The Phillies need pitching help, but Pedro Martinez won’t be providing it.
Martinez’s agent, Fern Cuza, told ESPNDeportes.com on Wednesday the right-hander will sit out this season. Cuza added that Martinez has not decided to retire from baseball.
"After a meeting to discuss his immediate future, Pedro decided he wouldn’t pitch this year, in order to spend more time with his family in the Dominican Republic," the site quoted Cuza, who spoke in Spanish.
"This does not mean Pedro is announcing his retirement from baseball, because the possibility that he changes his opinion for next season still exists. But today, he asked that I call the teams that were interested to reveal his decision."
Cuza said recently that Martinez has yet to throw this year.
Martinez joined the Phillies midway through last season and went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts. He made two starts in the World Series against the Yankees and was the losing pitcher New York’s clinching Game 6 victory.
Philadelphia lost left-hander Jamie Moyer to an elbow injury Tuesday night, and it has yet to name its new fifth starter after demoting Kyle Kendrick to the minors. Reports Tuesday indicated the Phillies may be working to acquire Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt.
Sporting News staff reports
The Phillies need pitching help, but Pedro Martinez won’t be providing it.
Martinez’s agent, Fern Cuza, told ESPNDeportes.com on Wednesday the right-hander will sit out this season. Cuza added that Martinez has not decided to retire from baseball.
"After a meeting to discuss his immediate future, Pedro decided he wouldn’t pitch this year, in order to spend more time with his family in the Dominican Republic," the site quoted Cuza, who spoke in Spanish.
"This does not mean Pedro is announcing his retirement from baseball, because the possibility that he changes his opinion for next season still exists. But today, he asked that I call the teams that were interested to reveal his decision."
Cuza said recently that Martinez has yet to throw this year.
Martinez joined the Phillies midway through last season and went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts. He made two starts in the World Series against the Yankees and was the losing pitcher New York’s clinching Game 6 victory.
Philadelphia lost left-hander Jamie Moyer to an elbow injury Tuesday night, and it has yet to name its new fifth starter after demoting Kyle Kendrick to the minors. Reports Tuesday indicated the Phillies may be working to acquire Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt.
Astros owner Drayton McLane on Wednesday acknowledge the team is discussing trades involving right-hander Roy Oswalt, but he denied reports saying a deal is about to happen.
"[General manager] Ed [Wade] and I talk several times every day, but nothing’s imminent," McLane told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. "Trades really don’t get done [until close to the July 31 nonwaiver deadline]. There is no imminent trade with the Phillies or anybody else. There have been lots and lots of discussions, nothing close to a trade."
Oswalt told reporters at Wrigley Field he wasn’t sure where things stood.
"I don’t know anything about it," he said. "I really don’t. I saw it on TV this morning actually. I’ve seen a bunch of other things on TV news and whatever. Until I get told something, I don’t know."
Oswalt would need to approve any deal, because he has a no-trade clause in his contract. He said earlier this season he’d be willing to waive it in the right deal to a contender. AOL FanHouse, citing an unnamed source, reported Wednesday night that Oswalt would approve a deal to Philadelphia.
Asked earlier Wednesday if he’d be willing to go to the Phillies, he said, "It would have to work for both of us. If it doesn’t work for both of us, no. But if it does, maybe."
What might make a deal work for Oswalt is if a team guarantees his $16 million club option for 2012. ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported Wednesday that Oswalt is asking interested teams to do that as a condition of him approving a trade. Stark reported the Phillies are unwilling to do so right now.
Sporting News staff reports
Astros owner Drayton McLane on Wednesday acknowledge the team is discussing trades involving right-hander Roy Oswalt, but he denied reports saying a deal is about to happen.
"[General manager] Ed [Wade] and I talk several times every day, but nothing’s imminent," McLane told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. "Trades really don’t get done [until close to the July 31 nonwaiver deadline]. There is no imminent trade with the Phillies or anybody else. There have been lots and lots of discussions, nothing close to a trade."
Oswalt told reporters at Wrigley Field he wasn’t sure where things stood.
"I don’t know anything about it," he said. "I really don’t. I saw it on TV this morning actually. I’ve seen a bunch of other things on TV news and whatever. Until I get told something, I don’t know."
Oswalt would need to approve any deal, because he has a no-trade clause in his contract. He said earlier this season he’d be willing to waive it in the right deal to a contender. AOL FanHouse, citing an unnamed source, reported Wednesday night that Oswalt would approve a deal to Philadelphia.
Asked earlier Wednesday if he’d be willing to go to the Phillies, he said, "It would have to work for both of us. If it doesn’t work for both of us, no. But if it does, maybe."
What might make a deal work for Oswalt is if a team guarantees his $16 million club option for 2012. ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported Wednesday that Oswalt is asking interested teams to do that as a condition of him approving a trade. Stark reported the Phillies are unwilling to do so right now.
Sweet Lou is hanging up the spikes at the end of the season.
The writing was on the wall for anyone paying attention to the way this Cubs season has gone. Lou Piniella isn’t just managing a third-place team that’s nine games under .500, he’s managing a team that is a complete non-factor.
The most notable thing to happen to the Cubs this year was Carlos Zambrano’s insane tirade that had him sent to anger management and Piniella to tell reporters, "I’ve gotten frustrated. But I bounce back. … The losing isn’t easy for me. I’m not used to losing."
Piniella will turn 67 this summer, his last as an MLB manager.
Piniella does have a fantastic track record as a Major League manager. He won the World Series in 1990 with the Reds and was named Manager of the Year three times in his career – but his actual playoff record is 23-27, and in 23 seasons he’s been to the World Series once. Oh, and let’s not forget that before joining the Cubs in 2007, Piniella was the manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for three seasons. In the eight years since leaving Seattle – with a stop off in the broadcast booth in 2006 – Piniella’s overall record is 508-556 (.447) with an 0-6 postseason record.
Piniella must have been frustrated when he made those comments in late June because despite a .547 winning percentage in this three previous years in Chicago, he hasn’t really won much of anything.
Again, it could just be frustration settling in and perhaps "the losing isn’t easy for me," should be translated differently. To paraphrase the great line from Danny Glover, maybe Piniella is just too old for this … stuff.
The average age of all the current Major League managers is 55 and a half. Only eight managers in the big leagues were born before 1950. Piniella, who turns 67 in August, may just be too old for this stuff. Before this starts to sound ageist (admittedly that ship may have sailed) it’s not to say that Piniella is incapable of managing at this age. It’s just that being a baseball lifer can make for a pretty long life after a while.
Piniella first played in the big leagues in 1964 and played in the league every year from 1968-1984 when he retired and took a job with the Yankees. A year later, he was their manager and has been in the league for seemingly every minute since. That’s a long, long baseball life.
Bobby Cox is retiring this summer, too.
Piniella isn’t the only one who’s lived a long baseball life, by the way. Bobby Cox is 69 years old and has been a coach, manager or general manager in professional baseball since 1971. I’m not great at math, but that’s almost 40 years! That was certainly enough for Cox, as he announced his retirement well before the 2010 season.
And then there’s Joe Torre who turned 70 years old this week and is the oldest manager in the game. Torre had hoped for an extension with the Dodgers but cut those talks off before the season as to not "be a distraction" the rest of the year. There has been as much speculation about Torre’s future as anyone, and much of the talk has him leaning toward retirement after the season.
The other managers over 60 are: Cito Gaston, 66 (Blue Jays); Jim Leyland, 65 (Tigers); Charlie Manuel, 66 (Phillies); Tony La Russa, 65 (Cardinals); and Dusty Baker, 61 (Reds). Manuel and Baker seem to still have a few years left in them, which makes some sense considering Baker is the youngest of the lot and Manuel didn’t get his fair shake at managing until he was already in his 60s. Gaston was all but out of baseball before getting re-hired by the Blue Jays in 2008 on a two-year deal. Leyland’s contract, which was extended by the Tigers in 2009, goes through next season. And La Russa? His time in the league may very well be tethered to whatever decision Albert Pujols makes about his future.
So is 60 some magical number with regard to managerial success? That may be better asked this way: Has 60 always been the magic number for managers, and have the last 10 years actually bucked the historical trend? Manuel managed the Phillies to the World Series at the age of 64. In 2006, La Russa won the title as manager just after turning 62. Jack McKeon led the Marlins to the 2003 title at the age of 72. Torre led the Yankees to the 2000 World Series during the year in which he turned 60.
Before 2000, the last manager to win a World Series after the age of 60? Casey Stengel in 1958 at the age of 68. With six of the eight managers over 60 still in their respective pennant races, there are a few years before we have to start thinking about that kind of drought again.
Sweet Lou is hanging up the spikes at the end of the season.
The writing was on the wall for anyone paying attention to the way this Cubs season has gone. Lou Piniella isn’t just managing a third-place team that’s nine games under .500, he’s managing a team that is a complete non-factor.
The most notable thing to happen to the Cubs this year was Carlos Zambrano’s insane tirade that had him sent to anger management and Piniella to tell reporters, "I’ve gotten frustrated. But I bounce back. … The losing isn’t easy for me. I’m not used to losing."
Piniella will turn 67 this summer, his last as an MLB manager.
Piniella does have a fantastic track record as a Major League manager. He won the World Series in 1990 with the Reds and was named Manager of the Year three times in his career – but his actual playoff record is 23-27, and in 23 seasons he’s been to the World Series once. Oh, and let’s not forget that before joining the Cubs in 2007, Piniella was the manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for three seasons. In the eight years since leaving Seattle – with a stop off in the broadcast booth in 2006 – Piniella’s overall record is 508-556 (.447) with an 0-6 postseason record.
Piniella must have been frustrated when he made those comments in late June because despite a .547 winning percentage in this three previous years in Chicago, he hasn’t really won much of anything.
Again, it could just be frustration settling in and perhaps "the losing isn’t easy for me," should be translated differently. To paraphrase the great line from Danny Glover, maybe Piniella is just too old for this … stuff.
The average age of all the current Major League managers is 55 and a half. Only eight managers in the big leagues were born before 1950. Piniella, who turns 67 in August, may just be too old for this stuff. Before this starts to sound ageist (admittedly that ship may have sailed) it’s not to say that Piniella is incapable of managing at this age. It’s just that being a baseball lifer can make for a pretty long life after a while.
Piniella first played in the big leagues in 1964 and played in the league every year from 1968-1984 when he retired and took a job with the Yankees. A year later, he was their manager and has been in the league for seemingly every minute since. That’s a long, long baseball life.
Bobby Cox is retiring this summer, too.
Piniella isn’t the only one who’s lived a long baseball life, by the way. Bobby Cox is 69 years old and has been a coach, manager or general manager in professional baseball since 1971. I’m not great at math, but that’s almost 40 years! That was certainly enough for Cox, as he announced his retirement well before the 2010 season.
And then there’s Joe Torre who turned 70 years old this week and is the oldest manager in the game. Torre had hoped for an extension with the Dodgers but cut those talks off before the season as to not "be a distraction" the rest of the year. There has been as much speculation about Torre’s future as anyone, and much of the talk has him leaning toward retirement after the season.
The other managers over 60 are: Cito Gaston, 66 (Blue Jays); Jim Leyland, 65 (Tigers); Charlie Manuel, 66 (Phillies); Tony La Russa, 65 (Cardinals); and Dusty Baker, 61 (Reds). Manuel and Baker seem to still have a few years left in them, which makes some sense considering Baker is the youngest of the lot and Manuel didn’t get his fair shake at managing until he was already in his 60s. Gaston was all but out of baseball before getting re-hired by the Blue Jays in 2008 on a two-year deal. Leyland’s contract, which was extended by the Tigers in 2009, goes through next season. And La Russa? His time in the league may very well be tethered to whatever decision Albert Pujols makes about his future.
So is 60 some magical number with regard to managerial success? That may be better asked this way: Has 60 always been the magic number for managers, and have the last 10 years actually bucked the historical trend? Manuel managed the Phillies to the World Series at the age of 64. In 2006, La Russa won the title as manager just after turning 62. Jack McKeon led the Marlins to the 2003 title at the age of 72. Torre led the Yankees to the 2000 World Series during the year in which he turned 60.
Before 2000, the last manager to win a World Series after the age of 60? Casey Stengel in 1958 at the age of 68. With six of the eight managers over 60 still in their respective pennant races, there are a few years before we have to start thinking about that kind of drought again.
CINCINNATI — The bases are loaded, there are no outs in the eighth inning and the Reds are clinging to a one-run lead. The near-capacity crowd rises not once, not twice but several times as Arthur Rhodes stares down the Rockies’ hitters.
When Rhodes throws a 92-mph fastball past Carlos Gonzalez to end the threat, he pumps his left fist and the place erupts. The Reds go on to win, 3-2.
Veteran lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes made his first All Star team this year.
And it feels like October at Great American Ball Park — as much as possible on a steamy July night, anyway.
After a decade of disappointment, Cincinnati is sensing a special season from the Reds. They lead the NL in offense. Their rotation is overflowing with candidates. Their defense has been superb.
The Reds have the easiest second-half schedule of any contender. They have been in first or second place since early May, have lost once since the All-Star break and trail the Cardinals by just a half-game in the NL Central. A nice turnaround for a team that hasn’t had a winning season since Ken Griffey Jr. arrived in town 10 years ago.
The Reds have assembled a roster that can hang with the Cardinals. First baseman Joey Votto, 26, is having a breakout season to match St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols. The Reds have a decided edge around the rest of the infield with second baseman Brandon Phillips, shortstop Orlando Cabrera and third baseman Scott Rolen. The Reds don’t have Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter to lead their rotation, but they have greater depth. Neither club has a rally-proof bullpen, though the Reds have an All-Star, Rhodes, in theirs.
But sorry, Cincinnati. You should keep those "Hunt for Red October" banners in storage for now. The Reds’ run of consecutive losing seasons will end in 2010, but they will have to wait until next year to knock the Cardinals from the NL Central’s perch.
On one hand, the Reds are just too young. And on the other, too old.
They haven’t been there
As solid as Cincinnati’s rotation has been, no one knows what to expect down the stretch because of its inexperience in these situations. Bronson Arroyo is the only Reds starter who has pitched in the postseason, or even in a pennant race.
Four rookies have made at least two starts, and Aroldis Chapman, who remains in the minors to develop better command of his 95-mph-plus fastball, hasn’t been one of them. Of the youngsters, only Mike Leake and Travis Wood figure to stay in the rotation when it reaches full health. And that is only if the Reds stick with Wood, who has dazzled in his first four starts, once injured veteran Aaron Harang (5.02 ERA) is ready. Edinson Volquez’s return last week from Tommy John surgery could not have gone better, but manager Dusty Baker knows "he’ll be better next year than this."
Scott Rolen has battled injuries and illness in recent weeks.
Arroyo even admits the starters’ success has been "part luck" and the last two months of the season could be a roller-coaster ride. "There’s going to be a point where we slide downhill a little between now and the end of the season," Arroyo says. "Our hope is that we can weather that storm enough when the Cardinals go through the same thing and we don’t fall too many games behind."
Age matters
The club brought in Rolen and Cabrera as what Baker calls "foundation guys" because of their postseason experience and clubhouse presence. Problem is, Rolen can’t help from the bench. After failing to play in more than 128 games in any of the past three seasons, Rolen made the All-Star team thanks to a first half when he played like he did as a mainstay in the powerhouse Cardinals’ lineup of the mid-2000s. Baker says Rolen looked as good as the old days but "the difference is, he could play more then."
Since the break, Rolen has been sidelined by a stomach virus and a hamstring injury that might land him on the disabled list.
To steady an up-and-down bullpen, general manager Walt Jocketty recruited a couple of aging relievers, Russ Springer, 41, and Jason Isringhausen, 37, whom he had on his side when he was running the Cardinals. Neither has pitched in the majors since last season, and might not this year.
Springer debuted at Class AAA last week while Isringhausen had yet to accept the Reds’ contract offer after a Tuesday tryout. Both would bring considerable postseason experience to a bullpen that ranks 13th in the NL (4.37 ERA) with a closer, Francisco Cordero, who ranks among the league leaders with six blown saves.
At the least, the old guys would give Rhodes, a first-time All-Star at 40, some clubhouse company around his age.
At best, they could return to pitching in the postseason—if they stick around until next year.
CINCINNATI — The bases are loaded, there are no outs in the eighth inning and the Reds are clinging to a one-run lead. The near-capacity crowd rises not once, not twice but several times as Arthur Rhodes stares down the Rockies’ hitters.
When Rhodes throws a 92-mph fastball past Carlos Gonzalez to end the threat, he pumps his left fist and the place erupts. The Reds go on to win, 3-2.
Veteran lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes made his first All Star team this year.
And it feels like October at Great American Ball Park — as much as possible on a steamy July night, anyway.
After a decade of disappointment, Cincinnati is sensing a special season from the Reds. They lead the NL in offense. Their rotation is overflowing with candidates. Their defense has been superb.
The Reds have the easiest second-half schedule of any contender. They have been in first or second place since early May, have lost once since the All-Star break and trail the Cardinals by just a half-game in the NL Central. A nice turnaround for a team that hasn’t had a winning season since Ken Griffey Jr. arrived in town 10 years ago.
The Reds have assembled a roster that can hang with the Cardinals. First baseman Joey Votto, 26, is having a breakout season to match St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols. The Reds have a decided edge around the rest of the infield with second baseman Brandon Phillips, shortstop Orlando Cabrera and third baseman Scott Rolen. The Reds don’t have Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter to lead their rotation, but they have greater depth. Neither club has a rally-proof bullpen, though the Reds have an All-Star, Rhodes, in theirs.
But sorry, Cincinnati. You should keep those "Hunt for Red October" banners in storage for now. The Reds’ run of consecutive losing seasons will end in 2010, but they will have to wait until next year to knock the Cardinals from the NL Central’s perch.
On one hand, the Reds are just too young. And on the other, too old.
They haven’t been there
As solid as Cincinnati’s rotation has been, no one knows what to expect down the stretch because of its inexperience in these situations. Bronson Arroyo is the only Reds starter who has pitched in the postseason, or even in a pennant race.
Four rookies have made at least two starts, and Aroldis Chapman, who remains in the minors to develop better command of his 95-mph-plus fastball, hasn’t been one of them. Of the youngsters, only Mike Leake and Travis Wood figure to stay in the rotation when it reaches full health. And that is only if the Reds stick with Wood, who has dazzled in his first four starts, once injured veteran Aaron Harang (5.02 ERA) is ready. Edinson Volquez’s return last week from Tommy John surgery could not have gone better, but manager Dusty Baker knows "he’ll be better next year than this."
Scott Rolen has battled injuries and illness in recent weeks.
Arroyo even admits the starters’ success has been "part luck" and the last two months of the season could be a roller-coaster ride. "There’s going to be a point where we slide downhill a little between now and the end of the season," Arroyo says. "Our hope is that we can weather that storm enough when the Cardinals go through the same thing and we don’t fall too many games behind."
Age matters
The club brought in Rolen and Cabrera as what Baker calls "foundation guys" because of their postseason experience and clubhouse presence. Problem is, Rolen can’t help from the bench. After failing to play in more than 128 games in any of the past three seasons, Rolen made the All-Star team thanks to a first half when he played like he did as a mainstay in the powerhouse Cardinals’ lineup of the mid-2000s. Baker says Rolen looked as good as the old days but "the difference is, he could play more then."
Since the break, Rolen has been sidelined by a stomach virus and a hamstring injury that might land him on the disabled list.
To steady an up-and-down bullpen, general manager Walt Jocketty recruited a couple of aging relievers, Russ Springer, 41, and Jason Isringhausen, 37, whom he had on his side when he was running the Cardinals. Neither has pitched in the majors since last season, and might not this year.
Springer debuted at Class AAA last week while Isringhausen had yet to accept the Reds’ contract offer after a Tuesday tryout. Both would bring considerable postseason experience to a bullpen that ranks 13th in the NL (4.37 ERA) with a closer, Francisco Cordero, who ranks among the league leaders with six blown saves.
At the least, the old guys would give Rhodes, a first-time All-Star at 40, some clubhouse company around his age.
At best, they could return to pitching in the postseason—if they stick around until next year.
A mental error by Dodgers bench coach Don Mattingly proved costly Tuesday night.
Mattingly, serving as acting manager because Joe Torre had been ejected two innings earlier, was forced to remove closer Jonathan Broxton with the Dodgers leading the Giants in the ninth inning. The reason: Mattingly inadvertently made a second trip to the mound during the same visit.
San Francisco rallied for three runs against Broxton’s replacements and won the game, 7-5. Broxton was charged with the runs and the loss.
With one out and the bases loaded in the ninth, Mattingly conferred with Broxton and the Dodgers’ infielders on the mound. Mattingly left the mound, then turned and walked back toward Broxton. That constituted a second trip in the same inning, meaning Broxton had to leave the game.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy alerted home plate umpire Adrian Johnson, who conferred with the other three umps. Crew chief Tim McClelland eventually ruled Broxton had to be removed.
"Once you leave the dirt, you can’t go back," Bochy told CSN Bay Area after the game. In fact, Rule 8.06(d) states, in part: "A manager or coach is considered to have concluded his visit to the mound when he leaves the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s rubber."
Mattingly told reporters after the game he knew the rule, but didn’t realize he had left the dirt.
"I kind of had a feeling (it was a second trip) because Adrian was yelling ‘No, no, no. You can’t go back,’ as I turned to talk to James," he said. "It cost us a chance to win the game."
George Sherrill replaced Broxton after hastily warming up. Andres Torres doubled on Sherrill’s second pitch, giving San Francisco a 6-5 lead.
Mattingly then replaced Sherrill with Travis Schlichting, who had been warming up prior to Sherrill getting the call. After a fielder’s choice grounder, Buster Posey singled home Torres to put the Giants ahead 7-5.
San Francisco’s Jeremy Affedlt pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure the victory.
Bochy told CSN that this was the second time a Dodgers manager had made that mistake against his team. He didn’t give details, but according to SN research, Grady Little did it Aug. 23, 2006, when he had to remove Brad Penny in a game against the Padres, then managed by Bochy.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sporting News staff reports
A mental error by Dodgers bench coach Don Mattingly proved costly Tuesday night.
Mattingly, serving as acting manager because Joe Torre had been ejected two innings earlier, was forced to remove closer Jonathan Broxton with the Dodgers leading the Giants in the ninth inning. The reason: Mattingly inadvertently made a second trip to the mound during the same visit.
San Francisco rallied for three runs against Broxton’s replacements and won the game, 7-5. Broxton was charged with the runs and the loss.
With one out and the bases loaded in the ninth, Mattingly conferred with Broxton and the Dodgers’ infielders on the mound. Mattingly left the mound, then turned and walked back toward Broxton. That constituted a second trip in the same inning, meaning Broxton had to leave the game.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy alerted home plate umpire Adrian Johnson, who conferred with the other three umps. Crew chief Tim McClelland eventually ruled Broxton had to be removed.
"Once you leave the dirt, you can’t go back," Bochy told CSN Bay Area after the game. In fact, Rule 8.06(d) states, in part: "A manager or coach is considered to have concluded his visit to the mound when he leaves the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s rubber."
Mattingly told reporters after the game he knew the rule, but didn’t realize he had left the dirt.
"I kind of had a feeling (it was a second trip) because Adrian was yelling ‘No, no, no. You can’t go back,’ as I turned to talk to James," he said. "It cost us a chance to win the game."
George Sherrill replaced Broxton after hastily warming up. Andres Torres doubled on Sherrill’s second pitch, giving San Francisco a 6-5 lead.
Mattingly then replaced Sherrill with Travis Schlichting, who had been warming up prior to Sherrill getting the call. After a fielder’s choice grounder, Buster Posey singled home Torres to put the Giants ahead 7-5.
San Francisco’s Jeremy Affedlt pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure the victory.
Bochy told CSN that this was the second time a Dodgers manager had made that mistake against his team. He didn’t give details, but according to SN research, Grady Little did it Aug. 23, 2006, when he had to remove Brad Penny in a game against the Padres, then managed by Bochy.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
The Phillies are pursuing a major trade for a starting pitcher, perhaps the Astros’ Roy Oswalt, and are working to deal right fielder Jayson Werth in a separate move, ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported Tuesday night.
Stark did not identify whom Philadelphia would acquire, but he reported the Phillies have been working on a deal for Oswalt, who has a full no-trade clause and as many as two-plus years remaining on his contract. Oswalt has said he’d waive his no-trade privilege to pitch for a contender.
AOL FanHouse’s Ed Price reported via Twitter that a source told him the Astros "may be close to putting the ball in [Oswalt’s] court" regarding a trade.
Oswalt, Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren, Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly and A’s righty Ben Sheets are among the top trade targets ahead of the July 31 nonwaiver deadline. Haren told FoxSportsArizona.com on Tuesday he’d waive his limited no-trade rights in the right deal, though he indicated he’d prefer to stay on the West Coast.
Earlier Tuesday, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro hinted to reporters that he’s working on acquiring an arm. He demoted fifth starter Kyle Kendrick to the minors without naming a replacement. Kendrick’s turn is due to come up Saturday.
"I think we know exactly what we’re going to do," Amaro told reporters. "I just choose not to tell you."
Amaro’s hand may have been forced Tuesday night when left-hander Jamie Moyer left his start after one inning because of an elbow strain.
Werth was batting .280 with 13 home runs, 50 RBIs and an .873 OPS entering Tuesday’s game, but he has struggled the past three weeks. He also can become a free agent after the season and is expected to command a huge contract. Stark reported the Rays appear to be the team most interested in Werth.
Sporting News staff reports
The Phillies are pursuing a major trade for a starting pitcher, perhaps the Astros’ Roy Oswalt, and are working to deal right fielder Jayson Werth in a separate move, ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported Tuesday night.
Stark did not identify whom Philadelphia would acquire, but he reported the Phillies have been working on a deal for Oswalt, who has a full no-trade clause and as many as two-plus years remaining on his contract. Oswalt has said he’d waive his no-trade privilege to pitch for a contender.
AOL FanHouse’s Ed Price reported via Twitter that a source told him the Astros "may be close to putting the ball in [Oswalt’s] court" regarding a trade.
Oswalt, Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren, Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly and A’s righty Ben Sheets are among the top trade targets ahead of the July 31 nonwaiver deadline. Haren told FoxSportsArizona.com on Tuesday he’d waive his limited no-trade rights in the right deal, though he indicated he’d prefer to stay on the West Coast.
Earlier Tuesday, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro hinted to reporters that he’s working on acquiring an arm. He demoted fifth starter Kyle Kendrick to the minors without naming a replacement. Kendrick’s turn is due to come up Saturday.
"I think we know exactly what we’re going to do," Amaro told reporters. "I just choose not to tell you."
Amaro’s hand may have been forced Tuesday night when left-hander Jamie Moyer left his start after one inning because of an elbow strain.
Werth was batting .280 with 13 home runs, 50 RBIs and an .873 OPS entering Tuesday’s game, but he has struggled the past three weeks. He also can become a free agent after the season and is expected to command a huge contract. Stark reported the Rays appear to be the team most interested in Werth.
BALTIMORE — Tampa Bay Rays All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford left Tuesday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after being struck in the groin with a pickoff throw to first base.
Crawford reached on a fielder’s choice in the top of the first and was leaning off the base when Orioles rookie Jake Arrieta threw toward first. First baseman Ty Wigginton missed the ball, which hit Crawford between the legs.
Crawford rolled off the base and was tagged out.
He remained doubled over for several minutes before finally walking off the field with help from trainer Ron Porterfield.
"Carl Crawford is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever played with," said Wigginton, who was a teammate of Crawford’s in 2006 and 2007. "He’s a true gamer, and if that guy don’t bounce up, it’s not good."
Crawford was later taken by ambulance to a hospital, where tests were negative. He was diagnosed with a testicular contusion and listed as day to day.
"You couldn’t hit it in a better spot. It just took the wind out of me," Crawford said. "Right now it’s real sore, but the doctor said there was no damage. I’m guessing I’ll take (Wednesday) off."
Crawford said he doesn’t wear a protective cup because it’s too restrictive, and he insisted he won’t change that practice.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre suffered a torn testicle last August when he was struck by a ground ball. Like Crawford, Beltre was not wearing a cup. Beltre was on the disabled list for almost three weeks
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BALTIMORE — Tampa Bay Rays All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford left Tuesday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after being struck in the groin with a pickoff throw to first base.
Crawford reached on a fielder’s choice in the top of the first and was leaning off the base when Orioles rookie Jake Arrieta threw toward first. First baseman Ty Wigginton missed the ball, which hit Crawford between the legs.
Crawford rolled off the base and was tagged out.
He remained doubled over for several minutes before finally walking off the field with help from trainer Ron Porterfield.
"Carl Crawford is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever played with," said Wigginton, who was a teammate of Crawford’s in 2006 and 2007. "He’s a true gamer, and if that guy don’t bounce up, it’s not good."
Crawford was later taken by ambulance to a hospital, where tests were negative. He was diagnosed with a testicular contusion and listed as day to day.
"You couldn’t hit it in a better spot. It just took the wind out of me," Crawford said. "Right now it’s real sore, but the doctor said there was no damage. I’m guessing I’ll take (Wednesday) off."
Crawford said he doesn’t wear a protective cup because it’s too restrictive, and he insisted he won’t change that practice.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre suffered a torn testicle last August when he was struck by a ground ball. Like Crawford, Beltre was not wearing a cup. Beltre was on the disabled list for almost three weeks
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown reports the Dodgers have intensifited their efforts to trade for pitching help. Brown, citing unnamed sources, reports L.A. has inquired about Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt, Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly, Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren and Indians right-handers Jake Westbrook and Fausto Carmona.
L.A. also is among the many clubs interested in Blue Jays relievers Kevin Gregg, Scott Downs and Jason Frasor.
The Dodgers recalled right-hander James McDonald from Triple-A to start Monday night’s series opener against the Giants. McDonald replaced rookie John Ely, who faltered after having initial success. The rest of L.A.’s rotation consists of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla.
Sporting News staff reports
Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown reports the Dodgers have intensifited their efforts to trade for pitching help. Brown, citing unnamed sources, reports L.A. has inquired about Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt, Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly, Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren and Indians right-handers Jake Westbrook and Fausto Carmona.
L.A. also is among the many clubs interested in Blue Jays relievers Kevin Gregg, Scott Downs and Jason Frasor.
The Dodgers recalled right-hander James McDonald from Triple-A to start Monday night’s series opener against the Giants. McDonald replaced rookie John Ely, who faltered after having initial success. The rest of L.A.’s rotation consists of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla.
McCarver likened the Yankees’ understating the accomplishments of former manager Joe Torre with World War II-era totalitarian regimes removing images of certain generals.
Fox spokesman Dan Bell said in a statement that McCarver regrets making the comment.
"We’ve discussed the situation with Tim, and relayed in no uncertain terms that his choice of analogies was inappropriate, which he completely agrees with and regrets using," network spokesman Dan Bell said Monday in a statement. "Given his contrition and flawless 25-year track record, we’re comfortable no further action is necessary."
McCarver likened the Yankees’ understating the accomplishments of former manager Joe Torre with World War II-era totalitarian regimes removing images of certain generals.
Fox spokesman Dan Bell said in a statement that McCarver regrets making the comment.
"We’ve discussed the situation with Tim, and relayed in no uncertain terms that his choice of analogies was inappropriate, which he completely agrees with and regrets using," network spokesman Dan Bell said Monday in a statement. "Given his contrition and flawless 25-year track record, we’re comfortable no further action is necessary."
