TOP 25s Players WARs – Values, Teams WARs – Values

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE TOP 25 Batters based on WAR

 

Rk		Age	Tm	PA	RAR	WAR ▾	oRAR	oWAR	dWAR	Salary	Acquired
1	Jose Bautista	30	TOR	655	89	8.5	85	8.1	0.4	$8,000,000	Traded
2	Jacoby Ellsbury*	27	BOS	732	75	7.2	71	6.8	0.4	$2,400,000	Amateur Draft
3	Miguel Cabrera	28	DET	688	73	7.1	80	7.8	-0.7	$20,000,000	Traded
4	Adrian Gonzalez*	29	BOS	715	71	6.9	57	5.5	1.4	$6,300,000	Traded
5	Dustin Pedroia	27	BOS	731	70	6.8	61	5.9	0.9	$5,750,000	Amateur Draft
6	Evan Longoria	25	TBR	574	62	6.3	51	5.2	1.1	$2,000,000	Amateur Draft
7	Alex Gordon*	27	KCR	690	60	5.9	51	5.1	0.8	$1,400,000	Amateur Draft
8	Mike Napoli	29	TEX	432	59	5.5	52	4.9	0.6	$5,800,000	Traded
9	Alex Avila*	24	DET	551	55	5.4	56	5.5	-0.1	$425,000	Amateur Draft
10	Ian Kinsler	29	TEX	723	57	5.4	47	4.4	1.0	$6,200,000	Amateur Draft
11	Adrian Beltre	32	TEX	525	55	5.2	41	3.9	1.3	$14,000,000	Free Agency
12	Curtis Granderson*	30	NYY	691	56	5.2	58	5.4	-0.2	$8,250,000	Traded
13	Ben Zobrist#	30	TBR	674	50	5.1	54	5.6	-0.5	$4,687,300	Traded
14	Peter Bourjos	24	LAA	552	48	5.0	35	3.6	1.4	$414,000	Amateur Draft
15	Erick Aybar#	27	LAA	605	46	4.7	41	4.2	0.5	$3,000,000	Amateur Free Agent
16	Robinson Cano*	28	NYY	681	49	4.6	51	4.8	-0.2	$10,000,000	Amateur Free Agent
17	Alberto Callaspo#	28	LAA	536	43	4.5	27	2.8	1.7	$2,000,000	Traded
18	Brett Gardner*	27	NYY	588	47	4.4	12	1.2	3.2	$529,500	Amateur Draft
19	Jhonny Peralta	29	DET	576	44	4.4	34	3.4	1.0	$5,250,000	Free Agency
20	Yunel Escobar	28	TOR	590	45	4.3	36	3.4	0.9	$2,900,000	Traded
21	Howie Kendrick	27	LAA	583	42	4.3	35	3.6	0.7	$3,300,000	Amateur Draft
22	Kevin Youkilis	32	BOS	517	44	4.3	37	3.6	0.7	$12,250,000	Amateur Draft
23	J.J. Hardy	28	BAL	567	41	4.1	34	3.4	0.7	$5,850,000	Traded
24	Matt Wieters#	25	BAL	551	40	4.0	30	3.0	1.0	$452,250	Amateur Draft
25	Carlos Santana#	25	CLE	658	38	3.9	42	4.2	-0.3	$416,600	Traded
26	David Ortiz*	35	BOS	605	40	3.8	40	3.8	0.0	$12,500,000	Free Agency

NATIONAL LEAGUE TOP 25 Batters based on WAR

Rk		Age	Tm	PA	RAR	WAR ▾	oRAR	oWAR	dWAR	Salary	Acquired
1	Matt Kemp	26	LAD	689	97	10.0	87	9.0	1.0	$7,100,000	Amateur Draft
2	Ryan Braun	27	MIL	629	76	7.7	70	7.1	0.6	$4,287,500	Amateur Draft
3	Joey Votto*	27	CIN	719	64	6.5	57	5.8	0.7	$7,410,655	Amateur Draft
4	Pablo Sandoval#	24	SFG	466	57	6.1	43	4.6	1.5	$500,000	Amateur Free Agent
5	Jose Reyes#	28	NYM	586	56	5.8	60	6.2	-0.4	$11,000,000	Amateur Free Agent
6	Troy Tulowitzki	26	COL	606	60	5.8	47	4.5	1.3	$5,500,000	Amateur Draft
7	Mike Stanton	21	FLA	601	55	5.7	35	3.6	2.1	$416,000	Amateur Draft
8	Andrew McCutchen	24	PIT	678	53	5.5	46	4.8	0.7	$452,500	Amateur Draft
9	Albert Pujols	31	STL	651	51	5.4	43	4.5	0.9	$14,508,395	Amateur Draft
10	Lance Berkman#	35	STL	587	50	5.2	57	5.9	-0.7	$8,000,000	Free Agency
11	Prince Fielder*	27	MIL	692	52	5.2	58	5.9	-0.7	$15,500,000	Amateur Draft
12	Hunter Pence	28	2TM	668	51	5.2	51	5.3	-0.1	$6,900,000	Traded
13	Shane Victorino#	30	PHI	586	50	5.1	45	4.6	0.5	$7,500,000	Rule 5 Draft
14	Michael Bourn*	28	2TM	722	47	5.0	34	3.6	1.4	$4,400,000	Traded
15	Chris Young	27	ARI	659	47	4.8	29	3.0	1.8	$5,200,000	Traded
16	Carlos Lee	35	HOU	653	44	4.6	24	2.5	2.1	$19,000,000	Free Agency
17	Miguel Montero*	27	ARI	553	44	4.5	35	3.6	0.9	$3,200,000	Amateur Free Agent
18	Carlos Beltran#	34	2TM	598	42	4.4	48	5.0	-0.6	$19,325,436	Free Agency
19	Matt Holliday	31	STL	516	39	4.1	39	4.1	0.0	$16,317,774	Free Agency
20	Brandon Phillips	30	CIN	675	40	4.1	39	4.0	0.1	$11,437,500	Traded
21	Justin Upton	23	ARI	674	41	4.1	49	5.0	-0.9	$4,458,333	Amateur Draft
22	Corey Hart	29	MIL	551	39	4.0	29	3.0	1.0	$6,833,333	Amateur Draft
23	Yadier Molina	28	STL	518	36	3.9	30	3.2	0.7	$5,312,500	Amateur Draft
24	Jimmy Rollins#	32	PHI	631	35	3.7	30	3.0	0.7	$8,500,000	Free Agency
25	Aramis Ramirez	33	CHC	626	35	3.6	44	4.5	-0.9	$14,600,000	Free Agency

AMERICAN LEAGUE TOP 25 Pitchers based on WAR

 

Rk		Age	Tm	IP	GS	R	RAR	WAR ▾	Salary	Acquired
1	Justin Verlander	28	DET	251.0	34	73	87	8.6	$12,850,000	Amateur Draft
2	CC Sabathia*	30	NYY	237.1	33	87	75	6.9	$24,285,714	Free Agency
3	Jered Weaver	28	LAA	235.2	33	65	61	6.6	$7,365,000	Amateur Draft
4	Josh Beckett	31	BOS	193.0	30	65	64	6.2	$17,000,000	Traded
5	James Shields	29	TBR	249.1	33	83	59	6.1	$4,250,000	Amateur Draft
6	Ricky Romero*	26	TOR	225.0	32	85	61	5.9	$1,000,000	Amateur Draft
7	Doug Fister	27	2TM	216.1	31	76	55	5.7	$436,500	Amateur Draft
8	Gio Gonzalez*	25	OAK	202.0	32	81	49	5.0	$420,000	Traded
9	C.J. Wilson*	30	TEX	223.1	34	89	52	5.0	$7,000,000	Amateur Draft
10	Jon Lester*	27	BOS	191.2	31	77	50	4.8	$5,750,000	Amateur Draft
11	Felix Hernandez	25	SEA	233.2	33	99	43	4.7	$11,700,000	Amateur Free Agent
12	Jeremy Hellickson	24	TBR	189.0	29	64	43	4.2	$418,400	Amateur Draft
13	Justin Masterson	26	CLE	216.0	33	89	38	4.1	$468,400	Traded
14	Dan Haren	30	LAA	238.1	34	91	38	4.0	$12,750,000	Traded
15	Matt Harrison*	25	TEX	185.2	30	79	42	4.0	$428,830	Traded
16	David Robertson	26	NYY	66.2	0	9	31	3.9	$460,450	Amateur Draft
17	Scott Baker	29	MIN	134.2	21	50	39	3.8	$5,000,000	Amateur Draft
18	Mark Buehrle*	32	CHW	205.1	31	93	37	3.7	$14,000,000	Amateur Draft
19	Brandon McCarthy	27	OAK	170.2	25	73	37	3.7	$1,000,000	Free Agency
20	David Price*	25	TBR	224.1	34	93	37	3.7	$2,084,671	Amateur Draft
21	Ivan Nova	24	NYY	165.1	27	74	37	3.6	$432,900	Rule 5 returned
22	Trevor Cahill	23	OAK	207.2	34	102	34	3.5	$440,000	Amateur Draft
23	Alexi Ogando	27	TEX	169.0	29	73	37	3.5	$430,150	Rule 5 Draft
24	Mariano Rivera	41	NYY	61.1	0	13	24	3.5	$14,911,700	Free Agency
25	Freddy Garcia	34	NYY	146.2	25	63	38	3.4	$1,500,000	Free Agency

NATIONAL LEAGUE TOP 25 Pitchers based on WAR

 

Rk		Age	Tm	IP	GS	R	RAR	WAR ▾	Salary	Acquired
1	Roy Halladay	34	PHI	233.2	32	65	67	7.4	$20,000,000	Traded
2	Clayton Kershaw*	23	LAD	233.1	33	66	64	7.0	$500,000	Amateur Draft
3	Cliff Lee*	32	PHI	232.2	32	66	68	6.9	$11,000,000	Free Agency
4	Ian Kennedy	26	ARI	222.0	33	73	51	5.5	$423,000	Traded
5	Cole Hamels*	27	PHI	216.0	31	68	51	5.4	$9,500,000	Amateur Draft
6	R.A. Dickey	36	NYM	208.2	32	85	44	4.9	$2,750,000	Free Agency
7	Tim Lincecum	27	SFG	217.0	33	74	39	4.4	$14,000,000	Amateur Draft
8	Jhoulys Chacin	23	COL	194.0	31	87	48	4.3	$419,000	Amateur Free Agent
9	Johnny Cueto	25	CIN	156.0	24	51	39	4.3	$3,400,000	Amateur Free Agent
10	Matt Cain	26	SFG	221.2	33	82	34	3.9	$7,333,333	Amateur Draft
11	Jair Jurrjens	25	ATL	152.0	23	52	35	3.8	$3,250,000	Traded
12	Chris Carpenter	36	STL	237.1	34	98	33	3.7	$14,259,403	Free Agency
13	Tim Hudson	35	ATL	215.0	33	86	36	3.7	$9,000,000	Traded
14	Hiroki Kuroda	36	LAD	202.0	32	77	35	3.7	$11,765,724	Free Agency
15	Eric O’Flaherty*	26	ATL	73.2	0	9	27	3.7	$895,000	Waivers
16	Jonny Venters*	26	ATL	88.0	0	19	25	3.7	$429,500	Amateur Draft
17	Ryan Vogelsong	33	SFG	179.2	28	62	34	3.7	$	Free Agency
18	Tyler Clippard	26	WSN	88.1	0	18	25	3.4	$443,000	Traded
19	Anibal Sanchez	27	FLA	196.1	32	85	33	3.4	$3,700,000	Traded
20	Shaun Marcum	29	MIL	200.2	33	84	32	3.3	$3,950,000	Traded
21	Randy Wolf*	34	MIL	212.1	33	95	29	3.1	$9,500,000	Free Agency
22	Jeff Karstens	28	PIT	162.1	26	69	29	3.0	$1,100,000	Traded
23	Craig Kimbrel	23	ATL	77.0	0	19	20	3.0	$419,000	Amateur Draft
24	Matt Garza	27	CHC	198.0	31	90	28	2.9	$5,950,000	Traded
25	Joel Hanrahan	29	PIT	68.2	0	17	19	2.9	$1,400,000	Traded

Team & League Player Value–Batters

 

Tm	PA	Rbat	Rbaser	RAR	WAR ▾	oRAR	oWAR	dWAR	Salary
BOS	6414	133	-1	326	31.3	325	31.3	0.0	$148,057,142
STL	6242	110	-6	283	30.0	289	30.8	-0.8	$98,746,072
TBR	6152	50	-2	290	29.9	254	26.1	3.8	$41,053,571
TEX	6261	59	16	307	29.0	284	26.7	2.3	$81,529,294
LAA	6088	11	9	265	27.0	211	21.5	5.5	$116,796,166
MIL	6113	10	-2	236	24.3	212	21.6	2.5	$84,297,333
CIN	6329	-17	-3	235	24.1	204	20.7	3.4	$75,947,134
DET	6231	82	-12	242	23.8	263	25.8	-2.0	$103,065,231
NYY	6306	51	2	251	23.5	237	22.5	1.0	$190,004,628
PHI	6279	-43	7	216	22.2	190	19.6	2.6	$172,148,379
ARI	6096	-15	5	219	22.1	189	19.1	3.0	$53,639,833
KCR	6267	33	-3	208	20.6	229	23.1	-2.5	$29,151,000
CLE	6142	-6	-5	184	18.5	165	16.6	1.9	$48,360,966
TOR	6210	-46	7	187	18.3	170	16.1	2.2	$59,277,300
WSN	6090	-85	4	162	17.0	124	12.6	4.3	$63,442,928
NYM	6335	28	4	163	16.8	242	25.2	-8.4	$97,202,602
CHC	6130	-49	-4	160	16.4	154	15.9	0.5	$125,047,329
LAD	6094	-40	3	158	16.3	162	17.0	-0.7	$104,188,999
SFG	6091	-77	-2	150	16.1	131	13.9	2.2	$112,198,333
HOU	6150	-82	3	147	15.6	123	13.1	2.5	$69,108,000
FLA	6232	-56	-5	138	14.4	146	14.9	-0.5	$56,944,000
ATL	6169	-73	-8	130	13.3	125	12.8	0.6	$87,002,692
SDP	6074	-97	8	113	12.2	110	11.5	0.7	$45,040,240
BAL	6156	-7	9	120	11.8	174	17.3	-5.5	$83,712,038
CHW	6159	-71	-4	116	11.2	111	10.7	0.5	$126,189,000
PIT	6064	-93	-15	80	8.2	93	9.5	-1.3	$44,180,000
OAK	6104	-90	0	73	7.3	103	10.5	-3.2	$60,272,500
COL	6275	-91	-4	74	7.1	116	11.3	-4.2	$88,148,071
SEA	5972	-124	-4	59	6.2	66	7.0	-0.8	$79,948,100
MIN	6020	-120	4	40	3.9	75	7.2	-3.3	$112,318,000
	185245	-714	2	5332	538.4	5277	531.9	6.3	$2,657,016,881

 

Team & League Player Value–Pitchers

 

Tm	IP	GS	R	Rrep	Rdef	RAR	WAR ▾	Salary
PHI	1477.0	162	529	803	26	274	30.2	$94,287,333
NYY	1458.1	162	657	949	14	292	29.8	$74,940,764
OAK	1447.2	162	679	905	-30	226	24.5	$23,459,000
ATL	1479.2	162	605	804	6	199	24.0	$39,415,000
CHW	1460.0	162	706	908	4	202	21.7	$61,210,000
TEX	1441.1	162	677	894	24	217	21.3	$27,021,110
SFG	1468.0	162	578	746	19	168	20.2	$63,201,833
COL	1447.2	162	774	976	-43	202	19.2	$44,365,000
TBR	1449.0	162	614	788	36	174	18.4	$15,730,371
DET	1440.0	162	711	877	-21	166	18.3	$33,846,000
LAD	1432.0	161	612	774	-3	162	18.3	$47,877,912
MIL	1441.2	162	638	800	24	162	18.1	$41,624,000
BOS	1457.1	162	737	915	2	178	18.0	$77,255,333
SEA	1433.0	162	675	838	-8	163	17.6	$22,252,100
SDP	1449.1	162	611	746	3	135	16.0	$20,693,140
NYM	1448.0	162	742	877	-82	135	15.3	$26,166,166
TOR	1458.2	162	761	919	17	158	15.2	$25,926,500
KCR	1451.1	162	762	897	-21	135	15.1	$18,458,000
PIT	1449.1	162	712	841	-13	129	14.7	$18,226,500
LAA	1465.0	162	633	760	54	127	14.6	$64,933,000
WSN	1449.1	161	643	764	39	121	14.5	$25,575,000
FLA	1459.2	162	702	840	-7	138	14.4	$32,998,000
ARI	1443.1	162	662	782	29	120	14.1	$20,662,000
BAL	1446.2	162	860	968	-54	108	11.3	$24,526,500
STL	1462.0	162	692	782	-6	90	11.1	$47,038,903
CIN	1467.2	162	720	802	31	82	10.4	$35,204,438
MIN	1421.2	162	804	890	-35	86	9.5	$54,355,500
CLE	1453.1	162	760	832	19	72	9.4	$14,931,900
CHC	1434.1	162	756	816	6	60	7.5	$53,805,333
HOU	1435.0	162	796	785	24	-11	-0.5	$25,140,500
	43527.1	4858	20808	25274	53	4466	492.2	$1,175,127,136

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/16/2012.

 

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$$$ 2012 Team Payrolls $$$ – Top WARs

2012 Payrolls & Signings

$ amounts are millions

(Photo credit: kevindean)

American Lg Tm # Pyrl Est NYY 20 $206.2M $209.8M TBR 17 $57.8M $68.4M BOS 25 $164.1M $170.6M TOR 19 $78.0M $84.1M BAL 16 $70.0M $97.0M Cen # Pyrl Est DET 18 $127.5M $134.3M CLE 14 $61.9M $74.6M CHW 13 $96.5M $114.2M KCR 16 $52.8M $71.4M MIN 16 $92.3M $108.4M Wst # Pyrl Est TEX 16 $107.7M $119.5M LAA 18 $146.5M $159.1M OAK 13 $38.8M $57.1M SEA 10 $68.3M $95.8M

National Lg Tm # Pyrl Est PHI 20 $158.6M $168.2M ATL 12 $83.5M $101.9M WSN 15 $73.6M $83.8M NYM 13 $83.7M $105.9M FLA 16 $92.5M $112.2M Cen # Pyrl Est MIL 16 $96.9M $116.0M STL 14 $106.9M $119.4M CIN 15 $71.3M $92.7M PIT 13 $34.5M $56.0M CHC 15 $100.0M $111.8M HOU 8 $50.5M $75.7M Wst # Pyrl Est ARI 17 $56.4M $77.9M SFG 19 $119.8M $136.2M LAD 17 $90.0M $103.3M COL 13 $74.2M $98.2M SDP 16 $47.4M $64.8M

All values are estimates and should not be used by GM’s for actual team planning. American League   Full Standings Tm F W L GB SRS NYY F 97 65 – 1.4 TBR F 91 71 6.0 0.7 BOS F 90 72 7.0 1.0 TOR F 81 81 16.0 0.2 BAL F 69 93 28.0 -0.6 Cent   W L GB SRS DET F 95 67 – 0.4 CLE F 80 82 15.0 -0.3 CHW F 79 83 16.0 -0.3 KCR F 71 91 24.0 -0.2 MIN F 63 99 32.0 -1.0 West   W L GB SRS TEX F 96 66 – 1.2 LAA F 86 76 10.0 0.3 OAK F 74 88 22.0 0.0 SEA F 67 95 29.0 -0.5 National League   Full Standings Tm F W L GB SRS PHI F 102 60 – 1.0 ATL F 89 73 13.0 0.1 WSN F 80 81 21.5 -0.2 NYM F 77 85 25.0 -0.1 FLA F 72 90 30.0 -0.4 Cent   W L GB SRS MIL F 96 66 – 0.3 STL F 90 72 6.0 0.2 CIN F 79 83 17.0 -0.1 PIT F 72 90 24.0 -0.8 CHC F 71 91 25.0 -0.7 HOU F 56 106 40.0 -1.2 West   W L GB SRS ARI F 94 68 – 0.2 SFG F 86 76 8.0 -0.2 LAD F 82 79 11.5 0.0 COL F 73 89 21.0 -0.3 SDP F 71 91 23.0 -0.2 A.L. WAR Bat / Pitch   Tm WAR J.Bautista TOR 8.5 J.Verlander DET 8.5 J.Ellsbury BOS 7.2 M.Cabrera DET 7.1 A.Gonzalez BOS 6.9 N.L. WAR Bat / Pitch   Tm WAR M.Kemp LAD 10.0 R.Braun MIL 7.7 C.Kershaw LAD 7.6 C.Lee PHI 7.4 R.Halladay PHI 7.3

HOT BOARDS- RECENT Transaction Trends

RECENT Transaction Trends

 

• Today
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• All Positions
• C
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• SS
• OF
• Util
• SP
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• P

 

Francisco Cordero

 

 

Player	Drops	Adds	Trades	Total Score
Francisco Cordero (Tor – RP)	22	328	0	350
Victor Martinez (Det – C,1B)	93	223	1	317
Javy Guerra (LAD – RP)	7	301	0	308
Ivan Nova (NYY – SP)	6	299	2	307
Matt Harrison (Tex – SP)	9	252	0	261
Alfonso Soriano (ChC – OF)	21	228	0	249
Fernando Salas (StL – RP)	7	222	0	229
Daniel Murphy (NYM – 1B,2B,3B)	30	152	2	184
Bryce Harper (Was – OF)	11	156	0	167
Mike Minor (Atl – SP)	133	29	2	164
Kyle Lohse (StL – SP)	9	154	0	163
Brandon Belt (SF – 1B,OF)	141	10	0	151
Francisco Rodriguez (Mil – RP)	8	136	0	144
Mike Trout (LAA – OF)	119	22	1	142
Tyler Clippard (Was – RP)	15	120	1	136
Erik Bedard (Pit – SP)	105	24	1	130
Daniel Bard (Bos – RP)	88	35	0	123
Dayan Viciedo (CWS – OF)	108	12	0	120
Jose Tabata (Pit – OF)	111	7	1	119
Alejandro De Aza (CWS – OF)	102	13	3	118
Grant Balfour (Oak – RP)	65	49	2	116
Carlos Pena (TB – 1B)	31	82	2	115
Chipper Jones (Atl – 3B)	32	81	1	114
Francisco Liriano (Min – SP)	75	38	1	114
Jason Kubel (Ari – OF)	95	16	2	113
Sergio Romo (SF – RP)	88	24	1	113
Vernon Wells (LAA – OF)	32	79	1	112
Edinson Volquez (SD – SP)	99	10	1	110
Yoenis Cespedes (Oak – OF)	1	109	0	110
David Robertson (NYY – RP)	11	92	0	103
Angel Pagan (SF – OF)	63	39	0	102
Danny Valencia (Min – 3B)	9	92	0	101
Jason Bay (NYM – OF)	85	16	0	101
James Loney (LAD – 1B)	87	13	1	101
Jonathan Sanchez (KC – SP)	63	38	0	101
Paul Goldschmidt (Ari – 1B)	84	11	4	99
Alex Rios (CWS – OF)	87	10	1	98
Adam Dunn (CWS – 1B)	77	18	3	98
Brennan Boesch (Det – OF)	49	48	0	97
Mitch Moreland (Tex – 1B,OF)	79	16	2	97
Ryan Vogelsong (SF – SP)	7	88	1	96
Ricky Nolasco (Mia – SP)	73	23	0	96
Chase Headley (SD – 3B)	85	7	3	95
Aroldis Chapman (Cin – RP)	45	50	0	95
Josh Collmenter (Ari – SP,RP)	18	74	0	92
Tim Stauffer (SD – SP)	78	13	0	91
Jon Jay (StL – OF)	38	53	0	91
Dexter Fowler (Col – OF)	82	7	1	90
Mike Adams (Tex – RP)	22	67	0	89
Jason Kipnis (Cle – 2B)	63	23	3	89

 

Note: Data on this page reflects transactions made in Fantasy Baseball.

 

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Time To Get Your Fantasy Cleats Out Of The Closet

RECENT FANTASY PLAYER NOTES-  CATCHERS

Recent Player Notes

Rich Harden

(Oak – SP)NA

• Thu, Feb 9

  • Harden will miss the entire 2012 season after undergoing shoulder surgery last week, Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports.
    Recommendation: The procedure will repair a torn capsule in Harden’s shoulder and hopefully put an end to the injury issues that have plagued him for the last five seasons. Harden is determined to make it back to the majors, but he will have to wait until 2013 to have another chance, and it remains to be seen what type of pitcher he will be after several years of injury issues and a full season away.

    (Rotowire.com)

Luis Ayala

(Bal – RP)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • The Orioles signed Ayala to a one-year deal Friday, Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports.
    Recommendation: The 34-year-old right hander had a strong 2.09 ERA in 56.0 innings with the Yankees last season. He struck out 39, but walked 20, so control is a bit of an issue. He has a career ERA of 3.47, so expect something closer to that this season with the Orioles.

    (Rotowire.com)

  • RHP Luis Ayala agreed to a major league contract with the Orioles, according to MASNsports.com. The veteran is likely to appear in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings in Baltimore. Ayala, 34, appeared in 52 games with the Yankees in 2011, posting a 2.09 ERA. The Baltimore Sun reported that Ayala will make $925,000 with a $100,000 buyout on a 2013 club option for $1 million. He has a career ERA of 3.47 with six teams.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Yadier Molina

(StL – C)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • C Yadier Molina said he loved St. Louis but the Albert Pujols off-season departure showed him a different side of baseball. “We’ve been through a lot of the same things together,” said Molina, an early reportee at Cardinals camp in Jupiter, Fla. “When you see a guy like Albert leave the club, you have to know this is business.” The Cardinals picked up the $7 million option on the 2012 contract for the 29-year-old Molina, a four-time Gold Glover.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES-  STARTING PITCHERS

Hisashi Iwakuma

(Sea – SP)

• Mon, Feb 13

  • Iwakuma, who’s expected to be the third starter in the rotation this year, won’t pitch in the Mariners’ two-game season-opening series in Japan against the A’s, the Seattle Times reports.
    Recommendation: There had been some speculation the Mariners would start Iwakuma in the second game in Japan after Felix Hernandez opens the season. But manager Eric Wedge told Iwakuma on the first day of camp Sunday that No. 2 starter Jason Vargas would indeed make the start. In addition to adjusting to major-league ball, Iawkuma needs to show in spring training that the arm troubles he experienced last season are no longer an issue.

    (Rotowire.com)

Scott Baker

(Min – SP)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • RHP Scott Baker said the Twins’ woeful performance last season allowed him to get entirely healthy before the offseason. The Twins’ best starter last season — he had a 3.14 ERA in 21 starts — was limited to 134.1 innings by elbow problems. He was shut down for much of August and September before coming back to pitch twice in relief. “I think I would probably have treated it a little bit differently if we would have been playing competitive baseball at the time, shooting for the playoffs,” Baker said. “I think that second time, I really attempted to let it go properly, really do a proper rehab as far as one, letting it calm down completely and then building back up. It was kind of a long process to throw two or three innings, but it was something that I probably didn’t have to do — that I wanted to do just for the peace of mind going into the offseason.”

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Justin Verlander

(Det – SP)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • RHP Justin Verlander wants to open Spring Training at 235 pounds, some 10-15 more than he typically begins a spring. He’s loading up on high-calorie foods to do so. “I don’t eat healthy, but I’m not worried about it,” Verlander said. “I’m trying to put on weight.” Verlander wants the extra weight because he typically drops that amount between the first day of camp and the opening of the season. “During spring training, I usually drop 10-15 pounds,” Verlander said, “and I’d like to play around 220-225.”

    (Yahoo! Sports)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES-  RELIEF PITCHERS

Jeremy Jeffress

(KC – RP)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • RHP Jeremy Jeffress opened the 2011 season in the Royals’ bullpen, but was demoted May 19 after walking 11 in 15 1/3 innings. While Jeffress has a 100 mph fastball, he needs to throw more strikes to make the team out of spring training this year.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Henry Rodriguez

(Was – RP)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • RHP Henry Rodriguez could help a deep Nationals’ bullpen be even better if he continues to pitch well. The hard-throwing right-hander struck out 70 in 65 2/3 innings last year and was very effective at times. This could be a break-out year for him.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Aroldis Chapman

(Cin – RP)

• Tue, Feb 14Recent News

  • Chapman (arm) is already in Arizona and has started throwing, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
    Recommendation: The Reds still plan to stretch Chapman out as a starter. “He’s healthy and feels good,” GM Walt Jocketty said.

    (Rotowire.com)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES-  PITCHERS

Joe Blanton

(Phi – SP)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • RHP Joe Blanton will have a spot in the Phillies’ rotation, as long as his right arm doesn’t hold up his ability to pitch. Blanton, who missed the majority of the 2011 season because of a right elbow ailment, pitched in five games last September, sporting a 2.57 ERA. “I guess you have to consider (Blanton’s health) a question mark because he pitched so little last year, but at the same time, he threw at the end of the year last year, and that was a good sign,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “We expect him to be in our rotation this year. Hopefully he can get through it in a healthy way.”

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Blake Wood

(KC – RP)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • RHP Blake Wood was good at Kauffman Stadium, going 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA in 27 relief appearances. On the road Wood struggled, going 3-3 with a 5.66 ERA in 28 outings.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Tim Wakefield

(Bos – SP,RP)NA

• Sat, Feb 11

  • RHP Tim Wakefield has a decision to make. Still available on the free agent market, the 45-year-old knuckleballer is close to a verdict on whether he will pitch this season, his agent told the Boston Herald. “We’re discussing the options — and he has some options — and over the next few days, we’re going to try to figure it out,” agent Barry Meister said. “These next few days is just a period of introspection, where he’s trying to decide what to do, whether to play, who to play for.” Wakefield has stated his preference for pitching one more season for the Red Sox, but the team hasn’t reciprocated with as much enthusiasm. He has 200 career wins, 186 with the Red Sox. The club record of 192 wins is shared by Cy Young and Roger Clemens. A few months ago, Meister said Wakefield might benefit from pitching in the National League if an opportunity with the Red Sox doesn’t present itself. Last week, he told the Herald that Wakefield hasn’t ruled anything out, including possibly coming to camp with a team as a non-roster invitee.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES-  1st BASEMAN

Mark Trumbo

(LAA – 1B,OF)

• Wed, Feb 8

  • Trumbo (right foot) was cleared for baseball activities by his doctor, the Angels’ official site reports.
    Recommendation: Trumbo is recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot. He was left without a position after Albert Pujols signed with the Angels and likely will play the corner spots and DH this season as a utility man.

    (Rotowire.com)

Russell Branyan

(NYY – 1B)NA

• Fri, Feb 10

  • 1B/DH Russell Branyan was signed to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training and figures to compete for a bench role if he can shake off a poor 2011. Branyan has shown remarkable power at the new Yankee Stadium, hitting eight home runs in 14 games there, including the first ball to reach the fourth deck in right field and the first one to hit the glass of a sports bar beyond center field.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Nick Johnson

(Cle – 1B)NA

• Fri, Feb 10

  • 1B Nick Johnson signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to MASNsports.com. Johnson, 33, didn’t play in the majors in 2011, but could contend for playing time at first base and designated hitter, or provide depth for the Orioles at Class-AAA Norfolk.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

• Thu, Feb 9

  • The Orioles have signed Johnson to a minor league deal, Orioles.com reports.
    Recommendation: The oft-injured first baseman will get a Spring Training invite, but is a long-shot to make any significant contribution at the big league level in 2012.

    (Rotowire.com)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES- 2nd BASEMEN

Daniel Descalso

(StL – 2B,3B,SS)

• Thu, Feb 9

  • The Cardinals plan for Descalso, Skip Schumaker, and Tyler Greene to battle for the second base job this spring, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
    Recommendation: Descalso might be needed to back up oft-injured David Freese at third base, but in the meantime, he probably has the edge over Schumaker and Greene for the starting job at second.

    (Rotowire.com)

Trevor Plouffe

(Min – 2B,SS,OF)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • OF Trevor Plouffe is in the mix as the Twins fourth outfielder, but his ability to play in the infield will no doubt help. As the Twins proved last season, a major league team can never have too much flexibility. In 81 games last season, Plouffe hit .238 with eight homers and 38 RBI. At Rochester, he hit 15 homers and drove in 33 runs.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Luke Hughes

(Min – 1B,2B,3B)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • Hughes will be sidelined three to four weeks after an MRI showed he has a strained shoulder, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He hurt his shoulder in a home-plate collision while playing for the Perth Heat in the Australian winter league semifinals.
    Recommendation: Hughes may be limited at the start of spring training, which won’t help him try to win a utility job. Still, it doesn’t sound like a major injury concern.

    (Rotowire.com)

  • IF Luke Hughes has a minor strain in his right shoulder but should be able to participate in most of spring training. Hughes on Feb. 10 had a magnetic resonance imaging test taken of the shoulder, injured during an Australian Winter League game earlier this week. He was trying to avoid a tag at home plate when he was hurt. The Twins immediately flew him to the Twin Cities to be examined by a team doctor. General manager Terry Ryan said Hughes will fly to the team’s training facility in Fort Myers, Fla., Saturday and is expected to rehab the shoulder through the rest of February.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES- 3rd BASEMEN

Daniel Descalso

(StL – 2B,3B,SS)

• Thu, Feb 9

  • The Cardinals plan for Descalso, Skip Schumaker, and Tyler Greene to battle for the second base job this spring, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
    Recommendation: Descalso might be needed to back up oft-injured David Freese at third base, but in the meantime, he probably has the edge over Schumaker and Greene for the starting job at second.

    (Rotowire.com)

Evan Longoria

(TB – 3B)

• Sun, Feb 12

  • Longoria underwent foot surgery this offseason to fix a painful condition called “Morton’s neuroma,” The Tampa Bay Times reports.
    Recommendation: The surgery is not expected to significantly alter Longoria’s offseason plans, and he should be 100% by spring training. Longoria hit 31 home runs in just 133 games last season, and could be primed for a huge year in 2012. This might also explain his lack of stolen bases last year.

    (Rotowire.com)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • 3B Evan Longoria feels he best serves his team when he’s on the field every day. So in an effort to avoid muscle injuries (hamstring, quadriceps, oblique) that knocked him out of the lineup the last two seasons, Longoria changed his offseason routine to put more of an emphasis on being flexible than being bulked up. He will come into camp 10-15 pounds lighter than last spring, and feeling good about it. “I feel great, so I hope it pays off,” he said.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Ryan Zimmerman

(Was – 3B)

• Tue, Feb 14Recent News

  • Zimmerman maintains that he will not negotiate a contract extension once spring training has begun, the Washington Post reports.
    Recommendation: His current deal expires at the end of 2013, and while both he and the Nats have expressed the desire to keep him in a Washington uniform there’s been little apparent progress so far on an extension. The drafting of Anthony Rendon also gives the organization some leverage in terms of a ready replacement at third base if Zimmerman leaves when his contract is up. If nothing gets done before spring training, this could become a big distraction going forward.

    (Rotowire.com)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES- SHORTSTOP

Stephen Drew

(Ari – SS)

• Mon, Feb 13

  • Drew (ankle) has been jogging, hitting, throwing and performing agility drills in his workouts to this point in the offseason, the Arizona Republic reports.
    Recommendation: ”I’m optimistic,” Drew said. “Hopefully I will start Opening Day, but I don’t know. I’m not going to sit here and lie to your face and be like, ‘I’ll be ready for Opening Day.’ I can’t tell you that right now. It takes time. How much time? I don’t know. I know one thing, I’ll be playing this year at some point. I wish I knew that answer. I can’t see the future.” His biggest hurdles will almost certainly be lateral movement in the field and running the bases and full speed. Keep an eye on him to see where he’s at when spring training begins as it sounds like his rehab could take a bit longer than previously anticipated despite Drew’s optimism and recent progress.

    (Rotowire.com)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • SS Stephen Drew (fractured right ankle, ligament damage) is working out in the Phoenix area but is not expected to report to spring training when the pitchers and catchers report Feb. 20. Major league Baseball permits injured position players to report early if they so choose.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Jed Lowrie

(Hou – 3B,SS)

• Wed, Feb 8

  • Lowrie and the Astros have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.15 million contract, avoiding arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
    Recommendation: Lowrie, acquired in the Mark Melancon trade this winter, is expected to take over at shortstop for the Astros. Although the Astros are taking a bit of a gamble given Lowrie’s questionable glove and injury history, if he pans out as his hot prospect potential and impressive 2010 season (.907 OPS in 197 plate appearances) indicated, he’ll be a huge bargain for the Astros in their rebuilding process.

    (Rotowire.com)

Jimmy Rollins

(Phi – SS)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • SS Jimmy Rollins signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Phillies earlier this offseason that includes an $8 million club option for a fourth season. If that club option is not exercised, Rollins has a player option to return for $5 million. But more details of that fourth year emerged this week. According to MLB.com, a club option for $11 million for the fourth season automatically kicks in if Rollins has 600 plate appearances in 2014 or a total of 1,100 plate appearances in 2013-14 (as long as he’s not on the disabled list at the end of the ’14 season). If he does happen to be on the disabled list at that time, the option can still kick in if a doctor gives both sides the OK that Rollins would be ready for Opening Day 2015.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES- OUTFIELDER

Bryce Harper

(Was – OF)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • RF Bryce Harper’s situation will be one of the most interesting in spring training. He’s only 19 and has but 452 at-bats over about 1 1/2 seasons in the minors, but some of the powers that be want him to start the season with the Nationals. However, many questions remain about Harper, starting with his maturity.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Skip Schumaker

(StL – 2B,OF)

• Thu, Feb 9

  • The Cardinals plan for Schumaker, Daniel Descalso, and Tyler Greene to battle for the second base job this spring, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
    Recommendation: Schumaker signed a big deal in December and is the incumbent, but with manager Tony La Russa no longer the skipper, he may have lost his champion. So far Descalso probably has the edge, but obviously a lot can happen in camp.

    (Rotowire.com)

Kosuke Fukudome

(CWS – OF)

• Tue, Feb 14Recent News

  • Fukudome has to come to a one-year, $1 million deal with a 2013 club option with the White Sox, the Chicago Tribune reports.
    Recommendation: Fukudome will most likely serve as the backup at all three outfield positions. He could chance into more playing time if either Alejandro De Aza or Dayan Viciedo, both first-time starters, struggles.

    (Rotowire.com)

  • OF Kosuke Fukudome returned to Chicago on Tuesday, signing a one-year deal with the White Sox. Fukudome, who spent the first 3 1/2 years of his career with the Cubs, will earn $500,000 in 2012, and the White Sox have a $3.5 million option for 2013, or a $500,000 buyout. “Kosuke adds to our outfield depth and gives Robin (Ventura) another left-handed bat to mix into the lineup based on matchups,” said Rick Hahn, White Sox vice president/assistant general manager, in a statement. “He can play center field and right and provides flexibility to our roster.”

    (Yahoo! Sports)

FANTASY PLAYER NOTES- UTILITY

Mike Napoli

(Tex – C,1B)

• Mon, Feb 13

  • C Mike Napoli avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal, according to a report. Napoli will make $9.4 million, sources told ESPNDallas.com. The Rangers, who re-signed Nelson Cruz and Elvis Andrus earlier in the week, have not had a player go to arbitration since 2000. Napoli, 30, posted career highs with a .320 average, 30 homers and 75 RBI in 2011.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

• Sat, Feb 11

  • Napoli and the Rangers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.4 million deal Saturday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
    Recommendation: Napoli hit .320 with 30 home runs in just 369 at-bats in 2011. It’ll be interesting to see if the Rangers commit to getting him more at-bats in 2012.

    (Rotowire.com)

Russell Branyan

(NYY – 1B)NA

• Fri, Feb 10

  • 1B/DH Russell Branyan was signed to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training and figures to compete for a bench role if he can shake off a poor 2011. Branyan has shown remarkable power at the new Yankee Stadium, hitting eight home runs in 14 games there, including the first ball to reach the fourth deck in right field and the first one to hit the glass of a sports bar beyond center field.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

Jimmy Rollins

(Phi – SS)

• Fri, Feb 10

  • SS Jimmy Rollins signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Phillies earlier this offseason that includes an $8 million club option for a fourth season. If that club option is not exercised, Rollins has a player option to return for $5 million. But more details of that fourth year emerged this week. According to MLB.com, a club option for $11 million for the fourth season automatically kicks in if Rollins has 600 plate appearances in 2014 or a total of 1,100 plate appearances in 2013-14 (as long as he’s not on the disabled list at the end of the ’14 season). If he does happen to be on the disabled list at that time, the option can still kick in if a doctor gives both sides the OK that Rollins would be ready for Opening Day 2015.

    (Yahoo! Sports)

MLB Roster Changes

ACTIVE

Date	Player	Change
Feb 10	Darin Mastroianni (Min – OF)	Activated
Feb 10	Matt Angle (Bal – OF)NA	Deactivated
Feb 10	Esmerling Vasquez (Min – RP)NA	Deactivated
Feb 8	Carlos Fisher (Cin – RP)NA	Deactivated
Feb 8	Justin Christian (SF – OF)NA	Deactivated
Feb 7	Russ Mitchell (LAD – 1B,3B)NA	Deactivated
Feb 6	Adrian Cardenas (ChC – 2B,SS)	Activated
Feb 6	Chris Gimenez (Sea – C)NA	Deactivated
Feb 6	Mike Wilson (Sea – OF)NA	Deactivated
Feb 6	Blake DeWitt (ChC – 2B,3B,OF)NA	Deactivated

ADDED

Date	Player	Change
Feb 14	Yoenis Cespedes (Oak – OF)	Added
Feb 9	Dylan Bundy (Bal – SP)	Added
Feb 9	Kolten Wong (StL – 2B)NA	Added
Feb 9	Jonathan Schoop (Bal – SS)NA	Added
Feb 9	Nick Franklin (Sea – SS)NA	Added
Feb 9	Anthony Gose (Tor – OF)NA	Added
Feb 9	Anthony Rendon (Was – 3B)	Added
Feb 9	Bubba Starling (KC – OF)NA	Added
Feb 9	Manny Machado (Bal – SS)NA	Added
Feb 9	Jedd Gyorko (SD – 3B)NA	Added

LEAGUE/TEAM

Date	Player	Change
Feb 14	Kosuke Fukudome (CWS – OF)	Cle to CWS
Feb 14	Jon Garland (Cle – SP)NA	NL to AL
Feb 14	Yoenis Cespedes (Oak – OF)	to AL
Feb 14	Jon Garland (Cle – SP)NA	LAD to Cle
Feb 10	Luis Ayala (Bal – RP)	NYY to Bal
Feb 10	Darin Mastroianni (Min – OF)	Tor to Min
Feb 9	Dylan Bundy (Bal – SP)	to AL
Feb 9	Kolten Wong (StL – 2B)NA	to NL
Feb 9	Jonathan Schoop (Bal – SS)NA	to AL
Feb 9	Nick Franklin (Sea – SS)NA	to AL

ELIGIBILITY

Date	Player	Change
Feb 14	Yoenis Cespedes (Oak – OF)	Added CF
Feb 9	Dylan Bundy (Bal – SP)	Added SP
Feb 9	Kolten Wong (StL – 2B)NA	Added 2B
Feb 9	Jonathan Schoop (Bal – SS)NA	Added SS
Feb 9	Nick Franklin (Sea – SS)NA	Added SS
Feb 9	Anthony Gose (Tor – OF)NA	Added CF
Feb 9	Anthony Rendon (Was – 3B)	Added 3B
Feb 9	Bubba Starling (KC – OF)NA	Added LF
Feb 9	Manny Machado (Bal – SS)NA	Added SS
Feb 9	Jedd Gyorko (SD – 3B)NA	Added 3B

All Positions  –  C - 1B - 2B - 3B - SS - OF - Util - SP - RP - P

Related articles

• Orioles sign veteran reliever Luis Ayala for $925,000 (hardballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• AL East Notes: Uehara, Reyes, Red Sox (mlbtraderumors.com)
• Angels make offer to free agent reliever Luis Ayala (hardballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Rich Harden To Miss Entire 2012 Season With Shoulder Injury (tracking.si.com)

Time To Break Out The Bats and Balls!

Pitchers and catchers ready to get spring rolling

 By Doug Miller / MLB.com

The Mariners already set up camp over the weekend. This week, everyone else joins them, with their tent stakes, sleeping bags and World Series dreams in tow.

On the sun-dappled diamonds of Arizona and Florida, Spring Training has arrived, with pitchers and catchers on their way to fill the complexes of the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues for the next six weeks prior to every baseball fan’s favorite two-word event: Opening Day.

For Seattle, this week’s jump on things was a necessity. The team will travel to Japan on March 22 for the regular-season Opening Series against the Oakland A’s on March 28-29, and with almost another week in between those games and their first regular-season game back in the U.S., it will give them the chance to start their ace, Felix Hernandez, in the first game on both continents, which means Games 1 and 3 of the 2012 campaign.

“Obviously that’s why we’re here early,” Mariners pitching coach Carl Willis said on Saturday from the team’s spring complex in Peoria, Ariz. “I don’t think it’s a secret we’re expecting Felix to start the first day, and I don’t want to leave here and have a game that counts on the 28th of March and not have him able to throw 75 pitches. We need to get him stretched out. So coming early kind of eliminates any pressure.”

As for the rest of the teams in the Major Leagues, the road to a championship starts this week, and there are plenty of questions to answer.

One of the big ones is whether last year’s World Series winners, the St. Louis Cardinals, can forge a new, victorious identity without their best player — Albert Pujols, who signed with the Angels in early December — and legendary manager, Tony La Russa.

The Redbirds will, however, see their staff ace, Adam Wainwright, return when pitchers and catchers report to Jupiter, Fla., on Saturday. Wainwright spent last year on the shelf thanks to Tommy John surgery. They’ll also have to see how they jell under the watch of new manager and former player Mike Matheny. Plus, veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran, fresh off a rejuvenated 2011 season, joins the effort to replace Pujols’ bat in what became a very potent lineup by last October.

The runners-up in last year’s big dance, the Texas Rangers, face a similar spring of change. Gone is C.J. Wilson, who, like Pujols, jumped ship to the loaded-on-paper Angels. Now with the club is Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish, a gamble for Texas of well over $100 million. When the Rangers’ pitchers and catchers show up in Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 22, they’ll do so with Darvish and another new starter, who happens to be their former closer — Neftali Feliz. They’ll also have veteran Joe Nathan to pitch the ninth inning.

About an hour from Surprise, the Angels will carry that glittering new roster and some weighty expectations into their digs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Pujols, Wilson, LaTroy Hawkins, Chris Iannetta and a core of younger players, including top prospect Mike Trout, plus an on-the-mend Kendrys Morales, will take the first steps, along with new general manager Jerry Dipoto, toward re-annexing the American League West for the first time 2009. Their pitchers and catchers will first filter in Sunday.

Meanwhile, across the country, the annual high-intensity battle for the AL East will begin in earnest, with the Red Sox and Yankees doing their best to forget about how their 2011 seasons ended. The Red Sox will file into their new complex in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sunday with a new manager (Bobby Valentine), a new general manager (Ben Cherington) and new players (Andrew Bailey, Mark Melancon, Cody Ross and others). The Yankees, meanwhile, will check into Tampa on Sunday with a beefed-up pitching staff, having added Hiroki Kuroda via free agency and Michael Pineda via trade.

The Tampa Bay Rays — playoff participants in each of the past two seasons and three of the past four — have seen some turnover, too. They’ll hit their spring camp Feb. 20 with Carlos Pena, Luke Scott and Jose Molina in the fold, and they’ll see what their top pitching prospect, Matt Moore, can do after stunning the world with his Game 1 gem in last year’s AL Division Series.

The Detroit Tigers won’t be far away, either. Reigning AL Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander will headline the defending AL Central champion Tigers’ pitchers and catchers, who will arrive in Lakeland, Fla., on Sunday, and the Tigers’ new $200 million man, Prince Fielder, will check in soon after to buoy an already-imposing lineup featuring Miguel Cabrera, who has slimmed down and will take on the challenge of switching back to third base.

In Clearwater, the Phillies will be back at it, boasting their fantastic rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels (plus Joe Blanton and Vance Worley) and their veteran lineup. They’ll be hoping for a quick recovery for first baseman Ryan Howard and a return to a full season of health for second baseman Chase Utley, and they’ll be hoping that an influx of new veterans — Ty Wigginton, Jim Thome and Laynce Nix on the offensive end, Chad Qualls in the bullpen — will make the puzzle pieces fit alongside the club’s huge offseason prize, closer Jonathan Papelbon.

The Phillies, however, have an intriguing competitor right in their own division. The Miami Marlins have a new name, sort of, plus a new ballpark, new uniforms, and a new attitude, proven by their stunning winter haul of shortstop Jose Reyes, starter Mark Buehrle and closer Heath Bell to the tune of almost $200 million. They also traded for starter Carlos Zambrano, will be counting on a healthy season for ace Josh Johnson, and will hope that Hanley Ramirez’s transition to third base not only goes smoothly but results in a better season for their star infielder. It all begins Feb. 22 in Jupiter for the Marlins and their new skipper, Ozzie Guillen.

Out West, the D-backs will settle into their second spring at Salt River Fields (pitchers and catchers show up on Feb. 20) with an unexpected NL West crown under their belts and what they hope will be improvements in the form of starter Trevor Cahill, slugger Jason Kubel, and a full season of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

The Giants, winners of the World Series in 2010 and victims of injuries last year, hit Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday with the comforting knowledge that catcher Buster Posey should be ready to go soon, along with closer Brian Wilson, and that new additions in the outfield (Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan) provide offensive spark to a lineup that needs plenty of it.

Other stories waiting to be written abound. Which teams that came this close last year have the goods to turn it around this spring? Will it be the Atlanta Braves, who need better health and production from the youthful trio of Jason Heyward, Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson? The Brewers, who lost Fielder but gained Aramis Ramirez? Or will it be the Dodgers, who added veteran tweaks (including Aaron Harang, Chris Capuano, Mark Ellis, Jerry Hairston and Adam Kennedy) to a roster that played impressive baseball in the final month of 2011?

And which teams will the real shockers of the season, possibly poised for greatness on the back fields and in the hitting cages of the quiet spring mornings to come?

Will it be the Kansas City Royals, with Eric Hosmer leading a corps of young, exciting players? Will it be the Washington Nationals, who boast a pitching rotation led by phenom Stephen Strasburg and new acquisition Gio Gonzalez and also have Jayson Werth, Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman in their lineup? And how about the Cleveland Indians, who got off to such a hot start last year, fell victim to a lack of depth, but worked all winter — adding Casey Kotchman and Derek Lowe to a large group of newcomers — to shore up their deficiencies?

And what about the guys who haven’t signed yet or might be traded in the days to come? The names Roy Oswalt, Yoenis Cespedes, Johnny Damon, Vladimir Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, Kosuke Fukudome, Jon Garland, Mike Gonzalez, Michael Wuertz, Raul Ibanez, Hideki Matsui, Derrek Lee, Miguel Tejada, Jason Varitek, Javier Vazquez, and, yes, Manny Ramirez are still out there, waiting to figure out where they’ll spend the spring … or at least part of it. And they’re not the only ones still on the board.

But as the week kicks off and the Mariners pitchers run through their fielding drills and pop gloves in early bullpen sessions in Peoria, it’s clear that baseball has arrived once again.

The answers to all these questions should, too.

Doug Miller is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @DougMillerMLB and read his MLBlog,Youneverknow. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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A.J. Burnett To Pirates?

Pirates, Yanks continue talking Burnett deal

 By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

NEW YORK — The Yankees and Pirates are continuing discussions about a trade that would end right-hander A.J. Burnett’s turbulent tenure in pinstripes.

Pittsburgh is among four clubs that has reportedly shown interest in dealing for the 35-year-old Burnett, who helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series but has followed with two inconsistent seasons.

A.J. Burnett (Photo credit: Keith Allison)

A source told MLB.com that of the teams showing interest in Burnett, Pittsburgh appears to be the most likely trade partner. The Yankees are willing to pick up part of the $33 million Burnett is owed over the next two seasons, the remaining portion of a five-year, $82.5 million contract signed before the ’09 season.

Furthermore, another Major League source portrayed the Pirates as being “optimistic” of eventually working out a deal, with only “the money and players exchanged” yet to be determined. In return for raising the amount of Burnett’s contract they would be willing to undertake, the Pirates would expect a discount in the prospect or prospects the Yankees seek in return.

New York and Pittsburgh are said to still be haggling over the exact dollar amount that will be handled by the Yankees in the deal, which could exceed $10 million, as well as what players the Pirates would surrender in return.

ESPN.com reported that the Yankees have asked for first baseman and outfielder Garrett Jones, but that request was rejected by the Pirates.

While the Yankees originally pursued Burnett to serve as a one-two punch with CC Sabathia at the head of the rotation, two unsatisfying seasons with thick ERAs have pushed him further back on New York’s depth chart.

Burnett is 34-35 with a 4.79 ERA in his three seasons with the Yankees, and his combined 5.20 ERA for 2010 and ’11 has deleted patience from the grandstands.

Part of Burnett’s troubles may stem from his diminished fastball velocity; Burnett spoke honestly on at least one occasion about how he felt hitters no longer were uncomfortable standing in against him, suggesting he needed to learn to pitch inside more.

However, Burnett did harness his command and repertoire to pitch well in a crucial American League Division Series start, helping send the series back to New York with a Yankees win in Game 4 at Detroit.

Despite his 11-11 record and 5.15 ERA, last season represented something of a bounce-back year for Burnett, considering his multiple issues in 2010.

That season, Burnett clashed at various times with catcher Jorge Posada, sliced the palms of his hands attacking a Yankee Stadium clubhouse door in July and pitched a September game in Baltimore with an unexplained black eye.

The Yankees have largely supported Burnett, but they also currently have seven starters to fit into five rotation slots. That figures to have Burnett heading to Spring Training competing with Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia to serve as the fifth starter.

At the moment, the Pirates also have a full rotation, but that includes Charlie Morton, whose season-opening availability is in question after he underwent hip surgery in October. Pittsburgh’s other starters are Erik Bedard, signed as a free agent, and incumbents James McDonald, Kevin Correia and Jeff Karstens, also a former Yankee.

Beyond the Morton uncertainty, the Pirates’ interest in Burnett reflects their hope that a return to the National League could energize the career of the right-hander, who has struggled primarily with inconsistency since leaving Florida as a free agent after the 2005 season.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has acknowledged that he would listen to trade offers for Burnett, while lauding the fact that despite Burnett’s struggles, he has not been on the disabled list with New York and has been a reliable innings-eater.

Burnett’s contract with the Yankees includes a list of 10 teams he cannot be traded to. The New York Post reported last week that all of those clubs are on the West Coast; Burnett’s wife, Karen, dislikes flying from their Maryland home.

Through seven seasons with the Marlins, Burnett crafted a career ERA (3.73) he never reached in any of the six years he spent in baseball’s toughest division with the Blue Jays and the Yanks.

The Yankees are also interested in acquiring a left-handed bat to help out in the designated hitter role after dealing top prospect Jesus Montero to the Mariners in January,but it is thought the club only has about $1-2 million to spend in that area.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog,Bombers Beat. Tom Singer contributed to this report. Follow @Tom_Singer on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Lefty Could Have Won 30 Games In Strike Shortened ’72 Season

40 Years Of Steve Carlton

Baseball Nerd

Official MLBlog of Current TV’s Keith Olbermann

It remains, in short, the most amazing season a pitcher has put together since at least Sandy Koufax, and very probably since long before him. And now, Steve Carlton’s 1972 campaign, when he won 27 of his rotten team’s 59 games, dates to 40 years ago.

So much has been written about Lefty’s work that it is amazing to consider that an extraordinarily relevant detail is usually omitted from the recounting – one that makes winning 46 percent of one team’s entire supply of victories all the more remarkable.

Steve Carlton did it in a strike-shortened season.

The first sport-wide in-season strike in American history would in later contexts seem so brief as to be almost quaint. But when Opening Day was pushed back by a week forty years ago, and each team lost between six and nine games, it was traumatic – and it contributed to the distinct possibility that Carlton missed an opportunity to win 30 games.

Philadelphia - Citizen's Bank Park - Steve Carlton statue (Photo credit: wallyg)

The Phillies were to open in St. Louis on Friday, April 7 – 43 days after they had obtained Carlton straight-up from the Cardinals for Rick Wise – and were then to return for the home opener and an additional game against Montreal beginning April 10. They should’ve been in Chicago on April 14th, but that was the last of the six games which were wiped out, simply cancelled with no attempt to squeeze in make-ups nor compensate for the havoc of imbalanced schedules that would, among other things, largely decide who won the American League East that year.

One speculates about a small alteration in a large swath of history at one’s peril. Just because the guy got caught stealing does not mean the team would’ve scored two runs when the next batter homered. They could’ve pitched to him differently or they could’ve hit him or the guy standing safely at second at just that moment could’ve invoked a Rapture of some kind. Contemplating Carlton opening up against his erstwhile Cardinal teammates on April 7th instead of against the Cubs on April 15th is rife with hypothetical disaster. He might have hurt himself there, or begun the path to a bad habit, or not faced the right batter he challenged in just the right way to uncover the keys that led to his marvelous season. For all we know, if the players hadn’t struck and the games hadn’t been cancelled, Steve Carlton might’ve lost 27 games for the 1972 Phillies.

But it is deliciously intriguing to note that Carlton won all four of his starts against the Cards in his first season out of their uniform. With Phils’ skippers Frank Lucchesi and Paul Owens adhering pretty rigidly to a four-man rotation, Carlton would’ve pitched in the second home game against the Expos on April 12 – and of course Carlton also won all of his starts (three of them) against Montreal in ’72. But if the original schedule had been observed, that would have pushed his third start from April 15 against the Cubs to April 17 against the Cards, and it probably would have denied him the chance to start the last game before the All Star break. Thus if you buy any of the argument that the strike “cost” Carlton, it probably cost him one start and the most his theoretical full season should’ve netted him was 28 wins instead of the actual 27.

Of course, since we’re down the What-If rabbit hole, the real fun comes when we look at the 14 starts Carlton did not win, in route to 27-10.

The first stunning overarching truth about Carlton’s 1972 season was that he did it almost all by himself. He lasted through 30 Complete Games, and only three of his 27 wins were saved by other relievers. For contrast, when Bobby Welch won 27 for the 1990 A’s, the sport had already changed so much that all but seven of those wins had saves (19 by Dennis Eckersley) and Welch threw just two CG’s – both shutouts. Incredibly, Carlton blew the lead in one of his own non-win starts five times during 1972, and could only blame the tissue-thin Phillies’ bullpen for one other defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. Amazingly, Carlton endured a five-game losing streak beginning May 13th. His own error was the fulcrum in a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers and Claude Osteen at home that night, and the other games in the skein saw Carlton surrender at least three earned runs. The streak ended with a no-decision exactly a month later when Carlton helped cough up his own 5-0 lead to the Reds. Johnny Bench and Julian Javier homered in the 7th, but it was still 5-3 Phillies when Joe Morgan doubled off Carlton to lead the 8th. Reliever Chris Short let the inherited run score, and then Hal McRae touched him for the game-tying homer to start the 9th. The Phils would lose it in the 10th.

Steve Carlton - Philadelphia - 1972 Road (Photo credit: BaseballBacks)

There were four occasions when just slightly more offense from the Philadelphia bats might’ve gotten him another win or two.  On June 16th in the Astrodome he struck out a dozen and gave up just six hits and four walks in ten innings, but the Phils could do nothing with Don Wilson and Tom Griffin, and Dick Selma lost it in the 11th on a walk-off homer to Jimmy Wynn. On August 21st, Carlton again did marathon work without a win: 11 innings of seven hit, two run ball. He struck out 10 more, but the Phils turned nine hits and a walk off Phil Niekro into just one score, and Carlton’s 15-game winning streak was snapped. At Shea on September 24th, he gave up a lead-off homer to Tommie Agee and then watched John Bateman throw away a squib in the 8th, setting up the game-deciding sacrifice fly by the very non-immortal Lute Barnes in a 2-1 defeat (one of seven career RBI in a cameo career by the Mets’ second baseman).

But the best bet for another Carlton win probably came at Candlestick on July 15th. Carlton struggled through five, and was trailing 4-0 when Joe Lis pinch-hit for him. In the seventh, the winds changed and Phillies scored eleven off the Giants, and Bucky Brandon would vulture the win.

In short, we all knew as it happened that Carlton was creating something none of us had ever seen before. Just how special it was is only becoming clear now, with 40 years to ponder it.

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Phils Pitchers & Catchers Report For Spring Training 1 Week From Today

IT WON’T BE LONG NOW…

MLB announces Spring Training workout dates

MLB.com

Following are the first Spring Training workout dates, subject to change, both for pitchers and catchers and full squads of the 30 Major League clubs:

American League
(Pitchers & catchers | full squad)

BALTIMORE: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
BOSTON: Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Saturday, Feb. 25
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Thursday, Feb. 23 | Tuesday, Feb. 28
CLEVELAND: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Saturday, Feb. 25
DETROIT: Monday, Feb. 20 | Friday, Feb. 24
KANSAS CITY: Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Saturday, Feb. 25
LOS ANGELES ANGELS: Monday, Feb. 20 | Monday, Feb. 27
MINNESOTA: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
NEW YORK YANKEES: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25
OAKLAND: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Saturday, Feb. 25
SEATTLE: Sunday, Feb. 12 | Saturday, Feb. 18
TAMPA BAY: Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Sunday, Feb. 26
TEXAS: Thursday, Feb. 23 | Sunday, Feb. 26
TORONTO: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Saturday, Feb. 25

The first pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training on Feb. 19. (Getty Images)

National League
(Pitchers & catchers | full squad)

ARIZONA: Tuesday, Feb. 20 | Sunday, Feb. 25
ATLANTA: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25
CHICAGO CUBS: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
CINCINNATI: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
COLORADO: Monday, Feb. 20 | Monday, Feb. 27
HOUSTON: Monday, Feb. 20 | Sunday, Feb. 26
LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Tuesday, Feb. 28
MIAMI: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Sunday, Feb. 26
MILWAUKEE: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25
NEW YORK METS: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Monday, Feb. 27
PHILADELPHIA: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
PITTSBURGH: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
ST. LOUIS: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
SAN DIEGO: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25
SAN FRANCISCO: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
WASHINGTON: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Cuban Defector Cespedes Awaiting Legal Clearance

Cespedes awaiting clearance to sign contract

 By Zack Meisel / MLB.com

Yoenis Cespedes is not yet ready to sign with a Major League team after all.

Despite being declared a free agent on Jan. 25, the Cuban defector, who established temporary residency in the Dominican Republic in January, has not been legally cleared by the U.S. Treasury Department‘s Office of Foreign Assets Control, his agent, Adam Katz, told MLB Network Radio.

“I have never gone through this process before,” Katz said. “It is onerous and unpredictable. You just sort of have to breathe into it and not have too many expectations.”

The 26-year-old outfielder said he has narrowed his list of suitors to the Marlins, Tigers, Orioles, Cubs, White Sox and Indians. Katz said Cespedes can agree to terms with a club, but cannot officially sign a contract until the Office of Foreign Assets Control gives its approval.

“We still need to have him unblocked in order to execute a contract and have him play,” Katz said.

Katz remains optimistic that such a scenario will play out soon enough to allow Cespedes to arrive at Spring Training on time.

Marlins president David Samson was hopeful that the five-tool player will visit Miami in the coming weeks.

“If it can be arranged, and he wants to come to Miami and see our ballpark, it would be great,” Samson said. “From our standpoint, we are aggressively negotiating a contract, but there is no way of knowing if we will be a high bidder.”

In a brief stint in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Cespedes went 5-for-35 (.143) with a home run and 10 strikeouts. He hit .333 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs in 90 games in Cuba during the 2010-11 campaign. Cespedes was Cuba’s starting center fielder during the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Zack Meisel is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @zackmeisel. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Guess What?

Football season is officially over.

By Bloggo Schloggo (Charles Oliver)

It was a good Super Bowl game yesterday. Not a great one but a good one. Madonna put on a great half-time show. I was glad the 53 year old showed some good taste and judgement. She wasn’t scantily clad and kept the sexual gyrations to a minimum considering Super Bowls are supposed to be family friendly extravaganzas. There were no wardrobe malfunctions.

The Skipper (Charley Manuel) looking to the future.

Brady and Manning acquitted themselves well on the field of play I thought. Each playing well enough to win. The game could have gone either way. The clock deemed the Patriots as second best and the Giants champions in the end.

To think that during the regular season the Eagles whupped the G-men twice leaves one to wonder how the season may have played out had Vick not missed so much time due to injuries. Hell even the lowly Deadskins beat the New Yorkers.

The Giants got hot at the end of the season when it counts most. That being said I tip my hat to them achieving what a couple months ago looked unachievable <– I know that’s not a real word but it works here for these purposes.

Anyway now that football is over until next September it’s time to zone in on the national pastime. Although many would argue that the NFL has replaced the MLB with that description. For me it’s full speed ahead baseball mode. Time to focus on spring training only a month away (can you believe that?). Also it’s time to start considering fantasy baseball line-ups.

The sun gets a little higher in the sky and the hours of daylight are increasing with each passing day. Time to sharpen up the pencils and clean off the keyboard. Two months from today a voice shouts, “Play ball!”. With that we begin another journey of 162 games through spring, summer and fall. Dreams of the playoffs and world series. Will 2012 bring the Phillies back to the position of World Champions? Can they win 102 games again? With the improved Marlins and Nationals I seriously doubt they can win 102 again but, I feel they have a really good shot at going all the way. Like time decided the Super Bowl, time will tell what fortunes lie ahead for the Phils. 

GO PHILLIES!