Monday, December 21, 2009
Report: Lowell needs surgery, trade to Texas is off
Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Boston Red Sox third baseman reportedly needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb, and the previously reported trade that would send him to Texas has now been called off.
According to the Boston Globe, Lowell will have surgery after Christmas and is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks. He should be ready in time for spring training.
The trade was expected to send Texas catcher Max Ramirez to Boston.
Lowell is entering the final season of a three-year, $37.5 million contract in which he will make $12 million in 2010.
The 35-year-old Lowell, a four-time All-Star and the 2007 World Series MVP, batted .290 with 17 homers and 75 RBI in 119 games last season. He was out for 2 1/2 weeks in the middle of the season with a hip injury.
Over the course of his career, with the Yankees (1998), Marlins (1999-2005) and Red Sox (2006-09), Lowell has hit .280 with 218 homers and 926 RBI. He won a Gold Glove at third base in 2005.
The 25-year-old Ramirez was acquired by the Rangers from Cleveland in the deal that sent Kenny Lofton back to the Indians in July 2007. Ramirez played in just 17 games in 2008 with the Rangers and spent most of 2009 with Triple-A Oklahoma City, hitting .234 with five homers and 43 RBI in 76 games for the RedHawks.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Report: Blockbuster trade has Phillies landing Halladay
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly agreed on a blockbuster three-team trade that has a pair of former Cy Young Award winners on the move.
According to SI.com on Monday, the Phillies will acquire Roy Halladay from Toronto and will send last year's mid-season acquisition Cliff Lee to Seattle.
The report indicates the trade will not be completed on Monday but says Halladay is in contract-extension talks with Philadelphia, as both he and Lee are eligible for free agency after the 2010 campaign.
Toronto is expected to add prospects in the deal, while the Phillies are reportedly gaining minor-league talent from the Mariners.
Halladay, 32, has spent his entire 12-year career in Toronto and has yet to pitch in the postseason. The veteran made it known prior to last season's trade deadline that he desired to join a contender, though the Blue Jays general manager at the time, J.P. Ricciardi, failed to pull the trigger on shipping the 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner.
The right-hander, who Toronto selected with the 17th overall pick in the 1995 draft, had another sublime season in 2009, pitching to a 2.79 earned-run average while compiling a 17-10 record for the Jays.
The six-time All-Star has logged a 148-76 record throughout his career, coupled with a 3.43 ERA and 1,495 strikeouts in 313 games, 287 of those starts. He has finished in the top five of the AL Cy Young voting in each of the past four seasons.
The Phillies were one of those teams pining for Halladay's services at the trade deadline last year but shifted gears and landed Lee, along with outfielder Ben Francisco, for four prospects from the Cleveland Indians.
Lee didn't disappoint in his short time in Philadelphia, going 7-4 in 12 starts down the stretch with a 3.39 ERA, and carrying the National League champions in the postseason with a 4-0 record and 1.56 ERA in five starts.
The 31-year-old lefty had an incredible 2008 season in Cleveland, where he went 22-3 with a league-best 2.54 ERA in 31 starts to win the AL Cy Young Award that year.
The product of the University of Arkansas has enjoyed an up-and-down career that began in 2002, having a 90-52 record with a 3.97 ERA in 194 games -- 190 starts -- with the Indians and Phillies.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Yankees vs. Red Sox for 2010 Baseball Opener whats your Baseball Pick for 2010?
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Major League Baseball has announced the opening game of the 2010 season will take place between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox on April 4 at Fenway Park.
The game will take place at 8:00 p.m. (et).
The Yankees, the defending World Series champions, will play their fifth season-opening Sunday night game in six seasons.
Boston and New York have previously opened their seasons against one another 29 times, with the Yankees holding an 18-10-1 record in those games. These teams will also end the regular season together at Fenway, which is hosting its first Yankees-Red Sox season opener since 1985.
Recent Offseason Baseball Transactions
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Date Player Transaction
12/02/2009 [Oakland] Joey Devine, P Signed to a one-year contract
12/02/2009 [Cleveland] Jason Grilli, RP Signed as free agent
12/02/2009 [Atlanta] Billy Wagner, RP Agreed to terms on a one-year contract
12/01/2009 [Tampa Bay] Jeff Bennett, RP Designated for assignment
12/01/2009 [Tampa Bay] Kelly Shoppach, C Acquired from Cleveland
12/01/2009 [Cleveland] Kelly Shoppach, C Traded to Tampa Bay
12/01/2009 [Cleveland] Masa Kobayashi, P Signed to play in Japan, (Yomiuri Giants)
12/01/2009 [Philadelphia] Brian Schneider, C Signed to a two-year contract
11/30/2009 [NY Mets] Chris Coste, C Signed as free agent
11/30/2009 [NY Mets] Alex Cora, SS Signed to a one-year contract
11/30/2009 [St. Louis] Ruben Gotay, 2B Signed to a one-year contract
11/30/2009 [St. Louis] Jason LaRue, C Signed to a one-year contract
11/30/2009 [Pittsburgh] Robinzon Diaz, C Released
11/30/2009 [Pittsburgh] Justin Thomas, RP Outrighted to Indianapolis (IL)
11/30/2009 [Pittsburgh] Jeff Karstens, P Outrighted to Indianapolis (IL)
11/30/2009 [Pittsburgh] Wilfredo Ledezma, RP Signed to a minor league contract
11/26/2009 [Toronto] Alex Gonzalez, SS Signed to a one-year contract
Former Yank Henrich dies
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Former New York Yankees star outfielder Tommy Henrich passed away on Tuesday morning. He was 96.
Henrich began playing for the Yankees in 1937 when he left in 1950 he was a five-time All Star and a member of seven World Series Championship teams.
"Tommy was a darn good ballplayer and teammate," said former teammate Yogi Berra. "He always took being a Yankee to heart. He won a lot of championships and did whatever he could to help us win. Being around Tommy made you feel good, whether playing cards or listening to him sing with that great voice. He was a proud man, and if you knew him, he made you proud too."
Over his 11 season in the majors, all with New York, he was a career .282 batter with 269 doubles, 73 triples, 183 home runs and 795 RBI. Prior to the Yankees' 1942 World Series loss vs. St. Louis, he joined the United States Coast Guard and missed three additional full seasons serving during World War II.
"I am saddened by the loss of Tommy Henrich, who was truly one of my personal favorites," said commissioner Bud Selig. "Tommy was a wonderful Yankee known for his professionalism and for his many contributions in big games throughout his All-Star career, which spanned three different decades. 'Old Reliable' was beloved by his Yankee teammates and played on seven World Championship teams. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest sympathy to Tommy's family and friends."
Weiner approved as MLBPA executive director
New York, NY (Sports Network) - The executive board of the Major League Baseball Players Association voted unanimously to approve Michael Weiner as its new executive director, effective immediately.
Weiner replaces Donald Fehr, who announced his decision to retire on June 22, stepping down from a position he had held since December of 1983.
When he announced his decision to step down, Fehr recommended that Weiner take his place, and the executive board on July 7 gave its approval. The MLBPA's endorsement vote announced Friday was an overwhelming majority of 1,055 to four.
"It is with great pleasure that today we officially name Michael Weiner as our next executive director," said Association Player Representative, Tony Clark. "For more than 20 years Michael has worked diligently and tirelessly to support and defend the rights of players. We are extremely confident that the future of our union is in good hands with Michael at the helm. Also, I want to thank Don for all he accomplished on our behalf during his tenure. We all owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude."
Weiner, 47, joined the MLBPA in 1988 as counsel and was the association's general counsel since 2004.
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Yankees don't offer arbitration to Matsui, Damon, Pettitte
Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees failed to offer salary arbitration to World Series MVP Hideki Matsui along with outfielder Johnny Damon and Andy Pettitte, ahead of a Tuesday night deadline.
The decisions mean the Yankees will not receive draft pick compensation if any of the players sign elsewhere.
Tuesday at midnight (et) marks the deadline for teams to offer salary arbitration to their own players to receive possible draft compensation. Players who are offered arbitration have until the conclusion of December 7 to accept the offers. If a player accepts, he is considered a signed player and the parties can either negotiate a new contract or ultimately allow an arbitration panel to determine the salary. If a player rejects arbitration, the club can continue to negotiate with the player, and there is no longer a deadline in which both parties have to reach an agreement.
The Colorado Rockies offered salary arbitration to two of their free agents: right-handed pitchers Rafael Betancourt and Jason Marquis, while declining offers to pitcher Joe Beimel and catcher Yorvit Torrealba. The Rangers did the same for catcher Ivan Rodriguez and outfielder Marlon Byrd.
Some other players offered salary arbitration were Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre, Houston pitcher Jose Valverde, Oakland pitcher Justin Duchscherer, St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday, Angels third baseman Chone Figgins and pitcher John Lackey, and Detroit pitchers Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney.
The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't offer arbitration to pitcher Randy Wolf and second baseman Orlando Hudson.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Ken Griffey is Coming Back Again..
Griffey returning for a 22nd season
Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Ken Griffey Jr. will return for a 22nd major league season, as he has agreed to a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners.
Financial terms were not released, but it is believed to be similar to the $2 million plus incentives pact he received last year.
"I'd like to thank the Mariners organization for inviting me back to play in 2010," said Griffey. "While 2009 was an awesome experience for me, my ultimate goal is for the Mariners to get to and win the World Series. To that end, I look forward to contributing in any role that Don (Wakamatsu) sees fit on the field, and any manner I possibly can off the field."
Griffey, who will turn 40 on November 21, appeared in 117 games for the Mariners this past season, but hit just .214 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI, while serving primarily as the team's designated hitter.
"We believe that Ken's presence with the Seattle Mariners organization was such a positive asset last season with his leadership on and off the field," said Jack Zduriencik. "His passion for baseball, life and the Seattle Mariners goes unsaid. We are happy to have Ken back for the 2010 season."
For his career, though, Griffey ranks fifth all-time with 630 home runs and 16th in RBI with 1,829. He is a 10-time All-Star and also won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1990-1999 to go with his career .285 batting average and .541 slugging percentage.
Griffey, who recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, spent the first 11 years of his career in Seattle, but was granted his trade request following the 1999 season, as Seattle shipped him to Cincinnati in exchange for Mike Cameron, Brett Tomko, Antonio Perez and Jake Meyer.
The Reds did not record a playoff appearance in Griffey's injury-filled time with the team, and he was traded to the White Sox before the trade deadline in 2008. He returned to Seattle prior to last season as a free agent.
Griffey had finished in the top-10 in the MVP voting seven times -- winning in 1997 -- during his years with the Mariners.
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Monday, September 14, 2009
World Series New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The World Series is here and the broad series features the American League Favorite NYY against last years Fall classic champions the Philadelphia Phillies. This is sure to be a thriller in a series we will remember for years to come. Here at Coopers Sports Picks we have all the action for you live gamecast and look forward to delivering on our promise of winning world series predictions.