| Brandon Lyon, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Wednesday 2/6, 8:54 PM CT |
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| Brandon Lyon will replace Jose Valverde, who was traded to Houston after saving a major league-high 47 games last year, as the Diamondbacks' closer, according to the AP. Lyon had 14 saves in 2005 and two in 2007, when he spent most of the season as Valverde's eighth-inning setup man. He went 6-4 with a 2.68 ERA in and a lackluster 4.86 K/9 rate in 73 appearances last year. "It's a different mind-set closing," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "Brandon has shown he can do it." Lyon got the nod over Tony Pena and Chad Qualls as Arizona's new closer, and Melvin said he announced the move on Wednesday because he didn't want any uncertainty over roles heading into spring training. Obviously Lyon's fantasy value is increased exponentially as a result of this news. |
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| Vinnie Chulk, P, San Francisco Giants | Wednesday 2/6, 2:20 PM CT |
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| Vinny Chulk avoided arbitration with the Giants Wednesday by inking a one-year, $837,500 contract, according to the AP. He can receive an additional $12,500 if he makes 60 appearances as a pitcher this season. Chulk had a fine year in 2007, holding a 3.57 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 57 appearances, but his value in fantasy is low considering he's unlikely to receive any stray save opportunities. |
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| Tony Clark, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks | Wednesday 2/6, 10:53 AM CT |
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| The Padres are interested in veteran free agent Tony Clark, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports. Clark wouldn't get a lot of at-bats behind Adrian Gonzalez, but he did grow up in San Diego and would be a great addition to the clubhouse. The team has also entertained the idea of signing Mike Sweeney. |
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| Takashi Saito is close to signing a one-year deal with the Dodgers and should be under contract by spring training, a team source told the LA Times. The closer is under the team's control. |
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| Russell Martin spent time working out in Arizona over the offseason and has reduced his body fat percentage. "I feel more explosive," Martin said in the LA Times. Martin is arguably the top fantasy catching option this season. He wore down a bit at the end of the year, so perhaps being in a little better shape will help him sustain his success through September. |
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| Victor Zambrano has been given a spring training invite by the Rockies. It was reported back in December that the team was trying to sign him to a minor-league deal, so obviously they were able to work one out. Zambrano, who held a woeful 10.17 ERA in 23 innings for the Blue Jays and Orioles, will try to win a bullpen job, according to the Denver Post. |
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| Freddy Sanchez, who had a minor arthroscopic procedure last September to clean out the acromioclavicular joint in his right rotator cuff, said Tuesday that the shoulder "feels great" and that he expects to be fully ready for spring training. He plans to report with the pitchers and catchers on Feb. 14, five days before position players are required to show, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sanchez just recently signed a contract extension. |
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