Tom's Bombs of Thought (Free subscription) | 11/12/2009
Jason Varitek’s hot bat early in the season appeared to justify the 2-year contract the Red Sox handed him in the offseason. However, his production has nosedived late this year. Since the acquisition of star catcher Victor Martinez, Varitek has hit just .134 while striking out one out of every three at-bats. Many wondered whether the Martinez acquisition would affect the playing time of third...
Mets Fever (Free subscription) | 11/11/2009
Last week Marty Noble reported that the Mets considered Rod Barajas was the Mets top catching target this off-season. However, it seems that Bengie Molina who Noble ranked at #2 is starting to gain momentum. The Mets want some power from the catching position and Barajas hit 21 HRs last year, couple that with his in-expensive price tag and I could see where going in that direction makes sense. However,...
MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com (Free subscription) | 11/11/2009
Lots of newsbits swirling about the Big Apple's non-World Series winners... Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that the Mets will meet with Scott Boras tonight to at least get an idea of what it will take to sign Matt Holliday. As reported earlier today, the Mets weren't interested in Jason Varitek but were considering Bengie Molina at catcher. Sherman (also via Twitter) added Rod Barajas and...
Baseball Time in Arlington (Free subscription) | 11/10/2009
Behind a group of talented young position players and several surprising pitching performances, the 2004 Texas Rangers won 89 games after averaging 72 wins per season from 2000-2003. Ryan Drese and Kenny Rogers anchored a staff that improved from 67 runs above replacement (RAR) in 2003 to 122 RAR in 2004. The 2004 bullpen was slightly better than what had been a very good bullpen in 2003 (91 RAR vs....
Sliding Into Home (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
Here are the rankings via AOL Fanhouse : Players with * have 2010 options in current contract Type A free agents (with former team): Jason Bay, OF, Boston Rafael Betancourt, RP, Colorado* Orlando Cabrera, IF, Minnesota Johnny Damon, OF, Yankees Octavio Dotel, RP, White Sox Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox* Chone Figgins, IF, Angels Mike Gonzalez, RP, Atlanta John Grabow, RP, Cubs Kevin Gregg, RP, Cubs LaTroy...
DRaysBay (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP Inverted W! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! Browse more photos » Per Ed Price. Crawford won't reach free agency, Zaun and Shouse have options which may be declined, and Springer is a true free agent. The questions now are whether any of them will be offered arbitration in order to gain a supplemental round compensation pick. Given his age (and potential salary)...
MetsBlog (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
In his Hot Stove preview for MLB.com, Marty Noble lists free-agent outfielders Mike Cameron and Matt Holliday; catchers Bengie Molina and Rod Barajas; pitchers John Lackey, Jason Marquis and Randy Wolf; second baseman Orlando Hudson; and first baseman Troy Glaus; as players the Mets will show interest in this off season, ‘according to people within the organization [...]
Mets Fever (Free subscription) | 11/08/2009
The D-Backs and Blue Jays are discussing a trade in which the Jays would receive C Chris Snyder while the D-Backs would obtain 1B Lyle Overbay. If the trade goes through the Jays would have their catcher and would no longer be looking at Rod Barajas. The Mets have supposedly have targeted Rod Barajas as their primary target for their vacant position. Barajas hit 21 HRs last year, which I'm sure is...
Bluebird Banter (Free subscription) | 11/07/2009
There isn't all that much for Blue Jay news this morning, but before I get to what there is: I forgot to check out our World Series predictions right after it ended, likely due to sadness that the Yankees won. Looking back I see that Masterkembo was the only one to guess Yankees in 6. Good job sir. Two more Jays have filed for free agency. Marco Scutaro and John McDonald . I'm sure Barajas will soon...
MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com (Free subscription) | 11/07/2009
MLBTR has learned that the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks are in trade talks for catcher Chris Snyder. Snyder would be a good fit for the Jays, who have catcher Rod Barajas eligible for free agency. The 28-year-old Snyder hit .200/.333/.352 for the D'Backs in a season marred by a back injury (he had surgery in September). Presumably the Blue Jays' doctors would have to check him out before a deal could...
Batter's Box Interactive Magazine (Free subscription) | 11/07/2009
The biggest sports transaction between the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota since Brett Favre took place Friday as the Brewers and Twins completed a trade . One of the principles of that deal is the subject of our POTD. Carlos Gomez kneels down in disappointment after being thrown out trying to steal second base by Rod Barajas during a September 7th game against the Rogers Centre.
Batter's Box Interactive Magazine (Free subscription) | 11/07/2009
Jordan Bastian from bluejays.com reports the Jays have outrighted catcher Kyle Phillips and lefties Davis Romero and Bill Murphy to Las Vegas to make room on the 40-man roster. UPDATE Nov 6-9:52 pm : Shortstops Marco Scutaro and John McDonald have filed for free agency according to bluejays.com . Catcher Rod Barajas has yet to do so. Phillips catching in the bullpen before a September 26th game against...
Bluebird Banter (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
The press release: BLUE JAYS ADJUST 40-MAN ROSTER The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have outrighted C KYLE PHILLIPS, LHP DAVIS ROMERO and LHP BILL MURPHY from the 40-man roster to Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League (AAA). This now brings the number of players on the roster to 38. PHILLIPS , 25, appeared in five games for the Blue Jays this past season, batting .278 with three doubles and two RBI. The San Diego...
Right Wing Ramblin' (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
Yesterday we started discussing my plan for world domination… of the baseball variety. We began by looking at who’s leaving and what the roster might look like sans some important pieces. Today we are going to plug the holes, fill the gaps, and make the Mets into World Series contenders for 2010. Let’s get started, eh? I need to start by saying this; some of our gaps may need to...
Amazin' Avenue (Free subscription) | 11/04/2009
The ripping of Cole Hamels continues. This is like what we did to Beltran, except to the extreme. Meet the Mets Want to see what all the hype is about with Ike Davis? Well, you'll get your chance on Saturday as the MLB Network will broadcast the AFL's Rising Stars game. Mike Newman of Scouting the Sally has video and nice words about Met pitching prospect Kyle Allen . Ted Berg asks "Can Daniel...
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