Links for Saturday..
- Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun called the Orioles' signing of pitcher Justin Duchscherer the latest "late-winter Hail Mary" by GM Andy MacPhail.
- C.C. Sabathia told Mark Hale of the New York Post that he isn't concerned about the Yankees' rotation.
- Carlos Marmol took his physical in Mesa, Arizona today, tweets Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. Marmol and the Cubs should finalize a long-term deal this week.
- The Nationals still have loose ends to tie up from the Esmailyn Gonzalez scandal, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
- Tom Singer of MLB.com will be keeping a close eye on Jonathan Broxton of the Dodgers as he looks to get his career back on track this season. Recently our own Mike Axisa characterized 2011 as a make or break year for the closer as he approaches free agency.
- Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the Cardinals and outfielder Jim Edmonds have not yet scheduled the physical that he needs to pass in order to finalize his minor league deal with the club. GM John Mozeliak confirmed that the agreement is open-ended in order to allow Edmonds time to recover from foot surgery before taking the physical.
- After signing a one-year, $4MM this winter, Aaron Harang is looking to return to old form with the Padres, writes Don Norcross of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Meanwhile, Eric Chavez is looking for a fresh start with the Yankees, writes Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News.
If he makes the team, having Chavez’s left-handed bat off the bench could be a real asset in Yankee Stadium.
One would have to think if Harang was half as decent as his best years in Cincinnati he would be a solid pitcher in the cavernous PetCo Park. I’d tag him as a preseason comeback player of the year candidate.
I like Harang as a bounce back candidate. He’s pitching in a park better suited for a fly ball pitcher and he is going to be working with one really great pitching coach in Darren Balsley. Add in that he’s further away from his injuries of last year, I think he’s going to (or at least has a real good chance) have a solid season for the Pads.
I think you’re right on.
Is CC going to be pitching every 3 days instead of every 5 this season? Other than that I don’t know why he’s not concerned about the rotation.
Standard PR talk. What is he going to say, “I’m concerned about our thin rotation this year.”? The media backlash would be insane.
Figured, just throwing some sarcasm. Guess my sarcasm isn’t being picked up today, lol.
Ahh, I got you. It’s so hard to tell on here, you just never know.
He’s not concerned about the rotation cuz all he sees are dollar signs when he opts out of his contract next year and puts the proverbial gun to the Yankee’s head and says “Open the Vaults!”
…Give me at most an extra eight million dollars!
Disregard on account of bad math. Either way, the state of the Yankees rotation likely has little to no regard for whether or not CC opts out. His own performance/desire to stay in NY and on a constant contender will. And make no mistake as you well know (RS dynasty), the Yankees will always be a contender even if they don’t make the playoffs this year.
Sure they will. Just like they were in the 80’s and early 90’s.
Are you really comparing teams headed by the likes of Melido Perez, Roberto Kelly and Mattingly missing half of his spine with this one? I’m not minimizing his signifigance, but what are we missing from last year except Pettitte? If we can have a turn around from AJ, Hughes with hopefully more endurance wire to wire and Nova or others to out perform Vazquez then we have a shot at being a playoff team.
I also think one of the rookies might suprise us and that someone worthwhile will become available in season.
I have a feeling that the kids (Nova and one other like Phelps or Noesi) are going to shock us with good performances this year. Yanks have some really good looking pitchers who aren’t neccesarily top prospects in the top 50 sense and I would love to see them pitch for “us” along with a healthy CC, AJ and Hughes.
Yeah, not too brilliant comparing teams with no general direction and a lack of talent or farm system compared to today’s Yankees who have won 16 playoff games the last two years, have a top five farm in the one category they don’t have depth in and with a wildcard system, as well as being exactly one innings eater away from not only being a lock for the playoffs, but a World Series contender.
CC has gone on the record saying he will not opt out
Yeah, and Johnny Damon said he would Never play for the Yankee’s either! Stuff said on the record means nothing nowadays!
And that is exactly whats gonna happen. He can look to what A-Rod did and the success he had in doing just that.
Why does it say “Ramirez” in the title? I don’t see any writeup on him.
It’s obviously a racist shot at “Gonzalez”