You know Carlos Zambrano. He's the Cubs starting pitcher who can swing a power bat on occasion. He actually sports two Silver Slugger awards for his exploits with the lumber. Anyway, considering the Cubs have a rash of day-to-day injuries -- meaning they don't want to put any of them on the disabled list and, thus, have a short bench -- would the Cubs consider using him as more than a pinch-hitter? He was, after all, spotted taking ground balls at third base recently.
Garcia is expected to stay in Florida for another month or so and then join Triple-A Buffalo once the weather gets a little better, and according to agent Peter Greenberg, Garcia feels by then he may be ready to contribute.
The Chicago White Sox didn't spend very much money this offseason, in part due to the nature of the economy, but also because they have a lot of young talent who they'd like to start locking up with long term deals in the near future, and they'd like to have the money around to do so. On Sunday afternoon they were able to do just that.
The Mets are currently holding a competition for the team's fifth starter spot in camp between guys like Livan Hernandez, Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding, and Jonathan Niese. There are some decent arms in there, sure, but none of them are exactly screaming "World Series here we come!" Which is why there are so many Mets fans out there who are wondering when the team is going to sign Pedro Martinez.
While Pedro Martinez was spinning three scoreless innings against the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, his former team was busy watching a parade of ineptitude compete for the fifth and final starting rotation spot.
As outlined in the New York Post, all the candidates for the fifth starter spot are having a rough go as of late. Tim Redding -- the front-runner -- was knocked around by the University of Michigan, as was Freddy Garcia. Bobby Parnell allowed five baserunners in five batters faced against the Nationals. Meanwhile, Pedro threw three scoreless frames for the D.R.
Fantasy baseball draft season is coming, so you best be prepared by delving through every major player on each team. Fantasy FanHouse is here to help with a quick once-over.
Meet the ... Chokers. Sorry, folks, but until they can actually close out a regular season, that's the label they're getting. Fortunately for us fantasy folks, we don't really care about total team performance in the regular season, provided it doesn't impend on individual players' abilities to post statistics. And in that sense, the New York Baseball Mets are quite the enjoyable team to watch. They have a slew of top-tier players on the squad and generally almost always provide a ton of fantasy value. Not much will change in terms of that this year, although you may be surprised as to where it will come from.
It's amazing that a guy who has pitched only 73 innings the last two seasons can basically pick and choose where he wants to go. But these days when you come cheap, you're attractive. So Freddy Garcia has chosen to sign a minor league deal with the Mets, instead of the Yankees who were the other team that Garcia was considering at the end.
Garcia most likely saw more opportunity to crack the starting rotation with the Mets than with their Bronx counterparts. And if he does, and he reaches all of his incentives, he'll make $9 million this season. Garcia's only action since June of 2007 were 15 innings with the Tigers at the end of last season, when he went 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA and a WHIP of 1.13.
There are two separate reports regarding the Mets and starting pitchers, and the pitchers involved have something in common. First, Ben Sheets, who has rarely escaped injury for a full season. Then, Freddy Garcia, who has barely pitched in a game that mattered since June of '07.
"The guy could turn into an X-factor, but we're talking high-risk, high-reward," said one major league scout. "He looked good in at least one game last season. He knows how to pitch. He was a big-game pitcher. But is he entirely healed from the surgery? Plenty of people come back, but not all are the same as they used to be."
Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.
The Tigers were the most disappointing team in the majors last year. A preseason pick for the World Series by many, they finished dead last in the AL Central, thanks mostly to a pitching staff that ranked 27th out of 30 teams and a defense that committed the second most errors in the league.
Only the Yankees and Mets spent more money last year, and the Tigers don't have nearly the revenue stream of their Big Apple counterparts. As such, GM Dave Dombrowski is expected to slash and burn the payroll this winter. Can he bring the Tigers back into contention without draining owner Mike Ilitch's pockets? He's facing an uphill battle, for sure, especially considering duds like Dontrelle Willis, Gary Sheffield and Nate Robertson will cost the team $33 million alone.
Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.
When the Marlins dealt Miguel Cabrera last winter, it was assumed that they would battle the Nationals for the cellar in the National League East. That made their 84-77 record one of the most pleasant surprises of the season.
Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla led an offense that finished second in the NL in home runs, the preferred method of scoring for an offense that didn't get on base with much regularity. Chris Volstad looked like a future ace in 14 starts. Volstad, Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson and Andrew Miller are a very young rotation, but potentially a very good one if they're healthy and consistent in 2009.
Almost any team would envy the young, talented roster the Marlins possess, but building on their 2008 successes will be contingent on which players return next season. As always, the Marlins are dealing with monetary issues that often trump diamond ones. How they manage those two sides will decide how far they go next season.
Left on Base is MLB FanHouse's link dump.
The Mets essentially named 
The Chicago White Sox didn't spend very much money this offseason, in part due to the nature of the economy, but also because they have a lot of young talent who they'd like to start locking up with long term deals in the near future, and they'd like to have the money around to do so. On Sunday afternoon they were able to do just that.
The Mets are currently holding a competition for the team's fifth starter spot in camp between guys like 
While 
Fantasy baseball draft season is coming, so you best be prepared by delving through 
It's amazing that a guy who has pitched only 73 innings the last two seasons can basically pick and choose where he wants to go. But these days when you come cheap, you're attractive. So 
There are two separate reports regarding the Mets and starting pitchers, and the pitchers involved have something in common. 
Footprints in the Snow
