As if the Rays didn't have enough top starting pitching, Alex Cobb is providing Tampa Bay with some high-quality innings. The right-hander threw a complete game, four-hit shutout of the Athletics today, leading the Rays to a 5-0 victory over their fellow AL Wild Card contenders. Minus his August 18 outing (eight runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Angels), Cobb has a 1.46 ERA in five starts since July 27.
Here are some items from around the majors…
- David Ortiz doesn't think his Achilles injury will result in a lesser contract this winter, reports WEEI.com's Rob Bradford. The Red Sox slugger feels his still-potent bat will outweigh concerns about his age or fitness. “That’s what everybody is looking for right now,” Ortiz said. “They don’t care if you’re a catcher, first base, DH, whatever. If you can produce, trust me, you’re going to play.”
- For the Marlins to rebound from their disappointing 2012 campaign, manager Ozzie Guillen feels the team needs to decide if it will take a step back next season or reload for another run at a playoff spot, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
- Rumors about Mike Scioscia's job security with the Angels has been "a distraction," GM Jerry Dipoto tells Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. "Mike has been the manager of this team for a long time. He has a very long track record that suggests he's qualified. I say, let him do his job." Angels owner Arte Moreno said on Tuesday that he isn't considering changing managers.
- Brian McCann's willingness to play through oblique and shoulder injuries has limited his production for the last year and could affect his next contract, writes MLB.com's Mark Bowman. McCann is in the last guaranteed season of his six-year contract with the Braves, and despite the catcher's struggles, the Braves are very likely to pick up their $12MM option on McCann for next season. Past 2013, however, McCann's injury history could keep him from scoring a big deal on the free agent market or in an extension from Atlanta.
- The Rangers are one of baseball's top teams right now but face a number of questions this offseason, writes Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas.
Funny how nobody here (or very few) has declared guillen as a poisonous personality , yet derides Beckett. could it be that Guillen is always blabbering nonsense to the media is the reason, rather than telling them to go and bother someone else as Beckett commonly does? Hmmm
I think it’s because Ozzy Guillen is endearingly absurd and vitriolic, while Beckett is just abrasive.
Ok.. so if one acts like a 7 year old, when they are near 60 and throws tantrums like one as well, insults the population, blah.Blah. Then that is no less offensive than someone (like Beckett) who just prefers to remain aloof of the entire mess and ignore a set of people, (writers) whom he knows are just going to twist every word he says into something different than the context inwhich he originally said them?
That is my issue. Many people today just want to hang onto every word some writers put into text and take it as the gospel Devern. Sometimes silence on the part of athletes is best and wouldn’t shock me if more and more took that path, or until writers learned to police themselves if they ever become capable of it.
The tantrums sell the game. It makes news – want it stop – stop watching and don’t post a single character about it. I had to laugh at Ozzie’s comments though “Reload”. No the Marlins. They got their new park and unloaded all their prize drafts now they will sit back and enjoy the profits. I expect Marlin fans to go some what berserk – they got ripped off building this stadium with a somewhat promise that we will build a winner quick. Fans did their part now the Marlins FO responds by giving up with over 60 games to play.
Your comment about athletes shutting up is spot on. Canned statements all the time and just repeat it. It’s just the Republican party – keep saying the same ole lie until people believe it’s the truth.
The Marlins could pick up some fairly cheap FA’s and contend in 2013 (the way they were supposed to in 2012). Youkalis/Rolen, Pierzinsky, Bourn/Victorino and Jackson/Beddard/Loshe are all realistic options in the market that could plug the holes in the Marlins roster. .
As much as have always like Youk Robert? The new stadium in Miami would be the death knell for youk.. The turf would beat his body to a pulp and his power would be todt. Youk is a FB hitter, with his power (mainly) from RCF to LF, he wouldn’t have a chance and fenway really, really helped him out, new comisky is an offensive stadium and not a terrible locale for him to return to.
I’d *like* to be able to watch him play for a team that I like again (Marlins) but just afraid he would be a shell of the guy he was, though the Fish dearly need a 3b.. Maybe he would be able to last a little while out there before going down with a horrible injury, but he just is getting so fragile, that HARD IF.. It’s an injury waiting to happen, the LONG alley’s that would hurt him.. Just a bad combination all the way around IMO.
Sox aren’t going to give Ortiz a qualifying offer are they?
why not? the qualifying offer would be in the neighborhood of 12 million dollars, a cut in pay from the 14.75 million he is being paid. safe to say ortiz will turn that down giving the red sox a chance of getting compensation if ortiz signs someplace else.
right but what team is going to give up a pick for a 1 or 2 year deal for a DH?
But he can play first base, that’s what his agent says. Silly goose.
I don’t know what to think about McCann. On one hand, he’s a hometown guy and I’d love him to be a Brave for life. On the other hand, his body is breaking down and his days playing catcher are numbered. Wren has a tough decision to make after 2013.
As long as Papi keep himself in shape, so he can play, he will do okay. Problem is he is slow to recover even from the smallest of injuries, like now. He gets a little booboo on his foot and he takes a month off…. not too shabby, David, at a $1,000,000+/month
Papi is right, but if he struggles off the DL, good luck chuck