Tagged: Blue Jays
The Weekend in Baseball: Padres, Red Sox, Marlins
A busy last few days in baseball….
* The Red Sox traded Dustin Richardson to Florida for Andrew Miller. An interesting trade. Boston needs bullpen help and Richardson was supposed to be a candidate next season. However, Richardson did not have the greatest stint in Boston last year. The case with Miller is very different. Miller was the #6 overall pick in 2005 by Detroit, and traded to Florida for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. Boston likes to take chances on pitchers with potential, so maybe a diamond in the rough.
* Florida also traded Cameron Maybin to San Diego for two prospects. This may have been to make room for Mike Stanton long term in the outfield, and the fact Maybin really needed a change of scenery. I wonder how this affects a possible Adrian Gonzalez to Boston trade, as Jacoby Ellsbury was always rumored to be a centerpiece in that deal. With Maybin now, does that change the picture for San Diego?
* The Padres have been talking with the Brewers about prospect infielder Brett Lawrie. What is Milwaukee interested in that San Diego has? Probably not Gonzalez, seeing they already have Prince Fielder. You could also say Heath Bell, but Milwaukee seems comfortable with John Axford. Now you think of starting pitching. Who could the Padres give up for Lawrie. Clayton Richard? Keep your eyes on this.
* The Blue Jays are the favorites for Dan Uggla. First thought is why, seeing they have Aaron Hill. But then you think they may move him to third base as they consider non tendering Edwin Encarnacion. It would make sense for Toronto, but they would certainly have to give up some pitching, for Florida preferably bullpen. They’ve already acquired three young relievers this week, and Toronto has plenty of them. That would be an interesting infield for Toronto with Uggla, Yunel Escobar and Aaron Hill.
Opening Day Predictions
I made my before-Spring Training predictions, here are my Opening Day Season predictions. Plus, check out the player to watch feature which gives you a player to watch on each team during the reaguler season.
AL East Player to watch:
Boston Red Sox (Jacoby Ellsbury)
New York Yankees (Marcus Thames)
Tampa Bay Rays (Ben Zobrist)
Baltimore Orioles (Nolan Reimold)
Toronto Blue Jays (Adam Lind)
AL Central
Minnesota Twins (Orlando Hudson)
Chicago White Sox (Jake Peavy)
Kansas City Royals (Rick Ankeil)
Detroit Tigers (Austin Jackson)
Cleveland Indians (Micheal Brantly)
AL West
Seattle Mariners (Chone Figgins)
Anaheim Angels (Kendry Morales)
Texas Rangers (Neftali Feliz)
Oakland Athletics (Brett Anderson)
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies (Jayson Werth)
Atlanta Braves (Jason Heyward)
Florida Marlins (Mike Stanton)
Washington Nationals (Nyjer Morgan)
New York Mets (Kiko Calero)
NL Central
St.Louis Cardinals (Colby Rasmus)
Chicago Cubs (Randy Wells)
Cincinatti Reds (Aroldis Chapman)
Milwakee Brewers (Alcades Escobar)
Houston Astros (Hunter Pence)
Pittsburgh Pirates (Garrett Jones)
NL West
Colorado Rockies (Jason Hammel)
Los Angeles Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw)
San Fransisco Giants (Madison Bumgarner)
Arizona D-backs (Justin Upton)
San Diego Padres (Clayton Richard)
AL MVP
1. Evan Longoria
2. Joe Mauer
3. Kendry Morales
NL MVP
1. Albert Pujols
2. Chase Utley
3. Ryan Braun
AL Cy Young
1. Jon Lester
2. Cliff Lee
3. Zack Greinke
NL Cy Young
1. Roy Halladay
2. Chris Carpenter
3. Tim Lincecum
AL ROY
1. Brain Matusz
2. Austin Jackson
3. Desmond Jennings
NL ROY
1. Jason Heyward
2. Mike Stanton
3. Madison Bumgarner
AL MOY
1. Don Wakamtsu
2. Ron Gardenhire
3. Joe Maddon
NL MOY
1. Bobby Cox
2. Tony LaRusa
3. Freddi Gonzalez
AL Comeback Player
Andruw Jones
NL Comeback Player
Manny Rameriz
Wild Cards:
Yankees
Braves
Those are my predicitions. My Internationl League predictions will be sometime next week.
Mailbag and Recap, all in one!
Multi-tasking!
Q: Do you think the Red Sox will be as good as last year?
– Bree (via BBS.com)
A: Better. I love the Red Sox’s depth, more than any other team. If a guy like Ellsbury or Youkilis goes down the Sox are still a playoff contender. If Evan Longoria or Carl Crawford go out, forget about it. The pitching is by far thye best, and the offense is as good as anyone, (except New York) in my opinion.
Q: Could Mark Savard be having a more unlucky year ???
Greg
A: Probally not. It’s too bad the Bruins did not retailiate on Cooke Thursday night, they should have. This hurts the Bruins so much, who I think have been playing great. The Bergeron-Recchi-Sturm line is fantastic, and Blake Wheeler looks like he did at the begining of last season. If they had Savard, I could see a serious playoff run. But things look much more bleak now. The NHL is making a new head-shots rule, but it might be too little too late. The hit on Seabrook of Chicago was horrible, as well as Ovechikin’s on Campbell (ironic name).
Friday Recap:
The Celtics beat the Rockets, 94-87. Pierce had 26 points. The Celtics take on the Mavericks tonight in Dallas at 9pm.
The Red Sox lost to the Pirates, 9-7. I was at this game, right behind the on-deck circle. I got autographs from Chuck Tanner and Ron Johnson. David Ortiz hit a two run shot off Paul Maholm. I am in Dunedin tomorrow to see the Sox take on the Jays,
The Flames beat the Sharks, 4-3. The Sharks scored twice in the final two minutes, but the Flames held on to stay tied for the eight seed with Detroit.
The Oilers beat the Redwings, 3-2. Detroit remains in the playoffs by gaining the point in the SO, with the Flames still behind them. Deven Dubynk got his first career win in net for Edmonton.
News and Notes: Yesterday on WEEI’s Dale and Holley, the Bruins Shawn Thornton said he would have liked to knock out Cooke in their fight. I would have liked that too, Shawn.
Ryan Westmoreland has been moved from ICU to NRU in his recovery from brain surgery.
The Red Sox signed Alan Embree.
10 Thoughts: Yankees
I thought I would continue my 10 thoughts series with the hated Yankees. Don’t worry, I’ll go back to Boston teams soon with the Celtics.
10 Thoughts: Yankees
Thought #1: Prediction: Javier Vazquez does not even make the Yankees postseason rotation.
Thought #2: Notice how I just assume they are in the postseason?
Thought #3: As I stated before. Randy Winn…. Wow
Thought #4: It makes me laugh every time I read about the “Joba rules”. It is so stupid. Why does he have to have certain rules? He’s a pitcher, just like CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Phil Hughes.
Thought #5: So the Yankees finally gave up on Ian Kennady. About time. Kei Igawa is next.
Thought #6: Is Nick Swisher their starting RF? He had a good season in 2009, but I would not expect a repeat of that. Amazing, most of his HRs came on the road!
Thought #7: AJ Burnett has a sick curveball. I sat behind the plate at a Red Sox-Jays game in 2008, and wow does he have a curve!
Thought #8: I was so bummed when the Yankees got Granderson. He is such a good player. They gave up Jackson, their top prospect, but Granderson is damn good!
Thought #9: Fun fact: The Yankees top prospect is C Jesus Montero.
Thought #10: I hate the Yankees.
10 Thoughts: Red Sox
Thought #1: I love the offense. It is so deep at the bottom of the order. When you have JD Drew batting eighth, you are in good shape.
Thought #2: The Red Sox signed a guy named Boof. That can’t be a good thing.
Thought #3: I am exited about the personality on the team this year. Adding a guy like John Lackey is very helpfull for that. The team is too boring, with Ellsbury, Drew, Lester, etc. Now you have personalites like Pedroia, Ortiz, Papelbon, Lackey. They need that, I think.
Thought #4: The Washington Nationals will have a better record than the New York Mets. They have better pitching, other than Santana, but he’s injury prone anyways.
Thought #5: The Orioles will be out of the cellar this season. The Blue Jays will take their place.
Thought #6: Daniel Bard is changing his number from 60 to 51. I don’t get why. I can understand Ellsbury with 46 and 2, that is a drastic difference. But 51? Really? Is that any better than 60? Fun fact: The last Red Sox player to wear #51 was Enrique Gonzalez.
Thought #7: I like Tim Wakefield’s competitive attitude. He expects to start the season in the rotation, and we all know that’s not happening. But I love the competitvness.
Thought #8: I can not believe that Randy Winn is the starting LF for the Yankees.
Thought #9: It is kind of weird having Lackey, though. I always hated him when he was with the Angels. He was always an annoying loudmouth when it came to the Red Sox. And he nearly no-hit them, which is one of my worst fears. So it’s odd rooting for him, but I’m fine with it.
Thought #10: I can’t think of anything else, so go to BestBostonSports.com for Red Sox coverage all season! Spring Training game preveiws are already up!
MLB News and Rumors-12/5
Here ar today’s news and rumors to fill your time while waiting for Florida-Alabama…
- The Yankees are rumored to possibly cut payroll to $185 mm (Cut?). Of course, rumors are now swirling of a possible Roy Halladay trade. If Halladay where to be traded, I personally can see a trade to New York of Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Melky Cabrera, and Jesus Montero, possibly Austin Jackson. What do you think?
- The Seattle Mariners are on the verge of signing Chone Figgins, a sign that they will not resign Adrian Beltre. But with this signing, could they possibly not be able to afford Jason Bay? As a Sox fan, hopefully.
- Yesterday Brad Penny turned down a one year offer from the Giants. Dumb. He needs to stay in the NL, he cannot pitch in the AL (Trust me, i would know).
- The Red Sox signed Marco Scutaro yesterday. I like the move seeing Scutaro can catch a ball. Thrown right at him. Seeing the other options, that’s acceptable. Now sign J-Bay.
Type A’s and B;s
Here is all the type A and B players, who can be offered Arbitration today.
Type As: Bengie Molina SFG Billy Wagner BOS Chone Figgins LAA Darren Oliver LAA Jason Bay BOS Jermaine Dye CWS John Lackey LAA Johnny Damon NYY Jose Valverade HOU Kevin Gregg CHC LaTroy Hawkins HOU Marco Scutaro TOR Randy Wolf LAD Matt Holliday STL Miguel Tejada HOU Mike Gonzalez ATL Octavio Dotel CWS Orlando Cabrera MIN Orlando Hudson LAD Placido Polonco DET Rafeal Betancourt COL Rafeal Soriano ATL
Type Bs: Adam LaRouche PIT Adrian Beltre SEA Andy Pettitte NYY Bob Howry SFG Brandon Looper MIL Brandon Lyon DET Brain Giles SDP Brain Shouse TBR Carl Pavano MIN Carlos Delgado NYM Chan Ho Park PHI David Weathers MIL Doug Brocail HOU Doug Davis ARI Erik Bedard SEA Felipe Lopez MIL Fernando Rodney DET Fernando Tatis NYM Garret Anderson ATL Greg Zaun TBR Ivan Rodriguez TEX Jason Kendell MIL Jason Marquis COL Joe Beimial COL Joel Pinero STL Jon Garland LAD Justin Duchester OAK Mark DeRosa STL Marlon Byrd TEX MFelvin Mora BAL Miguel Olivo KCR Mike Cameron SEA Nick Johnson FLA Randy Johnson SFG Randy Winn SFG RIch Harden CHC Rod Barjas TOR Ronnie Belliard LAD Russ Springer TBR Scott Eyre PHI Tory Glaus STL Vincente Padilla LAD Vladimir Gurerro LAA Xavier Nady NYY Yorvit Torrealba COL
Highest Paid Players in Baseball
First thought is Yankees, right? Right.
Alex Rodriguez NYY $275,000,000
Derek Jeter NYY $189,000,000
Mark Teixeira NYY $180,000,000
CC Sabathia NYY $161,000,000
No shockers there. But you may not know the rest of them.
Miguel Cabrera DET $152,300,000
Todd Helton COL $141,500,000
Johan Sanatna NYM $137,500,000
Alfonso Soriano CHC $136,000,000
Vernon Wells TOR $126,000,000
Barry Zito SFG $126,000,000
Carlos Beltran NYM $119,000,000
Intersting names, huh? Also interesting that there are no Red Sox up here. What that tells me, is that the Red Sox do not pay for big time names, and the Yankees do. And that’s why they are World Champs.
MLB News and Rumors-11/28
- Marco Scutaro says he would prefer to sign with the Red Sox or Dodgers, beacause he wants to play either SS or 2B. the Mariners and Rangers want to use him at third base. Interesting Texas would want him, with Micheal Young. “Boston is interested, like the Dodgers, Seattle and Texas,” Scutaro said. “They have just called to say they have interest, but they haven’t made an offer yet.
“The Dodgers want me to play second base, shortstop in Boston, and there are other teams who have called to play third. Although not close the doors, I would rather be between short and second.” - Bud Selig has said he will retire after the 2012 season.
- Yesterday we learned the Marlins may be willing to deal Josh Johnson.
- Roy Halladay would aprove a deal to the Yankees.
- The Tigers are looking to trade Edwin Jackson.
MLB Off-Season Moves
Here is every off-season transaction so far. I will update this for every transaction.
Red Sox
Traded Hunter Jones and Jose Alverez for Jeremy Hermida
Declined Alex Gonzalez’s option
Re-signed Tim Wakefield
Picked up Victor Martinez’s option
Declined Jason Varitek’s option
Signed Marco Scutaro
Rays
Re-signed Gabe Kapler
Traded Akonori Iwamora for Jessse Chavez
Picked up Carl Crawford’s option
Declined Gregg Zaun’s option
Declined Brian Shouse’s option
Traded for Kelly Shoppach
Athletics
Aquired Jake Fox and Aaron Miles
Angels
Re-signed Bobby Abreu
Astros
Re-signed Geoff Blum
Declined Doug Brocial’s option
Blue Jays
Claimed Jarret Hoffpauer off waivers
Claimed Sean Henn off waivers
Lost Joe Inglett to waivers
Signed Alex Gonzalez
Brewers
Traded JJ Hardy for Carlos Gomez
Signed Greg Zaun
Braves
Signed Scott Procter
Extended Tim Hudson
Signed Billy Wagner
Signed Takashi Saito
Diamondbacks
Picked up Brandon Webb’s option
Declined Chad Tracey’s option
Dodgers
Declined Jon Garland’s option
Manny Rameriz picks up his player option
Giants
Re-signed Freddy Sanchez
Mariners
Claimed Yusmiero Petitt off waivers
Extended Jack Wilson
Signed Chone Figgins
Marlins
Traded Jeremy Hermida for Hunter Jones and Jose Alverez
Declined option on Ross Gload
Mets
Declined JJ Putz’s option
Nationals
Claimed Doug Slaton off waivers
Declined option on Austin Kearns
Phillies
Picked up Cliff Lee’s option
Decline Pedro Feliz’s option
Signed Placido Polonco
Pirates
Traded Jesse Chavez for Akonori Iwamora
Rangers
Released Jason Grilli
Claimed Joe Inglett off waivers
Rockies
Re-signed Matt Belise and Randy Flores
Decline option on Yorvitt Torrealba
Decline option on Alan Embree
Royals
Traded Mark Teahen for Chris Getz and Josh Fields
Twins
Traded Carlos Gomez for JJ Hardy
Picked up Micheal Cuddeyer’s option
White Sox
Traded Chris Getz and Josh Feilds for Mark Teahen
Declined Jermaine Dye’s option
Re-sgned Mark Kotsay
Total Bases 