Some links from around the league on a day when Max Scherzer became the first pitcher since 1988 to induce 15 swinging strikeouts in one game…
- We're just two weeks shy of the three-year anniversary of the trade that sent Nate McLouth from the Pirates to the Braves in exchange for Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke, and Gorkys Hernandez. Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review points out that with Locke being recalled from Triple-A, all four players involved in that trade — even McLouth himself — are on the Pirates' 25-man roster.
- Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News chronicles Manny Ramirez's journey to the Athletics, and ponders which Manny will show up in Oakland. Manny, who began a 10-game minor league assignment this weekend, has a chance to rewrite what was a disappointing ending to his career, writes Brown.
- Nothing is certain, but Padres lefty Cory Luebke is strongly leaning toward undergoing Tommy John surgery, writes Dan Hayes of the North County Times. Luebke was transferred to the 60-day DL today, which opens a spot on the Pads' 40-man roster.
- Astros GM Jeff Luhnow is personally scouting candidates for his team to select with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's MLB draft, writes MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Luhnow isn't revealing which players he's scouting. He told reporters the Astros "aren't close" to knowing which player they'll draft, but are feeling more comfortable with the information they've gathered.
If things break right, Manny won’t see time in Oakland for a while.
Treat his minor league deal like Brandon Moss’s minor league deal: organization filler and possible backup to injury
Have enjoyed watching some A’s games on MLB so far.. Crisp, Reddick to keep up with them and new guy Cespedes as well. Once self immersed, 2 time H2H and many other negative things Ramirez begins playing for Oakland that will cease and a shame.. Was enjoying them..
i honestly think it depends on
1) how all the other 50 billion injuries on the A’s are progressing
2) how well he hits in Sacto.
if he destroys AAA, then he should be in MLB, as a DH (please no Manny in the field please).
If he’s a clubhouse cancer in MLB, release him, no questions asked. If he’s not hitting in MLB, release him. He should be aware that getting cut by the A’s after a 50 game suspension essentially means permanent retirement.
yea, I’d much rather watch the hopeless Derek Barton troll for walks or Coco Crisp suck than give Manny a chance.
I’d say the end of Manny’s career has pretty much already been written. In 10 years or so “Who is Manny Ramirez” will be the answer to the jeopardy clue “The only multi-year all star baseball player to be suspended twice for drug use.”
Cool to have them all up here, except for the fact that Hernandez was up all weekend and couldn’t even sniff playing time ahead of scrub 1 and scrub 2 (Navarro and McLouth). And I’m pretty sure Locke is a non-prospect right now, and I want McLouth DFA’d, but other than that, cool story bro!
Luebke made the right choice opting towards Tommy John. If the rehab didnt work that wouldve just added on 6 more weeks before he could pitch again. Its not like were going to the WS anytime soon so he should play it safe.
I would like to be in a room those 4 guys to see what they talk about