Fantasy baseball players in the news
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February 1, 2012 @ 08:38:48
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By KFFL Staff
First Baseman
1B | Mark Teixeira | New York Yankees | Fantasy
New York Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira said Tuesday, Jan. 31, that he might lay down bunts this season to try and beat the shift. "I've been so against (laying down bunts) in my entire career, but I might lay down a few bunts," Teixeira said. "If I can beat the shift that way, that's important."
1B | Mitch Moreland | Texas Rangers | Injury, Fantasy
The Texas Rangers flirted with free-agent 1B Prince Fielder before he signed with the Detroit Tigers. The chatter has motivated 1B Mitch Moreland (wrist) heading into 2012. "I think it was more of a motivation thing for me, you know. He's a good player and all, but you know, I want to go out and prove that they didn't need him," Moreland said Tuesday, Jan. 31. "I'm looking forward to this year and getting started." As far as his surgically repaired wrist, he said he is ahead of schedule in his recovery.
Second Baseman
2B | Bill Hall | free agent | Free Agents
Updating a previous report, if the New York Yankees sign free-agent INF Bill Hall (Giants), it will likely be to a minor-league deal.
2B | Daniel Murphy | New York Mets | Fantasy
New York Mets 2B Daniel Murphy has been working on his footwork at second base in Florida before spring training starts. He plans to report to camp two weeks early to get a head start on his defensive work. The starting job at second base will be his to lose this spring. Manager Terry Collins is exploring the idea of hitting Murphy leadoff as well, but that possibility remains a long shot.
2B | Jeff Keppinger | Tampa Bay Rays | Fantasy
Tampa Bay Rays 2B Jeff Keppinger can make an extra $375,000 in incentives based on plate appearances this year; he'll make $50,000 for 250, $75,000 each for 300, 350 and 400 and $100,000 for 450.
2B | Chase Utley | Philadelphia Phillies | Injury, Fantasy
Philadelphia Phillies 2B Chase Utley (knees) is not having any problems with his knees this offseason. "He's doing good. He's feeling well," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We have to keep an eye on his health, and monitor him and make sure we're cautious with how we handle him in spring training. Charlie and I have talked about that a little bit to make sure he stays fresh for the season."
2B | Ryan Roberts | Arizona Diamondbacks | Transaction
The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with 3B Ryan Roberts by signing him to a one-year, $2,012,500 deal.
Shortstop
SS | Jason Bartlett | San Diego Padres | Fantasy
The Boston Red Sox are interested in trading for a shortstop, but San Diego Padres SS Jason Bartlett, who has a very attainable $5.5 million option for the 2013 season, would be too expensive. Boston is trying to stay under the luxury-tax threshold.
Third Baseman
3B | Eric Chavez | free agent | Free Agents
The New York Yankees have some interest in re-signing free-agent 3B Eric Chavez (Yankees). If he signs, he is expected to get a major league deal.
3B | Jose Bautista | Toronto Blue Jays | Fantasy
Updating a previous report, Toronto Blue Jays OF Jose Bautista insists he has been tested 16 times for performance-enhancing substances over the past two years and maintains reports to the contrary are false. "I don't really care how (many) times I have been test. If I get tested 100 times, I'm fine with it," Bautista said. "I have never in any shape or form had a problem with the number of times I have been tested. Somebody asked me a question and I gave an honest answer. From that, they took it upon themselves to write whatever they wrote. I didn't ask anybody to write anything on my behalf." Bautista has 97 home runs over the past two seasons.
3B | Chipper Jones | Atlanta Braves | Fantasy
Atlanta Braves 3B Chipper Jones, who will be making $14 million this year, has a $7 million team option for the 2013 season, which will automatically vest at $9 million if he plays at least 123 games this year. He can make an extra $1 million in 2013 each for 128, 133, 138 and 140 games played in 2012.
3B | Chone Figgins | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Seattle Mariners 3Bs Kyle Seager and Chone Figgins figure to battle for the third base job in spring training this year.
3B | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers | Fantasy
Several scouts and executives from other teams think it's highly unlikely that the Detroit Tigers go through with moving 3B Miguel Cabrera over to third base to make room for 1B Prince Fielder. "I'm not buying into it at all. I think Jim (Leyland) is saying exactly what he has to say. I saw this guy play third base as a kid. I even saw him play shortstop in the minor leagues. And his body control as a youngster was pretty good. But the build he's got now creates long actions. Everything takes a long time, and that's not good at that position. So I don't think it's going to happen. In fact, I'll be shocked," one scout said.
Catcher
C | Wilson Ramos | Washington Nationals | Fantasy
Washington Nationals C Wilson Ramos went 9 for 20 (.450) while starting all six games behind the plate to help Aragua win the championship in the Venezuelan Winter League. He'll now catch during the Caribbean Series beginning Thursday, Feb. 2, in Santo Domingo.
C | Miguel Montero | Arizona Diamondbacks | Fantasy
Updating a previous report, Arizona Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero informed the team that he will cut off extension talks March 20. The team failed to reach a long-term deal with Montero before his arbitration hearing Tuesday, Jan. 31, although he did sign a one-year contract.
Outfielder
OF | Nelson Cruz | Texas Rangers | Fantasy
Updating a previous report, the Texas Rangers and OF Nelson Cruz are working on a deal for the 2012 season in hopes of avoiding an arbitration hearing set for Feb. 17. "We're exchanging figures, negotiating for a year but leaving the door open for a multi-year deal," Cruz said Tuesday, Jan. 31. "I'd like to be a Ranger for life. I like the city, the team and the fans. Arlington is my second home." Cruz is asking for $7.5 million, while the team countered with $5.5 million.
OF | Bryce Harper | Washington Nationals | Fantasy
Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson really wants OF Bryce Harper to start the regular season as the starting right fielder.
OF | Jason Heyward | Atlanta Braves | Injury, Fantasy
Atlanta Braves OF Jason Heyward (shoulder) did physical therapy to improve the strength in his shoulder twice a week this offseason, and he also worked out with weights three times a week. Cardio work was also implemented, which involved a regular running routine. He has dropped from 256 pounds to 235 and is eating healthier. Much of Heyward's offseason was spent getting his mind where it needs to be for the upcoming season. At the start of the offseason, he went back to the basics of his swing with his personal hitting coach, C.J. Stewart. "I was working on my stance, working on my load," Heyward said. "Basically all the things I need to have as far as a foundation to allow my swing to work."
OF | Chris Pettit | Los Angeles Dodgers | Transaction
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free-agent OF Chris Pettit (Angels) to a minor league deal Tuesday, Jan. 31.
OF | Michael Bourn | Atlanta Braves | Fantasy
One National League executive believes Atlanta Braves OF Michael Bourn will be a member of the Washington Nationals in the near future. "Here's a prediction you can take to the bank," the executive said. "Michael Bourn will be the center fielder in Washington a year from now."
OF | Yoenis Cespedes | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
The Miami Marlins are likely to meet with Cuban OF Yoenis Cespedes within the next week.
Starting Pitcher
SP | Roy Oswalt | free agent | Free Agents
Updating an ongoing story, the St. Louis Cardinals haven't made free-agent SP Roy Oswalt (Phillies) an offer that he deems anywhere near sufficient.
SP | Phil Hughes | New York Yankees | Fantasy,
The New York Yankees are unlikely to trade SP Phil Hughes. The team feels he is a 15-game winnier who is coming off a down year. Plus, he is getting into his arbitration-eligible years, and that will make him a little more of a cost to other teams.
SP | Matt Garza | Chicago Cubs | Fantasy,
The Chicago Cubs and SP Matt Garza are scheduled for an arbitration hearing Friday, Feb. 3. The two sides remain hopeful of a settlement despite a large gap in figures.
SP | Dustin Moseley | San Diego Padres | Transaction, Fantasy,
The San Diego Padres avoided arbitration with SP Dustin Moseley Tuesday, Jan. 31, by agreeing to a one-year deal. Financial terms weren't announced.
SP | Livan Hernandez | Houston Astros | Transaction, Fantasy,
The Houston Astros signed free-agent SP Livan Hernandez (Nationals) to a minor league deal Tuesday, Jan. 31.
SP | Edwin Jackson | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy,
The Boston Red Sox reportedly have made a one-year offer in the $5-6 million range to free-agent SP Edwin Jackson (Cardinals), according to major league sources. However, there is nothing new in the negotiations with Jackson. He reportedly has at least two multi-year offers, with one believed to be from the Baltimore Orioles.
SP | Ubaldo Jimenez | Cleveland Indians | Fantasy,
Cleveland Indians SP Ubaldo Jimenez is working with strength coach Nelson Perez in the Dominican Republic this winter. Perez moved his family to the Dominican from Puerto Rico in order to train with Jimenez and other players. Reports are that Jimenez is in excellent shape while working on his core and lower-half strength.
SP | Fausto Carmona | Cleveland Indians | Fantasy,
Cleveland Indians SP Fausto Carmona and Miami Marlins RP Juan Carlos Oviedo are likely to be suspended by the commissioner's office once they solve their false identity issues in the Dominican Republic.
SP | Scott Kazmir | free agent | Free Agents,
Free-agent SP Scott Kazmir's (Angels) fastball has been clocked at 84-85 mph this winter.
SP | Joe Blanton | Philadelphia Phillies | Fantasy,
The Philadelphia Phillies could decide to shop SP Joe Blanton during spring training if he shows that he is healthy.
SP | Matt Harrison | Texas Rangers | Free Agents, Fantasy,
Texas Rangers SP Matt Harrison suggested that he could ask for a trade if the team signs free-agent SP Roy Oswalt (Phillies) to pitch in the rotation. "That could be an option," Harrison said. "I feel like I proved myself last year, that I could be a consistent starter in the big leagues. I'm not saying the bullpen is a bad thing but I think I'm better suited for the rotation because pretty much at the beginning of the game I'm a little bit of a slow starter and I kind of acclimate as the game goes on."
SP | Daisuke Matsuzaka | Boston Red Sox | Injury, Fantasy,
Boston Red Sox SP Daisuke Matsuzaka (elbow) will play long toss Wednesday, Feb. 1, and throw another bullpen session Friday, Feb. 3, if he doesn't have any setbacks.
SP | A.J. Burnett | New York Yankees | Fantasy,
The New York Yankees are unlikely to trade SP A.J. Burnett before the start of the season because many clubs feel that he's too much of a reliability issue. Even if New York picked up $22 of Burnett's $33 million salary, there may not be any takers.
SP | Vance Worley | Philadelphia Phillies | Fantasy,
Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the No. 5 starting spot is SP Vance Worley's to lose this spring. SPs Kyle Kendrick and Joel Pineiro will also be competing for the spot.
Relief Pitcher
RP | Todd Coffey | free agent | Free Agents,
The Minnesota Twins are not considered serious contenders for free-agent RP Todd Coffey (Nationals), according to a source.
RP | Jose Contreras | Philadelphia Phillies | Injury, Fantasy,
Philadelphia Phillies RP Jose Contreras (elbow) is throwing from 120 feet and hasn't had any setbacks as he approaches spring training. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. thinks Contreras will be ready close to opening day.
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