Category: MLB (Page 121 of 448)

      Are the Cubs trying to force Zambrano to waive his no trade clause?

      April 27, 2010 /

      When I heard about the Cubs’ decision to move starter Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen, I calmly waited for the backlash and fireworks to start. I was sure that the demotion would provoke Big Z to burn Wrigley Field down or at the very least, have a lovely meal with his family at Harry Caray’s Restaurant and not tip.

      But there was no backlash, no outrage or fireworks. Zambrano essentially took the move in stride and shut his mouth, which should make everyone curious about what the hell is going on these days on the north side of Chicago.

      Whatever it is, GM Jim Hendry says there’s nothing mysterious happening behind the curtain, which includes getting Zambrano so worked up that he agrees to drop his no trade clause.

      From the Chicago Tribune:

      Hendry shrugged off speculation the move was made for reasons that have nothing to do with the bullpen problems, such as tryng to get Zambrano to waive his no-trade clause.

      “There’s absolutely nothing mysterious about it,” he said. “The bottom line is at this particular time it makes us a better club… It certainly was not a situation he was expecting, so he had every right to think ‘Why this?’ That’s what players do. But he handled it well and I thought he did a real nice job the first time.
      Hendry said Zambrano didn’t “throw poorly,” but was the best choice of the starters to do the job.

      It all sounds good on the surface and seeing as how the Cubs have won four in a row, the move appears to be working. But whom does Hendry think he’s fooling here? Zambrano is making $17.85 million this year, is set to make $17.85 million next season and $18 million in 2012. Relievers don’t make that kind of money – aces do.

      Maybe the move really is only temporary. Maybe the Cubs really don’t have any plans to get Z to drop his no trade clause. Maybe this was a move that was made in the best interest of the team.

      All I know is that Carlos Zambrano is a 24/7 ticking time bomb and there’s no way he can be fine with this new arraignment. Something is going to go down at some point and when it happens, I’ll be the first to grab my popcorn and wait for the show.

      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

      Will Ryan Howard be worth the money?

      April 26, 2010 /

      Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that the Phillies are close to signing slugger Ryan Howard to a new five-year, $125 million extension. Howard’s current salary is $19 million and he’s set to make $20 million in 2011 before he becomes a free agent in 2012.

      Howard has 16 RBI and three home runs in 18 games this year and showed his commitment to staying in shape by dropping weight in the offseason. He used the same trainer that Derek Jeter did before the shortstop went on to produce a career year in 2009 and the extra agility training has done wonders for Howard’s defense. (He’s not quite J.T. Snow at the one-bagger, but his defense has certainly improved.)

      As long as he stays committed to working out in the offseason, the Phillies won’t be burned by this deal. That said, it’s a little perplexing that they didn’t wait to sign him to the extension next year, seeing as how they already have him locked up for the next two seasons. Sluggers’ power numbers have a tendency to drop once they reach their mid 30s and thus, the Phillies could have waited to see how Howard (30) performs this season before committing to him long term.

      But again, with Howard’s new approach to offseason conditioning, this should be a deal that works out well for both sides. (Especially Howard, who will sign one of the few $100-plus million deals in baseball.)


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

      Ichiro’s free house, and other odd baseball contracts

      April 25, 2010 /

      In a recent article for CNN.com, Ethan Trex informs us of some of MLB’s strangest contracts. I’ve inserted my favorites below, but read the whole thing and count how many times you mumble to yourself, “Must be nice.”

      2. Support for Rollie Fingers’ ‘stache

      Former A’s owner Charlie Finley never thought of a gimmick he wouldn’t try, including a mechanical rabbit that delivered fresh balls to the umpire and hiring a 13-year-old MC Hammer as his “Executive V.P.”

      In 1972, Finley offered his players cash for growing a mustache by Father’s Day, thereby giving birth to reliever Rollie Fingers’ trademark handlebar ‘stache.
      The A’s went on to win the World Series that season, and Fingers’ contract for 1973 contained a $300 bonus for growing the mustache as well as $100 for the purchase of mustache wax.

      7. Roy Oswalt’s big toy

      Before pitcher Roy Oswalt made a start in the 2005 National League Championship Series, Astros owner Drayton McLane promised to make the ace’s dreams come true if he won, specifically his life goal of bulldozer ownership.

      After Oswalt dominated the Cardinals to send Houston to its first World Series, McLane came through with a Caterpillar D6N XL.

      Since Major League Baseball requires high-dollar gifts be disclosed, Oswalt signed an addendum to his contract, a “bulldozer clause,” authorizing the club to give him his new toy.

      9. Ichiro won’t be homeless

      One would think a guy making a guaranteed $17 million a year wouldn’t be too worried about keeping a roof over his head. Not Ichiro Suzuki, though.

      The Seattle Mariners star outfielder signed a five-year contract extension in July 2007 that included, among other perks, four round-trip airline tickets to Japan each year and the services of an interpreter and trainer throughout the season. It also included a housing allowance for each year of the deal.

      While the numbers themselves aren’t eye-popping — the allowance ranges from $32,000 to $36,000 a year over the life of the deal — kudos to Ichiro for getting someone else to pay his rent.

      How savvy is Ichiro? Dude not only signs a huge contract but somehow manages to score a (most likely) sweet pad free of charge. Roy Oswalt must be kicking himself in that complimentary bulldozer of his.

      External Sports, MLB

      Cubs fan enters Miller Park, loses

      April 25, 2010 /

      And now, ladies (yeah, right) and germs, your slow news day in the buff: Earlier today a Cubs fan fell 14 feet over the outfield railing during batting practice at Miller Park.

      From ChicagoBreakingSports.com:

      The man wearing Cubs gear and believed to be in his 20s was trying to catch a ball in the left field corner when he fell over a railing into an area behind the left field wall. The Cubs’ trainers rushed out to try and provide help, and batting practice was halted.

      There was no immediate word on the extent of the injury, though the fan was said to be conscious when the paramedics arrived. Brewers head athletic trainer Roger Caplinger said the man was cut and bleeding from the face.

      Hope the guy is OK. Per usual, Lou Piniella has placed the fan on the 15-day DL. Micah Hoffpauir has been called up from Triple-A Iowa to take his place.

      External Sports, MLB

      How a baseball scout survived Cuban prison

      April 24, 2010 /

      The Wall Street Journal — yes, the “financial” paper — has a very interesting article up by Christopher Rhoades detailing the emotional journey of Juan Ignacio Hernández Nodar, an American who spent 13 years in a Cuban prison for helping players like Liván Hernández escape the communist country to play Major League Baseball.

      But Mr. Hernández Nodar, whose family fled Cuba when he was two, was after even bigger game: Cuba’s winningest pitcher, Liván’s older half-brother, Orlando “El Duque” Hernández.

      Cuba’s world-class players are barred from the U.S. by Cuba’s supreme leader Fidel Castro, who treasures them as symbols of Communist superiority. That Aug. 12, Mr. Hernández Nodar was arrested while attending a game in central Cuba. A Havana court sentenced him to 15 years in prison, calling him a “parasite benefitting from the huge efforts of our working people.”

      It’s a fascinating read, given that Hernández Nodar survived in a hostile environment where he was viewed as a traitor. We tend to forget the consequences of the Cuban defection process, and the article points out how quickly it can turn a life sour. Nevertheless, the story of Juan Ignacio Hernández Nodar has a happy ending: He has successfully opened up a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.

      External Sports, MLB

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