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| John Patterson had a rough 2007 when arm problems limited him to just 31.1 innings a year after he threw only 40.2 innings. Patterson eventually had surgery on his forearm and followed that up with a second surgery this past off-season. Evidently the second procedure solved his nerve issues and he feels he should be ready to go in 2008. "I'm throwing five to six days a week. I'm throwing bullpens [three days a week]. ... I've been really excited." Patterson posted a 3.13 ERA with 185 K in 2005 so he is certainly a darkhorse to monitor throughout spring training. MLB.com. |
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| Joba Chamberlain still is uncertain as to what role he will fill this season, but it appears that the team is leaning toward slotting him in the rotation at this point. "All I've continued to say this winter is that he's a starter, we look at him as a starter and we're going to prepare him as a starter this spring," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. Chamberlain will have a ton of value in either role after his 34 K, 6 BB performance in just 24 innings late last season, though he would obviously benefit his owners if he were stretched out in a starting role. MLB.com |
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| Manny Ramirez said Saturday that he'd like to stay in Boston after this season, but he's preparing himself for the chance he'll end up somewhere else next season, according to MLB.com. His current deal expires after the 2008 campaign, but the Sox hold options for 2009 and 2010. He's spent the offseason training at Athletes Performance Institute and plans to be at camp on time. Manny wouldn't be the first player to have a career performance when he has a contract on the line. It's obviously great motivation. |
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| Erik Bedard, P, Seattle Mariners | Saturday 2/9, 1:38 PM CT |
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| Mariners GM Bill Bavasi will discuss a contract extension with Erik Bedard's agent, now that Bedard finally joined the M's, according to the Seattle Times. Bedard said he was open to a long-term contract with the Orioles, but they didn't make any good offers. "If they would have put a serious offer, maybe I would have considered it," Bedard said. The Mariners control Bedard's contract for the next two seasons, so there isn't a huge rush to make it happen quickly, but clearly the M's would like to lock him up for the long term. |
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| After adding Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva to the rotation this offseason, GM Bill Bavasi plans to move Horacio Ramirez to the bullpen, according to the Seattle Times. Ramirez will have to improve a lot on the 7.16 ERA and 1.85 WHIP he posted last season in order to seriously compete for a long-relief role. |
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| The acquisition of Erik Bedard will push Brandon Morrow to the bullpen this spring, according to the Seattle Times. GM Bill Bavasi said he'll shelve his original plan of moving Morrow into the rotation, which means Morrow will have to go back to his previous role as a late-inning relief specialist in the seventh or eighth. |
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| Rich Harden, P, Oakland Athletics | Saturday 2/9, 10:24 AM CT |
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| Rich Harden has thrown off a mound three times in the past week, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Pitching coach Curt Young said the pitcher "feels tremendous." Harden took part in just seven games last season due to his frail body, so it's good to hear something positive about his health heading into spring training. |
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| Kevin Mench, LF, Toronto Blue Jays | Saturday 2/9, 8:47 AM CT |
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| The Royals apparently are showing some interest in signing free agent Kevin Mench to a contract, according to the KC Star. The Yankees and Rangers also have expressed limited interest in Mench. |
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| Carl Pavano, P, New York Yankees | Saturday 2/9, 8:36 AM CT |
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| The Yankees and Carl Pavano still hope that he will be able to contribute this season, according to the New York Daily News. "Sometime this summer, that's the best-case scenario for him to be competitively pitching," GM Brian Cashman said. "Whether that's rehab games or more, we'll see." The oft-injured pitcher is working his way back from June 5 Tommy John surgery and is entering the final year of his four-year, $40 million contract. He's been doing some light throwing drills, but it's debatable whether he'll really be able to do anything for the Yankees this season. |
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| Now that the Orioles finally traded Erik Bedard to the Mariners, the Cubs are expected to resume talks with the O's about acquiring Brian Roberts, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. However, there has been no deal struck in principle and nothing appears imminent at this point. Sean Gallagher is expected to be the key part of any deal for Roberts, but considering how long it took for the O's to deal Bedard, it's safe to assume any Roberts trade won't happen for a while. |
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