Category: MLB (Page 278 of 448)

      Are the Giants pursing Manny Ramirez?

      January 1, 2009 /

      Rumor has it that the San Francisco Giants are quietly making a play for free agent Manny Ramirez.

      Manny RamirezAcquiring Ramirez would come with a number of headaches — from simply having the mercurial slugger on their roster to likely having to trade one of their incumbent outfielders (Randy Winn, Aaron Rowand, Dave Roberts). But all in all, he’d probably be worth it for a team that isn’t all that far from seriously contending. They play in a soft division where 85 wins could easily equal a playoff berth.

      That’s especially true when you consider three factors: (1) the market for Ramirez is severely depressed because of the number of all-hit, no-field corner bats on the market, (2) signing him would simultaneously improve the Giants’ offense and weaken the rival Dodgers and (3) it would save GM Brian Sabean from having to engineer a complex trade for a bat that would cost him one of his top young pitchers like Jonathan Sanchez.

      I tossed the idea of the Giants being potential sleepers in the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes in early December and as long as they don’t go ridiculous with the length of the contract, I think it would be a great move for club in desperate need of a bat.

      As the article suggests, the Giants aren’t that far away from competing because they have such a solid pitching staff, headed by NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. But their lineup is comprised of roll players and lacks major pop. Adding Manny would instantly make Bengie Molina, Randy Winn (if Manny doesn’t push him out) and Aaron Rowand better, and if younger players Pablo Sandoval, Fred Lewis (if Manny doesn’t push him out) and Travis Ishikawa can continue to develop, the lineup would certainly be good enough to win the NL West.

      It’ll be interesting to see if the G-Men can steal the Dodgers’ most coveted free agent.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

      Top 10 sports stories we didn’t get to see in ’08

      January 1, 2009 /

      Fox Sports put together a good list of the top sports stories that didn’t happen in 2008.

      The 10th-seeded Wildcats should have toppled Kansas in the Midwest Regional Final. Down by two points, Davidson had the final possession. It was a good three-point shooting team. All the Wildcats had to do was get somebody free to knock down the decisive trey. With one more bucket, they would have furthered the legend of March Madness.

      Alas, Davidson guard Jason Richards took the last shot and clanked it. The Jayhawks escaped, 59-57, then went on to win the national title. Had Davidson done the right thing, North Carolina coach Roy Williams would not have attended the championship game as a KU fan. That was uncomfortable for everybody.

      “You dream about that type of stuff when you’re a little kid, having the opportunity to win the game, take your team to the Final Four,” Richards said of his last shot. But this dream didn’t come true. “I had a great look,” he said. “Maybe you could say we could have gotten a better shot. At that point, it seemed like the best shot for us. My team had confidence in me. Unfortunately, I just missed the shot and fell short.”

      Click here to see the rest of the list.

      College Basketball, College Football, Golf, Humor, MLB, NBA, NFL, Super Bowl, Tennis, The Olympics

      Angels sign closer Brian Fuentes

      December 31, 2008 /

      The Los Angeles Angels found their replacement for Felix Rodriguez at closer in former Rockies’ reliever Brian Fuentes, who signed a two-year, $17.5 million contract with the Halos.

      The 33-year-old Fuentes was a three-time NL All-Star. The lefty was 1-5 with 30 saves in 34 chances and a 2.73 ERA for Colorado this season and then became a free agent. He struck out 82 in 62 2-3 innings.

      Rodriguez posted 62 saves for the Angels this season to break Bobby Thigpen’s single-season record of 57. K-Rod signed a three-year, $37 million contract with the New York Mets three weeks ago.
      Fuentes could serve as the Angels’ closer or as a setup man for either Scot Shields or Jose Arrendondo. Fuentes has a 17-27 career record with 115 saves and a 3.41 ERA in 438 appearances for the Seattle Mariners and Rockies.

      Fuentes left the Rockies as their all-time career saves leader. He also finished as Colorado’s all-time leader in strikeouts by a reliever.

      He became the third free agent to return to the Angels this offseason, joining left-handed reliever Darren Oliver, who accepted salary arbitration, and outfielder Juan Rivera, who signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract.

      The Angels also give up their first-round pick with this signing, but they had already picked up first-rounders form the Mets and Yankees, as well as two supplemental picks, so that isn’t a huge blow.

      With Scott Shields, Justin Speier and Darren Oliver already on the roster, the addition of Fuentes gives the Halos a solid bullpen.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      The Mets give Derek Lowe his first serious offer

      December 31, 2008 /

      loweIn February, most MLB pitchers will report to training camp because they need these two months before the regular season begins to loosen their arms and find their rhythm. Due to the early start, teams generally try finalize their pitching staff by this time. We’ve already seen two blue chip hurlers signed in CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Now Derek Lowe is finally coming into the discussion. After finishing last season with wonderful performances in August and September, Lowe once again proved why he is one of the top pitchers in baseball. The 2008 New York Mets had a weak link in their rotation and are now looking to Lowe.

      The Mets have acted on their remaining offseason priority, extending highly sought right-hander Derek Lowe a three-year offer for approximately $36 million, according to a report in the New York Times.

      Citing “people who have been briefed on the discussions” between the Mets and agent Scott Boras, the Times’ report is the first word of a specific offer having been presented to Lowe, who will turn 36 in the spring.

      Lowe, 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA for the Dodgers last season, entered the free-agent market with a price generally perceived as $90 million for five years. His suitors have included the Red Sox, Phillies and — at least until they reeled in both CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett — the Yankees.

      Here is the Mets’ potential rotation: Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, John Maine, and Derek Lowe. Sounds pretty devastating to me, considering Pedro Martinez and Billy Wagner are still on their roster. Add the closing threat of Francisco Rodriguez and the Mets suddenly seem like the best team in the NL East. If they do sign Lowe, they will have a stronger rotation than the Phillies, hands down. Also, since the Phils and Pat Burrell appear to be parting ways, I think the Mets will have them beat in hitting as well.

      I won’t blame Lowe if he decides to leave the Dodgers. He never seemed really happy in Los Angeles and has routinely expressed his love for the East Coast. With Lowe off the market, Jake Peavy and Ben Sheets are still looking for new homes. The Dodgers, Angels, and Red Sox will all be interested.

      MLB

      Dodgers interested in Dunn and Abreu, Manny still first choice

      December 30, 2008 /

      The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly interested in free agents Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu, although Manny Ramirez remains their top priority.

      Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said Manny Ramirez is the team’s first choice. Colletti hasn’t heard from Manny’s agent Scott Boras since Mark Teixeira signed a week ago. As reported yesterday, the Dodgers have interest in Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu as backup plans. Pat Burrell and Garret Anderson are not on the team’s radar.

      At this point, I think it would be wise for Boras to sit down with Colletti and figure out a reasonable contract. The biggest spenders – Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Mets – aren’t interested and I doubt Manny’s going to find a better deal than the one the Dodgers are offering him.

      Go be an icon in L.A., Manny.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

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