Longtime Yankees right-hander and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre was “fighting for his life” earlier Saturday, but the 75-year-old is now “doing much better,” his wife, Jean, told John Harper of the New York Daily News. “We saw a big turnaround with Mel over the last 24 hours. He’s not in a life-threatening situation right now,” she continued. “It’s not the cancer. It was that he got sick from the chemo medicine. He was given anti-biotics to fight infection and he’s responded well.” Stottlemyre was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1999, which he fought off before it returned in 2011. We at MLBTR will continue to hope for the best for the five-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion.
More from around the majors:
- It’s unknown whether the Rockies are interested in free agent catcher Matt Wieters, but Jim Bowden of ESPN (Insider required) argues that signing him could push the team into the playoffs. Meanwhile, for Wieters, taking a one-year deal with Colorado and playing half his games at hitter-friendly Coors Field would perhaps enable him to rebound offensively and score a richer contract next offseason, posits Bowden. Long a competent offensive catcher, Wieters batted just .243/.302/.409 in 464 plate appearances last season. The Rockies have far less proven catchers in Tony Wolters and Tom Murphy, though the former thrived as a pitch framer in 2016 (unlike Wieters) and the latter raked at the Triple-A level.
- If the Rangers’ quiet approach to free agency this winter continues, it could benefit center fielder Delino DeShields, writes T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. After an encouraging rookie year in 2015, DeShields was a colossal disappointment last season (.209/.275/.313 in 203 PAs) and spent significant time at Triple-A Round Rock as a result. While Carlos Gomez is slated to start in center field for the Rangers next year, a strong spring showing from DeShields could change that, suggests Sullivan. If DeShields reclaims center, Gomez and Nomar Mazara would occupy the corners, and Shin-Soo Choo would become the team’s full-time designated hitter. “My offseason program last year was a little different than this year. This year I’m more focused on being more explosive and getting my mobility back,” DeShields revealed.
- The commissioner’s office announced drug-related suspensions for five minor leaguers earlier this week, according to Vince Lara-Cinisomo of Baseball America: Red Sox catcher Jake Romanski (amphetamine), Astros right-hander Brendan McCurry (methamphetamine), Indians righty Dakody Clemmer (drug of abuse), Royals righty Arnaldo Hernandez (methamphetamine) and free agent righty Mario Alcantara each received 50-game bans. Clemmer, a 19th-round selection last June, is the most recent draft pick of the group. Romanski (14th round, 2013) and McCurry (22nd round, 2014) were also major league picks. McCurry has reached the most advanced level of the quintet, as he threw 42 1/3 innings at Triple-A last season. The 24-year-old recorded a 3.83 ERA, 9.35 K/9 and 2.76 BB/9 during that stretch.
Matt Wieters isn’t pushing anyone into the playoffs
If Tom Murphy’s what he looked like in AAA, Wieters doesn’t even start. And Wolters may be good enough defensively to beat them both.
Im with you on Tom Murphy…get that guy some at bats in Denver. Go sign Trumbo to play first and add 40-50 bombs…and deal an OF/prospects for a starting pitcher…then there’s a serious team on the field.
Maybe opposing teams chances when he strikes out half the time
Agreed. Not buying it at all.
Jim Bowden wears leather pants. That automatically discredits anything he says.
He is the lizard king. He can do/say anything.
And I’m Craig Sager
gmflores27:
Tasteless. The man just passed away. Learn some respect.
I haven’t taken Bowden seriously since the Marlon Byrd fiasco in 2014.
Neither does is any other player. It takes 25. Just ask Mike Trout…
Wieters would definitely help raise the floor of their group.
Blackmon CF
LeMahieu 2B
Gonzalez RF
Arenado 3B
Dahl LF
Story SS
Wieters C
Desmond 1B
SP Spot
Would look good but they need starting pitching !!!
I can’t imagine them making that big splash on Desmond then batting him 8th but that lineup is deep
I gotta agree. I can’t imagine they’d bat him 8th either. He can hit for average and power plus he has speed. I see him hitting around number 2 or 5. I also see Story as 3 or 4.
With that said though. I guess it is hard to place guys because that is a really deep lineup. Dodgers and Giants better watch out. If they can get some pitching they’ll be really scary.
C Murphy
1b Trumbo
2b LaMehieu
SS Story
3b Arenado
LF Dahl
CF Desmond
RF Gonzalez
They deal Blackmon or another OF and prospects for a frontline starter.
Sorry, Bridich has nailed Desmond’s feet to first base. Terrible move and an overpayment for a mediocre talent.
Where do these writers come up with this crap? Why would Weiters get a better deal next year if he puts up good numbers in Coors? Its freaking Coors field! We have park adjusted numbers now that account for things like this. GMs aren’t that dumb…
Mets literally gave Cuddyer 20 mil, and Rockies gave defensive value guy Desmond 70 mil to play first base.
And remember that Shelby Miller guy?
GMs kind of are that dumb.
Not all GMs go by or have Dave Stewart’s name …. good luck to him having anouther job
You would think that, but just last season Tampa Bay traded a really good reliever for Corey Dickerson. Of course, both McGee and Dickerson were awful last season. Also, think about the post-Rockies careers of guys like Castilla, Hawpe, Atkins, Bichette, etc. Those guys kept getting contracts long after it was apparent they couldn’t hit outside of Denver.
McGee had some declining velocity and he was getting expensive. The Rays make that exchange every time. Granted I’m not sure they’d like to have included Marquez for Padlo along with it.
Best wishes for a full recovery and a Happy Holiday to Mr. Stottlemyre.
Agreed, from a lifelong Red Sox man get well soon
**fan
Astros minor leaguer on meth?!?!?!
Can you say addition!
Opps addiction
I heard that Billy Beane has been dealing with OPS addiction.
It’s a ped I think
Adderrall
Adderall is an Amphetamine, methamphetamine is what Walter White was cooking.
I think the rockies would be better off signing a bullpen arm or just saving the money to extend arenado.
Silliness. A Wolters/Murph platoon will outperform any FA options, and cost much less.
There’s also a high likelihood they’re exposed with a bunch of playing time. High floor players like Wieters are valuable.
Way go commissioner get ready to be visit by the 3 ghost for Next Christmas
Way to sell high on McCurry, Beane!
When I read of young kids getting 50 game suspensions for using methamphetamine to enhance performance, I have to wonder how high the ceiling is for the hypocrisy of ownership ( and the players association?) regarding PED use. There were so many tales of big bowls of “greenies” (amphetamines) in clubhouses prior to games, and probably after, that I think people got complacent until steriods. a more effective, broad ranging. systemic and ultimately more dangerous, ped, came along.
While the suspensions are, I assume, viewed as punishment for trying to game a physical system, does ownership have an obligation to help those suspended to deal with related addiction problems, perhaps skill enhancing programs so the perceived need for ped’s by players is reduced?
Methamphetamine and Amphetamines are different beasts. Amphetamines, like ‘greenies’, generally cause heightened senses, help focus, and stimulate metabolism, ADHD medications and weight loss pills for example, and are fairly common prescriptions. Well Methamphetamine is essentially a juiced up version of Amphetamines and generally isn’t prescribed by doctors unless being closely monitored because of their potency and unpredictability from patient to patient.