March 2006

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Juan Gonzalez Tries Out For Rockies

The Juan Gonzalez saga is fairly amusing for a lazy Friday afternoon, so let me take another crack at translating a new El Nuevo Dia article. Yesterday, Juan Gonzalez tried out for the Colorado Rockies in Puerto Rico. He's reportedly in magnificent physical condition. That report has been passed along to Colorado's front office, but there is no agreement as of yet. Gonzalez tried out for the Athletics on Monday, and worked for the Red Sox and Cubs previously. Despite reports that Gonzalez was due in Red Sox camp this week, a close friend of Gonzalez's told El Nuevo Dia..   Continue Reading

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Friday Afternoon Reading

Armchair GM has taken on the task of categorizing all the baseball blogs out there so you don't have to. It's pretty comprehensive - have a look. Also, a cool Mets news site I've recently come across: SheaBaseball.com. Got a fantasy draft this weekend? My 2006 Fantasy Guide is just $9.99 and is drawing rave reviews from hundreds of customers. Check it out. Start gearing up for this bad boy, which will start rolling on Opening Day. Download the free spreadsheet to get in on the gambling mayhem. Bronson Arroyo's Cincinnati projection at RotoAuthority. AllCubs looks at some spring training..   Continue Reading

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Angels Interested In Ruben Sierra

Hold on to your hats, kids - the Angels almost acquired Ruben Sierra the other day. The L.A. Times has made it known that the Halos need a lefty bat off the bench and are willing to part with Esteban Yan or Kevin Gregg. Apparently one of those two intrigues the Twins enough to toss Sierra their way. That plan may have been dashed by Sierra's strained hamstring, however. At this point it's possible that the Twinkies release him and give his spot to Jason Kubel (fantasy leaguers, take note). If Sierra isn't released, he'll start the season on the..   Continue Reading

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MLB Free Agents 2007: Eric Gagne

Recently I got to thinking about Eric Gagne. 30 years old. An unstoppable relief ace from 2002-04 (a 1.79 ERA and 13.3 K/9 over 247 innings. Imagine if he did that in one season as a starter! Roto Immortality.) Tommy John surgery in 1997 plus another cleanup type surgery last summer. A $10MM salary for 2006 with a $12MM option for 2007. With Scott Boras as his agent, Gagne may elect to void that '07 option. Or the Dodgers may simply choose not to exercise it. The Dodgers are one probably the only team in baseball with two established "closers"..   Continue Reading

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Graffanino to Mets?

Did you know that Baseball America scouts and ranks 12 year-olds? That's kind of weird. I learned this after reading that Austin Jackson, a Yankees outfield prospect, ranked at the top of his age group when he was 12. They should've been scouting my age 11 season. I was the leadoff hitter for the Foxes and posted an OBP over .500. I could lay a mean drag bunt despite well below-average speed to first base. The third baseman knew it was coming but still couldn't throw me out. But even then, my makeup was in question with all the rampant..   Continue Reading

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Latest Mets/Soriano Rumor

A source of mine reports some info concerning the Mets' interest in Alfonso Soriano: The Mets do want Soriano, but they'll only make a deal if the Nats will accept Kaz Matsui. The Nats would use Matsui at shortstop and would also receive Victor Diaz. Matsui will be out until mid-April with a sprained knee ligament. He last played shortstop in 2004, appearing in 110 games there. This morning, Soriano plans to announce whether he's willing to play left field for the Nationals. The fact that he's even considering it leads me to believe that he will play out there...   Continue Reading

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Cards Sour On Anthony Reyes?

The fine Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos pieces together the latest info about hotshot pitching prospect Anthony Reyes. Sidney Ponson has won the fifth starter competition, and Reyes will be optioned to Memphis soon. Furthermore, Larry gets the impression that the organization is not committed to Reyes and is priming things for a trade. Even with a less than stellar spring, Reyes's stock is high coming off a 3.64 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in Triple A last year. He's a 24 year-old Major League-ready starting pitcher with #2 starter potential within a year or two. How many of those are..   Continue Reading

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Getting Paid To Watch

A former assistant athletic trainer for the 1986 Mets, Bob Sikes, has a blog called Getting Paid To Watch. Check it out, he's got some good info in there. Click here to read his thoughts on various Mets injuries, including Pedro and Matsui   Continue Reading

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Speculation: Choi or Pena to Reds?

Publicly, the Reds' plan seems to be using Scott Hatteberg as a full-time first baseman and shifting Adam Dunn back to the outfield now that Wily Mo Pena is gone. Hatteberg authored a .256/.334/.343 line for Oakland last year in 464 at-bats. That's just nowhere near the work of a starting first baseman, even if he does dial that OBP up to .370 again. A commenter on the Wily Mo thread, Mike Murphy, had this to say: "I predict... the Cincy Reds will wind up with either Carlos Pena or Hee Seop Choi." To that I say, good call! One..   Continue Reading

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Borchard For Thornton Trade Completed

The White Sox sent Joe Borchard, object of many fans' scorn, to the Mariners for lefty reliever Matt Thornton. U.S.S. Mariner has detailed analysis if you're interested. I was reading the Tribune this weekend, and it had a section where fans explained what to do when you visit U.S. Cellular. One suggestion was along the lines of: 1. Order a polish and an MGD. 2. Heckle Joe Borchard. 3. Have another polish. 4. Repeat. So who's the new whipping boy   Continue Reading

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