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Who Wants the NL West?

Matt SnyderPosted Aug 28th 2008 10:24AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Rockies, NL West

The Houston Astros are 16 games out of first place in the NL Central, and ten games out of the wild card. Basically, you'd have to say they definitely are out of the pennant race barring several miraculous occurrences from here on out ... one of them being a commissioner's order that they are switched to the NL West.

That's right, the Houston Astros would only be one game out of first place in the West, where the division-leading Diamondbacks have lost four straight. The Diamondbacks were most recently swept by the Padres, whose winning percentage is .383 ... after the sweep. Starting pitchers for the Snakes in the three losses? Dan Haren, Brandon Webb, and Randy Johnson. You know, the same three the Cubs are supposed to be wetting themselves over having to face in the "short series" NLDS.

On the bright side, Justin Upton is close to returning to the lineup, but the defense will become a bit shaky when he does. The Backs are talking about moving Adam Dunn to first base to accommodate Upton, or moving Mark Reynolds to second base, which would move Chad Tracy to third. I understand the need for offense with this group, but sacrificing the defense could render Webb a little less significant.
Continue Reading Who Wants the NL West?

Livan Hernandez Has a New Home

Tom FornelliPosted Aug 7th 2008 11:02AM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Rockies, NL West, MLB Transactions

With the Minnesota Twins needing to make room for Francisco Liriano in their starting rotation as they try to make a run at another division title, it meant that somebody would have to go. That somebody was Livan Hernandez who the Twins had signed in the off-season to be the leader of a young pitching staff.

Well, all Livan Hernandez led the Twins pitching staff in was hits allowed, runs against, and most fans cursing his name. Still, as I said when the move was first announced, the odds were that Livan would only be out of a job for a few days and it turns out I was right (the odds of which were 3000/1). Livan is the newest member of the Colorado Rockies.
Livan Hernandez was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies from the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

"We've been struggling with our rotation this year," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "He's a great addition."
Dan O'Dowd has an odd definition of great, seeing as how Hernandez is 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA on the season, and has allowed five or more runs in nine of his twenty-three starts. Of course with the way the Rockies starting pitching has performed at times this year, I suppose Livan can be an improvement. Maybe a return to the National League where he spent his entire career before joining the Twins this season will be what Hernandez needs.

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 30

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 30th 2008 8:55PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Mariners, Marlins, Padres, Pirates, Rays, Red Sox, Rockies, 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 Marlins are the forgotten team in the NL East race, but they have a very real chance at making the postseason and are the most active team less than 24 hours before the trade deadline. Florida is looking for everything. The club is believed to be close to dealing for Mariners left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes. The Fish have also made inquiries with San Diego about Josh Bard and Toronto about Gregg Zaun as they try to shore up the catcher position with Matt Treanor injured.

Most surprisingly, they might be at the head of the pack for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez. A proposed deal would send either left fielder Josh Willingham or right fielder Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox in exchange for Ramirez, with Boston picking up the remaining portion of the $20 million owed to the disgruntled slugger. The Marlins would also have to agree not to pick up Ramirez's option at the end of the season. Florida is often accused of being cheap. You can't say it isn't trying this year.

- The Jason Bay market appears to be heating up. Both the Rays and Cardinals have had serious discussions with Pittsburgh about acquiring the left fielder. Tampa Bay would seem to have the upper hand since it has the better farm system and does not play in the same division as the Pirates. GM Neal Huntington is believed to have asked for shortstop prospect Reid Brignac and pitching prospect Jeremy Hellickson, with Hellickson believed to be the sticking point. There is also late word that the Red Sox could jump into the Bay talks as part of a three-way deal that would send Ramirez to Florida, prospects to Pittsburgh and Bay to Boston.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 30

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 29

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 29th 2008 9:21PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Blue Jays, Braves, Dodgers, Mariners, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, Twins, 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.

- Mark Teixeira is off the board, leaving a bunch of lesser players in the rumor mill. The best non-Teixeira rumors continue to surround Manny Ramirez, despite the fact that he is unlikely to be moved before the July 31 deadline. The Red Sox might be more reticent than ever to deal Ramirez with Teixeira off the table. He was the most obvious replacement for Ramirez's production (with Kevin Youkilis moving to left field in a potential deal). But Boston seems so fed up with the slugger it might move him anyway. So the question is, where?


The Dodgers have moved to the front of the line for Ramirez, offering an outfielder in return -- believed to be either Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier and perhaps prospects. When Teixeira was still available, it was believed they would spin those players to Atlanta for the first basemen, but the Red Sox could hold onto someone like Kemp, who could equal Ramirez's value when you account for defense. The Diamondbacks are unlikely to make a move for Ramirez, especially considering GM Josh Byrnes' familiarity with the slugger (he worked under Theo Epstein in Boston). Ditto for the Phillies. The Mets are very difficult to read, with the team claiming they have no interest and media reports saying otherwise.

- The Royals could infuse some late life into the outfield market if they decide to make Jose Guillen available. Guillen signed a three-year, $36 million deal with Kansas City this winter, but there are rumors that he's unhappy with manager Trey Hillman. Guillen has denied the reports, but he is not known as a great clubhouse guy and he had a very public and messy feud with Mike Scioscia in his last days with the Angels. On the other hand, he is only 32 and is still productive. After hitting .183 in April, Guillen has hit .288 since.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 29

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

On Deck: Yankee Panky

MulletPosted Jul 26th 2008 10:00AM by Mullet (author feed)
Filed under: Braves, Phillies, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Yankees



On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

New York Yankees (57-45) at Boston Red Sox- (60-44) 3:55 PM ET

As if the lure of Yankees/Red Sox wasn't enough, now you have the drama of a huge trade to stoke your fire. The Yankees beat everyone to the punch (as they normally do at the trade deadline) and acquired the righty bat they needed in Xavier Nady, and the lefty specialist out of the 'pen they needed in Damaso Marte.

We know Nady can handle the big city, having hit .264 with 14 HR's in 265 AB's with the Mets in '06. Marte was property of the Yankees in '01, but was traded for Enrique Wilson before Marte could make it with the big club. Now, they make their return to New York ... and pending physicals, they may be ready to go today for their Yankee baptism by fire at Fenway Park.

Continue Reading On Deck: Yankee Panky

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 24

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 24th 2008 6:27PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Blue Jays, Braves, Brewers, Marlins, Orioles, Rockies, 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 Braves continue to indicate that they won't move Mark Teixeira in hopes of contending for the NL East title, but if the team struggles over the next week, that could all change. Atlanta is already a bit of a longshot to make the playoffs, but two injuries to key players should push them over the cliff and turn them into sellers. Chipper Jones hurt his hamstring again last night in Florida and staff ace Tim Hudson left his start early with ominous-sounding elbow tightness.


If ever there was an omen that it might be time to let go of this season, wouldn't injuries to the team's best pitcher and hitter on the same night be it? Teixeira is certain to leave this winter and if Atlanta holds on to him all it will get is a pair of early draft picks. They stand to get much better talent in a deadline deal, even considering Teixeira's rental status.

- I got a chance to see A.J. Burnett's rain-shortened start last night in Baltimore. There were plenty of scouts in attendance, though some of them were probably there in hopes of seeing Orioles closer George Sherrill. Burnett has good raw stuff -- a fastball he gets to 95 mph with ease and a tough curveball in the low-80s. Still, Orioles hitters made good contact on him. He's a very good, but fragile No. 2 starter, who could help a number of contenders, but his uncertain contract status continues to make potential suitors cautious. Don't put too much stock into the Roy Halladay rumors, Burnett is still the most likely to get moved of any of Toronto's pitchers.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 24

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 23

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 23rd 2008 9:00PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Athletics, Padres, Pirates, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, 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.

- So what are those pesky Yankees up to anyway? First things first: they are absolutely in the AL East race, just three games behind the Red Sox and 3 1/2 behind division-leading Tampa Bay. They've also got clear needs -- namely pitching depth and offensive help, either at catcher, now that Jorge Posada's season is in doubt, or at one of the corners.


New York's top brass will meet tomorrow in Tampa to discuss what, if any, moves they should make before the deadline, but indications are that the team is willing to deal prospects and make a run. The name with the most heat is Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn, who wouldn't be a flashy pickup, but would give the Yankees a reliable innings-eater to put at the back of their rotation. He'd certainly be an upgrade over Darrell Rasner or Sidney Ponson. Seattle is not impressed with center fielder Melky Cabrera, but has been scouting New York's Double-A affiliate Trenton. That's where the Yankees' top hitting prospect, Austin Jackson, has been playing all year.

- Concerns about Huston Street's performance and stuff don't seem to be scaring off teams. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Reds have shown some interest in the Oakland closer. Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty certainly can't consider his team a contender, but there is reason to think it can make a run as soon as next season, and Street isn't eligible to be a free agent for another three years. He also has two players with uncertain futures -- Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. Dunn is the type of player you'd figure A's GM Billy Beane would covet, but he might have to send more than Street to land the slugger.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 23

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 22

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 22nd 2008 6:45PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Angels, Athletics, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Orioles, Rockies, 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.

- Sometimes with trade rumors, it's just a matter of connecting the dots. The Dodgers have a scout in Tampa Bay for this week's Rays-A's series, and with Los Angeles tied with Arizona atop the NL West, you can bet he isn't there to check out Evan Longoria. Back in Tinseltown, manager Joe Torre announced his intentions to showcase give Andy LaRoche plenty of time at third base over the next few weeks.

Even considering Ned Colletti's apparent antipathy for young players, LaRoche is the one prospect who seems to have been jerked around the most. Oakland GM Billy Beane appears willing to deal just about any of his established big leaguers, and the Dodgers could use help just about everywhere. Reliever Huston Street is the obvious target, but shortstop Bobby Crosby and starting pitcher Justin Duchscherer could also end up on the move. LaRoche would be a more than handsome return for any one of those players.

- Brian Fuentes continues to be the hot commodity on the relief market. According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, scouts from seven different teams have watched Fuentes pitch over the last few days, including almost all of the big boys from the American League. Fuentes gave up five runs in a loss on June 30 and since then has been utterly dominant, striking out 13 and walking none in his last seven appearances. Elsewhere, the Cardinals are reportedly stepping up their interest in Baltimore closer George Sherrill.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 22

On Deck: Hello, Mr. Blanton

Tom FornelliPosted Jul 22nd 2008 1:51PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, Rangers, Rockies, White Sox



On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups

Dear Joe Blanton,

Hello there and welcome to your new home, the city of Philadelphia. It's a wonderful place to live, and I can't tell you how excited we are to have you as the newest member of the Philadelphia Phillies. I hope you enjoyed your flight to New York with your new teammates and got to know them pretty well, they'll be looking to you for support tonight.

Now, I don't want to put any added pressure on you, as I'm sure pitching on a new team is stressful enough, but tonight's game is rather important. You see, Joe, tonight we're playing our division rivals the New York Mets. They don't like us much. Something about us making up seven games in the standings last September and winning the division.

Seems the Mets are out for revenge this year, because in the last few weeks they've gobbled up all the space that was seperating us from them in the division, and now we're tied for first place with them. If we lose tonight, we'll be in second place.

We don't want this to happen, obviously, or else we wouldn't have traded for you! So go out there tonight and win us a ball game, would you? If you don't, I wouldn't bother coming back to Philadelphia with the team. The fans here are quite passionate, and they will kill you. Seriously.

No pressure!

Have a good night,
Pat Gillick
Continue Reading On Deck: Hello, Mr. Blanton
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