Mike Napoli could bring a bit of added intensity to the plate when he faces C.J. Wilson this season. Wilson recently posted Napoli's phone number on Twitter, a response to an alleged comment made by Napoli about how he was looking forward to homering off of Wilson this season. Napoli was not amused by the joke and, though he didn't recall making the initial statement, vowed to indeed try and take Wilson yard. Eighty years after Babe Ruth hit his famous "called shot" in the World Series, if Napoli does indeed homer off of Wilson this season, can we call it the Prank Called Shot?
Some (more serious) news from around the AL West…
- Coco Crisp said he wouldn't have re-signed with the Athletics had he known he was going to be moved to left field, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Yoenis Cespedes will start the year as Oakland's center fielder, and Crisp said the promise of the center field job was one of the reasons he signed with the A's over the Rays, who couldn't promise Crisp regular time in center due to B.J. Upton's presence. Crisp did say that he was glad to be back with the A's and, in regards to the position switch, says he has to "go out here and just accept it."
- The Rangers feel Leonys Martin needs more development and are "concerned about [his] lack of instincts," tweets Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, though the club still recognizes his talent. The Cuban outfielder signed a five-year, $15.5MM deal with Texas last May and hit .295/.362/.421 in 343 minor league PAs, going all the way from rookie ball to an eight-plate appearance cup of coffee with the Rangers in September.
- Hong-Chih Kuo was released earlier today by the Mariners, though if the southpaw clears waivers, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times believes the M's could re-sign Kuo to a minor league contract.
- Also from Condotta, the Mariners are still figuring out what to do with Lucas Luetge, a left-handed reliever taken from the Brewers in last winter's Rule 5 draft. Kuo's release could help Luetge find a spot in the Mariners' bullpen, though the M's also have Charlie Furbush, Cesar Jimenez and George Sherrill competing for roles as left-handed relief options.
- For some news about the Angels, check this compilation of Los Angeles Notes from earlier tonight on MLBTR.
ouch coco…well, good news for you! good chance you may be on another team come the deadline
edit: plus, we have plenty of outfield depth to move you and not be worried
We don’t want you anyways Cocoa Puffs
No wonder Hanley has been looking forward to playing third recently, he really is in Oakland under the name “Coco Crisp”…
My guess: Cespedes won’t stick in the majors, he needs work on the sliders and changeups in AAA. Coco will be back in center within a month.
The Rangers signed the wrong Cuban center fielder. They should have signed Cespedes.
Yeah, CoCo, “go out there and just accept it.” And by “it,” I mean the $15M that Oakland is going to pay you to do the same job you always do, only 100 feet to your right.
As was said though, you’ll soon enough be flipped for a C level prospect or two and someone else on Oakland’s never ending line of outfield prospects will take your spot.
actually, i think coco could bring in a decent prospect if (huge IF) he shows he can stay healthy considering a) he’s under control for 2 years with a third year option and b) he’s a game changer on the basepaths (which i don’t say often..actually, this is my first time saying it) and still one of the better defensive CF’s
I would love to see a Coco to the Nats trade. Unless they really want to sign Upton next year, I would do it.
I bet he’d accept a trade to the nationals, he’d be a good placeholder while harper develops at AAA, or they could move morse to 1b and keep harper at a corner. Just let coco prove he’s healthy and he could be had, maybe for an ok low tier arm or two, someone like paul demmy
What about Lannan? Aren’t they looking to move him? I think the A’s could use a fifth starter until Braden gets better and then you don’t have to bring Parker up right now.
i’m pretty sure the a’s are going with a four man rotation until braden comes back (aiming for april 16ish). then he’ll slide into the #3 spot. for now, they’re going with mccarthy-colon-milone-ross/godfrey, parker was just sent down to AAA today. although i personally would like them to get lannan, almost even on the money too.
i’m pretty sure the a’s are going with a four man rotation until braden comes back (aiming for april 16ish). then he’ll slide into the #3 spot. for now, they’re going with mccarthy-colon-milone-ross/godfrey, parker was just sent down to AAA today. although i personally would like them to get lannan, almost even on the money too.
What about Lannan? Aren’t they looking to move him? I think the A’s could use a fifth starter until Braden gets better and then you don’t have to bring Parker up right now.
NO! We wanna trade BJ to the Nats! >:O !
NO! We wanna trade BJ to the Nats! >:O !
I bet he’d accept a trade to the nationals, he’d be a good placeholder while harper develops at AAA, or they could move morse to 1b and keep harper at a corner. Just let coco prove he’s healthy and he could be had, maybe for an ok low tier arm or two, someone like paul demmy
Is there a reason Cespedes can’t play left field, or is this too technical? I mean, Coco is a proven center fielder…..why mess with it?
Apparently the a’s wanna keep cespedes where he’s most comfortable, although he’s played all 3 spots and said he’d be willing to move to a corner. basically it just means coco’s on the trade block now
Apparently the a’s wanna keep cespedes where he’s most comfortable, although he’s played all 3 spots and said he’d be willing to move to a corner. basically it just means coco’s on the trade block now
Is there a reason Cespedes can’t play left field, or is this too technical? I mean, Coco is a proven center fielder…..why mess with it?
Coco, Coco, Coco……. $14.500,000….at a time when some thought your career was washed up? You should be so lucky as to have a starting job with Billy Beane who likes to play small ball and play defense….guaranteed for the next 24 months.
Let me remind you that a few years back they did the same thing to Ellsbury in Boston. It only lasted a short while. The A’s know you can play CF. They are not sure about Cespedes but they are going to find out….they have to.
Keep your yap shut, man…….you got it made.
Coco, Coco, Coco……. $14.500,000….at a time when some thought your career was washed up? You should be so lucky as to have a starting job with Billy Beane who likes to play small ball and play defense….guaranteed for the next 24 months.
Let me remind you that a few years back they did the same thing to Ellsbury in Boston. It only lasted a short while. The A’s know you can play CF. They are not sure about Cespedes but they are going to find out….they have to.
Keep your yap shut, man…….you got it made.