Fantasy baseball players in the news
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January 27, 2012 @ 08:46:49
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By KFFL Staff
First Baseman
1B | Kendrys Morales | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Injury, Fantasy
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Kendrys Morales (leg) has looked "impressive" during his workouts recently, according to an eyewitness report. "I've been hitting with him every day (at the Angels' minor league complex in Tempe, Ariz.) and he looks strong," OF Peter Bourjos said. "Monday was the first time he took live BP (with a coach throwing) and he was popping them out from both sides." Bourjos also said Morales looks lighter and in much better shape than a season ago.
1B | Joey Votto | Cincinnati Reds | Fantasy
Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini has not ruled out the fact that the team will try to re-sign 1B Joey Votto when he becomes eligible for free agency after the 2013 season. The large contracts given to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols and Detroit Tigers 1B Prince Fielder will surely influence Votto's market. Cincinnati has also repeatedly denied interest in trading Votto.
Second Baseman
2B | Gordon Beckham | Chicago White Sox | Fantasy
The consensus for Chicago White Sox 2B Gordon Beckham's struggles last season was that he had developed a hitch in his swing. However, Beckham has been against that thought process. "Everybody wants to say I have a hitch in my swing," Beckham said. "It's the easiest thing in the world to say when I'm not hitting. There are a lot of other things going into it, but I'm not going to get into them. But the one thing I am doing is I'm getting loaded up, ready to go, prepared to hit the ball hard, as opposed to kind of feeling for it, which is what I was doing last year." He has been spending many hours in the cages this offseason to correct his mental approach heading into the 2012 season.
2B | Dustin Ackley | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Along with Seattle Mariners 3B Chone Figgins, 2B Dustin Ackley and OF Franklin Gutierrez are candidates to hit leadoff this year if OF Ichiro Suzuki is moved out of the spot.
Shortstop
SS | Alex Cora | Retired Players | Transaction
Free-agent INF Alex Cora (Nationals) announced his retirement from baseball Thursday, Jan. 26.
Third Baseman
3B | Matt Tuiasosopo | New York Mets | Transaction, Free Agents
The New York Mets signed free-agent 3B Matt Tuiasosopo (Mariners) to a minor league deal.
3B | Chone Figgins | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge plans to turn 3B Chone Figgins into a super-utility player in hopes of getting more production out of him. "I've talked to him: He's going to play all over. He's going to have reps everywhere in the outfield, as well as second, short and third. We're going to have him all over place, give him every opportunity to play, every opportunity to get at-bats but also play all over defensively. It's how he broke in in Anaheim."
3B | Ryan Rohlinger | Cleveland Indians | Transaction,
The Cleveland Indians signed free-agent 3B Ryan Rohlinger (Rockies) and P Jose De La Torre (Brewers) to minor league deals Thursday, Jan. 26. The deals do not include invites to spring training.
3B | Brandon Inge | Detroit Tigers | Fantasy
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland said 3B Brandon Inge will have an decreased role this year with 3B Miguel Cabrera moving across the diamond. Inge could start at third base on days that Cabrera is the designated hitter or when he plays first base to give 1B Prince Fielder a day off, or when Fielder is used as the DH. Inge will not be used as a defensive replacement late in games for Cabrera.
3B | Adrian Cardenas | Oakland Athletics | Transaction
The Oakland Athletics designated 3B Adrian Cardenas for assignment Thursday, Jan. 26.
Catcher
C | Victor Martinez | Detroit Tigers | Injury, Fantasy
Detroit Tigers C Victor Martinez (knee) is receiving a second opinion on his knee Thursday, Jan. 26, and he is likely to undergo surgery to fix his torn anterior cruciate ligament Friday, Jan. 27.
C | Miguel Olivo | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Thursday, Jan. 26, that he's still not sure if OF Ichiro Suzuki will be the team's leadoff hitter this year. Also, he said that C Miguel Olivo will be the every day catcher, which will likely push C Jesus Montero to the designated hitter spot.
Outfielder
OF | Juan Pierre | Philadelphia Phillies | Free Agents
The Philadelphia Phillies have had serious discussions with free-agent OF Juan Pierre (White Sox) on a minor league deal.
OF | Raul Ibanez | free agent | Free Agents
The New York Yankees are interested in free-agent OF Raul Ibanez (Phillies).
OF | Carlos Gonzalez | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy
Colorado Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez said he wasn't ready the way he should have been for the 2011 season. "I didn't prepare myself the way I should have. I wasn't ready," said Gonzalez, who showed up at spring training heavier than was expected a year ago. "It was a big difference from 2010. It was difficult to do anything - to train and work out without all the attention and (media) always asking me questions. I forget what I was doing. This winter, it was a lot easier to be normal. I don't miss the craziness."
OF | Michael Saunders | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Seattle Mariners OF Michael Saunders hired a batting instructor for the first time this offseason, and he feels the most comfortable he's ever felt heading into spring training this year.
OF | Ichiro Suzuki | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said the team hasn't had any contract extension talks with OF Ichiro Suzuki, who is entering the final year of his deal. It appears the team may wait until the end of the 2012 season to begin negotiations.
OF | Franklin Gutierrez | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Seattle Mariners OF Franklin Gutierrez (stomach), who dealt with health and strength problems all of last year, has added 15 pounds of muscle and appears to be in excellent shape. "He looked great," said manager Eric Wedge. "He's as strong as I've ever seen him. He was on the path when we traded him over here, and he came over and had a good year. He's had a lot of things go wrong since then - physically, mentally, everything."
OF | Peter Bourjos | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Injury, Fantasy
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Peter Bourjos (hip) said his hip injury has been an annual issue for him for a while. "It's been on and off," Bourjos said. "It usually bugs me in the spring then kind of goes away. Last year, it was bad in spring then never really got any better." He may need to have surgery to fix the issue after the 2012 season, but it appears he can get through it in the meantime.
OF | Yoenis Cespedes | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
The Baltimore Orioles are not ready to drop out of the bidding for Cuban OF Yoenis Cespedes. The team likes his tools and were impressed after working him out in the Dominican Republic back in early December.
OF | Brennan Boesch | Detroit Tigers | Fantasy
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland discussed a tentative lineup during his press conference Thursday, Jan. 26. He would have OF Austin Jackson leading off, followed by OF Brennan Boesch, 3B Miguel Cabrera, 1B Prince Fielder, OF Delmon Young, C Alex Avila, SS Jhonny Peralta, a combination of OF Andy Dirks, OF Clete Thomas and INF Don Kelly at designated hitter and 2B Ryan Raburn hitting ninth.
OF | Jonny Gomes | Oakland Athletics | Fantasy
The Oakland Athletics finalized their one-year, $1 million deal with OF Jonny Gomes Thursday, Jan. 26.
OF | Johnny Damon | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
The New York Mets are looking at all available left-handed hitters on the free-agent market, which include free-agent OFs Johnny Damon (Rays), Kosuke Fukudome (Indians), Rick Ankiel (Nationals), Raul Ibanez (Nationals) and Juan Pierre (White Sox).
Starting Pitcher
SP | Tim Redding | Toronto Blue Jays | Transaction, Free Agents
The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent P Bill Murphy (Japanese League) and SP Tim Redding (Phillies) to minor league deals.
SP | Luke French | Minnesota Twins | Transaction, Free Agents
The Minnesota Twins signed free-agent P Luke French (Mariners) to a minor league deal.
SP | Edwin Jackson | free agent | Free Agents
The Boston Red Sox aren't close to any deal with free-agent SP Edwin Jackson (Cardinals).
SP | Adam Wainwright | St. Louis Cardinals | Injury, Fantasy
St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (elbow) has drawn rave reviews in his work at the team's complex in Jupiter, Fla. His side session went well Thursday, Jan. 26, as he threw his fastball, sinker, changeup and curveball at 90 percent with no discomfort.
SP | Jeff Francis | Cincinnati Reds | Fantasy,
Cincinnati Reds SP Jeff Francis will earn a base salary of $1.5 million if he makes the team out of spring training. He can make a total of $3.25 million if he reaches his performance bonuses based on starts. Francis can also opt out of the contract on March 28.
SP | Philip Humber | Chicago White Sox | Fantasy,
Chicago White Sox SP Philip Humber projects as the team's No. 5 starter heading into spring training.
SP | Hiroki Kuroda | New York Yankees | Fantasy,
The New York Yankees finalized their deal with SP Hiroki Kuroda Thursday, Jan. 26.
SP | Jorge De La Rosa | Colorado Rockies | Injury, Fantasy,
Colorado Rockies trainer Keith Dugger said SP Jorge De La Rosa (elbow) will be allowed to throw bullpen sessions all spring. He will then stay in extended spring training before going on a rehab assignment.
SP | Fausto Carmona | Cleveland Indians | Fantasy,
The Cleveland Indians do not appear ready to void SP Fausto Carmona's contract after placing him on the restricted list this week as he tries to work out false identity issues in the Dominican Republic. The team is trying their best to expedite his return to the U.S. "It doesn't matter that he was a little inconsistent last year," manager Manny Acta said. "Fausto is an important part of our rotation." Carmona will not be paid while on the restricted list, and Cleveland would only have to pay a prorated portion of his 2012 salary if he returns at some point during the regular season.
Relief Pitcher
RP | Clay Hensley | San Francisco Giants | Transaction, Free Agents
The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent RP Clay Hensley (Marlins) to a one-year, $750,000 contract with an additional $300,000 in incentives and awards.
RP | Jose Arredondo | Cincinnati Reds | Transaction,
Cincinnati Reds RP Jose Arredondo avoided salary arbitration Thursday, Jan. 26, by agreeing to a two-year deal. Financial terms were not given.
RP | Manuel Corpas | Chicago Cubs | Transaction,
The Chicago Cubs outrighted RP Manuel Corpas to the minors Thursday, Jan. 26, to make room for RP Kerry Wood on the 40-man roster. Corpas will be a non-roster invitee to spring training.
RP | Dan Wheeler | Cleveland Indians | Transaction,
The Cleveland Indians signed free-agent RP Dan Wheeler (Red Sox) to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training Thursday, Jan. 26.
RP | Jim Johnson | Baltimore Orioles | Fantasy,
Texas Rangers RP Koji Uehara, who is interested in returning to the Baltimore Orioles, would be used as an eighth-inning setup man and wouldn't unseat RP Jim Johnson if the Orioles acquired him. However, the Rangers are asking a lot in return for Uehara.
RP | Boone Logan | New York Yankees | Transaction,
The New York Yankees signed RP Boone Logan to a one-year, $1.875 million deal Thursday, Jan. 26, to avoid arbitration. He can earn an extra $25,000 in incentives if he appears in 55 games this year.
RP | Scott Atchison | free agent | Transaction,
The Boston Red Sox designated RP Scott Atchison for assignment Thursday, Jan. 26.
RP | Brad Lidge | Washington Nationals | Fantasy
Washington Nationals RP Brad Lidge is expected to serve as a setup man to CL Drew Storen and provide leadership to a young staff.
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