Fantasy baseball players in the news
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February 9, 2012 @ 08:44:11
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By KFFL Staff
First Baseman
1B | Mark Trumbo | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Injury, Fantasy
Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Mark Trumbo (foot) has been doing everything short of sprinting on the field. He has been taking batting practice, running in the pool, throwing, and getting some necessary work at third base, as he transitions across the diamond due to the offseason signing of free-agent 1B Albert Pujols (Cardinals). "Everything feels fine, and I'm able to do everything I hoped I would be able to," Trumbo said.
1B | Adrian Gonzalez | Boston Red Sox | Injury, Fantasy
Boston Red Sox OF Adrian Gonzalez (shoulder) has strengthened his shoulder this offseason and expects to be healthy all season. As a result, his power is expected to return in 2012. Gonzalez struggled in the second half last season as his shoulder tired. Gonzalez had 17 homers in 89 games before the All-Star break, and 10 homers in 59 games after the break.
1B | Brett Wallace | Houston Astros | Fantasy
Updating a previous report, with the move of Houston Astros 1B Brett Wallace to third base for spring training, there will be three main combatants vying for the starting job. Wallace, 3B Chris D. Johnson and INF Jimmy Paredes will battle during the spring for the starting nod.
1B | Nick Johnson | Cleveland Indians | Free Agents
The Baltimore Orioles are close to signing free-agent 1B Nick Johnson (Indians) to a minor league deal.
1B | Russell Branyan | New York Yankees | Transaction, Free Agents, Fantasy
The New York Yankees signed free-agent 1B Russell Branyan (Angels) to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training Wednesday, Feb. 8. The signing won't affect the team's chances of signing free-agent OFs Johnny Damon (Rays), Raul Ibanez (Phillies) or Hideki Matsui (Athletics). However, it could be hard to re-sign 3B Eric Chavez now.
Second Baseman
2B | Josh Rutledge | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy
Colorado Rockies 2B Josh Rutledge is in line to push for the starting second base job in 2013, especially if veteran INF Marco Scutaro doesn't return. Rutledge is expected to start the 2012 season with Double-A Tulsa.
2B | Marco Scutaro | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy
The age of the players in the projected opening day lineup for the Colorado Rockies figures to see a jump from 28.4 to 32.4 years old in 2012. C Ramon Hernandez is 36, replacing C Chris Iannetta, who was 27. 2B Marco Scutaro is in for 2B Jose Lopez, who was 28. 3B Casey Blake is 38, replacing INF Ty Wigginton, who was 33. OF Michael Cuddyer is 33, and he replaces OF Seth Smith, 28. Even the pitching staff is older, as SP Jeremy Guthrie will effectively replace SP Ubaldo Jimenez, 27, who was dealt at the trade deadline last year.
Shortstop
SS | Xander Bogaerts | Boston Red Sox | Fantasy
Boston Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts is drawing raves from scouts about his maturity and effort level. One source indicated that he regularly participated in a strict regimen of additional individual workouts on top of mandatory team workouts, including consistently staying late to run extra wind springs in 100-degree weather during the dog days of summer. He is expected to spend all or most of the season in Class A, with an eye toward a major league spring training invitation and an assignment to Double-A in 2013.
SS | Jed Lowrie | Houston Astros | Transaction, Fantasy
The Houston Astros signed SS Jed Lowrie to a one-year contract Wednesday, Feb. 8, as the two sides avoid an arbitration hearing. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
SS | Manny Machado | Baltimore Orioles | Fantasy
Baltimore Orioles SSs Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop will report to minor league camp in spring training but may see a few at-bats in the major league camp.
Third Baseman
3B | Pedro Alvarez | Pittsburgh Pirates | Fantasy
Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez and OF Alex Presley will get first crack at their respective positions when spring camp opens up, but manager Clint Hurdle said the players will have to prove they belong in those spots.
3B | Kyle Seager | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Seattle Mariners 3B Kyle Seager might begin the season at Triple-A Tacoma if veterans 2B Carlos Guillen and 3B Chone Figgins have good springs.
3B | Nolan Arenado | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy
The Colorado Rockies figure to give 3B Nolan Arenado a chance to unseat veteran 3B Casey Blake for the starting job in the spring, although he might need more minor-league seasoning. He led the minor leagues in RBIs in 2011, and he was the Arizona Fall League MVP.
3B | Jose Bautista | Toronto Blue Jays | Fantasy
Toronto Blue Jays OF Jose Bautista had 31 home runs in 84 games before the All-Star break last season, and just 10 homers in 59 games after the break.
3B | Hanley Ramirez | Miami Marlins | Fantasy
Miami Marlins 3B Hanley Ramirez had trouble lifting the ball to left field last season, and he became more of an opposite-field fly ball hitter. He also had trouble driving fastballs, sinkers and cutters thrown up in the strike zone. Ramirez hit .420 with 66 hits and nine home runs in 2009 and 2010 with high pitches. Last year, he hit just .256 with 11 hits and two home runs.
Catcher
C | Dane Sardinha | Baltimore Orioles | Transaction
The Baltimore Orioles signed free-agent C Dane Sardinha (Phillies) to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training Wednesday, Feb. 8.
C | Jason Varitek | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy,
The Boston Red Sox haven't ruled out re-signing C Jason Varitek or SP Tim Wakefield, and decisions on both players is expected to come soon. BoSox general manager Ben Cherington said they will know by next week. Both players could retire if they don't return to Boston.
C | Jason Castro | Houston Astros | Injury, Fantasy
Houston Astros manager Bradley Mills expects C Jason Castro (foot, knee) to be ready for spring training in the second week of Grapefruit League games.
Outfielder
OF | Nelson Cruz | Texas Rangers | Transaction
Updating an earlier report, the Texas Rangers avoided arbitration with OF Nelson Cruz by signing him to an undisclosed deal.
OF | Colin Curtis | New York Yankees | Injury
New York Yankees OF Colin Curtis (shoulder) has received an invitation to spring training. Curtis missed the entire 2011 season due to a shoulder injury. In five minor league seasons in the Yankees organization, he has hit .267.
OF | Michael Saunders | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy
Seattle Mariners OFs Carlos Peguero, Trayvon Robinson and Michael Saunders are considered long shots to break camp with the team out of spring training at this point.
OF | Emilio Bonifacio | Miami Marlins | Free Agents, Fantasy
Florida Marlins OF Emilio Bonifacio is slated to serve as the team's starting center fielder for now, but that could change if the team lands prized Cuban free-agent OF Yoenis Cespedes.
OF | B.J. Upton | Tampa Bay Rays | Fantasy
The Washington Nationals have reportedly cooled in their interest of Tampa Bay Rays OF B.J. Upton.
OF | Johnny Damon | free agent | Transaction, Free Agents, Fantasy
Free-agent OF Johnny Damon (Rays) is biding his time, as he looks for a major league deal. "I think I signed with Tampa Bay last year around this time, and the year before I signed (with Detroit) in February," said Damon. "Even if I have to go into March, I'll do that. I'm in good shape. I'm going through my workouts." Damon is 277 hits shy of 3,000 for his career.
OF | Juan Pierre | Philadelphia Phillies | Fantasy
Philadelphia Phillies OF Juan Pierre will make $800,000 this year with the potential for another $300,000 on plate appearances from 200 up to 450.
OF | Ryan Ludwick | Cincinnati Reds | Transaction, Fantasy,
The Cincinnati Reds finalized their deals with OF Ryan Ludwick and SP Jeff Francis Wednesday, Feb. 8. Ludwick will make $2.5 million this year and his deal includes a mutual option for 2013. RP Carlos Fisher was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Francis' deal is a minor league contract.
OF | Ryan Braun | Milwaukee Brewers | Fantasy
A decision on whether Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun will have to serve his 50-game suspension to start the year is expected to be announced within the next 10 days.
OF | Justin Christian | San Francisco Giants | Transaction, Fantasy,
The San Francisco Giants designated OF Justin Christian for assignment Wednesday, Feb. 8, in order to add 2B Ryan Theriot and RP Guillermo Mota to the 40-man roster.
Starting Pitcher
SP | Adam Wainwright | St. Louis Cardinals | Injury, Fantasy
Updating previous reports, St. Louis Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright (elbow) has resumed throwing to hitters. He estimated he is throwing his fastball at 90 percent velocity and is thrilled with the easy velocity he is creating. Wainwright said the recovery period allowed him to strengthen his lower body and gain weight.
SP | Rich Harden | free agent | Injury, Free Agents
Free-agent P Rich Harden (shoulder) had surgery to repair a torn right shoulder capsule and will miss the entire 2012 season. Harden has dealt with the injury for five years and hopes to return in 2013.
SP | Kevin Millwood | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy,
Seattle Mariners SP Kevin Millwood will head to spring training battling for a rotation spot. SPs Blake Beavan, Charlie Furbush and Hector Noesi are expected to fight with Millwood for the final two spots in the rotation.
SP | Hisashi Iwakuma | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy,
The Seattle Mariners are almost certain to give SP Hisashi Iwakuma a spot in their rotation unless he totally implodes during spring training. Iwakuma is 30 years old, but considered a rookie, even though he has several seasons in Japan under his belt.
SP | Javier Vazquez | free agent | Free Agents,
Free-agent SP Javier Vazquez (Marlins) has elected to retire, but some feel a team could get him to come back at the right price and situation. "If you can land him, he'd be the perfect fourth or fifth starter on a contending staff," one American League general manager said. "He pitched last year like he used to pitch when he was in Atlanta. If there are family issues, you understand his reasoning for hanging it up, but performance-wise, he's as good as he's ever been."
SP | Yu Darvish | Texas Rangers | Fantasy,
Former MLB SP Curt Schilling does not think Texas Rangers SP Yu Darvish will fare very well playing major league baseball after coming over from Japan. "It's just a different world and I haven't seen it transition consistently, yet, because it's a different game, it's a different speed, it's a different level of competition," Schilling said. "And you're taking a guy who in his mind, I think he believes he's one of the best in the world, which is something you need, and you're asking him to change everything and that doesn't generally tend to translate very well."
SP | Roy Oswalt | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy,
The Boston Red Sox are still in the running to sign free-agent SP Roy Oswalt (Phillies) to their geographical location and not the money. The Red Sox would be his third choice behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers.
SP | Ubaldo Jimenez | Cleveland Indians | Injury, Fantasy,
The Cleveland Indians feel SP Ubaldo Jimenez (groin) will return to form in 2012 because he suffered through a groin injury last year that affected his lower body strength. "Ubaldo felt that his season was sidetracked by a groin injury that affected his lower-body strength and his ability to consistently execute his delivery," general manager Chris Antonetti said. "To be sure he comes into camp with the best foundation for success, Ubaldo has worked diligently this winter with one of our strength and conditioning coaches on his core and lower half strength and flexibility."
SP | Brad Bergesen | Baltimore Orioles | Fantasy,
Baltimore Orioles SP Brad Bergesen and the team had their arbitration hearing Wednesday, Feb. 8. Bergesen argued for $1.2 million, while the team countered with $800,000. A decision is expected to come down Thursday, Feb. 9.
SP | A.J. Burnett | New York Yankees | Free Agents, Fantasy,
The Pittsburgh Pirates may be interested in trading for New York Yankees SP A.J. Burnett. Pittsburgh is clearly looking for more help in their rotation. The two sides have had talks but the conversations have not progressed, according to a major league source. Burnett wants to stay in the Bronx, but the Yanks would like to clear payroll to re-sign 3B Eric Chavez and possibly add another designated hitter. Burnett's contract includes a limited no-trade clause; he can block a trade to 10 teams, but not the Pirates.
SP | Jeff Suppan | San Diego Padres | Fantasy,
San Diego Padres SP Jeff Suppan was signed to provide the starting rotation with some depth this year. SPs Tim Stauffer, Cory Luebke, Edinson Volquez, Clayton Richard and Dustin Moseley are expected to round out the rotation.
Relief Pitcher
RP | Craig Breslow | Arizona Diamondbacks | Transaction,
The Arizona Diamondbacks and RP Craig Breslow avoided arbitration after agreeing on a one-year contract Wednesday, Feb. 8. The one-year, $1.795 million contract is expected to be finalized late Wednesday night.
RP | Scott Atchison | Boston Red Sox | Transaction,
Boston Red Sox RP Scott Atchison, who was designated for assignment Jan. 26, has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket. However, he will be invited to major league camp.
RP | Mark Prior | New York Yankees | Injury, Free Agents,
Free-agent RP Mark Prior (Yankees) (hernia) might attempt one more comeback. His rebuilt arm held up pretty well and his velocity was into the low 90s. However, Prior had surgery for a sports hernia, and the problem wasn't completely corrected. He will likely work out for teams as early as March.
RP | Horacio Ramirez | free agent | Free Agents,
Free-agent SP Horacio Ramirez (Angels) will throw for scouts in Tempe, Ariz. Thursday, Feb. 9, according to his agent.
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