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| Andy Pettitte has apparently asked out of testifying before Congress on Monday according to a report on MLB.com. Apparently, Pettitte may be allowed to skip testifying in front of Congress and the cameras which would certainly save him from those awkward moments when the questioning would ultimately turn to his close buddy, Roger Clemens. Pettitte was already deposed last week. |
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| Garrett Olson signed a one-year deal with the Orioles on Monday. He went 1-3 with a 7.79 earned run average in seven starts last season but remains a promising prospect with the upside to be a No. 3 starter. |
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| Luke Scott, LF, Baltimore Orioles | Monday 2/11, 4:16 PM CT |
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| The Orioles signed Luke Scott to a one-year deal on Monday, thereby avoiding arbitration. Scott hit .255-18-69 for the Astros last year and will be an everyday player against right-handers in the Baltimore outfield. |
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| The Orioles signed veteran right-hander Steve Trachsel to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training on Monday, according to the AP.
Trachsel started last season with the Orioles and went 6-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 25 starts before being dealt to the Cubs on Aug. 31 for infielder Scott Moore and righthander Rocky Cherry, but the deal did not work out for the Cubs - as Trachsel went 1-3 with an 8.31 ERA in four starts for Chicago. Fantasy owners should keep their distance from a guy who had 20 more walks than strikeouts last year. |
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| Melvin Mora, 3B, Baltimore Orioles | Monday 2/11, 1:38 PM CT |
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| Although they are getting younger at most positions, the Orioles have several veterans -- such as third baseman Melvin Mora, designated hitter Aubrey Huff and outfielder Jay Gibbons -- who are locked into contracts that make them difficult to move. The Washington Post suggests that Mora is on the block. Mora, 36 -- who has a no-trade clause in his extension, which takes him to 2009 -- continued a steady four-year decline in 2007, hitting just 14 homers while driving in only 58 runs. The hope in Baltimore is that one or more of these players can stay healthy and play well enough to become trade bait for a contending team in July. |
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| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Monday 2/11, 1:32 PM CT |
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| For what it’s worth, the Red Sox are taking the politically correct route when they broach the subject of Coco Crisp and his fit in the lineup. According to the Boston Herald, the BoSox are saying that Crisp is a candidate to start in center field and that competition is a healthy thing. At the same time, keeping top prospect Jacoby Ellsbury on the bench or sending him to the minor leagues will do absolutely no good at this stage because the kid needs to play, just as Dustin Pedroia needed to play last year. Though Crisp has underperformed in Boston, he is signed for the next two years at a total of $10.5 million in base salary with an $8 million option (or $500,000 buyout) for 2010. For a center fielder in this day and age, that’s short money. Given the Schilling situation, don’t be surprised if the Sox package Crisp with a prospect and try to get themselves a durable starter for the middle of their rotation. |
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| The Mets don't believe Shannon Stewart or Kevin Mench would provide adequate insurance if Moises Alou were injured, according to Fox Sports. Stewart has a below-average arm and Mench is a below-average defender. The Mets are continuing their search for another versatile bat, but their search appears to be in vain as Spring Training closes in. What is the title of the NRBQ hit? "All I want is everything?" |
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| Joe Blanton, P, Oakland Athletics | Monday 2/11, 12:20 AM CT |
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| Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Reds remain the most fervent suitor for A's right-hander Joe Blanton, and apparently are exploring other pitching options as well.
"Cincy is really trying to land a veteran starter," one rival general manager says. Regardless of who Cincinnati lands, Great American Ball Park is not a pitcher friendly venue.
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| Fox Sports reports that Kenny Lofton played for Dusty Baker with the Giants in 2002 and the Cubs in '03, both times joining Baker's teams in July and then helping them advance deep into the postseason. Ken Rosenthal suggests that another reunion could be in the works.
The Reds are considering Lofton, but the extent of their interest might hinge on which players — if any — they trade for a starting pitcher.
Lofton, a free agent who bats left-handed, could fit in a platoon role with the Reds. The team's returning center fielders, Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper, are both right-handed hitters. Lofton was a draft day steal last year, going in the late rounds of Roto formats, and in some mixed-leagues, going undrafted. Lofton's splits were poor, however, stealing 21 bases in 84 games with Texas and then swiping but two in his final 52 games with Cleveland. Playing time is the key for Lofton and he will have a difficult time finding the same role this year, that he had with the Rangers early last season. |
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