| Craig Wilson, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates | Thursday 2/7, 10:55 PM CT |
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| The New York Post reports that the Mets have an interest in Craig Wilson, a veteran reserve who could serve as a righty bat and offer defensive versatility. Wilson primarily has played first base and right field during his career, but he's also experienced in left and behind the plate. The 31-year-old Wilson hit .172 with one homer in 58 at-bats for Atlanta last year and offers little to fantasy owners outside of deep NL-only formats. |
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| Odalis Perez, P, Washington Nationals | Thursday 2/7, 10:46 PM CT |
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| Former KC starting pitcher Odalis Perez was recently scouted by the Phillies during a staged workout in the Dominican Republic, according to the Kansas City Star. Philadelphia assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told the Philadelphia Daily News the club’s interest was “lukewarm.” The Phillies are more interested in right-hander Kris Benson and plan to make the free agent an offer sometime in the next week. |
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| Tony Clark, 1B, San Diego Padres | Thursday 2/7, 5:33 PM CT |
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| Tony Clark and the San Diego Padres are deep into negotiations on a contract according to a report from the Union Tribune. Clark, 35, hit 17 home runs and batted .249 in 221 at-bats with the Diamondbacks last season. In 2005, when he was Arizona's regular first baseman, Clark hit 30 home runs. Clark's fantasy value will rest in deep NL only formats unless an untimely injury strikes starting first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. |
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| The Phillies inked Eric Bruntlett to a one-year, $600,000 deal Thursday, avoiding arbitration with the utilityman. Bruntlett hit .246 with 14 runs batted in during 80 games with the Astros last season. He was sent to Philly in November as part of the Brad Lidge package. |
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| Jeff Kent, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers | Thursday 2/7, 9:36 AM CT |
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| Jeff Kent, who is in the last year of his contract with the Dodgers, would not say Wednesday if this will be his last season. "I won't even approach that. It's not the time or the place," he said in the LA Times. Kent will turn 40 next month but is still a very productive player. |
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| Doug Slaten, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Thursday 2/7, 9:27 AM CT |
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| Doug Slaten, recovering from microfracture surgery on his right knee, has already been throwning off a mound. Manager Bob Melvin said he believes there is a "good chance" that the pitcher will be ready by opening day, according to the Arizona Republic. |
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| Randy Johnson threw off the mound Tuesday for the first time since his back surgery last summer, tossing 25 fastballs and reporting no problems afterwards, according to the Arizona Republic. The lefty is on track to participate fully in spring training. |
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| Chris Carpenter, who had Tommy John surgery last July, plans on being part of the Cardinals' rotation for a significant portion of the coming season. "The question is whether it's going to be before the All-Star break, after the All-Star break or somewhere in between," Carpenter said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Carpenter made three sets of 25 tosses from 90 feet Wednesday. He plans to reach 120 feet next week and 150 feet in early March before throwing off a mound before the end of camp. If the former Cy Young winner's rehab goes perfectly, he could return in June, but it's nearly unheard of for someone to go through the recovery process without having a minor setback or two. "They say 10-12 months (recovery) depending on how many times you slow down," he said. "There might be some soreness here and there that causes you to miss a few days. That's to be expected. What you want to avoid is missing a week or more." |
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| The Pirates outrighted Sean Burnett to Triple-A Indianapolis Wednesday after the left-hander cleared waivers. The former first-round pick was designated for assignment last Friday. Burntett will be one of 65 players invited to the major-league portion of spring training that begins next week, and GM Neal Huntington said the lefty still has a chance to make the team, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, the Pirates have also expressed concern about the lack of velocity Burnett has shown while pitching in Venezuela this winter. |
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| Manager Willie Randolph isn't sure whether he will start new acquisition Johan Santana or Pedro Martinez on opening day. He said a decision wouldn't be made until spring training. "I have two legitimate stoppers, so I have a choice to make," Randolph said in the NY Post. "But I'm sure it will be a pleasant choice. I've got a month to think about that." Randolph may have more loyalty to Pedro, but we've got a hunch that he'll end up going with the lefty. |
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| Russell Branyan faces a trial on domestic violence charges next month. Branyan's wife, Jill, alleges that the veteran assaulted her in a car on Jan. 31, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. According to Jill, Russell reached over and grabbed his wife's mouth to stop her from talking when the two were in an argument. The force of the grab caused her to develop a swollen lip and some bleeding. Branyan, who plead not guilty, is still currently looking for a job, and this charge certainly doesn't help his chances at landing one. |
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