Some news items from around the majors on this Monday night…
- MLB.com's Bill Chastain profiles left-hander Carlos Hernandez, who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2004 and is trying to return with Tampa Bay.
- While it's very unlikely that Barry Zito will live up to his $126MM contract, Craig Calcaterra of NBCSports.com notes that the left-hander is still a solid starter.
- The Braves have no interest in teenage prospect Wagner Mateo, reports MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Mateo was originally signed by St. Louis last summer but the Cardinals voided the contract due to concerns over Mateo's eyesight.
- The signings of Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko shouldn't cause any concern about the health of other key pitchers on the Oakland staff, says Tom Singer of MLB.com.
- Philadelphia has become a prime destination for free agents and stars looking to be traded, writes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Back-to-back NL pennants and a World Series title will tend to do that.
- Chris Young struggled in his first season of a five-year, $28MM deal with Arizona and has yet to have a true breakout year after three seasons as a major league regular. John Sickels of MinorLeagueBall.com, however, thinks it's too early to write Young off.
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson answers fan questions on a variety of topics, including how prospect Chris Marrero (Washington's first-round pick in the 2006 June Amateur Draft) could be affected if the Nationals re-sign Adam Dunn.
- Speaking of mailbags, Baseball America's Jim Callis answers some fan questions about prospects and also looks ahead to the 2011 June Amateur Draft.
Chris Young definetly needs to have a breakout season. That Diamondbacks pitching needs some run support.
Agreed, along with Stephen Drew and Webb bouncing back and Montero continuing to improve. Should be a fun team to watch.
How are you and I the only two to comment on an Odds & Ends? Wowzers!
I think Drew will be back to his 2007 form but my guy, is Edwin Jackson. I really think if Webb is healthy, Jackson and Haren will back him up to provide one of the best 1-2-3’s in Baseball.
Yeah, they need a lot of things to go right of course but I’m very interested to see how things shake out for Arizona this year. Looking forward to them playing the Sox in interleague play too.
Yeah thats going to be exciting. I think June 18-20th will be exciting. Manny’s return!
Agreed, along with Stephen Drew and Webb bouncing back and Montero continuing to improve. Should be a fun team to watch.
Young has played about what he was expected to be, maybe even a little better, by the White Sox. No real surprises here.
Yes, we do need Young to have a very good year. Personally I think he has a lot of upside and when he is on he can be a real threat. The Diamondbacks have a lot of hit-or-miss or unproven as starters type people in their lineup and back of the rotation, but if everything goes right, that 1-2-3 will do its part and the DBacks could be back in the postseason
Chris Young definetly needs to have a breakout season. That Diamondbacks pitching needs some run support.
I wish the Mets would sign Mateo. He’d make F-Mart more expendable so he could possibly be dealt for some pitching mid season if the Mets are contending.
Keys are Webb’s health, Reynolds/Upton repeating success, Young/Kennedy/Jackson/Drew live up to potential, Montero continues to provide some power, LaRoche gets his 20 HR and Kelly Johnson keeps a decent average. The biggest question mark is Billy Buckner, I really wish theyd bring in someone like Benson or Milton to come in and give him at least a push in camp. Don’t get me wrong neither of them are really viable but I’d love see Buckner prove himself.