Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball:
STRIKE 1: Strasburg’s success will continue
Not that they are necessary, but here are two more reasons to believe Stephen Strasburg really is different:
There are two good reasons to believe Stephen Strasburg will live up to the hype.
• Just three years ago, the Rays made David Price the much-ballyhooed No. 1 pick out of Vanderbilt. A "poised-beyond-his-years" lefthander with a 99-mph fastball and nasty slider, Price lived up to the early hype when — in his first month in the majors — he saved Game 7 of the ’08 ALCS against the Red Sox.
Price’s progress hasn’t stalled. After beating the Blue Jays Wednesday, he is 9-2 with a 2.23 ERA, making him the only AL pitcher to rank in the top 10 in the majors in ERA. Last week, I asked a longtime scout who he would want to pitch Game 7 and Price made his short list (along with Ubaldo Jimenez at No. 1, Roy Halladay and Josh Johnson). No doubt, Price is well on the road to becoming one of the game’s top starters.
I asked another scout to compare Strasburg and Price, and he replied, "It’s really not that close. Strasburg is that good."
Two reasons: Strasburg’s command and his curve. Price, 24, pitches like the young starter he is, still working to master the ability to consistently throw quality strikes. Strasburg commands his secondary pitches as well as some command their fastball. While Price’s slider is considered a plus pitch, Strasburg’s 83-mph curve is plus-plus — especially when hitters have to remain focused on his high-90s fastball.
• Strasburg sells. Credit (or blame) the media for creating the massive buildup. The Indians, struggling on the field and at the gate, don’t mind. Strasburg’s second start is set for Sunday in Cleveland and tickets are so hot that Indians’ PR folks are sending out updates on sales. One of them: 2,000 tickets were sold Wednesday afternoon. Attendance in Washington went from 40,000-plus for Strasburg’s debut to sub-20,000 the next night. Also, TBS has switched its nationally televised Sunday broadcast to Nationals-Indians — as unlikely a national telecast as there is under normal circumstances.
Coincidentally or not, Washington chose an ideal time to call up its phenom. If Strasburg starts every five days, he will start four times at home and face only one quality offense — the Braves — before the All-Star break. Five of his first six likely opponents rank in the bottom half of the majors in runs scored: Pirates (30th), Indians (26th), White Sox (21st), Royals (19th) and Mets (18th).
The Nationals, however, figure to start rationing Strasburg’s appearances at some point. The club has set roughly a 100-inning cap on his major league season after he pitched 55 1/3 innings in the minors. If Strasburg averages six innings per outing, 17 more starts would put him right at his limit. "We’re looking long term," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says. "He’s pitching at 21 throughout the season and we’re going to be careful with him."
STRIKE 2: New-look All-Star rosters
Although the All-Star Game is more than a month away, we already can expect another onslaught of first-time participants. There might not be 26 like last year, but with rosters expanded again (to 34 per side) there will be no shortage of young, rising stars in Anaheim.
First-time shoo-ins include the Rockies’ Jimenez (the deserving starter), Braves right fielder Jason Heyward (who would be the first rookie voted in by the fans since 2008 — Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukodome), Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (his team’s most deserving player), Royals first baseman Billy Butler (with apologies to Zack Greinke and his 4.05 ERA), and Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier (who should have made the team in 2009).
Other strong possibilities for making their first-time appearance include Astros center fielder Michael Bourn, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Dodgers lefthander Clayton Kershaw, Braves second baseman Martin Prado, Diamondbacks second baseman Kelly Johnson and Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson.
Unfortunately, one 13-time All-Star, Ken Griffey Jr., wouldn’t be allowed to play even if he benefited from the sentimental vote for his lifetime achievements and moved from third to first in the DH voting. "You have to be active," an MLB spokesman says.
Would instant replay have overturned one of baseball’s most famous plays?
STRIKE 3: A "no" vote on expanded replay
While most in the media continue to scream for more instant replay, Brewers manager Ken Macha remains opposed. He cites the "human element" and the time factor. "I have tickets to Pitt (football) and the games take four hours," he says.
Another reason: "Some of the most memorable plays in history have come on bad calls," Macha says.
Macha’s A’s were part of one in 2001 when Derek Jeter made one of the postseason’s most memorable plays with a flip toss to Jorge Posada, who tagged out a non-sliding Jeremy Giambi with the potential tying run. "I was there. Slow it down. He was safe," says Macha, then the A’s bench coach.
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball:
STRIKE 1: Strasburg’s success will continue
Not that they are necessary, but here are two more reasons to believe Stephen Strasburg really is different:
There are two good reasons to believe Stephen Strasburg will live up to the hype.
• Just three years ago, the Rays made David Price the much-ballyhooed No. 1 pick out of Vanderbilt. A "poised-beyond-his-years" lefthander with a 99-mph fastball and nasty slider, Price lived up to the early hype when — in his first month in the majors — he saved Game 7 of the ’08 ALCS against the Red Sox.
Price’s progress hasn’t stalled. After beating the Blue Jays Wednesday, he is 9-2 with a 2.23 ERA, making him the only AL pitcher to rank in the top 10 in the majors in ERA. Last week, I asked a longtime scout who he would want to pitch Game 7 and Price made his short list (along with Ubaldo Jimenez at No. 1, Roy Halladay and Josh Johnson). No doubt, Price is well on the road to becoming one of the game’s top starters.
I asked another scout to compare Strasburg and Price, and he replied, "It’s really not that close. Strasburg is that good."
Two reasons: Strasburg’s command and his curve. Price, 24, pitches like the young starter he is, still working to master the ability to consistently throw quality strikes. Strasburg commands his secondary pitches as well as some command their fastball. While Price’s slider is considered a plus pitch, Strasburg’s 83-mph curve is plus-plus — especially when hitters have to remain focused on his high-90s fastball.
• Strasburg sells. Credit (or blame) the media for creating the massive buildup. The Indians, struggling on the field and at the gate, don’t mind. Strasburg’s second start is set for Sunday in Cleveland and tickets are so hot that Indians’ PR folks are sending out updates on sales. One of them: 2,000 tickets were sold Wednesday afternoon. Attendance in Washington went from 40,000-plus for Strasburg’s debut to sub-20,000 the next night. Also, TBS has switched its nationally televised Sunday broadcast to Nationals-Indians — as unlikely a national telecast as there is under normal circumstances.
Coincidentally or not, Washington chose an ideal time to call up its phenom. If Strasburg starts every five days, he will start four times at home and face only one quality offense — the Braves — before the All-Star break. Five of his first six likely opponents rank in the bottom half of the majors in runs scored: Pirates (30th), Indians (26th), White Sox (21st), Royals (19th) and Mets (18th).
The Nationals, however, figure to start rationing Strasburg’s appearances at some point. The club has set roughly a 100-inning cap on his major league season after he pitched 55 1/3 innings in the minors. If Strasburg averages six innings per outing, 17 more starts would put him right at his limit. "We’re looking long term," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says. "He’s pitching at 21 throughout the season and we’re going to be careful with him."
STRIKE 2: New-look All-Star rosters
Although the All-Star Game is more than a month away, we already can expect another onslaught of first-time participants. There might not be 26 like last year, but with rosters expanded again (to 34 per side) there will be no shortage of young, rising stars in Anaheim.
First-time shoo-ins include the Rockies’ Jimenez (the deserving starter), Braves right fielder Jason Heyward (who would be the first rookie voted in by the fans since 2008 — Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukodome), Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (his team’s most deserving player), Royals first baseman Billy Butler (with apologies to Zack Greinke and his 4.05 ERA), and Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier (who should have made the team in 2009).
Other strong possibilities for making their first-time appearance include Astros center fielder Michael Bourn, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Dodgers lefthander Clayton Kershaw, Braves second baseman Martin Prado, Diamondbacks second baseman Kelly Johnson and Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson.
Unfortunately, one 13-time All-Star, Ken Griffey Jr., wouldn’t be allowed to play even if he benefited from the sentimental vote for his lifetime achievements and moved from third to first in the DH voting. "You have to be active," an MLB spokesman says.
Would instant replay have overturned one of baseball’s most famous plays?
STRIKE 3: A "no" vote on expanded replay
While most in the media continue to scream for more instant replay, Brewers manager Ken Macha remains opposed. He cites the "human element" and the time factor. "I have tickets to Pitt (football) and the games take four hours," he says.
Another reason: "Some of the most memorable plays in history have come on bad calls," Macha says.
Macha’s A’s were part of one in 2001 when Derek Jeter made one of the postseason’s most memorable plays with a flip toss to Jorge Posada, who tagged out a non-sliding Jeremy Giambi with the potential tying run. "I was there. Slow it down. He was safe," says Macha, then the A’s bench coach.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has begun to scout for starting pitchers to help bolster a depleted rotation, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The newspaper speculated that some of the team’s targets could include free agent righthander Jeff Suppan, Orioles righthander Kevin Millwood and Royals righthander Brian Bannister.
The Cardinals reportedly prefers pitchers who have been active this season, as opposed to veterans like Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, Braden Looper and Paul Byrd.
With righthanders Brad Penny (back) and Kyle Lohse (forearm) injured, the team has been forced to plug inexperienced arms into the rotation. Pitching coach Dave Duncan recently told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that youngsters P.J. Walters, Blake Hawksworth and Adam Ottavino aren’t yet qualified to serve as starters for a "championship team."
Sporting News staff reports
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has begun to scout for starting pitchers to help bolster a depleted rotation, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The newspaper speculated that some of the team’s targets could include free agent righthander Jeff Suppan, Orioles righthander Kevin Millwood and Royals righthander Brian Bannister.
The Cardinals reportedly prefers pitchers who have been active this season, as opposed to veterans like Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, Braden Looper and Paul Byrd.
With righthanders Brad Penny (back) and Kyle Lohse (forearm) injured, the team has been forced to plug inexperienced arms into the rotation. Pitching coach Dave Duncan recently told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that youngsters P.J. Walters, Blake Hawksworth and Adam Ottavino aren’t yet qualified to serve as starters for a "championship team."
Despite his 94-pitch, 14-strikeout effort in his major debut Tuesday, Nationals rookie righthander Stephen Strasburg will be rested often after the All-Star break and will remain on an innings limit this season, according to The Washington Post.
"There will be a point where we just shut him down for a while or really minimize his innings," manager Jim Riggleman told the newspaper. "We want him to pitch in September, so some of that shutdown may be before September."
Strasburg has pitched 55 1/3 innings between the majors and minors this season, and the team plans to shut him down once he reaches 160 innings.
Riggleman admitted that innings limit still would be in play if the team were in playoff contention late in the season.
"That would be very hard," Riggleman told The Washington Post. "I hope we have to make that decision. That would be tough, but we want to make sure this young man is pitching for years to come."
Strasburg’s next start will be Sunday at Cleveland.
Sporting News staff reports
Despite his 94-pitch, 14-strikeout effort in his major debut Tuesday, Nationals rookie righthander Stephen Strasburg will be rested often after the All-Star break and will remain on an innings limit this season, according to The Washington Post.
"There will be a point where we just shut him down for a while or really minimize his innings," manager Jim Riggleman told the newspaper. "We want him to pitch in September, so some of that shutdown may be before September."
Strasburg has pitched 55 1/3 innings between the majors and minors this season, and the team plans to shut him down once he reaches 160 innings.
Riggleman admitted that innings limit still would be in play if the team were in playoff contention late in the season.
"That would be very hard," Riggleman told The Washington Post. "I hope we have to make that decision. That would be tough, but we want to make sure this young man is pitching for years to come."
Strasburg’s next start will be Sunday at Cleveland.
The Stephen Strasburg phenomenon continues to grow. The rookie right-hander will appear on CBS’s "Late Show With David Letterman" to deliver the show’s Top Ten list, MLB.com and The Washington Post report.
Strasburg dazzled the baseball world in his major league debut Tuesday, striking out 14 Pirates in seven innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday in Cleveland against the Indians.
Sporting News staff reports
The Stephen Strasburg phenomenon continues to grow. The rookie right-hander will appear on CBS’s "Late Show With David Letterman" to deliver the show’s Top Ten list, The Washington Post report.
Strasburg dazzled the baseball world in his major league debut Tuesday, striking out 14 Pirates in seven innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday in Cleveland against the Indians.
CHICAGO — White Sox general manager Ken Williams is done being patient.
After watching his team struggle during its current homestand, Williams is ready to look at options to improve the club.
"Some changes need to take place. I don’t know what and I don’t know when but some changes need to take place," Williams said before Wednesday night’s game against Detroit. "Things aren’t happening the way we envisioned and when they don’t happen as we envisioned we have to make an adjustment or two."
Chicago was 2-5 with two games remaining on the homestand. The White Sox began the day trailing first-place Minnesota by 9 1/2 games in the AL Central.
Williams made it clear he’s not ready to make drastic changes, but is still looking at his options.
"We’re not talking about tearing something down. If we do something, it would still be along the lines of reshuffling the deck with the expectation that we’re going to add impact guys that can help us win," he said.
A month ago, Williams had a hard time listening to other teams inquire about his players. But with the White Sox already nine games below .500, he has changed his stance.
"It is what it is. I have to listen. It’s not that I want to, but I’m not blind," Williams said.
With more than 100 games left to play, Williams is having a difficult time getting other teams to discuss potential trades.
"I guess I’m not so much on my own timeline as I am on other clubs’ timelines," Williams said. "Still early part of June and a lot of clubs are trying to figure their situations out and determine whether they’re in it or not in it, or what kind of money they have to spend. There are a lot of variables that go into the mix, so even if I want to do something it’s not always in my control."
Williams also is concerned with the play of second baseman Gordon Beckham. After a successful rookie season, when he hit .270 with 14 home runs and 63 RBIs, Beckham is batting just .199 in 51 games. Despite the struggles, Williams isn’t ready to demote him to Triple-A Charlotte.
"I spoke to him and just asked him to do one thing for me and that’s just to go back to being Gordon Beckham," Williams said. "Go back to his setup of last year. Free his hands up, take his hacks and not worry about contact as much as just putting a good swing and driving the ball, and he’s looked a lot better more recently. He looks a lot more like himself, but he will have to work out his issues for at least in the near future. As long as he has his confidence up and doesn’t start dragging his head then we will keep confidence in him."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CHICAGO — White Sox general manager Ken Williams is done being patient.
After watching his team struggle during its current homestand, Williams is ready to look at options to improve the club.
"Some changes need to take place. I don’t know what and I don’t know when but some changes need to take place," Williams said before Wednesday night’s game against Detroit. "Things aren’t happening the way we envisioned and when they don’t happen as we envisioned we have to make an adjustment or two."
Chicago was 2-5 with two games remaining on the homestand. The White Sox began the day trailing first-place Minnesota by 9 1/2 games in the AL Central.
Williams made it clear he’s not ready to make drastic changes, but is still looking at his options.
"We’re not talking about tearing something down. If we do something, it would still be along the lines of reshuffling the deck with the expectation that we’re going to add impact guys that can help us win," he said.
A month ago, Williams had a hard time listening to other teams inquire about his players. But with the White Sox already nine games below .500, he has changed his stance.
"It is what it is. I have to listen. It’s not that I want to, but I’m not blind," Williams said.
With more than 100 games left to play, Williams is having a difficult time getting other teams to discuss potential trades.
"I guess I’m not so much on my own timeline as I am on other clubs’ timelines," Williams said. "Still early part of June and a lot of clubs are trying to figure their situations out and determine whether they’re in it or not in it, or what kind of money they have to spend. There are a lot of variables that go into the mix, so even if I want to do something it’s not always in my control."
Williams also is concerned with the play of second baseman Gordon Beckham. After a successful rookie season, when he hit .270 with 14 home runs and 63 RBIs, Beckham is batting just .199 in 51 games. Despite the struggles, Williams isn’t ready to demote him to Triple-A Charlotte.
"I spoke to him and just asked him to do one thing for me and that’s just to go back to being Gordon Beckham," Williams said. "Go back to his setup of last year. Free his hands up, take his hacks and not worry about contact as much as just putting a good swing and driving the ball, and he’s looked a lot better more recently. He looks a lot more like himself, but he will have to work out his issues for at least in the near future. As long as he has his confidence up and doesn’t start dragging his head then we will keep confidence in him."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Free agent bargains are about as difficult to find these days as instant replay opponents. Just look at the league leaders. The top 10s are stocked with players making top salaries.
Based on the first one-third of the season, however, a case can be made that several bargain signings from this past offseason have paid off better than many of the big-money deals (see: Matt Holliday’s .206 average with runners in scoring position; John Lackey’s 4.72 ERA; Jason Bay’s three homers).
Still not convinced?
A position-by-position look at the best free agent signings:
Rod Barajas leads the Mets in homers.
C: Rod Barajas, Mets ($900,000)
Who says the Mets don’t know what they’re doing? They did something right by not giving in to Bengie Molina’s contract demands this past offseason and instead picking up Barajas and Henry Blanco. Barajas leads the club — and all catchers — with 11 homers and has played solid defense. "He’s a big guy so I don’t know how long he can keep this up, but he’s getting better as he gets older," a scout said.
1B: Troy Glaus, Braves ($1.75 million)
After making $12 million-plus in a dismal 2009 season, Glaus had to take a huge pay cut and change positions. If he continues to hit like this, you won’t find him in the bargain bin next winter. Glaus was NL player of the month for May after leading the league with 28 RBIs and raising his average 80 points to .274. Chipper Jones said in spring training that Glaus would be an ideal fit because "he’s a big righthanded bat that we can put in the cleanup spot and not miss much when (Brian) McCann takes a day." Indeed, Glaus has done much of his damage batting fourth, hitting .343 with 23 of his 45 RBIs in just 67 at-bats (compared to .254 with 22 RBIs in 134 at-bats from the fifth spot).
2B: Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks ($2.35 million)
He became a free agent when the Braves decided they would rather pay Martin Prado $440,000 than deal with arbitration-eligible Johnson. He quickly showed why Arizona was in such a hurry to sign him. Since homering twice in his third game, Johnson has ranked among second-base leaders in homers (13), runs (41) and OBP (.379).
3B: Placido Polanco, Phillies ($5 million)
While not quite a bargain at three years, $18 million, Polanco has met the Phillies’ expectations of being a strong contact hitter in the second spot in the order (.319 average, .356 on-base percentage). His value perhaps was best displayed when he missed a week recently and the club lost four of six as the offense staggered.
Alex Gonzalez and the Jays have surprised.
SS: Alex Gonzalez, Blue Jays ($2.75 million)
He was one of the first free agents to sign after the Red Sox declined his $6 million option to pursue then-Jay Marco Scutaro, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Boston. Gonzalez signed early because he wanted to be assured of one of the few remaining starting shortstop jobs. He doesn’t have to worry about playing time now. He leads all shortstops with 12 homers and has emerged as a key reason the Jays have turned into one of the season’s surprise successes. For Toronto, the best part of the deal might be yet to come. The team holds an even more reasonable $2.5 million option on Gonzalez for 2011.
OF: Jonny Gomes, Reds ($800,000)
He waited until February to accept a minor league deal to return to Cincinnati. Gomes not only made the club in spring training but has hit his way into a regular job. His walkoff homer in the season’s third game gave the Reds their first win and established what has become a trend for the first-place club that leads the majors with 11 wins in its last at-bat.
OF: Scott Podsednik, Royals ($1.75 million)
"As long as he doesn’t try to hit the ball in the air, he’ll be fine," said a scout when the speedy Podsednik was leading the AL in hitting in April. To which Podsednik replied, "I’ll be fine as long as I hit it where they aren’t." Though he hasn’t been doing that as well as he did in April, he is hitting .288 with a .342 on-base percentage and ranks in the top 10 in the AL with 17 stolen bases.
OF: Austin Kearns, Indians ($750,000)
After struggling with the Nationals for the past two seasons, teams showed little interest in the former first-round pick and he accepted a minor league deal just hoping to make the Indians. Crediting improved health, the 30-year-old has had his average over .300 most of the season and has taken over the left field job.
DH: Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers ($6.5 million)
Though Vlad was the Angels’ best hitter in the 2009 postseason, the club didn’t make much of an effort to re-sign him after paying him $15 million and seeing him struggle with injuries during the regular season. Asked in spring training what he wanted from this season, Guerrero replied, "To be healthy so I can help my team." Check, check. Guerrero, 35, has been hitting on par with his career averages and ranks among AL leaders in homers (13), RBIs (49) and average (.330). His replacement in Anaheim, Hideki Matsui, is hitting .257 with nine homers and 33 RBIs on a $6 million salary.
Livan Hernandez ranks among the major league leaders in ERA and innings.
SP: Livan Hernandez, Nationals ($900,000)
Jon Garland (6-3, 2.68 ERA) also deserves a mention for his part in the Padres’ success, but he was able to score a major league contract (for $5.3 million) before spring training. Hernandez was left with a late minor league deal to return to Washington. He has used the slight as motivation. Hernandez didn’t allow a run in his first two starts and still ranks among the major league leaders in ERA (2.22) and innings (73 in 11 starts). Hernandez has been especially big for the Nationals considering how Jason Marquis has disappointed. Given a two-year, $15 million deal, Marquis allowed 20 runs in his first three starts before going on the disabled list and having elbow surgery.
RP: Jose Contreras, Phillies ($1.5 million)
Shortly after giving Danys Baez a two-year deal for $5.25 million, Philly scooped up Contreras on a one-year deal. Baez has been OK, but Contreras has been the club’s best reliever (1.45 ERA, 3-for-3 in save chances).
Free agent bargains are about as difficult to find these days as instant replay opponents. Just look at the league leaders. The top 10s are stocked with players making top salaries.
Based on the first one-third of the season, however, a case can be made that several bargain signings from this past offseason have paid off better than many of the big-money deals (see: Matt Holliday’s .206 average with runners in scoring position; John Lackey’s 4.72 ERA; Jason Bay’s three homers).
Still not convinced?
A position-by-position look at the best free agent signings:
Rod Barajas leads the Mets in homers.
C: Rod Barajas, Mets ($900,000)
Who says the Mets don’t know what they’re doing? They did something right by not giving in to Bengie Molina’s contract demands this past offseason and instead picking up Barajas and Henry Blanco. Barajas leads the club — and all catchers — with 11 homers and has played solid defense. "He’s a big guy so I don’t know how long he can keep this up, but he’s getting better as he gets older," a scout said.
1B: Troy Glaus, Braves ($1.75 million)
After making $12 million-plus in a dismal 2009 season, Glaus had to take a huge pay cut and change positions. If he continues to hit like this, you won’t find him in the bargain bin next winter. Glaus was NL player of the month for May after leading the league with 28 RBIs and raising his average 80 points to .274. Chipper Jones said in spring training that Glaus would be an ideal fit because "he’s a big righthanded bat that we can put in the cleanup spot and not miss much when (Brian) McCann takes a day." Indeed, Glaus has done much of his damage batting fourth, hitting .343 with 23 of his 45 RBIs in just 67 at-bats (compared to .254 with 22 RBIs in 134 at-bats from the fifth spot).
2B: Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks ($2.35 million)
He became a free agent when the Braves decided they would rather pay Martin Prado $440,000 than deal with arbitration-eligible Johnson. He quickly showed why Arizona was in such a hurry to sign him. Since homering twice in his third game, Johnson has ranked among second-base leaders in homers (13), runs (41) and OBP (.379).
3B: Placido Polanco, Phillies ($5 million)
While not quite a bargain at three years, $18 million, Polanco has met the Phillies’ expectations of being a strong contact hitter in the second spot in the order (.319 average, .356 on-base percentage). His value perhaps was best displayed when he missed a week recently and the club lost four of six as the offense staggered.
Alex Gonzalez and the Jays have surprised.
SS: Alex Gonzalez, Blue Jays ($2.75 million)
He was one of the first free agents to sign after the Red Sox declined his $6 million option to pursue then-Jay Marco Scutaro, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Boston. Gonzalez signed early because he wanted to be assured of one of the few remaining starting shortstop jobs. He doesn’t have to worry about playing time now. He leads all shortstops with 12 homers and has emerged as a key reason the Jays have turned into one of the season’s surprise successes. For Toronto, the best part of the deal might be yet to come. The team holds an even more reasonable $2.5 million option on Gonzalez for 2011.
OF: Jonny Gomes, Reds ($800,000)
He waited until February to accept a minor league deal to return to Cincinnati. Gomes not only made the club in spring training but has hit his way into a regular job. His walkoff homer in the season’s third game gave the Reds their first win and established what has become a trend for the first-place club that leads the majors with 11 wins in its last at-bat.
OF: Scott Podsednik, Royals ($1.75 million)
"As long as he doesn’t try to hit the ball in the air, he’ll be fine," said a scout when the speedy Podsednik was leading the AL in hitting in April. To which Podsednik replied, "I’ll be fine as long as I hit it where they aren’t." Though he hasn’t been doing that as well as he did in April, he is hitting .288 with a .342 on-base percentage and ranks in the top 10 in the AL with 17 stolen bases.
OF: Austin Kearns, Indians ($750,000)
After struggling with the Nationals for the past two seasons, teams showed little interest in the former first-round pick and he accepted a minor league deal just hoping to make the Indians. Crediting improved health, the 30-year-old has had his average over .300 most of the season and has taken over the left field job.
DH: Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers ($6.5 million)
Though Vlad was the Angels’ best hitter in the 2009 postseason, the club didn’t make much of an effort to re-sign him after paying him $15 million and seeing him struggle with injuries during the regular season. Asked in spring training what he wanted from this season, Guerrero replied, "To be healthy so I can help my team." Check, check. Guerrero, 35, has been hitting on par with his career averages and ranks among AL leaders in homers (13), RBIs (49) and average (.330). His replacement in Anaheim, Hideki Matsui, is hitting .257 with nine homers and 33 RBIs on a $6 million salary.
Livan Hernandez ranks among the major league leaders in ERA and innings.
SP: Livan Hernandez, Nationals ($900,000)
Jon Garland (6-3, 2.68 ERA) also deserves a mention for his part in the Padres’ success, but he was able to score a major league contract (for $5.3 million) before spring training. Hernandez was left with a late minor league deal to return to Washington. He has used the slight as motivation. Hernandez didn’t allow a run in his first two starts and still ranks among the major league leaders in ERA (2.22) and innings (73 in 11 starts). Hernandez has been especially big for the Nationals considering how Jason Marquis has disappointed. Given a two-year, $15 million deal, Marquis allowed 20 runs in his first three starts before going on the disabled list and having elbow surgery.
RP: Jose Contreras, Phillies ($1.5 million)
Shortly after giving Danys Baez a two-year deal for $5.25 million, Philly scooped up Contreras on a one-year deal. Baez has been OK, but Contreras has been the club’s best reliever (1.45 ERA, 3-for-3 in save chances).
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Chris Bahr talks about Stephen Strasburg’s dominant debut, and where the Washington Nationals are expected to go from here.
Sporting News
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Chris Bahr talks about Stephen Strasburg’s dominant debut, and where the Washington Nationals are expected to go from here.
The Mariners expect the Yankees to make a run at lefthander Cliff Lee as the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline approaches, according to a report in the New York Post.
Seattle acquired Lee, who will be a free agent after this season, from the Phillies this past offseason. However, Seattle is expected to deal him because it has been unable to climb back into contention in the AL West.
The New York Post reports Seattle already is scouting New York’s minor league system in anticipation of trade talks. The Mariners are said to be interested in one of the Yankees’ catcher prospects and shortstop prospect Eduardo Nunez.
Despite the Lee chatter, the New York Post noted the Yankees’ most pressing need is another bat. The team has been scouting Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, whose contract includes a team option for 2011 and a no-trade clause. Berkman would be an option at DH with Nick Johnson (wrist) out for an extended period. Another option at DH: White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who also will be a free agent after the season and who has a limited no-trade clause.
Sporting News staff reports
The Mariners expect the Yankees to make a run at lefthander Cliff Lee as the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline approaches, according to a report in the New York Post.
Seattle acquired Lee, who will be a free agent after this season, from the Phillies this past offseason. However, Seattle is expected to deal him because it has been unable to climb back into contention in the AL West.
The New York Post reports Seattle already is scouting New York’s minor league system in anticipation of trade talks. The Mariners are said to be interested in one of the Yankees’ catcher prospects and shortstop prospect Eduardo Nunez.
Despite the Lee chatter, the New York Post noted the Yankees’ most pressing need is another bat. The team has been scouting Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, whose contract includes a team option for 2011 and a no-trade clause. Berkman would be an option at DH with Nick Johnson (wrist) out for an extended period. Another option at DH: White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who also will be a free agent after the season and who has a limited no-trade clause.
Bobby Valentine and Eric Wedge are among the early candidates to be the Baltimore Orioles’ new full-time manager, the Baltimore Sun reports.
Valentine may interview with team president Andy MacPhail as early as Thursday. No date has been set for a meeting between Wedge and MacPhail.
Both men refused to comment when contacted by the Sun.
Valentine, 60, is now an analyst for ESPN. He guided the New York Mets to the National League championship in 2000, before losing to the Yankees in the World Series. He won a Japan Series championship with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2005.
Wedge, 42, nearly led the Cleveland Indians to the American League title in 2007, only to see his team blow a 3-1 lead in the ALCS to the Boston Red Sox.
The Sun reports interim manager Samuel is also being considered, along with former O’s catcher and current broadcaster Rick Dempsey; as well as veteran managers such as former Birds skipper Davey Johnson; Buck Showalter; Phil Garner; Bob Melvin, and Clint Hurdle.
MacPhail fired Dave Trembley on Thursday and replaced him on an interim basis with Samuel.
NBA: DreamWorks SKG partner David Geffen wants to purchase 51 percent of the L.A. Clippers, spies tell the New York Post. A source also reports Geffen said he could deliver LeBron James to the Clips, as long as he has controlling interest. But Donald Sterling is unlikely to give up said controlling interest. "They (the Clippers) are his entree to Hollywood’s galaxy of stars," the source said. "You have no idea how Donald gets off swaying on the sidelines with demi-celebrities 41 nights a year."
NFL: Potential sole St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke seems to have found a way to have his NFL team and keep his NHL and NBA teams, too. The NFL prevents majority NFL owners from owning franchises in multiple leagues, though it has made an exception for Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga. Kroenke plans to transfer some or all of his ownership of the Nuggets to his 30-year-old son Josh, who has a job in the team’s front office. Plans for the Avalanche are not as firm. "Our son Josh has been involved with many of our organizations for several years and that family continuity remains a priority," Kroenke said in a statement to The Denver Post. "My family looks forward to owning the Rams, Nuggets and Avalanche for years to come while being compliant with all stipulations set by the NFL. Our family remains committed to fans in St. Louis and Denver." Kroenke now owns 40 percent of the Rams, and Chip Rosenbloom and his family would like to transfer the other 60 percent to him, as well.
• Spero Dedes, radio voice of the Los Angeles Lakers, will replace Dick Enberg in CBS Sports’ NFL TV lineup, Ben Maller reports. CBS will announce the move this summer, Maller reports. Dedes was part of the NFL Network’s "NFL GameDay Morning" pregame coverage in 2009, teaming with Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp.
MLB: Red Sox LF Jacoby Ellsbury is still having trouble after breaking four ribs in a collision with Adrian Beltre back in April. So he’s probably going to get a second opinion. Terry Francona says Ellsbury likely will take a trip out to the Kerlan-Jobe clinic in Los Angeles.
Tennis: One more reason to like Rafael Nadal: He’s a fan of Disney World. Rafa made a Monday appearance at the Magic Kingdom after winning the French Open on Sunday. "It’s a place I love, I often come with family and I also intend to return very soon," Nadal said.
NBA: DreamWorks SKG partner David Geffen wants to purchase 51 percent of the L.A. Clippers, spies tell the New York Post. A source also reports Geffen said he could deliver LeBron James to the Clips, as long as he has controlling interest. But Donald Sterling is unlikely to give up said controlling interest. "They (the Clippers) are his entree to Hollywood’s galaxy of stars," the source said. "You have no idea how Donald gets off swaying on the sidelines with demi-celebrities 41 nights a year."
NFL: Potential sole St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke seems to have found a way to have his NFL team and keep his NHL and NBA teams, too. The NFL prevents majority NFL owners from owning franchises in multiple leagues, though it has made an exception for Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga. Kroenke plans to transfer some or all of his ownership of the Nuggets to his 30-year-old son Josh, who has a job in the team’s front office. Plans for the Avalanche are not as firm. "Our son Josh has been involved with many of our organizations for several years and that family continuity remains a priority," Kroenke said in a statement to The Denver Post. "My family looks forward to owning the Rams, Nuggets and Avalanche for years to come while being compliant with all stipulations set by the NFL. Our family remains committed to fans in St. Louis and Denver." Kroenke now owns 40 percent of the Rams, and Chip Rosenbloom and his family would like to transfer the other 60 percent to him, as well.
• Spero Dedes, radio voice of the Los Angeles Lakers, will replace Dick Enberg in CBS Sports’ NFL TV lineup, Ben Maller reports. CBS will announce the move this summer, Maller reports. Dedes was part of the NFL Network’s "NFL GameDay Morning" pregame coverage in 2009, teaming with Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp.
MLB: Red Sox LF Jacoby Ellsbury is still having trouble after breaking four ribs in a collision with Adrian Beltre back in April. So he’s probably going to get a second opinion. Terry Francona says Ellsbury likely will take a trip out to the Kerlan-Jobe clinic in Los Angeles.
Tennis: One more reason to like Rafael Nadal: He’s a fan of Disney World. Rafa made a Monday appearance at the Magic Kingdom after winning the French Open on Sunday. "It’s a place I love, I often come with family and I also intend to return very soon," Nadal said.
