Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

MLB Players in the News

November 25, 2009 @ 09:24:24

First Baseman

1B | Garrett Jones | Pittsburgh Pirates | Fantasy
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Chuck Finder reports Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Jeff Clement will have a chance to win the starting first base job in camp. If Clement wins the job, 1B Garrett Jones would move to right field.

1B | Jeff Clement | Pittsburgh Pirates | Fantasy
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Chuck Finder reports Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Jeff Clement will have a chance to win the starting first base job in camp. If Clement wins the job, 1B Garrett Jones would move to right field.

1B | Albert Pujols | St. Louis Cardinals | Free Agency News
Cardinals.MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports St. Louis Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols said if he's able to, he would like to play another 15 years with the Cardinals. "This is my place," Pujols said. "This is where I want to be. I don't hide that. I keep saying that, since you guys (reporters) started talking about whether I'm going to be a free agent or whether I'm going to sign here. We've still got two years left. ... When my decision comes, then I'll deal with that. Right now I don't have to worry about it because I'm still going to be a Cardinal for two more years and hopefully for 15 more years if I can play for that long and can retire as a Cardinal."

1B | Adrian Gonzalez | San Diego Padres | Fantasy
Geoff Baker, of The Seattle Times, reports the Seattle Mariners could be in the mix to acquire San Diego Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez.

1B | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers | Fantasy
Mark Bowman, of MLB.com, reports the Atlanta Braves are unlikely to trade for Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera.

1B | Russell Branyan | Free Agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Larry LaRue, of The Tacoma News Tribune, reports the New York Mets will only be interested in signing free-agent 1B Russell Branyan (Mariners) to a one-year deal. Branyan is currently searching for a two-year deal.

1B | Nick Johnson | Free Agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Joe Frisaro, of MLB.com, reports the Florida Marlins are unlikely to offer salary arbitration to free-agent 1B Nick Johnson (Marlins) and RP Kiko Calero (Marlins). Both players qualified as Type B free agents.

1B | Casey Kotchman | Boston Red Sox | Fantasy
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, of FOXSports.com, report the Seattle Mariners could go after Boston Red Sox 1B Casey Kotchman if the Red Sox decline to offer him salary arbitration.

1B | Jason Giambi | Free Agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, of FOXSports.com, report the Colorado Rockies have not ruled out re-signing 1B Jason Giambi as their reserve infielder for next season.

Shortstop

SS | Marco Scutaro | Free Agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
The Boston Herald is reporting the Boston Red Sox have interest in acquiring free-agent SS Marco Scutaro (Blue Jays).

SS | Hanley Ramirez | Florida Marlins | Fantasy
Joe Capozzi, of The Palm Beach Post, is reporting Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez was second in Most Valuable Player balloting for the National League. It is the highest finish by a Marlin player.

SS | John McDonald | Free Agent | Free Agency News
Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports the Toronto Blue Jays are close to re-signing SS John McDonald to a deal that is likely worth around $1.5 million for one year, according to a source. McDonald would likely serve as the backup shortstop, but could see regular playing time if the team does not sign a starter at the position.

SS | Eric Bruntlett | Free Agent | Free Agency News
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, of FOXSports.com, report the Philadelphia Phillies are interested in signing free-agent IF Juan Castro (Dodgers). They see him as an alternative to free-agent SS Eric Bruntlett (Phillies), who is unlikely to return.

SS | Omar Vizquel | Chicago White Sox | Fantasy
Mark Gonzales, of The Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he will try to find consistent playing time for SS Omar Vizquel, especially early in the season. "I will try to find him a lot of playing time," Guillen said. "Especially early in the year because everyone knows Ramirez struggles early in the season." Vizquel is expected to provide depth at third base, second and shortstop.

SS | Erick Aybar | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Fantasy
Tom Singer, of MLB.com, reports the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are aggressively pursuing Toronto Blue Jays SP Roy Halladay, especially with the chances of losing out on re-signing SP John Lackey. Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos could consider a deal that doesn't include SS Erick Aybar, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Angels looked at trading for Halladay in July, but Aybar was the stumbling block. The Blue Jays could look for a starting pitcher such as Ps Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana in return.

Third Baseman

3B | Mike Lowell | Boston Red Sox | Fantasy
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, of FOXSports.com, report the Colorado Rockies are unlikely to trade for Boston Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell because they cannot afford to pay $12 million for a part-time player. They would not even want him if the Red Sox picked up $6 million of his salary, according to a major league source.

Catcher

C | Yorvit Torrealba | Free Agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports the Toronto Blue Jays have inquired about free-agent C Yorvit Torrealba (Rockies) and are expected to make a formal contract offer, according to an industry source. His agent, Melvin Roman, confirmed that the Blue Jays have reached out to him more than once.

Outfielder

OF | Buck Coats | Kansas City Royals | Transaction
The Kansas City Royals announced the team signed P Josh Rupe (Rangers) and OF Buck Coats (Blue Jays) to minor league contracts.

OF | Fernando Martinez | New York Mets | Injury News
The New York Daily News' Adam Rubin reports New York Mets OF Fernando Martinez (knee) was delayed in beginning his winter ball season because the team was thinking about trading him, according to a person close to his Escogido team in the Dominican Winter League.

OF | Eladio Moronta | New York Yankees | Transaction
Tom Singer, of MLB.com, reports the New York Yankees signed Dominican OF Eladio Moronta to a $570,000 deal Tuesday, Nov. 24, following his one-year suspension by Major League Baseball for misrepresenting his age as 17. He is being compared to former MLB OF Raul Mondesi by some scouts.

OF | Coco Crisp | Free Agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Dick Kaegel, of MLB.com, reports the Kansas City Royals might be inclined to attempt to re-sign OF Coco Crisp.

Starting Pitcher

SP | Brandon Webb | Arizona Diamondbacks | Injury News, Fantasy
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports Arizona Diamondbacks SP Brandon Webb (shoulder) completed his rehab throwing program. He'll be on a normal schedule like the rest of the pitchers in January.

SP | Erik Bedard | Free Agent | Free Agency News
Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan reports the Kansas City Royals are going hard after free-agent SP Erik Bedard (Mariners).

SP | Ben Sheets | Free Agent | Free Agency News
According to The Boston Herald, the Boston Red Sox are asking for medical records on several free-agent pitchers, including SP Ben Sheets (Brewers), SP Rich Harden (Cubs), SP Kelvim Escobar (Angels) and RP Rafael Soriano (Braves).

SP | Rich Harden | Free Agent | Free Agency News
According to The Boston Herald, the Boston Red Sox are asking for medical records on several free-agent pitchers, including SP Ben Sheets (Brewers), SP Rich Harden (Cubs), SP Kelvim Escobar (Angels) and RP Rafael Soriano (Braves).

SP | Jake Westbrook | Cleveland Indians | Injury News, Fantasy
Anthony Castrovince, of MLB.com, reports Cleveland Indians SP Jake Westbrook (elbow) is expected to make three to five starts in the Puerto Rican Winter League this offseason. He has been stretching his arm out this month after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

SP | Roy Halladay | Toronto Blue Jays | Fantasy
SportingNews.com reports the Los Angeles Dodgers are unlikely to pull a trade for Toronto Blue Jays SP Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays would repeatedly ask for SP Chad Billingsley in return, and general manager Ned Colletti said they are not willing to give him up. "We would like to improve our pitching, especially the starting pitching," Colletti said. "I don't believe we can subtract from it in order to improve it."

SP | Chad Billingsley | Los Angeles Dodgers | Fantasy
SportingNews.com reports the Los Angeles Dodgers are unlikely to pull a trade for Toronto Blue Jays SP Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays would repeatedly ask for SP Chad Billingsley in return, and general manager Ned Colletti said they are not willing to give him up. "We would like to improve our pitching, especially the starting pitching," Colletti said. "I don't believe we can subtract from it in order to improve it."

SP | Clay Buchholz | Boston Red Sox | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Anthony Castrovince, of MLB.com, reports the Boston Red Sox could be the best trade partner for the Detroit Tigers and 1B Miguel Cabrera, according to The Detroit News. If the Red Sox sign free-agent SP John Lackey (Angels), they could move SP Clay Buchholz to acquire Cabrera.

SP | Ervin Santana | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Fantasy
Tom Singer, of MLB.com, reports the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are aggressively pursuing Toronto Blue Jays SP Roy Halladay, especially with the chances of losing out on re-signing SP John Lackey. Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos could consider a deal that doesn't include SS Erick Aybar, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Angels looked at trading for Halladay in July, but Aybar was the stumbling block. The Blue Jays could look for a starting pitcher such as Ps Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana in return.

SP | Jered Weaver | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Fantasy
Tom Singer, of MLB.com, reports the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are aggressively pursuing Toronto Blue Jays SP Roy Halladay, especially with the chances of losing out on re-signing SP John Lackey. Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos could consider a deal that doesn't include SS Erick Aybar, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Angels looked at trading for Halladay in July, but Aybar was the stumbling block. The Blue Jays could look for a starting pitcher such as Ps Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana in return.

SP | Joe Saunders | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Fantasy
Tom Singer, of MLB.com, reports the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are aggressively pursuing Toronto Blue Jays SP Roy Halladay, especially with the chances of losing out on re-signing SP John Lackey. Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos could consider a deal that doesn't include SS Erick Aybar, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Angels looked at trading for Halladay in July, but Aybar was the stumbling block. The Blue Jays could look for a starting pitcher such as Ps Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana in return.

Relief Pitcher

RP | Kelvim Escobar | Free Agent | Free Agency News
According to The Boston Herald, the Boston Red Sox are asking for medical records on several free-agent pitchers, including SP Ben Sheets (Brewers), SP Rich Harden (Cubs), SP Kelvim Escobar (Angels) and RP Rafael Soriano (Braves).

RP | Rafael Soriano | Free Agent | Free Agency News
According to The Boston Herald, the Boston Red Sox are asking for medical records on several free-agent pitchers, including SP Ben Sheets (Brewers), SP Rich Harden (Cubs), SP Kelvim Escobar (Angels) and RP Rafael Soriano (Braves).

RP | Mike Hinckley | Baltimore Orioles | Transaction, Free Agency News
The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly report the Baltimore Orioles signed free-agent RP Mike Hinckley (Nationals) to a minor league contract. No financial terms were announced. He is expected to compete with RPs Wilfrido Perez and Alberto Castillo for a left-handed setup spot in the bullpen, barring the Orioles signing a free agent.

RP | Octavio Dotel | Free Agent | Free Agency News
Mark Bowman, of MLB.com, reports the Atlanta Braves may attempt to sign free-agent RP Octavio Dotel (White Sox) and use him as a setup man.

RP | Fernando Rodney | Free Agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Mark Bowman, of MLB.com, reports the Atlanta Braves may target free-agent RP Fernando Rodney (Tigers) if they cannot sign free-agent RP Billy Wagner (Red Sox).

RP | Kiko Calero | Free Agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Joe Frisaro, of MLB.com, reports the Florida Marlins are unlikely to offer salary arbitration to free-agent 1B Nick Johnson (Marlins) and RP Kiko Calero (Marlins). Both players qualified as Type B free agents.