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Justin Morneau Could Use a Day Off

Tom FornelliPosted Sep 18th 2008 2:10PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Twins, AL Central

And I'm not just saying that because it would hurt the Twins, and in turn, help my White Sox.

No, Justin Morneau is one of only two players in the Major Leagues this season who have started every game for their team this season (Seattle's Raul Ibanez is the other), and it's starting to take a toll on Justin's legs (no doubt that playing half of his games on the turf in the Metrodome doesn't help either). Still, even though he could definitely use a day off, and his manager Ron Gardenhire wishes he could give him one, Morneau just won't let it happen.
"He wants to play, he wants to be in there, he knows his legs are about done," Gardenhire said. "He's played a lot of baseball."
Yes he has, and even if Justin's legs are tired, you sure couldn't tell by looking at his numbers. While his tired legs have begun to take away some of his power (Justin only has five home runs since August 1st), he's still producing for the Twins. Since the end of July, Justin is hitting .286 and slugging .497 while driving in 38 runs.

What's even more amazing is that his 128 RBI lead the American League, with Josh Hamilton in second with 124, but at the All-Star break Hamilton had 95 RBI compared to Justin's 68. Imagine what he'd be doing on fresh legs right now. Since the Twins can't afford to give Morneau a day off as they chase the White Sox, I would expect Morneau to get a lot more time at DH over the next two weeks.

Angels Fans Question Scioscia's Use of K-Rod

Tom FornelliPosted Aug 14th 2008 1:56PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Angels, AL West, MLB Fans, MLB Milestones

Things are going really well with the Angels right now. They have the best record in baseball, and a hefty 15 game lead over the Rangers in the AL West. Basically, the last six weeks of the season will be nothing but preparation for the postseason.

The only thing the team really has left to accomplish is Francisco Rodriguez's bid to break Bobby Thigpen's mark for most saves (57) in a season. Since everything is going so smoothly for the Halos, it doesn't give their fans much to complain about, and as we all know, fans always need something to complain about. It makes us feel important. So that's why some Angels fans are grumbling over Mike Scioscia's use of K-Rod, and saying that he's trying to pump up his save stats when he isn't needed.
"I find that to be questioning our integrity," Scioscia said, a hint of ire in his voice. "Everything we do is what's best for the team. If the closer is available, why wouldn't you use him if the situation dictates the game needs to be closed out? Why wouldn't you?

"If there's a save situation and Frankie is available, he's going to get the ball."
Continue Reading Angels Fans Question Scioscia's Use of K-Rod

Seattle Struck Out Looking at the Deadline

Matt WatsonPosted Aug 1st 2008 7:33PM by Matt Watson (author feed)
Filed under: Mariners, AL West, MLB Rumors

Jarrod WashburnMy colleague Andrew Johnson dubbed the Mariners one of his losers of the trade deadline, and I couldn't agree more. The Mariners are challenging the Nationals for the worst record in the league, and although they managed to pull one minor deal (sending Arthur Rhodes to the Marlins), they sat on their hands when they could have dumped a lot of salary -- and make no mistake, there were teams calling trying to get a deal done. From Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
And talks had remained all but non-existent as the deadline neared between the Yanks and Mariners about Jarrod Washburn. [...] Yankee GM Brian Cashman had talked with Lee Pelekoudas, the Mariners' interim GM, in recent days to try to mend fences. The Mariners were angry that discussions on this front had leaked into the media and the perception had formed that the Yanks would be fleecing Seattle. What the Yanks have tried to stress to the Mariners is that absorbing $14 million is a big return for a rebuilding team such as the Mariners.
Washburn is the epitome of a back of the rotation pitcher -- on a good year he might be worthy of being a No. 3 pitcher on a good team, but by and large his numbers usually hover just below the league average. And for that the Mariners are paying him $9.8 million this year and $10.3 million next. Awesome.
Continue Reading Seattle Struck Out Looking at the Deadline

Who Won and Lost During Trading Season?

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 31st 2008 9:08PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Astros, Angels, Braves, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees, MLB Transactions

Take a deep breath, baseball fans. The dust has settled after another trading deadline, and what a deadline it was. Three future Hall of Famers were moved. So was a reigning Cy Young winner and two former All-Stars. And we haven't talked about Rich Harden yet. Undoubtedly, 2008 was the most entertaining trading season in recent memory for baseball fans.


Truth be told, it will take years before we know who helped themselves or hurt themselves at the 2008 trade deadline. That's just the way it is when boom-or-bust prospects are involved. But here's an educated (and roughly ordered) guess anyway at which teams won and which teams lost now that the July 31 deadline has come and gone.

Winners

Angels: With a double-digit lead in the AL West, the Angels didn't need to do anything to get to October. They went out and got slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira anyway, and it's nothing short of a coup. For all the praise heaped upon Mike Scioscia's throwback run-at-all costs strategy, it hasn't done much for Los Angeles in the postseason. The Halos have scored 17 runs in their last eight postseason games dating back to 2005, and they don't have single regular slugging over .500 this year. They needed a bat to go all the way in October, and that's just what they got in Teixeira.
Continue Reading Who Won and Lost During Trading Season?

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 31

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 31st 2008 12:41PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Athletics, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Pirates, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, Twins, White Sox, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Red Sox, Marlins and Pirates are indeed working on a three-way deal that would send Manny Ramirez to South Florida, Jeremy Hermida and prospects to Pittsburgh and Jason Bay (and possibly reliever John Grabow) to Boston. The trade is still a long way from being completed, however, with the teams expected to haggle right up to the deadline on the prospects heading to the Pirates. The deal is fragile because it involves three teams and prospects from both Florida and Boston, so it could go right down to the wire, and there's always a chance the deal collapses.

But there is also a different feeling in Boston this time around with Ramirez, much like the feeling in 2004 when GM Theo Epstein swallowed hard and got rid of the beloved Nomar Garciaparra. If the three-way deal with the Pirates collapses, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Red Sox would then deal directly with the Marlins. And remember this: while the Red Sox would love to have Manny Ramirez in their lineup in October, it won't be as difficult as you'd think to replace his production over the final two months of the season because he is so poor defensively.

- GM Kenny Williams has already added future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox's roster, but he might not be done. With Scott Linebrink on the DL and closer Bobby Jenks just off of it, Chicago is looking for bullpen depth. Williams and the White Sox have been connected with Oakland closer Huston Street for a few weeks now, and there are indications from the Windy City that he'll make a final push to acquire him before the 4PM ET deadline. Eamonn Brennan has already covered the Nick Swisher-Street swap speculation already at FanHouse and correctly assumes that a deal is unlikely.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 31

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 28

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 28th 2008 5:54PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Blue Jays, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Mariners, Mets, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Blue Jays are back above the .500 mark and might not even be willing to deal right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett at this point, but if they decide to move him, the Cardinals remain the most likely destination. Burnett, an Arkansas native, grew up rooting for St. Louis and Tony La Russa's club could use a pitching upgrade, particularly following Milwaukee's acquisition of CC Sabathia and Chicago's acquisition of Rich Harden.


For now, GM John Mozeliak appears resolved to wait and see what the rehabbing Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter can provide and pursue relief help. Still, it's hard not to wonder about Burnett, particularly as the Cardinals muse about converting Wainwright back to relief for the remainder of the season. Wouldn't St. Louis look a lot tougher to beat if on Aug. 1 Burnett was in the rotation and Wainwright was closing out games as he did when the Cardinals won the World Series in 2006?

- Other than the Rockies, the Braves have been the toughest team to figure out over the last few weeks as they vacillate between punting the season and going for it in the NL East. Even as they move closer and closer to dumping Mark Teixeira, the team has apparently been working on a deal for Pittsburgh's Jason Bay, which was only nixed when Pirates' ownership stepped into the fray. Bay has long been thought to be the Bucs' best trade chip, but that's made the price tag too steep for many clubs. Still, Atlanta was close to dealing a package of four prospects, including Brent Lillibridge and Brandon Jones, for the left fielder. For a team like the Braves, with little hope of contending this year, that might seem strange, but Atlanta expects to be back in the hunt in 2009 and Bay is already under contract for next season.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 28

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 26

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 26th 2008 5:20PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Brewers, Mariners, Mets, Nationals, Red Sox, Rockies, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Mets are continuing to pursue a corner outfielder, but with Pittsburgh's trade of Xavier Nady and Cleveland's trade of Casey Blake, the list of potential additions has dwindled. Jason Bay and Matt Holliday are still out there, but New York simply doesn't have the chips to acquire an All-Star caliber bat. Seattle's Raul Ibanez is the one name remaining that the Mets have been linked to and is likely in the team's price range.


GM Omar Minaya probably can't afford to hone in on one target, though, so it's likely he'll make calls over the next few days to gauge what the Padres would want in return for Brian Giles and perhaps what the Reds would want in return for Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey Jr. The Mets are on a hot streak, but the team still has flaws -- flaws that can be taken care of in the next few days.

- Manny Ramirez was a very late scratch for Friday night's game against the Yankees, which the Red Sox lost 1-0, and the Boston Globe's Dan Shaugnessy is wondering if this is the final straw for the slugger in Boston. "Manny Being Manny" is a mantra that has come to mean many different things over the years, and part of it are these little dramas, which usually come to nothing. But the Red Sox have an option on Ramirez for next year, one they aren't even certain they will pick up, so perhaps this time it really is THE time to explore finding Ramirez's replacement. That means a middle-of-the-order bat, one which they could potentially acquire over the next few days. It wouldn't be a great surprise if GM Theo Epstein started making inquiries about Mark Teixeira, Adam Dunn and Matt Holliday, even if once again, this all amounts to nothing.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 26

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 25

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 25th 2008 5:00PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Diamondbacks, Mets, Orioles, Padres, Tigers, Yankees, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- Along with Colorado closer Brian Fuentes, Baltimore left-hander George Sherrill continues to be the hottest commodity on the trading block, drawing interest from many contenders including the Cardinals, Rays, Red Sox and Marlins, according to Dan Graziano. The Orioles remain somewhat reluctant to even deal their closer, particularly since their bullpen is a bit shallow after Sherrill, Dennis Sarfate and Jim Johnson and also because he is under team control for the next three seasons after this one.


But at some point the offers from other clubs are going to be hard to ignore, particularly if the team continues to struggle as it has recently. And Sherrill will probably become the latest chipped cashed in by GM Andy MacPhail as the O's continue to build toward contention in 2009 and 2010.

- Though they have a ways to go to get to the top the AL Central, the Tigers do not consider themselves sellers and are looking at adding pitching, particularly in the bullpen if reliever Freddy Dolsi continues to be bothered by shoulder discomfort. Detroit's biggest need is probably a starting pitcher, not a relief arm, but unless it pursues a bargain option like Odalis Perez, the Tigers do not have the assets in the upper minor leagues to get someone like A.J. Burnett.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 25

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 21

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 21st 2008 4:22PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Cardinals, Cubs, Mets, Red Sox, Tigers, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Mets have no idea what to expect from Ryan Church the rest of the way and the Fernando Tatis-Endy Chavez combination in left field probably isn't going to cut, so everyone, including manager Jerry Manuel, is expecting the team to add an outfielder before the trade deadline. Just don't expect that outfielder to be of the Adam Dunn or Matt Holliday variety -- they just don't have the chips. New York has one of the shallowest farm systems in baseball as a consequence of the Johan Santana trade, particularly in the coveted major-league ready category.

That leaves the Mets looking at players like Xavier Nady, Raul Ibanez and Casey Blake, which really is fine. They need an upgrade on what they currently have in left field and some insurance for their injured right fielder to win the NL East, not a star player.

- The Cubs have already added starter Rich Harden and reliever Chad Gaudin, but they're still looking for pitching. A high-ranking team official took in A.J. Burnett's last start for the Blue Jays. A looming DL trip for closer Kerry Wood could change the team's focus, though. Wood's injury is not believed to be serious, but the team's bullpen was heavily taxed over the first half, and now they're down their best arm. Suddenly Damaso Marte, Brian Fuentes and Huston Street have to be looking pretty good to GM Jim Hendry.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 21

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 19

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 19th 2008 2:00PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Brewers, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rockies, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Diamondbacks have lost their grip on first place in the NL West and now they'll be without right fielder Justin Upton for a spell as they try to fend off the Dodgers. The budding 20-year-old star has battled a strained oblique injury since before the All-Star break. Eric Byrnes' season is already in doubt, so this news has to increase the pressure on Arizona GM Josh Byrnes to go out and get an outfielder. We know the Snakes won't rule out Barry Bonds, but Seattle's Raul Ibanez or one of the available Pittsburgh bats -- Xavier Nady or Jason Bay -- are still more likely to wind up in Arizona.

- The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reports that a top Brewers official is at Yankee Stadium for this weekend's Yankees-A's series scouting players. The player most likely being watched by Milwaukee? Oakland closer Huston Street, who has been effective, though not his usual dominant self this season. The Brewers have bolstered their rotation already by adding CC Sabathia, but the bullpen is still a point of concern. Milwaukee ranks 10th in the NL in bullpen ERA and it will have to get better if the club is going to make a push for the postseason.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 19
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