Stephen Strasburg Rumors

Nationals Targeting Lackey, Not Everett

Add Washington to the list of clubs vying for the services of free-agent starter John Lackey. Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Nats are interested in Lackey for the obvious boost he would provide to their National League-worst 5.00 team ERA, but also to serve as a mentor for their young starting corps of Stephen Strasburg, Ross Detwiler and John Lannan. If nothing else, Washington's pursuit of Lackey is another sign to the rest of baseball (and to other prospective free agents) that the Nats aren't willing to stand pat after posting the worst record in the majors in...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Kikuchi, Astros, Smoltz, Hermida

Some links to read for Thursday morning... The AP reports (via the Miami Herald) that the Seibu Lions won the rights to negotiate with top Japanese amateur Yusei Kikuchi. Another top young pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, hit 100 mph repeatedly in his third AFL start, according to ESPN.com's Jason Grey. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says fans and media members need to hold Astros owner Drayton McLane accountable, and says it wasn't GM Ed Wade's fault that managerial candidate Manny Acta signed with the Indians. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that the Cardinals still have interest in...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Astros, Reds

A few more items before the Angels and Yankees get underway in a cold and rainy New York City... Dave Perkin of Baseball America dissects Stephen Strasburg's impressive Arizona Fall League debut. The 21-year-old right-hander, who signed a record rookie deal in August, threw 3 1/3 innings and induced eight groundball outs against the Scottsdale Scorpions on Friday evening. Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin found time between NLCS games to interview Saturday for the Astros' managing vacancy. He later addressed the media, including MLB.com's Alyson Footer. "I think I have a wealth of experience after 40 years in baseball to...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Kikuchi, Rangers

Here's some links to check out while you hope the weather doesn't interfere with Game Two of the ALCS tonight... Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com has the details on Stephen Strasburg's Arizona Fall League debut last night. ESPN's Keith Law also filled us in on some of the more impressive prospects playing out in the desert this year. According to Kyodo News, Yusei Kikuchi "said on Saturday all 12 Japanese baseball clubs would be appealing, if he decides to play in Japan." Never a bad thing to keep your options open. USA Today's Bob Nightengale says the Rangers will ask for...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: McCourts, Strasburg, Cotts

Some tidbits from around baseball as we enjoy Game One of the ALCS... Bill Shaikin and Harriet Ryan of the L.A. Times have some ominous news for Dodgers fans surrounding the separation of Frank and Jamie McCourt: his attorneys claim he is the sole owner of the Dodgers, while her lawyers say the team's ownership is split 50-50 between the soon-to-be ex-couple. On the night of Stephen Strasburg's professional debut in the Arizona Fall League, Jack Magruder of the Washington Times notes that Strasburg won't pitch much in the AFL. Reliever Neal Cotts doesn't know if the Cubs will non-tender...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Pujols, Cubs, Strasburg, Wagner

Another round of links for the afternoon... The Cards were surprised to hear that Albert Pujols isn't thinking about a contract extension, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cubs have now asked the Rangers for permission to speak with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. First overall pick Stephen Strasburg makes his AFL debut tonight, according to the AP (via ESPN). Earlier in the week, the New York Post reported that Billy Wagner was leaning towards retirement. Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports this week that Wagner plans on...   Continue Reading

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Olney On Strasburg, Nats, Twins

ESPN.com's Buster Olney wonders if Miguel Cabrera was physically prepared to play in Saturday's game. Olney also delivers some rumors; here they are: Nats GM Mike Rizzo says Stephen Strasburg is "just a regular 21-year-old young man." The difference? He's not going to be treated like everyone else. The Nats are looking to hire some front office personnel, including an assistant GM. Olney says Twins GM Bill Smith should feel good about his first two years on the job. Smith faced the daunting task of trading Johan Santana as soon as he got the GM position and he has turned...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Nationals, Towers, Marlins

A few links on the second to last day of the regular season... Even though they'll finish with the worst record in baseball, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo indicated that it's not a lock the team will draft Bryce Harper first overall next year, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Says Rizzo: "I haven't seen him yet. He certainly hasn't separated himself like [pitcher] Stephen Strasburg did last year." CBSSports.com reports that Kevin Towers said he wasn't given a specific reason for his termination, but KT did say that he's "been around long enough to know why." Juan C. Rodriguez of The...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals are a series of contradictions, as Thomas Boswell points out in this terrific Washington Post piece. They are a large market, but spend like a small-market team. They have great young talent and more than 100 losses. The future is bright (Stephen Strasburg) and not-so-bright (if they don't put talent around him). "We are tremendously excited. The next big step is right there to be taken," President Stan Kasten, who speaks for the team, told Boswell. "This is not a great year if you want a [free agent like CC] Sabathia or Mark Teixeira. But the players...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Matsui, Bradley, Dye, Chapman

Hideki Matsui is in the final year of a four-year, $52MM extension he signed with the Yankees following the 2005 campaign. At the age of 35, Matsui turned in one of his best seasons in the majors, posting .280/.373/.521 and 28 HRs. However, it doesn't appear that Hideki Matsui is a capable fielder at this stage of his career after all the injuries he has been through. Having not taken the field once all season, Matsui is strictly an American League player. As Tim Dierkes pointed out last week, if Matsui looks to sign elsewhere, he will find himself vying...   Continue Reading

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