Carlos Santana's first career grand slam couldn't have come at a better time for the Indians. The young catcher hit a walkoff slam to lead Cleveland to a 9-5 win over Detroit on Friday night. Here's some news from around the majors…
- The Mets are willing to give "veto power over a limited number of financial decisions" to a new minority owner, reports Josh Kosman and Lenn Robbins of the New York Post, including such decisions as large player contracts and overall payroll size. The Wilpons and Saul Katz "will treat their new partner as a real partner," one source tells Kosman and Robbins.
- ESPN's Keith Law reveals his latest ranking of the top 50 draft prospects. Law calls this draft a "huge pitching bonanza," but lacking in position players.
- Also from Law, via Twitter, the Cubs are hoping center fielder Bubba Starling is still available when they make their first-round (9th overall) choice.
- Many of the Royals' top prospects are off to a great start in the minors, but GM Dayton Moore doesn't plan to bring any of these young stars up to the Major League level anytime soon, reports MLB.com's Dick Kaegel.
- Manny Ramirez hints to ESPNDeportes' Jorge Arangure about a return to baseball — in the Dominican winter league, that is.
- In a live chat with fans, ESPN's Jayson Stark discusses such topics as Kevin Millwood's future with the Yankees, Bryce Harper's progress and the Blue Jays' chances of signing Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder as a free agent this winter.
- David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times looks at some of the more notable "dead money" teams are still paying to players long since departed from their rosters or the game itself.
- Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com writes about Mike Quade's unlikely path to becoming the Cubs' manager.
And now, your #8 overall selection in the MLB Entry Draft, by the Cleveland Indians, outfielder Bubba Starling.
Starling won’t be there at #8. He sure won’t be there at nine like the Cubs want. I have a feeling KC will draft him (he’s from 30 minutes away). Because if he gets away (from our own backyard, ala Pujols) it could be a PR disaster.
Good thing I still have my Manny shirt!
I can see Jays in on Fielder but not Pujols. Theres virtually no chance he comes to Toronto. Jays don’t have many high impact 1b prospects in their system…Fielder could split time with Lind at first and DH next year. Imagine a 3-4 of Bautista/Fielder…insane, I’m not saying this is what AA will do or should do but if he wanted to make a splash he sure has the cash to do so.
Funny thing is, in google if you type in “Pujols” the first thing that comes up beside it is “Blue Jays.”
That’s as close as he’ll come, even if we have Cuban cigars.
The guy Anthony in the chat was pretty much begging Stark to say that the Jays had a significant chance lol
I personally don’t see it.. I can see Fielder being open to it, if the time is right. but I can’t see AA giving him 150+ million.
Neither can I. If, IF, Pujols does become a free agent, I think AA will pursue Pujols with a vengeance, but will ultimitely come up short. Fielder is a more likely scenario.
Funny how Manny acts like nothing happened…
Manny is hinting at a comeback in the Dominican league which really means. Manny is hinting at a comeback in a league he can more than likely use peds
Whomever gets in bed with Wilpons and actually believes that they will be treated as a real partner is only fooling themselves. Wilpons will do whatever it takes to keep the Mets. I, myself as a die hard Mets fan, can not wait for the day when Wilpons lose control over this team and sell it.
Any team that picks up Manny is ruining their ball club. He left the Rays and they started hitting the ball, especially Damon…
Listen guys, nobody is gonna pick up Manny. He’s not going to want to serve a 100 game suspension and resume his career at 40. He has nothing left to prove, 2 rings and the highest OPS for a right-handed OF in MLB history.
June.
What’s the rush? Sure, Kila is struggling, but it’s no secret that he is going to get a few months to prove if he can stay here. I’d rather see Clint Robinson called up before Hosmer to see what he can do, and possibly trade him to a team where he would get a shot. Betimit is adequate at 3rd, and is hitting quite well. Moose will be up in June. Some interesting roster moves are sure to come though.