Uncategorized News & Rumors

DoublePlay TV has a new MLB Roundup video up; take a look.

My apologies for this post; it’s related to the technical aspects of this website rather than baseball.

I am a novice when it comes to website design, validation, optimization, coding…that’s why I use TypePad.  Typically I am able to live in blissful ignorance and just crank out the rumors.  However at this point I don’t feel that the website is functioning correctly.  It needs to be addressed.

Aside from the slow load time, in recent weeks MLBTR has had an error in IE where the page does not display correctly on the first load.  There are probably other issues I don’t even know about.  I am looking for some help optimizing the site and cleaning up the errors.  (This is not related to the redesign nor am I looking for SEO help).  My goal is for the site to load as quickly as possible and to eliminate the error I’ve been seeing recently.

If you have the skills to help out and are interested, please email me at mlbtraderumors2008@gmail.com.  Experience using TypePad would help.  I am certainly happy to pay for the assistance; we can hammer out the details.  Thanks. 

SI.com’s Jon Heyman runs down the 13 worst-ever free agent deals.

Do Alfonso Soriano, Vernon Wells, Ken Griffey Jr., or Todd Helton belong?  Just asking (and yes, some of them are technically extensions).  Bobby Bonilla, J.D. Drew, or Roger Clemens?  Do you have any additional suggestions for the list?  I’m interested to read your comments on this.

I’m planning another video mailbag this week.  Send your questions to mlbtraderumors2008@gmail.com.

Last week’s mailbag can be viewed here.

The Tigers, Phillies, and Mariners are three contenders that may be on the lookout for bullpen help.  I get the feeling the winless Tigers might act quickly.  What does the relief market offer?

• Jon Rauch and Luis Ayala of the Nationals.  As I’ve written, Rauch is the one to chase.  John Perrotto says the Tigers have "strong interest" in him.  But with Chad Cordero in questionable health, will Jim Bowden weaken his pen in the short term?
• Ron Mahay and Yasuhiko Yabuta of the Royals.  Neither free agent signee will be traded anytime soon.  But the Royals’ pen might have the depth to overcome the loss of one of them in July, and desperate teams always overpay for relievers near the deadline.  Something to monitor later in the season.
• Kevin Gregg of the Marlins.  Gregg had his ERA wrecked early by a bad appearance at the tail end of a blowout at the hands of the Mets.  He’s affordable, decent, and even comes with the closer tag.
• Joaquin Benoit of the Rangers.  He’s signed through ’09 and was quietly solid last year. 
• Mike Wuertz of the Cubs.  It’s been said that the Cubs would only include Wuertz in a major deal.  Maybe so, but he’s pretty far down on the depth chart given his abilities.
• Brad Hennessey, Tyler Walker of the Giants.  Hennessey is a pitch-to-contact type who’s given up an astounding 12 hits in three innings so far.  He’s not exactly at peak value.
• Alan Embree, Huston Street of the A’s.  Billy Beane is expected to extract a huge bounty for Street later this summer if he does trade him.  Street’s allowed runs in his first three appearances though.
• Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker, George Sherrill of the Orioles. Right now the O’s are just enjoying first place.  In a couple of months they might have the best trove of available relievers.
• Brian Fuentes of the Rockies.  They can’t spare him.
• Damaso Marte, John Grabow of the Pirates.  Marte’s last appearance was encouraging; he’ll have to continue building up value.
• Jose Valverde, Doug Brocail of the Astros.  Richard Justice wonders whether Drayton McLane could order a roster teardown if things are looking bleak a few months from now.  Valverde could fetch a couple of quality prospects.

Our friends at DoublePlay TV have a new edition of MLB Roundup, hosted by Stephanie Rosa.  Check it out.

I received dozens of excellent submissions for the MLBTR logo contest.  I appreciate each and every one of them.

The winner comes from a guy named Aaron, who you can reach at aaron4289@yahoo.com if you’d like to hire him.  Here it is; what do you think?  Click to enlarge it.

Slow news day here at MLBTR, so let’s try something a little different to get us warmed up. I have been working on a little side project and could use your help.

What would you consider the best and/or worst trade that your team’s current GM has ever made? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

Time for another video mailbag.  Send your questions to mlbtraderumors2008@gmail.com.

I’ve got a couple of fun mini-events on tap.

• I’ll be on Valparaiso Student Radio on Wednesday at about 9:15am CST.  Listen live here.  (Note: I originally wrote that this was today but it’s not).
• You can listen to my appearance University of Maryland Radio yesterday at this link.
• From 2-3pm CST, I’ll be doing the first-ever MLBTR chat.  It’ll be right here on the site and you’ll be able to submit questions very easily.  Don’t miss it!