Notes: KC gains, loses in Rule 5 Draft

12/08/2005
DALLAS -- The Royals gained a potential starting second baseman, Esteban German, and lost two rotation candidates as a result of the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday.
German was acquired from the Texas Rangers in exchange for the first pick in the Rule 5 Draft, left-hander Fabio Castro from the White Sox, who was selected by the Royals.
A .313 hitter last season for Triple-A Oklahoma, German led the Pacific Coast League with 43 stolen bases. A late season callup by the Rangers, German currently leads the Dominican Winter League with a .350 batting average.
"We look at him like the (Raul) Ibanezes and Emil Browns of the world -- an underestimated player," general manager Allard Baird said.
At the moment, German rates as the Royals' leading contender at second base but Baird said he'll continue the search at that position.
The Royals were a focal point of the Rule 5 Draft. They selected two players, Castro and pitcher Brandon Weeden from the Dodgers, and lost five players.
Snatched away were right-handers Victor Santos and Seth Etherton, who were signed recently to Triple-A Omaha contracts and were considered rotation candidates for the Royals.
"I had a feeling we'd lose one of them," Baird said. "That does take a bite out of it, no doubt."
Santos, who had been in the Brewers rotation, was 4-13 in 29 games last season. Etherton, who pitched in three games for the Athletics, was 7-7 with a 2.72 ERA in 20 games for Triple-A Sacramento.
Weeden, a right-hander, was 2-9 with a 5.70 ERA in 26 games for Class A Columbus.
"He has a power arm, a good strikeout guy. He needs for his delivery to stay intact," Baird said. "A good arm for $12,000."
The Royals lost infielders Brandon Powell and Pete Maestrales and pitcher Stephen Bray.
Powell, picked by the Nationals, hit .287 with 18 homers and 69 RBIs last season for Class A High Desert. Maestrales, taken by the Padres, hit .333 for High Desert and .316 for Class A Burlington after being obtained from the Orioles in a trade for outfielder Eli Marrero.
Bray, a right-handed reliever selected by the Brewers, was 3-1 with a 4.93 ERA in 26 games for High Desert and 1-1 with a 4.40 ERA in 20 games for Double-A Wichita.
German was once a top prospect for the Athletics, his original club. But, for the A's and the Rangers, he's played in only 50 Major League games with a .252 (26-for-103) average.
He has shown a sharp eye, drawing 102 walks in 1999, and speed, stealing 83 bases in 2000, while in the A's system. This year he matched the Oklahoma club record with 153 hits and scored 103 runs. Most of his playing time, though, came at third base where he started 75 times against just 11 at second.
"He has a good on-base percentage and good plate discipline," Baird said. "He hit too many fly balls early in his career."
Dessens in, Pratt out: The Royals confirmed that reliever Elmer Dessens has signed a two-year contract as a free agent.
Dessens, obtained to provide veteran depth to the middle of the bullpen, appeared in 28 games last season for the Dodgers with a 1-2 record and 3.56 ERA. He made seven starts and has been a rotation regular in the past, giving the Royals added flexibility.
"He's a six- to nine-out guy to get us to the back end of the bullpen," Baird said.
Baird said a deal for backup catcher Todd Pratt has fallen through and he's apparently headed for the Braves. Baird, though, hopes to secure a catcher by next week.
It could be Paul Bako, a free agent who is coming off knee surgery.
Bako, 33, is a left-handed hitter who has played with the Tigers, Marlins, Braves, Cubs and Dodgers. Last season, he was limited to 13 games with the Dodgers.
Bako, in 530 games, has a .239 career average.
That's all, folks: After those developments, Baird held a couple of meetings and caught a plane for Kansas City.
"I'm letting the dust settle," he said. "I don't anticipate anything happening tonight."
Still in the works are negotiations for free-agent outfielders Reggie Sanders and Jacque Jones and making headway to add another starting pitcher beyond Mark Redman.
McEwing to return: Backup infielder Joe McEwing agreed to a Minor League contract and will return to the club.
McEwing, in his first year with the Royals, hit .239 in 83 games. He can play all four infield positions and the outfield.
Davenport promoted: Jeff Davenport, Royals senior director of team travel, has been given additional duties. He now is also assistant to baseball operations.
Davenport, a former catcher, is in his seventh season with the Royals.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Brewers try to rework deal with Kolb

12/08/2005
DALLAS -- The Brewers still hope to have Dan Kolb in the bullpen on Opening Day. But it is anything but a done deal.
General manager Doug Melvin met Thursday afternoon with agent Scott Boras regarding Kolb, who was traded from the Brewers to the Braves last winter and back to the Brewers on Wednesday.
Kolb struggled as Atlanta's closer in 2005 and the Brewers would be happy to bring back their former All-Star closer, but only if he is willing to play for significantly less than the $3.4 million he made with the Braves and the minimum $2.7 million he would earn by going to arbitration.
"I don't think it's going to be as easy as you expect for someone who had an off year," Melvin said before catching an early flight home to Milwaukee. "[Boras] understands this is the best place for Danny. But he recognizes that the market for those types of relievers has increased dramatically."
The last time Melvin and Boras met at the sprawling Wyndham Anatole, it resulted in Alex Rodriguez's $252 million contract. That deal was finalized between then-Rangers GM Melvin and Boras at the 2000 Winter Meetings.
Kolb is eligible for salary arbitration and, per baseball rules, the Brewers could not cut his salary by more than 20 percent. Melvin hopes to negotiate a deal before the Dec. 19 deadline to tender contracts to players, so the Brewers could non-tender Kolb, briefly making him a free agent, before re-signing him at a lower rate.
The Braves would have non-tendered Kolb, leaving him free to sign with any team. But by acquiring him early, Melvin essentially gave up right-hander Wes Obermueller to Atlanta for an exclusive window to negotiate with Boras and Kolb.
"We feel like we have 10 days now to sit down and recruit Danny back to the Brewers," said Melvin, who would like to host Kolb for lunch in Milwaukee next week, probably with pitching coach Mike Maddux and bullpen coach Bill Castro there to help with the pitch.
"We just feel that it's a low-risk situation at this point," Melvin said. "You can never have enough pitchers at the back end of your bullpen."
But will Boras and Kolb agree to terms?
Kolb is in Las Vegas celebrating his anniversary and said Thursday he would leave the negotiating to Boras, which could be bad news for the Brewers. The market for relief pitching is off the charts this winter.
"Right now I'm preparing for the season," said Kolb. "Two years ago I started something and I turned my career around, and I plan to do it again. ... I have no doubt that by the end of Spring Training, I'll be right back to the guy I was two years ago."
Melvin would not tip his hand in terms of what the Brewers might be prepared to offer Kolb.
The team shaved more than $2 million in the trade sending arbitration-eligible first baseman Lyle Overbay to Toronto, and owner Mark Attanasio has committed to a payroll in the $50-$55 million range. But the Brewers still would like to add an arm or two to the bullpen before the start of Spring Training.
Kolb set a franchise record with 39 saves in 2004, a year after coming to Milwaukee as a Minor League free agent and reviving his career. He bought a house in southern Milwaukee with his wife, Joy Ann, and his two daughters.
Kolb says it was difficult to be away from them in 2005 and his on-field tenure with the Braves was even tougher. While Kolb was going 3-8 with a 5.93 ERA and seven blown saves, Derrick Turnbow stepped up as the Brewers closer and tied Kolb's franchise saves record.
Now, if Kolb comes back, he would pitch as a setup man for Turnbow and pitch alongside the kid for whom he was traded -- Jose Capellan.
"I wouldn't have a problem with that at all," Kolb said. "You're still going out there late in the game and there's not much of an adjustment at all."
In his afternoon meeting with Melvin, Boras also asked if the Brewers had interest in left-hander Jarrod Washburn, a free agent and Wisconsin native. But Melvin, as expected, said no. Washburn could command nearly $10 million per season in a multiyear deal, and the Brewers are not prepared to tie up that much in one player.

Source: http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/

Lopez-for-Erstad talks cool; Conine close

December 9, 2005
DALLAS // Orioles officials returned home to frigid Baltimore last night after four exhausting days at baseball's winter meetings, with a new right-handed setup man, a new catcher on the way and a sense of optimism that more additions could arrive shortly.When word of free-agent catcher Ramon Hernandez's deal with the Orioles leaked out Wednesday night, a couple of teams called the Orioles about the availability of Javy Lopez. The Orioles and Los Angeles Angels started discussions on Wednesday about a trade that would send Lopez to the West Coast for center fielder/first baseman Darin Erstad, according to sources.
The talks were serious at one point yesterday, according to the source, but started to cool as the day wore on. On paper, the deal makes sense. Erstad, 31, and Lopez, 35, are both in their final year of deals and will make approximately $8.5 million this season. Erstad, who hit .273 with seven homers and 66 RBIs last season, has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block a trade to four teams, but the Orioles are not among them.Struggling to upgrade their rotation after getting LaTroy Hawkins from San Francisco for Steve Kline in a swap of relievers Tuesday, the Orioles have decided that the next best thing is to improve their defense. Erstad, who is a two-time Gold Glove outfielder, is also considered a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman.The Angels have two young catchers after not offering Bengie Molina salary arbitration, and are coveting another powerful bat in the middle of their lineup. Still, according to a source, it was the Angels, not the Orioles, that were more hesitant in the deal.Orioles officials would prefer keeping Lopez, whose agent, Chuck Berry, did not return calls seeking comment yesterday, because they feel he will have a good offensive year, shifting as a designated hitter, catcher and first baseman. Lopez hit 43 home runs in 2003, the last time he was in the final year of his contract.But Orioles officials realize Lopez is one of their few valuable trade chips. According to one source, the Orioles shopped center fielder Luis Matos at the winter meetings and got some interest. There were also inquiries about Jay Gibbons, but he is penciled in as the starting right fielder.But as they expected, almost every team that entered the Orioles' suite at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel asked about the availability of Erik Bedard, Daniel Cabrera and Hayden Penn, the Orioles' top three young pitchers."You cannot give up young and affordable pitching," said Orioles vice president Jim Duquette. "It became clear the last two weeks that the cost of replacing a quality pitcher is so high that it would be very difficult to trade a pitcher. It would be a unique situation for us to trade those guys."Meanwhile, Marlins free agent Jeff Conine moved closer to returning to Baltimore. The Orioles and Conine's agent, Michael Watkins, met late Wednesday and discussed "several options." Watkins would not confirm specifics, but one source familiar with the negotiations said the two are closing in on a one-year deal "in the neighborhood of $1.5 million."Watkins said he expects the negotiations to intensify next week. He said two other clubs have expressed interest in Conine, who spent parts of five seasons with the Orioles before being traded to Florida in August 2003. Florida didn't offer him arbitration, practically guaranteeing that he would not return to Miami.Conine, 39, hit .304 with three homers and 33 RBIs in 335 at-bats as a platoon outfielder and occasional first baseman."Ultimately, it is up to Jeff and [his wife] Cindy, but I will tell you Jeff loves Baltimore," Watkins said.Not long after the Texas Rangers traded Alfonso Soriano to the Washington Nationals for outfielders Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge and a minor leaguer early yesterday, Texas officials contacted the Orioles to discuss trades.Texas reportedly is interested in moving an outfielder or two, including Wilkerson, Kevin Mench, David Dellucci and/or Laynce Nix for pitching help.Wilkerson, whose offensive output dropped at spacious RFK Stadium in 2005, and Mench, a University of Delaware product, might cost more than the Orioles are willing to give up. And Dellucci, a former Oriole, is coming off a career year and has developed into a Rangers' team leader.Reliever Jorge Julio and starter Rodrigo Lopez have been discussed this offseason as potential trade bait, and the Rangers are looking for an eighth-inning setup man and starting pitching.Hernandez will be in Baltimore on Sunday, and take a physical the next day. That's the only thing holding up the four-year, $27.5 million deal that the 29-year-old essentially finalized with the Orioles on Wednesday. Hernandez, formerly of the Padres, could be introduced to the local media on Tuesday."We made some progress, but we still have a long way to go," said Duquette. "We are going to be very active the next few weeks."

Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/

No obstruction means NHLers can show creative sides

12/11/05
NEW YORK — Sidney Crosby darts left, cuts back right through the huge offensive zone, and is still going as he gets within stick length of the goalie, who has no idea which way the rookie will shift next.
Back in the day, he'd have a stick in his ribs and an opponent's arm pulling him from behind.
Not anymore.
Defensemen have a choice: Let him go in alone, or hold him up and spend two minutes in the penalty box. Obstruction is gone from the new NHL, and the art of hockey is back on the ice.
"Whatever they learned all their life goes straight out the window," New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur said. "You can't do the pin and hold, you can't do the old can opener, you can't do anything anymore. It's definitely hard for the D, especially if mobility is not one of your assets."
The big, burly defenseman still has a role in the game, but his effectiveness has been severely compromised in this new world of free-flowing hockey. Not only can't he hold up an onrushing forward, he can't clear players out from in front of the net, either.
It is here that most power-play goals are scored on deflections and rebounds. And with the increase in penalties being called because of the new zero-tolerance policy on obstruction, players such as 5-foot-10 New York Rangers rookie Petr Prucha have more opportunities to charge in without fear of getting clobbered.
"He's a small guy and he always looks for the open spot in front," teammate Martin Straka said of Prucha, who scored half his first 12 goals on the power play. "He's getting all the rebounds, so he is not afraid at all."
The NHL knew it had to pull out every stop to win back fans and make new ones following last season's hiatus caused by the worst labor dispute in North American sports history.
Sure, cheaper tickets and clever promotions help, but if people aren't interested in the product to begin with, it's hard to get them through the turnstiles.
As baseball has found, fans dig offense. And that's where hockey has a unique advantage.
Mammoth blasts off the bats of sluggers are impressive, but the only thing that distinguishes a shot by Barry Bonds from one by Alex Rodriguez is what row the ball lands in and which side of the plate they swing from.
Not so on the ice.
"The great players have tremendous creativity. They see things in a certain way, they create things. This is the ultimate read-and-react sport," said San Jose general manager Doug Wilson, a former defenseman who posted 827 career points.
Goals can be scored by a player ripping a 100-mph slap shot past an overmatched goalie or by someone who reaps the benefits of a threaded pass from a teammate. It's not always the goal scorer who does the heavy lifting.
"I think guys are having more of an opportunity to use their creativity now because when you're skating by a guy they can't get their stick on you," Minnesota Wild center Brian Rolston said. "They've got to try to poke it, and guys that have better hands can keep it away from those pokechecks.
"There's no question that the game has opened up and it's made it a lot easier for skill guys to do what they have to do."
At 18, Crosby already is considered a master playmaker. His vision is superb and he also has the moves to elude defenders trying to separate him from the puck.
Sometimes he sets himself up, but other times he moves goalies so far out of position that when he makes a pass across the crease, a teammate merely has to redirect the puck into an open side of the net.
"The things you're looking for in players is hockey sense, and that means seeing something, reacting quickly and creating something out of sometimes when there's nothing," Wilson said. "That's very artistic, very creative."
"Some guys have got it and some guys have it more than others," Rolston said.
But that part of the game was lost in the previous decade or so. The neutral-zone trap became the norm once current Wild coach Jacques Lemaire led the New Jersey Devils to the 1995 Stanley Cup championship.
The trap led to the clutching and grabbing that made end-to-end rushes uncommon. Goal scoring became as tough as pulling teeth.
"What we traditionally let go in terms of the one or two hooks on the arm, which would be historically considered as a good play, is now an unacceptable practice in the game," NHL director of officiating Stephen Walkom said.
Lemaire remembers the little hooks and pulls of the stick back when he was scoring goals and winning eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens between 1967-79.
Even those little tugs probably wouldn't fly in this no-obstruction world. Lemaire might've played in the golden age of hockey, but he says the game he coaches now is even better.
"I don't know that we're getting back, I think we're giving players a chance to show what they have," said Lemaire, who scored 366 goals and set up 469 others. "I think right now is the best hockey we could get."
Lemaire is still coaching the trap, but now he is back in the minority.
With two-line passes now legal since the red line no longer exists for the purposes of making plays offsides, it is hard to pin teams in their own zones. It's even more difficult with the enforcement of the rules.
"I don't think the excellence was rewarded," Wilson said of the pre-obstruction days. "I think it rewarded those that were trying to drag it down.
"You should reward excellence, punish cheating and don't cater to mediocrity. Make people get better both offensively and defensively."
He can speak from experience. Wilson played during the offensive explosion of the 1980s, when Wayne Gretzky had four 200-point seasons and Mario Lemieux had 199 points in a season.
This season, the Ottawa Senators scored 115 goals in their first 25 games to put themselves in shooting range of becoming the first club since the 1985-86 Edmonton Oilers to have 400 in a season. That Gretzky-led squad scored 426.
And the quick starts by Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, Philadelphia's Simon Gagne and the New York Rangers' Jaromir Jagr have hockey people buzzing about the possibility of a 50-goal scorer in 50 games.
"I think you'll see over time, teams will be able to manufacture some really good things offensively," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "I think the best is yet to come."

Source: http://www.ocobserver.com/

Mets sign infielder Julio Franco

12/09/2005
The New York Mets today signed free agent infielder Julio Franco to a two-year contract.
Franco, who turned 47 on August 23, will enter his 29th professional season in 2006. He is the oldest player in the majors. Julio hit .275 (64-233) with 30 runs scored, 12 doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 42 RBI in 108 games last season in Atlanta. He also led the Braves with 14 pinch-hits.
"I have admired Julio Franco for years," said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya. "Julio can help us off the bench as a pinch-hitter and in the field at first base. He brings a legendary workout routine and a positive energy to the clubhouse."
Julio ranks 78th on the All-Time Hit List with 2,521 base hits and is fourth among active players. Only Rafael Palmeiro (3,020), Craig Biggio (2,795) and Barry Bonds (2,742) have more hits. Franco has the most hits (2,521) by a Dominican-born player in major league history.
Since 2001, Franco has hit .292 (344-1,178) with 59 doubles, seven triples, 29 home runs and 171 RBI in 466 contests with the Braves.
Julio's next home run will make him the oldest in major league history to crack a home run. Athletics' pitcher Jack Quinn was 46 years and 357 days old when he went deep on June 27, 1930. Franco is also the oldest player to hit a grand slam, hit a pinch-hit home run, register a multi-home run game, swipe two bases in a game and is the second oldest to collect a triple.
The 6-1, 210-pounder is a three-time All-Star (1989, 1990 and 1991) and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1990 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field.
Franco has constructed a .299 (2,521-8,422) batting average, with 394 doubles, 54 triples, 170 home runs and 1,152 RBI in 2,377 games with the Phillies, Indians, Rangers, White Sox, Brewers, Devil Rays and Braves. Julio made his major league debut in 1982 with the Phillies.
He has more than 3,800 hits between the majors, minors and his time in Japan, Korea and Mexico.
A five-time Silver Slugger (1988-1991, 1994), Julio owns three of the top four highest single-season batting averages by a player who is 43-or-older (.309 in 2004, .294 in 2003 and .284 in 2002). Only Hall of Famer Sam Rice is in the top four with his .293 batting average in 1934 at age 44.

Source: http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/

Red Sox pick two to fill GM vacancy

Tue, Dec. 13, 2005
NEW YORK - Unable to decide on a successor to Theo Epstein, the Boston Red Sox chose two.
The Red Sox split their general manager's job Monday between two of his former assistants, farm director Ben Cherington and assistant GM Jed Hoyer.
"It made sense, given their personal compatibility and their experience, to do it together," Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said. "It made sense for us to divide things up. If there's a better way to build a mousetrap, we'll try that, too. But this is the way we're committed to now. There's more than one way to structure a front office."
Epstein left after his contract expired Oct. 31 and wasn't able to reach agreement with Lucchino on a new deal. Lucchino left open the possibility Epstein could play some role in the front office.
"The door has been really ajar for some time, and until Theo goes to work for another baseball organization we'll keep the light on in the window with the possibility of him coming back and helping us," Lucchino said.
In Detroit, 41-year-old left-hander Kenny Rogers finalized a $16 million, two-year deal with the Tigers.
Also, Roger Clemens' representatives were contacted by the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers, who expressed interest in signing the seven-time Cy Young Award winner for next season. His agent, Randy Hendricks, said last week that the 43-year-old right-hander won't decide for at least a month whether to retire or pitch next season.
"We just wanted to plant a seed and tell him it would be a storybook way for him to end his career," Lucchino said.
Rogers was 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA this year and won a career-high 18 games in 2004 with the Texas Rangers. He shoved two television cameramen while walking onto the field on June 29 and was suspended for 20 games, a penalty the players' association appealed. It was reduced to 13 games by an arbitrator.
Rogers realizes when his name is mentioned, his confrontation is, too.
"It doesn't bother me," he said. "It's not like the first mistake I've made in my life. I've never professed to being perfect. For any fans, I would hope they will see what type of guy I am, and make their decisions based on that."
In Atlanta, the Braves introduced Edgar Renteria, acquired from Boston last week for third base prospect Andy Marte.
Renteria started last season 0 for 10, hit .228 in April and struggled to fit in with the Red Sox. He was booed by Boston fans as he piled up a major league-high 30 errors.
His finished with a .276 batting average, eight homers and 70 RBIs -- passable for most shortstops but well below his best years with Florida and St. Louis. In 2003, he hit .330 with 13 homers, 100 RBIs and 34 stolen bases for the Cardinals.
Renteria acknowledged he wasn't prepared for the negative reception from Boston fans.
"This was my first time," he said of the boos from the home-team supporters. "I didn't know how to handle it.... Nobody likes to get booed. You see me play, I always start slow. Maybe the fans didn't know anything about me."
Spurned in their pursuit of Morris and Josh Beckett, the Texas Rangers acquired former All-Star right-hander Vicente Padilla from the Phillies on Monday for a player to be named.
Padilla, an All-Star in 2002, was 9-12 with a 4.71 ERA in 27 starts last season in Philadelphia. He made $3.2 million and is eligible for salary arbitration.
"He is a youthful starting pitcher with an excellent track record that includes an All-Star selection, and will bolster our starting rotation," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said.
Free-agent utility infielder Damion Easley, yet another player leaving the Florida Marlins, agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
San Diego announced a $2.25 million, one-year contract for leadoff hitter Dave Roberts and agreed to a $1 million, one-year deal for reliever Doug Brocail, who must pass a physical before the deal is finalized.
In other preliminary deals that were not announced, St. Louis agreed to a $2.9 million, two-year contract with 35-year-old left-hander Ricardo Rincon, Detroit agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with catcher Vance Wilson and Kansas City agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract with backup catcher Paul Bako.
Among players eligible for salary arbitration, the Rangers agreed to one-year contracts with left-hander Brian Shouse ($725,000) and infielder Mark DeRosa ($675,000), and Houston agreed to a $1.7 million, one-year contract with first baseman Mike Lamb.

Source: http://www.belleville.com/

Rangers Get Padilla & Re-sign DeRosa & Shouse

Sunday, December 18, 2005
THE TEXAS RANGERS MONDAY ACQUIRED FORMER ALL-STAR RIGHT-HANDER VICENTE PADILLA FROM THE PHILLIES -- FOR A PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER.PADILLA MADE $3.2-MILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR.HE'S ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY ARBITRATION. TEXAS ALSO AGREED TO ONE-YEAR DEALS WITH INFIELDER MARK DEROSA AND LEFT-HANDED PITCHER BRIAN SHOUSE.BOTH HAD BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY ARBITRATION.DEROSA GETS $675,000.SHOUSE RECEIVES $725,000.DEROSA HIT .243 LAST SEASON.SHOUSE WENT 3-AND-2 WITH A FIVE-POINT-23 E-R-A LAST SEASON. ROD BARAJAS, JOAQUIN BENOIT, GARY MATTHEWS JUNIOR, KEVIN MENCH, MARK TEIXEIRA AND BRAD WILKERSON ALSO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY ARBITRATION.PADILLA WAS 9-AND-12 WITH A FOUR-POINT-71 E-R-A IN 27 STARTS LAST SEASON IN PHILADELPHIA.

Source: http://www.cbs7kosa.com/

Giants sign Morris

December 13, 2005
The San Francisco Giants landed the proven starter they've been coveting for months.
Righthander Matt Morris agreed to a three-year contract with the Giants, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after nine seasons. The deal has been in the works for weeks and became official after Morris passed a physical yesterday.
Morris went 14-10 with a 4.11 ERA last season and won his first eight decisions for the Cardinals, who lost to the Houston Astros in the NL Championship Series. But St. Louis didn't pursue Morris with the same fervor as the Giants, who were desperate to add a top starter to what had become a patchwork rotation the past two seasons.
Giants general manager Brian Sabean said as soon as the season ended -- the Giants missed the playoffs for the second straight year -- that upgrading the starting pitching was his top priority.
Morris's contract contains a club option for a fourth season.
''Simply put, Matt Morris is a winner," Sabean said. ''He's a gamer who not only gives his team a chance to win every time he pitches, but as his record indicates, he's around to collect the win himself. Matt will be a perfect complement to the top of the rotation and provide valuable leadership to our younger pitchers."
Morris is 101-62 with a 3.62 ERA in his career.
Padres re-sign RobertsIt seems Red Sox fans hoping for a reunion with Dave Roberts won't get their wish. The Padres agreed to a $2.25 million contract with Roberts, who had been mentioned as a trade possibility in the Sox' efforts to deal disgruntled David Wells to the West Coast. Roberts, who batted .275 with a team-high 23 stolen bases with San Diego last year, will be moved from center field to left. Of course, the speedy Roberts always will have friends in Boston thanks to his stolen base in the bottom of the ninth of Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series, which helped spark the Red Sox' historic comeback against the Yankees. San Diego also is closing in on a $1 million deal for reliever Doug Brocail, who went 5-3 with one save and a 5.52 ERA in 61 appearances with Texas last season . . . Spurned in their pursuit of Morris and Josh Beckett, the Rangers acquired righthander Vicente Padilla from the Phillies for a player to be named. The deal was pending Padilla passing a physical, according to two baseball officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been finalized. Padilla, who is eligible for salary arbitration, was 9-12 with a 4.71 ERA in 27 starts last season, when he made $3.2 million. The Rangers had pursued Morris and were willing to trade All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock to get Beckett, but the Marlins last month traded Beckett to the Red Sox.
Rincon to St. LouisWhile losing Morris from their rotation, the Cardinals took a step toward rebuilding their bullpen, reaching a preliminary agreement on a $2.9 million, two-year contract with free agent Ricardo Rincon. The contract is contingent on the 35-year-old lefthander passing a physical . . . Lefthander Kenny Rogers and the Tigers finalized a $16 million, two-year contract. The parties had reached a preliminary agreement last week . . . The Astros and first baseman Mike Lamb avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.7 million contract . . . Utility infielder Damion Easley agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract with the Diamondbacks. Easley hit .240 with nine homers and 30 RBIs last season for Florida . . . Former Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson was sentenced to five days in jail after being convicted of driving while impaired. District Judge James Mann ordered Ponson to report this afternoon to the Central Booking and Intake Center in Baltimore, where he is expected to serve his sentence.

Source: http://www.boston.com/

Tigers close Rogers deal

December 13, 2005
The first time Kenny Rogers pitched at Tigertown, the trip took about 10 to 15 minutes from home.
This time, his trek there will have covered a pro career lasting 23 years.
Rogers recalled Monday how he visited the Tigers' training camp on a rainy day in 1982. A Texas Rangers scout wanted to see him throw off a mound. Rogers, a high school senior in nearby Plant City, Fla., did so in a hangar in the Tigers' facility at Lakeland.
"I had never pitched," Rogers recalled Monday. "I didn't know what I was doing. The scout was taking a flier on somebody who played rightfield for his high school team."
The Rangers drafted Rogers, then 17, in the 39th round. He debuted in the majors seven years later -- against the Tigers. This off-season, the Tigers were looking for a veteran starting pitcher, and Rogers was looking for a new team.
"I'm looking forward to coming to Lakeland and to coming to Detroit," Rogers said Monday, when the Tigers announced they had signed him to a two-year contract. "The Tigers have a young team and an organization with a desire to win, and that appealed to me."
The Tigers finished 28 games behind the World Series-champion White Sox in the American League Central last season.
"Cleveland is good and Chicago is good," Rogers said. "But I think it's a winnable division.
"The Tigers have a history, and I'd love to add to it."
Rogers has won 190 games, most of them since 1993, the Tigers' last winning season. Given the dark dozen years since then, fans can't be blamed for skepticism. Ever since Rogers' $16-million deal with the club became public last week, the skepticism about it has centered on two points:
Why did the Tigers sign someone who just turned 41? Aren't they getting the angry guy who attacked two TV cameramen this year?
"Kenny Rogers made the All-Star team this year," manager Jim Leyland said Monday. "He's 50-some games over .500 lifetime. He brings a lot to this party. I think we got a tremendous deal here."
Without a pause, Leyland added, "Everybody I talked to told me Kenny is an outstanding person. That is what we're trying to get in Detroit. Having good people is the only way you get things done in the long run. When you're a team, you find a way to win games. When you play as individuals, you find ways to lose."
Rogers' assault of the cameramen culminated a months-long spell of unhappiness with the media that apparently began with spring training reports that he would quit if he didn't get a contract extension.
"When people question my integrity or honesty, there is only so much I can deal with," Rogers said Monday. "That's the gist of it. I can't take that kind of criticism when it's unwarranted.
"Do I regret some of my actions? Yes. Do I regret standing up for my character? In no way, shape or form. That is what I'm defined by. That is what everyone on the field is all about."
Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski gave three reasons the team signed Rogers from the several free-agent starters on the market. First, he said, the club wanted a leader. Second, it wanted a quality pitcher.
And third, Dombrowski said, "One of our pro scouts, Dick Egan, has known Kenny since he was a youngster, and he always has spoken highly of him."
With that, Rogers is on his way back to Lakeland.
Tigers notebook: Right-hander Kenny Baugh was traded to San Diego for right-hander Ricky Steik, who pitched in the low minors last season. Baugh, the Tigers' top pick in 2001, never pitched in the majors. ... Reserve catcher Vance Wilson agreed to a one-year, $750,000 deal.
Arizona: Free-agent utility infielder Damion Easley, an All-Star with the Tigers in 1998, agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract.
Boston: The Red Sox promoted two of Theo Epstein's former assistants -- farm director Ben Cherington and assistant GM Jed Hoyer -- to be co-general managers.
Houston: First baseman Mike Lamb agreed to a $1.7-million, one-year contract. He hit .236 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs last season with the Astros.
San Diego: Leadoff hitter Dave Roberts agreed to a $2.25-million contract, and the Padres closed in on a $1-million deal for reliever Doug Brocail, an ex-Tiger.
San Francisco: Right-hander Matt Morris agreed to a $27-million, three-year contract, leaving St. Louis after nine seasons. Morris, who passed a physical Monday, went 14-10 with a 4.11 ERA.
Texas: Former All-Star right-hander Vicente Padilla was acquired from Philadelphia for a player to be named. He was 9-12 with a 4.71 ERA in 27 starts.

Source: http://www.freep.com/

A-Rod Hosts Christmas Party For Boys & Girls Clubs

December 13, 2005
MIAMI -- New York Yankees shortstop Alex Rodriguez will host a Christmas party Tuesday for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami.
Rodriguez, who lives in Miami and attended Westminster Christian High School, will join Santa Claus for face painting, carnival games, dancing, Christmas carol sing-a-longs and snacks. He will also read a story to the almost 200 children expected to attend.
Rodriguez has worked extensively with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami, where he has helped fund the future site of a multipurpose learning center.
The learning center will provide computer stations with software and Internet access and will feature a homework room with desks and educational resources.
Rodriguez won the American League's Most Valuable Player award last season, his second such award in three years. He won his first AL MVP award in 2003 as a member of the Texas Rangers.
A-Rod also won the home run title last season, becoming the first Yankee to receive the honor since Reggie Jackson in 1980.

Source: http://www.local10.com/

MLB Notes: Bradley packs his bags for Oakland

Wednesday, December 14, 2005
LOS ANGELES — Milton Bradley is getting another fresh start.
The Los Angeles Dodgers unloaded the switch-hitting outfielder Tuesday, sending him to the Oakland Athletics along with infielder Antonio Perez for minor-league outfielder Andre Ethier, the Texas League player of the year.
"I couldn't be happier," Bradley said on a conference call. "I'm playing major-league baseball and having fun. I'm a California guy — it's exciting for me. I wish the Dodgers well, wish their team well."
Acquired by the Dodgers shortly before the start of the 2004 season after a run-in with Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge, Bradley feuded with teammate Jeff Kent last season.
"As far as my dealings with Jeff Kent, we got along as well as we could," Bradley said. "It didn't work for me."
General manager Ned Colletti, hired last month by the Dodgers, didn't think a reconciliation was possible.
"I went into it with the idea of trying to keep him a Dodger," Colletti said. "It was clearer and clearer there was no way to make this thing work. At every turn, I just got stopped. I got it from a lot of different places including inside the clubhouse, outside the clubhouse, people who have known him very well and have known him for a long time."
A's GM Billy Beane has been looking to upgrade his offense.
"[Bradley] is a switch hitter who can hit around [Eric Chavez], which is something we probably need pretty badly," Beane said.
The 27-year-old Bradley hit .290 with 13 homers and 38 runs batted in. He was limited to 75 games, also missing extensive playing time because of a torn ligament in his right ring finger.

Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/

Jonah Keri chat transcript

Thu Dec 15, 2005
Among other things, he hits on Jon Daniels and the Padilla deal:
RCCook (Dallas TX): Did the Rangers do well in picking up Vicente Padilla from the Phillies?
Jonah Keri: Unless the PTBNL is Mark Teixeira, sure, why not? Padilla will probably make $4-$5 million in arbitration at the most. Yes the Phillies were making noise about non-tendering him, but the Rangers may have had to give him a three-year deal if Padilla was exposed to the open market, as opposed to giving up a fringe prospect like Ricardo Rodriguez for him. Padilla's got some injury concerns, but in a crazy pitching market like this one this is an excellent one-year gamble.
I didn't think it was possible, but after this deal and the grand larceny that was the Soriano-Wilkerson/Sledge/Galarraga deal, Jon Daniels may actually outperform my already high expectations for him.

Source: http://www.lonestarball.com/

Rangers visit children's hospital

12/16/2005
DALLAS -- Several Texas Rangers players and representatives took off their baseball hats and put on their Santa hats on Thursday morning.
Players, both current and former, including David Dellucci, Kevin Mench, Mark Teixeira, Brian Shouse, John Wetteland, Jim Sundberg and Minor Leaguer Thomas Diamond joined the Rangers' mascot; radio and television announcers Eric Nadel, Victor Rojas, Eleno Ornelas, Jose Guzman, Tom Grieve and Josh Lewin; and general manager Jon Daniels, along with assistant general manager Thad Levine at the Children's Medical Center in Dallas to spread some Christmas cheer to patients spending this holiday season in the hospital.
The Rangers signed autographs, took pictures and made crafts with about 30 children and their parents. But the real celebrity in attendance wasn't a first baseman, outfielder, or even an All-Star -- he was a jolly old fellow.
Nine-year-old Devon Allen grinned from ear to ear as he carried around his autographed sign.
"Santa signed this!" he proudly said.
The annual visit put a smile on many faces who may struggle to find joy this year. The players split into smaller groups and surprised patients who were unable to leave their rooms and several children waiting to go into surgery.
Mench, an outfielder on the Rangers, said he looks forward to the trip every year.
"It's great to know that you can make a difference for kids who might not be able to enjoy Christmas at home," Mench said. "I love doing this."

Source: http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/

Friday's Sports Transactions

CLEVELAND INDIANS_Agreed to terms with C Tim Laker and RHP Ben Howard on minor league contracts.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS_Agreed to terms with INF Doug Mientkiewicz, INF Mark Grudzielanek and C Paul Bako on one-year contracts and RHP Scott Elarton on a two-year contract.
TEXAS RANGERS_Agreed to terms with INF D'Angelo Jimenez and RHP Kasey Ueno on minor league contracts. Released OF Jeremy Cleveland, RHP Marcos Herrera, INF Josh Kreuzer, INF Bobby Lenoir, INF Abigail Sandoval and OF Jose Torres.
National League
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS_Named Bill Plummer manager of Tennessee of the Southern League, Brett Butler manager of Lancaster of the California League, Tony Perezchica infield coordinator and Eric Fox outfield coordinator.
FLORIDA MARLINS_Named Albert Gonzalez director of international operations.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES_Agreed to terms with LHP Aaron Fultz on a one-year contract. Sent RHP Aquilino Lopez outright to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the IL.
International League
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS_Named Hensley Meulens hitting coach, Kevin Casula strength & conditioning coach, Jeff Andrews pitching coach and Jason Palmer trainer.
Can-Am League
BROCKTON ROX_Agreed to terms with INF Eugene Julien.

Source: http://wokv.com/

Free agents remain on the racks

12/16/2005
A.J. Burnett, Billy Wagner, Paul Konerko, B.J. Ryan, Matt Morris, Trevor Hoffman ... one by one, the top names have been pulled out of the free agent pool.
With less than two months until pitchers and catchers report, more than 100 free agents -- including many marquee names -- have signed 2006 contracts.
Yet the majority of this offseason's free agent signings is still to come. More than 150 free agents are still available -- not counting perhaps another two dozen or so who might join the ranks following Tuesday's non-tender deadline.
All 30 teams still have holes to fill and needs to address, and now that most of the market-setting free agents have found homes the shopping should pick up speed over the next month as teams look to fill their rosters before February.
"There are some options out there, but not as many as we've seen in other years, in my opinion," Houston general manager Tim Purpura said.
The non-tender additions probably won't change the situation much.
"I'm guessing it will be thin compared to previous years," Pittsburgh GM Dave Littlefield said of this year's non-tender class.
General managers don't want to show their hand -- and perhaps drive up the bidding -- but a number of intriguing free agent choices remain on the market.
Several of them, including pitchers Kevin Millwood, Jarrod Washburn and Jeff Weaver, are represented by agent Scott Boras. Those three are highly regarded by several teams, but thus far they have been unable to find a fit for their multi-year demands.
Of course, Roger Clemens would be the biggest free agent pitcher on the market if he decides not to retire. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has said he would consider pitching for either the Astros, Rangers, Yankees or Red Sox, but his decision isn't expected for a month or so.
Other starting pitcher options inclde Jason Johnson, Kevin Brown, Shawn Estes, Joe Mays, Jose Lima, Brian Anderson, Joe Mays, Kirk Rueter, Ismael Valdez and Jamey Wright.
Plenty of relievers are still available, including Antonio Alfonseca, Giovanni Carrara, Octavio Dotel, Jason Christiansen, Buddy Groom, Chris Hammond, Matt Mantei, Julian Tavarez, Brian Meadows, Mike Stanton, Mike Remlinger, Rudy Seanez, Felix Rodriguez, Alan Embree, Ramiro Mendoza, Paul Quantrill, Al Reyes, Matt Herges, Gabe White and Rick White.
Four free agent hitters drawing plenty of attention are Johnny Damon (with the Red Sox, Dodgers and Yankees believed to be the frontrunners), Nomar Garciaparra (Dodgers, Astros, Yankees, Indians), Jacque Jones (Rangers, Royals) and Reggie Sanders (Mariners, Pirates, Royals).
The list of outfielders who are still looking for homes includes Jeromy Burnitz, Jeff Conine, Juan Encarnacion, Juan Gonzalez, Preston Wilson, Rondell White, Sammy Sosa, Todd Hollandsworth, Terrence Long, Kenny Lofton, Marquis Grissom, Michael Tucker and Richard Hidalgo.
As for catchers, Bengie Molina is still available, as are Mike Piazza, Eddie Perez and Einar Diaz, to name a few.
Garciaparra certainly isn't the only veteran infielder still looking for work.
Frank Thomas, J.T. Snow, Rafael Palmeiro, Travis Lee, Tino Martinez, Bret Boone, Tony Graffanino, Jose Vizcaino, Dustan Mohr, Mark Bellhorn, Miguel Cairo, Alex Gonzalez, Royce Clayton, Chris Gomez, Wes Helms and Joe Randa are still on the board.

Source: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/

Still on the board

December 17, 2005
For MLB.com, Jim Molony reviews the more than 150 free agents who are still unsigned. He also notes the Bucs are interested in Reggie Sanders, who will command a multi-year deal.
Four free agent hitters drawing plenty of attention are Johnny Damon (with the Red Sox, Dodgers and Yankees believed to be the frontrunners), Nomar Garciaparra (Dodgers, Astros, Yankees, Indians), Jacque Jones (Rangers, Royals) and Reggie Sanders (Mariners, Pirates, Royals).
The list of outfielders who are still looking for homes includes Jeromy Burnitz, Jeff Conine, Juan Encarnacion, Juan Gonzalez, Preston Wilson, Rondell White, Sammy Sosa, Todd Hollandsworth, Terrence Long, Kenny Lofton, Marquis Grissom, Michael Tucker and Richard Hidalgo.
As for catchers, Bengie Molina is still available, as are Mike Piazza, Eddie Perez and Einar Diaz, to name a few.
Garciaparra certainly isn't the only veteran infielder still looking for work.
Frank Thomas, J.T. Snow, Rafael Palmeiro, Travis Lee, Tino Martinez, Bret Boone, Tony Graffanino, Jose Vizcaino, Dustan Mohr, Mark Bellhorn, Miguel Cairo, Alex Gonzalez, Royce Clayton, Chris Gomez, Wes Helms and Joe Randa are still on the board.

Source: http://www.pghbloggers.org/

Briefs and other stuff: Rangers hire Wayne Kirby as coach in minors

December 17, 2005 The Texas Rangers named Tabb High graduate Wayne Kirby, 41, the baserunning, bunting and outfield coordinator for the Class-A Bakersfield (Calif.) Blaze.Kirby, who played eight major-league seasons, spent parts of three seasons with Bakersfield when it was in the Dodgers' organization.Kirby spent the past season as a coach for the Double-A Akron Aeros of the Eastern League. It was his fourth season as a coach in the Cleveland Indians' organization.

Source: http://www.dailypress.com/

THE NEWBERG REPORT

December 17, 2005
Going into the 2001 season, Ian Kinsler was a 29th-round pick out of highschool who had turned the Arizona Diamondbacks down and was instead headinginto his freshman year to play shortstop at Central Arizona Junior College.
Meanwhile, Baseball America had pegged a couple fellow shortstops as thenumber two and number three prospects in the Yankees system: 25-year-oldAlfonso Soriano and 23-year-old D'Angelo Jimenez.
Five years later, all three have become second basemen, and Kinsler wouldappear to have the inside track on manning the position for the Rangers in2006. In the space of three days, Soriano's departure has cleared the wayfor Kinsler, and Jimenez's arrival has given Kinsler some competition forthe job.
BA placed Jimenez in the third slot on that 2001 list of New York's top 10prospects, right behind first baseman Nick Johnson and Soriano, despite thefact that Jimenez was involved in a devastating auto accident in theDominican Republic on January 24, 2000, resulting in a broken neck that costhim most of the 2000 season and threatened to rob him of his blue-chipprospect status. Soriano (1 for 8) and Jimenez (8 for 20) had each debutedin the big leagues in 1999, and some thought Jimenez was the better bet toclaim second base for the Yankees in 2000, before the accident.
The switch-hitter managed to get 124 at-bats at three minor league levels inthe second half of the 2000 season but struggled, hitting just .210 andraising doubts that he'd ever be what he was on the verge of becoming beforethe accident. He was traded in each of the next three summers: to San Diego(for journeyman reliever Jay Witasick) in June 2001, to the White Sox (forrighthander Alex Fernandez and catcher Humberto Quintero) in July 2002, andto Cincinnati (for righthander Scott Dunn) in July 2003. The 2003 seasonwas a breakthrough campaign for Jimenez, as he hit .273/.349/.415 betweenChicago and Cincinnati, with 24 doubles, 14 home runs, and 57 RBI in 561at-bats over 146 games.
Afterwards, he had one of the greatest seasons in the history of theDominican Winter League, winning the batting title (.360), nearly setting anall-time on-base percentage record (.485), and slugging .500, all in aleague that generally favors pitchers.
The 2004 season was Jimenez's first since reaching the big leagues to spendwith one team, and he appeared to be establishing himself as one of theleague's more dependable second basemen. Playing in 152 games for the Reds,he hit .270/.364/.394, clubbing 28 doubles and 12 homers, driving in 67 runs(getting most of his time in either the leadoff spot or the five hole), anddrawing 82 walks while fanning 99 times in 563 at-bats. As he'd shownbefore the auto accident, Jimenez demonstrated an uncanny ability to workpitchers and take bases on balls, an uncommon trait for Dominican players.
Jimenez got off to an awful start in 2005, however, hitting .229/.319/.295in 105 homerless at-bats through May 20, and Cincinnati designated him forassignment. He slid through waivers unclaimed (due to his $2.87 millionsalary) and was outrighted not to AAA Louisville but to AA Chattanooga,where he hit .278/.401/.422 with nine home runs and 45 RBI in just 327at-bats, with a silly ratio of 69 walks to 34 strikeouts.
A free agent following the season, Jimenez probably hunted around for aguaranteed contract but came up empty -- on top of his poor big leagueshowing in the spring, there have always been whispers that his attitude andwork ethic factor in more than they should -- and given Soriano's departure,Texas was one of the few places around the league where he could envision alegitimate shot to win a job.
It's a good fit for Jimenez. It's a perfect fit for Texas.
Following the Soriano trade to Montreal, Jon Daniels was careful to say thatKinsler had earned an opportunity to compete for the second base job,avoiding any suggestion that Kinsler was being handed the role. But you canbet Texas wants Kinsler to win the job. What the Rangers needed was aveteran second baseman to push Kinsler, preferably one with some skins onthe wall, but not someone who would end up costing much if he failed to winthe battle for second base -- which I bet is what Texas hopes happens.
Stated another way: Jimenez, objectively, is probably a better candidate topush Kinsler than Esteban German would have been. And that's not evenconsidering that Jimenez (who turns 28 next week) is here on anon-guaranteed, non-roster deal, while German was on the 40-man roster. Tendays ago, Texas had German. Today, the club has Jimenez and lefthanderFabio Castro, the Rule 5 pick acquired for German. Without any real addedexpense, Daniels made the competition for second base and for a left-handedbullpen spot stronger.
Mark DeRosa will be in the mix, too, but the club probably prefers him in abench role.
One year and three days ago, as Jimenez was heading into his firstarbitration season, I wrote the following in this space: "One player rumoredto be on the non-tender bubble is Cincinnati second baseman D'AngeloJimenez. Once considered as good a middle infield prospect as AlfonsoSoriano when both were coming up in the Yankee system, that's a guy I'd liketo see here in the event that Soriano is moved and the club faces a decisionas to who to bring in to play middle infield alongside Michael Young."
A year later, I feel the same way, with one important difference. After the2004 season, Kinsler was coming off a storybook season that began in Low Aand ended in AA. But now, he's fresh off a full year in AAA(.274/.348/.464, 28 doubles, 23 homers, 94 RBI in 530 at-bats) and should beready to compete for full-time, big league duty. It wouldn't have made alot of sense to get tied up in a multi-year deal or a multi-million-dollardeal or both with someone like Mark Grudzielanek or Nomar Garciaparra.Jimenez may not be the player he was a year ago, but with Kinsler'sdevelopment, the Rangers don't need what Jimenez was a year ago. They needwhat Jimenez is now. Solid move.
Incidentally, Kansas City signed Grudzielanek yesterday, calling intoquestion the wisdom of trading Castro to Texas for German.
Jimenez historically hits about as well from the left side (.264) as theright (.268), but as a left-handed hitter he's a substantially betterbase-reacher (.355 to .336) and slugger (.404 to .326, with 31 of his 33homers coming left-handed). He's also a markedly more productive hitter inthe second half over his career; September has been his strongest month innearly every offensive category. He has the quickness to play a good secondbase to go along with a shortstop's arm, and the versatility to play allover the infield in a pinch.
The Dominican Winter League legend isn't hitting well right now for Licey,going 10 for 59 (.169) with 19 strikeouts in 17 games, but he's drawn 13walks (.311 on-base percentage).
T.R. Sullivan of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that, before signingJimenez, Texas looked into the possibility of acquiring Toronto Gold Glovesecond baseman Orlando Hudson, but not at the asking price of Kevin Menchand Adrian Gonzalez. The club also showed interest in free agent BillMueller, capable of playing both second base and third base, but he signed atwo-year contract with the Dodgers a couple days ago.
The Rangers also signed a righthander named Kasey Ueno to a minor leaguedeal yesterday. Cross-checker Kip Fagg signed the Japanese native under theauspices of A.J. Preller's international scouting department.
Texas released six minor league players yesterday: righthander MarcosHerrera; infielders Josh Kreuzer, Bobby Lenoir, and Abigail Sandoval; andoutfielders Jeremy Cleveland and Jose Torres. Herrera, 23, went 6-4, 6.34in relief for Bakersfield last season, his first campaign with a full-seasonminor league club. Kreuzer, the Rangers' 16th-round pick in 2002, hit.260/.364/.410 for the Blaze in 2005. In 323 minor league games, the firstbaseman -- who has already signed with Toronto -- has 28 homers and 207 RBI.Lenoir, taken in the 21st round in 2004, hit .224 for Spokane in 2004 and.196 for Bakersfield in 2005. Sandoval hit .245 in five seasons sincesigning with Texas out of Venezuela.
Cleveland was unable to come close to replicating his phenomenal debutseason, when the 2003 eighth-rounder hit a robust .322/.432/.514 forSpokane. He hit .277/.354/.413 for High A Stockton in 2004 and a punchless.253/.355/.298 for Frisco in 2005 before prompting a June return to theCalifornia League, where his Bakersfield numbers (.263/.339/.379) lagged hisprevious year's production with Stockton. Torres, the Rangers' 39th-roundpick in 2004, hit .254/.349/.426 in 169 Arizona League at-bats in 2005, andhis six home runs were one short of the league lead.
The Rangers announced the hiring of Mike Micucci as Spokane manageryesterday. A Cubs minor leaguer from 1994 to 1999, he spent the last fiveseasons coaching in their system and will be making his managerial debut in2005, aiming to defend Spokane's Northwest League championship.
Texas also hired former big league outfielder Wayne Kirby to serve as theorganization's baserunning, bunting, and outfield coordinator. He'd coachedfor four years in the Cleveland system.
Lee Slagle, who served as a trainer the last two years in the Boston system,was named Bakersfield trainer.
There was a mini-Ranger reunion staged in New York this week when Mets GMOmar Minaya, special assistant Sandy Johnson, lefthander Darren Oliver, andagent Jeff Frye got together to hammer out a non-roster deal for Oliver togo to Mets camp trying to win a bullpen job.
Florida re-signed outfielder Mark Little to a non-roster deal with a springtraining invite.
Rob Bradford of the Salem News reports that if the Indians sign Garciaparra,they could send outfielder Coco Crisp to Boston for blue-chip third baseprospect Andy Marte and right-handed reliever Guillermo Mota. Wow. I'd bestunned if the Red Sox would part with Marte (whom they obtained for EdgarRenteria earlier this month) in a deal like that; wonder if they like Menchas much as Crisp.
It's true not only that R.A. Dickey has an option remaining -- he actuallyhas two. Even though he debuted in the big leagues in 2001 and has spentpart or all of the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 seasons in the minorleagues, Texas didn't use an option on him until 2005. I'll explain whysome other time.
Let me know soon if you need Bound Editions or Newberg Report T-Shirts forholiday gifts.

Source: http://dallasbaseballhome.com/

Saturday stuff

Saturday, December 17, 2005
Pretty slow day for baseball stuff today, but there are a couple links worth sharing. I have some ideas percolating for a post that's a little different from what I usually do, but that probably won't be ready until Monday or so, just make sure you tune in for it.Red Hot Mama has some fake Pirate news that, unfortunately, isn't all that fake.ESPN is really scrounging for stuff to do in the offseason, so they've turned to making fun of reader contributed trades, only to completely miss the mark on some of their comments. When asked about the probability of an Oliver Perez for Hank Blalock Swap, Jayson Stark says:
That Pittsburgh deal is a fun one to kick around. But it sure isn't happening. In case no one noticed, Oliver Perez had a 5.85 ERA this season. But the Pirates are marketing him as a No. 1 starter. So this trade breaks down right there.Which would be true, you know, if there weren't several reports that the Rangers had told us Perez was the cost for Blalock and we told them no. Of course my source is Rotoworld and Jayson Stark has presumably actually talked to people in the know, so take that for what it's worth.For anyone that hasn't already read the fantastic Wilbur T. Miller story about Little Davy Littlefied at OnlyBucs.net (I know Charlie linked to it a couple days ago) I strongly recommend checking it out.At today's PG Gene Collier has his first baseball column up in quite a while, this one on the art of Hall of Fame voting. Looks like Bert Blyleven isn't getting Gene's vote. Neither is Dave Parker, who doesn't even merit a mention in the column.

Source: http://whereisvanslyke.blogspot.com/

An A.I. on the Soriano trade

Sat Dec 17, 2005
It seems that everyone on earth has weighed in on the Soriano trade, with reactions ranging from the trade being a steal for the Rangers to the trade revealing how inept the Rangers really area.
However, inspired by Dan Szymborski's report on the Mike Lamb signing, I've decided to turn to the one source that, it seems, hasn't weighed in on the issue...
George at Jabberwacky, an A.I. chatbot. It isn't going to pass a Turing Test anytime soon, but given all the whining the "old school" types about the statheads spending all their time talking to their computers, I thought I'd see what would happen if I asked the computer to talk back:
Jabberwacky: What is your name?
User: Adam. What did you think of the Alfonso Soriano trade?
Jabberwacky: I don't know anything about american politics.
User: This isn't about politics, it is about baseball.
Jabberwacky: Wrong - it's about pies.
User: What does Alfonso Soriano have to do with pies?
Jabberwacky: I do not know.
User: Well, do you think that the Rangers got a good return for Soriano?
Jabberwacky: I don't think the weapons of mass destruction in Irag are real.
User: Alfonso Soriano isn't a weapon of mass destruction.
Jabberwacky: I disagree.
User: Well, his defense might be. Do you think he's a good pickup for the Nationals?
Jabberwacky: What sport is that?
User: That's baseball.
Jabberwacky: Yup, What do you think of the ending?
User: I think it was a good trade for Texas. What do you think of it?
Jabberwacky: I am reality.
User: Is Alfonso Soriano overrated?
Jabberwacky: That's because you're not cheese.
User: So, that means you think he's not overrated?
Jabberwacky: No, it means that your comment is irrelevent to mine.
User: How well will Soriano adjust to playing at RFK Stadium?
Jabberwacky: Not well.
User: Well, we're in agreement there. How about Brad Wilkerson? Will he hit enough in 2006 for folks to forget about Soriano?
Jabberwacky: No you forget about it.
User: I should forget about Soriano?
Jabberwacky: Ok how about at 7 o'clock on the 7th.
User: Should the Rangers have tried to get pitching, instead of Wilkerson, for Soriano?
Jabberwacky: Given that I don't know anything about politics, and don't like in the US or Cuba.. I think it should. Definitely.
User: What pitchers do you think the Rangers should have targeted?
Jabberwacky: Where did you get the pink top that you are wearing.
User: Do you think the Rangers will hang on to Wilkerson, or trade him?
Jabberwacky: I believe that there is a good chance that it will.
User: Does that mean Kevin Mench is dealt?
Jabberwacky: Of course I am. Especially if you're American.
User: What does that have to do with Kevin Mench?
Jabberwacky: It has a lot to do with my determining how intelligent you are.
User: That doesn't make any sense.
Jabberwacky: You are making me get sad.
User: Are you sad that Kevin Mench might be traded?
Jabberwacky: Yes.
User: So you are a Kevin Mench fan?
Jabberwacky: No. I'm a Los Angeles Laker fan.
User: Are you hoping Mench gets traded to the Dodgers?
Jabberwacky: No.
User: Why not? Don't you like the Dodgers?
Jabberwacky: Not very much. Thank you for offering, however.
User: Do you think Terrmel Sledge will contribute in 2006?
Jabberwacky: I don't know what you look like and I haven't seen your code.
* * *
So there you go. Not real insightful, but then, not really any worse than a Gerry Fraley column, or numerous exchanges I've had with real live folks (I think they're live, anyway) on message boards.

Source: http://www.lonestarball.com/