Archives › 2010 › March

UPDATE: The Boston Herald’s Scott Lauber hears from colleague Michael Silverman that Beckett’s deal will be worth $68 million over four years. 6:11pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Red Sox and right-hander Josh Beckett are close to agreement on a four-year contract extension worth around $70 million. The Red Sox set out to…

The Denver Post’s Troy Renck reports that Rockies closer Huston Street has halted his throwing program due to tightness in his right shoulder and won’t resume his ongoing recovery from shoulder inflammation until the issue subsides.  It’s not a significant setback, but the Rox don’t have a workable timetable for his return to a major…

If there’s anyone who has a right to be bummed by Jason Heyward winning the Braves’ starting right field job it’s Matt Diaz who is basically losing his starting job to Heyward. But part of what makes Diaz a useful player is that he’s pretty smart, and his brains were on full display today when…

Think minor leaguers don’t have every incentive to do whatever they can to make the big leagues? Check out Garrett Broshuis’ latest story in Baseball America about living on the verge of poverty in the minor leagues. I’d normally blockquote something here, but this is better if read in full and in context. The details…

Marc Rzepczynski was battling for a spot in the Blue Jays’ rotation after posting a 3.67 ERA in 11 starts as a rookie last season, but took a ground ball off his left hand in yesterday’s game and has been diagnosed with a fractured middle finger. He won’t be cleared to pick up a ball…

The Red Sox and the Massachusetts State Lottery are partnering up for a new lottery game called “Monster Money.”  It’s a $10 scratch ticket game that debuted yesterday. The game offers three $3 million instant prizes and seven prizes of $1 million. Other prizes include Red Sox gear such as jackets, pants, warm-up jerseys and…

Reports have varied this week regarding Texas’ interest in working out a new deal for Mike Lowell, but Gordon Edes’ latest at ESPNBoston.com says the Rangers “have accelerated” talks with the Red Sox and “a trade remained a possibility.” Back in December the two sides had a deal in place that would have sent Lowell…

Between now and Opening Day, HBT will take a look at each of the 30 teams, asking the key questions, the not-so-key questions, and generally breaking down their chances for the 2010 season.  Next up: The Cardinals The big question: Is Albert Pujols’ supporting cast good enough to help him win it all? This isn’t…

Last month Shin-Soo Choo fired his agent and hired Scott Boras, and it didn’t take long for the Indians to feel the impact. Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports that the Indians have approached Choo about a long-term contract extension, but “negotiations don’t seem to be going anywhere.” Choo won’t even be eligible for arbitration until…

FOX’s Jon Paul Morosi reported last night that Jason Repko had been released by the Dodgers. About an hour ago, The Los Angeles Times’ Dylan Hernandez reported that Repko had not been told of his release.  As of a half hour ago or so Hernandez was not yet even sure if Repko even knew about…

Ian Kinsler hasn’t played since suffering a high-ankle sprain on March 11 and MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan reports that the All-Star second baseman will begin the season on the disabled list. Because the Rangers can backdate Kinsler’s trip to the disabled list he’ll be eligible to return on April 10, but high-ankle sprains can be a…

UPDATE: Denard Span tweets that his mom is doing OK. Spring training is winding down poorly for a couple of players. In the space of about 15 minutes: The Phillies’ Roy Halladay gave up 4 runs, 5 hits, 3 doubles, and 1 homer to the Blue Jays, who may suddenly feel a bit better about…

Once upon a time Jeremy Sowers was considered a big part of the Indians’ long-term plans, as the former sixth overall pick in the 2004 draft breezed through the minors and went 7-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 14 starts as a 23-year-old rookie in 2006. Unfortunately he’s been a mess ever since, posting ERAs…

Between now and Opening Day, HBT will take a look at each of the 30 teams, asking the key questions, the not-so-key questions, and generally breaking down their chances for the 2010 season.  Next up: The Stephen StaNatsburgs: The big question: So, when is Stephen Strasburg going to get to Washington? I just got back…

Hank Blalock said today that he plans to exercise the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Rays if he’s not added to the 25-man roster by tomorrow: I don’t have any plans on playing minor-league baseball this year. At this time in my life, if there’s no major-league opportunities for me then I’ll…

All kinds of eventual things happening with the Braves today. For starters, Chipper Jones has an ingrown toenail on his left foot which is keeping him out of the lineup for today’s game vs. Houston. In other news, Jason Heyward is back in the lineup after missing some time due to shin splints. And he…

Lance Berkman was doing well enough in his recovery from March 13 knee surgery that he took batting practice and did some running yesterday, but afterward his knee swelled up and this morning the Astros placed him on the disabled list. Berkman will miss at least the first four games of the season and Brian…

Between now and Opening Day, HBT will take a look at each of the 30 teams, asking the key questions, the not-so-key questions, and generally breaking down their chances for the 2010 season.  Next up: The Mets. Truthers, please queue up on the right; Self-hating Mets fans please queue up on the left. The big…

We had been expecting this following his damn nigh brilliant outing against the Yankees last Friday night, but Charlie Manuel made it official last night: Jamie Moyer has beat out Kyle Kendrick for the Phillies’ pfifth starter job. I’ll admit that I was partial to Moyer winning the job all along simply because ancient lefties…

Between now and Opening Day, HBT will take a look at each of the 30 teams, asking the key questions, the not-so-key questions, and generally breaking down their chances for the 2010 season.  Next up: the Feesh! The big question: When do we stop acting as if mere competence is enough for the Marlins? You…

Last week Jon Heyman tweeted that the Mariners were interested in bringing Jarrod Washburn back. Yesterday he reported that the Royals were joining the bidding and had a “strong interest” in him. I can’t decide which force of nature is more powerful: Heyman’s shilling for Scott Boras clients like Washburn or the Royals signing of…

The McCourts’ ownership saga was set to go to trial this spring, but was recently kicked. Yesterday the judge set the shindig to being on August 30th. It should take 11 days, but some off days were included in the schedule so it will be stretched out over a month, ending on September 30th, with…

Between now and Opening Day, HBT will take a look at each of the 30 teams, asking the key questions, the not-so-key questions, and generally breaking down their chances for the 2010 season.  Next up: the defending NL Champs. The big question: Will the real Cole Hamels please stand up?Hamels was otherworldly in the 2008…

Mark Sheldon of MLB.com says its almost certain that Aroldis Chapman is going to start the season in the minor leagues as his recent back spasms simply didn’t permit him to get in enough work in order to force his way into the competition for the fifth starter’s spot, which will be won by either…