Other MLB News Part 2

[Sara Tonyn]

The Mariners have decided to make a serious run for the playoffs in 2010, I guess. They only have 3 teams to beat to make it: Angels, Rangers & A's. The A's aren't a threat, Rangers shouldn't be all that hard to beat and the 2010 Angels won't be as good as the 2009 version (which was overrated). So with Cliff aboard, they'll have a shot at winning their division. But that's probably as much as they should hope for. The Yankees and #@#!#@@# Red Sox are adding more talent so one of them (most likely the Yanks) is pretty much a lock for the AL pennant.

Which gives me an idea...

[Dnthateonthepronk]

well i guess philly likes a halladay better....and they get prospects from the mariners

[Hope]

Philadelphia Phillies close to dealing Cliff Lee to Seattle, picking up Roy Halladay, SI.com reports

PHILADELPHIA — A person with knowledge of the situation says Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay is in Philadelphia to take a physical for the Phillies, a necessary step before the teams finalize a trade.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams had not made any announcement. Philadelphia could give up pitchers J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton and outfielder Dominic Brown as part of a deal, the person said.

SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Phillies are expected to trade former Indians Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to Seattle as part of the deal, but it's not confirmed whom the Mariners would receive in return from either Toronto or Philadelphia.

According to the SI.com report, Halladay is expected to agree to a contract extension with the Phillies, which would finalize the deal. Halladay was entering the final year of his Toronto contract.

The Phillies tried to acquire Halladay last season but couldn't agree to terms with the Toronto Blue Jays.

They then dealt for Lee instead. Halladay, 32, is 148-76 lifetime with a 3.43 ERA. He won the 2003 Cy Young Award and finished in the top five in the Cy Young voting four other times. Halladay went 17-10 with a 2.79 ERA in 32 starts for Toronto last season. He threw 239 innings and led the league with nine complete games.

Lee, who was acquired from the Indians on July 29 for four minor leaguers, quickly became Philadelphia's ace. Lee posted a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts for the Phillies and then went 4-0 with a 1.56 mark in five postseason outings, including 2-0 in the World Series.

Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young winner with Cleveland, will make $8 million in 2010 and then be eligible for free agency.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

I know its easy to say knowing that i owuld suffer no repricusiions from this but i would have traded for bothe lee and halladay last year, since they basically gave up nothing for lee, they still coulda landed halladay

[Hope]

Both Stories Cleveland.com

Cliff Lee could be headed to Seattle; Hideki Matsui to Angels

Baseball's hot stove started sizzling Monday, with Philadelphia discussing a trade that would send former Indians Cy Young winner Cliff Lee to Seattle.

In addition, Roy Halladay, John Lackey, Hideki Matsui and Mike Cameron are all set to switch teams.

Lee, who is eligible for free agency after next season, could wind up going to the Mariners, a baseball official said.

In a separate deal, the Phillies have a tentative agreement to acquire Halladay in a trade with Toronto, and the former Cy Young Award winner was in Philadelphia on Monday for a physical required to complete the deal.

Philadelphia could give up pitchers J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton and outfielder Dominic Brown as part of a deal, the person said. Those three players also took physicals in Philadelphia on Monday.

The retooling Boston Red Sox made two key moves in one day, reaching tentative agreements on a five-year contract with pitcher Lackey worth $80 million to $85 million and a two-year deal with veteran outfielder Cameron for about $15 million.

World Series MVP Matsui decided to head west, reaching a preliminary agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year contract worth about $6.5 million.

The 31-year-old Lackey would give the Red Sox one of the best rotations in baseball, rivaling that of the New York Yankees, who added CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett before last season and then won the World Series. Sabathia signed for $161 million over seven years, while Burnett got an $82.5 million, five-year deal.

Also, Milwaukee finalized its $29.75 million, three-year contract with left-hander Randy Wolf, reached a $2.1 million, one-year deal with infielder Craig Counsell and struck a preliminary one-year agreement with reliever Claudio Vargas, a deal pending a physical.

DWI arrest: St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, the fourth time in less than three years that a member of the team has faced drunken-driving allegations.
Freese has been one of the team's most productive minor-leaguers.

Rivalry opener: The Yankees will play the Red Sox in the major-league opener on Sunday, April 4, on ESPN2.

Ex-Cleveland Indian Cliff Lee may be Seattle-bound; Toronto's Roy Halladay might go to Phils

Left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee, who won the American League Cy Young Award as a Cleveland Indian in 2008, could be headed from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Seattle Mariners as one of two centedrpieces in companion trades.

The other marquee player would be another former AL Cy Young winner, right-hander Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays. If the deals can be completed, Halladay would go to Philadelphia.

Lee and Halladay can be free agents at the end of next season, though the proposed trades might prompt both of them to sign multi-year deals with what would be their new teams.

The Indians traded Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco to Philadelphia for four minor league prospects on July 29. Lee helped the Phillies get to the World Series, which they lost to the New York Yankees in six games.

Writes Jayson Stark for ESPN.com:
In effect, the Phillies would be trading one Cy Young (Lee) for another (Halladay). And while that may seem difficult to understand from afar, the Phillies clearly view it as a swap that enables them to keep one of those Cy Youngs well into the future -- a less likely scenario if they held on to Lee.

Although the Phillies have done next to no actual negotiating with Lee, they heard enough rumblings that Lee wanted a CC Sabathia-type contract that they believed it would take a five-year or six-year deal to keep the 31-year-old left-hander. And the Phillies have an organizational philosophy that precludes deals longer than three years for starting pitchers.

Halladay, on the other hand, was willing to talk about a shorter guarantee if it meant going to the Phillies, a team with a spring training site minutes away from his home in Florida.

The Phillies could have held on to Lee and taken a chance that they could sign one of the two pitchers as a free agent next winter. But they were apparently concerned there would be a massive bidding war over Halladay and Lee that would price them both out of their range.

And, in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Andy Martino writes:
Lee's agent, Derek Brauneker, flew to the winter meetings in Indianapolis last week specifically to discuss a contract extension with the Phillies. "We had a positive dialogue," Brauneker told The Inquirer yesterday. "All of the dialogue has been very positive on both sides."

But the Phils must have calculated that re-signing Lee at an affordable rate would be difficult, and decided instead to move him for Halladay. Lee will earn $9 million next season, and the Phils have long maintained that they would need to clear payroll space in order to afford Halladay.

As of last night, Brauneker had not heard from any of the teams involved in the potential deal. "He is obviously aware of the situation," Brauneker said of his client. "There must be something to it."

As if Lee would be disappointed to leave Philadelphia, Brauneker said: "He certainly enjoys being in Philadelphia. There was not much for him not to enjoy."

The Phils acquired Lee on July 29 from the Cleveland Indians for prospects Lou Marson, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, and Jason Donald. The pitcher went 7-4, with a 3.39 earned run average for his new team during the regular season, before contributing a magnificent postseason performance. In five playoff starts, he was 4-0, with a 1.56 ERA.

As good as Lee is - he won the American League Cy Young Award in 2008 - Halladay is widely regarded as the finest pitcher in baseball. Halladay won the same award in 2003, and is 148-76, with a 3.43 ERA, in a 12-year career. Last season, he was 17-10, with a 2.79 ERA.

M's catching Angels?: Wrote Jeff Baker of the Seattle Times as word got out about the proposed trades, along with the Angels losing free agent pitcher John Lackey as a free agent to the Boston Red Sox:
Angels fans woke up this morning to news that John Lackey was about to agree to a deal with the Boston Red Sox.

And then, there was this afternoon's blockbuster, with the Mariners now on the verge of adding Cliff Lee to their rotation. Felix Hernandez and Lee trumps anything the Angels still have. Never mind Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver or Scott Kazmir. Any one of that trio would be no better than a No. 3 starter in Seattle after today.

Oh yeah, did I mention that the Angels had also been trying to trade for Roy Halladay? Well, that's out the window.

And there just aren't too many front-line types left out there. In fact, I don't see any. Do any of you?

This comes about a week after the Mariners outbid the Angels for Chone Figgins. The Angels also do not seem poised to get Adrian Beltre, who should be off to Boston soon.

[Hope]

Ex-Indian Cliff Lee now a Mariner and Roy Halladay a Phillie as blockbuster deals are completed

ESPN.com reports, with some information from Associated Press, that the four-team trade including the blockbuster moves of pitching aces Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay has been completed.

Lee, the left-hander who won the American League Cy Young Award while pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2008, goes from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Seattle Mariners. Lee helped the Phillies to the National League pennant after they acquired him and outfielder Ben Francisco from the Indians in a July 29 trade last summer.

Halladay, the 2003 AL Cy Young winner with Toronto, goes from the Blue Jays to Philadelphia.

Reports ESPN.com, including information from Associated Press:

Lee was the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner when the Phillies got him from Cleveland last July 29. The 31-year-old lefty went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA down the stretch, then excelled in the postseason by going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts.

Lee earned both of the Phillies' wins in the World Series against the New York Yankees. He has one year and $9 million remaining on his contract, and talk of an extension with Seattle beyond 2010 was not part of the trade discussions.

The two-time NL champion Phillies hope Halladay, also a former Cy Young winner, can fill his spot in the rotation.

"It's never easy trading a player of Cliff's caliber, but we felt it was the right move to make at this time," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "We've acquired three players that we think have big upsides and will strengthen our player development system."

[Hope]

Yahoo! Sports: Shocked in Seattle: Lee wanted to stay with Phils

SEATTLE (AP)—Cliff Lee thought he was staying in Philadelphia—for the rest of his career.
The Phillies’ postseason star proposed a routine counteroffer on a contract extension Wednesday, then headed for the Mississippi River near his Arkansas home to hunt.
He got some stunning news on the drive there.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. called to tell Lee he had been traded to Seattle for three prospects in a four-team deal that brought Roy Halladay to the Phillies. It was the first time that two Cy Young Award winners were dealt on the same day.

Speaking by cell phone Thursday night while beginning a long-planned vacation in Puerto Rico, the 2008 AL Cy Young winner said he was in “disbelief and shock.” The 31-year-old left-hander had been excited to rejoin the Phillies for a run at another World Series.

Instead, he’s headed to his third team in five months.
“At first, I didn’t believe it. I thought we were working out an extension with the Phillies,” Lee said. “I thought I’d be spending the rest of my career there. … I was under the impression they wanted to keep me there for a long time. “In my mind, it was going to happen.”

Lee was the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner when the Phillies got him from Cleveland on July 29. He went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA down the stretch, then starred in the postseason by going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts.
Lee earned both of the Phillies’ wins in the World Series against the New York Yankees. He was wowed by what he called an “unbelievable” lineup and excellence from top to bottom in Philadelphia’s organization.

While saying he was “disappointed, sure,” he said he can’t blame the Phillies for preferring Halladay.
“Basically, they had an opportunity to get the best pitcher in baseball,” Lee said, realizing the Phillies moved him because they wanted to seize a chance to restock their minor league system. “I can’t blame them for choosing Roy Halladay over me.”

Lee was deer hunting on his property in Arkansas this week when his wife, Kristen, called him to relay reports he might be traded. He dismissed them as rumors—especially, he said, when he asked the team and “the Phillies kind of downplayed it, made it seem like it wasn’t real.”
“Then the next morning I found out it was real,” he said.

The 2008 All-Star, who entered the major leagues with the Indians in 2002, has one season and $9 million remaining on his contract. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said an extension with Seattle beyond 2010 was not part of the trade negotiations.
Lee said he is “not dead set” on becoming a free agent next winter.
“I’m open to see how it plays out,” he said. “I can’t give you an answer right now because I don’t know what Seattle is all about.”

He does know a few things about Seattle:
Felix Hernandez is good. Lee will join this year’s AL Cy Young Award runner-up atop a rotation that is now the envy of baseball.
“As far as just straight stuff goes, it’d have to be him and CC (Sabathia, a former teammate in Cleveland) neck and neck for the best pitchers I’ve played with,” Lee said.

Center fielder Franklin Gutierrez is a former teammate of Lee’s with the Indians. The newest Mariner noted he now has a speedy, pitcher-friendly defense that includes Gold Glove right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, recently signed All-Star infielder Chone Figgins and 2004 All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson.

Safeco Field is spacious, also pitcher-friendly and a great place to watch a game.

The team that won 85 games last season is on the rise.

And the city, to Lee, always “seemed like it was on the other side of the world” when he played here as a visitor. He’s never been based farther west than his native Arkansas.

Lee has one other link with a Mariner, the most famous one. In 2004 he was suspended six games for throwing behind Ken Griffey Jr.’s head, when baseball’s active home run leader was with Cincinnati. One inning earlier, Lee had given up the 499th home run of Griffey’s career, and the superstar had paused to watch the ball’s flight.
Griffey is coming back for Year Two of his reunion tour with Seattle in 2010.
“I hope he doesn’t hold a grudge on me. I’ll ask him if he does,” Lee said, laughing and saying he’s talked in passing with Griffey since and all seemed well.

[TribefanstuckinMA]

Poor Cliff. Not $$$ poor, but I kinda feel bad for him. All those years with one organization and then shuffled around like hand-me-down clothes.
In other words, Should have negotiated an extension with the Tribe at the start of this last season...

[Sara Tonyn]

Should have negotiated an extension with the Tribe at the start of this last season...

He and his agent wanted to and tried to but Shapiro refused to negotiate.

After he was unexpectedly snubbed like that, Cliff stated he was going to try the free agent market before signing with anyone.

[Wahoo1324]

Poor Cliff. Not $$$ poor, but I kinda feel bad for him. All those years with one organization and then shuffled around like hand-me-down clothes.
In other words, Should have negotiated an extension with the Tribe at the start of this last season...

I still don't get how the heck the Phils saw trading him as a good thing. He was cheep and they have became a yearly contender.

[Wahoo1324]

Poor Cliff. Not $$$ poor, but I kinda feel bad for him. All those years with one organization and then shuffled around like hand-me-down clothes.
In other words, Should have negotiated an extension with the Tribe at the start of this last season...

I still don't get how the heck the Phils saw trading him as a good thing. He was cheep and they have became a yearly contender.

I dunno; they DID get Doc, so... What I would have done is trade for Halliday without getting rid of Cliff (if that deal could be worked out) and just accept my WS ring now.

Yeah, but I think Lee is just as good and cheeper.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

I guess for the ampunt of monet that halladay agreed for, they thoough they would rather invest that money in halladay, Lee is gonna want more as a free agent than halladay wanyed on an extension, and then they got some prospects back. i would have held on to both and taken a major chance and tried to repeat, but thats just me. plus if they are out of it they could have traded lee at the deadline

[Hope]

Stars aligning for Lee's success in Seattle Left-hander predicted to do well in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field

SEATTLE -- Chone Figgins wasn't even a Mariner for two weeks when he was "very excited" to learn that general manager Jack Zduriencik had pulled off a trade with the Phillies for left-hander Cliff Lee.
Figgins had already signed on for Zduriencik's ongoing transformation of the Mariners into an athletic, pitching, defense- and speed-centered club on the rise, one perfectly built for Safeco Field.

But to envision how well Lee, the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner for Cleveland and 2009 postseason ace for Philadelphia, might fare in 2010 in the big ballpark in the Emerald City, Figgins didn't need to dig very deep into new-age statistic books.
"I don't think Lee has a problem with any park," Figgins said with a laugh.
"He's probably one of the best in baseball, so for Safeco, it probably just makes him even better. You come to a stadium that's not a home-run-hitting park, and that obviously makes you better. Plus he's dominant to begin with."

The numbers from the past two years back up that claim.
Lee was 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA in his Cy Young year, and last season he went 14-13 with a 3.22 ERA while splitting 232 innings between the Indians and Phillies. In the 2009 playoffs, he raised his game another rung, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts.
The more recently developed stat of Fielding Independent Pitching, which quantifies a pitcher's performance without the impact of his defense, ranks Lee third in all of baseball since the 2008 season, trailing only Tim Lincecum and Zack Greinke and ahead of Roy Halladay, who went to the Phillies in the four-way trade that booked Lee's ticket to the Pacific Northwest.

And then there are these nuggets, all of which forecast future success for Lee in Seattle:
• FanGraphs ranked the Mariners' overall defense as the best in baseball in 2009.
• The team picked up one of 2009's top-fielding third basemen in the game in Figgins.
• Seattle's center fielder, Lee's former Cleveland teammate Franklin Gutierrez, was far and away FanGraphs' top defensive player in the Major Leagues in 2009.
• Safeco has historically favored left-handed pitchers, with Jamie Moyer, Jarrod Washburn and current Mariners southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith all having better numbers at Safeco than at other parks.

In other words, even though Lee was taken by surprise and admittedly disappointed to be leaving Philadelphia so soon, there are quite a few reasons for him to smile about the move to Seattle.
"It's definitely a pitcher's park," Lee said of Safeco. "That's going to be one difference, going from [Citizens Bank Park in] Philly to Safeco. And with Gutierrez out there in center and Ichiro [Suzuki] in right, Figgins at third and Jack Wilson at short, those are all defensive-oriented players.
"As a starting pitcher, you've got to be happy about that. Theoretically, it should play to the advantage of the pitcher, but you've still got to go out there and do your job."

Lee has done that in his limited experience at Safeco since his first start there as a member of the Indians in 2004.
Overall, he's 5-1 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and .245 batting average-against at the yard south of downtown, and he's done relatively well against the AL West, too, going 5-3 with a 3.32 ERA against the Angels and 4-2 with a 2.61 ERA against the A's.

Lee has struggled against Texas, putting up a 7.09 ERA in eight starts, but Seattle don't have to face the big lefty from Arkansas anymore, and that's a good thing for the Mariners, against whom Lee is 9-1 with a 3.28 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and .250 batting average-against in 12 career outings.
"In this case, a left-handed pitcher in this ballpark with our defense, and a guy who has accomplished what he's accomplished, it was exciting to be able to acquire him," Zduriencik said, adding that even if the Mariners lose Lee to free agency after 2010, they will likely net a pair of Draft picks in return, making his one-year, $9 million investment a sound one, to say the least.

Local analysts seem to agree.
Dave Cameron, co-founder of the Seattle baseball blog USSMariner.com and a FanGraphs contributor, is ecstatic about the acquisition and has even more numbers to back his excitement.
"Over the last two years, Lee has been one of the five best pitchers in baseball," Cameron said via e-mail. "He has racked up 4.56 strikeouts for every walk issued. ... Since adding a cut fastball and increasing his velocity (his average fastball is now 2 mph faster than it was in 2007), Lee has been as good as anyone."

Cameron also points out that through the 2007 season, Lee was an extreme fly-ball pitcher, with 49.7 percent of his balls in play that year being fly balls. But in 2008, Lee cut that rate to 35.1 percent and kept it low in 2009, at 36.5 percent.
"His command also took a huge step forward, as he cut his walk rate in half while simultaneously increasing his strikeout rate," Cameron wrote. "Fewer people getting put on base and a huge decrease in home runs allowed were the keys to Lee going from a back-end starter to a legitimate ace."

To his credit, Lee doesn't seem to want to rest on any of those improved numbers, telling Seattle reporters that he's ready to keep working to improve.
"You've got to prove yourself every year, regardless of what you did last year or the year before," Lee said. "Every year's a new year. I don't think what I did last year or the year before or whatever is going to help me win a single game this year.
"I still have to go out there and get the job done, locate pitches, mix speeds, set 'em up and have an idea of what I'm doing. I feel like I always have something to prove."

Seattle -- and Safeco Field -- can't wait.

[Hope]

DeRosa, Giants agree to two-year contract San Francisco to formally announce deal on Tuesday

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants are poised to complete their first free-agent signing of the offseason on Tuesday, when they're expected to announce a two-year agreement with Mark DeRosa.Giants spokesman Jim Moorehead said DeRosa flew to San Francisco on Monday and passed a physical examination, a prerequisite for finalizing the contract. A conference call to introduce DeRosa as the newest member of the Giants will be conducted at some point Tuesday.

DeRosa, whose contract is believed to be worth $12 million, has been one of this offseason's most coveted free agents. Early last month, as many as 12 teams reportedly had expressed interest in him.
DeRosa turns 35 on Feb. 26 and is coming off left wrist surgery. But he'd conceivably bolster the Giants' offense if he were to approach his output in 2009, when he hit .250 with 23 home runs and 78 RBIs for Cleveland and St. Louis. Lifetime, DeRosa owns a .275 average in 1,032 games with Atlanta, Texas and the Chicago Cubs, as well as the Indians and Cardinals.

The Giants have been seeking a hitter to bat fifth, and DeRosa just might fill that need. He started 23 games or more in four batting-order positions last season -- second, fifth, sixth and seventh -- and was most productive on a pro-rated basis from the No. 5 spot. In 99 plate appearances there, he hit .274 with five homers and 17 RBIs. By comparison, he hit .206 with nine homers and 33 RBIs in 189 plate appearances hitting second, .287 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 159 plate appearances from the sixth spot and .261 with three homers and six RBIs in 96 plate appearances as a No. 7 hitter.

DeRosa also recorded a .357 on-base percentage and a .536 slugging percentage while batting fifth last season, his best from any spot in the order. Overall, he compiled a .319 on-base percentage and a .433 slugging percentage.

San Francisco finished 88-74 last season despite ranking 13th in runs, 15th in homers, 14th in slugging percentage and 16th in on-base percentage among National League clubs.

DeRosa likely will start at third base for the Giants, with Pablo Sandoval moving to first. However, DeRosa's versatility will allow manager Bruce Bochy to use him virtually anywhere. DeRosa, who started 99 games at third last season, also has considerable experience at the other three infield spots and in the outfield.

DeRosa's arrival almost certainly ends the Giants' search for a first baseman, because he and Sandoval can combine to handle the infield corners. San Francisco still might consider adding an offensively proven outfielder and is seeking a catcher to serve as a caretaker at the position while Buster Posey develops further. Obtaining a No. 5 starter and a setup reliever are other priorities for the Giants.

And from Ask Hoynes something interesting....

Hey, Hoynsie: Did Jamey Carroll take a pay cut to leave the Tribe? How many from the 2009 Opening Day roster are left? -- Bobby, Cleveland
Hey, Bobby: Carroll made $2.5 million with the Indians last season. He signed a two-year, $3.85 million deal with the Dodgers this off-season.
Reportedly, the Indians offered Carroll a bigger two-year deal, but he chose to go with the team that has reached the NLCS the past two seasons. At 36, wouldn't you do the same?

[Sara Tonyn]

And from Ask Hoynes something interesting....

Hey, Hoynsie: Did Jamey Carroll take a pay cut to leave the Tribe? How many from the 2009 Opening Day roster are left? -- Bobby, Cleveland
Hey, Bobby: Carroll made $2.5 million with the Indians last season. He signed a two-year, $3.85 million deal with the Dodgers this off-season.
Reportedly, the Indians offered Carroll a bigger two-year deal, but he chose to go with the team that has reached the NLCS the past two seasons. At 36, wouldn't you do the same?

Well there goes the Indians "couldn't afford" him claim. I knew that couldn't have been the problem in this case. Jamey just wanted a better shot at a ring in 2010 and I sure can't blame him for that. I hope he gets it! He's an all around good guy and deserves something like that to finish off his career.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

yep

[Hope]

Rays Official Site: Shoppach gets two-year deal from Rays Catcher's pact worth $5.5 million with club option for '12

The Rays and catcher Kelly Shoppach agreed on a two-year contract worth about $5.5 million on Tuesday, according to ESPN.com. The deal would buy out Shoppach's last two years of arbitration and also includes a club option for a third season -- his first as a free agent.
Shoppach will likely step into a platoon role with Dioner Navarro, who signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal before the non-tender deadline in December.
Shoppach, acquired from the Indians in December for right-hander Mitch Talbot, batted .214 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 89 games in 2009. The 29-year-old right-handed hitter, a second-round Draft pick by the Red Sox in '01, is a career .241 hitter in five seasons.
Shoppach earned $1.95 million last season, one year after batting .261 with a career-high 21 homers.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

Thank god we didnt have to pay him 5.5 million dollars

[Dnthateonthepronk]

[Hope]

Gutierrez and Mariners finalize $20.5 million deal

SEATTLE (AP)—Center fielder Franklin Gutierrez and the Seattle Mariners finalized a $20.5 million, four-year contract Friday that avoided salary arbitration.
Gutierrez’s deal includes a team option for 2014.

The 26-year-old hit .283 with 18 homers and 70 RBIs last season, his first in Seattle, and made several excellent catches while playing a career-high 153 games.
It was perhaps more than the surging Mariners expected when they acquired him in December 2008 from Cleveland in a trade that sent former All-Star closer J.J. Putz to the New York Mets.

Gutierrez and Gold Glove right fielder Ichiro Suzuki give Seattle one of the baseball’s best defensive outfields.
“Franklin had a breakthrough season last year,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “But the exciting thing for us is that we believe he will only continue to get better. We feel he was the best defensive center fielder in the American League last year, and he was a huge part of the success of our pitching staff leading the AL in ERA. Offensively, his combination of speed and power is a perfect fit for our club—and he is an outstanding person.”

In 2009, Gutierrez became only the ninth player in Mariners history to have 15 homers and 15 stolen bases in a season. He led major league outfielders with 445 putouts.
“The support that I have received from the organization and especially the fans made it a very easy decision to want to stay here,” Gutierrez said in a team statement. “I’m very happy that this opportunity came along and that I’ll be part of the future success of the club.”

Four Mariners remain eligible for arbitration: pitchers: ace Felix Hernandez, closer David Aardsma, reliever Mark Lowe and newly acquired first baseman Casey Kotchman.
Seattle has been talking with Hernandez’s representatives this winter about a long-term contract.

[Hope]

Royals sign Herges to minor-league deal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a one-year minor league deal with right-hander Matt Herges and invited him to spring training.

Herges went 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA in 21 relief appearances for Cleveland last season. The 39-year-old Herges was 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in nine games for Colorado in 2007, helping the Rockies win the NL wild card and earn a trip to their first World Series.

Herges is 43-35 with a 3.91 career ERA in 11 seasons with eight teams.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

It would have been better if it said royals get rid of Herpes

[Hope]

Okay well now this is interesting...

Yahoo! Sports: Top Athletics prospect retires to enter priesthood

As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might’ve gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.

Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
“I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things,” the 23-year-old Desme said. “I wasn’t at peace with where I was at.”

A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A’s when he told them Thursday night.
General manager Billy Beane “was understanding and supportive,” Desme said, but the decision “sort of knocked him off his horse.” After the talk, Desme felt “a great amount of peace.”
“I love the game, but I aspire to higher things,” he said. “I know I have no regrets.”

Athletes and the priesthood have overlapped, albeit rarely.
Al Travers, who gave up 24 runs during a one-game career for a makeshift Detroit Tigers team in 1912, became a Catholic priest. More recently, Chase Hilgenbrinck of the New England Revolution left Major League Soccer in 2008 to enter a seminary.

Desme spoke on a conference call for about 10 minutes in a quiet, even tone, hardly sounding like many gung-ho, on-the-rise ballplayers. As for his success in the minors, he said “all of it is very undeserving.”
The Athletics picked Desme in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft and he was starting to blossom. He was the only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season.

Desme batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBIs and 40 steals in 131 games at Class-A Kane County and high Class-A Stockton last year. He hit .315 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 27 games this fall in Arizona, a league filled with young talent.
Desme went into the AFL championship game well aware it might be the last time he ever played. “There was no sad feeling,” he said. He homered and struck out twice, which “defines my career a bit.”

The Big West Player of the Year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Desme was ranked as Oakland’s No. 8 prospect by Baseball America. There was speculation the Athletics might invite Desme to big league spring training next month.
Rather, Desme intends to enter a seminary in Silverado, Calif., in August. He said abbey members didn’t seem surprised someone who would “define myself as a baseball player” was changing his life so dramatically.

Desme said he didn’t consider pursuing his spiritual studies while also trying to play ball. His family backed his decision and he said the positive reaction to his future goal—the surprising news spread quickly over the Internet—was “inspiring.”
“It’s about a 10-year process,” he said. “I desire and hope I become a priest.” In a way, he added, it’s like “re-entering the minor leagues.”

Desme’s first two years in the minors were beset by shoulder and wrist problems. He said his days off the field gave him time to think about what was most important to him, to read and study the Bible and to talk to teammates about his faith.
In retrospect, he said, those injuries were “the biggest blessings God ever gave me.”

[Wahoo1324]

Okay well now this is interesting...

Yahoo! Sports: Top Athletics prospect retires to enter priesthood

As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might’ve gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.

Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
“I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things,” the 23-year-old Desme said. “I wasn’t at peace with where I was at.”

A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A’s when he told them Thursday night.
General manager Billy Beane “was understanding and supportive,” Desme said, but the decision “sort of knocked him off his horse.” After the talk, Desme felt “a great amount of peace.”
“I love the game, but I aspire to higher things,” he said. “I know I have no regrets.”

Athletes and the priesthood have overlapped, albeit rarely.
Al Travers, who gave up 24 runs during a one-game career for a makeshift Detroit Tigers team in 1912, became a Catholic priest. More recently, Chase Hilgenbrinck of the New England Revolution left Major League Soccer in 2008 to enter a seminary.

Desme spoke on a conference call for about 10 minutes in a quiet, even tone, hardly sounding like many gung-ho, on-the-rise ballplayers. As for his success in the minors, he said “all of it is very undeserving.”
The Athletics picked Desme in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft and he was starting to blossom. He was the only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season.

Desme batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBIs and 40 steals in 131 games at Class-A Kane County and high Class-A Stockton last year. He hit .315 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 27 games this fall in Arizona, a league filled with young talent.
Desme went into the AFL championship game well aware it might be the last time he ever played. “There was no sad feeling,” he said. He homered and struck out twice, which “defines my career a bit.”

The Big West Player of the Year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Desme was ranked as Oakland’s No. 8 prospect by Baseball America. There was speculation the Athletics might invite Desme to big league spring training next month.
Rather, Desme intends to enter a seminary in Silverado, Calif., in August. He said abbey members didn’t seem surprised someone who would “define myself as a baseball player” was changing his life so dramatically.

Desme said he didn’t consider pursuing his spiritual studies while also trying to play ball. His family backed his decision and he said the positive reaction to his future goal—the surprising news spread quickly over the Internet—was “inspiring.”
“It’s about a 10-year process,” he said. “I desire and hope I become a priest.” In a way, he added, it’s like “re-entering the minor leagues.”

Desme’s first two years in the minors were beset by shoulder and wrist problems. He said his days off the field gave him time to think about what was most important to him, to read and study the Bible and to talk to teammates about his faith.
In retrospect, he said, those injuries were “the biggest blessings God ever gave me.”

Wow. They got screwed.

[TribefanstuckinMA]

God-1, Oakland A's-0

[Dnthateonthepronk]

to each their own I guess

[Wahoo1324]

Now he's on the Angels roster.

Get it? Angels...Priests? Never mind.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

Now he's on the Angels roster.

Get it? Angels...Priests? Never mind.

[Hope]

Twins and Jim Thome agree to 1-year deal, $1.5M deal

Jim Thome has hit 57 of his 564 career home runs against the Minnesota Twins.
Now it's time to even it out a little.

Thome and the Twins agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, allowing the 39-year-old slugger to return to the division he knows well and play for a contender with his time in baseball winding down.
Even though he'll be more of a bench player than the middle-of-the-lineup-force he's been for 19 seasons, Thome was eager to join one of his longtime rivals.
"They were really excited about me coming there, so to me it was a no-brainer," Thome said on a conference call with local reporters. "I've always enjoyed the way they play and how they go about their business. To be a part of that will be a lot of fun to go there and help them win."

Jason Kubel is coming off a career-best season as the regular designated hitter, and the Twins are committed to Delmon Young as their left fielder. Justin Morneau is entrenched at first base.
So Thome will be used primarily as a pinch-hitter and a part-time DH, when Kubel needs a break or plays in the field. Kubel can move to right field, too, when Michael Cuddyer gets a day off or fills in at first for Morneau. Manager Ron Gardenhire didn't rule out occasional starts at first for Thome, either.
"We play 'em all. Everybody's going to get at-bats," Gardenhire said.

The deal, which includes performance bonuses, is pending a physical exam.
Thome has fought back problems throughout his career, and his production has dipped in recent years after hitting 42 homers with 109 RBIs for the Chicago White Sox in 2006. Still, he'll be remembered as one of the best sluggers of his generation, and one of the few who wasn't found guilty of steroid use.
"We just signed a guy that's going to be in the Hall of Fame, and it doesn't get much better than that," Gardenhire said. "He's going to let it fly, and if he hits it it's going to hurt somebody."

Thome played for the Cleveland Indians for his first 12 years, topping out at 52 homers in 2002 before spending three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He then came to the White Sox, who traded him to the Dodgers on Aug. 31. He saw limited action in Los Angeles.
Thome was interested in returning to Chicago, and also considering an offer from the Tampa Bay Rays, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen recently told Thome he wouldn't get enough at-bats to justify a return.
Gardenhire's sales pitch was what pushed him to Minnesota.
"Is my ability what it was at, say, 25 or 30 years old? Probably not, but I like to compete. I like to go out and play the game hard," Thome said. "That's why this is a great fit."

Thome's career batting average is .277. The five-time All-Star only had a total of 362 at-bats last year.
"I don't expect him to come off the bench and be a .400 hitter. I expect him to come off the bench and be a threat," Gardenhire said. "He looks like stinkin' Babe Ruth. He swings like Babe Ruth. We've seen too many fly against us. Now let's see some fly for us."

[Hope]

Former Cleveland Indian Ryan Garko agrees to one-year deal with Seattle Mariners

SEATTLE — Former Indian Ryan Garko and the Mariners have agreed to a $550,000, one-year contract, as Seattle tries to address its need for a right-handed hitter.
Terms of the contract obtained Monday by The Associated Press show the 29-year-old first baseman and designated hitter could nearly double his salary, to $1,075,000, if he becomes a regular for Seattle with 600 plate appearances.

Garko would earn up to an additional $25,000 each for 325, 350 and 375 plate appearances this season. The former Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants player would get $50,000 apiece for 425, 450 and 475 plate appearances, and $100,000 each for 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances.

His career high in plate appearances is 563 with the Indians in 2008, when he hit .273 with 14 homers and a career-best 90 RBIs.
Cleveland traded him to the Giants last July. He had just 12 RBIs in 40 games with San Francisco.

[Hope]

Yahoo! Sports: Mariners’ Lee has minor foot surgery

SEATTLE (AP)—Cliff Lee’s first spring training with the Seattle Mariners is off to a slow start already.

Lee is recovering from minor foot surgery and will be limited when pitchers and catchers report to Seattle’s camp in Arizona this month.

“We decided Lee should have the surgery as soon as possible, rather than try to pitch with the discomfort during the year,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a release Monday. “To get it out of the way and have it behind us is important.”

Seattle’s biggest acquisition during its splashy winter had surgery Friday in his native Arkansas to remove a bone spur that broke loose and was floating in his left foot.

Lee’s foot is not in a cast, and he is continuing his upper-body exercise program. The Mariners said the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner will “gradually return to all normal baseball activities” over the next two to three weeks.

Zduriencik acquired Lee from Philadelphia in a complicated four-team deal that gave Seattle one of baseball’s best pair of aces, along with 2009 AL Cy Young Award runner-up Felix Hernandez.

Lee went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA for the Phillies after he was acquired from Cleveland on July 29. He was even better in the playoffs, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts and earning both of Philadelphia’s wins in the World Series against the Yankees.

The 31-year-old left-hander has one year and $9 million remaining on his contract.

Seattle’s first workout for pitchers and catchers is Feb. 18 in Peoria, Ariz.

[Hope]

V-Mart wants long career in Boston Catcher open to signing long-term deal before season

Most players look forward to the time when they accumulate the amount of service time necessary to become free agents and test the open market. Even though he's one of the premier catchers in the game, Red Sox backstop Victor Martinez prefers stability.

In a recent interview with The Boston Herald, Martinez said he wants to remain in Boston, and he doesn't really care for free agency, which will he will be eligible for after the 2010 season -- unless he and the Red Sox come to an agreement earlier.

"I don't want to be jumping around. I don't want to go somewhere else," Martinez told the Herald from Orlando, Fla., in a story that was published Monday. "First, I didn't want to go out of the Indians organization. Then I'm out, and now I'm here. I came to the place where a lot of players dream to come, and a lot of players wish to play here in Boston. So I'm here, I do really want to stay here and hopefully end my career in Boston."

Martinez, acquired from the Indians before the 2009 Trade Deadline, will make $7 million in the final season of a six-year deal he signed in '05. Although he wants to stay in Boston, the 31-year-old switch-hitter told the Herald he doesn't want to negotiate an extension once the Red Sox close up shop in Fort Myers, Fla.

"As soon as the season starts, I don't want to be talking about numbers or be talking about something that can distract me from the game and distract my teammates," Martinez said. "That's the last thing I want with this great team they've put together. Maybe, who knows, they come to me in Spring Training with something.

"Honestly, I'm all open now until the season starts. As soon as the season starts, I barely talk to my mom."

Martinez batted .336 with eight homers and 41 RBIs during the last 56 games of the 2009 season after being acquired by the Red Sox for Justin Masterson and two pitching prospects: Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price. The Venezuela native spent the better part of his eight big league years with the Indians and has compiled a .299 batting average with a .372 on-base percentage and 111 home runs in his career.

But the three-time All-Star is slated to become a free agent with another well-regarded catcher, Joe Mauer, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player. Mauer seems likely to stay with the Twins long-term, but Martinez understands that the Red Sox might want to keep the possibility of acquiring Mauer open.

"Obviously, teams are going to go after Joe -- why not?" Martinez told the Herald. "But it's something that doesn't bother me. He's No. 1; he's the man right now.

"Maybe [the Red Sox] want to see me play a full year as catcher, but remember: My whole career is as a catcher. Everything I've done is as a catcher. If they want to see it, they're going to see it, I've got nothing against that."

The Red Sox will definitely see it during the 2010 season, and it will come at the expense of relegating longtime captain Jason Varitek to backup duties. Although Martinez went to the Red Sox to fill Varitek's shoes, Martinez told the Herald that Varitek was actually one of the guys who helped make the Cleveland-to-Boston transition an easy one last summer.

"I got more comfortable with the pitching staff because of him," Martinez said. "He was a guy who came to me and said, 'If this guy struggles, call this pitch, that will relax him a little bit.' Man, he was great."

[Hope]

Yahoo! Sports: Ex-pitcher Jim Bibby dies; won ’79 World Series

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP)—Former major league pitcher Jim Bibby has died. He was 65.

Community Funeral Home in Lynchburg said Wednesday that Bibby died Tuesday night at Lynchburg General Hospital. The cause was not disclosed. The family asked for privacy but said a statement would be released later.

Bibby played 12 years in the majors and pitched the first no-hitter in Texas Rangers history, beating Oakland 6-0 in 1973. He was a member of the Pittsburgh team that won the 1979 World Series, starting two games against Baltimore— including the deciding seventh game.

He also played for St. Louis and Cleveland during his major league years from 1972 to 1984.

[Hope]

I find this to personally be a good idea, the fact that they are just thinking of it is odd.

Yahoo! Sports: MLB bans guns from clubhouses

NEW YORK (AP)—Major League Baseball has a new message for players and employees this spring training: Keep guns, long knives and explosives out of the clubhouse.

Signs have been placed in spring training locker rooms stating “individuals are prohibited from possessing deadly weapons while performing any services for MLB.” The rules apply to employees of the commissioner’s office, other central baseball businesses and to teams, including players.

A baseball official said MLB developed the rules last year after former NFL star Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself, which led to a two-year prison sentence. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because comments weren’t authorized.

Guns became a controversy in the NBA this season, when Washington guard Gilbert Arenas was suspended indefinitely without pay by commissioner David Stern. Arenas brought guns to the Verizon Center; the NBA labor contract bans weapons at league facilities.

New baseball players’ association head Michael Weiner said the rules were put in place last season but the signs were not posted until now.

“The commissioner’s office negotiated the policy with the union, as it applies to players,” he said. “The content of the notice itself was not agreed to by the union.”

Titled “Major League Baseball’s Weapon-Free Workplace Policy,” it says MLB “shall prohibit the possession or use of deadly weapons in any facility or venue owned, operated, or controlled by it.” Included are “firearms, explosives, daggers, metal knuckles, switchblade knives, and knives having blades exceeding 5 inches.”

Security and law enforcement are excluded, and possession in parking lots is allowed if protected by local laws. Major League Baseball said it is allowed to grant exceptions.

AP freelance writer Mark Didtler in Tampa, Fla., contributed to this report.

[TribefanstuckinMA]

Baseball isn't exactly an urban sport like B-ball, or seem to attract the same kind of characters as the NFL (see: Bengals) but I suppose it's good to have the info right in front of the guys as a reminder instead of hidden away in some filed contract. Too bad life in general has gotten to the point where we all need to be reminded to act civil.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

YOU TELLING ME I CANT ACT CIVIL...*CLICK* *CLICK*

[Hope]

All three Stories Via Yahoo Sports!:

Twins closer Nathan has ligament tear in elbow

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—The Minnesota Twins suddenly have a glaring concern about closing games for the first time since Joe Nathan took over in 2004.

Tests on Nathan’s right throwing elbow have revealed a significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery. Nathan’s 246 saves over six seasons are the most in the majors during that span.

The Twins shared the grim news on Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla., before their exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals. General manager Bill Smith said the plan is to first give Nathan time to let soreness and swelling subside, and build strength in the muscles around the joint, before a final decision about surgery.

For More Click Here

Johnson homers twice, Sabathia rocked by Pirates

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Nick Johnson is working on a new hitting philosophy this spring. CC Sabathia is trying to refine his pitching motion.
Their results couldn’t have been more dissimilar Tuesday.

Johnson pulled homers to right in each of his at-bats, while Sabathia was rocked for five runs in two-plus innings in the New York Yankees’ 12-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“Terrible. Location was bad. Collapsing on the backside,” Sabathia said. “Still struggling with my delivery. I guess it’s going to take a while. Just try to get better.”

For more Click Here

Yankees executive charged with DUI in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—A top New York Yankees executive was charged with driving under the influence in Tampa.

Hillsborough County Jail reports show that Mark Newman, the Yankees’ senior vice president of baseball operations, was arrested Monday night. He reportedly refused to take a blood-alcohol test. He was released several hours later on $500 bail.

The Yankees released a statement Tuesday night saying the team is taking the situation seriously and is looking into the matter.

Newman did not respond to a message left on his cell phone by The Associated Press.

Jail records did not list an attorney.

[Hope]

Here's Cliff: Cliff Lee, another part of last year's exodus from Progressive Field, will make his Cactus League debut Wednesday for Seattle when he faces Texas. Lee, traded twice in just over three months, had minor surgery on his left foot.

The Indians traded Lee, their 2008 Cy Young winner, to the Phillies on July 29. He went 4-0 in the postseason, including a 2-0 record in the World Series, but was traded to Seattle.

The Phillies didn't think they could get a deal done with Lee, a free agent at the end of the 2010 season, and sent him to Seattle on Dec. 16. In the meantime they were busy acquiring Roy Halladay from Toronto.

"It's pretty obvious what happened," said Lee. "They had a deal worked out with Halladay. To get him, they felt they needed to get rid of me."

Instead of Lee teaming with Halladay in Philadelphia, he'll follow Felix Hernandez to the mound in Seattle. Hernandez won 19 games last year.

Safeco Field should favor Lee, a fly-ball pitcher.

"It's a pitcher's park, but you still have to make your pitches," said Lee. "If you don't make good pitches, you're going to get hit around."

Lee went 7-4 in the NL following the trade. He won his first five decisions.

"Facing the pitcher every nine batters definitely makes it easier," said Lee, when asked about pitching in the NL. "Especially when the pitcher is hitting where the DH would be. It's a difference maker."

[Wahoo1324]

Sabathia rocked by Pirates

Yesssssssss!

Why do I feel different about CC than I do Cliff?

[Wahoo1324]

I guess.....Cliff will probably take big bucks soon though....

Oh, never mind, I remember, its because he won the Yankees a World Series in the playoffs after screwing us and laughing about it.

Temporarily memory loss. Now I know how it feels to be Tribefan....

Did I say that out loud?

[Wahoo1324]

Just kidding.

[TribefanstuckinMA]

That's OK, boys. I'm laughing...on the outside AND inside! Besides, I think the "memory issue" is more wine induced than old age.

The reason I'M glad to see CC get creamed (and wouldn't feel as happy about Cliff) is because CC just didn't get 'er done when we really, REALLY had a chance to go on to the World Series in 2007. Lost both his starts against the Red Sux. Got rocked in that first game, giving up eight (eight!) runs in only 4.1 innings. *gack* I admire Cliff, being sent down and having to work on his form and then coming back and being rock-solid. Good for him. HE's the one who should be getting big bucks, not Choke-Choke.

[shamwow_imitator]

I'd actually be shocked if Cliff doesn't end up in the Big Apple next year...with the Bankees. Andy Pettite is like what, 100 years old? NY will try and squeeze another year out of the HGH-taking Lefty and replace him with Lee in 2011. I just threw-up in my mouth a little

[Hope]

Yahoo! Sports: Cubs GM Hendry lashes out at OF Milton Bradley

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry says Milton Bradley should stop blaming the team, manager and fans for his failure to produce during his tumultuous season in Chicago.

“I think it’s time maybe Milton looked himself in the mirror,” an agitated Hendry said Wednesday in response to Bradley’s latest charges that he was mistreated by the Cubs.

“He just didn’t swing the bat,” Hendry said. “He didn’t get the job done. It’s really unfortunate that you … try to use the other areas for excuses.”

Hendry said signing Bradley to a three-year, $30 million contract before last season was “a mistake.” He added the atmosphere of the entire organization has improved since the outfielder was traded to Seattle in December. Several players have said clubhouse chemistry has improved.

Bradley, who batted .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs last season, was regularly booed at Wrigley Field. He told ESPN in an interview that aired Tuesday that he was fearful of racist fans in Chicago and was “a prisoner in my own home.”

Bradley said Chicago was a difficult place for black players “unless you’re Superman, you’re Andre Dawson, you’re Ernie Banks, you’re in the Hall of Fame.”

He also said manager Lou Piniella should have apologized in front of the team instead of in private for a disparaging remark Piniella made during a game in June.

“I apologized to Milton,” Piniella said Wednesday. “I did the best I could. I’m human like everybody else. I bent over backward to make it as comfortable as I possibly could.

“I don’t know why we’re revisiting these things. I’m very pleased with the personnel we have here, with the chemistry we have here, and I’m looking forward to a really good season.”

Bradley refused to take any questions after he departed Seattle’s spring game against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

The Cubs, who won 97 games and the NL Central title in 2008, went 83-78 and missed the playoffs in 2009. Hendry suspended Bradley for last season’s final two weeks after a verbal altercation with hitting coach Von Joshua.

Asked by ESPN if some of the hate mail he received while in Chicago might have come from within the organization, Bradley said: “I would hope not. Who knows? I don’t know.”

Hendry said the notion was “absolutely ridiculous.” In his numerous discussions with Bradley last season, the GM said the player never once voiced concerns about hate mail from within.

Bradley said that one of the few times he ventured out into the city, he was at a restaurant and overheard “a guy badmouthing myself and (Alfonso) Soriano, saying how bad we were … and that we should go back to the ghetto we came from.”

Soriano, a Dominican in his fourth season with the Cubs after signing a $136 million contract, has been booed at games when he’s struggled but otherwise said he hasn’t been confronted by fans.

Soriano criticized Bradley several times last season and said Wednesday his ex-teammate should stop talking about the Cubs.

“You can’t bring the past back to the present,” Soriano said. “Move on. 2010 is here.”

Ryan Dempster, a white pitcher, was booed mercilessly when he was blowing saves as the closer in 2007. As a successful starter the last two years, he has become a fan favorite.

“They’re fans. They pay for their tickets and have every right to boo,” Dempster said. “At the same time, they love their Cubs and they’re very forgiving people. They just want you to do well because if you’re doing well, the team’s doing well.”

Although other recent black players such as LaTroy Hawkins and Jacque Jones said they felt uncomfortable at Wrigley Field, Hendry said the Cubs have a long history of being popular with players of all races and nationalities.

Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez recently told reporters they hope to sign new contracts with the Cubs. Hendry also noted that new Cubs Marlon Byrd and Kevin Millar have the same agent as Bradley. Lee and Byrd are black, Ramirez is Latino and Millar is white.

Byrd said he talked at length with Bradley, a good friend, before signing a three-year contract. Byrd nonetheless said he expects to have a great time in Chicago.

[Hope]

Yahoo! Sports: Hunter says black Latino players are ‘impostors’

PHOENIX (AP)—Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter insists he meant no harm toward Latino players when he referred to them as “impostors” while discussing the number of African-Americans in the major leagues.

Hunter’s original comments were made two weeks ago in one of a series of USA Today roundtables about baseball and published in Wednesday’s editions.

“What troubles me most was the word “impostors” appearing in reference to Latin American players not being black players. It was the wrong word choice, and it definitely doesn’t accurately reflect how I feel and who I am,” Hunter posted on his Angels-sponsored blog Wednesday afternoon.

“What I meant was they’re not black players; they’re Latin American players. There is a difference culturally. But on the field, we’re all brothers, no matter where we come from, and that’s something I’ve always taken pride in: treating everybody the same, whether he’s a superstar or a young kid breaking into the game. Where he was born and raised makes no difference.”

Hunter has long been known as one of baseball’s sincere, good guys.

In the blog post, he added: “I am hurt by how the comments attributed to me went off the track and misrepresented how I feel. My whole identity has been about bringing people together, from my neighborhood to the clubhouse. The point I was trying to make was that there is a difference between black players coming from American neighborhoods and players from Latin America. In the clubhouse, there is no difference at all. We’re all the same.

“We all come from different places and backgrounds. Coming from Pine Bluff, Ark., my hometown, is no different than being a kid from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. We all share the common bond of a love of baseball, and it pulls us together on the field and in the clubhouse,” he wrote.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the article’s author, said he spoke by phone with Hunter for 30 minutes Wednesday after Hunter’s blog update was posted.

“He said: ‘I’m not going to apologize. I told the truth. I’m sorry if I used the wrong choice of words, but impostor is not a racist word,”’ Nightengale said. “He’s more upset by the reaction to the story.”

In the report, Hunter was quoted as saying: “People see dark faces out there, and the perception is that they’re African-American. They’re not us. They’re impostors. Even people I know come up and say: ‘Hey, what color is Vladimir Guerrero? Is he a black player?’ I say, ‘Come on, he’s Dominican. He’s not black.’ …

“As African-American players, we have a theory that baseball can go get an imitator and pass them off as us. It’s like they had to get some kind of dark faces, so they go to the Dominican or Venezuela because you can get them cheaper. It’s like, ‘Why should I get this kid from the South Side of Chicago and have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5 million when you can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips?’ … I’m telling you, it’s sad,” he said.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, a Venezuelan, scoffed at Hunter’s remarks before Wednesday’s game against the Oakland Athletics. Angels spokesman Eric Kay said Hunter will not further discuss the subject.

“I was laughing because when he said, `They go there and sign for potato chips,’ I said, `Well, we’ve got Chapman. They gave him $12 million. (Cincinnati actually agreed to a $30.25 million, six-year contract with pitcher Aroldis Chapman.) We’ve got (prospect Dayan) Viciedo. They gave him $10 million. I remember in my time, one scout goes (to Venezuela and) 30 players show up. Now, 30 scouts go there and one player shows up. In our country, we play baseball. That’s no choice. Here you can play basketball, you can be another athlete, you can do so many things when you have the opportunity. And that’s why there’s not many (African-American) players out there.”

There has been some concern about the number of African-American baseball players. Many blacks are choosing to play other sports instead.

Black players accounted for 10.2 percent of major leaguers in 2008, the most since the 1995 season, according to the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports.

“I keep saying a lot of times, in 10 more years American people are going to need a visa to play this game because we’re going to take over. We’re going to,” Guillen said.

[Hope]

Another Broken Bat Scare, this time a player, they need to do something about this!

Yahoo! Sports: Rays top pick David Price injured by shattered bat

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Tampa Bay Rays prized left-hander David Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, left Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the second inning after being hit on the right hand by the barrel of a shattered bat.

With no outs and Kevin Youkilis on first base for the Red Sox, Adrian Beltre's bat splintered on a pitch from Price. The barrel headed toward the mound, where price deflected it with his non-pitching arm.

Price walked off the field with a towel wrapped around his right hand. According to team spokesman Rick Vaughn, Price had an abrasion on his right thumb and will not need stitches.

The Rays held a 1-0 lead at the time, but Youkilis and Beltre eventually scored in the inning, both runs being charged to Price.

Rays Site: Price likely to make next start - Lefty fine after being struck on glove hand by broken bat

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- David Price appeared to be back on track Thursday, a day after he put a major scare into the Rays.

Price left Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after getting struck on his glove hand with a broken bat, but Thursday the Rays left-hander appeared to be fine after suffering an abrasion to his right palm.

"My thumb and motion feel fine," Price said. "I think it's fine. Yesterday it was just real sore from all the stuff they did to it. They put on all that numbing stuff. [It was] a little sore yesterday because of that. But I played video games last night, shot pool."

And for the record, Price did not fare well against B.J. Upton.

"No, I did not have a good night in pool," Price said. "B.J. beat me in [the] FIFA 2010 [video game]. It was just a terrible day I guess."

Kevin Youkilis led off the Red Sox second on Wednesday with a comebacker toward Price for a single to center field. Adrian Beltre then broke his bat on a 2-1 fastball resulting in the barrel of the bat striking Price on his right hand. Price went down on the mound and immediately a contingent from the Rays' bench -- including manager Joe Maddon -- joined him. Jim Hickey was the last person to the mound, and the Rays pitching coach brought along a towel, which Price used to cover his hand as he left the game.

X-rays showed no breaks and stitches were not required.

Despite the setback, Maddon said Price should be on schedule for his next start, which will come Monday in a Minor League game.

"[Rays trainer] Ronnie [Porterfield] expects that he will be OK," Maddon said. "I'm not expecting him to miss any time. He should be on schedule."

Price, who went 10-7 with a 4.42 ERA in his rookie season with the Rays in 2009, was making his second start of the Grapefruit League season.

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MLB.com: Ejection abruptly ends Lee's second start - Benches clear after lefty, D-backs' Snyder exchange words

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Mariners lefty Cliff Lee's second start of the Spring Training schedule came to an abrupt ending Monday in the bottom of the third inning when he was ejected for throwing at D-backs catcher Chris Snyder in an incident that emptied both benches.

With two out and a runner on second base, Lee threw a pitch that sailed over the head of Snyder, who walked out of the batter's box toward Lee. Home-plate umpire Brian Knight immediately ejected Lee.

Both dugouts and bullpens emptied toward the mound, but no punches were thrown.

The incident appeared to be related to a confrontation between the two in the first inning, when Lee ran to cover home plate on a Chris Young RBI single and tripped over Snyder, prompting the two to exchange words.

The Mariners brought in reliever Shawn Kelley, who gave up an RBI double to Snyder. Lee exited the game after giving up four runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Yahoo! Sports: Mariners ace Lee ejected for throwing at Snyder

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)—Seattle Mariners ace Cliff Lee(notes) was ejected from a spring training game Monday against Arizona for throwing at Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder(notes).

With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Lee threw an inside pitch to Snyder, then tossed one just over the batter’s head.

Snyder walked toward the mound, and the dugouts and bullpens emptied. No punches were thrown.

Plate umpire Brian Knight tossed Lee but let Snyder stay in the game.

In the first inning, Lee tripped over Snyder while trying to back up a play at home plate. But the left-hander denied throwing at Snyder intentionally and said he wasn’t trying to retaliate.

“I was trying to go inside and a couple got away from me and the guy hitting got mad and came close to the mound and I got thrown out of the game in the process,” Lee said. “That’s it in a nutshell.”

Lee didn’t have much of an explanation for what happened in the first inning.

“I really don’t know. I wasn’t watching. All I know is I was just rolling on the ground, got knocked down,” he said.

Acquired from Philadelphia in a big trade this offseason, Lee was tagged for four runs and six hits before leaving the game. He said it was the first time he’d been thrown out of a spring training game.

Lee said he went to a field behind the stadium to throw another 15 pitches to complete what was supposed to be a four-inning outing.

[Wahoo1324]

With two out and a runner on second base, Lee threw a pitch that sailed over the head of Snyder, who walked out of the batter's box toward Lee.

They make it sound like he was thrown out because the guy got mad.

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Washington apologizes for cocaine use - Rangers skipper tested positive for drug during last season

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- At a press conference that was attended by almost all his players, Rangers manager Ron Washington apologized on Wednesday for using and testing positive for cocaine last summer.

Washington called it a one-time mistake, and the Rangers have accepted that. Washington offered to resign last season but the Rangers, after much deliberation, decided to keep him as their manager.

"I am here today to apologize for a huge mistake I made during the first half of the season in 2009," Washington said in a prepared statement. "I am not here to make excuses. There are none. I am not here to ask for sympathy. That would be asking too much.

"I fully understand I disappointed a lot of people ... I am truly sorry for my careless, dangerous and frankly, stupid, behavior last year. I made a huge mistake, and it almost caused me to lose everything I have worked for all my life."

Washington said that he used the drug one time and it's the only time he has used cocaine in his life. After doing so, he found out that he would been subject to a random drug test as part of Major League Baseball's testing program.

Washington told Major League Baseball that he would likely fail that test, and he did. He also spoke to club president Nolan Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels of his transgression. Washington and club officials declined to discuss the exact details of when the incident took place and what happened, only that it took place in the first half of the season.

No disciplinary action was taken by the Commissioner's Office or the organization. The Rangers, at the time, considered replacing him as manager but decided against making a change.

"We certainly had discussions about that," Ryan said. "He came forward and offered to resign. He understood the consequences and we had a lot of discussions and soul-searching, and we felt that we would treat him just as we would other employees through our Human Resources Department. We chose to do that because he was sincere and forthright. "

The Rangers are currently awaiting approval on the sale of the club to a group headed by Chuck Greenberg. But ultimately the decision to support Washington came from Ryan and Daniels.

"As far as our fans, we hope our fans understand we're very disappointed and upset we were put in this position," Ryan said. "But we felt because of Ron's sincerity, we wanted to move forward with him as our manager. We feel he is very capable."

Since the Mitchell Report came out two years ago, Major League managers, coaches and other clubhouse personnel can be randomly tested up to four times a year. This was the first time Washington tested positive for an illegal substance. While going through MLB's drug treatment program, he was tested three times a week.

Washington has recently completed the program and said he will continue to voluntarily undergo testing in the future to prove that this was a one-time incident.

"I will offer to submit to whatever Major League Baseball asks me to do," Washington said. "I don't think the circumstances are important. I take responsibility for what I did. Major League Baseball put me under a strenuous drug treatment program. The only one to blame is Ron Washington.

"You live and you learn. I almost lost everything. When that's put in front of you, you realize you've done stupid things."

Washington told his players about the situation in a meeting Wednesday morning when it became apparent that multiple news organizations were close to making the story public.

"It was well-received in here," third baseman Michael Young said. "As far as us players, we don't see it as an issue. He made a mistake, he admitted it, he talked to the team about it and he gave us an open door to ask any questions. From our standpoint, Wash is looked at the same way he was yesterday. It doesn't change anything.

"We understand why it's a story, but it's not going to affect how we prepare for the season or how Wash manages or how we look at him as a manager. The guys play hard for him and respect him, and we appreciate how he handled this."

After the team meeting, his players went out to a conference room beyond center field at Surprise Stadium to listen to Washington deliver his public apology at a press conference.

"The guy is heartbroken," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "This is a tough time in his life. If we can give him support, we will, and that was a time that he needed. We just felt it was the right thing to do."

"To see him break down in front of us hurt," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "We understand what he's going through. Everybody makes mistakes. We support him 100 percent and have his back."

Washington also spoke privately with a group of players who are considered team leaders. Among those was Josh Hamilton, who has gone through his own tribulations with drug abuse.

"It was a weak moment. He made a mistake and showed the man he is by not trying to hide it," Hamilton said. "It won't affect him as our manager. He knows what he has to do. I've never met anybody more prepared than he is. He has a way of capturing the players' attention and respect, and he does it well."

Washington, 57, was hired as the Rangers manager on Nov. 6, 2006 and enters his fourth season. The Rangers won 73 games in 2007, 79 in 2008 and were 87-75 last season. The club picked up his option for 2010 on June 8 of last season. His use of cocaine and subsequent positive testing occurred after that option was picked up.

Washington is unsigned beyond this season. Ryan admitted that last summer's incident is one factor, though not the only one, in Washington not being signed to an extension.

"Ron has been very honest with us and we are comfortable this situation is a one-time deal," Daniels said. "Obviously we asked a lot of tough questions. We have been optimistic all offseason and this spring about our team. We were aware of this but we still expect to have a good club and we still expect to win.

"We still believe in this team. We still feel very good about what we are building and where we are headed. Nothing has changed for our expectations this year on the field. We're going to get back to the business at hand of putting a team together."

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Cliff Lee suspended for 1st 5 games of season

NEW YORK (AP)—Seattle Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee has been suspended for the first five games of the regular season for throwing a pitch over the head of Arizona’s Chris Snyder in an exhibition game this week.

Lee is in his first season with Seattle. The former AL Cy Young winner was ejected from Monday’s game.

Major League Baseball vice president Bob Watson issued the suspension and a fine on Wednesday. If the players’ association appeals, the penalty would be delayed until after a hearing and a decision.

Mariners Official Press Release:

Pitcher Cliff Lee of the Seattle Mariners has received a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing a pitch in the head area of Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder during the third inning of Seattle's Spring Training game on Monday, March 15 at Tucson Electric Park in Tucson, Arizona. Bob Watson, Vice President of On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball, made the announcement.

Unless appealed, Lee is scheduled to begin serving his suspension on Opening Day, Monday, April 5. If appealed, Lee's suspension will be held in abeyance until the process is complete.

You can see the video Here