Yankees ship Tony Womack to Cincinnati

December 8, 2005
DALLAS --The best Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees could do at the winter meetings was to unload Tony Womack and add lefty specialist Mike Myers to the bullpen. That wasn't bad as far as their general manager was concerned.
"I wasn't optimistic coming into it," Cashman said Thursday before heading back to New York. "It's a weak free-agent market."
After trading Womack to Cincinnati for a pair of 24-year-old prospects, the Yankees were still looking for a starting center fielder. Johnny Damon is available and New York talked to his agent, Scott Boras. But Boras is seeking a seven-year contract in the neighborhood of $84 million.
The Yankees also would like to bring back longtime star Bernie Williams for one more year in a reserve role. The team offered him salary arbitration Wednesday, giving the sides another month to work out a possible deal. Williams has until Dec. 19 to accept arbitration, but he and the Yankees likely have an understanding that he will decline.
Myers agreed to a two-year contract worth $2.4 million, he said in a phone interview Thursday. The deal is pending a physical, which he expects to take in the next five or six days.
"The Yankees were one of my targeted teams this winter," Myers said. "Just knowing a couple of the other guys, I don't think it will be hard to fit in there. ... I'm excited."
The 36-year-old lefty went 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA in 65 games for Boston last season. Used mainly against left-handed hitters, he pitched only 37 1-3 innings.
"You don't win unless you have the seventh and eighth inning covered with someone outside of your closer," Myers said. "It's nice to see middle relievers get their due."
The Yankees shipped Womack to the Reds for infielder Kevin Howard and outfielder Ben Himes, getting rid of the second baseman-turned-outfielder just one season after signing him. New York also will send $900,000 to the Reds to offset part of Womack's $2 million salary next season.
"We'll try to take that extra million-one and spend it wisely in the free-agent market," Cashman said. "I'm satisfied that the move we made today is the right move for us."
Womack hit .307 to help St. Louis win the NL pennant in 2004, then became a free agent and agreed to a $4 million, two-year contract with the Yankees last December.
He was their starting second baseman for the first month of the season, but slumped badly and lost his job when they brought up rookie Robinson Cano. Womack was shifted to left field on May 3, then wound up sitting on the bench for long stretches.
"We are delighted to have him," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "I think he feels, too, it'll be a much better fit."
Womack played 24 games at second, 40 in left, 22 in center and four in right for New York. O'Brien said the Reds plan to use him all over the field, too, and in a variety of roles.
"We just felt he was more of a prototypical National League type of player. Our lineup needed an additional speed component," O'Brien said. "I know he's in outstanding shape. I wouldn't sell him short on what he's capable of accomplishing this year."
Womack batted just .249 with 15 RBIs, 27 steals and only nine extra-base hits last season. He didn't get an at-bat during New York's five-game loss to the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the playoffs.
Howard hit .296 with 70 RBIs for Double-A Chattanooga last season and led the Arizona Fall League with a .409 batting average.
"Some upside there," Cashman said.

Source: http://www.boston.com/

Pirates acquire Marte, Santos

12/08/2005
DALLAS -- The Pittsburgh Pirates concluded the Winter Meetings with a flurry Thursday. In a span of three hours, the Bucs severed ties with their Opening Day third baseman, added two experienced arms to their staff and traded their long-time supersub.
The chain reaction of transactions began when the Pirates released third baseman Ty Wigginton to clear a spot on their 40-man roster, which Pittsburgh in turn used to pluck right-hander Victor Santos from the Kansas City Royals with the fourth overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft.
The Pirates wrapped up a busy day by sending infielder/outfielder Rob Mackowiak to the Chicago White Sox for former Pirates left-handed reliever Damaso Marte.
Although the Pirates and White Sox will not comment on the deal because both players have physicals pending, a source with one of the teams confirmed the trade, as did Mackowiak.
Mackowiak, 29, overcame long odds to make the Pirates in 2001 after being drafted in the 53rd round four years earlier. In five seasons with the Bucs, the versatile Mackowiak batted .258 with 52 home runs and 221 RBIs.
For Mackowiak, who grew up just outside of Chicago and was a White Sox fan as a kid, it was bittersweet news to find out that he had been traded from the only organization he had ever known to his home town team.
"It's the team you root for as a kid, it's a winning team and you always dream of playing for a team that has a chance at a championship," said Mackowiak. "But it's always tough to leave the place that you have been your whole career. They gave you your chance and you feel like you owe them the world."
Marte, 30, blossomed into one of the top left-handed relievers in the American League after being traded from Pittsburgh to Chicago in 2002. In four seasons with the White Sox, Marte was 14-12 with 31 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 279 appearances.
Marte will earn $2.25 million in 2006, with a club option for $3 million in 2007 and a buyout of $250,000.
Wigginton, 28, joined the Pirates on July 30, 2004, as the centerpiece of a five-player deal that sent Kris Benson to the New York Mets. But after showing promise in New York, Wigginton struggled throughout most of his tenure with the Bucs. In 115 games with Pittsburgh, Wigginton batted .237 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs.
"It was simply performance," Pirates GM Dave Littlefield said of his decision to cut ties with Wigginton. "We were certainly rooting for it to happen and Ty put forth a great effort. It just didn't work out as well as we hoped or he hoped."
Wigginton, who made just six starts after Sept. 1, wasn't surprised to learn that he was no longer a part of Pittsburgh's future plans.
"You could tell that they were going to go in a different direction, and that's fine," said Wigginton. "I'm excited and a little nervous. I'll see what is out there and find the best fit for me."
Santos, 29, is an atypical Rule 5 selection in that he has five years of big league experience. Santos was 4-13 with 4.57 ERA in 29 appearances with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005. He has a 17-33 career mark and a 4.57 ERA in 125 games with the Brewers, Rangers, Rockies and Tigers.
Santos will likely compete with Josh Fogg and Ian Snell for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, at least until Sean Burnett is ready to return from his elbow and shoulder surgeries. "[Santos] gives us another option," said Littlefield. "It's a good fit. He's a guy who has had some experience in the big leagues and he's started a fair amount."
The Pirates also tied up some loose ends Thursday by acquiring a pair of players to be named from past deals.
The Bucs received Chad Blackwell, 22, from the Royals to compete the Mark Redman-for-Jonah Bayliss deal a day earlier. In 48 relief appearances with Class A Burlington in 2005, Blackwell went 7-4 with a 2.23 ERA and 14 saves, and he also allowed three runs in two innings with Class A High Desert. Blackwell was Kansas City's sixth pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.
The Pirates closed the book on the Nov. 21 Bobby Hill deal by acquiring right-hander Clayton Hamilton from the San Diego Padres. Hamilton, 23, went 9-6 with a 2.88 ERA in 20 starts with Class A Fort Wayne last season and 2-2 with a 5.14 ERA in seven games (six starts) with Class A Lake Elsinore. The Beaver Falls, Pa., native was San Diego's 17th-round pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/

Yankees' Matsui to play for Japan in Classic

December 9, 2005
DALLAS — The Yankees aren't big supporters of the World Baseball Classic. But Hideki Matsui had little choice but to play for Japan.
Manager Sadaharu Oh, the legendary home-run hitter, said yesterday that Matsui would play for Japan in March. The roster will be announced today.
"Will I put him in? Yeah, that's right," Oh told reporters in Japan.
Three other major-leaguers — Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi and San Diego reliever Akinori Otsuka — have committed to play.
Matsui has not officially said he will play, but Japanese reports suggested that was a formality.
Japan will open pool play against South Korea, Taiwan and China on March 3 at the Tokyo Dome. Matsui is not expected to join the Yankees in spring training until after the tournament is over or Japan is eliminated, whichever comes first.
Mets take Wylie: The Mets selected right-handed reliever Mitch Wylie in the Rule 5 draft on the final day of the winter meetings.
Wylie, 28, was described by assistant GM John Ricco as a "power arm with a lot of upside."
Wylie started last season with the independent Northern League before being signed by the San Francisco Giants in June. He was 3-5 with a 4.50 ERA for Class AAA Fresno. In 66 innings he allowed 68 hits and struck out 58 with 15 walks.
"Our reports were that he threw very good. He has average velocity to plus. It's the Rule 5 draft so you take a chance," GM Omar Minaya said.
The Mets would have to either keep Wylie on the 25-man roster all season or offer him back to the Giants for $25,000.
The Yankees passed on their selection.
Both New York clubs lost players in the minor-league phases of the draft. The Mets saw right-hander Celso Rondon (Tampa Bay) and second baseman David Baccani (Boston) drafted off their Class AA roster.
The Yankees lost Class AA outfielder Erold Andrus to Minnesota.
Extra bases: Yankees GM Brian Cashman said the team has had no internal discussions about Roger Clemens. Nor has there been any progress in signing Bernie Williams, although that could happen shortly. ... Joe Torre has a busy schedule. He will appear on Fox News Channel with Bill O'Reilly tomorrow night and will be in Florence, Italy, on Wednesday to carry the Olympic torch on its way to Torino. ... Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano will ring the opening bell at the New York Board of Trade this morning.

Source: http://www.thejournalnews.com/

Clemens unsure of future

December 8, 2005
DALLAS — The Houston Astros' decision last night not to offer arbitration to Roger Clemens does not open the door for the future Hall of Famer's return to New York — either as a Met or Yankee — as much as it lays the groundwork for a possible third season in Texas.
By not being offered arbitration, Clemens becomes a free agent and cannot re-sign with Houston until May 1.
Despite a desire to add to their rotation, the Mets don't have any plans to negotiate with Clemens, while the Yankees are expected to report to spring training with five starters.
Under normal circumstances, missing spring training and the first month of the season would put a 43-year old pitcher hopelessly behind, but the World Baseball Classic makes this an abnormal spring.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner wanted to represent the United States in the last Olympics and was disappointed when the team didn't qualify. Representing his country on an international stage is a dream, and the Astros' decision affords him that opportunity while also giving him time to ascertain his physical status and desire to play another season.
"I can't say," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said of Clemens' reasoning. "I don't know what his thinking is."
However, Clemens' agents, brothers Alan and Randy Hendricks, said this was expected.
"That is a scenario," Alan Hendricks said about the World Baseball Classic. "Anything is possible."
The Astros didn't offer Clemens arbitration because the right-hander who made $18 million last year, led the major leagues with a 1.87 ERA and took Houston to its first World Series would have gotten another huge contract.
"The health is not an issue," Astros GM Tim Purpura said of the strained hamstring Clemens sustained in the World Series.
"It's the willingness of Roger to play, and we just don't know that. To tie up resources for that long of a period of time would really hurt our ability to move forward."
Randy Hendricks will listen to offers, which likely won't come soon because Clemens isn't expect to make a decision until late January or early February.
So, if Clemens pitches beyond the World Baseball Classic, figure another season with Andy Pettitte rather than the tantalizing prospect of a Clemens-Randy Johnson or Clemens-Pedro Martinez rotation tandem.
If the Yankees are interested, GM Brian Cashman wasn't tipping his hand.
"I don't have any reaction,'' Cashman said, smiling. "I don't want to start a back page. We all know who Roger Clemens is. But that's for another time. I will be engaging all players in the free-agent market ... I'm going to keep saying that.''
The Astros said there's no deal in place with Clemens for after the Classic and it is possible the tournament could be his last performance on a competitive stage.
"Until he gets to the point that he decides he wants to play, I don't think anybody can guess when or if he would come back," Purpura said. "There's no deal that that will happen, no preconceived approach to that issue."
Randy Hendricks said Clemens could return if he comes out of the Classic rejuvenated.
"I expect that will be a form of a litmus test to see how feels about playing, mentally and physically," Hendricks said.

Source: http://www.nyjournalnews.com/

Grady Little entertains Los Angeles media

Friday December 9, 2005
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Grady Little has a folksy manner about him that smacks of Texas -- no surprise because he's from Abilene and spent four years in his home state as a cotton farmer.
With the exception of one well-publicized glitch, Little seemed to handle Boston just fine, and vice versa. Now, he's playing Los Angeles, and appeared at home Friday despite the bright lights.
Hired as manager of the Dodgers during the winter meetings in Dallas, Little met with local press for the first time, and spoke optimistically concerning the future despite the team's disastrous 2005 season.
"The money," Little replied when asked what attracted him to his new job, drawing a chuckle from the assembled media.
"No, this is the Los Angeles Dodgers," he said. "I've been to a storied place (in Boston). This is the Dodgers. I'm sure we're going to have a product on the field that's going to make everyone proud."
The 55-year-old Little managed in the minor leagues for 16 years before being hired by the Red Sox in 2002. They went 188-136 and reached the playoffs in each of his two years as field boss before being let go after the 2003 season.
There isn't a Red Sox fan alive who doesn't know why that decision was made, and Little broached the subject Friday before anyone could ask.
He stayed with pitching ace Pedro Martinez in the eighth inning of Game 7 in the 2003 AL championship series, and the decision backfired. The Yankees scored three runs to tie the game, then earned the World Series berth on Aaron Boone's homer in the 11th inning.
"It was a big game that meant a lot to a lot of people," Little recalled. "I made a decision, and the results were bad. What are you going to do? I went on with my life."

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/

Mets sign infielder Julio Franco

12/09/2005
The New York Mets today signed free agent infielder Julio Franco to a two-year contract.
Franco, who turned 47 on August 23, will enter his 29th professional season in 2006. He is the oldest player in the majors. Julio hit .275 (64-233) with 30 runs scored, 12 doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 42 RBI in 108 games last season in Atlanta. He also led the Braves with 14 pinch-hits.
"I have admired Julio Franco for years," said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya. "Julio can help us off the bench as a pinch-hitter and in the field at first base. He brings a legendary workout routine and a positive energy to the clubhouse."
Julio ranks 78th on the All-Time Hit List with 2,521 base hits and is fourth among active players. Only Rafael Palmeiro (3,020), Craig Biggio (2,795) and Barry Bonds (2,742) have more hits. Franco has the most hits (2,521) by a Dominican-born player in major league history.
Since 2001, Franco has hit .292 (344-1,178) with 59 doubles, seven triples, 29 home runs and 171 RBI in 466 contests with the Braves.
Julio's next home run will make him the oldest in major league history to crack a home run. Athletics' pitcher Jack Quinn was 46 years and 357 days old when he went deep on June 27, 1930. Franco is also the oldest player to hit a grand slam, hit a pinch-hit home run, register a multi-home run game, swipe two bases in a game and is the second oldest to collect a triple.
The 6-1, 210-pounder is a three-time All-Star (1989, 1990 and 1991) and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1990 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field.
Franco has constructed a .299 (2,521-8,422) batting average, with 394 doubles, 54 triples, 170 home runs and 1,152 RBI in 2,377 games with the Phillies, Indians, Rangers, White Sox, Brewers, Devil Rays and Braves. Julio made his major league debut in 1982 with the Phillies.
He has more than 3,800 hits between the majors, minors and his time in Japan, Korea and Mexico.
A five-time Silver Slugger (1988-1991, 1994), Julio owns three of the top four highest single-season batting averages by a player who is 43-or-older (.309 in 2004, .294 in 2003 and .284 in 2002). Only Hall of Famer Sam Rice is in the top four with his .293 batting average in 1934 at age 44.

Source: http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/

This Day in Sports

12/10/2005
----------- 1810 - Marked the first interracial championship fight in history. Tim Molineaux, an American black, lost his bid for the heavyweight championship in the 14th round to Tom Cribb at Copthall Common, England. 1896 - Wesleyan University defeated Yale 4-3 in the first intercollegiate basketball game in New Haven, Connecticut. 1939 - The Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants, 27-0, in the first shutout in NFL championship history. 1946 - Walter Johnson, nicknamed the "The Big Train", died in Washington D.C. Johnson led the majors 12 of his 21 years in strikeouts and finished with a career total of 3,508. 1961 - Houston's Billy Cannon registered 373 yards in total yards in a 48-21 drubbing of the New York Titans. Cannon ran for 216 yards and caught five passes for 114 more while scoring five touchdowns. 1971 - In what may very well be one of the worst trades in major league history, the New York Mets dealt Nolan Ryan, along with pitcher Don Rose, catcher Francisco Estrada and outfielder Leroy Stanton to the California Angels for infielder Jim Fregosi. 1977 - Adolph Rupp died at the age of 77. Rupp compiled an 876-190 record at the University of Kentucky. - In his second year of riding, Steve Cauthen became the first jockey to win $6 million in a single season when he rode a three-year-old filly, Little Happiness, to victory in the sixth race at Aqueduct. 1982 - Michael Dokes KO'd Mike Weaver in the first round to capture the WBA heavyweight title in Las Vegas. 1986 - Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins scored 57 points on Chicago en route to a 123-95 rout. 1994 - Colorado's Rashaan Salaam became only the fourth Division I-A running back to gain 2,000 yards in one season. - Art Monk set an NFL record of 178 straight games with a reception when he made a five-yard catch on New York Jets first play from scrimmage in an 18-7 loss to Detroit. 1997 - University of Nebraska head football coach Tom Osborne announced his resignation, effective after the Orange Bowl after nearly a quarter of a century at the reigns. 1999 - Colorado goaltender Patrick Roy tied Tony Esposito for third place on the NHL's all-time career win mark with his 423rd victory. - Laffit Pincay became the all-time winningest jockey, surpassing Willie Shoemaker, with his 8,334th career victory. - Blue Jays first baseman Carlos Delgado became the highest paid Toronto athlete after signing a three-year, $36 million contract. - Bulls guard Hersey Hawkins had his consecutive game streak halted at 527 games after missing his game against Nets because of a torn left calf muscle. - Knicks center Patrick Ewing made his first appearance of the season. Ewing had been sidelined with an ailing Achilles tendon. The Knicks opened the season with an 11-9 mark without Ewing. 2000 - The University of Connecticut won its second soccer national championship defeating Creighton, 2-0. - St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk rushed for a team record four touchdowns leading the Rams to a 40-29 win over the Minnesota Vikings. - Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith became the third player in NFL history to rush for over 15,000 yards. 2003 - The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Dan Reeves. Wade Phillips was named the interim head coach. - The Washington Capitals fired head coach Bruce Cassidy. Glen Hanlon was named the new head coach. - The Phoenix Suns fired head coach Frank Johnson. Mike D'Antoni was named the new head coach. 2004 - Brent Guy, a former Utah State assistant, was named the 25th head football coach of the Aggies.

Source: http://www.zwire.com/

Dodgers sign catcher Alomar Jr.

12/10/2005
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers withdrew their final offer to Paul Bako on Wednesday night because they decided instead to sign Sandy Alomar Jr. as their backup catcher.
Alomar, 39 and a 16-year veteran, agreed Saturday to a one-year contract for $650,000. Alomar, six years older than Bako, is nearing the end of a career that includes six All-Star appearances, but he has tailed off in recent years, in part because of numerous injuries. He has had 12 stints on the disabled list and seven knee operations, five on the left and two on the right.
He is the brother of standout second baseman Robbie Alomar. Their father, Sandy Sr., was a longtime player and Major League coach and currently is on Mets manager Willie Randolph's coaching staff.
Alomar Jr. played 46 games for the Rangers this year, and the Dodgers are hoping he doesn't play more than that for them. He is being signed more as a mentor to young catchers Dioner Navarro and Russell Martin than anything. Alomar hit .273 without a home run in 46 games this year, and he did not throw out any of 17 opposing base stealers.
He won the Rookie of the Year Award and Gold Glove in 1990, and he appeared in the postseason six times, including two trips to the World Series with the Indians. He has five home runs in 10 postseason series. His best offensive year was 1997, when he hit .324 with 21 homers and 83 RBIs.
Bako, 34 and coming off knee surgery, could have handled the mentor role as well, but his negotiations broke down Wednesday night when the Dodgers would not match the $700,000 offer he had from the Royals and withdrew the $650,000 offer that had been on the table. Bako played only 13 games backing up Jason Phillips before blowing out his knee.

Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/

Kiner won't be put in corner

December 10, 2005
In October, the great Ralph Kiner turned 83 and also completed his 43rd season in the Mets' broadcast booth.
While Kiner, the last living member of the Mets' original announcing team (his legendary partners were Lindsey Nelson and Bob Murphy), made limited booth appearances in 2005, he still flashed his remarkable story-telling ability, insights and sense of humor.
So, with SportsNet New York, the new home of the Mets (owned by the Mets, Time Warner and Comcast), debuting in the spring, what does the future hold for Kiner?
Well-embedded moles say Ralphie will be part of the Mets' programming package, but not as a member of the broadcast team.
Spies say SNY brass realizes the importance of keeping a focus on Mets history. Continuing to link past with present is a priority and concern.
Kiner will play a key part in this. He could be used as an essayist/storyteller on SNY's non-game programming. He also could pop up as a studio analyst featured on SNY's nightly sportscasts. Then, of course, there's always the possibility of some special editions of the popular "Kiner's Korner."
If you want to look at this as the inevitable winding down of Kiner's broadcast career, fine. And yet, it's clear SNY suits believe the Hall of Famer still has a lot to give. And they will look to capitalize on that fact.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/

Get.Tejeda.Now

December 11, 2005

The new game in town, if you haven't noticed, is whether the Cubs can match the breakthrough of the 2005 White Sox. Based on their hit-and-miss offseason so far, I will assume they cannot ... unless they shock me by seizing a wonderful new opportunity. I would like to think Jim Hendry and the Tribsters, flush with cash in their Sammy-and-Nomar-free budget, are sincere in their assertion that they will inquire about Miguel Tejada, a wise man who wants out of a hideous situation in Baltimore.
Amen to that. When my kid cousin can gloat and all I can do is hang my head, something has to change (j/k Eric).
Enter the Cubs. The area code for Crabtown, in case Hendry forgets from his Sammy Sosa-peddling days, is 410. Still searching for a prominent middle infielder and armed with megabucks after whiffing on Furcal, he never has encountered a more important possibility in his suddenly wobbly general-managing tenure. Package kid shortstop Ronny Cedeno, kid pitcher Rich Hill, the useless Patterson -- really, any collection of players the Orioles want other than Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Pierre, Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano. Throw in the ticket-scalping operation, if need be. Because fun as it will be watching Pierre scratch his way onto base, he isn't worth 20 victories by himself. Let Hendry be excited about Cliff Floyd, who had a nice year for the Mets. And Julio Lugo, who would be a serviceable shortstop. And Milton Bradley, whose over-under on his first psycho temper tantrum is April Fools' Day. None of those moves would push the Cubs toward the Holy Grail.
Tejada is another story.
I like Mariotti's list of untouchables, although I would add a few of our prospects to it after watching us give up a swath of great pitching prospects for Pierre.
The problem is this: Tejada wants out, but the Orioles aren't desperate to sell. And since they're not looking to unlead him, the Cubbies are going to have to give up something real.
Yes, it will probably hurt, but landing Tejada would give the Cubs three all-star infielders all age 30 and other. That, to me, spells endurance.
So who are some of the players not on the list that the Orioles might take? The one that jumps out is Ryan Dempster. Slated to be the Cubs' closer, he is an able big-league starter and he's only 28 years old. The Orioles could use him either way. They struck out landing a closer at the winter meetings, and their rotation is full of holes as well.
In addition to Dempster, the Cubs could throw in Neifi Perez, who would fill the O's hole in short. There's also Patterson (if they want him) and prospects like Ronny Cedeno or one of the young bullpen arms the Cubs have (Novoa, Wellemeyer, Ohman); all are expendable for the right cause.
This would leave the Cubs without a closer, but we just spent almost $25 million on relievers, so some combination of existing hurlers should be able to get the job done. Personally, I think Scott Williamson or Todd Wellemeyer (if he's still around) could do well in the role, but I've been accused of naive enthusiasm for these two.
Regardless, the opportunity here is to have the best infield in the National League and the second best in the majors, and that is just too good to pass up.
If the Cubs could pull this off, the could start Jose Macias in right field for all I care.
Mariotti closes by nicely summarizing what's at stake:
No team in American sports should feel more urgency than the Cubs. Now that the Sox have beaten them to the ultimate Chicago dream, every day is going to be hell until they write the same story.

Source: http://papafamilias.stblogs.org/

Dykstra: Reflect, Rejoice, Profit and Prosper

12/12/2005
The holiday season is upon us and with its arrival, we will be taking part in a multitude of festivities. That said, don't let your guard down! In order to remain true to our financial game plan, we must stay disciplined.
Here are my picks for this week:
At an investors' conference on Dec. 8, Tribune Co. (TRB:NYSE - news - research - Cramer's Take) CEO Dennis FitzSimons told investors "clearly the year hasn't been what we hoped it would be." Well, I guess that's why shares of one of the country's top media companies are on sale.
The Tribune Company says it reaches more than 80% of U.S. households and is "the only media organization" with newspapers, television stations and the Internet in the nation's top three markets -- New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
On top of that, this media monster, founded in 1847, owns the Chicago Cubs. Granted, more than 95 years have gone by since the team's last World Championship; in fact, it's been over half a century since its last World Series appearance. Still, the team embodies much of what makes baseball uniquely great and magical. That said, the Chicago Cubs alone are worth close to half a billion dollars. And as every Major League Baseball season passes, the Chicago Cubs are worth more money.
What am I trying to say? If you split up the Tribune Company -- whose other assets include The Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and myriad broadcasting and entertainment businesses -- the breakup value alone is worth well north of $30 a share!
This stock is grossly undervalued and should hold its 52-week low set last week at $30.24. I am looking for a rebound to its 50-day moving average at $32.24.
Remember, my job for all of you who have been following my advice is to make you money! That's exactly what we are going to do with this week's second pick, Verizon Communications (VZ:NYSE - news - research - Cramer's Take), which owns the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 49.3 million voice and data customers. The stock is undervalued and testing its 50-day moving average at $31.06; I am looking for a rebound toward the 200-day moving average at $33.51.

Source: http://www.thestreet.com/

Cards Add LHP Rincon To Bullpen

12/12/2005
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Cardinals took a step toward rebuilding their bullpen, reaching a preliminary agreement on a $2.9 million, two-year contract with free agent pitcher Ricardo Rincon.The contract is contingent on the 35-year-old left-hander passing a physical. Rincon's agent, Dave Stewart, said his client chose the Cardinals over the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics.Rincon played for the Athletics the last three seasons, going 1-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 67 games in 2005. He has a career 3.53 ERA and fills a vacancy for a left-handed reliever after disgruntled Ray King got his wish for a trade and was dealt to the Rockies."With them moving Ray King, it leaves a real good opportunity for him to get in 60, 65, 70 games," Stewart said Monday.Stewart said Rincon didn't want to stay in Oakland because he had become a situational left-hander there and wanted the opportunity to pitch to right-handed hitters as well."He'll get a chance to face both lefties and righties," Stewart said. "Obviously he's got some stuff to prove, but he'll get that opportunity there."The Cardinals have two other left-handers competing for bullpen jobs, Randy Flores and rookie Tyler Johnson, but still have a handful of vacancies. Al Reyes is out for the season following elbow surgery, Julian Tavarez wasn't offered a contract and Cal Eldred retired.

Source: http://www.ksdk.com/

Rogers, Tigers Finalize $16 Million Deal

DETROIT (AP) -- Kenny Rogers expects to win with the Detroit Tigers. "They're an organization that is on the way up," Rogers said Monday after agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract to pitch for a team that hasn't had a winning record since 1993. "They're going to do everything they can to bring a winner to the community, and I don't think that's in the too distant future."
Rogers, a 41-year-old left-hander, and the Tigers reached a preliminary agreement last week. Detroit hopes the three-time All-Star will be the productive veteran its rotation has lacked.
"It's just what we need," team president Dave Dombrowski said.
Rogers was 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA this year and won a career-high 18 games in 2004 with the Texas Rangers.
"This guy was an All-Star six months ago," new Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "I can't tell you how happy I am about that."
But Rogers is most remembered for a tirade on June 29 in which he shoved two television cameramen while walking onto the field. He was suspended for 20 games, a penalty the players' association appealed. It was reduced to 13 games by an arbitrator.
Rogers realizes when his name is mentioned, his confrontation is, too.
"It doesn't bother me," he insisted. "It's not like the first mistake I've made in my life. I've never professed to being perfect.
"For any fans, I would hope they will see what type of guy I am, and make their decisions based on that."
Rogers' major league career began in 1989, and he has a 190-131 record with a 4.21 ERA with Texas, the New York Yankees and Mets, Oakland and Minnesota.
Dombrowski said the Tigers evaluated all pitchers available _ via free agency and trades _ and determined Rogers was the best fit.
"We have the person that is the proven winner out of the group," Dombrowski said. "He's won more games than any of the free-agent pitchers out there."
Rogers said as long as his desire to compete is there, he plans to keep pitching.
"The type of pitcher I am now, it lends itself to being consistent," he said. "I do know how to locate. I do know how to pitch and change speeds."
Despite a desperate need for pitching, Texas made no effort to re-sign Rogers, who had three stints with the Rangers, a team that drafted him as a 17-year-old outfielder and turned him into a pitcher.
"Getting away from Texas is something I wanted," Rogers said. "Texas is one of the most difficult parks to pitch in, but I was able to do it and do it pretty well."
Rogers, who replaces Jason Johnson in Detroit's rotation, will lead a staff that includes 23-year-old Jeremy Bonderman, and 28-year-olds Mike Maroth and Nate Robertson. Johnson, a free agent, was 16-28 for Detroit the past two seasons.
The Tigers also have taken a step toward improving their bullpen. They added closer Todd Jones last week with an $11 million, two-year deal. The 16-year veteran has 51-52 career record with 226 saves, including 40 last season with the Florida Marlins.
"We've become appreciably better going into next season," Dombrowski said.
The Tigers also reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with backup catcher Vance Wilson,
"I don't think we have a glaring hole from a positional-player perspective," Dombrowski said.
The Tigers also reached a preliminary agreement on a $750,000, one-year contract with catcher Vance Wilson, who backed up Ivan Rodriguez last season in Detroit.

Source: http://wokv.com/

Jack McCaffery: Phils should try for Tejada and Manny

12/13/2005
In no other sport does opportunity arrive as suddenly and as irregularly as it does in baseball. Now -- right now, all at once -- there are circumstances conspiring to present Pat Gillick the best chance he ever will have to be a conquering Philadelphia hero.
The bases are loaded this way: On first, the Eagles are out of the playoffs, giving the Phillies’ G.M. a hole to hit through to accomplish what he truly was hired to do, which is to restore the franchise to its proper place as a 365-day sports conversation piece and popular gate attraction; on second, Miguel Tejada has requested a trade from the Baltimore Orioles; on third, Manny Ramirez remains available from the Red Sox.
Gillick should do it -- he should do it all and he could do it with but a boost in overall payroll that easily could be financed through souvenir sales, box office business and priceless goodwill.The loose plan was first suggested by former major league catcher and respected Comcast SportsNet baseball analyst John Marzano, in his interview with myself Saturday on WPEN radio, and is not just some nonsensical offseason baseball babble. Marzano’s suggestion was to offer Bobby Abreu to the O’s in exchange for Tejada, and then to send Jimmy Rollins to the shortstop-starved Red Sox in exchange for pitching. That’s one slant.But why couldn’t Gillick offer Rollins for Ramirez and see if the Red Sox bite? Ramirez does have the Phillies on his no-call list, but good recruiting can overcome that. And if Charlie Manuel never does figure out the double-switch, at least he should earn his paycheck by wooing Ramirez, who played for him in Cleveland -- particularly if Gillick shows the determination to win that would come with a move for Tejada.The key, then, is Tejada, the shortstop who hit .304 with 26 home runs and 98 RBIs last season in Baltimore. Notice that the instant he began to make noises that he wanted out of Camden Yards, there were the Red Sox, dangling Ramirez. The Red Sox, the Yankees, now the Mets -- they pounce on opportunity. Why not the Phillies?Baltimore’s initial response was to try to convince Tejada to stay. But what if instead of facing the possibility of replacing one disgruntled employee in Tejada with another in Ramirez, the Orioles were offered Abreu? Abreu, who made $13 million last season, is paid roughly what Tejada makes ($11 million last year), and when right is an MVP-candidate-level All-Star who can hit for average and power and steal bases. Ramirez, at $22 million, made twice as much as Tejada last season.Tejada is special, but would the Orioles receive a better offer -- dollar for dollar and skill for skill -- than Abreu, especially since Tejada’s trade demand reduces their leverage? Even if they insisted on a sweetener, couldn’t they be talked into the believing the endless Gavin Floyd spin?If Gillick could beat the Red Sox to Tejada, it would leave Boston panting for a shortstop while still willing to move Ramirez. Rollins, who will make about $8 million per over the next five years, would be ideal in Fenway. And if the Sox wanted more? Give them Pat Burrell, at about $8 million a season, to replace Ramirez’s power. But insist on Matt Clement, at about $8 million, in return.That would give the Phillies an outfield of Ramirez, Aaron Rowand and Shane Victorino, who would replace Rollins as a leadoff hitter. It would yield a double-play combo of Tejada and Chase Utley, as potent offensively as any duo in the game. And it would add a starting pitcher that the Sox probably would like to shed anyway.The cost: About $6 million extra to the payroll. (The rough math: Rollins and Burrell $16 million, Abreu $13 million, Floyd $1 million, plus the $8 million they are saving from the Thome account, for $38 million in total reductions; Ramirez $22 million, Tejada $11, Clement $8, plus the $3 million they will pay Rowand is $44 million in outlay.) And use whatever they saved in the Billy Wagner-for-Tom Gordon exchange to cover any hidden costs.Could it be done? It’s tricky. Should it be done? Immediately. Would the team improve? Play the games and find out. Would it lift fan passion to a level missing since 1993? In an instant.The Phillies lost approximately 800,000 fans last season, only a portion due to the curious already having enjoyed the splendor of Citizens Bank Park. But there was a season-long revolt against Ed Wade, and it began with his timid approach to acquiring Carlos Beltran. Never mind that Beltran was good, not great, for the Mets. The image was that the Phillies were unwilling to take a seat at the Northeast Corridor all-in poker table controlled by Boston and New York. And that is repulsive in this, baseball’s No. 1 monopoly market.Trading the popular, farm-system-raised J-Roll while on a 36-game hitting streak would be a risk. But it’s the kind of risk the successful franchises take -- as the Red Sox did when they heaved Nomar Garciaparra, or as the Yankees did when they acquired Alex Rodriguez.Now, it is up to Pat Gillick. The financing should work. The situation is difficult, but difficult times make for memorable baseball performances.Miguel Tejada, Manny Ramirez and Matt Clement for Bobby Abreu, Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell and Gavin Floyd. Start swinging the bat ..or start swinging more of those ballpark gates closed.


Source: http://www.zwire.com/

Big names, big prices

December 13, 2005
The Mets have dominated the ever-popular "Hot Stove League," acquiring a trio of high-profile players. For fans who visit Shea Stadium next season, it figures to be more exciting on the field - and more expensive at the ticket window.The Mets are raising their ticket prices by an average of about 7 percent, Dave Howard, the team's executive vice president of business operations, told Newsday yesterday. Those with the higher-end seats will take the biggest added hit in the wallet.
For instance, a fan who identified himself as Scott - worried about jeopardizing his relationship with the Mets, he declined to divulge his last name - told Newsday that his inner box seats were increasing as much as 25 percent, depending on the game.Scott, a 43-year-old accountant who has held season tickets since 1987, said that for his seats, the four games at the platinum level - Opening Day and three games against the Yankees - went up from $60 per seat to $75. The next level, gold, jumped from $55 to $65, followed by silver ($50 to $60), bronze ($45 to $55) and value ($40 to $45).Some fans were understanding of the price increase. "If they put a good product on the field, people will pay," said Mike Caliguri, 40, of Inwood, who was shopping at the New York Mets Clubhouse Shop at Roosevelt Field mall. "Die-hard Mets fans won't think twice. They just want to watch the game.""Given the success of the team and the demand of tickets, where we stand in the marketplace, we thought that certain adjustments were appropriate," Howard said. "There are some that are higher than others. In two categories, the location justified more substantial price."The Yankees announced late last month they were raising ticket prices for about 45 percent of the seats at Yankee Stadium for next season. The price of box seats closest to the field, which are only available as part of season-ticket plans, will go up by as much as $20. The seats, which include waiter service, will cost between $95 and $110 after selling for $90 last season.The most expensive ticket for any Mets game is $96, for the four platinum games at the "Metropolitan Club Gold" level, right by the dugouts. Factoring the different number of games per category, Howard said, the average price for that ticket is $74.59.The Mets have increased their prices without increasing their payroll while Mets general manager Omar Minaya retools the team this winter. The Mets' aggressive offseason is also a byproduct of their new partnership with SportsNet New York. The Mets' 2005 payroll was about $105 million."We expect we're going to have a healthy payroll," Howard said. "Omar is not done yet ... We think our ticket prices are fair, relative to the product we're putting on the field."The team did drop the price of low-end bronze and value tickets. For the 42 games that qualify as bronze and value, tickets drop from $12 to $9.One fan tried to put the higher ticket prices in perspective. "I don't mind the increase," said Dan Quigley, 26, of Lynbrook, "as long as ticket prices stay lower than [47-year-old] Julio Franco's age."

Source: http://www.newsday.com/

Nationals sign four catchers to minor league contracts

12/13/2005
The Washington Nationals today signed catchers Wiki Gonzalez, Mike DiFelice, Alberto Castillo and Brandon Harper to 2006 minor-league contracts. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.
Gonzalez, 31, is a career .240 hitter with 17 home runs and 101 RBI in 283 contests with San Diego and Seattle. Considered an excellent "catch and throw" backstop, Gonzalez has gunned down 63 of 172 (37%) would-be basestealers during his six-year big league career. Gonzalez spent the majority of the 2005 season with Tacoma (.313, five homers, 28 RBI) of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, but hit .267 in 14 big league contests during a pair of stints with Seattle.
DiFelice, 36, has batted .238 with 28 home runs and 157 RBI in 512 big league contests spanning 10 seasons with St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Kansas City, Detroit, Chicago (NL) and New York (NL). In 2005, DiFelice posted 14 home runs and 52 RBI in 81 games with Norfolk of the Triple-A International League to earn a pair of big league promotions from the Mets.
Castillo, 35, is a career .222 hitter with 11 home runs and 98 RBI in 407 games spanning 11 big league seasons with New York (NL), St. Louis, Toronto, New York (AL), San Francisco, Kansas City and Oakland. Last season, Castillo batted .208 with 14 RBI in 35 games for Kansas City and Oakland sandwiched around a stint with Sacramento of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
Harper, 29, was Florida's fourth-round selection in the 1997 First-Year Player Draft. Last season, he hit .246 with six home runs and 34 RBI in 81 games for Toledo of the Triple-A International League.

Source: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/