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More news and notes

sportsblognet — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:31 +0000

Goodness…nothing happens for what seems like weeks on end and all of a sudden we’re bombarded with news! Here goes… The Pirates are apparently interested in Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi, according to MLBTR. Neal Huntington on the subject: “In acquiring [Akinori] Iwamura, we opened the door to getting Japanese players. We gave up a middle reliever to [...]

The fab four?

sportsblognet — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:33:34 +0000

Yesterday brought the news that four former managers are on the Veteran’s Committee ballot for the Hall of Fame. They are: Gene Mauch, Danny Murtaugh, Whitey Herzog and Billy Martin. They all managed in the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s and each had good, though not spectacular careers. If I had to offer a baseball metaphor, [...]

Jason Varitek Exercises Contract Option for 2010

sportsblognet — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:37:11 +0000

Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has exercised his $3 million player option, and will return to the team in 2010. On Monday, the Sox chose not to pick up the $5 million team option for Varitek, which triggered the player option. The Sox picked up the $7 million contract option on their other catcher, Victor [...]

A great video to bookmark

lennysyankees — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:18:00 +0000

Highlights of Yankees game 6 and ticker-tape parade

Yankees fans: If you are feeling sad, or it is a rainy day, all you have to do is watch this two minute clip.

A free video to relive the final game of the World Series and the parade. Genius.

Jason Varitek Picks Up Player Option

FenwayWest — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:49:56 +0000

Jason Varitek has picked up his player option and will be back with the Red Sox next season for $3 million. The team had given him until midnight tonight to make a decision on the player option. Theo has already announced that Victor Martinez will be the starting catcher for the '10 season meaning Varitek will be limited to a backup role.

Missing Nomar: The Red Sox Shortstop Search Continues

sportsblognet — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:30:22 +0000

Fourteen players have started at shortstop since the beginning of the 2004 season: Nomar Garciaparra, Pokey Reese, Cesar Crespo, Ricky Gutierrez, Mark Bellhorn, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Royce Clayton, Alex Cora, Alex Gonzalez, Julio Lugo, Dustin Pedroia, Jed Lowrie and Nick Green. Only Gonzalez, Cora, Lugo and Renteria made more than 100 starts at the [...]

O’Hare Hilton Update

bullpenbrian — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:16:15 +0000

Just heard baseball reporter Bruce Levine say on ESPN 1000 that Jim Hendry is working hard on laying the foundation for a Bradley trade. With the GM meeting having wrapped up at Noon Wednesday and no word of a Bradley deal (at least not yet, anyway) it seems most likely a Milton deal gets done [...]

2010 Pirates Spring Training Schedule

sportsblognet — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:43:12 +0000

Full schedule after the jump: Via the PBC Blog and Pirates.com… Feb 17 – Pitchers and catchers report Feb 22 – Position players report Feb 23 – First full-squad workout March 2 State College of Florida (formerly Manatee Community College) 12:05 PM March 3 at Yankees 1:15 PM March 4 at Braves March 5 at Orioles (who are now based in Sarasota) 7:05 PM March [...]

Really? The Brewers didn’t want Matt Capps?

sportsblognet — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:25:48 +0000

On Friday, the Brewers sent shortstop J.J. Hardy to Minnesota for OF Carlos Gomez. Turns out that the Pirates were in the Hardy sweepstakes as well–looking to upgrade from Ronny Cedeno at short. The Bucs offered Matt Capps to the Brew Crew. Gomez, Hardy, and Capps are all coming off down seasons, so I suppose it [...]

J-Bay, Godzilla or Holliday

FenwayWest — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:18:04 +0000

The Red Sox need somebody to play in front of the monster and the three biggest free agent names have all drawn interest.

If Jason Bay goes elsewhere the team may be willing to offer Matsui a mulit-year deal.

The Mariners and Mets are taking a look at Bay.

The Red Sox are also willing to make an offer to Matt Holliday.

After Nov. 20, Jason Bay will be free to sign with any team. It is unlikely that the Red Sox land him before that point, as he will like to see the offers from other teams before returning to negotiations with Boston. I still believe he will return to the Red Sox with a multi-year deal sometime around Thanksgiving. When is Canadian Thanksgiving anyway?