MLBTR is pleased to report that the missing portion of our archives that was lost when switching to WordPress following our DDoS attack has been restored. Previously, posts from mid-March through mid-April weren’t viewable, but everything is up to speed now. So, if you missed the details on Joel Hanrahan’s audition for 20 teams, Sean Doolittle’s contract extension, or George Springer’s promotion to the Majors, all of that info is once again available. Speaking of Doolittle and Springer, here are some notes pertaining to their division…
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News wonders how much longer the Rangers can carry J.P. Arencibia on their roster. The 28-year-old is hitting jus .094/.171/.156 without a homer this season, leading Grant to believe that Texas could be talking with the Padres about one of their catchers. San Diego is reportedly in active trade talks regarding Nick Hundley.
- Rangers right-hander Scott Baker is pitching well in Triple-A (2.81 ERA in 32 innings) and has received interest from several other teams as his May 1 opt-out date approaches, reports MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter links). Baker would only opt out of his current deal if it led to a Major League opportunity with another club, he adds. Baker’s former club, the Twins, isn’t interested in a reunion, according to reports from this past weekend.
- The Houston Chronicle’s David Barron reports that United States Bankruptcy Judge Mavin Isgur will rule within two weeks whether he has subject matter jurisdiction to hear Astros owner Jim Crane’s lawsuit against Comcast, NBC Universal and former owner Drayton McLane. Comcast took the case federal last November because of its ties to CSN Houston’s own bankruptcy case, though Crane would like it to remain a matter for the state courts.
- Athletics righty Jim Johnson pitched poorly enough to open the season that he lost his role as closer, but scouts expressed to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle this weekend that Johnson looks much better than he did early in the season. One scout on Sunday told Slusser that Johnson’s sinker is as good as anyone in the game right now. With Doolittle and Gregerson failing to run with the closer’s role, Johnson could find himself back in the ninth. Fantasy baseball players can, of course, keep up with Johnson’s status and other closer-related news by following MLBTR’s @closernews on Twitter.
“Athletics righty Jim Johnson pitched poorly enough to open the season despite the fact that Oakland traded for him and his $10MM salary”
This is a very awkward sentence Steve. Might want to change it.
“The A’s are not recieving the production they expected after aquireing Johnson and his 10 million dollar salary over the offseason”
Thanks. I admittedly rushed through that bullet/the end of this post after I saw the K-Law tweet on Harper. Definitely was reflected in the outcome, haha. Much appreciated.
In other news the A’s announce to day they plan to play only 8 baseball players in the lineup against the rangers. The 9th player will be Daric Barton pretending to be a baseball player.
Barton = Billy Bean’s kryptonite.
I think Billy renewed his vows and Barton was his new best man. Bob Geren being the best man at his wedding, which Billy also took too long to fire.
The defensive specialist first baseman who has played worse defense than the people he’s playing in place of.
(Oops dunno why I thought Wash) Melvin going with his microsplits against Darvish. 5 for 10 with a home run and 2BB
I don’t want to hit the panic button on the A’s bullpen quite yet, but this shaky start is making me uneasy. Gregerson scare’s me a lot. He looks like he’s pitching BP.
I guess getting away from Greg Zaun and his negativity wasn’t the solution to J.P. Arencibia batting problems..
Hard to find worse negativity than a catcher who hits worse than Shoppach, even classic 4a guy like Kevin cash, yet isn’t known for his glove, or arm like those 2 and is getting paid nearly 2m.
The entire league had 3y to see how much use this guy was, surprised Daniels even gave him another flyer, at least at the MLB level.
I was of the mind J.P would have an improved year with Texas, partly considering his career numbers in Arlington were stellar while he was a Jay (he had 7 HR’s in 11 career games there going into this season). Boy was I wrong.
You weren’t the only 1 that thought that, I actually expected him to post good numbers but it seems he has taken all the promise he had and wasted it..
Conger for Neftali Feliz?