.

Here are a couple possible destinations for him:

Phillies: Phillies GM Pat Gillick is retiring in the fall making the Phillies GM job open. Although Ruben Amaro Jr. is the likely candidate, Cashman would be hard to pass up on.

Dodgers: If the Dodgers fail to put up a respectable record, the Dodgers could fire Ned Colletti and bring in Brian Cashman. Cashman would be joining a organization that would focus more on development than free agent signings, something Cashman is very familiar with.

Mets: This would be a surprising move, but if the Mets don't make the playoffs they could fire Minaya, Randolph, and everyone in the staff. This might be ideal for Cashman because he could remain close to his family.

Cubs: The impending sale of the Cubs could lead to Jim Hendry's firing. However, he has given this team a lot of depth and put them back in playoff contention.

Let's get to possible candidates with the Yankees if Brian Cashman does leave:

Ruben Amaro, Phillies: Amaro has been very loyal to the Phillies over the past couple years. If he gets passed up on for Cashman, he looks like an ideal candidate for the Yankees.

Peter Woodfork, Diamondbacks: A product of Josh Byrnes, who has built a successful team from nothing, makes sense for the Yankees. He is young, smart, and has already interviewed for several GM jobs.

Jed Hoyer, Red Sox: Although unlikely, Jed Hoyer is one of the best adviser's in baseball. He is familiar with the league, he is very smart, and is young. He could hold the job for awhile.

Jean Afterman, Yankees: She is an assistant GM to Brian Cashman, and giving her the job would make for an easy transition in the Yankees Front Office.

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Hudson Likely To Hit Market

According to Ken Rosenthal, Orlando Hudson will likely soar out of the Diamondbacks price range this off season. Second base is the easiest position to fill on the field and with Chris Burke as a back up and prospect Emilio Bonifacio tearing it up in Triple-A, it makes sense that those two would replace him. Hudson has been great since coming over to the NL, setting career high's in every category. He is batting .272 with 3 HR so far this season but his reported asking price is believed to be around fifteen million dollars.

Ken Rosenthal points out that Orlando Hudson would be a good fit for the Cubs if they are unable to land Brian Roberts. That would put Mark DeRosa, Mike Fontenot, and Ronny Cedeno in limbo though, something the Cubs don't want to do. Fontenot has pretty good power for his size, and looks like he needs an opportunity to shine. If Theriot struggles, Cedeno, who has a better idea of the strike zone this season, could take over. The impending sale of the Cubs could halt a deal as well. The Dodgers, who plan to cut ties with Jeff Kent next season, also make sense. Locking up Rafael Furcal remains a priority though. The Cardinals and Mariners are also possibilities.

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Interview with Tony Reagins

Last week, I had the pleasure of talking with new Angels GM Tony Reagins. Reagins has been with the Angels for a long time, and was interviewed for the job after Bill Stoneman stepped down as GM. I met Reagins down at the Winter Meetings last December and he told me he was willing to do an interview once the season got started. I want to thank him for doing this for me and I also want to thank everyone within the Angels organization who set this up for me, I really appreciate it.

ELI: When did you break into baseball? What were your day to day duties at that position?

TONY: I broke into baseball in the fall of 1991, so my first season was 1992. I was an intern out of college in the marketing department.

ELI: The Angels minor league system has been regarded by many as one of the best. What does that mean to you, having been the director of Player Development?

TONY: I means a lot to be recognized by your peers. We have scouted minor league free agents very well, so it definitely feels good to be recognized.

ELI: Nick Green and Nick Adenhart are coming along fast in Triple-A. What type of pitchers are they and where do you see them fitting into a rotation?

TONY: Both of them have three quality pitches. Nick [Adenhart] has an above average fastball, but has had some control issues. Nick [Green] has a good breaking ball. His fastball isn't as fast asAdenhart's, but still a very good pitcher.

ELI: Do you think the future in the Angels farm system favors pitching or hitting right now?

TONY: I think we have quality in both areas. We have some good pitchers in the lower levels: Jordan Walden, Sean O'Sullivan, Steve Marek. Our Triple-A staff is doing very well now too. We have some good bats though. Woody [Brandon Wood] is with us now, Hanley Staitia is good defensively, but is not hitting well. Matt Brown is doing well. I would say we are pretty even.

ELI: Ervin Santana was in a funk last season. What have you seen from him this season that differs from last?

TONY: His stuff was always good. He has a fastball in the mid-nineties. He can throw the change up when he needs to. Last year, he had trouble on the road. It seemed liked he would be pitching well, but then would have one bad inning. He has worked hard, he's pitching better -- he came into this season with a different mind set, and it is showing.

ELI: What about Joe Saunders, he has been terrific thus far.

TONY: Yeah, he's great. He has always done well for us though. I think he has just needed an opportunity.

ELI: What was the interview process like for the General Manager job?

TONY: It was a sit down meeting Art [Moreno] and Bill [Stoneman]. They just picked my brain, trying to find out my philosophy. They wanted to know where I saw the team in five years. I was recommended by Bill, so it wasn't too bad.

ELI: The Torii Hunter signing was worked out fast. Was their any urgency in getting that deal done or would you say both parties saw eye to eye?

TONY: I talked with Torii's agent down at the GM Meetings. He told me Torii wasn't ready to sign yet, so we made an offer we thought was fair. We thought if Torii was interested, he would come.

ELI: Personally, I thought you were big winners in the Jon Garland/Orlando Cabrera trade. Can you tell me why you pulled the trigger on that trade?

TONY: We have a lot of young players that have showed upside. We think you win with pitching and defense, so with Garland in the rotation and Macier [Izturis], [Erik] Aybar, and [Brandon] Wood, we would be in good shape.

ELI: Being in Player Development for so long, what would you say is the biggest different between High-A and Double-A?

TONY: In A-ball, there are a lot of players. There is Low-A and there is High-A. In Double-A, the funnel for talent starts to shrink -- the talent is better. Players start to figure out what adjustments need to be made. Pitchers start setting up hitters and hitters have more of an approach.

ELI: In 2007's draft, you drafted John Bachanov with your first pick. What do you like about him most?

TONY: His arm strength, that was important. He's been hurt this season though, so we have not been able to see him.

ELI: During your time with the Angels, is there a favorite game that sticks out in your mind?

TONY: Game six of the 2002 World Series. It was a great win which allowed us to get to Game seven and the championship.

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Julio Franco Retires

The oldest player to ever hit a homerun, Julio Franco, has decided to hang it up. Franco, 49, was playing in the Mexican League this season, but still called it the hardest decision of his life. "It was the hardest decision in my life," Franco said in an interview published Saturday by Mexican sports daily Record. "I always said I would be the first one to know the exact moment. I think the numbers speak for themselves, the production speaks and this is the right moment." In twenty three major league season, he has hit .298 with 2,586 hits and 173 home runs. However, in twenty six professional years, so including Japan, Korea, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, he has a combined 4,229 hits.

Very impressive career, but probably not Hall of Fame worthy.

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Around the Majors

All is quiet on the baseball front today. Here is what is making news on this Saturday:

• Lou Piniella's frustration with Rich Hill could lead to them sending him down to Triple-A, according to a source. It is mostly speculation on his part, but he cited examples of it happening. That would allow them to move Jon Lieber into the rotation and call up prospect Sean Gallagher, who is 2-2 with a 3.10 ERA and a K/BB of 30/9.
• Tom Gorzelanny will skip his next start with the Pirates because of back problems. Does anybody remember this 'Buyer's Beware?'
• Phil Hughes will be out till the All-Star break, but when he returns he will wear glasses to get rid of the glare during night games.
• Andy Sonnanstine is going to be the X-factor for the Rays this season as they try to make the playoffs for the first time ever. The Red Sox are making a push back, but Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are question marks. If Kazmir can come back strong, and Schields, Jackson, and Sonnanstine pitch well, we could be in for a historic summer.
• What is the Cardinals secret? Who would have thought that Braden Looper and Kyle Lohse would back up Adam Wainwright so well? Not to mention Skip Schumaker successfully taking over in right field.
  
• Lonnie Chisenhall is starting to make some noise in the Junior College prospect lists over at Baseball America. His off field distractions are behind him and if he continues to hit well, we could see him go early.

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Millwood to Braves?

The Braves will need a replacement in their rotation when John Smoltz heads to the bullpen, and are reportedly looking at Kevin Millwood of the Rangers. So far this season, Millwood is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 27 K. The Rangers and Braves are on pretty good trade terms at the moment, so a deal going down in the next month or so doesn't seem unlikely. However, Millwood has a big contract and that might be hard to convince the Braves to take that on.

A more likely option for the Braves would be Jon Lieber of the Cubs. Lieber is doing very well for the Cubs but might be able to pry him at the deadline for a prospect or two. Another possible option is Josh Fogg of the Reds, who appears on the outs with GM Walk Jocketty.

Rockies sign Castro: To help out with Tulowitzki down, the Rockies have signed Juan Castro to a minor league deal. The Padres and Dodgers were also interested.

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Brewers Designate Turnbow

The Brewers decided today to designate former All-Star Derrick Turnbow. Turnbow is 0-1 with a 15.63 ERA in eight games this season, so you can see where the Brewers are coming from. Turnbow was 7-1 with a 1.69 ERA in 2005, but is 17-16 with a 4.30 ERA with 65 saves in 257 games with the Angels and Brewers. Finding him a middle relief role to find his stuff is the only way for him to break out of his funk, and I think a team will give him that opportunity very soon.

The Tigers seem like a good option, who could use a late inning reliever. The Cubs' Kerry Wood continues to be inconsistent, but moving Carlos Marmol out of the effective role he is in now might limit Marmol's outings. Adding Turnbow to the late inning spot would be a good option. Other teams that seem like good fits include the Rangers, Yankees, and Royals.

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Wilkerson To Blue Jays?

According to an AL executive, the Blue Jays have mild interest in outfielder Brad Wilkerson. A couple Blue Jay outfielders are struggling right now, so it would make sense to bring in the lefty to platoon with Shannon Stewart in left. Wilkerson doesn't have much success at Rogers Centre, but that really doesn't mean anything. He is familiar with playing on turf, which could come handy in the late innings defensive wise.

Wilkerson probably isn't the most ideal candidate to come in, but to get a quick fix, rather than someone like Kenny Lofton, who would need a rehab assignment, Wilkerson is your guy. Prospect Travis Snider is not ready to play everyday in the bigs yet, so bringing in Wilkerson should be able to help this season.

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Hughes Out Till All Star Break

The Yankees announced today that Phil Hughes will be out till the All-Star Break with a stress fracture in his rib cage. Tough break for the Yankees, who really invested a lot in their young pitchers this season. Hughes was 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA in six games this season, so he will likely be assigned to Double or Triple-A when he returns. He is a slow starter, but a stress fracture is pretty serious, so the Yankees should take it slow with him.

Hughes ended the year pretty strong, but injuries will slow him down and prevent him from putting up big numbers. Any major set back could shut him down for the season.

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Players of the Month

National League

APRIL
Chase Utley, Phillies
.360 AVG
11 HR
23 RBI
2 SB




Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
6-0 W-L
1.98 ERA
34 K





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American League

Casey Kotchman, Angels
.344 AVG
6 HR
19 RBI
1 SB




Cliff Lee, Indians
5-0 W-L
0.96 ERA
32 K

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Interview with Chris Tillman

This evening, I had the pleasure to interview Orioles prospect Chris Tillman. Tillman came over in the trade involving Erik Bedard, but has done everything the Orioles have asked of him thus far. He is just nineteen years old, but is already looking like the next ace of the Orioles staff. I want to thank him for doing this interview for me, I really appreciate. I also want to thank everyone over at the Bowie Baysox for getting this done for me, I really appreciate it.

ELI: You pitched very well at Rookie ball the year you were drafted, did you need to make any adjustments moving away from high school?

CHRIS: Yeah, it was actually a big adjustment. In high school, I just sort of threw the ball and got away with it. In the minors, I had to set up batters -- hit my spots.

ELI: You pitched very well in Low-A for Wisconsin, but your W-L numbers did not show it. Was it frustrating not getting the run support needed to put wins on the board?

CHRIS: No, it really wasn't. I just wanted to get up and do what I could to help the team win. Everything else was out of my hands. I just had to do my part, and I felt I did.

ELI: The Erik Bedard trade talks dragged on a lot, what were your feelings on it when you first heard you could be traded, and then when you finally were traded?

CHRIS: At first, I didn't really know about it. But our closer, JJ Putz, started giving me crap about it. I was disappointed when I heard the news, just because I started to really get to know the guys, but I am happy where I am at now.

ELI: Coming into Spring Training, did you feel any pressure to perform having been one of the guys to come over in the Erik Bedard trade?

CHRIS: No, I didn't. Baseball is baseball, I just went out and had fun.

ELI: You are 6-5, have any coaches told you how to pitch effectively to your size, or is that something you have figured out on your own?

CHRIS: No, not really. They mostly told me to stay tall and not to drop my arm angle.

ELI: What did it mean to you to have established veterans Steve Trachsel and Jamie Walker take you under their wing, in a sense?

CHRIS: It was pretty cool. Those guys have been around awhile, they know what they are talking about, so I definitely listened.
ELI: What did you think of Baltimore's old fashioned spring facility?

CHRIS: You know, I was spoiled coming from Seattle, but it was nice.

ELI: The best feeling you have had on a baseball field came when and under what circumstance?

CHRIS: Probably when I was fourteen, pitching in the junior Olympics. I was pitching with all my friends, who I have played with since we were nine, and we went 10-0.

ELI: Can you think of one thing you have enjoyed the most about playing baseball as a professional?

CHRIS: There is nothing better than getting up and going to the field everyday.

ELI: What is your usual choice for food on the road? McDonald's? Subway?

CHRIS: They usually feed us at the field, so we eat pretty healthy.

ELI: When you left the Major League camp at Spring Training, was there anything the Orioles coaches told you to go and work on?

CHRIS: Yeah, they told me to work on holding runners on. And from a mechanics standpoint, not to cross my body too much when throwing.

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