Team USA Aims for Gold in Puerto Rico

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Rockies, Royals, International Baseball

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Bruce Billings and Jordan Pacheco had no idea why they were being harshly summoned into their manager's office. Tulsa was on its final road trip of the regular season, and the Drillers -- Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies -- were on the verge of advancing into the minor league playoffs.

It was late August -- and early April Fool's Day.

Billings (pictured at right) and Pacheco were being quizzed about their recent drug tests before manager Ron Gideon came clean with the good news: Billings and Pacheco had been selected to Team USA, which is participating here in the Pan Am Qualifying Tournament.

"I was like, 'Oh my gosh,' where is this conversation headed because I knew I hadn't done anything wrong," Billings told FanHouse.

"After he told us we made (Team USA), I was kind of taken aback. This is exciting. When you have a bunch of good guys who come together and are pulling for one goal -- we are trying to win gold -- it's not about ego, or who you are, who you play for, it's about Team USA.

"I think everyone is humbled to be playing for Team USA."

 

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Alberto Callaspo Robinson Canó Jorge Cantú Mike Carp

Jon Garland Signs With the Dodgers

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Dodgers, Padres, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Jon Garland didn't have to look far to find an employer for the 2011 season. He just hopped on the I-5 north from San Diego for a couple of hours and pulled into the players' lot at Dodgers Stadium.

The Dodgers announced Friday that they've reached an agreement with Garland on a one-year deal with a club option for 2012. Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports that Garland will get $5 million plus incentives in 2011 and that a vesting option worth $8 million will kick in for 2012 if he pitches 190 innings in his first season. It's his second stint with the Dodgers after a late-season trade in 2009 gave him a month with the team.

"We're very pleased to have Jon join this group and give us five very strong starters going into Spring Training," said Dodgers G.M. Ned Colletti. "We saw what Jon was capable of down the stretch in 2009 and again last year within our division. Year after year, he takes the ball 30-plus times and gives his team a chance to win every time out."

 

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Pedro Alvarez Lars Anderson Robert Andino Elvis Andrus

Roy Halladay Was NL's Best No Matter Your Measure

by Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: Phillies, MLB Awards

This was the easy one.

Of all the awards handed out by the BBWAA this fall, perhaps none will be as anticlimactic as the NL Cy Young Award. Not only was this a pretty easy pick when the season ended, but it was the pick that many folks came up with before the season even started.

Phillies ace Roy Halladay won his second Cy Young Award on Tuesday, and it wasn't close. In his first run through the National League, Halladay led the league in innings, complete games, shutouts and strikeouts per walk. He was second in the league in ERA and WAR (on Baseball-Reference.com).

And, oh yeah, he also led the league in victories, for whatever that's worth.

 

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Ryan Raburn Alexei Ramírez Aramis Ramírez Hanley Ramírez

Nolan Ryan Didn't Ask Andy Pettitte About Playing for Rangers

Filed under: Rangers, Yankees, MLB Rumors, MLB Free Agency

There was a report Monday that the Texas Rangers had expressed interest in signing longtime Yankees southpaw Andy Pettitte. According to the report, team president Nolan Ryan had reached out to Pettitte to gauge his interest in leaving New York for the Lone Star State one more time. Well, apparently this is all news to Nolan Ryan.

Ryan says that he has talked to Pettitte in recent weeks, as Pettitte is a partner in Ryan's company that owns a couple of minor league baseball teams, and he said Pettitte also wanted to wish him luck in the World Series. According to Ryan, when the idea of 2011 came up between the two, it was only to see if Pettitte planned on pitching again next season.

"I asked him if he thought he was going to play in 2011 or retire," Ryan told the Star-Telegram. "He said if he played it would be with the Yankees because he wanted to retire with the Yankees. It wasn't like I was asking him if he wanted to come play for us."

 

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Mitch Moreland Justin Morneau Logan Morrison Daniel Murphy

Dave Duncan Gets Two-Year Cardinals Deal; Mark McGwire Will Return

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Cardinals, NL Central

We already knew that Tony La Russa would be back with the Cardinals next season, and now we know that he'll have the wise pitching guru Dave Duncan by his side.

The only difference is that Duncan knows he'll be there in 2012 whether or not La Russa and the team decide to exercise their mutual options. Duncan re-signed with the Cardinals on Monday and got a two-year deal with an option, also mutual, for the 2013 season. Also Monday, the Cardinals announced hitting coach Mark McGwire and the rest of the coaches were re-signed for the 2011 season.

If you want a totally speculative guess on the reason for Duncan's extended deal: Both the Red Sox and Yankees are without pitching coaches at the moment and they are the kinds of teams you might expect to throw big money at a proven commodity like Duncan.

 

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Felipe López José López Mike Lowell Jed Lowrie

Kyle Drabek's Debut Underscores Blue Jays' Young, Improved Rotation

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: Blue Jays, AL East

BALTIMORE -- It was hard not to notice Wednesday night, as Kyle Drabek made his major league debut for the Blue Jays, that the guy he was traded for just last winter -- some Roy Halladay fella -- was making a start of his own 953 miles away in Florida.

It might as well have been another world down there.

Halladay, the man who was baseball in Toronto for the 12 seasons prior to this one, was pitching in the thick of a pennant race for the Phillies and is on his way to the playoffs for the first time -- two experiences the game's best pitcher never got to genuinely experience in a Blue Jays uniform.

Drabek, meanwhile, was battling through an up-and-down debut in front of a sparse crowd of 13,651 at Camden Yards in a game between the two teams propping up the standings in the top-heavy American League East. You know the kind. Flashes of brilliance (five strikeouts) sandwiched around signs that there will be a learning curve (nine hits, three runs, three walks, plenty of fortunate defensive help) over six uneven innings and, ultimately, a loss.

"I'd probably on my report say good damage control," Kyle's father Doug, a 13-year major league veteran, said, when asked to assess his son's performance after he escaped from a first-inning jam.

 

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Chase Utley Chris Valaika Luis Valbuena Wilson Valdez

Twelve Thoughts: Giants Among Elite, Sandy Alderson, Big Fall for Prospects

by Tom Krasovic

Filed under: Athletics, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Giants, Mets, Orioles, Padres, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, NL West

The San Francisco Giants now belong among the elite franchises in baseball.

Maybe the Giants already were there, but the recent World Series trophy completes a franchise that had a lot else going for it -- a snazzy ballpark privately financed and integrated into a vibrant city, an avid fan base, a decent winning tradition dating to the 19th century and New York, and legends such as Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey and Orlando Cepeda as part of both the franchise's past and present. Other nice touches are a West Coast address, ultracool road uniforms and bicycle valets at home games.

Further to the Giants' credit, there was far less woe-is-me droning from San Francisco over its World Series drought than what Big Media gave us, ad nauseum, from overly serious Boston and self-important "Red Sox Nation."

o. West Coat Bias needs to create a P.O. box.

I'm anticipating a flood of handwritten apologies from Giants fans. You're still celebrating, I know, so there's no rush. Over the last year, whenever I wrote anything nice about your manager Bruce Bochy, you let me know how misguided I was. Bochy was overly devoted to veterans, you said (stiffs like Edgar Renteria, Cody Ross, Pat Burrell). He failed to comprehend that John Bowker was better than Andres Torres. He and his boss, Brian Sabean, were dinosaurs.

Please include a return address. Thank you, WCB.

o. If Pat Dobson were alive, he'd raise a beer in honor of the Giants and friends "Sabes" and "Boch."

Dobson, a former Giants scout, died of leukemia in 2006 shortly after recommending that Sabean hire Bochy. Best known as one of four pitchers to win 20 games for the Baltimore Orioles in 1971, Dobson long scouted the National League West, came to admire Bochy's managerial skills and especially liked how Bochy ran his Padres pitching staffs. When the Padres' front office of Sandy Alderson and Kevin Towers blamed San Diego's playoff ouster in 2006 on Bochy, "Dobber" and the rival Giants were thrilled to hire him.

 

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Greg Dobbs Jason Donald Matt Downs Stephen Drew

Bud Black Wins NL Manager of the Year

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: Padres, Reds, MLB Awards

The Padres' Bud Black edged the Reds' Dusty Baker by one point for 2010 National League Manager of the Year honors, the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Wednesday.

"I'm honored and privileged to be awarded this," Black said during a conference call with the media. "It's an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence with all (the other candidates."

Black, in his fourth season as manager of the Padres, led his team to a 90-72 record -- one win short of the NL West title -- despite an Opening Day payroll just south of $38 million, the second-lowest in all of baseball.

"I'm not sure we overachieved," he said. " I think we played a level and a brand of baseball that resulted in our overall record."

 

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Kazuo Matsui Paul McAnulty Mike McCoy John McDonald

Marlins Make Edwin Rodriguez Manager Through 2011

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Marlins, MLB Rumors

The Marlins will retain Edwin Rodriguez as manager, promoting him from interim to full-time skipper for the 2011 season, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The official announcement came Wednesday morning.

Rodriguez took the helm in late June after the team fired manager Fredi Gonzalez, who took the Braves' managerial reins from Bobby Cox when he retired last month.

The 50-year-old former major league infielder looked like a longshot to be in this position when he first took over on an interim basis for the Marlins. Bobby Valentine and Bo Porter were among those tipped as favorites to get the full-time job, but negotiations with Valentine have been rocky and Porter took a coaching job with the Nationals Tuesday.

 

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Mark Kotsay Kevin Kouzmanoff Mike Lamb Matt LaPorta

A Major League Thanks for One and All

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: Astros, Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, Indians, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Rangers, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees

The offseason is supposed to be a perennial winter of discontent for baseball fans. It was, after all, Hall of Fame second baseman Rogers Hornsby who quipped just so when asked what he did once the season ended.

"I'll tell you what I do," Hornsby replied. "I stare out the window and wait for spring."

And yet, it's hard not to feel optimistic even now. Baseball reminds us -- day in and day out, year after year -- that anything is possible next year, and with so many stars available in free agency and trade, a team's fortunes next year can change rapidly in the intervening months.

It's with those good vibes in mind, that we partake in a baseball-slanted Thanksgiving tradition. Below we offer a collection of things for fans of every team to be thankful for -- yes, even the Pirates. So enjoy. Gorge on turkey and all the trimmings. And remember Opening Day is only about four months away.

 

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Osvaldo Martínez Víctor Martínez Kazuo Matsui Paul McAnulty

FanHouse TV: Cubs, Cardinals, Mariners Make Manager Decisions

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Cardinals, Cubs, Mariners, MLB Video, Executive Take

We are a week away from the World Series, but for many teams not playing this may be the most important time of the season as well. Three managerial situations were cleared up Monday and Tuesday as teams look towards 2011 and beyond.

FanHouse TV's Steve Phillips reports on moves by the Cardinals, Mariners and Cubs, and thinks that one of the decisions could sever a Hall of Fame relationship in the process. Click to watch:

 

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Darwin Barney Jason Bartlett Daric Barton José Bautista

Red Sox Take Out Newspaper Ad Vowing to Do Better in 2011

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Red Sox, AL East

Not everyone in Boston is sobbing in their Sam Adams about the Red Sox's failure to make the postseason. The Boston Globe actually sold some advertising space as a result of their third place finish in the American League East.

The team took out a full-page ad to express their disappointment in the way the season wound up and to assure fans that they are going to do everything in their power to make sure that the same thing won't happen again.

"We work for you," reads the statement which is signed by John Henry, Larry Lucchino and Tom Werner. "Our players play for you. It gives us immense pride to do so. You are the rock on which this franchise is built. We know the best way to honor you is not merely to thank you, but to go out and honor our fundamental commitment to field an excellent team in 2011, another one worthy of your avid support. We can do better. We will do better. We are committed to winning. For you, for us, for the whole of Red Sox Nation."

 

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Mike Sweeney Fernando Tatís Mark Teixeira Chad Tracy

Escape from Kansas City: Royals trade DeJesus to A's for Mazzaro

Look, everyone — a trade! It's much better to go 'round and 'round about a trade rather than the dumb 'ol Gold Gloves.

So, to force everyone to get over Derek Jeter winning gold and Andres Torres/Jay Bruce not winning gold, the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics have swapped ballplayers.

Hot stove: Flame on!

Escaping the Royals: Outfielder David DeJesus, 31 soon, whose best-ever season was ruined by a thumb injury in July.

Leaving Oakland: Right-hander Vin Mazzaro, recently turned 23, who has a 4.72 ERA, 138 strikeouts and 1.573 WHIP in 213 2/3 career innings. Also coming to KC, minor-league lefty Justin Marks. 22.

Quick analysis: All of the A's outfielders look alike. DeJesus, especially, seems like an older, polished Ryan Sweeney. If he stays healthy in 2011, he probably will be worth two draft picks if he leaves in free agency. He doesn't hit for home-run power like the A's need, but he's good, and Oakland ought to contend for the playoffs.

The A's are positioning themselves to add right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma from Japan, so Mazzaro probably won't be missed.

A's outfielder Coco Crisp, who played with DeJesus in K.C., is esepcially excited about a reunion:

That last comment is not really appropriate, Coco, especially in light of what's premiering tonight on TV in the Bay Area. And while the general attractiveness of the A's outfield cannot be quantified sabermetrically, perhaps it could help put a few more butts in the seats — regardless of fan orientation.  

So why didn't the Royals wait to deal DeJesus until mid-season, or just let him go and re-stock? Who knows why the Royals do anything. Best guess: Unlike draft picks or minor leaguers, Mazzaro already has shown the ability to sometimes get major leaguers out.  He's a known quantity, to a degree. If everything goes right, he could be a No. 3 starter someday, maybe.

What do you guys think? It's just pretty neat to have a trade, isn't it?

Follow Dave on Twitter — @AnswerDave

Nick Green Tyler Greene Cristian Guzmán Jerry Hairston Jr.

U.S. U-20s Close Out Torneo De Los Americas With Another PK Loss

Mike Jacobs Paul Janish Derek Jeter Chris Johnson

Terence's Take: Cliff Lee No Lock to Bring Yankees Another Title

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Yankees, MLB Video, MLB Free Agency

The biggest name of the MLB free agent crop is Cliff Lee. The Rangers are Lee's fourth team in the past two seasons, but his next one might be his last one. Lee is sure to sign for huge money and big years, and conventional wisdom says a no-trade clause will be included.

FanHouse TV's Terence Moore thinks Lee's destination is obvious, but is not so sure he will win there. Click to watch:

 

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Clint Hurdle Good Hire for Pirates

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Pirates, MLB Transactions, MLB Video

The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates won 96 games and made it to the NLCS. Since then they have played 18 losing seasons under five different managers. Enter Clint Hurdle, fresh off of a World Series appearance as a member of the Rangers coaching staff, and reportedly ready to take the reins in the Steel City. FanHouse TV's Steve Phillips thinks he's the right guy and explains why.

 

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Shin-Soo Choo Launches Three Home Runs, Seven RBI in Tribe Victory

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Indians, Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Shin-Soo Choo put his slump behind him in a big way Friday night.

Choo hit three homers, including a grand slam, and the Cleveland Indians moved out of the AL Central basement with an 11-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

The 28-year-old right fielder, a native of South Korea, was batting just .162 (6 for 37) in his last 10 games before busting out of the rut with his sixth career multihomer game and a career-best seven RBIs.

"I missed so many fastballs," Choo said of his rough stretch. "I fouled them off or missed them. I have so many things on my mind. After a ground-ball double play on my first at-bat, I said before my second at-bat maybe I'll try just see the ball and swing at it. It worked."

 

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FanHouse TV: Braves, Reds Look Ahead

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Braves, Reds, Rockies, MLB Video, The MLB Hour

The Braves made a quick, seamless transition from Bobby Cox to Fredi Gonzalez after their Division Series loss. FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher, Steve Phillips and Tom Krasovic discuss whether that move and talk about what the future holds for the Reds and an NL team that didn't make the playoffs. Click below to watch:

 

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Brian Barden Clint Barmes Darwin Barney Jason Bartlett

Adrian Beltre Declines 2011 Option, Becomes Free Agent

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB Free Agency

Adrian Beltre made a bet on himself when he signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Red Sox before the 2010 season. Now he's looking to cash in on that bet.

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Beltre has decided to decline his player option for $10 million in 2011 so that he can become a free agent this winter. Given the year that he had in 2010, it isn't surprising in the least to learn that Beltre is looking to cash in on the open market.

Coming off a disappointing run with the Mariners, Beltre hit .321 and slugged .553 while slamming 49 doubles and 25 home runs in 154 games for the Sox. That number of games played might be his most impressive statistic given the remarkable number of calamities that befell Sox players during the season.

 

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Paul McAnulty Juan Miranda Kendry Morales Mitch Moreland

Francisco Rodriguez Sued by Girlfriend's Father Over Assault

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Mets, MLB Police Blotter

Francisco Rodriguez's assault saga was the biggest story surrounding the again disappointing and dysfunctional Mets, and the story is continuing into the offseason. Rodriguez is being sued by Carlos Pena, the father of his girlfriend and subject of his August assault.

According to Pena's lawyer, the attack -- which took place after a Mets loss at Citi Field -- has forced Pena to make numerous visits for treatment on injuries to his "head, brain, face, neck and back."

"K-Rod should own up to his responsibility to his children's grandfather, whose life since his August beating at Citi Field has been a succession of doctor's appointments and medical tests," Jeff Korek said.

The lawsuit alleges that Rodriguez assaulted Pena, 53, with an "extreme and outrageous" attack.

 

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Josh Wilson Brandon Wood Chris Woodward Danny Worth

Praise science! Presenting the Periodic Table of Hall of Famers

If you've ever wondered what the atomic weight of Babe Ruth was, a genius blogger is working to find out.

Larry Granillo of Wezen-Ball — hands down my favorite baseball website — has created a guide for baseball Hall of Famers based on the Periodic Table of Elements.

THE Periodic Table. From sixth-grade science class. The chart that tried to tell us that "K" somehow should stand for "potassium." Yes, the thing with electrons.

Who thinks of this stuff? Larry does:

With 118 elements known on the current chart, and 109 players elected to the Hall of Fame by either the BBWAA or via special election (no Veteran's Committee here!), it seemed like a fun exercise to try and arrange the Hall of Famers into a periodic table structure. Well, maybe "fun" is a bit relative.

Not at all. It should be considered fun across the board, though if Larry had somehow tried to tie calculus to the Hall of Fame, I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. But this? He's blinding me with science!

And that's just the half of it! (Because it's only half of the table.)

So, are you doing the Neutron Dance yet? Deeper explanations come with the chart, of course:

The game's most noble players make up the right-most column, with the most radioactive players making up the left-most column. The radioactive players go from most benign to most dangerous from top-to-bottom.

Every effort was made to keep the top-tier Hall of Famers in the first three rows of the chart, or as close to it as possible.

I'll bet the Sultan of Swat passed a lot of noble gasses.

The second-to-right-most column on the periodic table of elements is the second-most reactive group of elements. On the Periodic Table of Hall of Famers, this comes out as the highly temperamental Hall of Famers, those who were known for being jerks on the field but who aren't looked at as bad guys today.

Ty Cobb once beat a man senseless with a beaker graduated cylinder, I heard.

The 500-Home Run Club is represented together on the chart, as well as the group of 300-Game Winners. The 3,000-Hit Club is also grouped together, down below.

Just awesome. Hopefully, this is a work in progress, something that is tweaked and updated with each new class. Let the debate begin about exactly what it was A-Rod was growing in those Petri dishes.

Wouldn't it be great if a giant version of a finished chart, complete with data, hung in the real Hall of Fame someday? Even if it never reaches Cooperstown, it's a neat way to track its membership. Larry needs to make T-shirts, at least.

My two cents for the real Periodic Table: Let's change K from potassium to Nolan Ryan.

Follow Dave on Twitter — @AnswerDave

Jarrett Hoffpauir Micah Hoffpauir Ryan Howard Chin-lung Hu

Trial Begins for Alleged Hit-and-Run Driver in Nick Adenhart Death

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Angels

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- A man charged with murder in a drunken-driving crash that killed rookie Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others spent hours drinking tequila and beer with his stepbrother at three bars before getting behind the wheel of his parents' minivan, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

Andrew Gallo, 23, knew the dangers of driving under the influence because he was convicted of the offense in 2006 and signed court papers indicating he understood that if he killed someone while driving drunk he could be charged with murder, Deputy District Attorney Susan Price told jurors in her opening statement.

"The evidence will show that this case is about an evening of pure indulgence and a night of total disregard," Price said.

Gallo has pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of the 22-year-old Adenhart, 20-year-old Courtney Stewart and 25-year-old Henry Pearson.

He has also pleaded not guilty to felony hit-and-run and two counts of driving drunk and causing injuries to his stepbrother Raymond Rivera and the fourth person in the other car, Jon Wilhite.

 

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Omar Vizquel Jack Wilson Josh Wilson Brandon Wood

Video: Joe SportsFan takes us 'Beyond The Cardboard'

For years, one of the best ongoing features in the baseball blogosphere has been Joe SportsFan's Worthless Card Collection — a nostalgic time-waster of the nth degree.

Seizing upon that tried and true formula of creepy '80s ballplayer pictures + snark = Internet gold, JSF chiefs Josh Bacott and Matt Sebek have taken the idea to a different medium with a video series entitled "Beyond The Cardboard." They've promised "many more to come," but the first edition is, uh, "Topps." Anyone know if Glenn Hubbard still has that python?

For more Internet goodness, go visit the guys over at Joe SportsFan. 

Ty Wigginton Kevin Youkilis Tony Abreu Robert Andino

Grab a glass of ginger ale: Josh Hamilton named AL MVP

Josh Hamilton came up just short in this year's quest to add a "World Series champion" chapter to his incredible drug addiction comeback story. The Texas Rangers center fielder received a pretty nice prize for his efforts on Tuesday, though.

Hamilton took 22 of 28 first-place votes to beat out Detroit's Miguel Cabrera and New York's Robinson Cano for the American League MVP award. Leading the majors in batting average (.359) and slugging percentage (.633) while battling a rib injury for a big portion helped make his case, as did 32 homers and 100 RBIs. From a "value" perspective, Hamilton led the way as the Rangers won their first AL West title since 1999 and won both their first playoff series and AL pennant once they were in the postseason.

So much has been written about Hamilton over the past three seasons that it's hard to come up with anything new to add. But the incredible thing is that Hamilton keeps writing new chapters by himself. If he's able to stay healthy and can continue winning his fight against addiction, there's no telling what the 29-year-old might tack onto his tale.  

Héctor Luna Matt Mangini Tommy Manzella Andy Marte

Scott Boras: Manny Ramirez Looking for Contract 'Like Vlad Guerrero'

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Dodgers, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Manny Ramirez will turn 39 next May and is a free agent yet again this winter. Given his declining offensive production, his extreme defensive limitations, all the time he's missed the last two seasons because of injuries and suspensions and his questionable clubhouse presence, he's going to find it impossible to duplicate the two-year, $45 million contract he received from the Dodgers two offseasons ago.

Indeed, the market for Ramirez's services appears to be so limited that his agent/hype man Scott Boras is playing down expectations for his next deal.

"It's just like Vlad Guerrero," Boras told the Los Angeles Times. "His last Angels season, where he had an injury season and he had 50 RBIs, was not a customary Vlad Guerrero season. He went to Texas (last year) and reestablished himself.

 

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Joaquin Benoit, Tigers Reportedly Agree to 3-Year, $16.5 Million Deal

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Rays, Tigers, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

The Detroit Tigers have reached an agreement with free-agent reliever Joaquin Benoit, according to multiple reports.

FOXSports.com was first to report that a deal was near, while ESPN.com reported that Benoit's contract would cover the next three seasons and be worth $16.5 million.

Benoit, who missed all of 2009 recovering from shoulder surgery, became one of the best setup men in baseball last season for the Rays, posting a 1.34 ERA over 60 1/3 innings for the AL East champions after signing a minor-league deal last offseason to re-establish his value.

 

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Dayan Viciedo Omar Vizquel Joey Votto Neil Walker

Report: Dan Uggla Put on Trading Block by Marlins After Negotiations Stall

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Marlins, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove

Unable to come to an agreement with Dan Uggla in acrimonious contract negotiations, the Florida Marlins will look to trade the All-Star second baseman this winter, according to FOXSports.com.

Uggla, who made $7.8 million this season, is a year away from free agency and is due a significant raise in arbitration, one the Marlins would prefer not to pay unless it is part of a long-term extension.

The second baseman, who has 154 career homers over five seasons in the majors (all with Florida), admitted on Thursday that negotiations had stalled, but pinned the breakdown on the Marlins.

Word leaked out Monday that Uggla had reportedly turned down a four-year, $48 million extension offer.

That may have prompted a shift in focus for the spendthrift Marlins, who have already begun reshaping their roster this week by trading center fielder Cameron Maybin and left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller.

 

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Aroldis Chapman Could Remain in Reds Bullpen Next Season

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: Reds

Reds manager Dusty Baker hinted that electrifying left-hander Aroldis Chapman could remain in the bullpen in 2011 in a radio appearance with Gary Williams and FanHouse's Steve Phillips on Sirius XM's Mad Dog Radio.

"We're not really sure if we're going to start him again -- which we are already strong there -- or do we need him in the bullpen? You know, the bullpen was new to him last year," Baker said. "That's why we kind of (inaudible) so to speak in that role, tried not to overpitch him, not too many innings.

"But I see him personally probably being somewhere in the back end of the bullpen. Because it's hard to find a guy that can get righties and lefties out equally and that gas he has and you haven't even seen his breaking ball and his changeup yet so his potential is unbelievable. So probably somewhere in the back end of the bullpen."

The Reds signed Chapman in January to a six-year, $30.25 million deal after he defected from Cuba in July 2009. He was sent to the minors out of spring training, and then converted to relief in June.

 

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FanHouse TV: What's Next for Rays, Twins After Playoff Losses?

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Blue Jays, Rays, Red Sox, Royals, Twins, MLB Video, The MLB Hour

The Rays and Twins came up short in the Division Series, and changes are in store for both. FanHouse MLB editor Andrew Johnson discusses what the future holds for the other two AL playoff teams and picks some dark horse candidates to make the playoffs from the AL next season. Click below to watch:

 

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Felipe López Jed Lowrie Julio Lugo Tommy Manzella

Tuesday's the day to track arbitration offers ? or lack thereof

Tuesday night at 11:59 ET is the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their own free agents.

If this is your idea of a big holiday, MLB Trade Rumors has built its own nifty arbitration offer tracker. That way you can follow which of the 65 free agents have been offered a chance to allow a third party to decide how much they'll be making in 2011 — or which teams will be receiving draft picks from the player's new team if their arbitration offers are declined. 

A few decisions have already been made. The Philadelphia Phillies have predictably extended an offer to Jayson Werth while the New York Yankees have said that it's extension or bust with Derek Jeter. The Detroit Tigers, meanwhile, have declined offers to all three eligible players — Magglio Ordonez, Johnny Damon and Gerald Laird. 

Lance Berkman Yuniesky Betancourt Wilson Betemit Casey Blake

Giants Parade Expected to Draw Huge Crowds

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Giants, World Series

The San Francisco Giants' parade will take place Wednesday in celebration of the team's World Series win, and it's expected to be quite an event.

Enough people are expected, in fact, that Mayor Gavin Newsom has urged everyone to take public transportation. The city has ramped up their public transportation system to accommodate the crowd.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. PT Wednesday at Montgomery and Washington streets and go southbound on Montgomery to Market Street before continuing west on Market Street to Civic Center Plaza. The parade will replicate the route taken by the team when they came to San Francisco from New York in 1958.

Newsom will present the team with the key to the city on the steps of City Hall.

Nearly 300 fans met the Giants at AT&T Park at 4:09 a.m. Tuesday when the team returned from Texas, championship trophy in tow.

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More: Fans Riot After Win | Giants Celebration Video | Championship Pictures

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Andrew Romine Adam Rosales Randy Ruiz Kevin Russo