Diamondbacks sign Mark Reynolds to extension
by Eli Greenspan on Mar 15, 2010 8:54 PM EDT
0 comments
The Diamondbacks and third baseman Mark Reynolds have agreed to a three year extension worth 14.5 million dollars, according to the Arizona Republic.
The deal includes a one million dollar signing bonus, with a 500,000 dollar salary in 2010, 5 million dollars in 2011, and 7.5 million dollars in 2012. The deal includes 13 million dollar club option with a 500,000 dollar buyout.
Reynolds, 26, set career highs in home runs with 44 and runs batted in with 102. However, he struck out 204 times in 2008 and 223 in 2009, setting a league record each time.
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Blue Jays sign Angel Hechevarria
by Eli Greenspan on Mar 15, 2010 1:09 PM EDT
3 comments
Hardball Talk is reporting that the Blue Jays and Cuban shortstop Angel Hechevarria have agreed to a 10 million dollar contract. This is a nice snag for new GM Alex Anthopoulos.
Hechevarria was heavily courted by the Yankees, Cubs, and Angels, but opted for the Blue Jays who offered him 2 million more than his Cuban counterpart Jose Iglesias, who signed for 8.1 million last year with the Red Sox.
The 21-year old shortstop has nice range and a good arm at short, along with a solid smooth swing at the plate. His skills are raw, but Hechevarria could rise quick through the Jays organization.
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2010 Baltimore Orioles Projection
by Eli Greenspan on Mar 14, 2010 9:15 PM EDT
1 comment
DH Luke Scott
.257 AVG, 22 HR, 74 RBI
.294 AVG, 18 HR, 76 RBI
.268 AVG, 15 HR, 66 RBI
.281 AVG, 11 HR, 59 RBI
.285 AVG, 16 HR, 70 RBI
SS Cesar Izturis
.254 AVG, 3 HR, 31 RBI
LF Nolan Reimold
.275 AVG, 23 HR, 78 RBI
CF Adam Jones
.284 AVG, 21 HR, 77 RBI
RF Nick Markakis
.301 AVG, 21 HR, 98 RBI
SP Kevin Millwood
11-10 W-L, 4.46 ERA, 128 K
SP Jeremy Guthrie
9-12 W-L, 4.67 ERA, 123 K
SP Brad Bergeson
8-10 W-L, 4.32 ERA, 86 K
SP Brian Matusz
9-12 W-L, 4.53 ERA, 114 K
SP Chris Tillman
7-9 W-L, 4.84 ERA, 104 K
BEST 2009 PROJECTION: ADAM JONES
Me: .275 AVG, 17 HR, 68 RBI
Actual: .277 AVG, 19 HR, 70 RBI
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Commentary: Do White Sox Grow Players Better Than the Cubs Do?
by Eli Greenspan on Mar 14, 2010 2:38 PM EDT
9 comments
The New York Times' Dan McGrath wrote in Times' Sunday paper that the White Sox develop players better than the Cubs do. It is hard to argue one way or the other, considering it was 2008 when catcher Geovany Soto won Rookie of the Year and in 2009 White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham had a breakout year.
The Cubs will only have two position players in their Opening Day lineup that are homegrown while the White Sox will have just one (excluding Kosuke Fukudome and Alexei Ramirez).
Both teams have a slew of pitchers that are homegrown, the notables - Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Marmol, and Randy Wells - and for the Sox - Mark Buehrle and Bobby Jenks - make up key parts of their respective teams pitching staffs.
McGrath argues that the White Sox not only draft better, but develop their talent better than their rival Northsiders. Since the Cubs added amateur scout Tom Wilken, they have actually done very well in the draft. The farm system is restocked and several players are nearing the major league level. Let's take go back to 2006 and see who the Cubs have taken and where are they now.
2006 notables - OF Tyler Colvin, P Jeff Samardzija - both in major league camp.
2007 notables - 3B Josh Vitters (reassigned to minors), C Josh Donaldson (sent to Oakland for Rich Harden)
2008 notables - RP Andrew Cashner (in major league camp), INF Ryan Flaherty (in major league camp), P Chris Carpenter (2.82 ERA in Double-A)
2009 notables - OF Brett Jackson (reassigned to minors)
Prior to 2005, the Cubs draft picks are "one Ozzie Timmons after the other," but the Cubs are on the verge of adding several homegrown prospects to their roster in the next two to three seasons.
Away from the draft boards, we can't forget about some of the young talent the team has added. Anyone heard of Starlin Castro? Castro is coming off a tremendous 2009 season and is hitting .400 in spring training. He is expected to start (key word, start) in Triple-A this season.
Another shortstop prospect, Hak-ju Lee, is making a name for himself at the lower levels and if he follows up on his 2009 campaign, his name could be in the mix of top ten Cubs prospects.
Back to the White Sox.
Let's go back to 2006 and see how the White Sox have done in drafting and developing talent.
2006 notables - P Kyle McCulloch (now 24, posted a 4.65 ERA in 2008 and a 4.58 ERA in 2009, both in Double-A), P Brian Omogrosso (in major league camp)
2007 notables - P Aaron Poreda (traded to SD in Jake Peavy Deal), P John Ely (traded to LA in Juan Pierre deal)
2008 notables - 2B Gordon Beckham (well, he's pretty good), P Dan Hudson (in major league camp), OF Jordan Danks.
2009 notables - Jared Mitchell (in major league camp, 2010 season in question after injury)
From everyone in both lists, the Cubs have only had two of their players make major league appearances (Colvin and Samardzija) while the White Sox have had two as well (Beckham and Poreda).
The White Sox made a tremendous signing in Alexei Ramirez, who is a .283 hitter in two seasons. They also signed Dayan Viciedo, but he has yet to make a serious impact or generate buzz for that matter.
The bottom line is that the Cubs are in a transitional phase waiting to see how their young players perform at the upper levels of minor leagues. However, the same can be said for the White Sox, who will likely send Dan Hudson and Jordan Danks to Double-A, maybe Triple-A.
When the two Chicago teams can clear some unwanted payroll from the roster, it will give way to some of their young players to emerge and become a team built from the ground up, similar to the Rays, Twins, or Rockies.
9 comments | 0 recs |
Kris Benson working out for Diamondbacks
by Eli Greenspan on Mar 14, 2010 1:02 PM EDT
1 comment
FOX SPORTS is reporting that free agent pitcher Kris Benson is in Diamondbacks camp to throw a simulated game, presumably to be a replacement in the rotation for Brandon Webb.
The team has yet to decide whether or not to offer him a major or minor league deal, but either way, Benson has a very good chance of making the team.
Benson appeared in 8 games with the Rangers last season after missing all of 2007 with a torn rotator cuff and in the minor leagues in 2008.
1 comment | 0 recs |
Spring Training Injury Wire
by Eli Greenspan on Mar 13, 2010 8:38 PM EST
0 comments
- Astros first baseman Lance Berkman had a successful knee surgery but is expected to miss the next two-four weeks. The doctors and team staff believe Berkman will make a full recovery, but he isn't expected to be ready until the middle or end of April. Jeff Keppinger, Geoff Blum, and Chris Shelton could all see time at first while he is out.
- Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was unable to throw a bullpen session today because of a stiff neck. Matsuzaka has been battling his way back all spring training, now with his second setback since he reported in February. This will certainly impact his fantasy value.
- Both Cubs infielders Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee were out on Saturday. Lee is day-to-day with a bruised foot, but the Cubs expect him to be ready by Tuesday. Ramirez left Saturday's game early with a tricep strain. He is also day-to-day.
- Indians infielder Asdrubal Cabrera will be out for several days with a strained left groin. Cabrera hit a solid .308 last season with 42 doubles in 131 games.
- Rangers second baseman is day-to-day with an ankle strain. Kinsler rolled it when running on some wet grass before a practice.
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Twins sign Denard Span to extension
by Eli Greenspan on Mar 13, 2010 2:20 PM EST
1 comment
The Twins and outfielder Denard Span have agreed to a five year extension worth 16.5 million dollars with a 9 million dollar team option for a sixth season. Span, in his first full season, answered after a strong rookie season to hit .311 with 8 home runs, 23 stolen bases, and a .392 on-base percentage.
For a leadoff hitter, the Twins made a pretty favorable deal. The deal buys out all his arbitration years and locks him up through his best years. The 26-year old is a career .305 hitter 238 career games.
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Who's playing in the Commissioner League?
by Eli Greenspan on Mar 11, 2010 3:21 PM EST
2 comments
MLB Daily Dish's Commissioner League with CBSSports.com is a little over two weeks away and we still have a few spots left! Come join our competitive fantasy league on one of the top fantasy baseball systems on the web.
Nows your chance to join the MLBDD Commissioner League and play with fellow readers along with yours truly.
If you are interested in playing in the league, shoot me an email with your name and team name and you can be added to the league, for free!
Also, if you're looking to start your own league with friends or family, take advantage of our special offer and create a fantasy league for the next several seasons to come.
Receive 50% for starting your own league and take advantage of the 14-day free trial to test out the system. This one time offer won't last forever!
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