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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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| Josh Willingham has a clean bill of health, as he enters spring training, according to MLB.com. "Hammer [Willingham] is ready to go," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I spoke with him several times this winter, and he says he is good to go. We may have to give him a couple of days here and there, just so he can hold up the whole year." Willingham missed the final few weeks of last season with a herniated disc in his back. When he does rest, recent signee Luis Gonzalez will start in left field. |
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| Craig Wilson has agreed to sign a minor league contract with the Reds, according to the AP. Wilson, who hit just .172 in 58 at-bats for the Braves last season, will try to earn a roster spot in spring training. |
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| Noah Lowry, P, San Francisco Giants | Saturday 2/9, 2:06 PM CT |
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| Giants officials have stated that Noah Lowry is expected to arrive this spring without any limitations, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Several teams are expected to keep an eye on Lowry this spring to see if he's over last year's elbow strain. If he is, he could well be dealt for a position player. In particular, the Giants are interested in Joe Crede. |
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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 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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| Barry Zito, P, San Francisco Giants | Saturday 2/9, 8:29 AM CT |
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| Barry Zito might not be the Giants' opening day starter this spring, according to the San Jose Mercury News. "I'll get with (pitching coach) Dave Righetti and we'll have that done pretty soon," manager Bruce Bochy said. "I'll answer that in Arizona." Zito is entering the second year of his monster $126 million contract after going 11-13 with a 4.53 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in his first season. |
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| Tim Lincecum, P, San Francisco Giants | Saturday 2/9, 8:23 AM CT |
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| Tim Lincecum said he plans to throw his slider more often this spring with the hopes of establishing it along with his hard fastball, lollipop curve and changeup, according to the Contra Costa Times. "I plan to be a four-pitch starter," he said. "I'd love for it to be a pitch I can throw for strikes, but it's looking like a strikeout pitch. The more I throw it, the more comfortable it feels." Lincecum added that he was really happy to remain with the Giants after he was nearly traded to Toronto in December. The young hurler struck out 150 batters in 146 IP, while posting a 3.94 ERA and 1.28 WHIP last 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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