ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Agreed to terms with RHP Brad Clontz on a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. [2/17] Signed OF Turner Ward and RHP Jim Corsi to minor-league contracts with NRIs to spring training. [2/20] Bringing in Clontz and Corsi helps to create a broader competition in camp for the right-handed setup and middle-relief jobs. Neither of…
Wednesday, the San Diego Padres acquired left fielder Al Martin from the Pittsburgh Pirates for pinch-hitter John Vander Wal and two pitching prospects, Geraldo Padua and Jim Sak. This received a surprising amount of attention from our staff. Chris Kahrl: Looks like time for another round of condolences. Al Martin? How does he help the…
Just over two weeks ago, Brian Hunter‘s arbitration case was heard. The Seattle Mariners offered him $1.75 million, while the player countered with a figure of $2.45 million. To the surprise of many, Hunter won the case, and will make the higher figure in 2000. Well, that’s just the kind of thing that pricks up…
This week, let’s take a look at some of the position battles for the teams in the division, whether the fight is for a starting job or just a spot on one of the rosters. Chicago Cubs For a bad team that won’t be contending, there really isn’t that much up in the air. Among…
GRIFFEY TRADE “In these times when big markets and big money seem to steal the stars, it speaks so much of Ken’s character that he has chosen instead to come back to where he belongs.” — Carl Lindner, Reds owner “I wouldn’t know our new players if they walked in the room, but I think…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed RHP Mark Petkovsek to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. [2/10] It’s nice to see a guy like Petkovsek, who didn’t make the majors to stay until he was almost 30, finally get a payday of sorts. While he did have the benefit of finally being left alone in a single role with…
While the Braves and Mets try to one-up each other in making their teams older for a shot at the division title in 2000, one of the division’s have-nots got some good news from the various Caribbean leagues. The Marlins’ Pablo Ozuna, whose off-year in 1999 moved him down many prospect lists, hit .324 for…
On Thursday, three months of speculation came to an end as the Seattle Mariners traded Ken Griffey Jr. to the Cincinnati Reds for Mike Cameron, Brett Tomko, shortstop prospect Antonio Perez and relief prospect Jake Meyer. For more information on Perez and Meyer, take a look at their Davenport Translations. Keith Law: I think the…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed LHP Kent Mercker and RHP Eric Weaver to minor-league contracts with spring-training NRIs. [1/26] Signed IF Carlos Garcia to a minor-league contract with a spring-training NRI. [1/31] Signed SS Benji Gil to a minor-league contract with a spring-training NRI. [2/1] Signed DH Todd Greene to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. [2/4] Given…
Following the lead of the most recent AL East Notebook, let’s take a closer look at some prospects in winter ball from the Junior Circuit’s Western Division, focusing mainly on those who added impressive performances to their resumes. Anaheim Angels The Angels had the fewest winter ball participants of any team in the division. The…
YET MORE ROCKER “I wouldn’t sit in the same room with him. I wouldn’t sit with someone who’s a racist. He says he’s not a racist, but he makes racist comments.” — Derek Jeter, Yankees infielder “Obviously, this is a big problem for our team. He’s put the whole team in a situation where not…
Colorado Rockies Jody Gerut had a great first half last season, but no way will he grace the confines of Coors this year unless he really comes on and even then it will be only as a September callup. Also, what is your "EqA" supposed to measure? The EqA’s for some Rockies players make no…
You’re probably just as tired as I am of a winter full of old saws. Right now, two in particular strike me as silly, particularly in tandem: "these days, rosters are already sewn up, and spring training is just there to get people ready," and "everyone has to have an established closer to win." That…
The final segment of our review of the Top 40 Prospects from Baseball Prospectus 1999: 8. Jeremy Giambi, LF, Kansas City (BBA: #64, Sickels: #17) What we said last year: "If [Eric] Chavez doesn’t have a smooth transition to the major leagues, Giambi may be the next best bet to win AL Rookie of the…
On Monday, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker until May 1 as punishment for his statements against ethnic minorities, immigrants and homosexuals. Jeff Bower: This is patently absurd. It certainly seems that the repercussions from fans and players are more than adequate punishment for the "crime" and act as an adequate…
Winter ball seasons have come to a close, and there are a number of players in the AL East who have played well enough to improve their chances of tripling their per diem in 2000. It’s possible that the winter-league story with the highest profile is that of Morgan Burkhart. Burkhart is a 28-year-old with…