Fantasy baseball players in the news
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February 2, 2010 @ 12:22:32
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By KFFL Staff
First Baseman
1B | Kevin Millar | Chicago Cubs | Transaction
Updating previous reports, the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports the Chicago Cubs confirmed they have signed 1B Kevin Millar (Orioles) to a minor league deal.
1B | Logan Morrison | Florida Marlins | Fantasy
Joe Capozzi, of The Palm Beach Post, reports Florida Marlins 1B Logan Morrison has been working out since October. He will compete with 1B Gaby Sanchez for a starting job at first base out of Spring Training. "He's ready to play in the big leagues. He's a very impressive kid," baseball operations president Larry Beinfest said. Morrison could also see some time in left field, but 2B Chris Coghlan is currently projected to start there.
1B | Jose Julio Ruiz | free agent | Free Agency News
Alden Gonzalez, of MLB.com, reports Cuban 1B prospect Jose Julio Ruiz is now free to sign with any major league club. ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. reports Ruiz has been unblocked by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control and is now a free agent. Ruiz is "likely to get a multimillion-dollar signing bonus." Talent evaluators think Ruiz moves around well enough to be considered as a left fielder. The Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox have worked Ruiz out.
1B | Justin Morneau | Minnesota Twins | Injury News, Fantasy
Kelsie Smith, of The Pioneer Press, reports Minnesota Twins 1B Justin Morneau (back) will not arrive at Spring Training as early as he has in years past in order to avoid overworking his back. He will also limit the amount of swings he takes from February on into March. Morneau will work more on his core to keep his back strong, and could be more willing to take days off early in the season. "Eventually you have to back off a little bit, but at the same time I wouldn't be where I am if I didn't work as hard as I do. It's that fine line of doing too much and not doing enough," Morneau said. "It's tough. The time when you can take days off is April, May and June, but your body feels good then. You don't feel like you need a day off, but if you take those days off early, then hopefully it will help you late." He believes the grass surface at the team's new stadium will also help his back.
1B | Ryan Garko | Seattle Mariners | Transaction, Fantasy
Gregg Bell, of The Associated Press, reports the Seattle Mariners agreed to terms with free-agent 1B Ryan Garko (Giants) on a one-year, $550,000 deal Monday, Feb. 1. He could double his salary to $1,075,000 if he makes 600 plate appearances this year. Garko will make an additional $25,000 each for 325, 350 and 375 plate appearances. He will make $50,000 each for 425, 450 and 475 appearances, and $100,000 each for 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances.
Second Baseman
2B | Orlando Hudson | free agent | Free Agency News
FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports the Seattle Mariners haven't ruled themselves out of signing free-agent 2B Orlando Hudson (Dodgers).
2B | Felipe Lopez | free agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Updating a previous report, the Colorado Rockies are no longer pursuing free-agent 2B Felipe Lopez (Brewers), according to general manager Dan O'Dowd.
2B | Rickie Weeks | Milwaukee Brewers | Injury News, Fantasy
Tom Haudricourt, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports Milwaukee Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks (wrist) said he is fully recovered from left wrist surgery in May.
2B | Brendan Ryan | St. Louis Cardinals | Fantasy
Matthew Leach, of MLB.com, reports St. Louis Cardinals 2B Brendan Ryan is hitting more than he ever has this offseason. "I don't think he's ever hit this much in the offseason (before)," said 2B Skip Schumaker. "I don't know if he even hit in the offseason before the last couple weeks of spring (in previous years). He hasn't been late one time, which is more incredible than anything I think. He's done a great job. McGwire's been working hard with him, and it's hard not to like Brendan Ryan. He's a good kid, works hard and I think there's going to be some nice improvements."
Shortstop
SS | Orlando Cabrera | Cincinnati Reds | Fantasy
Mark Sheldon, of MLB.com, reports the Cincinnati Reds finalized their one-year, $3 million deal with SS Orlando Cabrera Monday, Feb. 1. He will start at shortstop and will likely take the No. 2 spot in the lineup.
SS | Jose Reyes | New York Mets | Injury News, Fantasy
Anthony DiComo, of MLB.com, reports New York Mets SS Jose Reyes (hamstring) said he will be ready for Spring Training, following a workout Monday, Feb. 1. Reyes ran five 90-foot sprints during his workout.
Third Baseman
3B | Pedro Feliz | Houston Astros | Fantasy
Bernardo Fallas, of the Houston Chronicle, reports Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade expects 3B Pedro Feliz to drive in 85-90 runs this season.
Catcher
C | Joe Mauer | Minnesota Twins | Fantasy
Updating a previous report, Jon Heyman, of SI.com, reports the Minnesota Twins could reach a contract extension with C Joe Mauer in the coming days, though nothing is finalized yet. The talks are believed to revolve around a seven or eight-year deal in excess of $20 million per year, according to people familiar with the discussions.
C | Yorvit Torrealba | free agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
ESPN's Buster Olney reports the San Diego Padres have made a one-year offer to free-agent C Yorvit Torrealba (Rockies).
Outfielder
OF | Reed Johnson | Los Angeles Dodgers | Transaction, Free Agency News
The Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez reports the Los Angeles Dodgers officially signed free-agent OF Reed Johnson (Cubs) to a one-year deal after he passed his physical. He will earn a base salary of $800,000 and can make $250,000 in incentives based on games played and plate appearances.
OF | Johnny Damon | free agent | Free Agency News, Fantasy
Ken Rosenthal, of FOXSports.com, reports the Oakland Athletics have not had any recent talks with the representatives of free-agent OF Johnny Damon (Yankees), according to a source.
OF | Willy Taveras | Oakland Athletics | Transaction, Fantasy
ESPN.com reports the Oakland Athletics designated OF Willy Taveras for assignment Monday, Feb. 1.
Starting Pitcher
SP | Jarrod Washburn | free agent | Free Agency News
FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports a source doubts the New York Mets have a real shot to sign free-agent SP Jarrod Washburn (Tigers).
SP | Chien-Ming Wang | free agent | Injury News, Free Agency News
Dodgers.MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports the Los Angeles Dodgers saw free-agent SP Chien-Ming Wang (shoulder) throw off flat ground last week, and they think he's at least three months away from being able to pitch in a game.
SP | Noah Lowry | free agent | Injury News, Free Agency News, Fantasy
The Associated Press reports free-agent SP Noah Lowry (shoulder) pushed back his scheduled throwing session Tuesday, Feb. 2, for interested major league teams. Damon Lapa, Lowry's agent, said Lowry did not suffer a setback but has decided to throw a few more bullpen sessions before being evaluated.
SP | Kris Benson | free agent | Free Agency News
Jon Paul Morosi, of FOXSports.com, reports free-agent SP Kris Benson (Rangers) is "100 percent" ready to pitch and is expected to sign with a team within the next few weeks, according to his agent, Gregg Clifton. Benson has already thrown for two interested teams, and his fastball has reached 92 to 93 mph during both of his 90-pitch sessions. Clifton said Benson is also throwing his fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers might be in the market for additional pitching help.
SP | Francisco Liriano | Minnesota Twins | Fantasy
Kelly Thesier, of MLB.com, reports Minnesota Twins SP Francisco Liriano's fastball velocity has gone up during his play in winter ball this year. His fastball was topping out at 95-96 mph and his slider was in the high 80s. "I'm throwing a little harder now and I've got better control," Liriano said. "I'm locating my fastball better. My slider is way better too. The first year coming back from my surgery, my arm didn't hurt at all but I didn't have the power in it. Now I feel stronger than before." Liriano also looks like he has lost some weight in the offseason. He said he has been focusing more on his physical conditioning, including running more often.
Relief Pitcher
RP | Jason Frasor | Toronto Blue Jays | Fantasy
BlueJays.MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said the closer duties will be between RPs Scott Downs, Jason Frasor and anyone else the team signs.
RP | Kiko Calero | free agent | Injury News
Marlins.MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports if the Florida Marlins make an offer to re-sign RP Kiko Calero (arm), the offer is likely to be a small one because the team is worried about the health of his arm.
