The latest from the NL East…
- The Phillies are looking for infield help, so David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News explores the trade market for infielders. Alberto Callaspo of the Angels and Robert Andino of the Orioles could be available.
- Braves third baseman Chipper Jones tells Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post that he can see similarities between himself and top Nationals prospect Bryce Harper. However, Jones doesn't expect Harper, a fellow first overall draft pick, to approach him. "Let’s just say he doesn’t seem to me to be the type of kid who wants to walk up to me and pick my brain,” Jones said.
- An AL executive doubts the Nationals would get much in return if they trade John Lannan, MLB.com's Bill Ladson tweets.
- The Mets maintain interest in signing C.J. Nitkowski, but only if he has no physical issues, MLB.com's Anthony DiComo tweets. The club is in no rush to complete a deal.
- Josh Thole, Gaby Sanchez, Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy, Ian Desmond, Jason Heyward, Roger Bernadina, Chris Coghlan, Giancarlo Stanton, Tommy Hanson, Jonathon Niese, Stephen Strasburg, Bobby Parnell, Cristhian Martinez, Antonio Bastardo, Jonny Venters, Ryan Webb, Ross Detwiler and Henry Rodriguez are among the NL East players who could be arbitration eligible a year from now.
Ha Chipper talking trash.
Not for anything, and he has had a tremendous career, but it seems like over the past couple of seasons Chipper has done more talking than actual playing…
How is that trash talk? Everyone knows Harper is more likely to steal his BFF’s girl than nurse a sick kitty back to health. Even if it was trash talk, Chipper is a 1st ballot HOF. Harper just made his first payment on his auto insurance.
well there are veterans in Nationals group also. He does not necessarily need to be picking your brain Chipper. I know the kid is a little immature but people need to stop giving him such a hard time.
How many veterans on the Nats are also former #1 picks with historic talent and a franchise expecting him to be a star from day 1? Bryce could learn a lot from a guy like Chipper if he were open to it.
not a number 1 pick but there is Zimmerman. Then a guy named Strasburg.
I think his point is perspective. Stras hasn’t experienced enough in his career to mentor anyone besides maybe a high school top pick prospect just coming off of arm surgery.
maybe you did not see his debut. did you see how much coverage was given to SS? I am not saying that one start was sufficient, but I think SS has an idea of being picked #1 and expected to succeed from day 1. His nickname was/is “Jesus”.
not a number 1 pick but there is Zimmerman. Then a guy named Strasburg.
Harper is too proud to do it, Chipper wouldn’t mind even though the Nats and Braves are rivals. Chipper is a class act
Let me start a rumour….Blue Jays 2B Luis Valbuena to Phillies for Joe Blanton
Phils will just wait for Valbuena to be designated for assignment if they want him. He’s out of minor-league options.
Yep…that is their fall-back position….but…wouldn’t it be better to shed Blanton’s salary and ensure no other team snags Valbuena on waivers?
Not gonna happen and no, respectively. :)
Fair enough…I don’t think Jays will lose sleep if they lose Valbuena to waivers. IMO, they acquired him as a fall-back position if they didn’t get a 2B and a trade asset if they did sign Kelly Johnson.
Chipper’s ego seems to be growing. I think Chipper should give him tips on how to avoid the DL.
Braves fan here. No, his ego has always been big enough for him to duck walking through doorways. He just doesn’t care anymore in his ripe old age. And I’d think Chipper would be the last person to give advice on avoiding the DL. That’s like Kendrys Morales leading a seminar on post-game celebrations.
Or you giving a seminar on how to detect sarcasm?
I would have no idea as to why Robert Andino would be available from the Orioles.
We really don’t have anyone to replace him if he were traded.
If we were to trade anyone, it sould be Josh Bell.
Also, why aren’t the Sillies (:p) looking at Blake DeWitt? He could be a viable alternative.
PS Why would Harper want to talk to Chipper?
PPS Sending Lannon to AAA is funny! I read that earlier on a story written today.
Ah, I don’t know. Both are #1 picks, highly-touted prospects their franchises depended immeasurably on, and both are known to be considered cocky by more than a few. Not to mention is a 1st-ballot HoF in the same division Bryce will be playing the next half-decade. Other than that, I can’t think of a thing. Maybe Chipper can give his insight on why Bachelor Ben picked Courtney!
I tend to agree about Andino. He will most likely be the starting second baseman.
Oh Chipper, you rascal.
Nothing like a little trash talk in Spring Training
It’s something the Braves rarely do, kind of excited to see it actually. Wouldn’t call it straight trash talking though. He was asked if he would reach out to Harper and he gave his opinion on that.
No, Chipper said he doesn’t expect Harper to come up to him and try to pick his brain. Chipper seems like a classy enough guy that he’d tell him a thing or two if Harper made some attempt.
It’s really mature how people have been lining up to hate Bryce Harper since he was too young to vote or drive a car. I’m not a Nationals fan, but I can’t wait for him to be so good that people have to pretend they liked him all along.
Actually, I think that some of the distaste for Harper comes from his attitude – blowing kisses after HRs, saying he wants to model his career after Joe Namath, etc. – which people believe is caused by his age.
He’s obviously been the best at whatever level he was playing for a very long time now, so he’s had the stuff he needed to back up his cockiness. Doesn’t mean people need to like his cockiness, and want him to get knocked down a peg or two as a result of it.