Sporting News staff reports
The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reports the last-place Indians are not yet in sell mode and feel no need to slash their $60 million payroll.
"We are not actively engaged in talks about anyone right now," general manager Mark Shapiro told the newspaper Wednesday. "The season’s natural cycle will dictate when we consider some alternatives. We’re not mandated to make any trades for monetary reasons.
"We’ll look at each trade (possibility) as an opportunity to acquire talent and its budgetary impact. But the acquisition of talent will be the primary driver."
The Indians have a 19-31 record and are in the midst of a rebuilding project. They have players who can be of help to contenders, including No. 1 starter Jake Westbrook, closer Kerry Wood, first baseman Russell Branyan, third baseman Jhonny Peralta, and bench players Mark Grudzielanek, Austin Kearns and Mike Redmond.
Shapiro also said he won’t rush his top minor league prospects, in particular catcher Carlos Santana. Shapiro said Santana’s defense is improving but his throwing still needs work.
Sporting News staff reports
The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reports the last-place Indians are not yet in sell mode and feel no need to slash their $60 million payroll.
"We are not actively engaged in talks about anyone right now," general manager Mark Shapiro told the newspaper Wednesday. "The season’s natural cycle will dictate when we consider some alternatives. We’re not mandated to make any trades for monetary reasons.
"We’ll look at each trade (possibility) as an opportunity to acquire talent and its budgetary impact. But the acquisition of talent will be the primary driver."
The Indians have a 19-31 record and are in the midst of a rebuilding project. They have players who can be of help to contenders, including No. 1 starter Jake Westbrook, closer Kerry Wood, first baseman Russell Branyan, third baseman Jhonny Peralta, and bench players Mark Grudzielanek, Austin Kearns and Mike Redmond.
Shapiro also said he won’t rush his top minor league prospects, in particular catcher Carlos Santana. Shapiro said Santana’s defense is improving but his throwing still needs work.
On this date a year ago, the Rockies were 14 1/2 games out of first place and 11 games below .500. "And we made the playoffs," general manager Dan O’Dowd says.
Translation: It still is too early for losing teams to give up and start peddling players. If they surrender now, it becomes even more difficult to sell tickets for the prime months of June and July. It also is too early for potential buyers to know exactly what they need and how much they can spend.
"There just aren’t many clubs at this point that know definitively what they want to do," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels says.
Well, there still are eight-plus weeks before the nonwaiver trading deadline. Even if clubs want to trade now, they have to consider the price "is usually a lot higher than it may be next month," as Daniels says.
Once the wheeling and dealing begins, here are 10 players with the best chance of being moved:
Mike Lowell could be headed to L.A.
Mike Lowell, IF, Red Sox. Boston doesn’t need him; the Angels do (though the Sox say there’s no shot of him going to LA.). They cannot expect to win the AL West with Mike Napoli, Robb Quinlan and Michael Ryan trying to replace Kendry Morales at first base. And they can’t expect the White Sox to move Paul Konerko or the Cubs to deal Derrek Lee unless those clubs still are struggling in late July (though the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs and Angels are talking).
Adam LaRoche, 1B, Diamondbacks. Who knows how long Arizona might wait to become a seller. As O’Dowd points out, "We were very similar (last year) to where the Diamondbacks are now." One difference: The Rockies didn’t have what is shaping up as a historically bad bullpen (7.70 ERA).
Cliff Lee, SP, Mariners. Another weekend of consecutive walkoff losses like the past one in Anaheim, and the Mariners just might conclude what everyone else already has: This isn’t their year. With Lee unlikely to stay in Seattle when he becomes a free agent in the fall, the Mariners can save some salary and return a decent prospect. For Seattle’s sake, let’s hope that prospect can hit.
Kevin Millwood, SP, Orioles. Baltimore is one team that doesn’t need to wait. The Orioles are 22 games under .500 and 19 1/2 games out of first place, and their attendance already is an embarrassment. The sooner they move Millwood, the more of his $12 million salary they can save. He isn’t in the class of Lee or Roy Oswalt but "he’s a pretty solid pitcher who has pitched well" this season, says a scout.
Miguel Tejada’s second stay in Baltimore could be brief.
Miguel Tejada, 3B, Orioles. Ty Wigginton has been the more productive Orioles hitter, but the team can better afford him because of his versatility and his salary ($3.5 million), compared to Tejada’s ($6 million, plus a $150,000 trade bonus). Tejada isn’t enjoying as strong a season at last year but he is "fine," says a scout.
A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox. He could be moved soon because he becomes a 10-and-5 man on June 14, which will give him veto power over any trade. However, the contender most in need of a catcher, Texas, remains in a state of semi-limbo because of its pending sale.
Jose Guillen, DH/OF, Royals. His average has dropped 54 points to .250 since April 30, but he has 12 homers. Kansas City might even help pay the remainder of his $12 million contract. Guillen, however, has started only two games in the field and needs to DH.
Kerry Wood, RP, Indians. In a market that appears thin in bullpen help, Wood is one hard-throwing veteran who has handled ninth innings. Of course, he is a health risk and makes huge bucks ($10.5 million this year, $11 million team option next year). But Cleveland could pay a big portion of that and still save millions. The Indians aren’t going anywhere with him, anyway.
Ben Sheets, SP, A’s. I pegged him as likely trade bait the moment the tight-fisted A’s signed him for $10 million. Sheets hasn’t missed a start after not pitching all last season and he has a 2.81 ERA over his past five outings. First-place Oakland needs offense and Sheets could fetch a bat.
Roy Oswalt has made no secret of his desire to be traded.
Roy Oswalt, SP, Astros. Expect his desire to be traded to get stronger as Houston continues to get buried in the standings. Even with a large contract, Oswalt will cost a couple of front-line prospects because he is pitching so well. If a club comes calling for Carlos Lee, however, it could have him for his contract. Lee is due $18.5 million a year through 2012 and, according to a scout, "looks like he doesn’t even care." (I will second that opinion. In an early season game at Busch Stadium, Lee strolled into the Astros’ clubhouse about 10 minutes before stretching — long after the rest of his teammates already had dressed).
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
On this date a year ago, the Rockies were 14 1/2 games out of first place and 11 games below .500. "And we made the playoffs," general manager Dan O’Dowd says.
Translation: It still is too early for losing teams to give up and start peddling players. If they surrender now, it becomes even more difficult to sell tickets for the prime months of June and July. It also is too early for potential buyers to know exactly what they need and how much they can spend.
"There just aren’t many clubs at this point that know definitively what they want to do," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels says.
Well, there still are eight-plus weeks before the nonwaiver trading deadline. Even if clubs want to trade now, they have to consider the price "is usually a lot higher than it may be next month," as Daniels says.
Once the wheeling and dealing begins, here are 10 players with the best chance of being moved:
Mike Lowell could be headed to L.A.
Mike Lowell, IF, Red Sox. Boston doesn’t need him; the Angels do (though the Sox say there’s no shot of him going to LA.). They cannot expect to win the AL West with Mike Napoli, Robb Quinlan and Michael Ryan trying to replace Kendry Morales at first base. And they can’t expect the White Sox to move Paul Konerko or the Cubs to deal Derrek Lee unless those clubs still are struggling in late July (though the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs and Angels are talking).
Adam LaRoche, 1B, Diamondbacks. Who knows how long Arizona might wait to become a seller. As O’Dowd points out, "We were very similar (last year) to where the Diamondbacks are now." One difference: The Rockies didn’t have what is shaping up as a historically bad bullpen (7.70 ERA).
Cliff Lee, SP, Mariners. Another weekend of consecutive walkoff losses like the past one in Anaheim, and the Mariners just might conclude what everyone else already has: This isn’t their year. With Lee unlikely to stay in Seattle when he becomes a free agent in the fall, the Mariners can save some salary and return a decent prospect. For Seattle’s sake, let’s hope that prospect can hit.
Kevin Millwood, SP, Orioles. Baltimore is one team that doesn’t need to wait. The Orioles are 22 games under .500 and 19 1/2 games out of first place, and their attendance already is an embarrassment. The sooner they move Millwood, the more of his $12 million salary they can save. He isn’t in the class of Lee or Roy Oswalt but "he’s a pretty solid pitcher who has pitched well" this season, says a scout.
Miguel Tejada’s second stay in Baltimore could be brief.
Miguel Tejada, 3B, Orioles. Ty Wigginton has been the more productive Orioles hitter, but the team can better afford him because of his versatility and his salary ($3.5 million), compared to Tejada’s ($6 million, plus a $150,000 trade bonus). Tejada isn’t enjoying as strong a season at last year but he is "fine," says a scout.
A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox. He could be moved soon because he becomes a 10-and-5 man on June 14, which will give him veto power over any trade. However, the contender most in need of a catcher, Texas, remains in a state of semi-limbo because of its pending sale.
Jose Guillen, DH/OF, Royals. His average has dropped 54 points to .250 since April 30, but he has 12 homers. Kansas City might even help pay the remainder of his $12 million contract. Guillen, however, has started only two games in the field and needs to DH.
Kerry Wood, RP, Indians. In a market that appears thin in bullpen help, Wood is one hard-throwing veteran who has handled ninth innings. Of course, he is a health risk and makes huge bucks ($10.5 million this year, $11 million team option next year). But Cleveland could pay a big portion of that and still save millions. The Indians aren’t going anywhere with him, anyway.
Ben Sheets, SP, A’s. I pegged him as likely trade bait the moment the tight-fisted A’s signed him for $10 million. Sheets hasn’t missed a start after not pitching all last season and he has a 2.81 ERA over his past five outings. First-place Oakland needs offense and Sheets could fetch a bat.
Roy Oswalt has made no secret of his desire to be traded.
Roy Oswalt, SP, Astros. Expect his desire to be traded to get stronger as Houston continues to get buried in the standings. Even with a large contract, Oswalt will cost a couple of front-line prospects because he is pitching so well. If a club comes calling for Carlos Lee, however, it could have him for his contract. Lee is due $18.5 million a year through 2012 and, according to a scout, "looks like he doesn’t even care." (I will second that opinion. In an early season game at Busch Stadium, Lee strolled into the Astros’ clubhouse about 10 minutes before stretching — long after the rest of his teammates already had dressed).
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Tuesday that outfielder Carlos Beltran is on "a nice track" in his recovery from knee surgery and could "soon" begin a minor league rehab assignment.
ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin reported Beltran has begun running the bases and catching fly balls. He is hopeful of playing within a week, though Manuel signaled that might be ambitious.
Manuel also said it’s "not out of the question" that Beltran will play right field when he finally is activated. Angel Pagan has played well as the everyday center fielder in place of Beltran, and there is a concern about diminished range as Beltran deals with his arthritic knee.
"It depends on how he’s running," Manuel told reporters in San Diego. "I think, really, it would be something I would have to entertain with him, as to how comfortable he feels in one spot or the other. You just like to obviously get that bat in the lineup at some point — someplace."
Beltran, 33, has made just five starts at a corner outfield spot — two in left field, three in right field, and all in 2000 with the Royals.
A Pagan-Beltran alignment would seem to squeeze out incumbent right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who just recently broke out of a deep hitting slump. Manuel, though, said Beltran would need occasional days off as he gets back into playing shape. And, it’s possible Beltran could move back to center when Manuel wants to rest Pagan.
"It’s going to be interesting. It really will be interesting how that thing kind of manifests and kind of works itself out," Manuel said. "But it’s a good problem to have."
Sporting News staff reports
Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Tuesday that outfielder Carlos Beltran is on "a nice track" in his recovery from knee surgery and could "soon" begin a minor league rehab assignment.
ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin reported Beltran has begun running the bases and catching fly balls. He is hopeful of playing within a week, though Manuel signaled that might be ambitious.
Manuel also said it’s "not out of the question" that Beltran will play right field when he finally is activated. Angel Pagan has played well as the everyday center fielder in place of Beltran, and there is a concern about diminished range as Beltran deals with his arthritic knee.
"It depends on how he’s running," Manuel told reporters in San Diego. "I think, really, it would be something I would have to entertain with him, as to how comfortable he feels in one spot or the other. You just like to obviously get that bat in the lineup at some point — someplace."
Beltran, 33, has made just five starts at a corner outfield spot — two in left field, three in right field, and all in 2000 with the Royals.
A Pagan-Beltran alignment would seem to squeeze out incumbent right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who just recently broke out of a deep hitting slump. Manuel, though, said Beltran would need occasional days off as he gets back into playing shape. And, it’s possible Beltran could move back to center when Manuel wants to rest Pagan.
"It’s going to be interesting. It really will be interesting how that thing kind of manifests and kind of works itself out," Manuel said. "But it’s a good problem to have."
Sporting News staff reports
Twins catcher Joe Mauer leads all American League vote-getters in balloting for this year’s All-Star Game.
In results released Tuesday, Mauer has received 1,138,286 votes, about 100,000 more than Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 13 in Anaheim, Calif.
Voting results
First Base
1. Mark Teixeira, Yankees, 610,851
2. Justin Morneau, Twins, 527,688
3. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 402,719
4. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox, 298,332
5. Carlos Pena, Rays, 232,636
Second Base
1. Robinson Cano, Yankees, 811,300
2. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox, 487,733
3. Ian Kinsler, Rangers, 393,515
4. Orlando Hudson, Twins, 252,959
5. Ben Zobrist, Rays, 215,016
Third Base
1. Evan Longoria, Rays, 915,247
2. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 632,268
3. Michael Young, Rangers, 356,899
4. Adrian Beltre, Red Sox, 190,988
5. Brandon Inge, Tigers, 148,593
Shortstop
1. Derek Jeter, Yankees, 1,005,810
2. Elvis Andrus, Rangers, 438,731
3. J.J. Hardy, Twins, 242,586
4. Jason Bartlett, Rays, 225,022
5. Alex Gonzalez, Blue Jays, 213,083
Catcher
1. Joe Mauer, Twins, 1,138,286
2. Jorge Posada, Yankees, 427,310
3. Victor Martinez, Red Sox, 222,527
4. Taylor Teagarden, Rangers, 172,510
5. Mike Napoli, Angels, 131,588
Designated Hitter
1. Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers, 725,752
2. Hideki Matsui, Angels, 465,615
3. Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners, 323,564
4. David Ortiz, Red Sox, 235,986
5. Pat Burrell, Rays, 176,801
Outfield
1. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, 604,675
2. Nelson Cruz, Rangers, 541,052
3. Carl Crawford, Rays, 532,201
4. Josh Hamilton, Rangers, 462,556
5. Torii Hunter, Angels, 399,283
6. Curtis Granderson, Yankees, 385,353
7. Nick Swisher, Yankees, 368,218
8. Brett Gardner, Yankees, 364,470
9. B.J. Upton, Rays, 327,102
10. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays, 323,701
11. Bobby Abreu, Angels, 314,365
12. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers, 247,917
13. Michael Cuddyer, Twins, 225,052
14. Johnny Damon, Tigers, 218,988
15. Julio Borbon, Rangers, 218,887
Sporting News staff reports
Twins catcher Joe Mauer leads all American League vote-getters in balloting for this year’s All-Star Game.
In results released Tuesday, Mauer has received 1,138,286 votes, about 100,000 more than Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 13 in Anaheim, Calif.
Voting results
First Base
1. Mark Teixeira, Yankees, 610,851
2. Justin Morneau, Twins, 527,688
3. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 402,719
4. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox, 298,332
5. Carlos Pena, Rays, 232,636
Second Base
1. Robinson Cano, Yankees, 811,300
2. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox, 487,733
3. Ian Kinsler, Rangers, 393,515
4. Orlando Hudson, Twins, 252,959
5. Ben Zobrist, Rays, 215,016
Third Base
1. Evan Longoria, Rays, 915,247
2. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 632,268
3. Michael Young, Rangers, 356,899
4. Adrian Beltre, Red Sox, 190,988
5. Brandon Inge, Tigers, 148,593
Shortstop
1. Derek Jeter, Yankees, 1,005,810
2. Elvis Andrus, Rangers, 438,731
3. J.J. Hardy, Twins, 242,586
4. Jason Bartlett, Rays, 225,022
5. Alex Gonzalez, Blue Jays, 213,083
Catcher
1. Joe Mauer, Twins, 1,138,286
2. Jorge Posada, Yankees, 427,310
3. Victor Martinez, Red Sox, 222,527
4. Taylor Teagarden, Rangers, 172,510
5. Mike Napoli, Angels, 131,588
Designated Hitter
1. Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers, 725,752
2. Hideki Matsui, Angels, 465,615
3. Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners, 323,564
4. David Ortiz, Red Sox, 235,986
5. Pat Burrell, Rays, 176,801
Outfield
1. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, 604,675
2. Nelson Cruz, Rangers, 541,052
3. Carl Crawford, Rays, 532,201
4. Josh Hamilton, Rangers, 462,556
5. Torii Hunter, Angels, 399,283
6. Curtis Granderson, Yankees, 385,353
7. Nick Swisher, Yankees, 368,218
8. Brett Gardner, Yankees, 364,470
9. B.J. Upton, Rays, 327,102
10. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays, 323,701
11. Bobby Abreu, Angels, 314,365
12. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers, 247,917
13. Michael Cuddyer, Twins, 225,052
14. Johnny Damon, Tigers, 218,988
15. Julio Borbon, Rangers, 218,887
HOUSTON — A Major League Baseball official says umpire Bill Hohn will be addressed "in a very stern way" after a confrontation with Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt led to the ejection of the Astros’ ace.
Bob Watson, the vice president in charge of discipline, rules and on-field operations for MLB, tells Houston television station KRIV that Oswalt will not be penalized further after Monday’s incident.
Watson says Hohn will get a phone call from Mike Port, baseball’s vice president in charge of umpires.
After missing the strike zone with a pitch against Washington’s Josh Willingham, Oswalt looked toward the first base line and yelled something. Hohn took off his mask and yelled at Oswalt, who responded, "I ain’t talking to you!" Hohn then ejected Oswalt.
Before Tuesday night’s game against Washington, Oswalt said he hadn’t heard from MLB, but was hoping he wouldn’t get fined.
"I thought it was kind of quick on his part," he said. "To be talking to myself on the mound and to get thrown out, I didn’t see the point of that."
"I’ve read something where one of the umpires said I showed him up, but I felt he was showing me up coming out and taking his mask off and pointing at me, when I never even looked his way," Oswalt said. "During the time he was pointing at me … I tried to explain to him I wasn’t talking to him. I was upset with myself on that pitch more than anything else."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
HOUSTON — A Major League Baseball official says umpire Bill Hohn will be addressed "in a very stern way" after a confrontation with Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt led to the ejection of the Astros’ ace.
Bob Watson, the vice president in charge of discipline, rules and on-field operations for MLB, tells Houston television station KRIV that Oswalt will not be penalized further after Monday’s incident.
Watson says Hohn will get a phone call from Mike Port, baseball’s vice president in charge of umpires.
After missing the strike zone with a pitch against Washington’s Josh Willingham, Oswalt looked toward the first base line and yelled something. Hohn took off his mask and yelled at Oswalt, who responded, "I ain’t talking to you!" Hohn then ejected Oswalt.
Before Tuesday night’s game against Washington, Oswalt said he hadn’t heard from MLB, but was hoping he wouldn’t get fined.
"I thought it was kind of quick on his part," he said. "To be talking to myself on the mound and to get thrown out, I didn’t see the point of that."
"I’ve read something where one of the umpires said I showed him up, but I felt he was showing me up coming out and taking his mask off and pointing at me, when I never even looked his way," Oswalt said. "During the time he was pointing at me … I tried to explain to him I wasn’t talking to him. I was upset with myself on that pitch more than anything else."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sporting News staff reports
Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt told The Washington Post on Tuesday that he’d waive his no-trade clause to pitch for the Nationals.
"They’ve been playing well," Oswalt said a day after losing to the Nats and being ejected in the third inning. "They’ve got a good offensive club. I saw where they have (top prospect Stephen) Strasburg coming up. He should make an immediate impact, especially, because no one’s seen him in the league, early. There’s always a little adjustment period there."
MLB to scold umpire who ejected Oswalt
Oswalt told Houston management last month that he’d be amenable to a trade to a contending team, and Washington reportedly has expressed interest in acquiring him. The Nats were 26-26 heading into Tuesday’s game with the Astros but just 3 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East.
"That’s the thing about the East — I think it’s kind of wide open over there," Oswalt told the Post. "You got Philadelphia, and Atlanta is coming back and I know Washington is still playing well. It should be a good race. That’s the big thing, is just trying to get in the playoffs. Once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen."
The Post points out that the Nationals would likely have to take on a large portion of the guaranteed $29 million remaining on Oswalt’s contract through 2011. The deal also includes a $16 million option for 2012 that Oswalt can decline.
Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said he’s "100 percent" in favor of adding Oswalt.
"He’s a fiery competitor," Zimmerman told the Post. "That’s probably the best attributes about him.
"Obviously, he’s a guy who’s got great stuff. He’s a guy that’s going to come right at you. He had really good stuff."
Oswalt told the Post that the Astros have yet to tell him they’re close on any deal
"They haven’t came to me with anybody," Oswalt said. "I don’t know who’s interested. They haven’t really approached me about anybody yet. I’m open for whoever. Supposedly … two or three people called, but nothing more than phone calls."
Sporting News staff reports
Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt told The Washington Post on Tuesday that he’d waive his no-trade clause to pitch for the Nationals.
"They’ve been playing well," Oswalt said a day after losing to the Nats and being ejected in the third inning. "They’ve got a good offensive club. I saw where they have (top prospect Stephen) Strasburg coming up. He should make an immediate impact, especially, because no one’s seen him in the league, early. There’s always a little adjustment period there."
MLB to scold umpire who ejected Oswalt
Oswalt told Houston management last month that he’d be amenable to a trade to a contending team, and Washington reportedly has expressed interest in acquiring him. The Nats were 26-26 heading into Tuesday’s game with the Astros but just 3 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East.
"That’s the thing about the East — I think it’s kind of wide open over there," Oswalt told the Post. "You got Philadelphia, and Atlanta is coming back and I know Washington is still playing well. It should be a good race. That’s the big thing, is just trying to get in the playoffs. Once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen."
The Post points out that the Nationals would likely have to take on a large portion of the guaranteed $29 million remaining on Oswalt’s contract through 2011. The deal also includes a $16 million option for 2012 that Oswalt can decline.
Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said he’s "100 percent" in favor of adding Oswalt.
"He’s a fiery competitor," Zimmerman told the Post. "That’s probably the best attributes about him.
"Obviously, he’s a guy who’s got great stuff. He’s a guy that’s going to come right at you. He had really good stuff."
Oswalt told the Post that the Astros have yet to tell him they’re close on any deal
"They haven’t came to me with anybody," Oswalt said. "I don’t know who’s interested. They haven’t really approached me about anybody yet. I’m open for whoever. Supposedly … two or three people called, but nothing more than phone calls."
MLB: Nationals fans—and baseball fans in general—are awaiting Stephen Strasburg’s June 8 debut with bated breath. Pay close attention, folks, because Strasburg may only pitch in the vicinity of 95 innings in the majors this season, according to the Washington Post. Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams says the team uses a formula with its young pitchers, adding only about 20 percent more innings each year to the total innings the pitchers threw the year before. "We’re trying to win a championship in Washington. Our job is to protect the products of the organization as best we can."
Sponsored link: June 8 Nationals tickets available
• Yes, Jerry Manuel’s seat is warm. But it’s not that hot, say spies for the New York Daily News. A source tells the paper that the Mets never were close to firing Manuel and replacing him with Bob Melvin. At least the conversation hasn’t taken place yet.
• Have the Twins won over the hearts and minds of the Twin Cities with their new field? The Star-Tribune asks, "Is this now a Twins town?" Just when Brett Favre thought he had everyone in Minneapolis wrapped around that aging pinkie. Speaking of Favre, the Southern Mississippi baseball team just might make him honor that promise to come back if they win the College World Series. They’re on to the Regionals this week.
NBA: The biggest coaching free agent in the NBA, Phil Jackson, has girlfriend/Lakers VP Jeanie Buss’s blessing to move on to another team if he wishes after coaching the Lakers to another NBA Finals appearance. The Bulls, Nets and Cavaliers have openings, and LeBron James is rumored to be very intrigued by the possibility of playing for Jackson. "I don’t know how things will work out," Buss wrote in an e-mail to the New York Post. "I am hoping the Lakers win and everything stays status quo, but the one thing I do know is that I am not going to stand in Phil’s way if he wants to go to another team. I don’t control him — if I did I would have a ring on my finger, but I am not going to threaten to break up with him if he takes another job. Our relationship is solid no matter where he works."
College basketball: When it rains it pours, huh Carolina? 1) Miss the Tournament. 2) Watch Duke win it. 3) Lose the Wear twins. And now … get slammed by Dime magazine, which says, "Over the last couple decades, UNC has produced a string of pros with a habit of falling short of expectations and/or not living up to their potential." Ouch.
Youth sports: Not exactly surprising news, but something for the parents among Fly’s followers to consider: Overuse injuries are dramatically increasing in children, according to a Boston Globe report. Surgeries to repair shoulder, elbow, knee and hip fractures, tears and joint wear are becoming routine procedures on teens and preteens. "We can repair these injuries and get them back up and playing … but we don’t have evidence of what they will be like 20 years from now," said Dr. Mininder Kocher, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in adolescent sports medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston.
MLB: Nationals fans—and baseball fans in general—are awaiting Stephen Strasburg’s June 8 debut with bated breath. Pay close attention, folks, because Strasburg may only pitch in the vicinity of 95 innings in the majors this season, according to the Washington Post. Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams says the team uses a formula with its young pitchers, adding only about 20 percent more innings each year to the total innings the pitchers threw the year before. "We’re trying to win a championship in Washington. Our job is to protect the products of the organization as best we can."
Sponsored link: June 8 Nationals tickets available
• Yes, Jerry Manuel’s seat is warm. But it’s not that hot, say spies for the New York Daily News. A source tells the paper that the Mets never were close to firing Manuel and replacing him with Bob Melvin. At least the conversation hasn’t taken place yet.
• Have the Twins won over the hearts and minds of the Twin Cities with their new field? The Star-Tribune asks, "Is this now a Twins town?" Just when Brett Favre thought he had everyone in Minneapolis wrapped around that aging pinkie. Speaking of Favre, the Southern Mississippi baseball team just might make him honor that promise to come back if they win the College World Series. They’re on to the Regionals this week.
NBA: The biggest coaching free agent in the NBA, Phil Jackson, has girlfriend/Lakers VP Jeanie Buss’s blessing to move on to another team if he wishes after coaching the Lakers to another NBA Finals appearance. The Bulls, Nets and Cavaliers have openings, and LeBron James is rumored to be very intrigued by the possibility of playing for Jackson. "I don’t know how things will work out," Buss wrote in an e-mail to the New York Post. "I am hoping the Lakers win and everything stays status quo, but the one thing I do know is that I am not going to stand in Phil’s way if he wants to go to another team. I don’t control him — if I did I would have a ring on my finger, but I am not going to threaten to break up with him if he takes another job. Our relationship is solid no matter where he works."
College basketball: When it rains it pours, huh Carolina? 1) Miss the Tournament. 2) Watch Duke win it. 3) Lose the Wear twins. And now … get slammed by Dime magazine, which says, "Over the last couple decades, UNC has produced a string of pros with a habit of falling short of expectations and/or not living up to their potential." Ouch.
Youth sports: Not exactly surprising news, but something for the parents among Fly’s followers to consider: Overuse injuries are dramatically increasing in children, according to a Boston Globe report. Surgeries to repair shoulder, elbow, knee and hip fractures, tears and joint wear are becoming routine procedures on teens and preteens. "We can repair these injuries and get them back up and playing … but we don’t have evidence of what they will be like 20 years from now," said Dr. Mininder Kocher, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in adolescent sports medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston.
Sporting News staff reports
Mets manager Jerry Manuel never was in danger of being fired earlier this season, according to the New York Daily News.
As the Mets struggled through the early portion of their season, speculation began to mount that Bob Melvin would be promoted from his scout position with the team to take over for Manuel. One report even insinuated that members of the Mets’ front office had informally interviewed Melvin for the job. However, a source told the Daily News that never was the case.
Melvin managed the Diamondbacks from 2005-09 and won the N.L. West in 2007, and managed the Mariners from 2003-04.
Since a four-game sweep at Florida dropped the Mets to 18-20 and six games back in the N.L. East, New York has won eight of 14 to move within 3 1/2 games of the division lead.
Sporting News staff reports
Mets manager Jerry Manuel never was in danger of being fired earlier this season, according to the New York Daily News.
As the Mets struggled through the early portion of their season, speculation began to mount that Bob Melvin would be promoted from his scout position with the team to take over for Manuel. One report even insinuated that members of the Mets’ front office had informally interviewed Melvin for the job. However, a source told the Daily News that never was the case.
Melvin managed the Diamondbacks from 2005-09 and won the N.L. West in 2007, and managed the Mariners from 2003-04.
Since a four-game sweep at Florida dropped the Mets to 18-20 and six games back in the N.L. East, New York has won eight of 14 to move within 3 1/2 games of the division lead.
Sporting News staff reports
The Diamondbacks’ need for pitching may lead them to Dontrelle Willis.
Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes said Monday he has interest the left-handed starter, who was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Sunday, and the Arizona Republic reported the teams have discussed a trade.
Detroit likely would pay most of what’s left of Willis’ $12 million salary for 2010, while Arizona likely would give up a fringe minor leaguer.
Willis’ agent, Matt Sosnick, said Willis would prefer to play in Arizona. He and his family are moving there from Florida.
"He just really likes it there," Sosnick told the Republic’s Nick Piecoro. "He and his wife were looking into buying a house there way before all this happened."
Willis, 28, compiled a 1-2 record and a 4.98 ERA in nine games (eight starts) for Detroit this year. Control remains a major problem for him; he walked 29 batters in 43 1/3 innings.
The Palm Beach Post’s Joe Capozzi reported the Marlins are mildly interested in reuniting with their former star.
Sporting News staff reports
The Diamondbacks’ need for pitching may lead them to Dontrelle Willis.
Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes said Monday he has interest the left-handed starter, who was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Sunday, and the Arizona Republic reported the teams have discussed a trade.
Detroit likely would pay most of what’s left of Willis’ $12 million salary for 2010, while Arizona likely would give up a fringe minor leaguer.
Willis’ agent, Matt Sosnick, said Willis would prefer to play in Arizona. He and his family are moving there from Florida.
"He just really likes it there," Sosnick told the Republic’s Nick Piecoro. "He and his wife were looking into buying a house there way before all this happened."
Willis, 28, compiled a 1-2 record and a 4.98 ERA in nine games (eight starts) for Detroit this year. Control remains a major problem for him; he walked 29 batters in 43 1/3 innings.
The Palm Beach Post’s Joe Capozzi reported the Marlins are mildly interested in reuniting with their former star.
