Thursday Hot Stove

The Mets introduced Johan Santana to the media yesterday. Today they may be answering questions about Pedro Martinez's participation in cock-fighting in the Dominican Republic. Well, no, he isn't one of the fighters. But a video has popped up on Youtube of Pedro and Juan Marichal acting as "solitardes"- the person who puts the animal to fight. While cock-fighting is legal in the D.R., this is the 21st century!!!

In more baseball-related news, the Mets are said to be interested in former Yankee, Craig Wilson, and have been rebuffed by pitcher Oliver Perez in an attempt to sign him to a long-term deal. Perez, a Scott Boras client, would rather keep his arbitration eligibility and his free agency. It may be a big mistake for the very inconsistent left-hander. And with Santana now in the fold, the anticipated Hernandez bros. reunion will not occur, with the Mets taking a pass on Livan Hernandez.

Chris Carpenter is hoping to rejoin the Cardinals by mid-season, after undergoing Tommy John surgery last July. The D'Backs' Randy Johnson threw off a mound for the first time since his back surgery.

Still no update on the Erik Bedard front. The left-hander has yet to take a physical for any proposed trade.

The Red Sox re-signed Bobby Kielty to a minor league deal yesterday. It's reportedly worth $800k. Eric Hinske has left the Sox to take the same contract offer from the Rays. Also, Brendan Donnelley, recently accused of P.E.D. use, has signed with the Indians.

Nolan Ryan has been hired by the Texas Rangers as their new team president.

The Phillies are getting desperate looking for pitching, taking a look at Odalis Perez and Kris Benson.

Thursday Hot Stove

The Mets introduced Johan Santana to the media yesterday. Today they may be answering questions about Pedro Martinez's participation in cock-fighting in the Dominican Republic. Well, no, he isn't one of the fighters. But a video has popped up on Youtube of Pedro and Juan Marichal acting as "solitardes"- the person who puts the animal to fight. While cock-fighting is legal in the D.R., this is the 21st century!!!

In more baseball-related news, the Mets are said to be interested in former Yankee, Craig Wilson, and have been rebuffed by pitcher Oliver Perez in an attempt to sign him to a long-term deal. Perez, a Scott Boras client, would rather keep his arbitration eligibility and his free agency. It may be a big mistake for the very inconsistent left-hander. And with Santana now in the fold, the anticipated Hernandez bros. reunion will not occur, with the Mets taking a pass on Livan Hernandez.

Chris Carpenter is hoping to rejoin the Cardinals by mid-season, after undergoing Tommy John surgery last July. The D'Backs' Randy Johnson threw off a mound for the first time since his back surgery.

Still no update on the Erik Bedard front. The left-hander has yet to take a physical for any proposed trade.

The Red Sox re-signed Bobby Kielty to a minor league deal yesterday. It's reportedly worth $800k. Eric Hinske has left the Sox to take the same contract offer from the Rays. Also, Brendan Donnelley, recently accused of P.E.D. use, has signed with the Indians.

Nolan Ryan has been hired by the Texas Rangers as their new team president.

The Phillies are getting desperate looking for pitching, taking a look at Odalis Perez and Kris Benson.

Thursday Hot Stove

While Johan Santana is still a Minnesota Twin, Andruw Jones, an Atlanta Brave for 12 years, is now an LA Dodger. Jones agreed to a 2-year, $36.2 million deal, that includes a no-trade clause. Jones' deal makes him the 5th highest player per season. Source

The Astros are on the verge of a major deal- at least that's what they're telling other teams. They've been shopping Chris Burke and Luke Scott, but there are no other details. Source

Anyone who is a regular on this site knows how much we can't stand Tony LaRussa. His words yesterday were another example of why that is. The Cardinals have been trying to deal Scott Rolen for a few reasons- fairly large contract, prone to injury, and his utter distaste for LaRussa. Rolen isn't the 1st player to feel that way about the self-centered jack ass (oops, did we say that out loud?). But this may be the 1st time LaRussa has taken a shot at the player in the press, rather than have one of his cronies from the St. Louis Dispatch do it, which happened with Tino Martinez. Source

As for the rift with Rolen, La Russa said, "I can't remember ever being the combination of mystified and concerned as I am about this situation."

La Russa admitted hostilities began after Rolen expressed unhappiness over the way he was treated while suffering shoulder problems last year but indicated the veteran third-sacker was off-base.

"I think he has put some things in his mind, and I think he needs to understand that our Cardinals have given him a lot since he's gotten there. He's been given a contract, he's been given a couple of World Series, he's been given a world championship, been a part of it, and he's given back some. But he needs to give back more."

As for Rolen's desire to be traded, La Russa said, "The whole idea isn't to please Scott. It's to take care of the St. Louis Cardinals. I don't understand why he can be down on the Cardinals. I don't understand why he can be down on me, to be honest.

"The idea is to accommodate the St. Louis Cardinals, our team, our responsibility to our players and to the competition. So, no, I don't want to accomodate(sic) Scott.

"What I care about is that he re-establish his stature as a major league, productive star. He needs to understand that he has slipped. Not in his play, but just in the way he's perceived in being the Scott they knew for years. It's in his best interests, and I think that means a lot to him. He can play mad every day if he wants to. That's OK."

The Orioles continue to market Brian Roberts and have had extensive talks with the Cubs. It really makes no sense to deal Roberts and hang on to Miguel Tejada. Source

The Rangers acquired 1st Baseman/DH Chris Shelton from the Tigers last night for Freddy Guzman. Shelton burst on to the scene 3 seasons ago, hitting 18 home runs in less than 400 at-bats. But after hitting 10 home runs in April of '06, he faded and was sent to the minors where he played all of this past season. Source

Thursday Hot Stove

While Johan Santana is still a Minnesota Twin, Andruw Jones, an Atlanta Brave for 12 years, is now an LA Dodger. Jones agreed to a 2-year, $36.2 million deal, that includes a no-trade clause. Jones' deal makes him the 5th highest player per season. Source

The Astros are on the verge of a major deal- at least that's what they're telling other teams. They've been shopping Chris Burke and Luke Scott, but there are no other details. Source

Anyone who is a regular on this site knows how much we can't stand Tony LaRussa. His words yesterday were another example of why that is. The Cardinals have been trying to deal Scott Rolen for a few reasons- fairly large contract, prone to injury, and his utter distaste for LaRussa. Rolen isn't the 1st player to feel that way about the self-centered jack ass (oops, did we say that out loud?). But this may be the 1st time LaRussa has taken a shot at the player in the press, rather than have one of his cronies from the St. Louis Dispatch do it, which happened with Tino Martinez. Source

As for the rift with Rolen, La Russa said, "I can't remember ever being the combination of mystified and concerned as I am about this situation."

La Russa admitted hostilities began after Rolen expressed unhappiness over the way he was treated while suffering shoulder problems last year but indicated the veteran third-sacker was off-base.

"I think he has put some things in his mind, and I think he needs to understand that our Cardinals have given him a lot since he's gotten there. He's been given a contract, he's been given a couple of World Series, he's been given a world championship, been a part of it, and he's given back some. But he needs to give back more."

As for Rolen's desire to be traded, La Russa said, "The whole idea isn't to please Scott. It's to take care of the St. Louis Cardinals. I don't understand why he can be down on the Cardinals. I don't understand why he can be down on me, to be honest.

"The idea is to accommodate the St. Louis Cardinals, our team, our responsibility to our players and to the competition. So, no, I don't want to accomodate(sic) Scott.

"What I care about is that he re-establish his stature as a major league, productive star. He needs to understand that he has slipped. Not in his play, but just in the way he's perceived in being the Scott they knew for years. It's in his best interests, and I think that means a lot to him. He can play mad every day if he wants to. That's OK."

The Orioles continue to market Brian Roberts and have had extensive talks with the Cubs. It really makes no sense to deal Roberts and hang on to Miguel Tejada. Source

The Rangers acquired 1st Baseman/DH Chris Shelton from the Tigers last night for Freddy Guzman. Shelton burst on to the scene 3 seasons ago, hitting 18 home runs in less than 400 at-bats. But after hitting 10 home runs in April of '06, he faded and was sent to the minors where he played all of this past season. Source

Hot Stove Update

Couple of reported contract agreements tonight...

We reported earlier today that the Rockies were close to bringing back Yorvit Torrealba and now its official. The 2 sides have agreed to a 2 year deal , $7 million deal with a mutual option for 2010. Source

The Rays and Troy Percival have apparently agreed to terms on a 2 year deal, $8 million deal. Incentives could boost the total to 10 mill. Source

The Brewers are close to signing free agent reliever David Riske. The right-hander could be used to close, but most likely will remain a set up man. Source

Hot Stove Update

Couple of reported contract agreements tonight...

We reported earlier today that the Rockies were close to bringing back Yorvit Torrealba and now its official. The 2 sides have agreed to a 2 year deal , $7 million deal with a mutual option for 2010. Source

The Rays and Troy Percival have apparently agreed to terms on a 2 year deal, $8 million deal. Incentives could boost the total to 10 mill. Source

The Brewers are close to signing free agent reliever David Riske. The right-hander could be used to close, but most likely will remain a set up man. Source

Thursday Hot Stove

As reported here yesterday, the Rays and Twins completed a 6 player deal with Delmon Young and Matt Garza being the primary players swapping uni's. One revision was made to the original deal, however, when medical reports on Juan Rincon's elbow were not to the Rays' liking. So Rincon was yanked from the deal, and highly rated relief prospect Eduardo Morlan.

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The Tigers have reported made a multi-year offer to free agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins. The 34-yr old would make up for the loss of Joel Zumaya. Source

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The Rays are reportedly even closer to signing veteran closer Troy Percival to a mulit-year deal. Percival sat out the 2006 season before appearing in 34 games for the St. Louis Cardinals this past season. Source

* * *

The Pirates are open to trading Matt Morris, who they foolishly signed to a 2-yr deal prior to this past season. Morris is set to make $9.5 million this year, which means the Pirates will either not get much in return or will have to eat the bulk of the salary. The Pirates have also gotten trade inquires from the Cardinals concerning shortstop Jack Wilson. Source

* * *

The Rockies thought they had lost free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba to the Mets, but it looks like the two sides have now agreed to terms. Torrealba completed the first part of a required physical. Source

* * *

Tony LaRussa pleaded guilty to DUI charges stemming from an arrest in Florida during spring training. He'll receive 6 months probation that includes a suspended license and community service. Source

Thursday Hot Stove

As reported here yesterday, the Rays and Twins completed a 6 player deal with Delmon Young and Matt Garza being the primary players swapping uni's. One revision was made to the original deal, however, when medical reports on Juan Rincon's elbow were not to the Rays' liking. So Rincon was yanked from the deal, and highly rated relief prospect Eduardo Morlan.

* * *

The Tigers have reported made a multi-year offer to free agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins. The 34-yr old would make up for the loss of Joel Zumaya. Source

* * *

The Rays are reportedly even closer to signing veteran closer Troy Percival to a mulit-year deal. Percival sat out the 2006 season before appearing in 34 games for the St. Louis Cardinals this past season. Source

* * *

The Pirates are open to trading Matt Morris, who they foolishly signed to a 2-yr deal prior to this past season. Morris is set to make $9.5 million this year, which means the Pirates will either not get much in return or will have to eat the bulk of the salary. The Pirates have also gotten trade inquires from the Cardinals concerning shortstop Jack Wilson. Source

* * *

The Rockies thought they had lost free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba to the Mets, but it looks like the two sides have now agreed to terms. Torrealba completed the first part of a required physical. Source

* * *

Tony LaRussa pleaded guilty to DUI charges stemming from an arrest in Florida during spring training. He'll receive 6 months probation that includes a suspended license and community service. Source