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| Skipper Joe Maddon confirmed that Shawn Riggans is the top candidate for the backup catcher's job but didn't hold back from offering the team's third option, 12-year veteran Mike Difelice, accolades, according to SPTimes.com.
"I can really understand why he's made such an impact on all the teams that he's played for," Maddon said. "Well-spoken, well-thought-out and he's got this professional sternness about him as a catcher that I really like." Riggans has not been bothered by the elbow that prematurely ended his 2007 season. |
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| Matt Garza, P, Tampa Bay Rays | Saturday 2/16, 11:44 PM CT |
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| With the acquisition of Matt Garza this offseason the team believes they have the youngest trio of talent in the league. Garza, Rays ace Scott Kazmir and James Shields make up the teams top three starters. According to SPTimes.com, Rays officials are comparing their three top starter to that of the A's in the early part of the decade. That trio included Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. The comparison is a stretch at this point, especially including Garza into the mix. |
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| Kei Igawa, P, New York Yankees | Saturday 2/16, 9:41 PM CT |
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| Kei Igawa, the left-handed Japanese import, is fighting for a starting role for the second straight spring, according to the team website.
The Yankees' $46 million investment in the 28-year-old looked to be a bust early last year, and that opinion hasn't changed this spring. Igawa was just 2-3 with a 6.25 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) over three stints in New York, bouncing to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Class A Tampa in an effort to fix his mechanics. The team is doing everything they can to help Igawa, but all indications point to the southpaw being nothing more than an average Major League talent. |
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| Gregg Zaun, C, Toronto Blue Jays | Saturday 2/16, 8:49 PM CT |
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| Jays manager John Gibbons told the team website on Saturday that Gregg Zaun is his catcher, and Rod Barajas isn't in a position to win the starting job. Barajas will see plenty of time behind the plate -- and possibly also at first base according to the skipper. Zaun's a starting option in AL-only leagues that require two backstops and a fringe option in all other formats. |
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| B.J. Ryan, P, Toronto Blue Jays | Saturday 2/16, 8:35 PM CT |
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| B.J. Ryan, the 6-foot-6 left-hander, put his return from elbow surgery on display for the first time Friday, according to MLB.com. He followed that up with another session on Saturday.
"I couldn't wait to get out there that first day," Ryan said. "You can't get the ball back fast enough once you get out there and get going. And you finally settle down and get in a little rhythm. I felt good."
Ryan threw for only 10 minutes, but didn't show any ill effects from his TJS last May. The report noted he threw fastballs and sliders in his second round in the bullpen since arriving in Florida. The team still gives Ryan a chance to be ready for Opening Day - only 11 months removed from surgery that typically takes anywhere from 12-24 months to completely recover from. |
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| The hot topic in Toronto is the role of veteran Casey Janssen . According to the official team website the organization is debating where the 26-year-old righty fits best in the pitching staff, as a starter, or out of the bullpen.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons prefer keeping the right-hander out of the pen considering his 2.35 ERA in his team-high 70 games a year ago.
Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi believes Janssen and the team is better served with the right-hander in the starting rotation. With closer B.J. Ryan possibly being ready for Opening Day, Janssen might not be needed to serve as the setup man and is a lock as one of the starting five. Everything appears to hinge on what kind of spring Ryan has and whether he will in fact be ready by April 1st. |
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| Anderson Garcia is now a Seattle Mariner. The team claimed the right-hander off waivers from the Phillies and added him to the 40-man roster according to the Seattle Times. In 221 minor league games over a seven year span, including 39 starts, the 26-year-old is 29-31 with a 3.85 ERA. Barring a number of Spring Training injuries, Garcia will begin the year on the farm. |
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| Ervin Santana wasn't present for the first day of workouts but was expected to arrive sometime Saturday according to MLB.com. The fact that Kelvin Escobar (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the disabled list means Santana and Joe Saunders will battle for the final slot in the rotation. Scioscia's knows that if Santana can maintain his delivery the way he did the first month and last month of the season, he has the potential to be special. In face the skipper believes, "...he has the potential to be a 20-game winner. He's got great stuff." Most experienced fantasy owners have been saying the same thing about Daniel Cabrera for three springs. |
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| Brandon Wood, 3B, Los Angeles Angels | Saturday 2/16, 4:48 PM CT |
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| For the Angels, the starting shortstop role will remain in question right up to Opening Day in Minnesota, according to the team website.
Manager Mike Scioscia will take long hard looks at Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar and Brandon Wood before making a decision.
Izturis' versatility could pigeon-hole him into a utility role. Aybar's natural position is shortstop -- and the fact that Wood is less experienced among the group -- will not factor into the final decision, Scioscia said.
"We have a lot of versatility," Scioscia said. "A guy's not going to lose a position because he's more valuable moving around." Scioscia's statement would make one believe he is leaning towards Izturis as his starter in the hole, but the skipper likes Aybar bat, "...he is a guy with the ability to hit .300 at some point," according to Scoioscia. Wood will be in the Spring Training mix, but he is expected to begin the season on the farm. |
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| Francisco Rodriguez is expected to be with his teammates today after tying up some loose ends at home in Venezuela, according to the Angels team website and general manager Tony Reagins.
The league leader in saves over the past three seasons with 132, pitched over the winter in his native Venezuela. In 17 innings, he was 0-1 with a 2.65 ERA, walking only three hitters while striking out 21.
K-Rod is for the most part, the highest ranked fantasy relief option, regardless of format. But paying (too much) for saves is not recommended, and the Angels fireman will not be available after the fifth round -- or for less than $32 in AL-only formats, less in mixed. Targeting K-Rod on draft day will mean an owner will have no choice but to overpay for his services.
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| Kiko Calero is working out, but he is behind the other pitchers in camp. Calero is coming off rotator cuff surgery. "He's on his own throwing program," manager Bob Geren tells MLB.com. "He's going to be behind as far as mound time." |
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| Cliff Floyd, DH, Tampa Bay Rays | Saturday 2/16, 11:36 AM CT |
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| Cliff Floyd reported to camp on Saturday and is prepared to split the outfield and DH roles. "Well, I think the important thing is when I do get out on the field, play well," Floyd tells MLB.com. "I mean, not try to be Superman, because that's going into the danger zone... Whatever role I'm put into, I'm sure I can adapt to it, whether it's going into the outfield and playing two, three days a week and DHing two." |
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| Chone Figgins arrived at camp on Friday, and he is still working through a bit of rehab with his left wrist. He had surgery to remove the hook of the hamate bone in late October. "It's full go," Figgins tells MLB.com. "I didn't get my normal work in, but I've been hitting for about a month. I still get some soreness, but nothing like before." |
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| Kelvim Escobar isn't expected to throw a baseball until mid-March as he recovers from a sore right shoulder. "He'll be throwing a baseball sometime in the second, third week of March, playing catch. If there are no setbacks, hopefully we can get him going early in the season," manager Mike Scoscia tells MLB.com. We don't have a firm timetable for Escobar, but he won't be ready for the start of the season and this news strongly suggests he may not be ready to join the rotation until May. His fantasy stock is sliding quickly. |
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| Talks between the Orioles and Cubs regarding Brian Roberts have stalled, and the All-Star is expected to report to Orioles camp next week. "I don't see [a trade] as likely before the reporting date," Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail tells the Baltimore Sun. "Anything can happen... but I just don't see it." |
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| Chris Ray, P, Baltimore Orioles | Saturday 2/16, 10:23 AM CT |
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| Chris Ray threw on Friday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. "I think that kind of made everybody's day," manager Dave Trembley tells the Baltimore Sun. Ray is hoping to return before the end of this season, but fantasy owners shouldn't expect him to regain the closer's role this year. |
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| Hayden Penn, P, Baltimore Orioles | Saturday 2/16, 10:06 AM CT |
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| Hayden Penn is eager to show the Orioles that he's suited for a rotation spot. He made his big league debut in 2005 but has been hampered by injuries ever since. "I really think I do need to reprove myself to the organization," he tells the Baltimore Sun. "The last couple of years has been tough, and it almost feels like I'm starting over from where I was three years ago." |
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| Brendan Donnelly (elbow) won't report to spring training until March, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed last June. |
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| Josh Fields, 3B, Chicago White Sox | Saturday 2/16, 9:47 AM CT |
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| White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has a depth chart established at third base, for the moment. "My third baseman right now, to be honest with you, is Josh Fields," Guillen tells the Chicago Sun-Times. "One reason: I don't know exactly where Joe Crede is healthwise. I don't know what Joe can do for me." |
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