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The Miami Herald reported that the Marlins expect to land the 2015 All-Star Game for their new stadium, which will open in 2012.
"If you thought we would host the All-Star Game in 2015, you would probably not be misleading yourself,” team president David Samson told fans at Saturday’s FanFest at Sun Life Stadium.
Samson said that, while the Marlins haven’t been assured of the 2015 game, "we’re pretty confident that will be the year."
The Miami Herald reported that the Marlins expect to land the 2015 All-Star Game for their new stadium, which will open in 2012.
"If you thought we would host the All-Star Game in 2015, you would probably not be misleading yourself,” team president David Samson told fans at Saturday’s FanFest at Sun Life Stadium.
Samson said that, while the Marlins haven’t been assured of the 2015 game, "we’re pretty confident that will be the year."
According to the Seattle Times, Ichiro watching makes for riveting television in Japan. So riveting that when every one of Ichiro Suzuki’s 2,030 major league hits—over his nine-year career with the Mariners—were broadcast in his native country from midnight to 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day, the show was declared a ratings success.
"I was already asleep," Ichiro told the newspaper, laughing. "That’s the kind of attention I strive for. As a player, you have to be of the mindset that your purpose is trying to give people a compelling reason to maintain their interest in your performance every season.
"We’re behooved as professional baseball players to do that. The fact that I was able to fulfill that quest to the extent that one network thought it made for compelling programming makes me very happy."
According to the Seattle Times, Ichiro watching makes for riveting television in Japan. So riveting that when every one of Ichiro Suzuki’s 2,030 major league hits—over his nine-year career with the Mariners—were broadcast in his native country from midnight to 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day, the show was declared a ratings success.
"I was already asleep," Ichiro told the newspaper, laughing. "That’s the kind of attention I strive for. As a player, you have to be of the mindset that your purpose is trying to give people a compelling reason to maintain their interest in your performance every season.
"We’re behooved as professional baseball players to do that. The fact that I was able to fulfill that quest to the extent that one network thought it made for compelling programming makes me very happy."
How do you repair a strained relationship? Daisuke Matsuzaka, who admitted hiding a groin strain from Boston trainers and officials last season, apparently is doing his best to work his way back into the Red Sox’s good graces.
Matsuzaka reported early to the team’s spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla., and appears to be in much better condition than last season, when he made only 12 starts because of shoulder problems that apparently evolved from the groin strain.
The talented right-hander has been working out since Thursday at the team’s Fort Myers complex after spending time this winter at the Athletes’ Performance training center in Arizona.
"He worked hard this winter, that’s evident," general manager Theo Epstein told the Boston Globe. "He has lost weight."
Matsuzaka agreed to recommit himself to conditioning after last season and so far has done everything the Red Sox expected him to do in preparation for a comeback season.
"Obviously we want to see him pitch well, but everything has gone the way we hoped," Epstein told the newspaper. "Daisuke is important to us."
According to the Globe, the Red Sox are counting on Matsuzaka, who is entering the fourth year of a six-year contract, to be the fourth or fifth starter behind rotation stalwarts Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and John Lackey.
How do you repair a strained relationship? Daisuke Matsuzaka, who admitted hiding a groin strain from Boston trainers and officials last season, apparently is doing his best to work his way back into the Red Sox’s good graces.
Matsuzaka reported early to the team’s spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla., and appears to be in much better condition than last season, when he made only 12 starts because of shoulder problems that apparently evolved from the groin strain.
The talented right-hander has been working out since Thursday at the team’s Fort Myers complex after spending time this winter at the Athletes’ Performance training center in Arizona.
"He worked hard this winter, that’s evident," general manager Theo Epstein told the Boston Globe. "He has lost weight."
Matsuzaka agreed to recommit himself to conditioning after last season and so far has done everything the Red Sox expected him to do in preparation for a comeback season.
"Obviously we want to see him pitch well, but everything has gone the way we hoped," Epstein told the newspaper. "Daisuke is important to us."
According to the Globe, the Red Sox are counting on Matsuzaka, who is entering the fourth year of a six-year contract, to be the fourth or fifth starter behind rotation stalwarts Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and John Lackey.
MLB.com reports the Cardinals are prepared to acquire a player after the start of spring training if the need arises.
According to the Web site, St. Louis has up to $7 million of "wiggle room" in its payroll. It might spend some of that cash if it beieves one of the team’s young players can’t fill a hole.
"As we move forward and get into spring, we should have a better idea of what that [greatest need] might be. It may be nothing. But it usually is always something and more than something," general manager John Mozeliak tells reporter Matthew Leach.
St. Louis’ biggest offseason move has been re-signing left fielder Matt Holliday. The Redbirds have also added pitcher Brad Penny to replace Joel Pineiro in the rotation. There still are question marks at third base, on the bench and in the bullpen.
MLB.com reports the Cardinals are prepared to acquire a player after the start of spring training if the need arises.
According to the Web site, St. Louis has up to $7 million of "wiggle room" in its payroll. It might spend some of that cash if it beieves one of the team’s young players can’t fill a hole.
"As we move forward and get into spring, we should have a better idea of what that [greatest need] might be. It may be nothing. But it usually is always something and more than something," general manager John Mozeliak tells reporter Matthew Leach.
St. Louis’ biggest offseason move has been re-signing left fielder Matt Holliday. The Redbirds have also added pitcher Brad Penny to replace Joel Pineiro in the rotation. There still are question marks at third base, on the bench and in the bullpen.
Speaking to The Denver Post, Rockies manager Jim Tracy said left-hander Jeff Francis will enter spring training with no limitations.
Francis missed all of last season after shoulder surgery last February.
Tracy added that right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez likely will be his opening day starter. Francis, Aaron Cook, Jorge De La Rosa and Jason Hammel will follow Jimenez, though Francis and De La Rosa could swap spots.
As for the Rockies’ bench, Tracy said he likely would keep five hitters, and the newspaper speculated they could be Seth Smith, Ryan Spilborghs, Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora and the backup catcher. The latter likely will be the loser of the Chris Iannetta-Miguel Olivo spring competition.
Speaking to The Denver Post, Rockies manager Jim Tracy said left-hander Jeff Francis will enter spring training with no limitations.
Francis missed all of last season after shoulder surgery last February.
Tracy added that right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez likely will be his opening day starter. Francis, Aaron Cook, Jorge De La Rosa and Jason Hammel will follow Jimenez, though Francis and De La Rosa could swap spots.
As for the Rockies’ bench, Tracy said he likely would keep five hitters, and the newspaper speculated they could be Seth Smith, Ryan Spilborghs, Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora and the backup catcher. The latter likely will be the loser of the Chris Iannetta-Miguel Olivo spring competition.
Still on the free-agent market with time running out before spring training, infielder Felipe Lopez has fired his agent, Scott Boras, according to ESPN.com. Lopez has joined up with the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
Lopez reportedly was frustrated about not having signed despite coming off a season in which he hit .310 with nine homers, 57 RBIs, 88 runs and a .383 on-base percentage for the Diamondbacks and Brewers.
Lopez has been linked to the Cardinals, who aren’t set at third base. His new agency counts St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols among its clients.
Still on the free-agent market with time running out before spring training, infielder Felipe Lopez has fired his agent, Scott Boras, according to ESPN.com. Lopez has joined up with the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
Lopez reportedly was frustrated about not having signed despite coming off a season in which he hit .310 with nine homers, 57 RBIs, 88 runs and a .383 on-base percentage for the Diamondbacks and Brewers.
Lopez has been linked to the Cardinals, who aren’t set at third base. His new agency counts St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols among its clients.
Free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado has no plans to retire, according to FOXSports.com, but he might wait until later in the season to sign a deal.
Delgado’s agent, David Sloane, told the Web site that Delgado has offers on the table but is unwilling to accept any of them.
Delgado played in just 26 games with the Mets last season and is trying to prove he is fully recovered from season-ending hip surgery. He played winter ball in Puerto Rico but was limited to mostly DH duty.
Free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado has no plans to retire, according to FOXSports.com, but he might wait until later in the season to sign a deal.
Delgado’s agent, David Sloane, told the Web site that Delgado has offers on the table but is unwilling to accept any of them.
Delgado played in just 26 games with the Mets last season and is trying to prove he is fully recovered from season-ending hip surgery. He played winter ball in Puerto Rico but was limited to mostly DH duty.
Count Braves third baseman Chipper Jones among those impressed with top outfield prospect Jason Heyward, who will get the chance to win a starting job in spring training.
"I got to hit with him (Tuesday), and I was more than impressed," Jones told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I’ve got a pretty good feeling he’s going to seize this opportunity and make the most of it."
Jones compared the 20-year-old Heyward to former Braves first baseman Fred McGriff, who like Heyward was a left-handed hitter. McGriff finished his major league career with 493 home runs.
As for Jones, he said he is healthy after suffering an assortment of nagging injuries last season.
Count Braves third baseman Chipper Jones among those impressed with top outfield prospect Jason Heyward, who will get the chance to win a starting job in spring training.
"I got to hit with him (Tuesday), and I was more than impressed," Jones told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I’ve got a pretty good feeling he’s going to seize this opportunity and make the most of it."
Jones compared the 20-year-old Heyward to former Braves first baseman Fred McGriff, who like Heyward was a left-handed hitter. McGriff finished his major league career with 493 home runs.
As for Jones, he said he is healthy after suffering an assortment of nagging injuries last season.
Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright admitted to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he was disappointed that neither he nor teammate Chris Carpenter won the 2009 National League Cy Young Award.
Wainwright tied for the major-league lead with 19 wins, led the NL with 233 innings pitched and posted a 2.63 ERA. Carpenter went 17-4 with an NL-best 2.24 ERA.
"I would have been OK with it if Carp had won. I obviously would have appreciated winning it as well," Wainwright told the newspaper. "The hard part was hearing it was neither one of us."
Instead, Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum won the award for the second consecutive season, going 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA and an NL-leading 261 strikeouts.
Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright admitted to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he was disappointed that neither he nor teammate Chris Carpenter won the 2009 National League Cy Young Award.
Wainwright tied for the major-league lead with 19 wins, led the NL with 233 innings pitched and posted a 2.63 ERA. Carpenter went 17-4 with an NL-best 2.24 ERA.
"I would have been OK with it if Carp had won. I obviously would have appreciated winning it as well," Wainwright told the newspaper. "The hard part was hearing it was neither one of us."
Instead, Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum won the award for the second consecutive season, going 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA and an NL-leading 261 strikeouts.
With free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon still undecided about where he will play, the Detroit Free Press speculated agent Scott Boras might be using the Tigers to create a market for his client.
Last week, FOXSports.com reported Tigers owner Mike Ilitch authorized a two-year, $14 million deal for Damon; however, Damon has yet to sign.
The White Sox and Braves also have expressed interest in Damon, though a report on the White Sox’s Web site expressed doubt that the team could afford the outfielder. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution speculated Damon likely will pass on the Braves’ one-year offer, believed to be worth between $4 million and $5 million, because Detroit’s offer is stronger.
With free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon still undecided about where he will play, the Detroit Free Press speculated agent Scott Boras might be using the Tigers to create a market for his client.
Last week, FOXSports.com reported Tigers owner Mike Ilitch authorized a two-year, $14 million deal for Damon; however, Damon has yet to sign.
The White Sox and Braves also have expressed interest in Damon, though a report on the White Sox’s Web site expressed doubt that the team could afford the outfielder. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution speculated Damon likely will pass on the Braves’ one-year offer, believed to be worth between $4 million and $5 million, because Detroit’s offer is stronger.