Real Baseball

It's here this week...at last! Players begin reporting to camps this week. We'll be taking a look at each of the teams, but in a piecemeal fashion. First up, tomorrow will be the AL East rotations and then we'll go from there.

Joe Girardi is preparing for his 1st spring training as Yankees manager (and only the 2nd of his managerial career). Girardi had the unenviable task of replacing Mike Stanley when he came here as a player and now he's replacing the man who lead the Yankees to 4 World Series championships in his first 5 years as manager.

Girardi learned some valuable lessons when he replaced Stanley, and he will use it as he replaces Joe Torre.

Mike Piazza is still looking for a team as pitchers and catchers get ready to report. The former Met has looked into Japan, and may still opt for retirement.

With Johan Santana now in a Mets uniform, Willie Randolph will be under extra pressure to - at the very least - deliver a World Series appearance.

Rich Harden has been throwing and the A's pitcher is feeling good...for now. As baseball fans, we can only hope he returns to his dominant form. The same goes for Mark Prior in San Diego.

Manny Ramirez is entering what could be his final season in Boston. The Red Sox hold $20 million annual options for 2009 and 2010, but we can't imagine the Sox wanting to pay Manny 20 mill at ages 37 and 38. Manny will probably get a new restructured contract that will pay him less over a longer period of time.

Nothing is imminent, but the Cubs are still expected to deal for the Orioles' Brian Roberts.

The Denver Post reports that the Billy Beane is asking for Andre Ethier, Andy LaRoche and a prospect from the Dodgers for Joe Blanton.

The Orioles are expecting to have Adam Loewen ready for spring training. The O's are talking to free agent Steve Trachsel about a deal.

The Royals and Rangers have joined the Yankees in showing interest in Kevin Mench. Mench was a member of the Rangers from 2002-2005.

The Reds have signed Craig Wilson to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training.

Real Baseball

It's here this week...at last! Players begin reporting to camps this week. We'll be taking a look at each of the teams, but in a piecemeal fashion. First up, tomorrow will be the AL East rotations and then we'll go from there.

Joe Girardi is preparing for his 1st spring training as Yankees manager (and only the 2nd of his managerial career). Girardi had the unenviable task of replacing Mike Stanley when he came here as a player and now he's replacing the man who lead the Yankees to 4 World Series championships in his first 5 years as manager.

Girardi learned some valuable lessons when he replaced Stanley, and he will use it as he replaces Joe Torre.

Mike Piazza is still looking for a team as pitchers and catchers get ready to report. The former Met has looked into Japan, and may still opt for retirement.

With Johan Santana now in a Mets uniform, Willie Randolph will be under extra pressure to - at the very least - deliver a World Series appearance.

Rich Harden has been throwing and the A's pitcher is feeling good...for now. As baseball fans, we can only hope he returns to his dominant form. The same goes for Mark Prior in San Diego.

Manny Ramirez is entering what could be his final season in Boston. The Red Sox hold $20 million annual options for 2009 and 2010, but we can't imagine the Sox wanting to pay Manny 20 mill at ages 37 and 38. Manny will probably get a new restructured contract that will pay him less over a longer period of time.

Nothing is imminent, but the Cubs are still expected to deal for the Orioles' Brian Roberts.

The Denver Post reports that the Billy Beane is asking for Andre Ethier, Andy LaRoche and a prospect from the Dodgers for Joe Blanton.

The Orioles are expecting to have Adam Loewen ready for spring training. The O's are talking to free agent Steve Trachsel about a deal.

The Royals and Rangers have joined the Yankees in showing interest in Kevin Mench. Mench was a member of the Rangers from 2002-2005.

The Reds have signed Craig Wilson to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training.

Weekend Hot Stove

Chicago White Sox G.M. Kenny Williams categorically denies it, but rumor has it Williams is talking to his Angels' counterpart Tony Reagins about Paul Konerko. When he was acquired the other day, Nick Swisher was told he would playing a lot of centerfield for Chicago, but if Konerko is moved, there's always the possibility Swisher could become the White Sox every day 1st Baseman.

The Texas Rangers have agreed to a 1-year, $3.85 million deal with free agent 1st Baseman Ben Broussard.

The Chicago Cubs sent minor league outfielder Angel Pagan to the Mets for a pair of minor leaguers- 22-year-old reliever Ryan Meyers and 25-year-old outfielder Corey Coles. The Cubs had picked up Pagan from the Mets prior to the 2006 season.

Brian Cashman has said he's perfectly happy with the Yankees 1st Base situation (he also said the same thing about centerfield right before he signed Johnny Damon prior to the 2006 season), with Jason Giambi, Wilson Betemit, and Shelley Duncan sharing the spot. Cashman also feels that Juan Miranda, who played this past season in Double-A, could also play a factor.

How do you say "Lima time" in Korean? We may find out soon since Jose Lima is rumored to be signing with the Kia Tigers of the Korean baseball league.


photo couresy of mlb.com

Weekend Hot Stove

Chicago White Sox G.M. Kenny Williams categorically denies it, but rumor has it Williams is talking to his Angels' counterpart Tony Reagins about Paul Konerko. When he was acquired the other day, Nick Swisher was told he would playing a lot of centerfield for Chicago, but if Konerko is moved, there's always the possibility Swisher could become the White Sox every day 1st Baseman.

The Texas Rangers have agreed to a 1-year, $3.85 million deal with free agent 1st Baseman Ben Broussard.

The Chicago Cubs sent minor league outfielder Angel Pagan to the Mets for a pair of minor leaguers- 22-year-old reliever Ryan Meyers and 25-year-old outfielder Corey Coles. The Cubs had picked up Pagan from the Mets prior to the 2006 season.

Brian Cashman has said he's perfectly happy with the Yankees 1st Base situation (he also said the same thing about centerfield right before he signed Johnny Damon prior to the 2006 season), with Jason Giambi, Wilson Betemit, and Shelley Duncan sharing the spot. Cashman also feels that Juan Miranda, who played this past season in Double-A, could also play a factor.

How do you say "Lima time" in Korean? We may find out soon since Jose Lima is rumored to be signing with the Kia Tigers of the Korean baseball league.


photo couresy of mlb.com

Weekend Hot Stove

Kenny Rogers' 1 year deal to remain with the Detroit Tigers will net him $8 million. Source

Here are some tidbits from Ken Rosenthal:

Because of Aaron Rowand's huge contract demands, the White Sox are starting to look at Japanese star and unrestricted free agent, Kosuke Fukudome.

The Mets may targed Jose Guillen to replace Lastings Milledge.

Scouts around baseball are puzzled by the Red Sox not including Jacoby Ellsbury in a deal for Johan Santana. The feeling is that Ellsbury is overhyped and will be a good player, but not a star. Source

The Red Sox are looking to retain Mike Timlin and are working on a 1 year, $3 million deal. Source

Abitration info:

The LA Angels will not offer arbitration to free agent pitcher Bartolo Colon. Source

The Phillies will offer arbitration to Rowand, but not pitcher Freddy Garcia. Source

The Dbacks will offer arbitration to Livan Hernandez. Source

The Rangers will not offer arbitration to Sammy Sosa, Brad Wilkerson, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jamey Wright. Source

The Braves will not offer arbitration to Andruw Jones or Octavio Dotel, but will offer it to Ron Mahay. Sourc

Weekend Hot Stove

Kenny Rogers' 1 year deal to remain with the Detroit Tigers will net him $8 million. Source

Here are some tidbits from Ken Rosenthal:

Because of Aaron Rowand's huge contract demands, the White Sox are starting to look at Japanese star and unrestricted free agent, Kosuke Fukudome.

The Mets may targed Jose Guillen to replace Lastings Milledge.

Scouts around baseball are puzzled by the Red Sox not including Jacoby Ellsbury in a deal for Johan Santana. The feeling is that Ellsbury is overhyped and will be a good player, but not a star. Source

The Red Sox are looking to retain Mike Timlin and are working on a 1 year, $3 million deal. Source

Abitration info:

The LA Angels will not offer arbitration to free agent pitcher Bartolo Colon. Source

The Phillies will offer arbitration to Rowand, but not pitcher Freddy Garcia. Source

The Dbacks will offer arbitration to Livan Hernandez. Source

The Rangers will not offer arbitration to Sammy Sosa, Brad Wilkerson, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jamey Wright. Source

The Braves will not offer arbitration to Andruw Jones or Octavio Dotel, but will offer it to Ron Mahay. Sourc